Monthly Archives: March 2023

Violins of Hope brings educational concert to Will C. Wood High – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Rebecca Wasik

It’s hard nowadays to keep a group of high school students quiet and attentive.

However, the history and music brought to life by Will C. Wood High School orchestra teacher Joanna Mackinson did just that.

Violins of Hope is a project of concerts played with violins once owned by Jewish people before and during World War II.

Through this program, Mackinson was able to play two historic violins for Wood students in the Catwalk Theater on campus Thursday.

Source: Violins of Hope brings educational concert to Will C. Wood High – The Vacaville Reporter

Solano, Yolo students can win prizes in Clean Air Art Contest – Daily Republic

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Students within the Yolo-Solano Air Quality Management District can enter the 2023 Clean Air Art Contest for the chance to win Amazon gift cards.

The top artist in each grade category – kindergarten to second, third to fifth, sixth to eighth and ninth to 12th – will get a $30 gift card, and second- and third-place entries will receive a $25 card.

“Additionally, winners will receive a certificate of achievement, recognition in a future press release and winning artwork will be used in district outreach materials,” the district said in a statement.

Source: Solano, Yolo students can win prizes in Clean Air Art Contest

SPI Releases Publication on Young Boys of Color – Year 2023 (CA Dept of Education)

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State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond today released the “Creating Equitable Early Learning Environments for Young Boys of Color: Disrupting Disproportionate Outcomes” publication. This report was created by the California Department of Education’s (CDE) Early Education Division and is the fifth publication in a special topic series titled Best Practices for Planning Curriculum for Young Children (PDF).

The Young Boys of Color report highlights the critical need to disrupt disproportionate discipline patterns and create strength-based and equity-oriented early childhood environments that help Black and Brown boys to thrive. Educators and program leaders are provided with a helpful roadmap for improving racial equity through strengthening racial awareness, addressing implicit bias, and creating culturally responsive environments that are safe, affirming, and engaging for boys of color and their families.

Source: SPI Releases Publication on Young Boys of Color – Year 2023 (CA Dept of Education)

Armijo grad Day has big week for Sac State softball, earns Big Sky honors – Daily Republic

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By Matt Miller

Sacramento State senior third baseman Lewa Day had a very big week at the plate that earned her recognition as the Big Sky Conference’s Player of the Week.

The Armijo High School graduate helped the Hornets go 4-1 at the recent Silicon Valley Classic. Day hit .526 (10-of-19) with five runs, three doubles, a triple, a home run, nine RBIs, a .947 slugging percentage and a 1.497 OPS. She hit safely in all five games, collected multiple hits in four of them, and collected at least one RBI in each contest.

Source: Armijo grad Day has big week for Sac State softball, earns Big Sky honors

Vallejo school district facing $5M in budget cuts – Vallejo Sun

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By Ryan Geller

The Vallejo City Unified School District is planning to cut $5 million, including $4.1 million in staff and educator positions, from the coming year’s budget in an attempt to alleviate this years’ budget deficit of $13 million and a projected $7 million shortfall for the 2024-25 school year.

The budget deficits are primarily tied to the district’s declining enrollment. Districts across the state have seen student enrollment drop and Vallejo has lost additional students to the city’s charter schools in recent years.

Source: Vallejo school district facing $5M in budget cuts