Vaca elementary school gets new weather station for science work – Daily Republic

The Yolo-Solano Air Quality Management District has placed a new weather and air monitoring station at Markham Elementary School.

Supervisor John Vasquez“Markham Elementary School’s new air monitor and weather station is an interactive and educational tool for teachers and students to connect with their environment through data collection, math and science. It is also a useful tool to help keep children safe and indoors when our air quality reaches hazardous levels.” Supervisor John Vasquez, who sits on the air district board, said in a statement released Friday by the air district.

Source: Vaca elementary school gets new weather station for science work

Students encouraged to show off skills at 3rd annual Art Showcase – Daily Republic

Students of all ages are encouraged to showcase their artistic talents in performance or physical arts at the third annual Solano Student Art Showcase.

The Solano County Office of Education hosts the event, which can include singer/songwriters, poets, jugglers, comedians, magicians, musicians, dancers, cheerleaders, painters, photographers, sculptors and others.

“We are grateful to our community partners for their continued support of Solano students through our art showcase,” Solano County Superintendent of Schools Lisette Estrella-Henderson said in a statement. “Art not only helps students build skills and creativity, it provides students an outlet for expression, drawing upon their own unique experiences. I cannot wait to see our dynamic performers on stage and our talented artists’ work on display in this year’s exhibit.”

Source: Students encouraged to show off skills at 3rd annual Art Showcase

Solano County Office of Education schedules opioids, fentanyl forum – Daily Republic

The Solano County Office of Education has partnered with Solano County Public Health, Campus Safety Consultations, Vibe Solano and NorthBay Health to host a forum for educators and community members focusing on Naloxone – or NARCAN – and strategies for opioid and fentanyl awareness and prevention.

The event will take place from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Solano County Office of Education, 5100 Business Center Drive in Fairfield.

Source: Solano County Office of Education schedules opioids, fentanyl forum

Kids celebrate Black Excellence in Vallejo – Times-Herald

By Thomas Gase

There is no age limit for learning about Black History.

Whether it was 6-year-old Ashton Keller performing as Dr. Martin Luther King or Jesse Bethel High School senior Ashley Willis-Drones singing “At Last” by Etta James, Vallejo’s youth were the stars Friday night for a Black History Month presentation at Vallejo High’s theater.

The Ninth annual African-American Parent Network Black History Month — Celebrating the Legacy of Black Excellence — featured 22 acts by young women and men focusing on important Black leaders, musicians, advocates and themes.

Source: Kids celebrate Black Excellence in Vallejo – Times-Herald

Fairfield-Suisun school employees earn nominations for LifeChanger award – Daily Republic

Three Fairfield-Suisun School District employees have been nominated for the 2022-23 National LifeChanger of the Year award.

The nominees are Tolenas Academy of Music and Media teacher Erica Nurse, Dan O. Root Health and Wellness Academy teacher Toni Lucas and Rodriguez High School student service secretary Sara Hernandez.

Nurse was nominated by an anonymous colleague “for her research and teaching using the Kodaly methodology, which emphasizes the importance of heritage, culture and other genres in music education.”

Source: Fairfield-Suisun school employees earn nominations for LifeChanger award

Retiring Solano College leader toasted Mardi Gras style – The Vacaville Reporter

By Kimberly K. Fu

An air of exuberant fun exploded in Building 1400 at Solano Community College Tuesday, complete with a green, purple and gold Carnaval theme.

Aside from Mardi Gras, the dozens of students, staff and others in attendance had but one celebratory goal — to fete outgoing Student Affairs Specialist Dr. Rischa Slade.

Tears and laughter mixed and hugs were plentiful as all hugged the much-beloved Slade, a longtime community advocate and former Vacaville City Councilwoman who has always expressed a passion for helping others.

Source: Retiring Solano College leader toasted Mardi Gras style – The Vacaville Reporter

Matt Garcia Academy future looks bright with full school board backing – Daily Republic

By Susan Hiland

Fairfield-Suisun School District Board President David Isom was clear at the beginning of the board meeting Thursday night that the district was not going to close the Matt Garcia Career and College Academy.

“This discussion is not about closing the school,” Isom said. “The school is not closing. This item tonight is about information only and no action will be taken.”

Isom asked if any board member supported closing the school. Not one raised a hand in support of that idea.

Source: Matt Garcia Academy future looks bright with full school board backing

FSUSD High Schoolers Selected for the All-State Jazz Choir – Daily Republic

The Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District is proud to announce that eight talented Jazz Choir students from Rodriguez High School have been selected to participate in the prestigious All-State Jazz Choir at the California All-State Music Educators Conference.

