Monthly Archives: October 2025

2026 CA Teachers of the Year Announced – Year 2025 (CA Dept of Education)

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State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond today named five exceptional educators as the 2026 California Teachers of the Year. These educators are ambassadors of the profession and serve as representatives of the state for the calendar year.

Superintendent Thurmond, who began his career as a social services worker, said he is pleased to recognize the outstanding teachers who have had a tremendous impact on their schools, students, and communities.Superintendent Thurmond praised the five outstanding educators named 2026 California Teachers of the Year and highlighted their passion, creativity, and commitment to inspiring students every day. “These extraordinary educators represent the very best of our public schools and remind us that great teaching can change lives and strengthen entire school communities,” he said.

Source: 2026 CA Teachers of the Year Announced – Year 2025 (CA Dept of Education)

Kairos Schools gains national recognition for middle school | dailyrepublic.com

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Kairos Public Schools announced Wednesday it was rated by the U.S. News & World Report as one of the nation’s Best Middle Schools and Best Middle School Charter Schools.

“We are proud of our scholars and our incredible team of educators for their pursuit of excellence,” Jared Austin, co-founder, superintendent and chief executive officer of Kairos Public Schools, said in a statement.

“This national recognition is a powerful testament to their hard work, passion, and intentional collaboration. We are thrilled and honored to receive this recognition.”

Source: Kairos Schools gains national recognition for middle school | News | dailyrepublic.com

SCC professor plays key role in bill that restructures commission | dailyrepublic.com

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Solano Community College faculty member Anthony Ayala co-authored a childhood education credentialing bill which was signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Assembly Bill 1123 restructures the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing to include voting members representing the early childhood education profession for the first time in state history.

Since its creation in 1971, the CTC has set standards for teacher preparation, permits and credentials. Until now, it lacked voting representation from early childhood professionals or higher education faculty who train them.

Source: SCC professor plays key role in bill that restructures commission | News | dailyrepublic.com

Rodriguez continues strong showing in band competition | dailyrepublic.com

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The Rodriguez High Entertainment unit captured the grand sweepstakes for combined Parade and Field competitions at the Foothill Band Review held in Pleasanton on Saturday.

There were 34 bands that participated in the parade portion of the competition and 18 bands participated in the field show.

REU took first overall in the drum major mace competition of the Parade category, second in the Band Division 6A and Percussion Division 6A, and brought home a third in color guard for Division 6A.

Source: Rodriguez continues strong showing in band competition | News | dailyrepublic.com

FSUSD leaders honored as women of the year | dailyrepublic.com

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Newly appointed Solano County Superintendent of Schools Nikki Parr, Vallejo Mayor Andrea Sorce and four employees of the Fairfield-Suisun school district were among the 54 Women of the Year recipients for the 8th Congressional District.

Sheila McCabe, assistant superintendent of Educational Services; Marbeya Ellis, Family Resource Center manager; Shelmae Turner, associated Student Body treasurer at Fairfield High School; and Sriya Srinivasan, a student at Early College High School, were among those honored, the district announced.

Source: FSUSD leaders honored as women of the year | News | dailyrepublic.com

Local schools earn spots on 2025 Honor Roll | dailyrepublic.com

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Seven Solano County schools, three from the Fairfield-Suisun Unified District, made the 2025 Honor Roll list of California’s top performing schools and districts.

Educational Partnership Results announced the news earlier this month.

ERP is a nonprofit organization that applies data science to accelerate student success, in partnership with state business leaders representing 28 chambers of commerce across the state.

Source: Local schools earn spots on 2025 Honor Roll | News | dailyrepublic.com

ELITE urges leaders for chance to apply for state funds – Times Herald Online

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By Thomas Gase

The clock is ticking, but officials at ELITE Public Schools are still optimistic it can receive state facilities funding to improve its site on Whitney Drive in Vallejo.

The state’s application deadline to apply is Thursday, but last week the Vallejo City Unified School District made a decision to not bring Resolution No. 5086 to a motion, therefore not adopting the document required by ELITE to move forward with applications for new construction and rehabilitation funding under the state’s Charter School Facilities Program.

