Category Archives: Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District

Fairfield-Suisun Unified parent newsletter offers district resource centers – The Reporter

Posted on by

By Richard Bammer

Amid the ongoing pandemic, parents and families with K-12 students need all the information they can get to achieve success as distance learning continues.

To that end, Fairfield-Suisun Unified has posted the district’s most recent parent and family newsletter, dubbed Engage!, on the district website, at www.fsusd.org, directing viewers to resource centers.

The Engage! newsletter, published biweekly (every other week), contains articles and important information designed to keep families updated and connected.

Source: Fairfield-Suisun Unified parent newsletter offers district resource centers – The Reporter

FSUSD Students Compete in Spirit Week Competition Between Schools – Daily Republic

Posted on by

The students in Fairfield-Suisun are approaching their third month in distance learning, but that has not prevented the students and staff from coordinating fun activities to keep the students engaged in learning.

During the week of September 28th, students and staff from Dover, Tolenas, Sheldon, Anna Kyle and David Weir competed against each other in a highly engaging spirit week.

David Weir K-8 Preparatory Academy and Dover Academy for International Studies had the highest percentage of students dressing up each day. As a result, their principals got to “pie” the principals at Tolenas, Sheldon and Anna Kyle.

Source: GOOD NEWS: FSUSD Students Compete in Spirit Week Competition Between Schools

FSUSD trustees vote to continue distance learning until year’s end – The Reporter

Posted on by

By Richard Bammer

The Fairfield-Suisun Unified governing board on Thursday voted to continue distance learning until the end of the 2020 calendar year and will revisit the matter in mid-January.

In a Friday press release, Angie Avlonitis, director of student services for the district, the county’s largest with 22,000 students, noted that Solano County has sustained 14 consecutive days in the red tier on California’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy. Being in the red tier allows school districts the choice to open schools for in-person instruction.

Still, on Thursday trustees decided to remain in the distance-learning mode until year’s end and take up the matter again at the Jan. 14 governing board meeting.

Source: FSUSD trustees vote to continue distance learning until year’s end – The Reporter

3 Solano teachers make cut to take part in specialized program – Daily Republic

Posted on by

Three teachers at Solano County schools are among 32 selected in California to take part in Epic’s 2021 Master Teacher Ambassador Program, the digital children’s reading company announced.

Laura Obando from Fairview Elementary School in Fairfield along with Sofia Calderon from Alamo Elementary in Vacaville and Caitlin Abbate from Notre Dame School in Vacaville were selected from among hundreds of applicants from 37 states and 20 countries, according to a press release from Epic.

The digital reading platform reaches more than 20 million schoolchildren who are 12 or younger, according to the press release.

Source: 3 Solano teachers make cut to take part in specialized program

Solano Office of Education honors top educators – Daily Republic

Posted on by

The Solano County Office of Education on Wednesday celebrated all the certificated and classified employees nominated as part of the Educators of the Year program.

“The video highlights that honor each nominee in this year’s virtual celebration are truly heartwarming. Solano County’s certificated and classified employees of the year nominees are all passionate and committed people who have put their colleagues and students first. We are so proud to recognize each honoree with a video celebration of their dedication and hard work,” Solano County Superintendent of Schools Lisette Estrella-Henderson said in a statement.

Source: Solano Office of Education honors top educators

SCOE honors employee of the year nominees – The Reporter

Posted on by

BY Richard Bammer

Solano schools’ common mission to support, educate and graduate students was in high relief Wednesday when the Solano County Office of Education held an online celebration for a select group of school-support employees and teachers.

Every year, school districts countywide nominate one teacher and one classified employee to be recognized as an Educator of the Year.

The prerecorded celebration, which got underway at 3 p.m. and made necessary because of the ongoing pandemic, was a salute to six classified employees and seven teachers and paraeducators.

Source: SCOE honors employee of the year nominees – The Reporter

Fairfield-Suisun trustees hold off on changes to school reopening plans – Daily Republic

Posted on by

By Susan Hiland

The Fairfield-Suisun School District created a five-phase plan several months ago for an evolving teaching environment due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

District officials were expecting changes to happen – and they did.

A big change happened Tuesday when Solano County moved from the state’s purple tier for Covid-19 monitoring to the red tier, which allows schools to reopen for in-class instruction.

