Vacaville Unified Schools to livestream graduations this year – Daily Republic

The Vacaville Unified School District will be live streaming the graduations for the Class of 2023 this year.

Families and friends of graduates from Buckingham Collegiate Charter Academy, Will C. Wood High School, Vacaville High School, Kimme Charter Academy/WRAP and Muzetta Thrower Adult Education Center will be able to watch the ceremonies from their homes, even if they are unable to attend in person.

Source: Vacaville Unified Schools to livestream graduations this year

Benicia school district special election in the books – Daily Republic

The Solano County registrar of voters on Tuesday certified the results of the April 11 special election for the Benicia Unified School District.

That officially makes Amy C. Hirsh, a local attorney and parent, the newest member of the school district’s board of trustees.

Hirsch will represent Trustee Area 5. She could not be reached for comment Wednesday.Hirsch received 652 votes, representing 57.96% of the 1,128 ballots cast.

Source: Benicia school district special election in the books

Teacher, students use grant for a ‘Healthier Dixon’ – The Vacaville Reporter

In February, Dixon High School English teacher Lisa Krebs applied for — and received — a Tobacco Use Prevention Education grant through the Solano County Office of Education for an anti-vaping and anti-smoking project to create and carry-out with her 10th grade Honors English students at Dixon High School.

Nearly 80 students participated in the project, called “Healthier Dixon.

”Krebs says they started out with an idea to help make Dixon High School and the Dixon Community a healthier place by educating Dixon High students about the dangers of smoking and vaping.

Source: April 27 Vallejo/Vacaville Arts and Entertainment Source: Faces and Places – The Vacaville Reporter

SPI Receives Award for Economic Education – Year 2023 (CA Dept of Education)

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond was recently given an award for Excellence in Leadership by one of the state’s premier financial literacy organizations, the California Council on Economic Education. Thurmond championed financial literacy during his time as a legislator and previously established a nonprofit program for helping at-risk youth develop their entrepreneurial skills called CEO Youth. Thurmond is now working to have personal finance included as a California high school graduation requirement.

After encountering political difficulties on legislation he sponsored to require that schools teach personal finance (Assembly Bill 984), Thurmond has shifted his focus to getting a ballot measure passed that would require schools to teach personal finance. Thurmond is partnering with Next Gen Personal Finance External link opens in new window or tab. to launch the ballot measure campaign.

Thurmond and Next Gen Personal Finance are embarking on a listening tour to get input from school leaders about how to successfully implement a personal finance graduation requirement. Thurmond intends to host a personal finance convening in May that will show school districts how to implement personal finance courses partially through utilizing resources that were provided to schools to support financial literacy. Thurmond and other advocates are hoping to leverage the more than $3.6 billion allocated to schools in 2022 to support financial literacy and help schools begin laying the foundation for providing personal finance classes in schools while efforts to get a ballot measure passed are underway.

Source: SPI Receives Award for Economic Education – Year 2023 (CA Dept of Education)

Youth Coalition hosts student-led forum, with goals of health, wellness – The Vacaville Reporter

By Richard Bammer

With the goal of creating a safer and healthier community, nine active Solano Friday Night Live programs will host a series of activities focusing on student advocacy, health and wellness in coordination with the Solano Youth Coalition.

Beginning Wednesday, the FNL at Sem Yeto Continuation High in Fairfield will host Denim Day, in recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, during which students and school staff are encouraged to wear denim.

Also on Wednesday, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., the Youth Coalition will host its first student-led education forum for middle and high school students. Superintendents and school board presidents from Solano County districts will discuss student issues and how to support students. The forum will be at the Solano County Office of Education, 5100 Business Center Drive, Fairfield.

Source: Youth Coalition hosts student-led forum, with goals of health, wellness – The Vacaville Reporter

Vacaville Unified’s credit rating upgraded to ‘AA’ by Fitch Ratings – The Vacaville Reporter

By Rebecca Wasik

The Vacaville Unified School District’s credit rating has been upgraded by Fitch Ratings from ‘AA-‘ to ‘AA’.

Fitch Ratings, a credit rating agency, upgraded VUSD’s Issuer Default Rating (IDR) based on the district’s strong financial performance, careful money management and a solid local economy.

“We enjoyed working through the process with Fitch Ratings to receive this upgraded rating, which is a result of our district’s responsible financial management and commitment to fiscal sustainability,” said VUSD Assistant Superintendent of Business & Administrative Services Kelly Burks in a press statement. “This rating demonstrates our credit worthiness and ability to repay debt as a district, as well as the stability within the Vacaville community.”

