By Susan Hiland
The Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District (FSUSD) Governing Board welcomed the new superintendent at Thursday night’s meeting with the final approval of her contract.
Superintendent Jennifer Sachs will be officially take her position on May 1.
The terms of her employment agreement includes a three-year term with a beginning salary of $270,000. It will run through June 30, 2027.
Source: New era begins with Sach at FSUSD | Education | dailyrepublic.com
By Susan Hiland
The Travis Board of Trustees will look at 27 applicants in the search for replacement of Superintendent Pam Conklin.
On April 19 in a special closed session meeting they will go over resumes and chose the best candidates to pull in for a formal interviews.
Then in May they will hold a special meeting with the candidates. The potentials will be doing interviews with a panel of community board participants who will then give there opinions to the school board on the candidates.
Source: Travis looks at 27 candidates for Superintendent position | Education | dailyrepublic.com
Rodriguez High School will be showing off a new school mascot at the Earth Art Walk in Suisun through the month of April.
During Covid lockdown the school mascot was stolen and has not been recovered. Students from the Tennies & T’s club, National Arts Honor Society chapter at Rodriguez, decided to replace the stolen school mascot with a recycled materials mascot.
It took students four years to complete him.
Source: Rodriguez gets a new mascot | Education | dailyrepublic.com
By Susan Hiland
The Travis board of Trustees heard an update on the latest information for the possible reconfiguration of the sixth grade in the Travis School District.
As part of the investigation of possible grade-span reconfiguration, the staff have been exploring facilities options related to moving sixth grade to Golden West Middle School.
The report covered the possibility of not moving sixth grades and staying in the same facilities or moving to Golden West.
Source: Travis hears updates on possible sixth-grade move | Education | dailyrepublic.com
By Richard Bammer
Hearings for initial contract proposals from the Travis Unified Teachers Association and the California School Employees Association are on the agenda when the Travis Unified School District board meets tonight in Fairfield.
Open to the public, the meeting begins at 6 p.m. in the Travis Education Center, 2775 DeRonde Drive.
Teachers and trustees will be negotiating a successor collective bargaining agreement to replace and supersede the current contract, which is in effect through June 30.
Source: On TUSD agenda: Initial contract hearings for teachers, support staff – The Vacaville Reporter
The Solano County Office of Education has partnered with the Benicia Makerspace and Solano Community College to host the STEAM Discovery Festival on Saturday.
“Engaging young people in hands-on STEAM experiences fosters creativity, exploration, critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and a deeper understanding of the world around them. We appreciate the partnership with the Benicia Makerspace and Solano Community College who have helped us bring this opportunity to youth across Solano County,” Solano County Superintendent of Schools Lisette Estrella-Henderson said in a statement.
Source: STEAM Discover Festival set for Saturday at Solano College | News | dailyrepublic.com
By Susan Hiland
Kids learned the basics of creating a budget and spending within their means at the annual Mad City Money program on Saturday.
Since 2009, Travis Credit Union in Vacaville has been providing thousands of students with a one-day financial boot camp.
The lessons learned probably will help their parents as well with some going home and sharing what they learned.
“We have had more than 10,000 students take the course,” said Michelle Sabolich, AVP, Corporate Communications Travis Credit Union. “They learn to budget through in-person learning and using an app on their phones.”
Source: Solano students get crash course in adult financing | News | dailyrepublic.com
By Scott Morris
Former St. Helena Unified School District Superintendent Rubén Aurelio has been hired as the new superintendent of the Vallejo City Unified School District, the district announced on Wednesday.
Aurelio’s hiring will be effective July 1 and he will succeed Superintendent William Spalding, who is retiring at the end of this school year, the district said in a press release. He was unanimously chosen during a special closed session of the Board of Education on March 16 and his appointment was confirmed this week.
Aurelio previously served in various capacities across nearby districts. For the last two years, he was superintendent of St. Helena Unified, an affluent and high performing but much smaller district in Napa County of 1,199 students, according to his LinkedIn profile. There are about 10,000 students in the Vallejo school district.
