Monthly Archives: February 2025

Stability in Education Law Compliance Affirmed – Year 2025 (CA Dept of Education)

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In response to recent statements and correspondence from federal officials, including the U.S. Department of Education, that have sparked speculation about potential changes to federal law and enforcement affecting local educational agencies, the California Department of Education and the State Board of Education today issued a joint statement to clarify that federal law remains unchanged:

“Federal laws regarding public education remain unchanged, as executive orders and memos cannot modify or override statutory requirements or regulations or unilaterally impose new terms on existing agreements.

Source: Stability in Education Law Compliance Affirmed – Year 2025 (CA Dept of Education)

Vallejo school board votes to close two schools – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Sarah Rodriguez

In a unanimous decision, the Vallejo City Unified School District board voted Wednesday to close Mare Island Health and Fitness Academy and relocate Vallejo Charter School to its campus in the coming school year. In a 4-1 vote — with President John Fox opposed — the board also approved the closing of Loma Vista Environmental Science Academy, allocating the space for district use.

The five-acre Loma Vista Farm will not be affected. Instead, the outdoor classroom will remain as a district-wide space, available for field trips and educational opportunities.

Source: Vallejo school board votes to close two schools – The Vacaville Reporter

TUSD continuation high gets state recognition as ‘model school’ – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

Small class sizes, flexible scheduling, individualized learning plans, strong student-teacher relationships, a focus on credit recovery, personalized counseling, a supportive and caring environment, and a clear pathway to graduation for students at risk of dropping out.

Those elements describe the best qualities of a continuation high school, and Travis Unified’s Travis Education Center shares them as a way to meet the specific needs of students who may struggle in a traditional high school and help them earn a diploma.

Source: TUSD continuation high gets state recognition as ‘model school’ – The Vacaville Reporter

State’s community colleges mark Career Education Month – The Vacaville Reporter

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It’s an economic engine not only for California but also for the United States, and remains the nation’s largest workforce training provider: the Golden State’s community colleges.

And this month the statewide system, the largest in U.S. higher education, in 73 districts and 116 colleges serving 2.1 million students each year, marks Career Education Month in February.

The state’s community colleges offer more than 200 Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, providing students with relevant skills in existing careers and in those emerging and on the cutting edge, “paving the way for high-wage, high-growth careers,” according to a press statement from the Chancellor’s Office in Sacramento.

Source: State’s community colleges mark Career Education Month – The Vacaville Reporter

SPI Announces 2025 Model Community Day Schools – Year 2025 (CA Dept of Education)

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State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond announced today that nine schools have been selected as Model Community Day Schools (MCDSs) for 2025, the second year of implementation. Community day schools are schools for students who have been expelled from school or who have had problems with attendance or behavior. The MCDS Recognition Program is a partnership between the California Department of Education (CDE) and the California Continuation Education Association Plus (CCEA Plus).

“The exemplary achievements of our Community Day Schools are worthy of recognition—and yes, a celebration—as these institutions being honored today have shown exceptional dedication to their students and families,” said Superintendent Thurmond. “The holistic approach of these schools, which includes diverse educational options, mental health supports, and ancillary services, equips students with necessary skills to successfully complete high school, transition to higher education or trade school, and continue on to thrive in the workforce.”

Source: SPI Announces 2025 Model Community Day Schools – Year 2025 (CA Dept of Education)

Housing First Solano evaluates DEI options – The Vacaville Reporter

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The Housing First Solano Continuum of Care discussed the impact of anti-DEI requirements from the Trump Administration during its 2025 Housing First Solano Goals Update on a Wednesday Zoom meeting. Chair DeAndre Richard led the discussion on goals, letting the group know about increased Lived Experience Committee involvement in the COC.

“We really think we are moving in the right direction with this one, and that has to happen,” he said of the committee’s increased involvement.

Source: Housing First Solano evaluates DEI options – The Vacaville Reporter

Board votes to shut down 2 Vallejo schools | KTVU FOX 2

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The Vallejo City Unified School District voted to close two of their schools, relocate their charter, and approve $12.8 million in budget reductions, district officials announced Wednesday.