Source: Fairfield-Suisun trustees hold off on changes to school reopening plans

PSA moves up in nationwide best high schools ranking – Daily Republic

Posted on by

The Fairfield-Suisun School District’s Public Safety Academy is among the best high schools in the nation, according to a recent U.S. News & World Report ranking.

The Public Safety Academy ranks 1,048 out of nearly 18,000 schools, placing it first in Solano County and 145th in California.

This is the second year in a row that the Public Safety Academy has received this recognition.

PSA ranked 1,492nd in the nation in 2019 and 226th in the state.

Source: PSA moves up in nationwide best high schools ranking

National magazine rates FSUSD high school tops in Solano County – The Reporter

Posted on by

By Richard Bammer

A national magazine ranked Fairfield-Suisun Unified’s Public Safety Academy among the best high schools in the nation, school district officials have announced.

U.S. News & World Report, in what the officials said was its most comprehensiveranking yet of American high schools, ranked the Fairfield academy at 1,048 out of nearly 18,000 schools, or among the top 18 percent nationwide, placing it first in Solano County and 145th in California, Tim Goree, the district’s executive director of administrative services and community engagement, said in a press release.

The magazine’s rating is the second in as many years from the magazine. Last year, the magazine ranked the PSA, as the 230 Atlantic Ave. school is called for short, as 1,492nd in the nation and 226th in the state.

Source: National magazine rates FSUSD high school tops in Solano County – The Reporter

FSUSD’s Public Safety Academy #1 in Solano County – Daily Republic

Posted on by

By Tim Goree

Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District’s Public Safety Academy (PSA) is among the best high schools in the nation, according to U.S. News & World Report. In its most comprehensive ranking yet of America’s high schools, Public Safety Academy ranks 1,048 out of nearly 18,000 schools, placing it 1st in Solano County and 145th in California.

This is the second year in a row that the Public Safety Academy has received this recognition from U.S. News & World Report. In 2019, PSA ranked 1,492nd in the nation and 226th in the state. Since that time, the PSA marked significant improvement in the factors considered, which include college readiness, reading and math proficiency, reading and math performance, underserved student performance, college curriculum breadth, and graduation rates.

Source: Press Release: FSUSD’s Public Safety Academy #1 in Solano County

Armijo grad’s painting promotes juried art show – Daily Republic

Posted on by

By Amy Maginnis-Honey

When a friend asked Dan Alcazar to paint a portrait of him, the reply was “show me something I have not seen before.”The friend obliged and made a strange face. The result of Alcazar’s work is featured on materials advertising the Fairfield-Suisun Visual Arts Association’s 57th annual juried art show.

“It just happened in the moment,” the 2013 Armijo High School graduate said.

The subject loved the painting, Alcazar said. In return, he painted a picture for Alcazar.

Source: Armijo grad’s painting promotes juried art show

Free Tdap Immunization Clinic – Daily Republic

Posted on by

By Tim Goree

The California Department of Public Health is closely following the rate of immunization during the pandemic and immunization requirements for admission to school in California for the 2020-2021 school year. The Law requiring students to have a Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis (Tdap) booster prior to entering 7th grade remains in place during Distance Learning.

Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District is holding a Tdap immunization clinic on Tuesday, September 15th from 1:00 PM – 4:30 PM at Grange Middle School, 1975 Blossom Ave., Fairfield to provide students this required immunization free of charge.

Source: Press Release: Free Tdap Immunization Clinic

B. Gale Wilson, ‘chief architect of Fairfield,’ dies – Daily Republic

Posted on by

By Amy Maginnis-Honey

The man often referred to as “the chief architect of Fairfield” died early Tuesday at his home in Auburn.

B. Gale Wilson, who served as city manager for 32 years, celebrated his 91st birthday in July.

Wilson fell and broke his hip in January.

“He recovered quickly for his age,” said daughter Colleen Strazzo, who was adopted by Wilson when he married her mother.

Source: B. Gale Wilson, ‘chief architect of Fairfield,’ dies

Wildfire disrupts start of Fairfield-Suisun school year – Daily Republic

Posted on by

By Bill Hicks

The end of the last school year was upended by the outbreak of the novel coronavirus.

The beginning of this school year was disrupted by the outbreak of the LNU Lightning Complex Fire, according to a report Thursday from Fairfield-Suisun Unified Teacher’s Association president Nancy Dunn in a report before the Fairfield-Suisun School Board of trustees.

Dunn reported that five district teachers lost their homes or had portions of their property damaged during the fire, which also prompted a series of evacuation orders Aug. 19 throughout Fairfield, which was the first day of school.

