Monthly Archives: March 2022

Fairfield school board looks at projected shortfall of $35.7M – Daily Republic

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By Susan Hiland

An early view of the Fairfield-Suisun School District’s financial picture shows a shortfall in the general fund of tens of millions of dollars and the need to reduce costs in coming years.

The School Board will vote Thursday on the second interim report and certification of the district’s ability to meet its financial obligations for the coming year.

The financial review has several parts: district certification of the interim report; a general fund statement of revenues, expenditures and changes in fund balance that are either unrestricted resources or restricted resources; a combined summary that includes average daily attendance, criteria and standards, a cash flow statement, a multiple-year projection and assumptions along with the combined resources summary for unrestricted resources or restricted resources.

Source: Fairfield school board looks at projected shortfall of $35.7M

Performing during a pandemic: Vanden High drama crew reflects – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Corey Kirk

Following the curtain call Friday night, Vanden High School senior Makenze Munker walked off the stage with a satisfying sigh. After fulfilling her duties as one of the two student directors of Lewis Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland,” she was engulfed by family and friends.

That’s something that she is still getting used to having back.

“It’s honestly surreal, having so many people support you, not only family,” Makenzie said. “It almost gets me emotional, my family is so supportive.”

Source: Performing during a pandemic: Vanden High drama crew reflects – The Vacaville Reporter

Fairfield High teacher in need of kidney transplant donor – Daily Republic

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By Todd R. Hansen

Gary St. Vincent and his wife, Theodora, plan to celebrate their 35th wedding anniversary this year.

The couple has three children and a 6-year-old granddaughter.

St. Vincent hopes to be able to watch his granddaughter grow up, but the 60-year-old auto shop teacher at Fairfield High School is in need of a kidney transplant. He just completed his first week of in-center treatments at the DaVita Fairfield Dialysis Center after about two years of home treatments. He goes three times a week. Each session lasts three to four hours.

Source: Fairfield High teacher in need of kidney transplant donor

Travis School Board to vote on employee deal with $400,000-plus annual price tag – Daily Republic

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By Susan Hiland

Travis School Board members will consider approval Tuesday of a tentative agreement between the Travis School District and the California School Employees Association for 2021-22 and 2022-23 that will cost the district more than $400,000 a year.

The agreement includes updated salary schedules.

The tentative agreement addresses multiple sections of the collective bargaining agreement, including evaluations, state disability insurance, vacation, salary and benefits for the 2021-22 and 2022-23 school years, professional growth, calendars and the addition of Juneteenth as a holiday.

Source: Travis School Board to vote on employee deal with $400,000-plus annual price tag

Solano Board of Education schedules public hearing on Caliber schools plan – Daily Republic

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The Solano County Board of Education will hold a public hearing at 6 p.m. Wednesday to hear input on the Caliber Public Schools petition filed earlier this year.

The hearing will take place at Suisun City Hall in the City Council chamber, 701 Civic Center Blvd. The Vallejo City School District Governing Board in December denied Caliber’s petition to establish a new high school. Caliber in January asked the county board to appeal the decision.

The county board, in accordance with Education Code Section 47605(b) and board policy, will conduct a public hearing to consider the level of support for the petition by teachers employed by the school district, other employees of the school district, and parents.

Source: Solano Board of Education schedules public hearing on Caliber schools plan

Nelda Mundy Elementary Celebrates Black History Month – Daily Republic

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By Nicole Langarica

The month of February at Nelda Mundy focused on celebrating black history and finding ways to uplift student voices.Every morning, brave students from all grade levels got in front of the camera and microphone to spotlight an influential African American of their choice. The one minute presentations had a goal of educating others about different Black Americans who have made a difference.

In addition to Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks, some other people spotlighted included Maya Angelou, Wilt Chamberlain, Amanda Goreman, Oprah Winfrey, and Langston Hughes.

After being asked about how they felt hearing the spotlights every morning, one 5th grader stated, “I love them, and I think they are great for people to learn about others because a lot of people only really know about Martin Luthur King Jr and Rosa Parks. It benefits students and teaches them more than they already know.”

Source: Good News: Nelda Mundy Elementary Celebrates Black History Month and Uplifts Student Voices

Kairos principal gets a colorful makeover – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Nick Sestanovich

Ethical question: Is it OK for students to throw colorful powder at their principal?

The answer: No, unless the students raise $6,100 for a charitable cause and have the blessing of their principal.

It might sound farfetched, but that is exactly what happened Wednesday at Kairos Public School Vacaville Academy, where students took turns tossing radiant dust at Executive Director Jared Austin, which was their reward for raising money for the American Heart Association’s Kids Heart Challenge. It was a win for all: Kairos students got to donate to charity, and Austin got to walk away with a new quasi-tie dye shirt.

Source: Kairos principal gets a colorful makeover – The Vacaville Reporter

SSPI Celebrates Read Across America Day – Year 2022 (CA Dept of Education)

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As part of a celebration of Read Across America Day, State Superintendent Tony Thurmond yesterday visited Jordan Academy of Language and Computer Science in Orange, Calif., to read to students. Superintendent Thurmond today also partnered with Assemblymember Mia Bonta to introduce Assembly Bill (AB) 2465, a bill that would establish a grant program for community literacy and education enrichment through partnerships between schools and community-based organizations.

Superintendent Thurmond read “Say Something!” by Peter H. Reynolds after discussing the importance of literacy with students. Read Across America Day is an annual reading and awareness program of the National Education Association, which calls for schools and parents across the country to celebrate reading on March 2, the birthday of beloved children’s author Dr. Seuss.

