Student art show opens this week at Solano Town Center – Daily Republic

The Fairfield-Suisun City Visual Arts Association invites the community to the 6th Annual FSVAA High School Student Art Show, which opens Wednesday.

The show features artwork from students at various high schools in Solano County.

Categories include Oil, Acrylic, Watercolor, Pastel/Drawing, Sculpture/Assemblage, Ceramic Vessel, Mixed Media/Collage, Color Photography, B&W Photography, Computer Art/Digital Art, Fiber Art/Textile, Printmaking, Jewelry, and Video/Other.

Source: Student art show opens this week at Solano Town Center

Education partnership to bring trades classroom to incarcerated youth – Daily Republic

The Solano County Probation Department’s Juvenile Detention Facility in collaboration with the Solano County Office of Education will host a grand opening of the new construction trades classroom.

Probation Chief Chris Hansen and Superintendent of Schools Lisette Estrella-Henderson will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Juvenile Detention Facility, 740 Beck Ave.

Source: Education partnership to bring trades classroom to incarcerated youth

BUSD Superintendent Dr. Charles Young retiring after end of school year – Times-Herald

By Thomas Gase

Dr. Charles Young said that “If you can find a profession that matches your values, then you’re in a good place.

”For more than three decades, Young was in a good place, with the last seven years being the Benicia Unified School District superintendent.

However, Young has decided to step away peacefully as he announced earlier in the month that he will be retiring after the end of the 2021-22 school year. Young has been the superintendent in Benicia since July of 2015. Young has also been the associate superintendent of Educational Services for the Palo Alto Unified School District.

Source: Benicia Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Charles Young retiring after end of school year – Times-Herald

Entrants sought for Solano 2022 Virtual Science and Engineering Fair – The Vacaville Reporter

Got science?

Registration for the Solano 2022 Virtual Science and Engineering Fair competition is open.

The Solano County Office of Education’s countywide competition has three divisions: elementary school (grades 3-5), middle school (grades 6-8) and high school (grades 9-12). Each division has three categories: Earth Science, Physical Science, and Life Science.

Students’ projects will be reviewed and judged by representatives from various universities.

Source: Entrants sought for Solano 2022 Virtual Science and Engineering Fair – The Vacaville Reporter

Vanden High Students Celebrate Black History Month – The Vacaville Reporter

Vanden High School senior, Erica Dennis (left,) is interviewed by Maya Taylor, President of the Vanden High School Black Student Union as she competes in a “Best Dashiki,” contest Tuesday during lunch. Maya said that the club has activities planned, including trivia and t-shirts contests, and music during lunch all week to promote awareness and celebrate Black History Month. Tuesday’s event included the dashiki contest and a performance by the Vanden High Drumline.

Source: Photos: Vanden High Students Celebrate Black History Month – The Vacaville Reporter

Rep. DeSaulnier Virtual Town Hall On Mental Health: Pandemic 2022 | Walnut Creek, CA Patch

“The event will be held on Zoom and will be streamed live on Representative DeSaulnier’s Facebook page (facebook.com/repmarkdesaulnier).

“Congressman DeSaulnier will be joined by experts in the field of mental health, Gigi Crowder with the National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) California and Dr. Nicola Parr of the Solano County Office of Education, who will be available to answer questions.

Source: Feb 23 | Rep. DeSaulnier Virtual Town Hall On Mental Health: Pandemic 2022 | Walnut Creek, CA Patch

SCOE welcomes input on school safety plans – The Vacaville Reporter

School safety is always a priority, and local leaders want your input on helping to keep local students protected.

On Tuesday, the Solano County Office of Education will welcome parents, guardians, staff and the community in sharing insight on safety plans for Golden Hills Community School in Fairfield, the TC McDaniels Early Education Center in Fairfield and Irene Larsen Center in Vacaville. Come review the plans and provide feedback.

A Zoom meeting will be held from 4-5 p.m. at https://solanocoe.zoom.us/j/96169013289?from=addon#success.

Source: SCOE welcomes input on school safety plans – The Vacaville Reporter

Registration open for early childhood education convention – Daily Republic

By Barbara Navolanic

Nine regional parent participation preschools, members of the California Council of Parent Participation Nursery Schools, are partnering to host the 2022 Early Childhood Convention on March 5 at the Hotel Winters in Winters.

