Category Archives: Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District

Fairfield-Suisun Adult School preschool welcomes new mural – Daily Republic

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By Amy Maginnis-Honey

When youngsters return to the Fairfield-Suisun Adult School preschool program they will be welcomed by a completed mural that covers the outside walls of the classrooms and faces the play area.

Artist Stephanie Lombard added many details to the happy interactive scene where toddlers are encouraged to do modified push-ups with a painted raccoon, size their feet with the bear tracks painted on the cement, trace a bee trail and enjoy myriad creatures.

One detail includes a stick figure at two different mural locations – one in a bird’s nest, the other dancing with ladybugs.

Source: Fairfield-Suisun Adult School preschool welcomes new mural

Increasing literacy, online learning? There’s an app for that – The Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

While COVID-19 has upended the world for nearly a year, it has forced us to put on our collective thinking caps to deal with it, especially when it comes to educating children and adults.

But as our public institutions shut down or scale back operations during the pandemic, with no sign of letting up amid another surge, two area school districts and the Solano County Library have locked virtual arms and reached out to increase reading and literacy and to promote digital learning.

Using wireless technology in an effort to support new generations of lifelong learners and readers, the library system and Fairfield-Suisun and Travis unified school districts have formed what educators and library leaders say is an innovative new partnership to increase access to more ebooks and e-audiobooks for students.

Source: Increasing literacy, online learning? There’s an app for that – The Reporter

FSUSD Proclaims January 2021 as Positive Parenting Awareness Month – Daily Republic

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By Kris Corey

The Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District (FSUSD) Governing Board approved a resolution proclaiming January 2021 as Positive Parenting Awareness Month. First 5 Solano, Solano County Board of Supervisors, and Solano County Office of Education are also supporting this proclamation. The collective goal is to bring awareness to the importance of positive parenting, nurturing healthy children, and resources available in the community to support families.

“This resolution affirms that quality of parenting is one of the most powerful predictors of a child’s future success,” said Parent and Family Engagement Coordinator, Holly Collins. “It encourages parents and caregivers to seek and accept support from community resources and programs, and marks a collaborative effort with organizations outside of our district to provide those services.”

Source: Good News: Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District Proclaims January 2021 as Positive Parenting Awareness Month

Fairfield-Suisun school board revisits plans for return to in-class teaching – Daily Republic

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By Susan Hiland

A return to in-person learning was on the minds of everyone Thursday at the Fairfield-Suisun School District governing board meeting.

But any plans for a decision to do so at the board’s meeting Jan. 14 remain in flux given that Solano County is now included in the state’s most-restrictive lockdown since March to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus that causes Covid-19.

Nevertheless, plans continue to be developed to allow for some sort of return to on-campus instruction.

Source: Fairfield-Suisun school board revisits plans for return to in-class teaching

FSUSD Prepares for In-Person Instruction – Daily Republic

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By Kris Corey

The Governing Board of the Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District (FSUSD) will vote on the return to in-person instruction plan during the January 14, 2021 Governing Board meeting. To prepare for the Governing Board’s decision, FSUSD has strategically utilized Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) dollars to purchase personal protective equipment (PPE) and safety equipment to prepare for in-person instruction.

FSUSD’s Warehouse, Facilities, and Operations Departments implemented a robust plan to deliver PPE and safety equipment to school sites during the month of January, 2021.

Source: Press Release: FSUSD Prepares for In-Person Instruction

FSUSD Receives Clean Audit for Fiscal 2019-20 – Daily Republic

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By Kris Corey

The Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District (FSUSD) auditor’s annual review of the 2019-2020 FSUSD Financial Statements show that the district is in full compliance and there are no negative findings. FSUSD has had ten years with no negative findings.

The firm of Crowe, LLP has audited the District’s financial statements of the governmental activities, each major fund, and the aggregate remaining fund information of FSUSD, as of and for the year ended June 30, 2020. An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. The procedures selected depend on the auditor’s judgment, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error.

Source: Press Release: FSUSD Receives Clean Audit for Fiscal 2019-20

The Space Force was with them at Sheldon Academy – The Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

They may have had stars, planets and rockets in their collective mind’s eye before and after hearing from two members of America’s newest military branch, the United States Space Force.

