Monthly Archives: May 2023

SPI Names California PAEMST Finalists – Year 2023 (CA Dept of Education)

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State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond today honored six outstanding math and science teachers from California who are finalists for the 2023 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST).

“Let me offer my sincere congratulations to these educators who we honor for their leadership and instructional practices and how they are inspiring a new generation with passion and talent for science, technology, engineering, and math,” Thurmond said. “They model excellence in how we are preparing California students for the challenges and advancements of the future.”The PAEMST program is administered by the National Science Foundation on behalf of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.

The PAEMST is the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government specifically for kindergarten through grade twelve science, mathematics, engineering, and computer science teaching. For 2022–23, those who teach grades seven through twelve were eligible for the award. Presidential Award recipients are honored at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., and receive a $10,000 special award from the National Science Foundation.

Source: SPI Names California PAEMST Finalists – Year 2023 (CA Dept of Education)

VUSD petition drive leads to September special election in Trustee Area 4 – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

It is definitely an off-year election year, but some Vacaville Unified voters in Trustee Area 4 will definitely be going to the polls anyway for a special election in September, marking their ballots to pick a school district governing board member to fill a seat vacated by a petition drive.

John Gardner, Solano County’s assistant registrar of voters, confirmed Wednesday that the election, estimated to cost the district $113,000, will be held on Sept. 12 in the mostly rural north Vacaville trustee area.

In a brief interview in his County Government Center office in Fairfield, Gardner said he received the election petition on May 5 from Solano County Office of Education officials, then ROV employees reviewed and validated petition signatures, and, on May 11, reported back to the SCOE. On Tuesday, officials there sent a formal letter to Gardner with the election date.

Source: VUSD petition drive leads to September special election in Trustee Area 4 – The Vacaville Reporter

Biden administration adds nearly $100 million for school mental health professionals | EdSource

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By Carolyn Jones

Fourteen colleges and school districts in California are among those that will receive federal grants to hire and train mental health professionals in high-needs schools, the U.S. Department of Education announced Monday.

The grants are part of an overall investment of more than $95 million, spread among 35 states, through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. The money is in addition to $286 million the administration has already awarded to train and hire mental health professionals and diversify the field.

Source: Biden administration adds nearly $100 million for school mental health professionals | EdSource

SPI Seeks to Counter Declining Enrollment – Year 2023 (CA Dept of Education)

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State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond will convene a webinar to assist school districts in building strategies to counter declining enrollment. Thurmond will host and moderate the webinar on Tuesday, May 23, 2023, at 10:30 a.m.

“It has been our priority to ensure that students and families are engaged in public schools and that schools meet the needs of families,” said Thurmond. “This will be the first of many conversations in efforts to help school districts counter declining enrollment.”

School districts across the state are experiencing a high level of declining enrollment. In April, the California Department of Education (CDE) released the statewide student enrollment data report. Even before the pandemic, many California communities were observing population drops and corresponding lower student enrollment. The pandemic exacerbated declines as students left public schools, left the state and, in some cases, left the country.

Source: SPI Seeks to Counter Declining Enrollment – Year 2023 (CA Dept of Education)

Fairfield board will do a self-evaluation at next meeting – Daily Republic

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By Susan Hiland

The Fairfield school board will be doing a self-evaluation at the next board meeting.

The assessment will cover things like Board performance in relation to vision-setting, curriculum, personnel, finance, policy development, collective bargaining, community relations and advocacy.

Last year at the June meeting they set several goals for themselves, including Goal 1: Keeping the work of the Governing Board focused on student achievement; Goal 2: Participate in professional development and commit the time and energy necessary to be an informed and effective leader; and Goal 3: Improve communication as professional colleagues within the boundaries of the Brown Act.

Source: Fairfield board will do a self-evaluation at next meeting

Kairos Public Schools earns civics honorable mention – Daily Republic

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Kairos Public Schools received an honorable mention for the California Civic Learning Award, making it one of 18 schools in the state to receive this prestigious recognition.

The California Civic Learning Award is given to schools that demonstrate excellence in civic education and engagement, and Kairos was recognized for “its commitment to preparing its students to be informed, engaged, and responsible citizens,” the school said in a statement.

“We are thrilled to receive this recognition from the California Department of Education,” Jared Austin, co-founder and executive director of Kairos, said in the statement. “At Kairos, we are dedicated to ensuring that our students have the knowledge, skills, and civic dispositions to be active and engaged members of their communities. This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our teachers, staff, and students.”