Out of over a hundred submissions, Trevor Canning, Gabriella Diaz, Brooklynn Filstrup, Aiden Mandate, Ashlyn Miller, Jana Orbegoso, Hero Runas, and Sofia Vallejos-Coleman will join the eighteen-piece choir in performing at the conference.

Source: Good News: FSUSD High Schoolers Selected for the All-State Jazz Choir

Armijo High School Junior Attracts College Offers Nationwide – Daily Republic

Jericho Johnson, a junior at Armijo High School, has generated national interest in his recruitment to play college football after he graduates. Johnson has received offers from over fifteen colleges throughout the country, including prestigious universities such as the University of Michigan, University of Southern California, and University of Alabama.

Johnson is a standout athlete at Armijo High School, where he will be a four-year starter on the varsity level. He has been recognized for his impressive skill set and hard work by being selected as 1st Team All-League twice (2021 and 2022), Co-Linemen of the Year in 2022 for the Monticello Empire League, Co-Outstanding Defensive Player for the varsity team in 2021, and Team MVP in 2022 for the varsity team.

Source: Press Release: Armijo High School Junior Attracts College Offers Nationwide

Nominations open to recognize those who help students with disabilities – Daily Republic

Nominations are being accepted for the 17th annual Community Advisory Committee Recognition Awards for those who go above and beyond in the service of students with disabilities.

The CAC Awards are presented to educators, youth and community members for outstanding service who go above and beyond in service of students with disabilities.

Award recipients are from each school district within the Solano County Special Education Local Plan Area: Benicia, Dixon, Fairfield-Suisun, Travis and Vacaville, as well as the Solano County Office of Education.

Source: Nominations open to recognize those who help students with disabilities

Oakbrook Academy of the Arts 1st Graders Dance Through the Decades – Daily Republic

The first-grade classes from Oakbrook Academy of the Arts took to the stage last week for a highly energetic and entertaining dance recital showcasing dances from throughout history.

The talented students brought popular dances to life as they blended classical and contemporary dance styles and skills. The performance was a tribute to the rich history of dance and the impact it has had on the world of arts. Dances included popular styles such as the Charleston, the Waltz, and the Macarena.

The dance recital was a culmination of months of hard work and practice by the students and their dedicated dance instructor, Yvonne Wayne. Oakbrook Academy of the Arts is a thematic school focusing on music, dance, visual arts, and theater arts. The school is committed to fostering the growth and development of its students through a variety of programs and opportunities. At each grade level, students specialize in a different genre. First graders at Oakbrook Academy of the Arts specialize in dance and attend two dance classes a week.

Source: Good News: Oakbrook Academy of the Arts 1st Graders Dance Through the Decades

FSUSD middle schoolers visit Tesla factory – Daily Republic

Thirty middle school students from the Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District recently toured the Tesla factory in Fremont.

Organized in partnership with Kids Teach Tech and Urban League of Greater San Francisco Bay Area, the Feb. 7 trip gave students a behind-the-scenes look at the electric vehicle manufacturing process and the cutting-edge technology used by Tesla.

During the visit, the students met with Tesla executives and production team members, who shared their knowledge and expertise about the company’s mission to accelerate the transition to sustainable energy. Students also had the opportunity to meet with Tesla recruiting experts to talk about goal setting and career development. Students were then taken on a tour to see the assembly line in action, where they observed the creation of Tesla’s iconic electric cars from start to finish.

Source: FSUSD middle schoolers visit Tesla factory

Trustees to hear update on Matt Garcia Career and College Academy – Daily Republic

By Susan Hiland

Trustees of the Fairfield-Suisun School District will hear a presentation Thursday on the future of the Matt Garcia Career and College Academy.

The board at its previous meeting heard a presentation on the school which, according to some trustees, seems to have some issues that need to be addressed.

The idea of shutting it down was discussed but before anything was decided, the board asked for more research to be done.

Source: Trustees to hear update on Matt Garcia Career and College Academy

SPI Congratulates 2023 California Schools to Watch – Year 2023 (CA Dept of Education)

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond today announced that 77 high-performing California middle grades schools have been recognized for 2023 by the California Schools to Watch program. There are 36 new California Schools to Watch this year. An additional 41 schools reapplied to the program, demonstrated their sustained progress, and have been redesignated as 2023 California Schools to Watch. Altogether, there are now 186 California Schools to Watch.