Students at Sheldon Academy of Innovative Learning on Thursday learned more about the USSF, career opportunities and the importance of mastering science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) subjects when Capt. Haynes and Lt. Johnson spoke to seven classes during a virtual visit to the Woolner Avenue campus in Fairfield. (The officers’ first names were not available at press time Tuesday.)

“I am grateful that the third- to sixth-grade students had the opportunity to learn about a career in the Space Force,” Lisa Lewis, principal of the K-8 school, said in a press release. “They were fascinated by the presentation and asked a lot of questions. Many students were interested in the career and asked what they can do now.”

Source: The Space Force was with them at Sheldon Academy – The Reporter

Oakbrook Recognized with Distinguished California Education Honor – Daily Republic

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By Kris Corey

Oakbrook Academy of the Arts receives Golden Bell Award from California School Boards Association. Celebrating outstanding education programs and governance practices.

Fairfield, Calif., (December 9, 2020) –Oakbrook Academy of the Arts was selected as one of 40 recipients of California’s leading educational honor, the Golden Bell Award. The Golden Bell Awards, celebrating their 41st year, are presented by the California School Boards Association to promote excellence in public education and school board governance by recognizing outstanding programs and governance practices. The awards reflect the depth and breadth of education programs and governance decisions supporting these programs that are necessary to address students’ changing needs.

Source: Good News: Oakbrook Recognized with Distinguished California Education Honor

Grange Middle School staffers bring the learning and more to Fairfield neighborhoods – The Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

Amid the pandemic, sometimes distance learning falls short for some students who struggle with the teaching method forced upon teachers and families this year as COVID-19 again surges in the fall months of 2020.

But Grange Middle School administrators, teachers, and support staff at Blossom Avenue campus in Fairfield believe they have an answer to the challenge.

Concerned about the number of students not engaged in distance learning at the start of the 2020-2021 school year — and rather than watch the numbers continue to decline — the staff coalesced around the idea “to create a layer of support to ensure children were receiving what they needed to be successful in distance education,” Sheila McCabe, assistant superintendent of educational services in Fairfield-Suisun Unified, wrote in a press release.

Source: Grange Middle School staffers bring the learning and more to Fairfield neighborhoods – The Reporter

School Board set to bid farewell to 2 trustees – Daily Republic

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Two trustees who lost bids for re-election will be honored Thursday for their service to Fairfield-Suisun School District students and staff.

The recognition of Trustees Joan K. Gaut and John P. Silva comes during a special meeting of the school board that starts at 5 p.m.Helen Tilley defeated Gaut and one other challenger for the Area 2 seat in the Nov. 3 election. Gaut finished second. Ana Petero defeated Silva in a head-to-head contest for the Area 6 seat.

Source: School Board set to bid farewell to 2 trustees

FSUSD Completes Measure J Project at Fairview Elementary School – Daily Republic

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By Kris Corey

Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District (FSUSD) has recently completed a two-year construction project at Fairview Elementary, one of the oldest campuses in the District. The K-5 school received a new 12,096 square foot administration and kindergarten complex with five kindergarten classrooms and play area. The new 5,055 square foot library, previously housed in a portable, includes an innovation lab with a large roll-up door to incorporate outdoor learning experiences. All twenty-three classrooms of the original school built in 1954 were modernized and the offices reconfigured to allow ample working space for staff. Other improvements include modernized and expanded kitchen, new play equipment, new shade structures, an expanded parking lot, and a refurbished play field.

Source: Press Release: FSUSD Completes Measure J Project at Fairview Elementary School

Armijo grad’s feature comes to Netflix – Daily Republic

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By Amy Maginnis-Honey

Tune in to Netflix Friday and see the work of Armijo High graduate Frank Abney III.

“Canvas” is a 9-minute film about a grandfather who, after suffering a devastating loss, is sent into a downward spiral and loses his inspiration to create. Years later, he decides to revisit the easel – and pick up the paint brush – but he can’t do it alone.

It was inspired by Abney’s own loss, thinking about how the death of his father affected his mother, Abney told the Daily Republic in 2018.

