Monthly Archives: May 2024

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

$1.3B in Community Schools Implementation Grants – Year 2024 (CA Dept of Education)

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State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond announced that the California State Board of Education (SBE) approved $1.3 billion in community schools implementation grants today as proposed by the California Department of Education (CDE).

Today’s approval marks the continued expansion and third cohort of the California Community Schools Partnership Program (CCSPP), which has become the largest single investment in community schools anywhere in the nation. Today’s cohort builds on successful efforts to accelerate student learning by integrating academics, health and social services, and family and community engagement to improve the achievement and wellness of children by serving the whole child and the whole family.

“Our Community Schools strategy is fundamentally about breaking down barriers in order to unlock the brilliance of every child,” Thurmond said. “Our community schools grantees build strategic partnerships with service providers in their area, which leads to an incredible return on investment for our students and families. And by remaining committed to transformative outcomes for our students, our community schools have become leaders in not only identifying the barriers that hold kids back but also creating innovative solutions that effectively support children to learn and thrive.”

Source: $1.3B in Community Schools Implementation Grants – Year 2024 (CA Dept of Education)

VUSD board to hear proposed changes to Independent Study Progam – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

Know a child who might thrive in an alternative course of study rather than a traditional public school setting?

Then you may want to attend tonight’s Vacaville Unified trustees meeting in Vacaville.

During the public gathering, board members will hear about proposed and recommended changes to the independent study portion of the Ernest Kimme Charter Academy, making it a district-operated program.

Source: VUSD board to hear proposed changes to Independent Study Progam – The Vacaville Reporter

Solano County bolsters food relief capacity – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Michael Montalvo

The Solano County Board of Supervisors received multiple presentations Tuesday night of accomplishments from recipients of American Rescue Plan Act funds aimed at increasing the capacity to provide emergency food services for Solano County.

In 2021, Solano provided $2 million in direct emergency food provision and $3 million to increase the capacity of agencies to provide that food. Meals on Wheels received the most, with just over $1 million allocated for emergency food provision, and an additional $1.8 million for capacity enhancement.

Tyler Dorman, the Development Manager for Meals on Wheels, presented the board with their achievements since receiving the funding.

Source: Solano County bolsters food relief capacity – The Vacaville Reporter

On National Teachers’ Day, reflections from VUSD’s Teacher of the Year – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

The first thing Vaca Pena Middle School teacher Jayne Geist wants you to know about why she became a teacher is the ability to give a full measure of devotion to her students.

And “being there for them if they need a ‘listening ear,’ ” she said during an interview Tuesday, National Teacher Appreciation Day, in her classroom at the 200 Keith Way campus.

The 2023-24 Vacaville Unified Teacher of the Year, Geist and other district teachers will acknowledge the national observance on Wednesday, which continues through Friday for their counterparts across the county, state and 49 other states during Teacher Appreciation Week. It’s a chance for students, parents and communities to show gratitude for teachers everywhere.

Source: On National Teachers’ Day, reflections from VUSD’s Teacher of the Year – The Vacaville Reporter

SPI Announces 2024 California Finalists in PAEMST – Year 2024 (CA Dept of Education)

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State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond honored three outstanding math and science teachers from California today who are finalists for the 2024 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST).

“These amazing teachers model excellence in how we prepare California students for the challenges and advancements of the future,” Thurmond said. “Let me offer my sincere congratulations to these educators, whom 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.”

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 2023–24, those who teach kindergarten through grade six 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 Announces 2024 California Finalists in PAEMST – Year 2024 (CA Dept of Education)

Vallejo starts pilot program to close Nebraska Street during school hours – Times Herald Online

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By Thomas Gase

The Vallejo City Unified School District and the City of Vallejo announced a month-long pilot program designed to address incidents of gun violence on front of Vallejo High School.

The program, set to start on Monday, will close Nebraska Street between Amador and Pierce streets during school hours.