Source: SSPI Celebrates Read Across America Day – Year 2022 (CA Dept of Education)

Trades classroom dedicated at Juvenile Detention Center brings work skills to inmates – Daily Republic

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By Todd R. Hansen

Alfredo Arriaga is a 19-year-old electrician’s apprentice with a union company.

That story, as successful as it is in its own right, is not particularly unusual. In fact, Solano County schools have refocused their education profile to include more vocational training and working in the trades more and more.

But Arriaga did not get to where he is today through a traditional route.

He began learning his craft while incarcerated in the Solano County Juvenile Detention Center, and with four felonies hanging over him, just getting to the point where he paid attention to probation workers was its own journey.

Source: Trades classroom dedicated at Juvenile Detention Center brings work skills to inmates

Construction trades classroom opens at Evergreen Academy – Daily Republic

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By Matt Miller

The ribbon was cut and a new era was ushered in Wednesday on a new trades classroom at the Solano County Probation Department’s Juvenile Detention Facility.

Solano County Superintendent of Schools Lisette Estrella-Henderson said incarcerated youth “have such potential and that’s what today is all about.”

“They’ve made mistakes,” Estrella-Henderson said. “They have skills. They just need a hand up. This is a way to help make them positive contributors to society. This is a long time in coming.”

Source: Construction trades classroom opens at Evergreen Academy

Solano unveils trades classroom for incarcerated youth – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Kimberly K. Fu

A cache of brilliantly-colored balloons heralded the unveiling Wednesday of a new tool slated to help incarcerated Solano youth succeed.

With the snip of a ribbon, officials revealed an interactive classroom at the Solano County Juvenile Detention Facility aimed at teaching their young clientele all about the construction trades.

The long-awaited program, advised Dean Farrah, Superintendent of the Juvenile Detention Facility, will aid the young men and women when they’re back in their communities.

Source: Solano unveils trades classroom for incarcerated youth – The Vacaville Reporter

Solano Child Care Planning Council to host virtual community forum – Daily Republic

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The Solano County Office of Education and the Solano Child Care Planning Council invite families, caregivers, child care providers and the community to virtually attend the Child Care Community Forum from 10 to 11:30 a.m. March 12 via Zoom.

Presentations and a panel discussion will include Solano Family and Children’s Services (child care resource and referral services), Help Me Grow Solano, Solano Family Resource Centers and Vallejo First 5 Center.

A Better Way’s training on mental health first aid will be offered, and participants can learn about local resources and organizations that provide support to children and families.

Source: Solano Child Care Planning Council to host virtual community forum

Solano youth participate in Observer Corps training – Daily Republic

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Twenty students from Solano County Office of Education’s Solano Youth Coalition participated in an Observer Corps program training Saturday and mock City Council meeting.

The opportunity was coordinated in partnership with the League of Women Voters Solano County chapter and Suisun City. The League of Women Voters provided the program training. This is the first time the training has been offered to Solano County youth.

The goal of the training, according to a Solano Office of Education press release, was to provide local youth an opportunity to engage civically and learn about community issues and government laws/policies. The program promotes transparent and accountable government while connecting elected or appointed officials with constituents.

Source: Solano youth participate in Observer Corps training

Public invited to Child Care Community Forum – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Kimberly K. Fu

The Solano County Office of Education (SCOE) and the Solano Child Care Planning Council invites families, caregivers, child care providers and the community to attend the Child Care Community Forum, set for 10-11:30 a.m. March 12, 2022 via Zoom.

Presentations and a panel discussion will include Solano Family & Children’s Services (childcare resource and referral services), Help Me Grow Solano, Solano Family Resource Centers and Vallejo First 5 Center.

A Better Way’s training on mental health first aid will be offered, and participants can learn about local resources and organizations that provide support to children and families.

The panel discussion will also address the impacts, responses and outcomes of the COVID-19 pandemic for the child care system, providers and the clients these organizations serve.

Source: Public invited to Child Care Community Forum – The Vacaville Reporter

Solano spends $2.4M on Vallejo learning center, program for ‘disconnected students’ – Daily Republic

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By Todd R. Hansen

The Solano County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday agreed to spend $1.87 million in federal pandemic relief funds toward a new Early Learning Center at the site of the former Beverly Hills Elementary School in Vallejo.

The board also approved $533,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funding toward programs to reconnect with students who did not graduate during the pandemic and are not engaged in any kind of school or work programs. It is a three-year program.

The actions were taken during a presentation by the Children/Education working group, one of 10 groups addressing various priorities eligible for the federal funding.

Source: Solano spends $2.4M on Vallejo learning center, program for ‘disconnected students’

Solano school leaders applaud state’s first step in lifting mask mandates – Daily Republic

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By Matt Miller

School leaders applauded Gov. Gavin Newsom’s recommendation Monday to lift mask mandates for students in what amounts to a small start in shifting back to pre-pandemic normalcy.

The mandate will be lifted at midnight March 12. Masks will continue to be “strongly recommended” as students head to school March 14 but not required, likely meaning many students will continue to choose to wear their masks and others will not.

“I appreciate the state’s announcement of moving from mask requirements to masks being strongly recommended for our schools,” Solano Superintendent of Schools Lisette Estrella-Henderson said by email. “The new guidelines seem to reflect recent Covid data and feedback from California families. California has had among the lowest pediatric hospitalization rates compared to other states, and the data is certainly trending in the right direction in Solano County.”

Source: Solano school leaders applaud state’s first step in lifting mask mandates