Category Archives: Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District

Green Valley Middle School Offers Virtual Family Engagement Series – Daily Republic

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By Kris Corey

Green Valley Middle School (GVMS) continues to connect with families through a Virtual Family Engagement Series this spring. This five part series offers monthly virtual events to continue the strong connection of the GVMS community.

GVMS kicked off the Virtual Family Engagement Series on Thursday, February 18. Counselor Elizabeth Bates hosted “Cooking with Our Counselor,” leading the Green Valley Vikings and their families on how to make homemade sugar cookies with homemade frosting. To assist in participation, Green Valley provided the necessary supplies to any family that requested them.

Source: Press Release: Green Valley Middle School Offers Virtual Family Engagement Series

Fairfield-Suisun schools set to roll out more in-person classroom instruction – Daily Republic

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By Susan Hiland

Schools in Fairfield and Suisun City returned to limited in-person instruction over the past two weeks, an achievement that now has school board members and district staff turning their attention to the future.

“I had to fight back tears of joy,” Sheila McCabe, the district’s assistant superintendent of Educational Services, said Thursday during the Fairfield-Suisun School District Board of Trustees meeting. “It was wonderful seeing students returning to school.”

The plan is to introduce students back into in-person learning slowly over the next few weeks. Students in transitional kindergarten and kindergarten returned to in-person learning March 2 and by all accounts were happy to be back with friends.

Source: Fairfield-Suisun schools set to roll out more in-person classroom instruction

Fairfield-Suisun campuses opening to students at all levels – Daily Republic

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By Todd R. Hansen

Kris Corey said she teared up when she saw the preschoolers return to the Mary Bird Early Childhood Center for the first time since March 2020.

“I was over there (Monday), and seriously, I started crying,” said Corey, the superintendent of the Fairfield-Suisun School District. “It was so amazing to see.”

The school welcomed back 95 children, ages 3 to 5, with 50 opting to remain in the afternoon distance learning program.

Source: Fairfield-Suisun campuses opening to students at all levels

Benicia High student tops all others at science, engineering fair – Daily Republic

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Allison McCabe, a Benicia High School student, was the overall winner of the recent 2021 Virtual Science and Engineering Fair.

McCabe also took first in the Physical Science category in the Senior Division, in which high school students competed. There were also Elementary (third through fifth grades and Junior (sixth through eighth grades) divisions. McCabe is a sophomore.

“Our goal is to inspire more students to consider a career in science, engineering or a related field. The fair is an excellent opportunity for our elementary, middle and high school students to apply science and engineering skills to investigate problems, gather and evaluate evidence, and develop conclusions. Events like the Science and Engineering Fair have the potential to spark a lifelong interest in a related field.” Solano County Superintendent of Schools Lisette Estrella-Henderson said in a statement announcing the winners.

Source: Benicia High student tops all others at science, engineering fair

Fairfield High Sports Medicine Students Move on to State Competition – Daily Republic

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By Kris Corey

Ten students represented Fairfield High School’s (FHS) Patient Care pathway at the Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) Regional Competitive Event on February 24 and 26. Students competed in both the Sports Medicine event and the First Aid/CPR event. All six FHS students who competed in the Sports Medicine event earned highly competitive scores, which will enable them to represent the Fairfield High Falcons at the statewide HOSA competition on March 24.

This is the inaugural year of Fairfield High School’s HOSA chapter. The February competition marks the very first time that FHS Falcons have competed at a HOSA event. The Fairfield High HOSA team is now the third Career Technical Student Organization (CTSO) from the Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District to earn high honors at a CTSO competition this year. This team joins the Rodriguez High School chapter of the Future Farmers of America and the Armijo High School Virtual Enterprise team which were recognized earlier this year.

Source: Press Release: Fairfield High Sports Medicine Students Move on to State Competition

Some children in Fairfield, Suisun return to in-person learning Monday – Daily Republic

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BY Susan Hiland

Preschoolers and children with special needs in Fairfield and Suisun City will return to a modified version on in-person instruction Monday.

Thousands of children and teens in both cities have been forced to utilize online learning for the past year since schools shut down in March 2020 to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus that causes Covid-19.

Public schools started the current school year last fall with distance-learning protocols still in place and school sites shuttered to students.

Source: Some children in Fairfield, Suisun return to in-person learning Monday

COVID shut down high school sports for a year – The Reporter

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By Matt Sieger

They used words and phrases like “unknowns,” “fluid and scary,” “unforeseeable challenges,” “uncharted territory” and “limbo.”

Sometimes the athletic directors of the local high schools were at a loss for words to describe their reaction and feelings to the suspension of spring sports on Friday, March 13, 2020, due to the threat of the coronavirus.