Source: Good News: Kairos Public Schools earns civics honorable mention

Armijo grad named first-team, all-Big Sky in softball for second straight season – Daily Republic

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By Matt Miller

Four area athletes were named all-conference last week for their universities, while others have begun or are getting ready for postseason competition.

Senior third baseman Lewa Day (Armijo) was named first-team, all-Big Sky Conference for the second straight season in softball. Day hit .328 this season and hit 10 of the Hornets’ 19 home runs this season.

Day is Sac State’s all-time leader in home runs with 46, and has another year of eligibility ahead to build on it. Day is also just 20 RBIs short of being the Hornets’ all-time leader in that department as well.

Source: Armijo grad named first-team, all-Big Sky in softball for second straight season

KI Jones Elementary wins Battle of the Books 2023 – Daily Republic

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KI Jones Elementary recently hosted the Elementary Battle of the Books 2023, an annual competition celebrating reading and critical thinking skills.

The May 4 event was open to all fourth- and fifth-grade students in the Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District. More than 330 students participated in site battles. More than 50 students participated in the district event, including students from the Virtual Academy via Google Meet.

Source: KI Jones Elementary wins Battle of the Books 2023

Vallejo Project hosting class on how to build boats – Times-Herald

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The Vallejo Project is hosting a STEAM program this summer where one will be able to design and build a boat while exploring green energy.

Students will conceptualize and hand sketch their boats, use Adobe Illustrator to bring their sketch to life, then createan actual boat using CAD tools and a laser cutter.

The program will last between June 12-15, 19-22 and 26-29 and is for high school Vallejo City Unified School District students. The class will take place at Jesse Bethel High.

Source: Vallejo Project hosting class on how to build boats – Times-Herald

Vacaville drummer to star in new TV competition show – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Rebecca Wasik

When she was 4 years old, Santa Claus brought Molly Rose Hendricksen a plastic toy drum set for Christmas. When she was 9, she asked for a real drum set for her birthday.

Vacaville born and raised, Molly Rose has now made it all the way to the small screen. The professional drummer will be starring in “Banded: The Musician Competition,” set to air May 13 on AXS TV.

Once she received her real drum set, Molly Rose was determined to learn the rudiments of drumming.

“She would sit for hours at her First Acts drum set in front of a portable DVD player, wearing her dad’s military headset learning the rudiments,” said Althea Taschioglou Hendricksen, Molly Rose’s mother and “momager”. “It was amazing to watch her learn. She had no other guidance at that point, but a lot of dedication.”

Source: Vacaville drummer to star in new TV competition show – The Vacaville Reporter

SPI Thurmond on Education Budget-May Revise – Year 2023 (CA Dept of Education)

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State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond today issued the following statement in response to Governor Gavin Newsom’s revised budget for fiscal year 2023–24:

“Even in difficult budgetary times, we continue to be grateful that Governor Newsom’s May Revise retains many of the major investments that have been made to public education over the last few years. With a tightening State Budget, education spending will continue to reflect our core values to provide safe and effective learning environments, to help our students heal and recover, and to provide equitable opportunities for a quality education to all students. This budget continues our commitment to learning recovery and flexibility for local educational agencies to adapt to their particular conditions and unique needs.

“California will make critical investments in education, including a substantial 8.22 percent cost-of-living adjustment for the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) to support our school districts in meeting the specific needs of their schools and community more effectively than with restrictive one-time funds.”

Source: SPI Thurmond on Education Budget-May Revise – Year 2023 (CA Dept of Education)

Student creates 3D clothing from old vinyl records – Daily Republic

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By Susan Hiland

Gabriella Diaz, an Angelo Rodriguez High School senior has spent the better part of this year working on a portfolio of her art to show to prospective colleges next year.

The 18-year-old will be graduating in a little over a month and her final project is a creation that is unique and stunning in shiny, black vinyl.

Source: Student creates 3D clothing from old vinyl records

Vanden student journeys to Texas for NASA internship this summer – Daily Republic

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By Susan Hiland

Quinn Brown a junior at Vanden High School is looking forward to her summer vacation because she is getting to do something only a few kids get the honor of doing; an internship at NASA.

The 17-year-old is a huge fan of science, astronomy and pretty much anything to do with space.

Source: Vanden student journeys to Texas for NASA internship this summer

Spotlight shines on Work-Ready! high school students – Daily Republic

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More than 100 high school students in Solano County completed the Work-Ready! certification program this year.

A ceremony recognizing the student accomplishment was held at the Jelly Belly Candy Company in Fairfield.

