Category Archives: Special Education

2025 Richard Freedman Solano County Hometown Hero: Laura Miller – Times Herald Online

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By Saija Maki-Waller

Being a teacher is often a thankless job. There are crowded classrooms, changing textbooks and more prep work needed than there’s time for.

So for special education director and kindergarten teacher Laura Miller, being recognized as the Times-Herald’s Richard Freedman Solano County Hometown Hero for Vallejo (which carries a $500 prize) came as a welcome surprise.

“Wow! That’s such an honor, I had no idea,” was Miller’s initial reaction upon hearing of her honor. Although it may have been a shock to her, to her students’ families and her teaching community, the win couldn’t be more deserved.

Source: 2025 Richard Freedman Solano County Hometown Hero: Laura Miller – Times Herald Online

All smiles at Vallejo district’s 49th Annual Special Olympics – Times Herald Online

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By Sarah Rodriguez

The Special Olympics motto — “Let me win, If I cannot win, Let me be brave in the attempt” — was the guiding principle behind the Vallejo City Unified School District hosting the 49th annual Special Olympics at Vallejo High School’s Corbus Field on Friday.

The district’s annual Special Olympics celebrates the achievements and inclusion of students with supportive needs. Representing all schools, students came together for a fun-filled day of mingling, sports, and a little friendly competition.

Attendees and spectators were treated to an opening ceremony led by performances from the Vallejo High School Band and a color guard presentation by Jesse Bethel High School’s Navy Junior ROTC. The event also honored a total of 12 graduating students from Vallejo’s Adult Transition program, allowing the group to “ignite” the artificial fire for the ceremonial lighting of the torch.

Source: All smiles at Vallejo district’s 49th Annual Special Olympics – Times Herald Online

Solano County Hometown Heroes: A life of service to others defines Franklin – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

She is a hero to many and, in multiple ways, exemplifies all the qualities of one: Selflessness, integrity, and unwavering resolve.

It’s clear within a few minutes of speaking to Renee Franklin that her actions reflect even more heroic qualities, among them a deep sense of duty, a desire to protect others, a belief in worthy causes, and doing for others without expecting a reward.

No surprise, congenial, courteous, humble in person, she is also a Vacaville finalist for the 2025 Solano County Hometown Hero, nominated on by readers of The Reporter. Other finalists will be revealed on following Sundays, followed by the Vacaville and Vallejo winners on May 4.

Source: Solano County Hometown Heroes: A life of service to others defines Franklin – The Vacaville Reporter

VCUSD names new Executive Director of Special Education – Times Herald Online

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By Sarah Rodriguez

The Vallejo City Unified School District recently announced the appointment of longtime educator Kristen Hardy as the Executive Director of Special Education, making Hardy responsible for overseeing all special education services across the district.

This newly created position is set to replace the former director of special education, who recently resigned. Superintendent Ruben Aurelio says one factor contributing to the development of the new role is the district’s desire to stay competitive through steady improvement and the accrual of high-quality personnel.

Due to the rise of costs within special education post-COVID, “we know that we need someone to come in and support us,” said Aurelio, pointing to Hardy’s “systems thinking” and “ability to support educators.”

Source: VCUSD names new Executive Director of Special Education – Times Herald Online

Parents, staff share support for special ed program | dailyrepublic.com

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About a dozen people spoke to the Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District board Thursday regarding the Dynamic Education Linked to Achievement program at H. Glenn Richardson.

Parents were joined by DELTA staff, some choking back tears, as the highly specialized program is being reviewed.

The kindergarten through 12th grade program is for students with disabilities who have moderate to significant support needs. It can be the last stop prior to putting the student in a non-public school.

Source: Parents, staff share support for special ed program | News | dailyrepublic.com

Vallejo Special Education teacher wants to make students thrive – Times Herald Online

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By Sarah Rodriguez

For a kid — and most adults — stepping foot into unknown territory, having to chat it up with random strangers, and being expected to forge lifelong friendships can sound like a nightmare.

For others, that nightmare is more like an improbable dream.

Source: Vallejo Special Education teacher wants to make students thrive – Times Herald Online

Parents of special needs students plead to keep DELTA program | dailyrepublic.com

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By Amy Maginnis-Honey

Parents of special needs children in the Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District made pleas at a recent board meeting to keep the DELTA special education program at H. Glenn Richardson.