The Mare Island Health and Fitness Academy and Loma Vista Environmental Science Academy will close at the end of the 2024-25 school year.

In addition to voting for their closure, the Vallejo Charter School will be relocated to the soon-to-be-closed Mare Island campus in the 2025-26 school year.

Source: Board votes to shut down 2 Vallejo schools | KTVU FOX 2

Solano retired teachers offering scholarships for state credential – The Vacaville Reporter

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Are you a college grad and working on a California teaching credential? There’s good news.

The California Retired Teachers Association, Division 24, Solano County, is offering scholarships to encourage college graduates who are Solano residents, planning to enter the teaching profession in the county but needing to complete work for a valid credential.

The C. Shirley Michel Scholarships are available for Solano residents who havebaccalaureate degrees, are currently enrolled in an accredited credential program, and who plan to teach — or are teaching — in the county.

Source: Solano retired teachers offering scholarships for state credential – The Vacaville Reporter

Kairos again designated as California, National School to Watch

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The honors and recognitions keep coming for Kairos Public Schools in Vacaville.

The independent charter school, with main offices on Elm Street, has been selected again as a California and National School to Watch, “reaffirming its commitment to academic excellence and student development,” Jared Austin, superintendent-CEO, wrote in a press statement issued Thursday.

Source: Kairos again designated as California, National School to Watch

Rodriguez High student gets statewide ag award | dailyrepublic.com

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Rodriguez High School sophomore Ava Garben is one of 29 students statewide to receive a 2025 Harvest of Merit Award.

“Ava is incredibly passionate about the livestock industry; she works diligently with her animals to maximize their potential,” FFA adviser Bridgette Eldridge said in a statement released by the Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District. “This award will allow her to support the start of her breeding goat project.”

Source: Rodriguez High student gets statewide ag award | News | dailyrepublic.com

Cordelia Hills students send handmade bracelets to students impacted by wildfires | dailyrepublic.com

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Third-graders at Cordelia Hills created more than 200 friendship bracelets that are heading to Los Angeles for youth impacted by the recent wildfires.

“We heard about the kids losing their schools, so we made friendship bracelets to cheer them up,” Cordelia Hills student Truman Nelson told the Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District board. “I think it will make them smile.”

The students made friendship bracelets using beads and string, spelling out words like smile, love, kindness and nature.

Source: Cordelia Hills students send handmade bracelets to students impacted by wildfires | News | dailyrepublic.com

Vallejo committee gets updates on immigration and public safety – JohnGlidden.com

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By John Glidden

About 40 percent of the Vallejo school district student population didn’t show up to class during ‘A day without immigrants’ national protest held on Monday, February 3, in opposition to President Donald Trump’s immigration policies.

The attendance information was shared by Vallejo City Unified School District Superintendent Rubén Aurelio at a special meeting of the 2×2 Committee held this week. The committee is an opportunity for the city and school district to work together on shared issues.

Source: Vallejo committee gets updates on immigration and public safety – JohnGlidden.com

Team Travis strengthens community ties with Civic Leader Tour > Travis Air Force Base > Display

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By Brian Collett

The 60th Air Mobility Wing hosted a Civic Leader Tour, providing local elected officials, business leaders and honorary commanders with an inside look at U.S. Air Force and Space Force operations. During the three-day tour, participants travelled from Travis Air Force Base, California, to Eglin AFB, Florida, and Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, Feb. 3-5, 2025.

The tour began with participants boarding a U.S. Air Force KC-46A Pegasus, the newest aircraft in Travis’ fleet. Shortly after takeoff, they witnessed an aerial refueling operation conducted by the 9th Air Refueling Squadron, demonstrating the precision required to sustain airborne operations. The 60th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron also conducted training, showcasing their ability to transport and monitor patients in flight.

Source: Team Travis strengthens community ties with Civic Leader Tour > Travis Air Force Base > Display

VUSD leaders likely to rename Wood High stadium field after late coach – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

Vacaville Unified trustees are expected to approve renaming the Will C. Wood High School Wildcat Stadium field to the Jacob Wright Memorial Field, after the late varsity football coach, during the school district’s governing board meeting Thursday.

