Monthly Archives: January 2024

JROTC help with community cleanup | dailyrepublic.com

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The Fairfield High School Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, or JROTC, cadets helped with cleaning up the community on Jan. 18.

Twenty-five student cadets, along with three additional high school student volunteers, participated in a community cleanup effort along East Atlantic Avenue and the area in front of Fairfield High School.

Every two months, the JROTC cadets dedicate their time to community service projects as part of their ongoing commitment to giving back to their community and school. This initiative, a component of the Fairfield Adopt-A-Street Program, showcases the cadets’ dedication to environmental stewardship and civic responsibility according to the staff press release.

Source: Good News: JROTC help with community cleanup | Education | dailyrepublic.com

Sneak peek given at future Early Learning Center site | dailyrepublic.com

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A soft launch was held Friday to introduce about 80 educators, community leaders and others to the future Vallejo Early Learning Center.

“The ELC will provide an age-appropriate, safe-learning environment for children, infants, toddlers, preschoolers, (ages) 0-5, in a location that has age-appropriate, development-appropriate facilities, including bathrooms in each classroom,” Juan Cisneros, executive director of Child Start, said in a statement released on Monday.

The Solano County Board of Supervisors in June purchased the former Beverly Hills Elementary School site from Vallejo City Unified School District for $2.8 million. Additional administrative fees and closing costs added another estimated $7,281. Solano received $1 million in gap funding from the state to go toward the project.

Source: Sneak peek given at future Early Learning Center site | News | dailyrepublic.com

3rd District candidate forum set for Friday at Benicia High | dailyrepublic.com

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The Benicia High Debate Team is hosting an election forum for candidates for the state’s 3rd Senate District.

The candidates vying to replace Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, include Republicans Thom Bogue and Jimih Jones, and Democrats Christopher Cabaldon, Rozzana Verder-Aliga and Jackie Elward.

The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Friday in the Performance Arts Building. The highs school is located at 1101 Military West.

Source: 3rd District candidate forum set for Friday at Benicia High | News | dailyrepublic.com

Vanden keeps streak of Academic Decathlon state appearances alive | dailyrepublic.com

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The Vanden High Academic Decathlon team is going to the state competition for the 23rd straight year – finishing second overall at this year’s regional competition.

Campolindo High School in Morago won the Bay Region Academic Decathlon, which finished Saturday, and will represent Contra Costa County at the state finals to be held March 22-24 in Santa Clara.

The Vanden team is comprised of Cailyn Nguyen, Alyssa Patterson, Xavier Ramirez, Sarah Salmi, Charlotte Rains, Kindal Reddic, Rohan Kamath, Alan Dorji, Mahi Chanan, Joshua Richardson, Hannah Leibert, Michael Pierandozzi, Brayden Lam, Isabella Lam and Francesco Xie Santora. The coach is David Kenyon.

Source: Vanden keeps streak of Academic Decathlon state appearances alive | News | dailyrepublic.com

Vanden team earns 2nd place at Bay Region Academic Decathlon – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

The whiz kids from Vanden High School on Saturday tackled a series of questions ranging from art and mathematics to economics and science to literature and social science to walk away with their heads held high and medals around their necks for placing second at the Bay Region Academic Decathlon held at Solano Community College in Fairfield.

Campolindo High, from the Acalanes Union High School District, took first and has been invited to go on to represent Contra Costa County at the state Academic Decathlon competition March 22 to 24 in Santa Clara.

No surprise, perhaps, this year’s outcome is a reverse of last year’s competition, when Vanden came out on top and Campolindo trailed in second.

Source: Vanden team earns 2nd place at Bay Region Academic Decathlon – The Vacaville Reporter

Students compete in final VEX Robotics competition | dailyrepublic.com

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By Susan Hiland

The final VEX Robotics competition saw students from 11 teams hailing from four different Solano schools compete for top spots.

The Solano County Office of Education (SCOE) and Solano Community College (SCC) partnered to host the events this year.

“After the pandemic we found that a lot of the robotics teams were not active anymore,” said Lilibeth Pinpin, director of innovative programs and student success for the Solano County Office of Education. “This really helps students get reconnected with school. The kids were really excited to be back and that translates to other areas in school.”

Source: Students compete in final VEX Robotics competition | Benicia-Vallejo | dailyrepublic.com

Fairfield City Council moves forward on plans for new Markeley Lane | dailyrepublic.com

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By Susan Hiland

Safety concerns have been at the forefront of complaints from parents, teachers and students over Markeley Lane ever since the new overpass was constructed. A portion of the road was closed when the Peabody Road overpass was built.