The K-12+ program is for students with disabilities that have moderate to significant support needs.

“More often than not, DELTA (Dynamic Education Linked to Achievement Program) students are referred to our program when they need more support to thrive in a Functional Academics or Solano County Office of Education class on a comprehensive campus,” reads the H. Glenn website.

Source: Parents of special needs students plead to keep DELTA program | News | dailyrepublic.com

‘Special’ day returns to Corbus Field – Vacaville Reporter

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By Michael Montalvo

The Vallejo City Unified School District hosted its 48th Annual Special Olympics Games on Friday, the first games since 2019.

Over 150 students from kindergarten to 22 years old throughout 10 schools participated in the games at Vallejo High School’s Corbus Field, with events like the 50-yard run, javelin and hurdles. They also had a couple of sections in the middle of the Corbus Field for extra activities for anyone to join and participate in.

Source: ‘Special’ day returns to Corbus Field

Special Education Students Experience Fair Fun | Independent Voice

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Some of the special education students squeezed their eyes closed on the May Fair carnival rides. Others closed their eyes peacefully and looked like they were sleeping. Still others flung their arms and legs out and laughed with pure glee. In their own way, each adapted to Dixon’s 147th May Fair.

“The goal is not just for the kids to be here but for the youth to have fun, too,” said coordinator Bill Seiden of Vacaville Noon Rotary, about the 31st year of the event where Dixon Rotary Club members also assisted.

Bill and his wife, Karen, started the endeavor for special needs children to experience the Dixon May Fair with their daughter who was only three years old at the time. They have been doing the event for 30 years now. Their daughter, Kendra, is now 41.

Source: Special Education Students Experience Fair Fun | Independent Voice

Vacaville People’s Forum Presents Be You! 2024: A Celebration for Special Needs Awareness – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Michael Montalvo

The Vacaville People’s Forum announced its fourth annual Be You! event, set to take place from 1-4 p.m. Sunday at Play4All Park in Vacaville.

This free gathering is made possible through collaboration with City Councilmember Michael Silva and the Measure M District Dollars Program.

The event embraces the theme of diversity and inclusivity, while also aiming to spotlight the unique qualities and contributions of differently-abled individuals within the community. Serving as a platform for celebration, the event underscores the importance of acknowledging and valuing every member of society.

Source: Vacaville People’s Forum Presents Be You! 2024: A Celebration for Special Needs Awareness – The Vacaville Reporter

Support Special Olympics get dinner served by law enforcement | dailyrepublic.com

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Enjoy a free dinner at Texas Roadhouse served by local law enforcement, 4 to 8;30 p.m. May 2 to help raise funds for Special Olympics.

The Fairfield Police, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and Solano County Probation will wait tables serving a pulled pork sandwich, steak fries, fresh baked honey cinnamon and butter bread and a non-alcoholic beverage.

Diners are asked to leave a monetary tip which will be donated directly to the Special Olympics.

Source: Support Special Olympics get dinner served by law enforcement | News | dailyrepublic.com

FSUSD hosts middle school Special Olympics – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Nick McConnell

Just days after the torch was lit for the 2024 Olympics in Paris this summer, some Solano County students got the chance to participate in an Olympics of their own.

The Fairfield Suisun Unified School District hosted a Special Olympics event for middle schoolers from seven schools across the district on Friday, giving them the chance to compete in a variety of track and field events at Fairfield High School’s football field.

Following an opening ceremony, where the Olympic theme was played and students walked in carrying banners for their respective schools, one student from each school participated in a torch relay. Students then cycled through discus, shot put and javelin events, as well as several footraces.

Source: FSUSD hosts middle school Special Olympics – The Vacaville Reporter

California rolls out the red carpet to celebrate young filmmakers with disabilities – WWAYTV3

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Some talented young people aren’t letting their disabilities stop them from making movies. These Solano County students are getting a taste of Tinseltown, complete with a red-carpet film premiere.

These young adults are part of an annual film production camp that teaches them how to write, direct, shoot and star in movies.

The Solano County Office of Education offers the two-week course to people 18 to 23 with neurodiverse abilities.