Source: At the Movies: Armijo grad’s feature comes to Netflix

FSUSD breaks ground for $6M performing arts building at Oakbrook Academy – The Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

The value of the arts, which supports creative and critical thinking skills so highly prized in a 21st-century economy, is getting more than symbolic due in Fairfield-Suisun Unified.

The district, the county’s largest with some 22,000 students across 30 campuses, recently broke ground on a $6 million performing arts building at Oakbrook Academy of the Arts in Fairfield. When completed in August, the structure is projected to enhance the TK-8 school’s mission of commingling core academic subjects with a wide array of arts offerings, from the visual arts and dance to music and theater.

The news comes 11 months after state schools chief Tony Thurmond cited the Oakbrook Drive school for its “exemplary arts education,” one of 13 California schools that demonstrated a high level of arts education programs and practices as it transformed into an arts academy. The academy also was a 2020 recipient of the distinguished California School Boards Association Golden Bell Award, given to creative programs and meet the needs of a diverse population of students.

Source: FSUSD breaks ground for $6M performing arts building at Oakbrook Academy – The Reporter

FSUSD COMPLETES MEASURE J PROJECT AT SHELDON ACADEMY OF INNOVATIVE LEARNING – Daily Republic

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By Kris Corey

Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District (FSUSD) has recently completed a two-year construction project at Sheldon Academy of Innovative Learning that has dramatically altered the appearance and functionality of the campus. The K-8 school received a new 24,360 square feet two-story classroom building that replaced the 18 aging portables and two portable restrooms. The new 5,965 square feet library, previously housed in a portable, includes a college and career classroom and an innovation lab with a large roll-up door to incorporate outdoor learning experiences. The classrooms in the original 1963 building were modernized and the front office was relocated to a central location, clearly indicating for the first time where visitors are to enter the campus.

Source: Good News: FSUSD COMPLETES MEASURE J PROJECT AT SHELDON ACADEMY OF INNOVATIVE LEARNING

FSUSD Offers Virtual Options in Place of In-Person College Fair – Daily Republic

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BY Kris Corey

The traditional in-person FSUSD College Fair, which was originally scheduled for Tuesday, October 20, 2020, has been transformed into a multi-month series of events.

Throughout the month of October, the District’s College and Career Techs worked tirelessly to connect students with online college information sessions, creating a virtual college fair. Students virtually visited dozens of public and private colleges, including the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM), Willamette University, and Mills College, as well as multiple California State Universities, University of California campuses, and Historically Black College and Universities.

Source: Press Release: FSUSD Offers Virtual Options in Place of In-Person College Fair

Fairfield-Suisun school board hears plans for reopening in new year – Daily Republic

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By Susan Hiland

The Fairfield-Suisun School District visited the topic of returning to school in person at the Thursday board meeting – but no decisions were made.

A recap of the past few months noted that Gov. Gavin Newsom implemented a warning/monitoring system July 17 that resulted in all schools being placed in distance learning as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The next week, July 20, the board took action to approve its 5-Phase Continuum Plan, affirm that the district would open in distance learning per the governor’s orders and set Oct. 8 as the board meeting date to re-evaluate the re-opening of school facilities for in-person instruction.

Source: Fairfield-Suisun school board hears plans for reopening in new year

Alliance for a Healthier Generation Offer Free Stress Management Classes for FSUSD Classified Staff – Daily Republic

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By Kris Corey

It’s a simple fact: we are better able to support children’s well-being once we take time to nourish our own physical, social, and emotional health. Though change and uncertainty can magnify stress, knowing simple ways to mitigate these feelings can go a long way in fostering our own personal well-being.

On November 18th, 2020, classified staff in the Fairfield-Suiusn Unified School District will have the opportunity to participate in a stress management workshop. This training, facilitated through our partnership with Kaiser Permanente’s Resilience In School Environment (RISE) and Alliance for a Healthier Generation, is focused on supporting staff wellness.

Source: Press Release: Alliance for a Healthier Generation Offer Free Stress Management Classes for FSUSD Classified Staff

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

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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

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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

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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