Before the overpass, Markeley Lane gave easy access to parents and students for Center Elementary, Golden West Middle and Vanden High schools.

Drivers must now access the schools using other streets, often leading to long traffic backups and many safety concerns.

Source: Fairfield City Council moves forward on plans for new Markeley Lane | Education | dailyrepublic.com

Dixon schools to relocate students amidst electricity crisis – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Nick McConnell

The Dixon Unified School District Board voted last night to temporarily relocate all students from Anderson Elementary School to unoccupied classrooms at Gretchen Higgins and Tremont Elementary Schools amid an energy crisis at its home campus.

District officials said school has been out of power since the beginning of the month, and generators placed within feet of the classrooms have been used to power the school in recent weeks. Parents and teachers attended the Wednesday night meeting to implore Superintendent Brian Dolan and the board to consider their safety concerns about exhaust fumes and their wishes to solve the crisis as a whole.

Transitional kindergarten through first grade will move to Tremont, Dolan said, while second through fifth grade will move to Gretchen Higgins.

Source: Dixon schools to relocate students amidst electricty crisis – The Vacaville Reporter

FSUSD Board to host forum to discuss superintendent search – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Lynzie Lowe

The Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District Governing Board will host a community forum Thursday to discuss its search for a superintendent.

The board announced Wednesday that it has selected Leadership Associates as the executive search firm to conduct the recruitment and comprehensive search process for the selection of the district’s next superintendent.

Board officials said the forum will be an opportunity for the community to hear about the search process and pose any questions they may have about the search.

Source: Fairfield-Suisun USD Board to host forum to discuss superintendent search – The Vacaville Reporter

Vacaville City Council hear update on youth services – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Nick McConnell

The Vacaville City Council heard an update on youth services in the city and allocated $240,500 in funds to Solano-Napa Habitat for Humanity at its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday evening.

The Vacaville Police Department’s Youth Services Section, which operates the Police Activities League and conducts youth outreach for the city, provided a presentation to the City on its operations. Including four school resource officers, two mental health coordinators and a team of interns, the department interact with schools, kids and families.

The group’s involvement in VUSD includes anti drug programs, gang intervention and prevention, anger management courses, parent interaction and counseling services.

Source: Vacaville City Council hear update on youth services – The Vacaville Reporter

Sacramento-area school districts among most diverse in U.S., according to Niche | EdSource

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By Diana Lambert

Two California school districts were listed among the 10 most diverse in the United States, by Niche, a school ranking and review website. Both school districts are in Sacramento County.

Natomas Unified School District ranked No. 2 in the rankings and Elk Grove Unified ranked No. 6. The next most diverse school district in California is Fairfield-Suisun Unified, which ranked 29th nationally.

Niche based its 2024 rankings on racial and economic diversity, as well as survey responses on school culture and diversity, according to the Sacramento Bee.

Source: Sacramento-area school districts among most diverse in U.S., according to Niche | EdSource

Will C. Wood’s Wudel leaving his mark as one of the state’s winningest boys basketball coaches | dailyrepublic.com

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By Matt Miller

Mark Wudel continues to roll on as one of Solano County’s winningest high school boys basketball coaches.

Although he recently retired from teaching and is 66 years old, he’s not ready to walk away.

“I have no plans to give it up,” Wudel said. “It’s too much fun. I plan on coaching for years as long as they let me keep doing it.”

Source: Will C. Wood’s Wudel leaving his mark as one of the state’s winningest boys basketball coaches | Sport | dailyrepublic.com

VUSD seats Amy Tran Russell as new trustee – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Nick McConnell

Amy Tran Russell, winner of December’s Vacaville Unified School District Area 6 special election, was sworn in as a board trustee once again on Thursday.

Russell was removed from her post after being initially appointed to it last year. Enough voters in Area 6 signed a petition circulated by Vacaville Parents United to force a special election, but Russell defeated opponent Tracee Stacy at the ballot box in December. Russell, 43, a senior assistant dean at University of California, Davis, was seeking elected office for the first time.

Russell, sworn in by Superintendent Ed Santopadre, said she was honored to be taking the post, and was impressed by the high voter turnout for a special election, saying it showed that Vacaville residents are invested in education in their community. She recognized the hard work of her opponent and her supporters, saying the community does better when everyone is connected and empathetic with one another.

Source: VUSD seats Amy Tran Russell as new trustee – The Vacaville Reporter

New sports gym opens in Vallejo – Times Herald Online

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By Thomas Gase

As Vallejo City Unified School District Superintendent William Spalding addressed the crowd at 501 Starr Ave. on Friday afternoon, he couldn’t help but be in awe of the new hardcourt floor inside the facility. It was shiny and new, without a single scratch.

