Monthly Archives: May 2024

Signups being accepted for Police Youth Academy | dailyrepublic.com

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Registration is open for the second annual Police Youth Academy.

This is a free program for Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District, Travis Unified School District and Fairfield home school students who have an interest in law enforcement. It is hosted by the Fairfield Police Department.

“The Police Youth Academy is a fun, interactive learning experience designed to teach students about law enforcement. This unique opportunity provides students with a greater understanding of the inner workings of the police department, as well as procedures, as taught by the law enforcement professionals themselves,” the Police Department said in a statement.

Source: Signups being accepted for Police Youth Academy | News | dailyrepublic.com

Youth art sough for FBP’s annual Art Calendar Contest – Times Herald Online

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By Lynzie Lowe

Friday is the last day for Vallejo youth ages 4-18 to enter Fighting Back Partnership’s annual Art Calendar Contest and have the opportunity to be featured in the Vallejo City Unified School District calendar the 2024-25 school year.

Dr. Melvinia Turner King, Executive Director of Fighting Back Partnership, says the contest, which has been taking place for more than 30 years, started as a way to engage young people by providing them with a creative outlet to share their views on community issues.

Source: Youth art sough for FBP’s annual Art Calendar Contest – Times Herald Online

Vacaville City Council Rejects Kairos Proposal – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Nick McConnell

The Vacaville City Council rejected a proposal to change the zoning of 12.77 acres from “school” to “low-medium density” by a 4-3 vote on Tuesday. Kairos Public Schools, a local charter school, and a developer in the Roberts Ranch neighborhood submitted the proposal, as Kairos aimed to use the proceeds to fund a new school.

Mayor John Carli, Vice Mayor Greg Ritchie and Councilmember Roy Stockton voted in favor of the zoning change. Councilmembers indicated they would be interested in seeing the proposal come back in the future with a higher zoning designation, asking staff to meet with the interested parties and discuss feedback.

Ritchie, who previously served on the Kairos Board of Directors, chose not to recuse himself from the vote and read a statement explaining his decision to go ahead with it.

Source: Vacaville City Council Rejects Kairos Proposal – The Vacaville Reporter

B. Gale Wilson Students celebrate Dual Immersion program completion |  dailyrepublic.com

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On Friday, May 17, The B. Gale Wilson Middle School community came together to celebrate a significant milestone: the completion of the ninth year of the Dual Immersion program by its eighth-grade students. The event, held in the Wilson Multi-Purpose Room, marked a proud moment for families, staff, and teachers who have supported and nurtured these biliterate students.

The Dual Immersion program, which began in 1995 at Crescent Elementary, has flourished over the years. It now encompasses transitional kindergarten and elementary classes at Sullivan Language Immersion Academy, with secondary education continuing at B. Gale Wilson. This unique program, the only one of its kind in the district, emphasizes bilingual proficiency in both English and Spanish, preparing students for academic excellence and a multilingual future.

Source: Good News: B. Gale Wilson Students celebrate Dual Immersion program completion | Lifestyle | dailyrepublic.com

SPI Supports Safe, Supportive Learning Environment – Year 2024 (CA Dept of Education)

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State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond today joined Assemblymember Chris Ward External link opens in new window or tab. (D-San Diego) and Senator Susan Talamantes Eggman External link opens in new window or tab. (D-Stockton), Chair of the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus, along with teachers, parents, and LGBTQ+ advocates, to announce Assembly Bill (AB) 1955, the Support Academic Futures and Educators for Today’s Youth (SAFETY) Act, to ensure all students have a safe and supportive environment to learn regardless of gender identity.

If signed into law, the SAFETY Act would prohibit school districts from implementing forced outing policies, provide resources for parents and students to navigate conversations around gender and identity on their own terms, and ensure teachers or school staff are not retaliated against for refusing to forcibly out a student.

“All of our students deserve to be safe at school in order to learn and thrive,” Thurmond said. “AB 1955 protects our LGBTQ+ youth from increased risk of bullying and harassment, and it affirms families’ ability to handle family matters at home without school employees being forced to intervene. The SAFETY Act will allow our teachers to focus on teaching academic skills—not on policing gender identity.”

Source: SPI Supports Safe, Supportive Learning Environment – Year 2024 (CA Dept of Education)

Leadership Vacaville, Opportunity House teaming up for youth needs donation drive – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Lynzie Lowe

To help ensure that area teens go to school feeling fresh, confident, and ready to learn this year and next, Leadership Vacaville is hosting a “Youth Needs” donation drive to collect items for the Opportunity House’s Youth Rising outreach program.

Serena Eastman, Director of Shelters and Programs for Opportunity House and Vacaville Solano Services Corp., said the outreach program is located on three local high school campuses in Vacaville – Will C Wood, Kimme WRAP, and Vacaville High School – and provides onsite support and resources to any youth who may be in need of physical support like food, clothing, and hygiene, school supplies, as well as provides connections to local resources for mental health, substance use education, housing assistance, employment, tutoring, case management and healthy, strong adult relationships.

