Category Archives: Community schools

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

SPI, Newsom Announce $618M for Community Schools – Year 2025 (CA Dept of Education)

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State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond and Governor Gavin Newsom announced today that the fourth and final round of community schools implementation grants—totaling more than $618 million—was unanimously approved earlier today at the May meeting of the State Board of Education (SBE).

The $4.1 billion California Community Schools Partnership Program (CCSPP) is the nation’s largest investment in dismantling barriers to learning that lead to inequitable student outcomes. Community schools partner with education, county, and nonprofit entities to provide integrated health, mental health, and social services alongside high-quality, supportive instruction with a strong focus on community, family, and student engagement.

“I am proud to see our community schools initiative continue to grow as the final cohort of grantees receive funds. These grants support our schools to address foundational needs for learning, making sure that our students are healthy and able to learn,” said Superintendent Thurmond. “Our community schools continue to serve as exemplars of programs that activate resources across the whole school community to educate the whole child. I am proud to see California continue to be at the forefront of recognizing that student wellness is a cornerstone of learning.”

Source: SPI, Newsom Announce $618M for Community Schools – Year 2025 (CA Dept of Education)

$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)

$58M Approved for Community Schools Support System – Year 2022 (CA Dept of Education)

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The California State Board of Education (SBE) today approved $58 million in contracts to build a network of support for community schools—campuses where every classroom is focused on high-quality teaching and learning, every student is connected to the services they need to thrive, and every family is empowered to partner in decision-making.

The $4 billion California Community Schools Partnership Program (CCSPP) is the nation’s largest investment in the success of high-needs students through a whole-child approach. Community schools partner with education, county, and nonprofit entities to provide integrated health, mental health, and social services alongside high-quality, supportive instruction with a strong focus on community, family, and student engagement.

Research shows that community schools can result in better school attendance, better grades and test scores, higher enrollment in college-prep classes, and higher graduation rates.

Source: $58M Approved for Community Schools Support System – Year 2022 (CA Dept of Education)

Golden Hills seniors parade on to next chapter – The Reporter

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By Nick Sestanovich

Golden Hills was alive Thursday with the sound of music: upbeat dance music intended to pump up graduates as they drove through to pick up their diplomas.

Like all schools throughout the county, Golden Hills Community School’s Fairfield campus has been closed since mid-March to stop the spread of the coronavirus. Thursday was a chance for students to not only pick up their diplomas but also see their former teachers again for the school’s first graduation parade.

Seniors drove up, received their diplomas from Principal Chris Morris; received cheers from teachers, staff, administrators and family members from the sidelines; and even got out of their cars to have their pictures taken in front of a backdrop.

Source: Golden Hills seniors parade on to next chapter – The Reporter

Golden Hills sees dozen grads pick up diplomas – Daily Republic

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By Peter Fournier

Golden Hills Community School’s graduating seniors from across the county came to the school Thursday in Fairfield to pick up their high school diplomas and take the next step in their lives.

The school’s 12 graduates participated in a drive-thru ceremony at the Solano County Office of Education’s campus, which serves seventh to 12th grades. Staff cheered them on and congratulated them as they cruised by in vehicles and also took part in a cap-and-gown photo shoot.

School director Amy Chavez said staff knew graduation would be different when Covid-19 forced schools to close in March.

Source: Golden Hills sees dozen grads pick up diplomas

SCOE to discuss achievement plans for Juvenile Court, Detention Facility students – The Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

A Local Control Accountability Plan update, a state and federal legislative update, and achievement plans for students in the Juvenile Court and Community School program, Juvenile Detention Facility, and Division of Unaccompanied Children’s Services are on the agenda when the Solano County Office of Education leaders meet tonight in Fairfield.

Nicola Parr, director of student and program support, will offer the seven-member governing board a brief update on the county school’s LCAP, the document that guides virtually all of the agency’s spending, especially for poor, English language learners and foster youth programs.

Superintendent Lisette Estrella-Henderson will provide an update on state and federal legislation.