He wants that appearance to change immediately.

“In my time being around schools, this is as good as it gets,” Spalding said, as laughs and cheers rang out from the audience — many of them local dignitaries. “But we want our kids in here, playing basketball, playing pickleball, whatever they’re doing. As this place gets kind of worn it means that it’s being used well. That’s good for everyone.”

Source: New sports gym opens in Vallejo – Times Herald Online

SPI and the CDE to Host a Mathematics Convening – Year 2024 (CA Dept of Education)

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State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond is calling all math educators and leaders, curriculum experts, researchers, industry professionals, and ed-tech innovators to a Mathematics Convening. The California Department of Education (CDE) will host “Proven Professional Development in Mathematics” on Friday, January 26, 2024, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the CDE Board Room at 1430 N Street in Sacramento.

This is a pivotal opportunity to improve California students’ math proficiency and align education with the evolving demands of the jobs of tomorrow.

Interested participants are invited to contribute by submitting innovative and effective professional development modules, training programs, and curricula. The submissions should emphasize proven strategies for increasing student proficiency and engagement in mathematics.

Source: SPI and the CDE to Host a Mathematics Convening – Year 2024 (CA Dept of Education)

Travis school board creates first Strategic Plan | dailyrepublic.com

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By Susan Hiland

The Travis Unified School District board approved the first Travis Strategic Plan for the next few years at its Tuesday meeting.

The Strategic Plan is a management plan for the district, which also lays down the foundation for goals, tackling budgeting issues and creating a template for the Local Control and Accountability Plan, or LCAP.

The plan was developed in collaboration with representatives from Travis community members, board members and staff last month over the course of three days, according to Fred Van Vleck, lead consultant for the National Center For Executive Leadership, who gave a recap of the workshop.

Source: Travis school board creates first Strategic Plan | Education | dailyrepublic.com

Goldridge property declared surplus at Travis board meeting | dailyrepublic.com

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The Travis Unified School District board voted to approve a resolution declaring the Goldridge property as surplus.

At the Nov. 14, 2023, meeting, the Board learned about options for the use or disposal of unused district property, including specifically the Goldridge property, according to the staff report.

The board was advised that current law, until July 1, 2024, provides a streamlined option for it to declare a property “surplus.” This can be done if it has not been used for a school facility.

Source: Goldridge property declared surplus at Travis board meeting | Education | dailyrepublic.com

Travis comes to terms with funding fencing around schools | dailyrepublic.com

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By Susan Hiland

The discussion on how to install fencing at three schools – Vanden High School, Golden West Middle School and the Travis Education Center – continued at Tuesday night’s meeting for the Travis governing board.

Gabe Moulaison, chief business officer, gave an update on the staff findings for the project during the presentation.

The cost overall remains at around $2.8 million, which did not include the work on sidewalks to adapt for the new fencing, which would be a required additional part of the project for some areas of the fence line.

Source: Travis comes to terms with funding fencing around schools | Education | dailyrepublic.com

Vacaville Teacher of the Year honored |  dailyrepublic.com

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Karen Hamrick, the lead custodian at Ernest Kimme Charter Academy and the Muzetta Thrower Adult Education Center, was honored as the Vacaville Unified School District’s Classified Employee of the Year.

The Teacher of the Year was teacher Jayne Geist, Vaca Peña Middle School English and leadership teacher.

Hamrick, a 17-year employee with the VUSD, handles the custodial duties at the two campuses and teaches the Introduction to Custodial Training Course at Adult Ed, according to a press release from the school.

Source: Vacaville Teacher of the Year honored | Education | dailyrepublic.com

National Search for Dixon Superintendent | Independent Voice

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By Debra Dingman

At the end of this month, the application for the Dixon Unified School District superintendent position will close, and the final stages of replacing retiring Superintendent Brian Dolan will start with hopes of selecting a new executive by the end of March. Dolan announced in September that he would retire after 26 years in the district at the end of the 2023-2024 school year.

“The district already works with Education Support Services Group, and we contracted out an extension of our legal services, and it was a nice clean shift. They outlined the whole process,” explained David Bowen, DUSD Board Trustee Board president. The cost was not to exceed $18,500. “I think it will be closer to $15,000, but we won’t know until the process closes,” he added.

In late October, there was a special public meeting for the board to give their input, then ESS collected it all together and will be presenting in January the candidate profile list of preferred or required [assets.]

Source: National Search for Dixon Superintendent | Independent Voice