Source: Former St. Helena school district head appointed next schools superintendent for Vallejo
By John Glidden
Nancy Orpilla was meant to be a teacher. Described as being patient, calm, and never having a bad word to say about any of her students, Orpilla’s death of cancer last year left a hole in the Vallejo school district that will likely never fully heal.
A beloved 1st grade teacher at Federal Terrace Elementary School, Orpilla died of lung cancer in April 2023. Her family, former colleagues and students are on a mission to support the next generation of teachers with a scholarship fund in her memory.
“Nancy loved being a teacher in Vallejo. She loved her students, she loved her colleagues,” said Orpilla’s husband, Mel Orpilla, who helped spearhead the memorial scholarship to honor his late wife.
Source: Scholarship to honor beloved Vallejo teacher who died last year
Travis Credit Union (TCU) and the Solano County Office of Education (SCOE) will be hosting a hands-on financial literacy event aimed at empowering teens and young adults with essential financial skills. The primary objective of the event is to simulate the realities of managing financial responsibilities and to educate students on making informed financial decisions.
Participants will learn through an interactive financial simulation designed to provide a realistic experience of managing personal finances in the adult world. Students from seven Solano County school districts will be assigned various real-life scenarios, including occupations, salaries, spouses, children, debt, and credit scores. Through engaging activities, attendees will navigate through the challenges of budgeting, saving, and making financial decisions based on their individual circumstances.
By Thomas Gase
Jesse Bethel High School baseball players want a field of dreams. What they have is a field of streams.
The Jaguars’ home field has suffered from poor conditions for years, but over the last two years, alarming deteriorations have prompted the team to install a temporary plastic fence that is approximately 230 feet from home plate — leaving around 80 feet of marsh between the new wall and the one that stands beyond it. The water comes from the flooding of a nearby creek at the base of a hill just behind the third base dugout.
When the baseball team held a playoff game last season, Vallejo Sports Hall of Famer and Bethel Physical Education teacher John Baptista’s first words over the P.A. system were, “Welcome to the swamp.”
Source: Jesse Bethel High School dealing with terrible field, court conditions – Times Herald Online
By Richard Bammer
State education officials on Wednesday announced that five Fairfield-Suisun Unified schools have been designated as 2024 Purple Star Schools, capable of meeting the unique needs of “military-connected” students and their families like the ones living on or near Travis Air Force Base.
In a press statement, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond cited the five local schools, among nearly 40 others statewide, that are “committed and equipped” to serve the children and parents serving in the U.S. armed forces.
Source: FSUSD schools recognized for meeting needs of ‘military-connected’ kids – The Vacaville Reporter
By Nick McConnell
Between updating resumes, drafting countless cover letters, scouring LinkedIn for openings and taking interviews, being on the job hunt can be daunting. That’s why the Workforce Development Board of Solano County in partnership with Solano Community College, hosted an event to try to make it a little easier for local job seekers.
Thursday’s 2024 NorCal Career Fair at Solano Community College brought together nearly 100 employers to connect with area applicants and provide information about their vacant positions. With over 300 attendees pre-registered, the room was full of excited chatter about new opportunities.
Source: Solano Workforce Development Board hosts Job Fair – The Vacaville Reporter
By Lynzie Lowe
Vacaville Chief of Police Ian Schmutzler said School Resource Officer Sean Kelly, a member of the Youth Services Section, has excelled in his role at Will C. Wood High School.
“Will C. Wood has nearly 1700 students enrolled, and Officer Kelly makes it a priority to get to know each of them as well as maintain a professional relationship with every staff member on campus,” said Schmutzler. “Officer Kelly excels in communication and always ensures he is available to collaborate and consult with members of Vacaville Unified School District Safety Team as well as the campus administration team at WCW making himself accessible 24-hours a day, not just during the school day.”
By Thomas Gase
The Vallejo City Unified School District has hired Ruben Aurelio as its new superintendent.
The district’s Board of Education announced Aurelio’s hiring at Wednesday night’s regularly scheduled meeting. Aurelio will replace William Spalding, who announced he will retire on June 30.