Source: Vacaville Unified’s credit rating upgraded to ‘AA’ by Fitch Ratings – The Vacaville Reporter

Dixon High’s “The Lending Closet” offers donated formal wear to students – The Vacaville Reporter

By Rebecca Wasik

Do you have an old prom dress or tuxedo stored away in a box in the garage gathering dust?

If so, you’re not alone. Some people however choose to donate these items to their local high school in order to allow a current student to create new memories with it.

Dixon High School has been accepting donated prom dresses and tuxedos since 2016. Once Principal Stephanie Marquez realized just how many dresses her daughter had acquired by the end of high school, she began lending some of them out to students that didn’t have one or decided to attend prom at the last minute.

Source: Dixon High’s “The Lending Closet” offers donated formal wear to students – The Vacaville Reporter

Nestor Aliga appointed to advisory committee on women veterans – Times-Herald

By Thomas Gase

Women veterans across the nation gained a strong voice of support with the naming of longtime veterans’ advocate Nestor Aliga to serve on the VA’s Advisory Committee on Women’s Veterans.

The longtime Vallejoan is one of five new members named to the committee, which advises the Secretary on women veterans’ issues and makes recommendations regarding VA policy, benefits and services created to meet their current and projected needs.

Established by Congress in 1983, the committee shapes the department’s efforts to modernize and provide equitable and timely services to our nation’s women veterans.

Source: Nestor Aliga appointed to advisory committee on women veterans – Times-Herald

VUSD teams up with SCC to offer biotech courses for high schoolers – The Vacaville Reporter

By Richard Bammer

Analytical thinking skills. Knowledge of biology. Being thorough and detail-oriented. The ability to work on your own and with others. Good verbal communication skills. Knowledge of mathematics. Knowledge of chemistry, including the safe use and disposal of chemicals.

Those are among the key skills a biotechnologist should have.

Students at Vacaville and Wood high schools will have a chance to learn and retain such skills in the coming year on their respective campuses if they enroll in a dual option that is a newly announced partnership between Vacaville Unified and Solano Community College.

Source: VUSD teams up with SCC to offer biotech courses for high schoolers – The Vacaville Reporter

Students help Solano RCD assess health of local creek – Daily Republic

By Susan Hiland

Students from local schools went on a field trip Friday to help assess the health of local creeks.

Fairfield High School Biology and Environmental Science teacher Heather Handa was eager for her students to get a hands-on experience in nature. She watched as they carefully made their way into the creek bed, she cheered as they reached the bottom.

“I want them to enjoy being outside and connect with living things,” she said.

Source: Students help Solano RCD assess health of local creek

School board hears update on LCAP at latest meeting – Daily Republic

By Susan Hiland

Sheila McCabe, assistant superintendent of Educational Services, gave an update to the Fairfield school board Thursday about the Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP).

LCAP is a three-year plan that looks at the goals, actions and expenditures to help meet the state and local priorities while at the same time working toward giving students a positive school experience.

“Staff have held meetings this year with educational partners to obtain input regarding the 2023-24 update to the LCAP,” McCabe said.

Source: School board hears update on LCAP at latest meeting

Vallejo Regional Education Center renamed after Al Berenguer – Times-Herald

By Thomas Gase

Al Berenguer used to tell his children Ike, Yvonne Berenguer and Therese, that as an educator “one can wear many hats.”

“You are the king of your own castle and teaching is a noble profession,” Ike quoted his father’s favorite saying on Saturday. “An educator has to learn so many things so he or she can possibly be a firefighter, police officer, nurse, educator or librarian.

On Saturday, the Vallejo City Unified School District added another item to that list: School name.

Source: Vallejo Regional Education Center renamed after Al Berenguer – Times-Herald

Gadgets, gizmos shine at STEAM festival – Times-Herald

By Jordan Baker

For students with a huge love for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math — STEAM, for newcomers — Solano College was the place to be on Saturday.

The college, Benicia Makerspace and the Solano County Office of Education collaborated for the Solano Community College’s annual STEAM Discovery Festival — an event dedicated to inspire students interested in those fields.

Solano County Office of Education Director Lilibeth Pinpin says the festival is “promoting innovation and collaboration.”

Source: Gadgets, gizmos shine at STEAM festival – Times-Herald

Buckingham Collegiate Charter Academy celebrates new multi-purpose room with Ribbon Cutting – The Vacaville Reporter

By Rebecca Wasik

Buckingham Collegiate Charter Academy’s new campus on McClellan Street in Vacaville is finally complete.

The Knights celebrated the completion of their new multi-purpose room with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday morning. Students, staff and members of the community were invited to see the new multi-purpose space and enjoy breakfast from the multi-purpose room’s kitchen. The completion of the campus was made possible through Measure A, which was passed in 2014.