Source: California rolls out the red carpet to celebrate young filmmakers with disabilities – WWAYTV3

SCOE red carpet celebration highlights young filmmakers with disabilities – CBS Sacramento

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Some talented young people aren’t letting their disabilities stop them from making movies. These Solano County students are getting a taste of Tinseltown, complete with a red-carpet film premiere.

These young adults are part of an annual film production camp that teaches them how to write, direct, shoot and star in movies.

The Solano County Office of Education offers the two-week course to people 18 to 23 with neurodiverse abilities.

“They are young people who are getting ready to transition into adulthood, and this is one more opportunity for them to develop those work readiness skills,” said Lisette Estrella-Henderson, the superintendent of the county OIffice of Education

Source: Solano County red carpet celebration highlights young filmmakers with disabilities – CBS Sacramento

Adaptive physical education students hit the golf course |  dailyrepublic.com

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By Amy Maginnis-Honey

More than 100 high school students from Fairfield, Vacaville and Dixon swung golf clubs Friday morning as adaptive physical-education students took over the practice facility at Paradise Valley Golf Course.

It was the first time since Covid the event was held.

The teens moved from station to station working on different skills. Izick Torres, a Fairfield High sophomore, was one of the most determined.

Source: Moving fore-ward: Adaptive physical education students hit the golf course | Golf | dailyrepublic.com

Dixon May Fair welcomes students with special needs – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Rebecca Wasik

It was a quiet morning on Friday at the Dixon May Fair. Workers prepared their booths for the weekend as members of the Vacaville Rotary Club gathered at the front entrance.

Special needs students from across Solano County were on their way to the fair to spend the morning enjoying the festivities before the fair opened to the public for the day.

The event, in its 30th year, is held by Rotarians and the Solano County Office of Education.

Once students arrived, one or two Rotarians accompanied each group to explore the fair with them.

Source: Dixon May Fair welcomes students with special needs – The Vacaville Reporter

Transition Fair for students with disabilities, special education – Daily Republic

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The Solano County Office of Education will host a Transition Information Fair on Wednesday for middle and high school students and adults in transition programs who have disabilities or who are in special education programs.

“This Fair offers a one-stop approach to valuable information on resources for individuals with disabilities that can lead to a positive and productive life as a contributing member of their community,” Lisette Estrella-Henderson, Solano County superintendent of schools, said in a statement.

The fair offers “information about various programs and agencies in our community that can assist with higher education, training, employment, adult day programs, and independent living.”

Source: Transition Fair for students with disabilities, special education

Students for Special Olympics enjoy friendly competitions – Daily Republic

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By Susan Hiland

Claps and cheers for runners echoed across the football field Friday for the third annual 2023 High School Track and Field Special Olympics.

This elementary-school event welcomed students from Special Education classes to a morning of friendly competition at Rodriguez High School football field.

The day started with a pageant of students walking onto the field, followed by the national anthem and a couple of speakers.

Source: Students for Special Olympics enjoy friendly competitions

Special Olympics brings players of all abilities onto Armijo court – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Nick Sestanovich

On Friday morning, the gym at Armijo High School was an inclusive place where all students could play a game of basketball, regardless of ability.

It is one of a few events Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District, in conjunction with the Special Olympics of Northern California, puts on each year where both general education and special education students take part in the world of sports. The athletes were certainly competitive, but the goal was more about giving all students an even field to compete on.

The department also hosts soccer and track and field events, but Friday’s event was all about basketball. Special Olympians came in from four of FSUSD’s high schools — Armijo, Fairfield, Rodriguez and H. Glenn Richardson Education Complex — to shoot hoops with general education students, play other games and overall have a good time.

Source: Special Olympics brings players of all abilities onto Armijo court – The Vacaville Reporter

Sierra School of Solano County moves to Fairfield – Daily Republic

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Specialized Education Services, Inc., a a California Department of Education-approved non-public school for K-12 students who require additional educational support, is now open at 1745 Enterprise Drive in Fairfield.

Programming at Sierra School of Solano County is designed to meet the unique academic and social-emotional learning needs of each individual student.

“Starting the 2022-23 school year in a new building is an exciting milestone for our faculty, staff and students,” Jenelle Droke, director of Sierra School of Solano County, said in a statement., “Our school has a long history of supporting students with special needs. Moving closer to the Bay Area will help us to partner with additional school districts and serve even more families.”

Source: Sierra School of Solano County moves to Fairfield