Will C. Wood Athletic Director Andrea Daniels noted, “It’s just the timing. It’s right when we are starting, so you’re in the flow, you’ve had your preseason and a lot of your practice sessions. But they (the student-athletes) all have a good attitude. It is what it is. We have to do what we have to do.”

Source: COVID shut down high school sports for a year

FSUSD Prepares for Summer Maintenance Projects – Daily Republic

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By Kris Corey

Every summer, the Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District’s (FSUSD) Maintenance Department oversees several large maintenance projects, and this practice will continue for summer 2021. The necessary repairs are above the threshold that the Maintenance Department is allowed to self-perform according to California Public Contract Code. As a result, bids are released for contractors to perform the required work. Projects for summer 2021, include HVAC replacement at one site, roof replacement at four sites, asphalt work at nine sites, exterior painting at three sites, and gym bleacher service at all high schools and middle schools. The estimate for all the projects is $2.2M. Any remaining funds will go toward tree removal, flooring repair, and cafeteria table replacements.

Source: Press Release: FSUSD Prepares for Summer Maintenance Projects

All FSUSD Employees Offered Vaccinations – Daily Republic

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By Kris Corey

Within five calendar days of February 26, 2021, all FSUSD employees were offered the opportunity to receive and/or schedule their COVID-19 vaccination. Solano Public Health worked diligently with the Solano County Office of Education to coordinate vaccination efforts for those working in education.

Fifty FSUSD employees were offered and received vaccines on Friday, February 26. The following day, February 27, 350 FSUSD employees took advantage of the vaccination clinic at the Solano County Fairgrounds. Two days later, another 617 FSUSD employees received their COVID-19 vaccination at the vaccination clinic held at Markham Elementary School in Vacaville.

Source: Press Release: All Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District Employees Offered Vaccinations

Solano to buy old school site to secure Cordelia fire station location – Daily Republic

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By Todd R. Hansen

The Solano County Board of Supervisors agreed Tuesday to purchase the former Falls Elementary School site in order to protect the Cordelia Fire Protection District Station No. 29 that is located on the property.

“It really was to look at future fire protection services . . . and response is critical,” Supervisor Jim Spering said about why he brought the issue to the county administration and now the board. “This location is absolutely critical.”

The county agreed to pay the Fairfield-Suisun School District $550,000, plus administrative fees and estimated closing costs, to buy 10 acres located at 1624 and 1634 Rockville Road in rural Fairfield.

Source: Solano to buy old school site to secure Cordelia fire station location

Fairfield-Suisun school board OKs plan that identifies nearly $8M in possible cuts – Daily Republic

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By Susan Hiland

Trustees of Fairfield and Suisun City schools gave the go-ahead last week for a 2021-2022 budget priorities plan that was put on hold earlier this year due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.

The projected budget for 2021-2022 includes nearly $203.183 million in attendance-based state revenue. That’s compared to just more than $195.561 million for the current academic year that ends June 30.

The district has identified $4.355 million in cuts that can be quickly implemented if needed at the start of the coming school year July 1. About $500,000 would come from what’s paid in retiree benefits. The district also reported some costs that were greater than anticipated and student-based funding that will fall short of projections.

Source: Fairfield-Suisun school board OKs plan that identifies nearly $8M in possible cuts

School district’s summer plans include remediation for children, teens – Daily Republic

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By Susan Hiland

Children and teens who attend school in Fairfield and Suisun City will have an opportunity to catch up this summer – at least somewhat – if they have fallen behind this year due to distance-learning strategies that have kept schools closed throughout the Covid-19 pandemic – or for any other reason.

Trustees with the Fairfield-Suisun School district gave the green light Thursday to plans for a number of summer school opportunities that begin in June and end in July.

Sheila McCabe, assistant superintendent of Educational Services, presented an overview of the plans for summer learning.

Source: School district’s summer plans include remediation for children, teens

17 Solano students awarded college scholarships – The Reporter

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Seventeen Solano students were recognized Saturday during a virtual Chinese New Year celebration hosted by the Chinese American Association of Solano County and awarded scholarships to aid them in their academic journeys.

“The strength of our communities and the future is directly dependent upon theeducation of our youth,”said C.C. Yin, founder and chairman of CAASC, in a press statement.

During the last 24 years, due to generous corporate sponsorships and community support, 306 students have been granted CAASC scholarships totaling in excess of $220,500, organizers said.

Source: 17 Solano students awarded college scholarships – The Reporter

A Backpack for Every Transitional Kindergarten and Kindergarten Student! – Daily Republic

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By Kris Corey

Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District (FSUSD) is the fortunate recipient of a generous donation of nearly 2,000 brand new backpacks stuffed with school supplies, virtual learning materials and books for every student enrolled in a FSUSD Transitional Kindergarten (TK) and Kindergarten class. Solano County Office of Education partnered with First 5 Solano Commission and Solano County Library Literacy Services to provide this resource to the young students of Fairfield-Suisun, and other school districts in Solano County.