This hybrid event will be held both in-person and virtually to provide an opportunity for attendees from across the state to attend and engage with each other and the featured speakers. The theme for this year’s convention is “Play to Grow: Engaging in Acts of Care.”

The convention committee felt that after the stresses and challenges of the past two years it was time to consider “care” of self and family.

Source: Registration open for early childhood education convention

Vacaville Garden Club offering scholarship – Daily Republic

Spring is the time for new growth and the Vacaville Garden Club is pleased to announce that for the first time the club will be offering a scholarship to a student interested in pursuing a career in a horticulture or an agricultural-related field at a two- or four-year college, university or technical school.

The opportunity to apply is open to all students graduating from high school in Vacaville and guidelines and applications are available at high school counseling offices.

Source: Vacaville Garden Club offering scholarship

Registration begins for virtual science, engineering fair – Daily Republic

Registration for the Solano 2022 Virtual Science and Engineering Fair competition is open.

The Solano County Office of Education’s countywide competition has three divisions: elementary school (third through fifth grades), middle school (sixth through eighth grades and high school (ninth through 12th grades). Each division has three categories: Earth Science, Physical Science, and Life Science.

Students’ projects will be reviewed and judged by representatives from various universities. Top middle and high school winners will be eligible to enter the California State Science and Engineering Fair in April.

Source: Registration begins for virtual science, engineering fair

County Office of Education touts program to support social-emotional learning – Daily Republic

The county schools office will team with its counterpart in Sacramento County to continue a program that began last year to help teachers and students through the pandemic.

The Solano County Office of Education launched a social-emotional learning community of practice in March 2021 to provide resources and support for Solano educators and students, according to a press release.

Source: County Office of Education touts program to support social-emotional learning

CA Middle Schools Selected as “Schools to Watch” – Year 2022 (CA Dept of Education)

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond today announced that 16 high-performing California middle schools have been recognized by the California Schools to Watch program. Another 31 schools reapplied to the program, demonstrated their sustained progress, and have been re-designated as 2022 “California Schools to Watch.”

“Congratulations to these innovative and exceptional schools for creating systems that support the needs of all students—all while navigating extraordinarily challenging conditions during the pandemic,” Thurmond said. “These schools are outstanding examples of how educational innovation and a dedicated school community can keep students engaged and learning through a critical stage in their K–12 journey.”

Source: CA Middle Schools Selected as “Schools to Watch” – Year 2022 (CA Dept of Education)

9-Year-Old Wins Protest Against School’s Lunch Menu — ‘What Do We Want? Chocolate Milk!’ | CafeMom.com

By Genny Glassman

A 9-year-old boy and his classmates at Sierra Vista K-8 School in Vacaville, California, wanted to bring chocolate milk back to the school lunch menu — and they were willing to fight to make it happen. Fourth grader Jordan Reed led the protest on February 4 to bring the drink back to lunchtime. And after students used their voices to encourage the school to make the change — they won.

Source: 9-Year-Old Wins Protest Against School’s Lunch Menu — ‘What Do We Want? Chocolate Milk!’ | CafeMom.com

Benicia lifts mask mandate, is Vallejo next? – Times-Herald

By Thomas Gase

On Tuesday night, the Benicia City Council lifted its mask mandate with 4-1 vote. The one vote against the motion belonged to Benicia Vice Mayor Tom Campbell.

Benicia will now follow the Solano County Public Health and California Department of Public Health State’s masking requirements, according to its website. Businesses may continue to require patrons to wear masks and individuals are free to continue wearing masks.

Students at schools in the Benicia Unified School District, however, are still required to wear masks.

Source: Benicia lifts mask mandate, is Vallejo next? – Times-Herald

Willis Jepson named School to Watch for third time – The Vacaville Reporter

In sports, the term three-peat refers to three consecutive championships by a single team. Examples include the 1972-74 Oakland A’s, 2000-02 Los Angeles Lakers, and the Chicago Bulls, who achieved two separate three-peats in the ’90s.

