Monthly Archives: May 2025

Griffin Technology Academies teacher headed out on the road | dailyrepublic.com

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Dan Peluso – astronomer, educator, researcher, media creator and singer-songwriter – will present and perform at events this summer.

He’s on the staff at Griffin Technology Academies in Vallejo where he teaches courses in astrophysics, mathematics and pop music songwriting, while developing interdisciplinary STEAM programs designed to engage students through both scientific inquiry and creative expression.

Peluso is particularly excited about integrating music and songwriting into the science curriculum, believing that artistic expression can inspire students (and the public) to explore complex scientific concepts in new ways.

Source: Griffin Technology Academies teacher headed out on the road | News | dailyrepublic.com

State Champions: The title has a nice ring to it for Vanden’s football program | dailyrepublic.com

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The last time the Vanden High School football team was fully assembled on a field was on Dec. 14, celebrating a wild, 42-21 overtime victory over Rio Hondo Prep in Long Beach that resulted in a CIF State Division 3-A championship.

Five months later, the Vikings were at George A. Gammon Field Wednesday night, again celebrating their historic achievement with a special memento. Players, coaches and support crew were awarded championship rings.

Source: State Champions: The title has a nice ring to it for Vanden’s football program | High School | dailyrepublic.com

Vacaville graduates take victory lap – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Nick McConnell

Graduation marks a milestone for high school seniors, much like Prom or Homecoming dances do, but many of Will. C. Wood High School’s soon-to-be graduates experienced a different kind of “homecoming” Thursday, as they embarked on a cap-and-gown tour of some of the elementary and middle schools they attended.

At Jean Callison Elementary School, the seniors loaded off buses and swaggered in through the main doors shortly before 11 a.m. to greet a colossal line of adoring elementary-aged fans. Callison students held their hands out for high-fives and craned their necks up at the faces of the graduates, getting a hopeful glimpse of what their futures may look like.

Source: Vacaville graduates take victory lap – The Vacaville Reporter

Former Benicia schools superintendent to return to district on interim basis – Vallejo Sun

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The Benicia Unified School District is planning to bring back a former superintendent to lead the district while searching for a permanent replacement.

The school board is expected to approve an employment contract for Janice Adams during its meeting Thursday. She would start the job on July 1, following the departure of Superintendent Damon Wright, who is leaving to lead the Santa Clara Unified School District.

Source: Former Benicia schools superintendent to return to district on interim basis

Offer versus Serve Waiver in the SFSP – Nutrition (CA Dept of Education)

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On May 13, 2025, the U.S. Department of Agriculture approved the use of a statewide waiver requested by the California Department of Education (CDE) for non-School Food Authority (SFA) Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) operators to utilize the offer versus serve (OVS) meal service option on a case-by-case basis. This waiver is effective May 1, 2025, through September 30, 2025. To utilize this waiver, sponsors must complete and submit an OVS attestation form and receive prior approval from the CDE before implementing the OVS meal service option.

Source: Offer versus Serve Waiver in the SFSP – Nutrition (CA Dept of Education)

Beloved Vallejo art teacher retires after 48 prosperous years – Times Herald Online

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By Sarah Rodriguez

Following four decades of teaching, Vallejo High School Art teacher Manuel Moreno is set to retire at the end of the current school year — perhaps swapping out his paint brushes for a fishing rod.

Although he’s not quite sure what retirement may bring, the decision to close out his life-long dedication to education did not come easy.

Known to many as “Mr. Moreno” or “Reno,” after 48 years in the Vallejo City Unified School District he feels like his students have gradually become family.

Source: Beloved Vallejo art teacher retires after 48 prosperous years – Times Herald Online

Green Valley teams set the pace in Middle School Track and Field’s finals | dailyrepublic.com

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By Matt Miller

Green Valley finished as the boys and girls team champions Tuesday at the Fairfield Suisun Unified School District K8 and Middle School Track and Field final at Armijo High School’s Brownlee Field.

Green Valley dominated the boys’ meet with 83.5 points. Public Safety Academy was second with 50.5 points and third went to B. Gale Wilson with 48 points.

The Green Valley girls edged out Suisun Valley 62 to 61.5. David Weir Academy was third with 57 points.

