Monthly Archives: February 2022

SPI Announces Support for Senate Bill 830 – Year 2022 (CA Dept of Education)

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State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond and Senator Anthony J. Portantino (D-La Cañada Flintridge) today joined state school leaders and partners to urge support of a bill that would inject new funding into schools using a more equitable funding calculation and finance efforts to address chronic absenteeism and truancy.

Senate Bill (SB) 830, co-sponsored by State Superintendent Thurmond, would augment California’s education funding system, which is now based on average attendance with additional funding based on average enrollment. This modification would help schools be funded more equitably and help schools struggling with absenteeism—and all schools—receive the financial support they need to recover from the pandemic and thrive in the future.

“With the pandemic already causing so many difficulties across schools and in people’s lives, the last thing that should happen is for schools to face additional economic uncertainty,” said State Superintendent Thurmond. “SB 830 gives districts predictability on how they receive funding and gives them important resources to address what has been one of our most perplexing challenges: dealing with chronic absenteeism in ways we have not yet seen before. It will put students and schools on a better path to further close opportunity and education gaps.”

Source: SPI Announces Support for Senate Bill 830 – Year 2022 (CA Dept of Education)

Suisun offers limited pre-kindergarten learning app for free – Daily Republic

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A language and literacy app aimed at pre-kindergarten children is available, in a limited number of licenses, to families in Suisun City.

The city’s Recreation, Parks and Marina Department, through funding by First 5 Solano, has 300 licenses for the Footsteps2Brilliance app.

“The F2B app is a great learning tool for the Suisun City preschool age population. Children may see great progress in their literacy and vocabulary skills leading up to kindergarten, and they only need to spend 15 minutes a day on the app. Funding through First 5 Solano has made the app free for Suisun City residents, and the RPM Department is excited for the possibilities,” Recreation Supervisor Marvin Mora said in a statement.

Source: Suisun offers limited pre-kindergarten learning app for free

Travis board looks at plans for upcoming school year – Daily Republic

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By Susan Hiland

The Travis School Board heard an update Tuesday on what the school district is doing to meet the required Local Control Accountability Plan.

A report called the Supplement to the Annual Update for the 2021-22 Local Control Accountability Plan covered much of the school district’s efforts toward budgeting, college preparations for students and other needs.

A staff report to the trustees outlines the steps taken by the district since last spring when school survey results were received with 1,635 responses from families, 1,401 responses from students and 256 responses from staff.

Source: Travis board looks at plans for upcoming school year

Students Protest Removal of Chocolate Milk From School Lunch Menu – Newsweek

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By Nick Mordowanec

A group of students were not happy with their school district’s recent decision to remove chocolate milk from the lunch menu, so they galvanized and staged their own outdoor protest.

The group effort worked to bring chocolate milk back, albeit in a very limited capacity.

The student body backlash took place last Friday at Sierra Vista K-8, part of the Vacaville Unified School District in Vacaville, California.

Source: Students Protest Removal of Chocolate Milk From School Lunch Menu

Vanden’s Academic Decathlon squad advances to state competition – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Kimberly K. Fu

For 20 consecutive years, Vanden High School’s Academic Decathlon teams have done amazing in competitions, and this year was no exception.

The team — which took home 30 medals, 14 of them gold — had the second-highest score at the Bay Region Academic Decathlon Saturday and will advance to the state competition in March.

David Kenyon, Vanden’s Academic Decathlon teacher and advisor, said he was extremely proud of his hardworking, dedicated team.

Nihal Grewal, 17 and a senior this year, has been with the Vanden team since he was a sophomore. It’s a tough, grueling activity, he said, as the team practices for at least an hour every school day and on weekends, and yet, so worth it.

Source: Vanden’s Academic Decathlon squad advances to state competition – The Vacaville Reporter

Vanden academic team claims 2nd in Bay Regional decathlon – Daily Republic

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Vanden High School finished second in the 43rd Bay Regional Academic Decathlon, which ended its competition Saturday with the Super Quiz and awards ceremony.

Campolindo High School, from the Acalanes School District in Lafayette, took first place with 35,993 points. Vanden, part of the Travis School District in Fairfield, had 34,218 points and Basis Independent Silicon Valley Charter from Santa Clara finished third, scoring 32,439 points.

