“The 20th Annual Loop the Lagoon Run/Walk Fundraiser is set to take place on Saturday, May 6, 2023, at Lagoon Valley Park in Vacaville.
“This long-standing and iconic event promises to be a fun-filled day for the entire community, with participants of all ages and skill levels taking part in the festivities.
“The Loop the Lagoon Run/Walk is a family-friendly event that offers something for everyone.
It was clear after the first ballot count on April 11 that Amy C. Hirsh was going to be the next Benicia Unified School District trustee.
The last count, completed Tuesday, confirmed that.
Hirsh, a local attorney and parent, collected 652 votes, or 57.96% of the 1,125 ballots counted to win the special election for the District 5 seat on the school board, the county Registrar of Voters Office reported.
Source: Final ballot count – except 2 – completed for Benicia school election
Solano Community College’s Department of Public Safety will celebrate its firs turn around the sun on May 1.
The last time SCC had its own stand-alone police department was circa 2013. Unfortunately, due to budgetary reductions throughout the district in the same year, SCC disbanded the Police Department and began contracting security services with the Solano County Sheriff’s Office on July 1 of that year.
The security contract with the Sheriff’s Office ended April 30, 2022.
Source: SCC’s Department of Public Safety celebrates first year – The Vacaville Reporter
By Susan Hiland
Sheila McCabe, assistant superintendent of Educational Services, will give an update to the Fairfield governing board 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.
Source: Fairfield school board to hear presentation on LCAP at next meeting
The Solano County Office of Education will host a Transition Information Fair on Wednesday for middle and high school students and adults in transition programs who have disabilities or who are in special education programs.
“This Fair offers a one-stop approach to valuable information on resources for individuals with disabilities that can lead to a positive and productive life as a contributing member of their community,” Lisette Estrella-Henderson, Solano County superintendent of schools, said in a statement.
The fair offers “information about various programs and agencies in our community that can assist with higher education, training, employment, adult day programs, and independent living.”
Source: Transition Fair for students with disabilities, special education
By Jordan Baker
Eighth grade is a pivotal year for young adults. Between growing, learning and unwanted acne, it can often be difficult for new teenagers to navigate life and plan ahead.
To help with that, Kaiser Permanente hosted its fourth annual Empower Youth Summit at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom on Tuesday. The annual event aims to inspire Vallejo’s eighth graders — about 575 of them — to learn about “overcoming obstacles, developing leadership skills, mental health and wellness, career development, peer pressure, bullying and goal setting.”
Additionally, Kaiser Permanente Napa Solano leaders and physicians will also provide information about future careers in health care.
Source: A joyride of a youth summit in Vallejo – Times-Herald
It’s never too early to think about higher education and life beyond that.
Which is why the Solano County Office of Education’s Workforce Development Department is hosting a Transition Information Fair for students with special needs in middle school, high school or an adult/transition program.
From 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, stop by the Solano County Office of Education, at 5100 Business Center Drive in Fairfield, and take a look at all available resources directed toward your student.
Source: Fair explores possibilities for students with special needs – The Vacaville Reporter
By Richard Bammer
The words started out fairly simple: “warmth,” “center,” “feather.” Easy as p-i-e.
But by the time word pronouncer Dave McCallum uttered “dissemble,” “ductile,” then “raccoon,” the first of 12 elementary students left the stage and 11 remained to vie for top honors Tuesday night at the 2023 Solano County Spelling Bee at Journey Downtown in Vacaville.
Following those words were several more difficult ones, among them “nectar;” “miscellaneous,” which tripped up three students; “interim,” which eliminated four, leaving three seated at tables that stretched across the stage; “cynical,” which humbled one more; “zephyr,” which left two contestants.
Source: And the winning word was ‘b-i-r-e-t-t-a’ – The Vacaville Reporter
Attorney Amy C. Hirsh appears to be on her way to winning the Trustee Area 5 seat on the Benicia Unified School District board.
Hirsch, following Tuesday night’s special election count, had banked 592 votes – 58.61% of all ballots counted. As of Wednesday, those numbers were reported at 630 votes (57.59%), the unofficial results from the Solano County Registrar of Voters states.
The next closest candidate is Ariana A. Martinez with 302 votes (27.61%), followed by Ali Mansouri with 162 votes (14.81%), the Elections Office reported.
Source: Local attorney holds big lead in Benicia Unified special election
Attorney Amy Hirsh appears to be headed to a new seat on the board of the Benicia Unified School District (BUSD) after gaining a sizable lead in a special election held Tuesday.
The special election was held after no one ran for the seat to represent the Area 5 region of Benicia on the board in November’s general election.
Normally when this happens, the school district’s governing board interviews possible trustees and appoints someone to fill the seat, which they did on Nov. 3.
Source: Amy Hirsh Holds Sizable Lead In Tuesday’s Special School Board Election
The Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District held a ceremony at Willow Hall on Tuesday to celebrate students who have achieved English language proficiency and successfully exited the English Learner Program during this school year.