Source: Green Valley teams set the pace in Middle School Track and Field’s finals | Community | dailyrepublic.com

Fairfield High senior named 2025 Gates Scholar; earns full college funding | dailyrepublic.com

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Kristian Baisac, a graduating Fairfield High School senior, is a 2025 Gates Scholar, making her one of the 750 students across the country chosen for the award.

Almost 50,000 applications were received. The program provides full college funding for undergraduates.

She has officially committed to the University of Richmond and is on the wait list at Dartmouth College, her dream school.

Source: Fairfield High senior named 2025 Gates Scholar; earns full college funding | School | dailyrepublic.com

Groundbreaking for new Kairos high school, sports complex is Friday – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

Groundbreaking for the new Kairos High School building and adjacent sports complex is set for 2 p.m. Friday at 850 Sunflower St., Vacaville.

Originally planned as a summertime event, the groundbreaking comes as Kairos, an independent charter school which currently enrolls nearly 800 students in TK-12 classes, keeps growing. It will enroll nearly 900 students in the coming academic year.

Source: Groundbreaking for new Kairos high school, sports complex is Friday – The Vacaville Reporter

Classified School Employees of the Year Honored – Year 2025 (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. Nearly 100 people attended the special event in downtown Sacramento to honor the Classified School Employee of the Year (CSEY) winners, including the honorees and other classified school employees, superintendents, principals, administrators, and the event sponsors: the California School Employees Association (CSEA), SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, and the California State Lottery.

“I share my sincere thanks to these individuals for being such selfless parts of our school system. When people say it takes a village to raise a child, it’s true. Our classified school employees are a critical part of that village,” said Superintendent Thurmond. “They are the backbone of public education. Their hard work is what makes learning possible for our students.”

Source: Classified School Employees of the Year Honored – Year 2025 (CA Dept of Education)

SPI, Newsom: New Literacy-Biliteracy Resources – Year 2025 (CA Dept of Education)

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State Superintendent Tony Thurmond and Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the release of the California Literacy-Biliteracy Professional Learning Pack, a comprehensive suite of resources designed to enhance literacy instruction and support educators across the state in improving student outcomes, especially for young readers.

“Literacy is foundational to lifelong learning and academic success,” said Superintendent Thurmond. “With this release, California takes a significant step forward in providing educators with the tools they need to foster strong literacy and biliteracy development from the earliest years of learning as we move the needle on student achievement, particularly for our youngest readers.”

“In California, we know that learning to read is the start of the pathway to success. The Literacy Roadmap highlights our multifaceted approach to improving literacy for California’s students, including current and proposed initiatives,” Governor Newsom said. “When added to our other investments in literacy coaches and reading specialists at high-needs schools and professional development for teachers, we are doubling down on our commitment to ensure no student falls behind in their reading.”

Source: SPI, Newsom: New Literacy-Biliteracy Resources – Year 2025 (CA Dept of Education)

Vallejo, Jesse Bethel High schools getting new principals – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Thomas Gase

The Vallejo City Unified School District announced the hiring of a new assistant superintendent of human resources and principals for four schools, including Vallejo and Jesse Bethel high schools.

Beyonka Marshall will be the new principal at Vallejo High, while Rashena Bell Fesseha will take over at Jesse Bethel.

Matthew Chamberlain will be the new Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources. Jessica Frank is the new Principal at Pennycook Elementary, while Dr. Christi Glasco is the new principal at Highland Elementary.

Source: Vallejo, Jesse Bethel High schools getting new principals – The Vacaville Reporter

Solano College sends latest graduating class out to change the world | dailyrepublic.com

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Thursday night’s Solano Community College commencement was the second attended by Pete Sandoval.

The first was in 1967 to see his younger brother graduate. It was the first year the college was a countywide institution, but still four years before the current 192-acre main campus in Fairfield opened.

Two days later, Sandoval was on a transport ship headed to Vietnam.

Source: Solano College sends latest graduating class out to change the world | News | dailyrepublic.com

Data Shows Slowing Decline in School Enrollment – Year 2025 (CA Dept of Education)

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Today, the California Department of Education released 2024–25 school enrollment data on DataQuest, showing that the decline in public school enrollment has begun to slow.

While the overall decrease in school enrollment compared to prepandemic levels continues to be a source of strain on public schools, new initiatives such as Transitional Kindergarten (TK) show significant growth and signs of promise as local educational agencies (LEAs) work to reengage families, especially as California’s families experience increased economic hardship.