This decision comes after a series of shootings in area between Vallejo and John Finney High schools in the past year and a half. The street will be closed 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on school days starting on Monday and continuing through June 7. The road will not be closed during weekends and holidays.

Source: Vallejo starts pilot program to close Nebraska Street during school hours – Times Herald Online

Spotlight shines on Solano County’s top educators | dailyrepublic.com

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Chris Bryan, a physical education teacher at Fairfield High, and Camlia Andaluz, a paraeducator with the Solano County Office of Education’s adult program at the Irene Larsen Center in Vacaville, have been named the Solano County Educators of the Year.

Bryan was selected as Teacher of the Year, and Andaluz was named Classified Employee of the Year. The announcement came during a Thursday night celebration recognizing all the top educators from each district.

“Bryan brings 21 years of education experience, with 13 years in his current role as a physical education teacher at Fairfield High School. He emphasizes lifelong health, positive character, and goal setting, going beyond the norm to help students overcome challenges and adopt healthy lifestyles,” SCOE said in a statement.

Source: Spotlight shines on Solano County’s top educators | News | dailyrepublic.com

Travis school board interviewing potential superintendent candidates this weekend | dailyrepublic.com

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By Susan Hiland

The Travis school board will be holding meetings with potential superintendents Saturday and Sunday.

The first round of interviews begins at 8 a.m. Saturday. The meeting is not open to the public and will go into closed session almost immediately after opening the session.

Superintendent Pam Conklin announced her retirement on Feb. 7. The board decided to go with a third-party search firm to find her replacement.

Source: Travis school board interviewing potential superintendent candidates this weekend | Education | dailyrepublic.com

Dixon Unified School District Labor Talks Continue | Independent Voice

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Failed labor negotiations leave Dixon Unified School District teachers distraught.

That is the only way to put it after the last regularly-scheduled board meeting on April 18, when Dixon Teachers Association (DTA) Co-Vice President Melanie Sadorra made her statement from the podium.

“Unfortunately, despite DTA’s efforts and commitment, there has been no update since the last board meeting,” Sadorra said. “We have gotten no response regarding what we proposed on March 27, so it should not be surprising that Dixon is the only school district in Solano County that has not settled (negotiations) for the 2023-24 school year.”

Source: Dixon Unified School District Labor Talks Continue | Independent Voice

Op-Ed: SB1380 Threatens access to critical public school options in California | dailyrepublic.com

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Should school districts that have a history of fiscal mismanagement be able to block alternative schools? Senator Dodd (D-Napa) thinks so. Senator Bill Dodd has introduced SB 1380, a bill that proposes significant amendments to the California Charter Schools Act (Ed Code 47605). If Dodd’s bill became law, it would make it even easier for a school district to deny new charter schools. Currently, there is a long list of reasons school districts can deny charters, and Dodd’s bill would add several more – a school district could claim continued fiscal hardship for five years after it has resolved its state oversight for financial mismanagement.

Charter schools were established in California in 1992 to foster innovation, encourage competition, and offer families high-quality educational choices within the public education system. However, SB 1380 appears to undermine fundamental tenets by empowering school districts with a history of fiscal issues to limit innovation and competition.

Source: Op-Ed: SB1380 Threatens access to critical public school options in California | Local Columns | dailyrepublic.com

Vanden, Rodriguez students take top spots in Water Awareness video contest | dailyrepublic.com

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A pair of Vanden High freshmen took two of the top three spots in the 14th annual Water Awareness Video Contest.

Lily Atkinson will receive $1,500 for her winning entry, “Rescuing Our Reservoirs.” Her prize money is split with her sponsoring teacher, Darcy Span. Donoven Salgado, along with sponsoring teacher, Katy Green, will split the $500 third-place award. His entry was titled, “Think OUTSIDE the Sink!”

The second-place winner is Alyssa Bongato, a Rodriguez High School senior, for a video titled, “Continuously Conserving Water.” Her sponsoring teacher was Debbie Cook. They will split $1,000.