“Congratulations to these schools for building systems that support all students from all backgrounds and who bring a wealth of individual and family assets,” Thurmond said. “These middle grades students attend programs that help them believe in themselves, discover their interests, and work toward their academic, life, and career goals. These middle schools are exceptional role models of how educational innovation and an enthusiastic school community can keep students engaged and learning through a critical stage in their K–12 journey.”

Source: SPI Congratulates 2023 California Schools to Watch – Year 2023 (CA Dept of Education)

Cooper students buzz to city spelling bee – The Vacaville Reporter

By Nick Sestanovich

It is spelling season in Vacaville.

All throughout the city, students at different schools are competing for spots in both the city and county spelling bees. On Thursday, it was Cooper Elementary School’s turn. A total of 21 students listened as different words were pronounced as they attempted to write them down in a notebook, staying on stage if they spelled a word correctly and leaving if they misspelled two.

This went on for more than 20 rounds until three remained. Sixth-grader Azamat Kokoev, sixth-grader Marcelo Sing and fifth-grader Audrey Echevarria clinched first, second and third place respectively. All three will go on to represent Cooper at the Vacaville Rotary Club’s Citywide Spelling Bee on March 22, and Azamat and Marcelo will compete in the Solano County Spelling Bee March 16. If either wins that competition, they could represent Solano in the California State Elementary Spelling Bee.

Source: Cooper students buzz to city spelling bee – The Vacaville Reporter

FSUSD High Schools Achieve Top UC Acceptance Rankings – Daily Republic

The Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District (FSUSD) is proud to announce that Public Safety Academy has achieved the highest University of California (UC) acceptance rate of applicants of all of the high schools in Solano County. The latest data shows that an impressive 87% of applicants from the Public Safety Academy were admitted to one or more UC campuses. Armijo High School and Rodriguez High School also ranked highly in the county with the fourth and fifth-highest acceptance rates of applicants, respectively.

“This speaks to the hard work and dedication of our students, as well as the quality of our teachers and programs,” said Superintendent Kris Corey. “We are committed to providing a well-rounded education that prepares our students for success in college and beyond.”

Source: Good News: FSUSD High Schools Achieve Top UC Acceptance Rankings

Tribute to Mayrene Bates set at downtown Fairfield park – Daily Republic

The city has planned a tribute Friday to longtime educator and community advocate Mayrene Bates.

A “Memorial of Lights” is set for 4:30 p.m. at the Civic Center pond behind City Hall, 1000 Webster St. There will be a candle launch at the bridge. Members of the community are invited to attend.

Bates, who died Jan. 6 at the age of 88, was a popular columnist for the Daily Republic for many years as well.

Source: Tribute to Mayrene Bates set at downtown Fairfield park

SPI Announces 2023 California Purple Star Schools – Year 2023 (CA Dept of Education)

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond today announced that 59 schools have been designated as a 2023 Purple Star School. Now in its second year, the California Purple Star School Designation Program (Purple Star Program) publicly recognizes schools that are committed and equipped to meet military-connected students and their families’ unique needs.

“Congratulations to the incredible staff, educators, administrators, parents, and students at these schools,” said Thurmond. “These schools are examples of best practices in supporting our military-connected students, ensuring staff provide students with crucial academic, college, and career supports while their parents serve our country.

”Purple Star Program schools seek to reduce the burden on military-connected students and their families by providing the most critical transition supports for military-connected students and their families. The military is one of the United States’ largest workforces, with more than 2.6 million active-duty service members and individuals serving in the National Guard and Reserves. In 2022, California had 278,397 active-duty service members and individuals serving in the National Guard and Reserves.

Source: SPI Announces 2023 California Purple Star Schools – Year 2023 (CA Dept of Education)

Solano College cosmetology salon reopens to the public – Daily Republic

The Solano Community College Cosmetology Department reopened its salon to the community Wednesday for the first time since before the Covid-19 pandemic began.

The facility will be open from 9 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. Wednesdays. It is closed for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to noon. All work will be performed by students under the close supervision of instructors.

Salon services include shampooing, hair cutting, nail care, skin care, hair coloring and highlights, and some chemical treatments. Prices for these services are generally lower than in the community.

Source: Solano College cosmetology salon reopens to the public

Travis school board set to start recording, streaming meetings – Daily Republic

By Susan Hiland

Travis School District trustees will soon move into the computer age with a live streaming of meetings.

The board on Tuesday approved the purchase of cameras and equipment to begin live streaming the meetings.

Superintendent Pam Conklin reported the board had expressed an interested in getting information on how much it would cost to live stream the meetings.

Source: Travis school board set to start recording, streaming meetings