Source: Leadership Vacaville, Opportunity House teaming up for youth needs donation drive – The Vacaville Reporter

Garamendi secures 2.8 million to improve early education in Solano County – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Lynzie Lowe

U.S. Rep. John Garamendi on Monday presented more than $2.8 million in federal funding to several Solano County entities focused on improving area transportation, waterfront cleanup efforts and education services.

“The people of Solano County deserve every resource available to support them and make their lives easier (and) I focus every day of my life in Washington on delivering positive change and new resources to support our communities,” said Garamendi, a Democrat representing California’s eighth district, during Monday’s awards ceremony.

Garamendi first presented a $500,000 check to the City of Fairfield’s Transit and Municipal Fleet Electrification Project. The Community Project Funding will help to install maintenance and charging infrastructure for the city’s transit vehicle fleet and purchase two additional battery-electric vehicles for a new micro-transit service that will provide point-to-point service for areas currently underserved by existing services. The new micro-transit service will also connect to the city’s local fixed-route system, regional commuter bus services, and two nearby Amtrak stations, including the Fairfield-Vacaville Hannigan and Suisun-Fairfield Train Stations.

Source: Garamendi secures 2.8 million to improve transportation, waterfront cleanup, early education in Solano County – The Vacaville Reporter

Fitch Affirms Fairfield-Suisun USD’s, Outlook Stable – Fitch Ratings

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The ‘AA-‘ reflects the district’s midrange to weak demographic economic trend and level, ‘a’ financial resilience due to its somewhat slim five-year low reserve balance and midrange long-term liability composite.

The ‘a’ financial resilience assessment reflects the district’s limited level of budgetary flexibility typical of California school districts. It incorporates the district’s inability to independently raise revenue and midrange expenditure controls based on the framework for negotiating with labor unions. The midrange long-term liability composite includes the weak LTL burden associated with direct debt and Fitch-adjusted net pension liabilities as a percentage of residents’ personal income, a midrange level of fixed carrying costs as a percentage of governmental expenditures, and moderately higher liabilities in comparison to governmental revenues.

Source: Fitch Affirms Fairfield-Suisun USD’s, (CA) IDR at ‘AA-‘ and ULTGOs at ‘AAA’; Outlook Stable

Solano County Educators of the Year Winners Chosen | Independent Voice

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During Solano County Office of Education’s Educators of the Year celebration May 1, Superintendent Lisette Estrella-Henderson announced Camila Andaluz as the Solano County Classified School Employee of the Year and Chris Bryan, Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District’s Teacher of the Year as the Solano County Teacher of the Year.

Andaluz is an exemplary figure within the adult program at the Irene Larsen Center. As a paraeducator, her dedication and hard work resonate with the community as she tirelessly commits to the growth and well-being of young adult students. Andaluz goes beyond conventional teaching methods, creating an environment encouraging students to reach their full potential. She spearheaded the micro-enterprise “Snack Shack,” teaching students money management and cooking skills while instilling an entrepreneurial spirit. Andaluz’s multifaceted roles, from classroom engagement to community involvement, showcase her commitment to the holistic development of young adults.

Source: Solano County Educators of the Year Winners Chosen | Independent Voice

California 2024 Enrollment Data – Year 2024 (CA Dept of Education)

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On Thursday, May 16, the California Department of Education (CDE) released annual enrollment data for the 2023–24 school year, which showed a continued, though slowing, decrease in overall enrollment.

Significant bright spots include a doubling of enrollment in transitional kindergarten (TK) over the last two years, from 75,465 in 2021–22 to 151,491 in 2023–24.

This historic growth in TK reflects significant investment in early learning, including $500 million in Universal PreKindergarten (UPK) Planning and Implementation Grants; a statewide communications campaign to raise awareness of free, public early learning programs; and state-level support of UPK expansion across California’s 1,000 school districts through coaching and technical assistance of UPK coordinators across the state.

Source: California 2024 Enrollment Data – Year 2024 (CA Dept of Education)

Young artists showcased at Solano County Fairgrounds – Times Herald Online

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By Thomas Gase

Solano County has long been known for its emerse talent with the arts. Judging by Saturday’s showcase at the Solano County Fairgrounds, that won’t be ending anytime soon.

The 4th Annual Solano Student Art Showcase, hosted by the Solano County Office of Education at McCormack Hall, included over 400 pieces of art by over 375 different artists ranging from the fourth grade to seniors in high school. This year, there were three components — a performing arts exhibition, a displayed art exhibit and a community health fair.

The Solano Student Art Showcase community health fair featured 15 local agencies offering interactive booths with services and resources. There was also a few tables with activities, including students creating their own masks.

Source: Young artists showcased at Solano County Fairgrounds – Times Herald Online

‘Special’ day returns to Corbus Field – Vacaville Reporter

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By Michael Montalvo

The Vallejo City Unified School District hosted its 48th Annual Special Olympics Games on Friday, the first games since 2019.

Over 150 students from kindergarten to 22 years old throughout 10 schools participated in the games at Vallejo High School’s Corbus Field, with events like the 50-yard run, javelin and hurdles. They also had a couple of sections in the middle of the Corbus Field for extra activities for anyone to join and participate in.