Source: Vanden, Rodriguez students take top spots in Water Awareness video contest | News | dailyrepublic.com

SPI Honored for Holocaust and Genocide Education – Year 2024 (CA Dept of Education)

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State Superintendent Tony Thurmond was honored today by the California Legislative Jewish Caucus for his leadership in the area of Holocaust and Genocide Education. Thurmond was honored alongside leaders and educators from the Jewish Family & Children’s Services Holocaust Center as well as Holocaust survivors and their descendants who have chosen to share their stories as part of educational initiatives.

“I am deeply honored by this recognition from the California Legislative Jewish Caucus for our collective efforts in Holocaust and Genocide Education. Through education, we not only honor the memory of the victims but also strive to ensure that such atrocities never happen again,” Thurmond said. “By understanding the horrors of the past, we empower ourselves to build a future rooted in empathy, tolerance, and justice.”

Senate Concurrent Resolution 135 (Wiener), commemorating Yom HaShoah and honoring leaders in Holocaust Education, was supported by the Asian Pacific Islander Caucus, Latino Caucus, Women’s Caucus, and Legislative Black Caucus in solidarity.

Source: SPI Honored for Holocaust and Genocide Education – Year 2024 (CA Dept of Education)

SPI Announces 2024 Civic Learning Award Schools – Year 2024 (CA Dept of Education)

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Twenty-one California schools have been named recipients of the 2024 Civic Learning Awards, an honor that recognizes measurable schoolwide achievements in civics. The award program, now in its eleventh year, is co-sponsored by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond and California Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero.

“We know that when young people activate their voices, they can be among the strongest change agents in our communities,” said Thurmond. “Education is the cornerstone of realizing our democratic ideals, and these schools have made extraordinary contributions to building the leaders of tomorrow.”

“These award applications I find inspiring, they all deserve our recognition,” said Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero. “They tell the important stories of dedicated educators who are, despite the challenges, creatively making room for students to fully understand and practice civics.”

Source: SPI Announces 2024 Civic Learning Award Schools – Year 2024 (CA Dept of Education)

SPI Honors 2024 California Classified Employees – Year 2024 (CA Dept of Education)

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State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond honored nine outstanding classified school employees today for their dedication to California’s public school students.

“My heartfelt congratulations go to these outstanding employees for going the extra mile to step up and support California students so they can continue to learn,” said Thurmond. “These dedicated employees make sure kids have healthy meals, safe campuses and transportation, and systems and supports during difficult and unexpected changes and ensure that all students are supported in their lives and in their education.”

The annual Classified School Employees of the Year (CSEY) program honors outstanding classified school employees in the following categories: Paraprofessional Services, Clerical and Administrative Services, Transportation Services, Food and Nutrition Services, Custodial and Maintenance Services, Security Services, Health and Student Services, Technical Services, and Skilled Trades Services. This year’s recipients were chosen from 134 nominations statewide. The 2024 award winners will be honored by Thurmond at a luncheon in Sacramento on May 23, 2024.

Source: SPI Honors 2024 California Classified Employees – Year 2024 (CA Dept of Education)

Alamo Elementary Triumphs in Novel Knowledge – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Michael Montalvo

Alamo Elementary School took home the gold for the seventh time at Vacaville Unified School District’s Novel Knowledge competition on Tuesday.

Vaca Pena Middle School hosted the 21st annual event, with 11 school teams in the finals, being quizzed on facts from eight books covering various reading levels, including fiction and nonfiction stories.

Once again, Alamo Elementary secured the top spot with its team, the Too Good For a Name’ers, only getting one question wrong. Grace Ruther, Haven Cooney, and the sibling duo of Anna and Andrew Ton, all sixth graders, triumphantly claimed the grand trophy.

Source: Alamo Elementary Triumphs in Novel Knowledge – The Vacaville Reporter