“The dedication of these decathletes is truly impressive. These students have spent countless nights and weekends preparing for this competition and improving their academic knowledge and skills.” Solano County Superintendent of Schools Lisette Estrella-Henderson said in a statement. “Every participant should feel very accomplished.”

Source: Vanden academic team claims 2nd in Bay Regional decathlon

Upper Lake High School competes in Bay Regional Academic Decathlon – Lake County News

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Upper Lake High School’s Academic Decathlon team participated in the Bay Regional Academic Decathlon over the weekend and will advance to the state competition to represent Lake County.

The Solano County Office of Education hosts and coordinates the annual Bay Region Academic Decathlon event for students.

“Water, A Most Essential Resource” is the theme of this year’s decathlon in which250 students from 17 high schools across nine counties — Contra Costa, Lake, Mendocino, Napa, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, Sonoma and Yolo — were challenged to bring their “A” game.

Source: Lake County News,California – Upper Lake High School competes in Bay Regional Academic Decathlon; team heads to state event

Democratic Central Committee opposes proposed SCOE Board resolution – Daily Republic

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The Solano County Democratic Central Committee is calling on all party members to speak out against a proposed resolution that would ask Gov. Gavin Newsom to veto vaccine mandates in schools.

The resolution is the ninth item Wednesday on the Solano County Board of Education agenda.

“Please attend and back the governor as he leads the state through the Covid epidemic,” Marjorie Olson, chairwoman of the Solano County Democratic Central Committee, said in the “call for action.”

Source: Democratic Central Committee opposes proposed Solano Board of Education resolution

Fairfield-Suisun board to look at governor’s proposed budget impact – Daily Republic

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By Susan Hiland

The Fairfield-Suisun school board will take a look Thursday at the impact on the school district of the governor’s proposed budget – with a first pass that shows an additional $4.9 million in available state funding.

Laneia Grindle, assistant superintendent of Business Services, will make a presentation about the changes proposed for the 2022-23 school year.

Current school district funding based on average daily attendance is $10,193 per student or $207.4 million, according to a staff report. The estimated funding per ADA for the 2022-23 school year is $10,763 – or $212.3 million.

Source: Fairfield-Suisun board to look at governor’s proposed budget impact

Solano Democratic Party asking for citizens to stand up for safety at Wednesday meeting – Times-Herald

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The Solano Democratic Party is calling on Democrats to stand up for safety in our schools by making their voices heard at the upcoming Solano Board of Education Meeting on Wednesday.

There is a resolution item on the agenda asking Governor Gavin Newsom to veto all future legislation that would require vaccine mandates in public and private schools.

“Please attend and back the governor as he leads the state through the COVID epidemic,” said Marjorie Olson, Chair of the Solano County Democratic Central Committee. “Vaccine requirements are not new for schools and have saved countless lives over many, many years.”

Source: Solano Democratic Party asking for citizens to stand up for safety at Wednesday meeting – Times-Herald

Callison community remembers beloved crossing guard Robert Murray – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Kimberly K. Fu

A great laugh and singing voice.

A huge heart with a special love of children.

A knack for making everyone feel important.

Such were the qualities that defined Robert “Bobby” Murray, 88, Callison Elementary School’s longtime school crossing guard who died in January following an illness.

California will reward volunteering college students with aid — but spend half the money on overheadOn Saturday, more than 100 students, staff, faculty, family, friends and community members gathered on the blacktop at the Vacaville campus in memory of Murray. He was more than a volunteer, they said, more like a friend, and part of the very fabric of the Callison community.

Source: Callison community remembers beloved crossing guard Robert Murray – The Vacaville Reporter

Solano school teams battle for Academic Decathlon honors – Daily Republic

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While Olympians battle for gold, silver and bronze in Beijing, high school teams from nine counties have been bringing their “A game” at the Bay Region Academic Decathlon.

Schools involved from Solano County include Rodriguez High School and Vanden High School in Fairfield, Buckingham Collegiate Charter Academy in Vacaville, Dixon High School, and from Vallejo, Jesse Bethel and Vallejo high schools. They are among 17 schools in all.

The competition culminates in the Super Quiz, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, followed by the awards ceremony at 3 p.m. Both the Super Quiz and awards ceremony can be watched at www.solanocoe.net/academicdecathlon.