Victor Romualdi, associate superintendent for student programs and educational services, and Gricelda Rodriguez, program administrator of education options, will lead the reports on Single Plans for Student Achievement at the Golden Hills Juvenile Court and Community School, at the Juvenile Detention Facility, and the Division of Unaccompanied Children’s Services.

Source: Solano County Office of Education to discuss achievement plans for Juvenile Court, Detention Facility students

Solano commission to review juvenile hall schools – The Reporter

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By Daily Republic Staff

Members of the Juvenile Delinquency Prevention Commission will meet at 3 p.m. Wednesday in Conference Room 6003 at the County Administration Center, 675 Texas St.

The agenda will consist of an overview of Juvenile Detention Facility schools from the Solano County Office of Education as well as a review of past facility inspections.

The mission of the Juvenile Delinquency Prevention Commission is to inquire into the administration of juvenile justice in Solano County, according to a county press release to announce the meeting. The overall objective is to reduce the recidivism rate of juvenile offenders in the local criminal justice system.

Source: Solano commission to review juvenile hall schools

Community schools gaining traction under state’s new funding formula | EdSource Today

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By Jane Meredith Adams

Efforts to create full-service community schools that focus on serving the “whole child” with a wide array of services are gaining traction under the state’s new funding formula for schools.

The convergence of more money for low-income students and a new mandate to work with families under the Local Control Funding Formula has created “a unique point of time” for community schools to thrive, said Renee Newton, director of the Center for Community School Partnerships at UC Davis.

via Community schools gaining traction under state’s new funding formula | EdSource Today.

Continuing the Dream Youth Conference | SCOE Facebook

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Golden Hills Community School was privileged to participate in the “Continuing the Dreams” Youth conference hosted by the Association of Black Correctional Workers. This youth conference included an anger management workshop as well as a live video conference with individuals housed at the California Department of Corrections. “Continuing the Dreams” founding members are committed to honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy by committing to mankind through embracing and keeping his dream alive.

via Continuing the Dream Youth Conference | Facebook.

Sober youths share stories with Golden Hills students – Daily Republic

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By Ian Thompson

Sierra Jeffries of Benicia and Kurtis Akina of Suisun City had plunged so far into their addictions that all the drugs and alcohol they took no longer made a dent.

The two told students Wednesday that the final fall for them was going to either be accidental death from an overdose or suicide from despair.

via Sober youths share stories with Golden Hills students Daily Republic.

Institutionalizing Full Service Community Schools – Vallejo City USD | Facebook

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Institutionalizing Full Service Community Schools “ Our Vision is for our diverse learners to be empowered, prepared and equipped with academic and life skills needed to be productive citizens, who can positively contribute to society” and “Our Goal is for every student to have clear attainable pathways to career and/or college success” As we solidify our Culture of Excellence, and make our Vision and Goal become a reality, we build on work that started last year to ensure that all students have access to the support they need to be successful in school.

via Institutionalizing Full Service… – Vallejo City Unified School District | Facebook.

Community school earns accreditation – Daily Republic

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By Susan Winlow

Rick Vaccaro is a happy educator these days.As the director of alternative education for the Solano County Office of Education and the on-site administrator for Golden Hills-Court Community School, he now heads up an accredited institution.

It’s not common for community schools to be accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Vaccaro said. The distinction allows the school to give out diplomas to students.

via Community school earns accreditation Daily Republic.

Golden Hills Community School earns accreditation – Solano County Office of Education

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Golden Hills Community School has earned initial accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)!

Solano County Superintendent of Schools Jay Speck and I are thrilled to share with you the news that our Golden Hills Community School has earned initial accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). This is excellent news for our campus as it marks a significant milestone in our ongoing development. Schools receiving initial accreditation meet the WASC criteria for full accreditation and exhibit a history and support system of providing a high-quality instructional program focused on student achievement. The dedicated staff at Golden Hills Community School provides a rigorous standards-based educational program tailored to the individual academic needs of every student while also paying close attention to and supporting their healthy social-emotional development as well as providing positive behavior intervention. Golden Hills offers a choice of site-based and online blended learning opportunities based on students’ unique needs.

via Solano County Office of Education.