Each FSUSD school site coordinated their distribution event. Most sites held a special drive-through pick-up event or included the distribution in a preplanned material “pass out” day. Other sites, such as the Virtual Academy of Fairfield-Suisun, will distribute at an upcoming event.

Source: Press Release: A Backpack for Every Transitional Kindergarten and Kindergarten Student!

Rodriguez High Future Farmers of America Win Recognition at Sectional Speaking Contest – Daily Republic

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By Kris Corey

Rodriguez High students earned top honors at the Solano-Alameda Section FFA speaking contest on February 10, 2021. Students participated in both the impromptu speaking and FFA Creed recitation competitions.

FFA is one of the many Career Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs) that is active in Fairfield-Suisun Unified schools. FFA is one of the oldest and largest CTSOs in the United States. Rodriguez FFA students compete as part of the Solano-Alameda Section. This section includes students from eight other high schools and spans the distance from Dixon to Half Moon Bay.

Source: Press Release: Rodriguez High Future Farmers of America Win Recognition at Sectional Speaking Contest

FSUSD prepares for students to return to classrooms with ‘hybrid’ model – The Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District leaders are preparing for students to return to classrooms in a “hybrid” format as schools request parents to complete “Intent to Return” forms by Friday.

In a press release issued Monday, Sheila McCabe, the district’s assistant superintendent of educational services, said the governing board voted to return to a hybrid model once Solano County maintains five consecutive days in the red tier, which is designated when daily new cases fall to four to seven per 100,000 persons and positive test rates range from 5 to 8 percent.

But the California Department of Public Health notes that while the red tier means a “substantial” risk level for COVID-19 infection, schools can reopen for in-person instruction after they have remained in the tier for 14 days.

Source: FSUSD prepares for students to return to classrooms with ‘hybrid’ model – The Reporter

FSUSD Prepares for Students to Return to Classroom – Daily Republic

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By Kris Corey

Schools requesting parents complete “Intent to Return” forms by February 26th.

Fairfield, CA (February 22, 2021) – The FSUSD Governing Board took action to return to a hybrid model once Solano County maintains five consecutive days in the Red Tier. As a result, staff is putting the final touches on preparing the schools for the return of having students in-person.

As a part of the approved hybrid model, parents will have the option for their children to return for in-person instruction or continue in distance learning. “Intent to Return” forms are being emailed to parents from each principal at every FSUSD school. Parents will also be able to access the “Intent to Return” forms on the FSUSD website at fsusd.org, or from their children’s school. We are asking families to complete an “Intent to Return” for each child. The District is asking that the electronic form be submitted by Friday, February 26, 2021.

Source: Press Release: FSUSD Prepares for Students to Return to Classroom

Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District Hosts Parent Cafés – Daily Republic

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By Kris Corey

Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District families are making social connections, receiving support and encouragement, and teaching and enriching each other through online Parent Cafés that are being hosted by schools throughout the district.

The Parent Café is a nationally recognized family strengthening and parent engagement program that brings together parents, guardians, and caregivers in a safe supervised setting. Interactions emphasizing core skills of listening without interrupting, sharing without judgment, and mutual support of fellow community members facing similar challenges as parents are encouraged and promoted.

Source: Press Release: Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District Hosts Parent Cafés

Armijo Entrepreneurs Earn Top Honors at Trade Show – Daily Republic

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By Kris Corey

Students in the Virtual Enterprises (VE) program at Armijo High School ranked among the top 10 out of the 51 California classrooms who exhibited a simulated business at VE’s Witer Westl Online Trade Show on January 21st.

The trade show connects students, firms and industry professionals in order to facilitate sales of virtual products and services through video conference sales sessions.

The Armijo High School students created a virtual business that responds to the current need for at-home entertainment. Their virtual business, FlickBox, delivers a movie theater experience right to someone’s doorstep.

Source: Good News: Armijo Entrepreneurs Earn Top Honors at Trade Show

Leading with Kindness at FSUSD – Daily Republic

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By Kris Corey

Finding ways to support and connect with Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District students in the midst of a global pandemic has been challenging. Collaboratively, the Child Nutrition and Transportation Departments have delivered meals to Special Education students and FSUSD siblings. As of February 5, 2021, FSUSD has delivered approximately 25,740 boxed meals. Child Nutrition staff and bus drivers embrace this opportunity to once again connect with students and families. During these uncertain times, we want to highlight the kindness of one particular bus driver.

Source: Press Release: Leading with Kindness at FSUSD