Source: Solano school teams battle for Academic Decathlon honors

Travis school board to hear accountability plan update – Daily Republic

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By Susan Hiland

Travis School Board members will hear a legally required update Tuesday on how the school district is managing several million dollars in pandemic-related funding received from both the state and federal governments.

The report to the trustees is officially called the Supplement to the Annual Update for the 2021-22 Local Control Accountability Plan.

California 2021-22 budget, the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and other state and federal pandemic relief acts have provided schools and related entities – called local educational agencies – with what’s described in a staff report as a significant increase in funding to support students, teachers, staff and their communities in recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Source: Travis school board to hear accountability plan update

Solano school board to consider asking governor to nix Covid vaccine mandate – Daily Republic

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The Solano County Board of Education proposes next week to wade into the Covid-19 vaccination debate with a resolution that, if approved, would take a stand against a vaccine mandate for schoolchildren.

An item up for consideration Wednesday is consideration of a resolution requesting that Gov. Gavin Newsom rescind the proposed Covid-19 vaccine mandate for children and teens in public and private schools, and veto any legislation that would require such a mandate.

Newsom has called for such a requirement for age groups for which vaccinations have received full authorization. Such a requirement could be in place for the start of the 2022-23 academic year.

Source: Solano school board to consider asking governor to nix Covid vaccine mandate

Fairfield High alum graduates from Army Ranger School – Daily Republic

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By Todd R. Hansen

Lt. Micah Rankin took an unusual route to Army Ranger School, but he graduated like all other rangers.

The Fairfield High alum was commissioned as an infantry officer in the Arizona National Guard after graduating from California State University, Sacramento, the last two years of which he was a member of the ROTC.

He knew then, however, he wanted to “try his hand” at Army Ranger School.

Source: Fairfield High alum graduates from Army Ranger School

Medical science educator is VUSD Teacher of the Year – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Nick Sestanovich

The past two years have been an extraordinary time for everyone, particularly students in Teri Shook’s medical science classes at Vacaville High School.

When Solano County began offering vaccination clinics to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, including some at Vaca High, Shook’s students volunteered to assist patients with check-ins, direct them to the vaccination area, fill out cards for next appointments and observe patients for 15 minutes following their shots, which were administered by medical professionals.

While such experiences do not happen often, Shook has spent more than a decade teaching medical skills to her students and providing them with the framework to enter the field, if they choose. In honor of her longtime work, especially over the past year, Vacaville Unified School District has named her as the district’s Teacher of the Year.

Source: Medical science educator is VUSD Teacher of the Year – The Vacaville Reporter

Applications for Free Summer Meal Programs – Year 2022 (CA Dept of Education)

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State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond today announced that applications are available for the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and Seamless Summer Option (SSO), both federally funded, state-administered programs that serve free meals to children eighteen and younger when school is out of session. Summer meals provide children with access to essential nutrition during school closures and the summer break.

Summer meal programs have provided children with essential meal service throughout the pandemic. From January 2021 through November 2021, nutrition programs including SFSP and SSO have provided more than 967 million meals to children throughout the state.

“Our summer meal sponsors were critical in allowing us to meet the demands brought on by the COVID crisis, and I commend our school districts and other organizations that made these meals possible,” Thurmond said. “The ability to feed the most vulnerable kids throughout the state, in multiple locations, would not be possible if these organizations did not participate.”

Source: Applications for Free Summer Meal Programs – Year 2022 (CA Dept of Education)

Solano Office of Education highlights CTE programs – Daily Republic

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The Solano County Office of Education is joining the Association for Career and Technical Education’s February awareness campaign to highlight CTE opportunities available to Solano students.

The Office of Education will showcase the numerous CTE programs across the county to raise awareness of the role the program has in ensuring students are ready for college and careers.

“Solano schools are offering a wide range of CTE pathways to students,” Superintendent of Schools Lisette Estrella-Henderson said in a press release. “Solano County Office of Education supports local CTE high school programs and facilitates the Work Ready! Certification program that provides workshops to help students build skills like creating effective resumes, preparing for interviews, social media responsibility and teamwork. These are all important skills that students need to learn to obtain and keep good jobs.”

Source: Solano Office of Education highlights CTE programs