Author Archives: lmreyes

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Lisa Reyes, Human Resources, Solano County Office of Education

New Superintendent Hire to be Announced Soon | Independent Voice

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By Angela Underwood

Dixon Unified School District (DUSD) leadership is soon changing guards with a new superintendent hire.

Shawntel McCammon, Dixon Unified School District spokesperson, told the Independent Voice after the March 14 school board meeting that officials “are working on finalizing contract negotiations and hope to have an announcement within/at the next few board meetings.”

Superintendent Brian Dolan is stepping down since taking up the post in 2012 and serving decades with the district after starting as a Vacaville High School history teacher in 1988. The process to find the future leader began in October 2023, when school board members approved a contract with Education Support Services to hold a national superintendent search.

Source: New Superintendent Hire to be Announced Soon | Independent Voice

Green Valley middle schooler, Benicia High student take Science Fair honors | dailyrepublic.com

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A Green Valley Middle School student won the overall junior division, and a Benicia High student won the senior division at the 2024 Science and Engineering Fair.

Andrea Davenport, from Green Valley Middle School, and Maya Chakraverty from Benicia High, are eligible to compete in the California Science and Engineering Fair on April 16.

Davenport earned her spot with a project titled, “Exploring Aerodynamics with Vehicle Shapes and Airflow.” Chakraverty’s project was called, “Effects of Ultrasonic Animal Repellers on Brassica Rapa Peroxidase.

Source: Green Valley middle schooler, Benicia High student take Science Fair honors | News | dailyrepublic.com

High schoolers show off STEM skills at Spark Challenge | dailyrepublic.com

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More than 48 students from Northern California high schools this past weekend participated in the Travis AFB Phoenix Spark Challenge.

The problem-solving challenge theme was “Glider Design Project.” It took place during the Wings Over Solano air show and open house on March 15.

“Participants were tasked with researching, designing and prototyping an unpowered foam board glider aircraft, with the goal of achieving flights of (50-plus) feet when launched by hand from an 8-foot platform,” the Solano County Office of Education, which partners with the base on the challenge, said in a statement released on Tuesday.

Source: High schoolers show off STEM skills at Spark Challenge | Psychology | dailyrepublic.com

2024 Travis AFB Phoenix Spark challenges local high school students – DVIDS

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More than 48 students from four local high schools came out to participate in the 2024 Travis AFB Phoenix Spark Challenge during Travis AFB’s Wings Over Solano air show and open house March 15, 2024.

This year’s challenge was focused on the theme “Glider Design Project.” These students were challenged to research, design and prototype an unpowered foam board glider aircraft, and showcase them during the air show.

The Phoenix Spark cell at Travis AFB highlights in their mission statement “innovation of the warfighter, by the warfighter, of the warfighter.” According to Spark members, the goal of this event was to foster innovation and experimentation among young students to create a culture of change in the future of STEM career fields.

Source: DVIDS – News – 2024 Travis AFB Phoenix Spark challenges local high school students

On TUSD agenda: Initial contract hearings for teachers, support staff – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

Hearings for initial contract proposals from the Travis Unified Teachers Association and the California School Employees Association are on the agenda when the Travis Unified School District board meets tonight in Fairfield.

Open to the public, the meeting begins at 6 p.m. in the Travis Education Center, 2775 DeRonde Drive.

Teachers and trustees will be negotiating a successor collective bargaining agreement to replace and supersede the current contract, which is in effect through June 30.

Source: On TUSD agenda: Initial contract hearings for teachers, support staff – The Vacaville Reporter

Sacto-area Montessori superintendent tapped to lead Dixon Unified – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

Brett Barley, superintendent of the California Montessori Project, has been selected to lead Dixon Unified School District, replacing Brian Dolan, who is retiring.

Barley, described as someone with a strong background in school district finance and budgeting came out on top after a series of candidate interviews. He will be formally appointed during Thursday’s trustee meeting at 6 p.m. in City Council chambers, 600 East A St., Dixon. He is expected to begin his new assignment on July 1, at the outset of the district’s fiscal year.

In a press statement, Shawntel McCammon, the district’s spokeswoman, said Barley emerged as the top candidate for his “strong acumen in district finance, budgeting, and business management,” coupled with strategic planning skills, community engagement, a track record of student achievement gains, and “equity-driven leadership.”