However, the term can also be applied to schools that receive statewide honors. After all, it takes a team of teachers, administrators, students and parents to make a school what it is, and they were all instrumental in Willis Jepson Middle School being named a “School to Watch.” That designation by the California League of Schools is bestowed on middle schools that demonstrate academic excellence, social equity and responsiveness to the needs of young adolescents.

Source: Willis Jepson named School to Watch for third time – The Vacaville Reporter

State recognizes Travis Education Center as model continuation high school – Daily Republic

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond has announced the Travis Education Center is one of 36 schools in the state recognized as a Model Continuation High School for 2022.

“These model schools provide invaluable resources and academic opportunities to our high-needs students, who often are dealing with difficult life events,” Thurmond said in a press release. “Students reap the benefits of social and emotional learning, mentorship programs, student wellness and restorative justice practices, among other exemplary methods.”

Source: State recognizes Travis Education Center as model continuation high school

National Nutrition Month—March 2022 – Nutrition (CA Dept of Education)

The California Department of Education Nutrition Services Division commends schools across the state for providing excellent service and continuous access to school meals and snacks. Since the beginning of this pandemic, school food service professionals, school leaders, and staff have been on the frontlines providing nutritious meals that support not only students, but families and communities as well. We continue to feel immense gratitude and admiration for your dedication and resilience.

March is National Nutrition Month® (NNM®). This month is an outstanding time to celebrate and recognize both the importance of nutritious foods and the role that food service staff play in supporting student health, learning, and school meals (on or off-campus).

This year’s theme is Celebrate a World of Flavors. Understanding the multiplicity of cultures and celebrating flavors from around the world helps us to recognize and appreciate our diversity. The theme encourages us to be curious, enjoy our differences, and expand our palettes. In our school communities, we bring together many different backgrounds, cultural food habits, and taste preferences. During the month of March, I encourage you to Celebrate a World of Flavors, as well as the students, families and staff that enrich our collective experiences by sharing their food cultures with us.

Source: National Nutrition Month—March 2022 – Nutrition (CA Dept of Education)

Fairfield-Suisun schools eye initial state budget plan – Daily Republic

By Susan Hiland

The Fairfield-Suisun School District looks to receive nearly $5 million more in baseline state funding next year than it expects this school year based on the governor’s proposed state budget – but also faces more than $5.5 million in extra pension costs, according to a preliminary budget review.

Laneia Grindle, assistant superintendent of Business Services, presented the school board Thursday with an update on the governor’s budget proposal and how it – at least preliminarily – meshes with local plans that include staff raises totaling more than $4.5 million for the coming school year and roughly $1 million in each of the next two years.

Source: Fairfield-Suisun schools eye initial state budget plan

Kindergarteners share love through music, sign language – The Vacaville Reporter

By Kimberly K. Fu

Through music and motion Friday morning, Suisun Valley kindergarteners offered their hearts to attendees of their annual Suisun Valley Love Concert, this year at nearby Village 360.

They lifted their cheerful voices and signed song lyrics as they sang, to the delight of loved ones gathered around the stage area.

It was a bright start to the day, with pint-sized youths clad in white T-shirts emblazoned with hand-decorated rainbow-filled hearts. Some youths went the extra mile with heart headbands and rainbow-colored tulle tutus.

And the backdrop — a verdant countryside with a tractor hard at work, all framed by a garland of colorful paper hearts.

Source: Kindergarteners share love through music, sign language – The Vacaville Reporter

SPI Announces 2022 Model Continuation High Schools – Year 2022 (CA Dept of Education)

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond announced today that 36 schools throughout the state were recognized as Model Continuation High Schools (MCHS) for 2022.

“These model schools provide invaluable resources and academic opportunities to our high-needs students, who often are dealing with difficult life events,” said Thurmond. “Students reap the benefits of social and emotional learning, mentorship programs, student wellness, and restorative justice practices, among other exemplary methods. The efforts of teachers and administrators at our Model Continuation High Schools provide students with the social support, goal-setting, and coping skills that they need to succeed in the academic setting and in their lives after high school.”

Source: SPI Announces 2022 Model Continuation High Schools – Year 2022 (CA Dept of Education)