The renaming proposal comes after the Will C. Wood Wildcat Family Committee last year met to discuss ways to honor the coach’s legacy “and his lasting contributions to the campus and community,” according to wording in agenda documents.

Source: VUSD leaders likely to rename Wood High stadium field after late coach – The Vacaville Reporter

End 68 Hours of Hunger: Feed the children – on weekends, too | dailyrepublic.com

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By Amy Maginnis-Honey

A dedicated group of volunteers, the only ones in the state and west of Illinois, meet weekly to ensure school children have food over the weekend.

The Vacaville/Fairfield chapter of End 68 Hours of Hunger, named after the amount of time school children wait between the free lunch at school on Friday afternoon and the free breakfast on Monday morning, operates in both towns.

It’s also one of the largest of the 40 nationwide chapters. That statistic is evidence of the critical need in Solano County, said Kathy Grogan, a supply team leader in Fairfield.

Source: End 68 Hours of Hunger: Feed the children – on weekends, too | News | dailyrepublic.com

School ‘report cards,’ safety plans included on TUSD agenda – The Vacaville Reporter

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School “report cards,” the results of the most recent statewide tests given to students in grades three through eight and 11, and safety plans for the school district’s eight campuses are scheduled under the consent calendar to be routinely approved when Travis Unified leaders meet Tuesday in Fairfield.

The tests, which provide a districtwide snapshot of student achievement, focus primarily on mathematics and English skills.

The so-called nation’s “report card,” released Jan. 29 by the National Assessment of Educational Progress, showed fourth graders’ math scores improved following historic declines between 2022 and 2024, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, while results for eighth graders showed no change.

Source: School ‘report cards,’ safety plans included on TUSD agenda – The Vacaville Reporter

Travis Unified trustees meet tonight | dailyrepublic.com

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School Accountability Report Cards for the Travis Unified School District schools will be presented at the board of trustees meeting today (Feb. 11).

Information about the second interim budget for the current school year, including consideration of approval, also is on the agenda.

The school board meets at 5 p.m. for a closed session, though no items of business are listed on the agenda. The public session is scheduled to begin at 6.

Source: Travis Unified trustees meet tonight | News | dailyrepublic.com

Solano College to host 1st Vineyard Jam Suisun Valley in June | dailyrepublic.com

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The inaugural Vineyard Jam Suisun Valley country music festival is slated for June 28 at Hollister Stadium on the Solano Community College campus.

Jackson Dean is the headliner. Also performing are Restless Road, Maddox Batson, Greylan James, Shaylen, Noah Hicks, Tiera Kennedy and Queeva.

“We believe this festival will help launch the careers of young emerging artists who are well on their way to stardom. Those in attendance will be proud to tell their friends they saw them live on stage at Vineyard Jam Suisun Valley,” said Curt Johnston of West Wind Music, the festival promoter.

Source: Solano College to host 1st Vineyard Jam Suisun Valley in June | News | dailyrepublic.com

F-S Unified facilities panel meets | dailyrepublic.com

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The Fairfield High Performing Arts Center and H. Glenn Richardson Past Facilities and Maintenance projects are on the agenda for the Fairfield-Suisun school district Facilities Subcommittee meeting.

The panel meets at 4:45 p.m. Tuesday in the the Fairfield High Library, following a 4:15 tour of the Performing Arts Center.

Source: F-S Unified facilities panel meets | News | dailyrepublic.com

Seeking Businesses for Dixon High School Job Shadowing Program | Independent Voice

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The Dixon Chamber of Commerce is seeking businesses that are interested in helping approximately 75 juniors and seniors at Dixon High School Public Service Academy by having them “job shadow” for either four or eight hours one day in the spring.

This is an incredible opportunity to have a positive impact on the students in our community, to show them what your business does and help influence them in making career choices.

If you are interested in participating, call the chamber at 707-678-2650 or send an email to info@dixonchamber.org.

Source: Seeking Businesses for Dixon High School Job Shadowing Program | Independent Voice