Source: ELITE urges leaders for chance to apply for state funds – Times Herald Online

White House visa fee hike could weaken California’s teacher pipeline | EdSource

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By Diana Lambert

A White House decision to add $100,000 to the price of a work visa, allowing employers to hire from overseas for hard-to-fill positions, has California’s technology industry and other businesses reeling. But another group is also on edge: the state’s schools.

California employs more teachers on H-1B visas than any state except Texas and North Carolina, according to a National Education Association analysis of federal data. Last fiscal year, 506 U.S. school districts employed 2,300 H-1B visa holders.

The demand for the visas from California school districts has grown over the last seven years as the state’s schools, facing teacher shortages, have turned to overseas teachers to help fill openings.

Source: White House visa fee hike could weaken California’s teacher pipeline | EdSource

2025 California Blue Ribbon School Nominees – Year 2025 (CA Dept of Education)

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State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond today recognized 31 California schools that have been nominated as National Blue Ribbon Schools (NBRS) for 2025 and, following the U.S. Department of Education’s elimination of the NBRS program, are being awarded the distinction of 2025 California Blue Ribbon Schools.

This prestigious award honors public and private elementary, middle, and high schools that close achievement and opportunity gaps as well schools where students demonstrate especially high levels of academic success.

“It’s my pleasure to congratulate these school communities on their hard work to earn recognition as 2025 California Blue Ribbon Schools. While the U.S. Department of Education has abruptly ended the NBRS program, I want to ensure that the hard work of students, staff, and educators does not go unrecognized,” Superintendent Thurmond said. “This award affirms the dedication and achievement of educators, families, and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging and engaging content.”

Source: 2025 California Blue Ribbon School Nominees – Year 2025 (CA Dept of Education)

ELITE Public Schools requests special meeting with VCUSD Governing Board – Times Herald Online

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ELITE Public Schools has requested a special meeting with the Vallejo City Unified School District Governing Board no later than Monday concerning its recent decision to not move forward with applications for new construction and rehabilitation funding under the state’s Charter School Facilities Program.

The request comes a week after the district’s board did not bring Resolution No. 5086 to a motion, and therefore did not adopt the document required by ELITE to move forward with applications for new construction and rehabilitation funding under the state’s Charter School Facilities Program.

Source: ELITE Public Schools requests special meeting with VCUSD Governing Board – Times Herald Online

Parents voice concerns at second Vallejo school town hall – Times Herald Online

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By Sarah Rodriguez

Parents, teachers, and a handful of students gathered at Vallejo High School Monday night, vocalizing concerns over transportation, classroom capacities, and the quality of education for affected schools at a second town hall on the fate of Vallejo schools.

The town hall — the second session in a series of three for the Vallejo City Unified School District — addressed several basic questions, ranging from “Why might the district be in this position?” to “What are the contributing factors of declining enrollment?” One look at the worrisome parents and anxious teachers located at the considered schools for closure or consolidation made the considerable weight of the issues obvious.

Source: Parents voice concerns at second Vallejo school town hall – Times Herald Online

Tamika Hamilton seeks seat on Solano County Board of Education | dailyrepublic.com

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Air Force veteran, nonprofit leader and community advocate Tamika Hamilton has launched her campaign for the Solano County Board of Education, pledging to bring bold leadership, parental engagement and transparency back to the schools.

There are three seats with expiring terms in November 2026. Ginger Dunne is the current representative for the Dixon area.

A mother of four and longtime Solano County resident, Hamilton says her campaign is focused on putting students and parents first while ensuring that public schools are safe, effective and responsive to community needs.

Source: Tamika Hamilton seeks seat on Solano County Board of Education | News | dailyrepublic.com

REU wins grand sweepstakes at Del Oro competition | dailyrepublic.com

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The Rodriguez Entertainment Unit brought back the hardware after a long day at the “Del Oro Band Spectacular” over the weekend.

REU took the Grand Sweepstakes combined for the Parade and Field competitions, and the Marching Sweepstakes in the Parade category.