Source: Sacto-area Montessori superintendent tapped to lead Dixon Unified – The Vacaville Reporter

Retired Vacaville teacher gets a buzz out of bees | dailyrepublic.com

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By Todd R. Hansen

Students in Rick Moehrke’s third- and fourth-grade classes at Markham or Cooper elementary schools likely remember his in-class, silkworm demonstrations.

It was his way to give the students a peek into the natural world Moehrke has been lured to since he was a youngster.

So it should be no surprise that with a chance meeting with Clay Ford, operator of Clay’s Bees and owner of Pleasants Valley Honey Company, that Moehrke would be stung by another curiosity – bees.

Source: Retired Vacaville teacher gets a buzz out of bees | News | dailyrepublic.com

Sign-ups open for sixth-grade marching band at Vaca Pena – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

Registration is now open for the Sixth-Grade Marching Band Academy at Vaca Pena Middle School, beginning in the fall.

This new program was developed and spearheaded by Colleen Moe, principal of Vaca Pena Middle School; Catherine Bozzini, Vacaville Unified School District’s director of elementary education; Ali Eeds, VUSD director of secondary education; and Melinda Ellis, VUSD music coordinator.

It is open to student who will be sixth graders at the beginning of the 2024-25 academic year. To register a student for for the program, visit bit.ly/VacaPenaMarchingBandAcademy. The deadline to register is March 22.

Source: Sign-ups open for sixth-grade marching band at Vaca Pena – The Vacaville Reporter

State IDs Kairos as ‘high-performing school’ – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

Kairos Public Schools has been identified by state officials as one of only two Solano County charter schools deemed “high-performing.”

Executive Director Jared Austin made the announcement in a news release and also identified Dixon Montessori Charter School as the other similarly designated school.

He said the California Department of Education recently released the Charter School Performance Indicator, a high-stakes assessment determining the effectiveness of charter schools.

Source: State IDs Kairos as ‘high-performing school’ – The Vacaville Reporter

At Vaca Pena, Holocaust survivor story comes to life in vivid detail – Times Herald Online

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By Richard Bammer

It is sometimes difficult to understand the Holocaust in the abstract, but when we read, “The Diary of Anne Frank,” or hear a survivor’s story, the World War II era of the systematic killing of 6 million European Jews and others comes into full and vivid focus.

And the smallest details become riveting, because each one, in its own way, can be seen as keystone to survival during a horrifying time in world history.

This was certainly the case for Liz Igra, 89, of Sacramento.

Source: At Vaca Pena, Holocaust survivor story comes to life in vivid detail – Times Herald Online

2024 California Exemplary Dual Enrollment Schools – Year 2024 (CA Dept of Education)

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State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond announced that nine California schools were selected for the California Exemplary Dual Enrollment Award. This award program identifies and recognizes schools with exemplary dual enrollment programs and allows these schools to share the exemplary programs and practices that have contributed to their success. All Early College High Schools, Middle College High Schools, and alternative education schools with dual enrollment programs were eligible to apply for the 2024–25 award.

“These programs are a beacon of excellence and equitable opportunity in California’s public schools,” said Superintendent Thurmond. “Dual enrollment programs provide a unique option for public high school students who seek to accelerate their achievement, launch their careers, and access a high-quality free college education even before they walk the high school graduation stage.”

Source: 2024 California Exemplary Dual Enrollment Schools – Year 2024 (CA Dept of Education)

As salary negotiations stall, Vallejo school district and educators enter mediation – Vallejo Sun

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By Zack Haber

Vallejo teachers and school staff have declared an impasse over stalled salary negotiations with the school district and rallied for higher pay at a Board of Education meeting last week as the two sides enter mediation in the hope of resolving the stalemate.

The Vallejo City Unified School District has offered Vallejo Education Association (VEA) members, which include over 400 classroom teachers, nurses, counselors and other certified employees, a 4.5% raise. But union members say they need a higher raise to make their jobs more sustainable and to help stop high staff turnover.

Source: As salary negotiations stall, Vallejo school district and educators enter mediation

Vaca Pena Marching Band Academy opens registration for sixth-graders | dailyrepublic.com

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A new sixth-grade Marching Band Academy at Vaca Pena Middle School begins this fall and registrations is open to next year’s sixth-grade students.

The program is limited to a small cohort of 60-64 students and will focus on daily music instruction. Students can still participate in middle school extracurricular activities, have earlier access to advanced coursework, and participate in three marching band competitions during the school year.

The VUSD School Board approved the addition of a Sixth Grade Music Academy with a Marching Band focus at Vaca Pena at the February school board meeting. The Academy will allow students to develop a love of performance and will contribute to the long-term participation in school band program.