Golden Hills Dream Team Students Celebrate Success – SCOE | Facebook

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By Solano County Office of Education

The Dream Team Summer Work Program recognized 10 students from the Golden Hills Community School at a luncheon held at the Hilton Garden Inn in Fairfield on August 2.

Students worked over the summer at the following local businesses: NorthBay Health Care, Paradise Valley Estates, Solano Garbage Company, Marshalls in Vacaville, Credit Bureau Associates, and Gillespie’s Abbey Carpet and Floor.

via Golden Hills Dream Team Students Celebrate Success | Facebook.

EdSource Today: Bill aims to help expelled and truant students get back on track

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By 

The purpose of a complicated bill aimed at preventing students from languishing in alternative schools became much clearer after the testimony of a former student who got stuck in one.

Jessie Camargo, now 18, was transferred to a community school two weeks before his eighth grade graduation. That summer he completed all the requirements set by his district, which included drug and alcohol counseling classes, 140 hours of community service, and an anger management class, but was not allowed to return to his regular high school. Instead, he spent 2 ½ years in the community school, he testified Wednesday at a Senate Education Committee hearing on Senate Bill 744.

via Bill aims to help expelled and truant students get back on track – by Susan Frey.

SCOE’s Facebook Wall: Sutter Medical Foundation hires six Dream Team interns.

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Sutter Medical Foundation hires six Dream Team interns.

The Dream Team interns are students enrolled at Golden Hills Community School, part of the Solano County Office of Education, who’ve been expelled from public school or are on probation. Golden Hills Community School’s mission is to give the kids a well-rounded education to get them back on track with their academics. The Dream Team program helps to carry this mission through the summer months by providing meaningful jobs at area employers. Read more – http://www.solanocoe.net/pdf/2012-06-18_dreamteamprogram.pdf

via Sutter Medical Foundation hires six Dream Team interns.

The Dream Team interns….

California Watch: K–12: Adult education programs see major cuts in state’s largest districts

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Stephanie Snyder

State budget cuts, combined with more spending flexibility for school districts, are reducing adults’ options for learning English, earning their GED or high school diploma, and training for jobs.

California adult education programs have changed dramatically over the last three years, with 22 of the state’s 30 largest school districts making major cuts to adult programs and one district eliminating adult education completely, according to a new report.

“Adult schools find themselves in a very difficult position,” said Louis Freedberg, executive director of EdSource, the education nonprofit that produced the report. “They kind of fall between the cracks of the K-12 system and the higher education system.”

Lawmakers in 2009 gave school districts more power to determine how to spend state funds to help them deal with budget cutbacks, but that flexibility has led districts to direct money away from adult education programs to protect their core population of K-12 students, Freedberg said.

via Adult education programs see major cuts in state’s largest districts.

EdSource Extra! Report: Continuation schools often “exit ramp” from school than “on-ramp to success”

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By Pamela Martineau ~ EdSource Extra

California’s continuation schools are failing to provide the academic and critical support services that students need to succeed,  a new report from researchers at UC Berkeley and Stanford has concluded.

A fixture on the education landscape for a half century, the state’s nearly 500 continuation schools  are intended to help students who are struggling academically, but haven’t succeeded in a regular high school setting and are in danger of not graduating from high school.

via Report: Continuation schools often “exit ramp” from school than “on-ramp to success”.

The Educated Guess: Community schools recognize the vital role of full-service partnerships

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By Martin Blank

Using their ingenuity and creativity during these tough fiscal times, educators across California are finding new ways to improve educational outcomes for all students. School district leaders are embracing a strategy that blends a focus on instruction with a partnership approach that engages the entire community in creating the opportunities and support that students need to be ready for college, career, and citizenship.

via Community schools recognize the vital role of full-service partnerships – by Martin Blank.