“I am thrilled and honored to work with our Board of Trustees in the Vallejo City Unified School District,” Aurelio stated in a news release. “One aspect of VCUSD that drew my attention was the commitment to equitable outcomes for all students. So much so that the district has purposefully named it as the first pillar in their strategic plan. I’ve spent the majority of my career fighting for equitable outcomes. Vallejo feels like home.”
Source: Ruben Aurelio named new Vallejo City Unified School District Superintendent – Times Herald Online
Lynzie Lowe
The Vacaville Police Department placed dozens of blue pinwheels in front of Vacaville City Hall Tuesday morning as part of the annual Pinwheels for Prevention event to promote carefree and joyful childhoods.
“The pinwheels are selected as a symbol representing childhood whimsy and fun,” said Paula Ledoux-Christison, Clinical Services Administrator for the department.
This event is part of a broader campaign aimed at raising awareness on child abuse and neglect, promoting positive parenting practices, and advocating for policies and programs that support children and families. While celebrated nationwide, it’s often organized locally by child advocacy organizations, nonprofit groups, schools, and government agencies during Child Abuse Prevention Month, which is observed across the country each April.
Solano County residents made their way to the Fairfield campus of Solano Community College to get a gander at the partial eclipse Monday morning.
Brita and Nick Bautin arrived about 9:45 a.m., traveling from Benicia. “I wanted to see it in stages,” she said.
The college provided telescopes with filters. Viewing got underway shortly after 10 a.m. and ended after noon, with peak period happening about 11:15 a.m.
Source: Solano Community College welcomes eclipse visitors | Solano County | dailyrepublic.com
The Workforce Development Board of Solano County took in a $10,000 grant from the national Jobs for the Future Workforce Communities of Action – one of only four workforce boards in the country to receive the funding.
The grant will fund a series of special events this summer to build awareness of bioeconomy careers.
“We have a unique opportunity to support an industry that is poised to grow exponentially, and to do so in a way that all Solano residents can access,” Solano WDB Executive Director Heather Henry said in a statement. “This collaboration of community, government, education, and industry will ensure a strong talent pipeline for this industry.”
Source: County workforce board receives Jobs for Future grant | News | dailyrepublic.com
Solano County Office of Education (SCOE) proudly announces two employees have been named as recipients of the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) Region 4, Administrator of the Year awards. ACSA’s Region 4 includes Mendocino, Lake, Marin, Sonoma, Napa, and Solano Counties. SCOE administrators Dr. Valerie Garrett and Lisa Eckhoff have each been honored with ACSA Administrator of the Year awards. These awards recognize outstanding educational leaders who have demonstrated exceptional dedication, innovation, and commitment to serving students and communities.Lisa Eckhoff has been honored with the ACSA Region 4 award in the Central Office category. Lisa’s extensive experience and dedication have positioned her as a leader in educational services and administrative operations. As the Director of Early Learning for SCOE, Lisa has spearheaded countywide initiatives, including professional development workshops, collaborative networks, and data analysis efforts, aimed at enhancing the quality of early learning programs. Her tireless advocacy for student success and ethical leadership makes her a true asset to the educational community.
Source: Exemplary Educators Honored with Administrator of the Year Awards | Independent Voice
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond announced that 44 schools have been designated as 2024 Purple Star Schools. Now in its third year, the California Purple Star School Designation Program recognizes schools that are committed and equipped to meet the unique needs of military-connected students and their families.
“I commend the remarkable dedication and support shown by the winning schools of the California Purple Star School Designation Program. By embracing and enhancing services for military-connected students and their families, these schools exemplify our commitment to inclusivity, understanding, and excellence in education,” Thurmond said. “Their efforts not only enrich the educational experience but also foster a sense of belonging and appreciation for our military community.”
Purple Star Schools seek to reduce the burden on military-connected students and their families by providing the most critical transition supports. With more than 2.6 million active-duty service members and individuals serving in the National Guard and Reserves, the military is one of the United States’ largest workforces. In 2022, California had 242,624 active-duty service members and individuals serving in the National Guard and Reserves.
Source: SPI Announces 2024 California Purple Star Schools – Year 2024 (CA Dept of Education)