Monthly Archives: February 2024

Black History Month celebrated at Children’s Wonderland in Vallejo – The Vacaville Reporter

Posted on by

By Thomas Gase

NAACP Vallejo branch secretary Lynda Daniels knew she was in the right place Saturday to educate others on Black History. As for the right time, well, she said that’s any time.

“Black History is not just February of every year — it’s 365 days a year and this year it’s 366,” Daniels said. “And that’s 24 hours, seven days a week.”

From noon to 5 p.m. Children’s Wonderland in Vallejo was a hub for education on Black History. More than a dozen vendors showed up to spread awareness as part of the Greater Vallejo Recreation District’s Black History Month “Homecoming” Block Party.

Source: Black History Month celebrated at Children’s Wonderland in Vallejo – The Vacaville Reporter

Board of Education reviews state’s proposed educational budget ahead of fiscal year – The Vacaville Reporter

Posted on by

By Lynzie Lowe

The Solano County Board of Education spent Valentine’s Day educating itself on the state’s recently released proposed 2024-25 budget plans.

Michelle Henson, Deputy Superintendent of Administrative Services and Operations for the Solano County Office of Education, presented information to the board at Wednesday’s meeting on Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposals for the 2024-25 state budget, focusing her presentation on educational funding.

Source: Board of Education reviews state’s proposed educational budget ahead of fiscal year – The Vacaville Reporter

FSVAA to host children’s art show – The Vacaville Reporter

Posted on by

The Fairfield-Suisun Visual Arts Association will host its fourth annual children’s art show beginning Wednesday in conjunction with the Solano Town Center and the Fairfield Solano County Library.

A collection of artwork made by children in the Fairfield-Suisun City Unified School District will be displayed in the second-floor gallery of the Solano Town Center until March 2. After the first portion of the show, select pieces will be moved to the Fairfield-Solano County Library, at 1150 Kentucky Street, where they will remain on display until April 1 in the children’s section.

The Solano Town Gallery is open to the public Wednesday-Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The gallery hosts other exhibitions of local art throughout the year.

Source: FSVAA to host children’s art show – The Vacaville Reporter

Travis board looks to firm to assist with search for new superintendent | dailyrepublic.com

Posted on by

The Travis Unified School District Board has begun the search to replace the retiring superintendent.

Superintendent Pam Conklin announced her retirement on Feb. 7.

The board decided to go with a third party search firm to find her replacement.

The board heard from three firms at Tuesday’s special meeting: Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates; Leadership Associates; and McPherson & Jacobson.

Source: Travis board looks to firm to assist with search for new superintendent | Education | dailyrepublic.com

Bill Dodd seeks to bolster school district fiscal health – Times Herald Online

Posted on by

By Thomas Gase

Senator Bill Dodd, D-Napa, introduced legislation on Wednesday aims to protect the finances of California public schools faced with the challenge of declining enrollment by extending the authority of local school boards to consider the fiscal impact of new charter school applications.

The bill comes with enrollment in California public schools declining over the past two decades because of several factors including a declining birth rate and migration from California. Due to school districts receiving their funding based on the number of students they educate, the loss of students has serious financial effects, which require local leaders to make difficult budget choices, including the closing of schools.

Source: Bill Dodd seeks to bolster school district fiscal health – Times Herald Online

Vallejo school district throws support behind Dodd legislation | dailyrepublic.com

Posted on by

Sen. Bill Dodd has introduced legislation that he said would help protect the finances of public schools with declining enrollment.

Senate Bill 1380, co-sponsored by the California School Boards Association and supported by the Vallejo City Unified School District, would extend the authority of local school boards to consider charter school applications that would negatively impact the districts’ financial stability.

Source: Vallejo school district throws support behind Dodd legislation | News | dailyrepublic.com

Vacaville Unified releases schedules for 2024-2026 – The Vacaville Reporter

Posted on by

The Vacaville Unified School District released its yearly calendars for the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 academic years on Wednesday, allowing families with students the ability to plan ahead regarding their child’s education.

The 2024-2025 year will begin on Aug. 15 and end on June 5. The 2025-2026 school year will begin Aug.14 and end June 4.

In 2024-2025, winter break will begin on Dec. 19 and end on Jan. 5. In 2025-2026, winter break will begin on Dec. 20 and end on Jan. 6. Spring Break in 2025 will be April 18-25, and April 3-10 in 2026.