The group, in the Parade Category, took first in the Drum Major Mace competition, was second in the 6A Band division and third in percussion. In the Field category, REU was first in percussion, and second in conducting and 6A Band Division.

Source: REU wins grand sweepstakes at Del Oro competition | Fairfield | dailyrepublic.com

VUSD trustees to hear update on elementary literacy instruction – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

Vacaville Unified School District leaders on Thursday will hear an update about elementary school literacy, hold a hearing about Ernest Kimme Charter Academy’s revision as a continuation high school, and consider the “initial sunshine” proposals to open contract talks between the district and the Vacaville Teachers Association.

In a staff report and computer-aided slide presentation, Catherine Bozzini, the district’s director of elementary education, will tell governing board members about “significant shifts” that have occurred in reading curriculum, instruction and assessment during the previous three years, according to wording in the meeting agenda.

Source: VUSD trustees to hear update on elementary literacy instruction – The Vacaville Reporter

Everyone is invited to ‘Everybody’ at SCC | dailyrepublic.com

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Solano College Theatre will showcase Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’s “Everybody.”

“The first time I read ‘Everybody,’ I fell in love with it on many levels,” director JanLee Marshall said in a press release.

“The cast is open to everybody – pun intended – and the story is about everybody. I like to make theater that makes people laugh and that makes people think. And I’m totally OK if they cry, too.”

Source: Everyone is invited to ‘Everybody’ at SCC | Diversions | dailyrepublic.com

Outbreaks of hand, foot and mouth disease not a big health concern | dailyrepublic.com

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As all the attention on Covid-19 has died down – including its impacts on schools – Solano County health officials are once again responding to more familiar issues.

One of those is hand, foot and mouth disease, or HFMD, – the common name for Coxsackie viral infection.

“It is a very common virus among children,” Dr. Bela Matyas, the Solano County public health officer, said in a phone interview.

Source: Outbreaks of hand, foot and mouth disease not a big health concern | News | dailyrepublic.com

Vallejo school board blocks charter school Elite’s push to add classrooms – Vallejo Sun

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During a meeting Wednesday, the Vallejo City Unified School District’s Board of Education declined to adopt a document that would have allowed Elite Public Schools, a charter school, to apply for state funding to build 13 classrooms.

While allowing Elite to access the funding would not have directly taken money out of the district’s budget, Superintendent Ruben Aurelio recommended against approval at the meeting. Aurelio said that approving the request could cause financial risks for the district, as the funding’s program would require “significant long term obligations.”

Source: Vallejo school board blocks charter school Elite’s push to add classrooms

Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation honors SCC students | dailyrepublic.com

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The Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation joined students, families and faculty at Solano Community College’s Fall Scholarship Awards ceremony to celebrate local scholars supported through the tribe’s Momhi Scholarship program.

For the 2025–26 school year, 55 Solano College students received Momhi Scholarships totaling $51,000. Since 2024, the tribe has awarded 79 scholarships to students from Vallejo through its partnership with the college, continuing its long-term investment in expanding educational opportunities across the region.

Source: Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation honors SCC students | News | dailyrepublic.com

Vallejo gets ‘positive news’ with new gym – The Vacaville Reporter

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Sometimes an address perfectly describes the venue.

Such was the case at Wednesday’s celebration of the hard grand opening of the Griffin Technology Academy Gymnasium.“The name alone of this place is a labor of love. I mean, One Positive Place?” said longtime Vallejo educator Joe Jones.

“This is a labor of love for kids, for Vallejo, and all of Vallejo celebrating a grand opening.”

Source: Vallejo gets ‘positive news’ with new gym – The Vacaville Reporter

Federal shutdown may slow Travis Elementary rebuild process | dailyrepublic.com

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The application for a $75 million federal grant to build a new Travis Elementary School may be in limbo due to the federal shutdown.

Tiffany Benson, superintendent of the Travis Unified School School District, told the board of trustees this week that a planned site visit as part of the first phase of the application had been set for Nov. 4.

“It has not been cancelled. However, with the federal shutdown, we have not had any confirmation that people will be able to come,” Benson said on Tuesday.

Source: Federal shutdown may slow Travis Elementary rebuild process | News | dailyrepublic.com