Source: ‘Special’ day returns to Corbus Field

Deadline is Monday to sign up for Girls in Robotics camps | dailyrepublic.com

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The application deadline for the Girls in Robotics Leadership Camps for middle school and high school students is Monday.

There are three camps for middle schoolers, and one for high school students.

“During the five-day camps, students will learn teamwork, communication, and leadership skills. The GIRL Camp will introduce middle school students to robotics, principles in engineering, computer programming, 3-D printing and Ch/C/C++ programing code. They will be able to interact with women from engineering and other technology-related fields,” the Solano County Office of Education said in a statement.

Source: Deadline is Monday to sign up for Girls in Robotics camps | News | dailyrepublic.com

At school board meeting, Dixon teachers to assail contract mediation – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

Dixon teachers will make sure the Dixon Unified School District’s governing board meeting tonight will be anything but routine. Far more likely, a gripe session marked by loud voices, signs, a petition with hundreds of signatures, and labor unity could well break out.

The reason?

Dixon Teachers Association members are miffed that, after six months of contract talks, teachers union representatives and district leaders both declared impasse at the end of April.

Source: At school board meeting, Dixon teachers to assail contract mediation – The Vacaville Reporter

Approval of employee contracts, trustee election updates on FSUSD agenda – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

Two employee pay agreements and a resolution for the Nov. 5 election of governing board members are on the agenda when Fairfield-Suisun Unified leaders meet Thursday in Fairfield.

Following a presentatioin by Ken Whittemore, the assistant superintendent of human resources, trustees will be asked to consider approving the final tenative two-year pay agreement between the support and operations unit of Chapter 302 of the California Schools Employees Association, or CSEA. Formed in 1927 by a group of Oakland custodians, it is the largest school-support employees labor union in the United States.

The agreement, which likely will be approved, will be in effect from July 1 to June 30, 2026, but is pending ratification from the employees over several issues: hours and overtime; pay and allowances; health and welfare benefits; and leaves.

Source: Approval of employee contracts, trustee election updates on FSUSD agenda – The Vacaville Reporter

Special Education Students Experience Fair Fun | Independent Voice

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Some of the special education students squeezed their eyes closed on the May Fair carnival rides. Others closed their eyes peacefully and looked like they were sleeping. Still others flung their arms and legs out and laughed with pure glee. In their own way, each adapted to Dixon’s 147th May Fair.

“The goal is not just for the kids to be here but for the youth to have fun, too,” said coordinator Bill Seiden of Vacaville Noon Rotary, about the 31st year of the event where Dixon Rotary Club members also assisted.

Bill and his wife, Karen, started the endeavor for special needs children to experience the Dixon May Fair with their daughter who was only three years old at the time. They have been doing the event for 30 years now. Their daughter, Kendra, is now 41.

Source: Special Education Students Experience Fair Fun | Independent Voice

An employee pay pact, emergency teaching permits on DUSD agenda – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

A salary agreement with nonunion employees and granting emergency teaching permits for the 2024-25 academic year are on the agenda when Dixon Unified leaders meet Thursday.

After a public hearing, the five-member governing board will consider approving a 2023-24 tentative pay pact between the district and nonrepresented and confidential employees, the latter regarded as those who work closely with district administrators and handle confidential matters.

Chief Business Officer Trudy Barrington will lead the presentation, noting the agreement has been reached and that state law requires school districts to hold public hearings about all collective bargaining agreements before they are approved.

Source: An employee pay pact, emergency teaching permits on DUSD agenda – The Vacaville Reporter

Benson takes over as Superintendent at Travis School District | dailyrepublic.com

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By Susan Hiland

The new superintendent for Travis Unified School District will be a familiar face to many, Tiffany Benson who is the current Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services.

The board of trustees made the announcement at Tuesday night’s meeting.

Benson will take over for Pam Conklin, who gave notice in February that she was retiring.

Source: Benson takes over as Superintendent at Travis School District | Education | dailyrepublic.com

TUSD leaders to consider new supe contract, bond measure proposal – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

A new superintendent’s contract and a proposed bond measure for the fall 2024 ballot are on the agenda when the Travis Unified governing board meets Tuesday in Fairfield.

Trustees are expected to approve a four-year contract with Tiffany Benson, currently the assistant superintendent for educational services.

The contract calls for annual base pay of $243,000 for 221 days of work, $3,000 compensation for earning a master’s degree, and a 2 percent annual pay raise.

Source: TUSD leaders to consider new supe contract, bond measure proposal – The Vacaville Reporter

Work-Ready! participants recognized at Jelly Belly event | dailyrepublic.com

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Nearly 170 high school students completed the Work-Ready! Certification program this school year – one of the largest groups since the program started in 2013.

About half of those were recognized at a ceremony held Thursday at Jelly Belly.

“This initiative, designed to equip students with essential workplace skills, saw participants engage in a series of workshops focused on teamwork, work ethic and responsible social media use,” a statement released by the Solano County Office of Education said.

Source: Work-Ready! participants recognized at Jelly Belly event | News | dailyrepublic.com