Monthly Archives: October 2022

Travis trustees OK 6.7% raise for teachers, most staff – Daily Republic

Posted on by

By Susan Hiland

A new state law to change the start times for schools starting this academic year served as cover for 6.7% raises for most of the Travis School District’s workforce.

The district and its teachers union came to an agreement Sept. 30.

Trustees on Tuesday approved a memorandum or understanding with the Travis Unified Teachers Association.

The agreement stems from Senate Bill 328, which changed the start times for schools by 15 minutes. The teachers union requested a renegotiation of salaries because of the additional time teachers would need to be at school.

Source: Travis trustees OK 6.7% raise for teachers, most staff

Travis board denies request to add slain student’s name to Vanden High’s Gammon Field – Daily Republic

Posted on by

By Susan Hiland

Daniel Hughes’ name will not be added to Gammon Field at Vanden High School.

The decision was made Tuesday by the Travis School District governing board and follows the recommendation of a committee established to review the request.

Daniel Dejon Hughes, 17, was a junior at Vanden High when he was shot on Easter Sunday in 2021 and died 14 days later on April 18, 2021. The criminal case against the suspected shooter is making its way through the courts.

Source: Travis board denies request to add slain student’s name to Vanden High’s Gammon Field

‘Top Chef’ contestant serves meals to Will C. Wood students – The Vacaville Reporter

Posted on by

By Nick Sestanovich

On Tuesday, students at Will C. Wood High School enjoyed a lunch of Korean barbecue pork over lo mein noodles. What not all might have realized is that the meal was prepared by a renowned chef.

Oakland-born Tu David Phu, a contestant on Bravo’s reality cooking series “Top Chef,” has been working with the Vacaville School District’s nutrition staff to prepare meals all week, and it has been a hit with students and the food crew alike. He even got to speak with Scott Toebe’s advanced culinary students on the importance of nutritional offerings.

Phu, who competed on the 15th season of “Top Chef” and has operated several pop-ups, told The Reporter that he has worked to form partnerships to provide healthier meals, whether at high schools or at San Quentin State Prison.

Source: ‘Top Chef’ contestant serves meals to Will C. Wood students – The Vacaville Reporter

Solano College plans conversation with police personnel – Daily Republic

Posted on by

Solano College Public Safety officers will meet with students, faculty, staff and the public in what is being billed as the first in a series of “Conversations with Solano Community College Department of Public Safety.”

The event will take place from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Thursday in Room 113 of the new library on the rural Fairfield campus, 4000 Suisun Valley Road. To register, send an email to sccdps@solano.edu. State how many are in your party.

Source: Solano College plans conversation with police personnel

Committee recommends against renaming Vanden football facility – Daily Republic

Posted on by

The committee that reviewed a proposed renaming of the Vanden High School Gammon Field to “The Daniel Dejon Hughes Stadium at Gammon Field” in tribute to slain Vanden student Daniel Dejon Hughes has made a recommendation to decline the proposal.

The Travis School District board of trustees on Tuesday night will hear the full report from the committee meeting from Oct. 3 in a report given by Superintendent Pam Conklin.

The meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. at 2751 De Ronde Drive, Fairfield.

Source: Committee recommends against renaming Vanden football facility

Vacaville People’s Forum livestream features one Vacaville school board candidate – The Vacaville Reporter

Posted on by

By Zachary Cimaglio

What was billed as a candidate platform for Vacaville Unified School District hopefuls became a podium for just one when only one appeared at the virtual event Tuesday night.

Hosted on Zoom by the Vacaville People’s Forum (https://www.facebook.com/vvpeoplesforum), both Nancy Dunn and Jacqui Nguyen were invited but Nguyen did not appear. Dunn is running for school board in Trustee Area 1.

Albert Gutierrez, a Vacaville resident and Marine Corps veteran, asked about Dunn’s support of Measure Q, which would allocate nearly $230 million for renovation and updates at local schools.

Source: Vacaville People’s Forum livestream features one Vacaville school board candidate – The Vacaville Reporter

Santopadre tapped to succeed Shamieh as VUSD supe – The Vacaville Reporter

Posted on by

By Richard Bammer

His resume includes working as a teacher, Vacaville High football coach, president of the Vacaville Teachers Association, principal of Vaca High and, presently, Vacaville Unified School District’s associate superintendent of educational services.