Source: Data Shows Slowing Decline in School Enrollment – Year 2025 (CA Dept of Education)

Edthena Announces Winners of the 2025 Teacher Leader Impact Awards – Cision PRWeb

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Winning teachers and teams of teachers from across the country recognized for their commitment to collaborative professional development and lifelong learning.

SAN FRANCISCO, May 22, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Edthena is announcing the winners of its 2025 Teacher Leader Impact Awards which recognize teachers and teams of teachers for their commitment to collaborative professional development, lifelong learning, and continuously improving their teaching practices. Selected from educators nationwide, winners are receiving a prize package that includes a cash prize, exclusive merchandise, and a school-wide subscription to the AI Coach by Edthena platform for the 2025-26 school year.

Source: Edthena Announces Winners of the 2025 Teacher Leader Impact Awards

Armijo, Fairfield high school grads get nursing scholarships | dailyrepublic.com

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An Armijo High graduating senior and a Fairfield High graduating senior have been awarded this year’s Pearl Theo Dumas Memorial Nursing Scholarship 2025 Awards.

“This is our fourth year providing the scholarship and we hope to continue for many years as it is a fantastic way to give back to the community,” the family said in the announcement.

Kyra Overstreet, of Armijo, was awarded a $3,000 scholarship. She plans to attend California State University, Sonoma to pursue her goal of becoming a nurse.

Source: Armijo, Fairfield high school grads get nursing scholarships | News | dailyrepublic.com

Five FSUSD campuses to share $7 million in community school funds | dailyrepublic.com

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Five Fairfield-Suisun schools have been awarded state grants to expand community school services.

The funding comes from the state’s Community Schools initiative.

“This funding is part of the final phase of awards under the California Community Schools Partnership Program, which is focused on helping schools serve as hubs for academic, health and social resources. In this latest round, the California State Board of Education approved $618 million in grants to support 458 schools statewide, bringing the total number of schools funded through the program to nearly 2,500,” the Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District said in a statement.

Source: Five Fairfield-Suisun campuses to share $7 million in community school funds | News | dailyrepublic.com

Spotlight shines on early childhood educators | dailyrepublic.com

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Six early childhood educators were honored at an event held Sunday night in Suisun City.

The honorees were Joti Takhar, a program administrator; Cynthia Molinero, a special education teacher; Marissa Rubio, a preschool teacher; Catalina Miramontes, a family child care teacher; Amy Williams, an infant toddler teacher; and Joan Parker, a program support staffer.

“These professionals help build the social, emotional and cognitive foundations that support future academic and personal success for students,” the Solano County Office of Education said in a statement.

Source: Spotlight shines on early childhood educators | News | dailyrepublic.com

SPI Announces 2025 Civic Learning Award Schools – Year 2025 (CA Dept of Education)

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Thirty-four California schools have been named recipients of the 2025 Civic Learning Awards, honoring and recognizing measurable schoolwide achievements in civics. The award program, now in its twelfth year, is co-sponsored by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond and California Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero.

“When young people advocate and raise their voices, they have the power to drive meaningful change in their communities,” said Superintendent Thurmond. “Education is fundamental to achieving our democratic ideals, and these schools have played an exceptional role in shaping the leaders of the future.”

“I find these award applications truly inspiring—each one is deserving of recognition,” said Chief Justice Guerrero. “They highlight the powerful stories of committed educators who, despite the challenges, are finding creative ways to ensure students can fully engage with and understand civics.”

Source: SPI Announces 2025 Civic Learning Award Schools – Year 2025 (CA Dept of Education)

Final call for GIRL robotics summer camp registration – Reporter

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The Solano County Office of Education is reminding families that the deadline to apply for the 2025 Girls in Robotics Leadership summer camps is fast approaching.

Interested students must complete the first step of the application process by Monday, May 19.

GIRL Camps are free, weeklong programs designed to inspire middle and high school students, particularly girls, to explore leadership and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) through hands-on robotics and coding activities. Hosted in partnership with UC Davis C-STEM and supported by community sponsors, the camps offer students the opportunity to work with female mentors in STEM fields, develop technical skills, and explore future college and career pathways.

Source: Final call for GIRL robotics summer camp registration