The new multi-purpose room can be used for sports, cooking and as a cafeteria. It also includes a stage for assemblies or performances.

Source: Buckingham Collegiate Charter Academy celebrates new multi-purpose room with Ribbon Cutting – The Vacaville Reporter

FSUSD to host another Community Fun Run in May – The Vacaville Reporter

By Richard Bammer

Take it from Consumer Reports: Walking and running are both great exercise. Those who do either one reportedly have healthier hearts, stronger bones and lower body weights.

Leaders of the Fairfield-Suisun Unified hear the message. They want as many people as possible to get up off the couch and away from electronic devices on May 13, when they will sponsor another Community Fun Run, this time at Crescent Elementary School in Suisun City.

A free event, which begins with sign-ups and bib pick-up from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at the 1001 Anderson Drive school, it is open to all ages and abilities who want to participate in a 1-mile or 5K run or walk. Organizers say it will promote healthy lifestyles through physical activity, stronger families, and fitter youth.

Source: FSUSD to host another Community Fun Run in May – The Vacaville Reporter

Vallejo’s Loma Vista Farm to hold spring open house – Vallejo Sun

Loma Vista Farm, a five-acre outdoor classroom in North Vallejo that provides children with hands-on educational activities with plants and animals, will open its grounds to curious visitors on Saturday for its annual Spring Open House.

The open house will be held from 11 a.m to 3 p.m. and feature a puppet show, train rides, a plant sale and fiber arts demonstrations of spinning and weaving wool from the farm’s own sheep. Guests can buy food to feed the sheep, goats and alpacas. The farm is home to two horses, two cows, two pigs, and many birds: ducks, chickens, peacocks and turkeys.

Source: Vallejo’s Loma Vista Farm to hold spring open house

Youth Coalition holding forum on student-related issues – Daily Republic

The Solano Youth Coalition on Wednesday will host a student-led forum regarding the well-being of youths in Solano County.“

A student panel will ask Solano County district superintendents and district school board presidents questions about district supports, policies and procedures regarding student issues,” organizers said in a statement.

The coalition’s mission is to “promote and encourage the participation of young people in the development of policies, programs and services in their community.”

Source: Youth Coalition holding forum on student-related issues

Markham Elementary’s She-Wolves Program welcomes guest speakers – The Vacaville Reporter

By Rebecca Wasik

A Travis Air Force Base airman, a lawyer and a school psychologist walk into a classroom. What do they all have in common? They are all strong women who have found success in their career paths.

These three women were invited to Markham Elementary School in Vacaville Wednesday by Assistant Principal Becky Schlafer to speak to the school’s She-Wolves program. The goal? To inspire the young, female She-wolf students to take any career path their hearts desire.

The She-Wolves filed into the classroom with their lunches of macaroni and cheese and an apple on the side and chose a desk. Many smiled at the airman standing at the front of the classroom, said hello, and thanked her for her service.

Source: Markham Elementary’s She-Wolves Program welcomes guest speakers – The Vacaville Reporter

Solano Community College wins Speech and Debate National Championship – Daily Republic

By Barbara Navolanic

The Solano Speech and Debate Team are proud to announce that we are the 2023 Phi Rho Pi Community College National Champions! The Phi Rho Pi national championship tournament was held from April 10th – 15th in Washington D.C. Over sixty of the top community colleges from every region the country competed. Your Solano Falcons won Gold Overall Sweepstakes, Gold Debate Sweepstakes, and Gold Individual Sweepstakes, in the Hindman small school division. This success occurred due to the determination, skills, and intelligence of amazing students. We brought four students, and all four students made it into a semi-final or final round. Thank you to our amazing coaches, Dr. Douglas Mungin & Janene Whitesell.

Source: Solano Community College wins Speech and Debate National Championship

Register now for 20th annual Loop the Lagoon races – Daily Republic

Registration is open for the 20th annual Loop the Lagoon Run/Walk, scheduled for May 6 at Lagoon Valley Park.

Funds raised support the Vacaville Public Education Foundation.

“The Loop the Lagoon Run/Walk is a family-friendly event that offers something for everyone,” organizers said in a statement. “The 5K, 10K and 10K Tower Challenge courses will take runners and walkers through rolling hills, scenic paths, and beautiful views of the surrounding hills and lagoon.

“The 2-mile walk offers a leisurely stroll, and the half-mile and 1-mile kids’ races kick off with a mascot parade and end with cheering crowds waiting to give medals to every young participant. Families can enjoy the kids’ expo featuring crafts, activities, snacks, raffle prizes and a petting zoo.”

Source: Register now for 20th annual Loop the Lagoon races