“Completing the Work-Ready! course is just the beginning for these young people. Their preparedness for the workplace, knowledge, skills, and hard work will come together to create significant opportunities to earn and maintain jobs, gain experience and explore careers,” Solano County Superintendent of Schools Lisette Estrella-Henderson said in a statement.

Source: Spotlight shines on Work-Ready! high school students

Dixon May Fair welcomes students with special needs – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Rebecca Wasik

It was a quiet morning on Friday at the Dixon May Fair. Workers prepared their booths for the weekend as members of the Vacaville Rotary Club gathered at the front entrance.

Special needs students from across Solano County were on their way to the fair to spend the morning enjoying the festivities before the fair opened to the public for the day.

The event, in its 30th year, is held by Rotarians and the Solano County Office of Education.

Once students arrived, one or two Rotarians accompanied each group to explore the fair with them.

Source: Dixon May Fair welcomes students with special needs – The Vacaville Reporter

SPI Thurmond Honored with ACSA Region 16 Award – Year 2023 (CA Dept of Education)

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State Superintendent Tony Thurmond has been recognized with the prestigious Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) Region 16 Leadership Award for his achievements and dedication to public education and for his service to the children of California. The award was presented at an awards ceremony on Tuesday that took place in front of 400 administrators from the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), underscoring their unwavering support for Thurmond’s mission of equity. Steve Zimmer, Deputy Superintendent of Public Instruction at the California Department of Education (CDE), accepted the award on behalf of Superintendent Thurmond, who could not attend the event in person because of his role as the neutral mediator of the teachers strike in the ongoing labor dispute in Oakland.

“I am deeply honored to receive the ACSA Region 16 Leadership Award, and I regret that I could not be there in person to accept it. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the ACSA Region 16 and all those who have recognized my efforts and dedication to public education,” Superintendent Thurmond said. “I look forward to continuing my work and collaborating with LAUSD and all other educators, administrators, and communities across the state to ensure that every student receives the opportunities and quality education they deserve. Together, we can build a brighter future for all of California’s students.”

Source: SPI Thurmond Honored with ACSA Region 16 Award – Year 2023 (CA Dept of Education)

Fairfield High School Students’ Video Production Skills Shine in Bike to School Initiative – Daily Republic

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The Fairfield High School’s video production class has once again demonstrated their skills and creativity in producing three compelling commercials promoting Bike to School Day and Bike to School Month. The commercials are part of a collaborative project between VibeSolano and the Safe Routes 2 School Program, aimed at encouraging students to cycle to school and promoting healthy habits while reducing traffic congestion.

Thirteen students from the FHS Film Crew participated in this initiative, utilizing their knowledge and experience in video creation to produce engaging and informative commercials. The combined efforts of six students from the Film Crew resulted in the creation of three videos that are now being showcased on the county’s websites, as well as the Facebook and Instagram pages of VibeSolano.

Source: Press Release: Fairfield High School Students’ Video Production Skills Shine in Bike to School Initiative

Travis governing board honors teachers, students – Daily Republic

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By Susan Hiland

The Travis school board on Tuesday honored teachers, staff and students with a small awards ceremony.

Principal Kristin Shields introduced the Vanden High School Class of 2023 valedictorians, salutatorians and American Legion Boys State and American Legion Auxiliary Girls State winners.

Source: Travis governing board honors teachers, students

Vanden High employees create prom shop for students – Daily Republic

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By Susan Hiland

Sarah Holliday almost didn’t make her senior prom because her family didn’t have the funds. But she had a savior who stepped in and made sure she got her dress and shoes so she could have a night to remember.

“I vowed that if I got the chance I would help someone else like that, I was going to do it,” Holliday said.

Holliday works at Vanden High School as a work ability counselor and is finishing college courses to be a student counselor next year.

Source: Vanden High employees create prom shop for students

Wood students revamp Becca & Ben’s Closet for “Legacy Project” – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Rebecca Wasik

Leaving behind a legacy is an important part of being on Will C. Wood High School’s Student Council.

This year five council members have made it the mission of their Legacy Project to revamp the school’s prom dress donation program called Becca & Ben’s Closet.

What sets this program apart from others is how much effort these students — Mia Langthaler, Lilly Deal, Kyra Petrov, Tiffany Romero and Emmanuel Morando, all of them juniors — have put in to create a true shopping experience.

Source: Wood students revamp Becca & Ben’s Closet for “Legacy Project” – The Vacaville Reporter