The event was attended by proud parents, school staff, and community members.
The ceremony was a recognition of the students’ hard work and dedication towards developing their English fluency. Achieving English language proficiency is a significant milestone in the academic and personal growth of the students and the FSUSD community was thrilled to honor them for their multilingual achievement.
Source: FSUSD students celebrated at English Proficiency ceremony
By Susan Hiland
The Travis Unified School District debated placing a fence around several schools as a safety measure at Tuesday’s meeting.
The board heard a report on the possibility of installing a perimeter fence around Vanden High School, Golden West Middle School and Travis Education Center.
Gabe Moulaison, chief business officer, reported that he was calling the area “The Block,” because it was one full block around which they are looking to install fencing.
By Susan Hiland
The Travis school board this week voted to adopt several new media for the coming school year.
The action included three programs from Cengage Publishing/National Geographic with “Look and See;” “Our World” and “Time Zones” being the new materials.
The National Geographic material emphasizes science and social studies content woven throughout the lessons, according to the staff report.
By Susan Hiland
The Travis school board discussed creating a public information officer position at Tuesday night’s meeting.
Vince Ruiz, assistant superintendent of Human Resources, gave the presentation. He compared other PIO positions in Solano County with salary ranges from $95,000 to $153,000.
“We need more data to decide to go forward,” he said.
Source: Travis board tables proposed PIO position, but urges better communication
Armijo High School’s track and field team split up to attend different meets last weekend and came away with some amazing results. The sprint team attended the Eddie Hart Invitational at Pittsburgh High School, while the distance team attended the Dublin Distance Fiesta at Dublin High School.
At the Eddie Hart Invitational, the sprint team set a new school record in the 4×200-meter relay. The team consisted of Cierra Kinsey, Ani Kinsey, A’Jah Parks, and Sanai Wilson, who clocked an impressive 1:48.20, surpassing the previous record by 0.6 seconds. After their win, Cierra Kinsey was interviewed by MileSplit, a running website that reports on high school track and field.
Source: Good News: Armijo Track Team Shines with Impressive Results at Weekend Meets
The 349th Air Mobility Wing Development and Training Flight hosted students in the local school district for a tour of Travis, March 24, 2023.
The D&TF program is designed to guide newly enlisted airmen and assist them in the development of skills in preparation for basic military training. Concepts such as drill, reporting statements, rank structure, and readiness requirements are among the items the program focuses on.
“Besides their recruiter, we’re that first military face they see prior to going to BMT,” said Master Sgt. Jessica Cramer, 349 AMW D&TF coordinator. “They all come back and tell us how much the program has helped them, and that it was a jumpstart to their Air Force career attending the development and training flight.”
Source: DVIDS – News – Solano County students tour Travis Air Force Base
Help celebrate Children’s Day and Book Day – El día de los niños, El día de los libros – at the Fairfield Cordelia Library.
The event begins at 2:30 p.m. Saturday.
“Families can enjoy the imaginative play, “Where the Forest Meets the Sea.” Featuring audience participation and bilingual storytelling, this program is sure to delight. One free book per child while supplies last,” organizers said.
Source: Celebrate Children’s Day at the Fairfield Cordelia Library
The California Department of Education (CDE) released data today that show student enrollment is beginning to stabilize with increased enrollment in kindergarten and grades seven and eleven.
The increases held enrollment statewide to a 0.67 percent decline, which pushes closer to pre-pandemic trends. The enrollment trend mirrors reports from other states, including Michigan External link opens in new window or tab., Virginia External link opens in new window or tab. and Illinois External link opens in new window or tab.
The numbers released today are from a point-in-time “Census Day” headcount taken on October 5, 2022. The data are reported to the state by local educational agencies (LEAs), which include more than 900 school districts, 58 county offices of education, and about 1,300 charter schools. Changes are anticipated as a more detailed picture of enrollment becomes available later this year. This additional information will include local corrections to submitted data and student population fluctuations during the year.
Source: CDE Releases Data to Show Increased Enrollment – Year 2023 (CA Dept of Education)
Members of the Solano Youth Coalition’s Family Justice Committee will be placing blue pinwheels in the lawn area in front of the Vacaville City Hall and police station on Thursday.
The event is being held to raise awareness about the importance of preventing child abuse. April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month.
The students will begin the work at 7:30 a.m.
Source: Youth Coalition to bring awareness to child abuse prevention
By Susan Hiland
Claps and cheers for runners echoed across the football field Friday for the third annual 2023 High School Track and Field Special Olympics.
This elementary-school event welcomed students from Special Education classes to a morning of friendly competition at Rodriguez High School football field.
The day started with a pageant of students walking onto the field, followed by the national anthem and a couple of speakers.
Source: Students for Special Olympics enjoy friendly competitions