Source: Vacaville Unified releases schedules for 2024-2026 – The Vacaville Reporter

Local youths feted for helping their peers | dailyrepublic.com

Posted on by

Several local teens were honored recently when the Fairfield-Suisun Rotary Club and NorthBay handed out the Good Character Youth Awards.

It was the ninth annual event. The students were nominated by their teachers, counselors and/or mentors as teens for showing good character, ethical behaviors or good deeds (e.g. helping younger students succeed in their studies, standing up to bullies, helping others in the community through volunteering).

Source: Local youths feted for helping their peers | News | dailyrepublic.com

Vaca Peña Middle school earns recognition | dailyrepublic.com

Posted on by

Vaca Peña Middle School was recently honored by the California League of Educators with its coveted “Schools to Watch” Award for 2024 according to a press release from the school.

This is an honor bestowed to a select group of middle schools. The sites must complete an extensive application process followed up by a host site visit conducted by a collection of top education experts. Schools are judged on various criteria such as academic excellence, developmental responsiveness, organizational structure and process, and social equity before they receive the designation ‘School to Watch.’

Source: Good News: Vaca Peña Middle school earns recognition | Education | dailyrepublic.com

Vaca High graduate is new member of Navy Ceremonial Guard | dailyrepublic.com

Posted on by

Nathan Pallares, a 2023 Vacaville High School graduate, has completed his 10-week training program and now serves in the U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard.

A fireman, Pallares joined the Navy six months ago.

“I joined the Navy to better my life and future,” Pallares said in a story released through the Navy Office of Community Outreach.

The U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard is the official honor guard of the U.S. Navy. Established in 1931, it is based at Naval District Washington Anacostia Annex in Washington, D.C.

Source: Vaca High graduate is new member of Navy Ceremonial Guard | News | dailyrepublic.com

VUSD students participate in state honor choir | dailyrepublic.com

Posted on by

Two students from Vacaville Unified School District auditioned and were selected to participate in the prestigious California All-State Honor Choir.

Johnathan Burton Jr. and Aria Mehta, both freshmen at Will C. Wood High School, were chosen to represent the district at last weekend’s gathering.

The choir brings together young vocalists from all across the state, showcasing their talents in a culminating performance at the Sacramento Memorial auditorium.

Source: VUSD students participate in state honor choir | Singing | dailyrepublic.com

BUSD Superintendent Wright outlines Measure C during fireside chat – The Vacaville Reporter

Posted on by

By Lynzie Lowe

Benicia Unified School District Superintendent of Schools Dr. Damon Wright said during a fireside chat held in Vallejo Saturday that passage of Measure C would increase the sense of pride, ownership and belonging for all Benicia Unified School District students.

“It is important when students arrive at school, that they feel comfortable at school, that they arrive at a school they are proud of, that it has some curb appeal,” said Wright. “This is my school. This is an institution of learning and I feel like I’m going to go in there and learn.”

The chat, facilitated by Voters Voice of Solano County representative Tara Beasley-Stansberry, was one in a series of chats highlighting Solano County candidates and measures on the March 5 ballot. This chat focused on a measure affecting the district — one of three measures on the upcoming ballot.

Source: Benicia USD Superintendent Wright outlines Measure C during fireside chat – The Vacaville Reporter

Fairfield-Suisun school board to discuss grading changes | dailyrepublic.com

Posted on by

By Susan Hiland

The Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District board will be hearing several presentations at Thursday night’s meeting.

One of the issues up for discussion and possible approval is the changing of the grade configurations at Dan O. Root II Health and Wellness Academy, and Tolenas Academy of Music and Media, from a TK-8 to a TK-5. This goes along with adjustments to the attendance boundaries for Crystal and Grange middle schools.

Middle-school enrollment has significantly decreased since 2020, leaving Crystal Middle School at 57% and Grange Middle School at 58% of the overall capacity of the campuses. Both schools are projected to decline further in enrollment over the next five years. Additionally, the need for elementary classrooms is on the rise due to the required transitional kindergarten (TK) programs and growing special-education programs, according to the staff report.

Source: Fairfield-Suisun school board to discuss grading changes | Education | dailyrepublic.com

Vaca Peña Middle School makes the grade – The Vacaville Reporter

Posted on by

By Thomas Gase

Vaca Peña Middle School is hitting all the top marks.