No doubt the VUSD governing board took that employment history into account Thursday night, when trustees announced that Edward R. Santopadre will be the district’s new superintendent as of July 1, succeeding Jane Shamieh, who is retiring after eight years of service in the district’s top job.

“The Board is confident that Mr. Santopadre is the right person to lead the District into the future, building upon our excellent educational programs,” Board President John Jansen said in a press statement.

Source: Santopadre tapped to succeed Shamieh as VUSD supe – The Vacaville Reporter

Toys for Tots coordinator tells school children Santa needs help – Daily Republic

Posted on by

By Todd R. Hansen

Kindergartners at Scandia Elementary School on Travis Air Force Base this week were told Santa needs community helpers to deliver all his Christmas promises.

“I talked to the kids about how Santa can only give out so many presents to every child in the world and how it’s up to parents to get presents for their kids as well, to help out Santa. I explained that some families may need a little help getting presents for their kids and that’s where Toys for Tots steps in,” said Staff Sgt. Salvatore Rizzo, the 2022 Solano County Toys for Tots coordinator.

Source: Toys for Tots coordinator tells school children Santa needs help

Book it! Literacy festival returns to Vallejo this weekend – Times-Herald

Posted on by

By Sharon Pearce

The Vallejo Kids Book Festival is returning for a fourth season on Saturday with an event Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum Executive Director Melinda McCrary is saying should be a “jam-packed day among stacks of books for those who need to or are learning to read.”

McCrary will host a gathering of reading enthusiasts from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Featured this year will be giveaways of 200 to 300 books, a big jump from last season. There will be one free book given to each child, as well as snacks, storytime reads by volunteers and the much-loved inflatable forest imaginative visual from Astro-Botanicals.

The festival is produced in partnership with the Vallejo Literacy Alliance, a group of literacy-promoting organizations, all under the sponsorship of First 5 Solano, which funds partners who work directly with the community to provide services bettering the lives of children up to 5 and their families. It is under the auspices of Solano Cares.

Source: Book it! Literacy festival returns to Vallejo this weekend – Times-Herald

Travis Credit Union offers college scholarships to high school seniors – Daily Republic

Posted on by

College-bound high school graduates can apply for the Travis Credit Union 2023 Community Impact Scholarships.

Twenty scholarships totaling $40,000 will be awarded.

“We understand that paying for higher education can be a challenge for many families. Now more than ever we want to extend a hand to help support our local students and their families,” Travis Credit Union President and Chief Executive Officer Kevin Miller said in a statement. “We look forward to honoring and supporting our worthy young members as they pursue their college dreams.”

Source: Travis Credit Union offers college scholarships to high school seniors

Committee allows voices to be heard on Vanden stadium name proposal – Daily Republic

Posted on by

By Susan Hiland

Dejon Daniel Hughes spoke again Monday about his wish to see his son, Daniel Hughes, memorialized with a renaming or addition of the name of his son to the sign on the Vanden High School stadium.

This time it was different because he was speaking to a committee created for the sole purpose of making that decision.

Daniel Hughes died after being shot in April 2021. His family has wished to create a legacy for him by having his name included at the stadium where he had such great times with friends and family.

Source: Committee allows voices – pro and con – to be heard on Vanden stadium name proposal

Vacaville High honors the 2022 Hall of Fame members – The Vacaville Reporter

Posted on by

By Joel Rosenbaum

The 2022 class of inductees to the Vacaville High School Hall of Fame are honored at halftime of the Bulldogs’ game against Rodriguez High School Friday at Tom Zunino Stadium. Members of the class are Dave Billalon, Mike Boele, Joseph Drachnik, Stefan Janowski, Leslie Partch, Robyn Stevens, and Bryan Younce. The class will tbe honored again at the Hall of Fame Dinner at 5 p.m. Nov. 27 at the Opera House in Vacaville. Proceeds from the event will support the Steve Green Memorial scholarship.

Source: Photo: Vacaville High honors the 2022 Hall of Fame members – The Vacaville Reporter