Source: Wildfire disrupts start of Fairfield-Suisun school year

Bay Area fires: Here’s what’s closed due to unhealthy air, wildfires – ABC7

Posted on by

The Solano County School District announced Wednesday the following will remain closed for the rest of the week.

  • Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District
  • Travis Unified School District
  • Vacaville Unified School District
  • SCOE-operated programs

This is in response to widespread evacuations, power outages and unhealthy air quality.

The districts said they will also be providing meals for students to the extent possible and will communicate with families about the availability of school meal service, but it may change throughout the week due to unforeseen circumstance. According to its press release, Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District will be providing boxes of food with several meals for the week. Families will be notified of locations.

Source: Bay Area fires: Here’s what’s closed due to unhealthy air, wildfires – ABC7 San Francisco

Return to school across Solano looks different this year – Daily Republic

Posted on by

By Susan Hiland

Parents and teachers are feeling the stress of the upcoming year with students no longer in classrooms but at home taking part in classes through distance-learning.

“It is going to be interesting,” said Tim Goree, executive director of Administrative Services and Community Engagement for the Fairfield-Suisun School District.

Students will be given supplies earlier than the school start date in a series of drive-thru, drop-off events.

Some changes are in order for students who get free or reduced lunches from the school district.

Source: Return to school across Solano looks different this year

Solano school, college district nomination period ends, mostly, for Nov. 3 election – Daily Republic

Posted on by

By Todd R. Hansen

Judi Honeychurch did not face a challenger in her last election and will have no need to campaign this fall, either.

Judi Honeychurch“I look forward to the challenges of the future and working with the superintendent and the teachers and staff,” said Honeychurch, who will enter her third term on the Fairfield-Suisun School District board of trustees.

She is the only incumbent who does not have a challenger.

Clifford Gordon, owner of Gordon’s Music & Sound in downtown Fairfield, pulled and filed candidacy papers Thursday for the Trustee Area 1 seat held by Bethany Smith. Trustee Area 2 incumbent Joan Gaut will run against Leslie Unverferth, and Area 6 incumbent John Silva faces Ana Petero.

Source: Solano school, college district nomination period ends, mostly, for Nov. 3 election

Free Tdap Immunization Clinic – Daily Republic

Posted on by

By Tim Goree

The California Department of Public Health is closely following the rate of immunization during the pandemic and immunization requirements for admission to school in California for the 2020-2021 school year. The Law requiring students to have a Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis (Tdap) booster prior to entering 7th grade remains in place during Distance Learning.

Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District is holding a Tdap immunization clinic on Wednesday, August 19th from 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM at Grange Middle School, 1975 Blossom Ave., Fairfield to provide students this required immunization free of charge.

Students that need the Tdap booster and are unable to attend the above clinic should contact their doctor or health clinic as soon as possible. All students must have proof of immunization on file before advancing to 7th grade.

Source: Press Release: Free Tdap Immunization Clinic

Central Solano school districts fare well in distribution of funding – Daily Republic

Posted on by

Local school districts are above average in a new WalletHub study on the state’s most, and least, equitable school districts.

More than 900 school districts were looked at for the study.

To find out where school funding is distributed most equitably, WalletHub scored districts in California based on average household income and expenditures for public elementary and secondary schools per child.

The Fairfield-Suisun School District was ranked No. 79, averaging $10,661 in expenditures per student.

Source: Central Solano school districts fare well in distribution of funding

Fairfield girl making masks for other kids, church in Vallejo – Times-Herald

Posted on by

By Thomas Gase

Ten-year-old Victoria Ward is pretty shy and can be a young woman of a few words. That being said, she is very talented and just needed some help in unmasking that talent.

Or this case, she needed to help give others a mask.

Ward, about to begin fifth grade at Public Safety Academy in Fairfield, has discovered her own skills in sewing, specifically making COVID-19 masks for other kids close to her age. She’s made about 160 for orders on her website and has given away at least another 50 to Emmanuel Temple Apostolic Church in Vallejo. The donated masks were a recent hit with kids at a free resource fair at the church last week.

“It’s fun to do,” Ward said. “I got a sewing kit around Christmas and I started sewing masks a few months ago. It was hard at first. I had to learn to sew correctly and have the measurements right.”

Source: Fairfield girl making masks for other kids, church in Vallejo – Times-Herald