The school was honored this week by the California League of Educators with its coveted “Schools to Watch” Award for 2024. The award is given to a select group of middle schools. In order to qualify, the sites must complete an extensive application process followed up by a host site visit conducted by a collection of top education experts.

Schools are judged on various criteria such as academic excellence, developmental responsiveness, organizational structure and process, and social equity before they receive the designation “School to Watch.”

Source: Vaca Peña Middle School makes the grade – The Vacaville Reporter

New in-house training program gives VUSD nutrition team a chance to grow their skills – FSD

Posted on by

Ten school nutrition assistant level staff members at Vacaville Unified School District, in Vacaville, Calif. are getting the chance to grow their skills through a year-long training course.

Named Lunch Thyme University, the training is being led by Chef and Assistant Director Richie Wilim, who was inspired to create the course after realizing that while school nutrition professionals are performing similar tasks and are held to the same standards as their peers in the restaurant industry, they often don’t receive the same training or opportunities to grow their skill set.

Source: New in-house training program gives Vacaville USD nutrition team a chance to grow their skills

Travis superintendent announces retirement | dailyrepublic.com

Posted on by

Superintendent Pam Conklin announced her retirement from the Travis Unified School District.

In a letter sent Wednesday by board President Matthew Bidou to the Travis School Community, he announced that Conklin plans to retire at the end of the school year.

Conklin took over the office of superintendent officially in April 2017. She served as interim superintendent after Superintendent Kate Wren Gavlak retired in February of that year.

Source: Travis superintendent announces retirement | Education | dailyrepublic.com

Travis school board finally has a new board member | dailyrepublic.com

Posted on by

By Susan Hiland

Travis School Board has a new member, Melinda Beyer from Travis Air Force Base who filled the spot left by former board Trustee member Zenobia “Z” Muhammad.

Her resignation left a vacancy in Trustee Area 1 of the Travis Unified Governing Board for several months.

Under the Education Code, the Board had to fill the vacancy by appointment prior to the November 5, election. The individual appointed will hold office until the next regularly scheduled election for Governing Board on November 5, which is the same year Muhammad’s term would have ended according to the staff report.

Source: Travis school board finally has a new board member | Education | dailyrepublic.com

Four F-S schools applauded for health programs | dailyrepublic.com

Posted on by

Four Fairfield-Suisun district schools have been recognized for “supporting the health and well-being of the children and youth they serve.”

Anna Kyle Elementary School and David Weir K-8 Preparatory Academy received special recognition for physical activity; and Armijo High School and Dan O. Root Elementary School received special recognition for their gardens.

The recognition comes from the University of California Nutrition Policy Institute’s 2023 Leaders in Eating and Activity (LEAP) Awards. It recently announced 131 schools, 124 early care and education programs and 78 out-of-school time programs across California received the honor.

Source: Four F-S schools applauded for health programs | News | dailyrepublic.com

Monticello Empire League to add three schools, lose two – The Vacaville Reporter

Posted on by

By Nick McConnell

Sports schedules will look a little different next year for Vacaville, Will C. Wood and Vanden high schools as the Monticello Empire league undergoes realignment for the first time in six years.

Armijo and Fairfield will leave the MEL, said Associate Superintendent Sasha Begell at a recent Vacaville Unified School District Board of Trustees meeting, and Woodland’s Pioneer, West Sacramento’s River City and Sacramento High will be joining the league. The league will have these members for the next four years, she said, at which point realignment will be considered again.

Equity of competition is the most important factor in realignment decisions, Begell said, with scope and diversity of programs and size of school also holding weight. Travel distance is considered as well, she said.

Source: Monticello Empire League to add three schools, lose two – The Vacaville Reporter

Students get a chance to learn about the impact of wastewater on local marshes | dailyrepublic.com

Posted on by

The Solano Resource Conservation District will introduce students to a new Fairfield-Suisun Sewer District Education Program.

Seventh-grade classes from Fairfield and Suisun City will learn where the water goes after the flush. Students will be introduced to local water resources, gain an understanding in the processes for cleaning wastewater, and students will be encouraged to to take actions to be good stewards of the wastewater system and the environment.

The program starts in the classroom with some pre-lessons, where students use discussion and hands-on activities to gain a deeper understanding of the role they play in the cycle of human water use and what they can do to follow responsible waste management practices.

Source: Students get a chance to learn about the impact of wastewater on local marshes | Education | dailyrepublic.com