Source: Vaca Pena Marching Band Academy opens registration for sixth-graders | Education | dailyrepublic.com

Longtime Solano College professor, board member is Woman of the Year | dailyrepublic.com

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A longtime math professor at Solano Community College, and member of the college’s governing board, has been selected as the 3rd Senate District’s Woman of the Year.

Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, on Tuesday announced A. Marie Young as his choice for this year’s honor.

“I am deeply honored to receive this distinguished recognition from Sen. Dodd,” Young said in a statement released by Dodd’s office. “It is a testament to my longstanding commitment of volunteering through the years to support organizations serving communities at the local, regional, state and national levels. I am grateful for the opportunity to provide leadership, to collaborate and achieve a shared mission to uplift communities in need.”

Source: Longtime Solano College professor, board member is Woman of the Year | News | dailyrepublic.com

Nominations being taken for Early Childhood Educator of the Year. | dailyrepublic.com

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The Solano County Office of Education is accepting nominations for the Early Childhood Educator of the Year.

“Solano County Office of Education encourages parents, guardians, educators and community members who live or work in Solano County to nominate early childhood educators who have made a positive difference in their communities,” the agency said in a statement.

“Any Solano County early learning and care provider serving children ages infant to preschool may be nominated. The recognition program includes teachers, assistants, paraeducators, food service staff, transportation staff, school site administrators and family child care owner/directors.”

Source: Nominations being taken for Early Childhood Educator of the Year. | News | dailyrepublic.com

Artists, performers wanted for Student Art Showcase | dailyrepublic.com

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Solano County students of all ages are invited to participate in the fourth annual Solano Student Art Showcase.

The showcase, hosted by the Solano County Office of Education, has room for singers, songwriters, poets, jugglers, comedians, magicians, musicians, dancers, dance troops, cheer teams and others.

The event is free for all performers, artists and attendees.

“The annual art showcase recognizes and supports youth resiliency through the arts, providing a space for young artists to express themselves. The event also promotes mental health, wellness and prevention of alcohol, tobacco and drug use,” SCOE said in a statement.

Source: Artists, performers wanted for Student Art Showcase | News | dailyrepublic.com

Volunteers sought for California Academic Decathlon | dailyrepublic.com

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Volunteers willing to travel to Santa Clara are sought for the state academic decathlon March 22-23.

The event brings together 50 of the top schools across California. It’s estimated about 450 high school students will compete.

The competitive event modeled after the Olympics to stimulate academic honor and achievement “athletes of the mind.” It consists of 10 events, including tests in music, language and literature, mathematics, economics, science and social science.

Source: Volunteers sought for California Academic Decathlon | News | dailyrepublic.com

Army visits Vacaville High with a ‘teaching vehicle,’ recruiting in mind – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

It wasn’t the iconic “I Want You for the U.S. Army” poster by James Montgomery Flagg, with the top-hatted, gray-haired and stern-looking Uncle Sam pointing his finger at anyone who looked his way.

Instead it was the Army Mobile Medical Exhibit parked Monday morning in a Vacaville High School parking lot off West Monte Vista Avenue.

Black and sleek, a massive, eye-popping polished recruiting tool for the U.S. Army, it was a semi tractor-trailer with medical simulation equipment and experiences, digital and hands-on, inside.

Source: Army visits Vacaville High with a ‘teaching vehicle,’ recruiting in mind – The Vacaville Reporter

Why hackers are targeting young public school students : NPR

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By Kavitha Cardoza

When Celeste Gravatt first heard about a data breach in her kids school system in February 2023, it sounded innocuous.

“I didn’t really think anything of it at first,” Gravatt says.

Officials at Minneapolis Public Schools called it a “system incident,” then “technical difficulties,” and finally, “an encryption event.”

Source: Why hackers are targeting young public school students : NPR

2024 Middle Schools to Watch – Year 2024 (CA Dept of Education)

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State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond has announced that 52 high-performing California middle grades schools have been recognized as California Schools to Watch for 2024. To earn this designation, schools must complete an extensive application and host a site visit by middle grades experts. To retain the designation, each school is reevaluated every three years.

There are 16 new California Schools to Watch this year. An additional 36 schools reapplied to the program, demonstrated their sustained progress, and have been redesignated as 2024 California Schools to Watch. Altogether, there are 200 California Schools to Watch.

Source: 2024 Middle Schools to Watch – Year 2024 (CA Dept of Education)