Why hackers are targeting young public school students : NPR

By Kavitha Cardoza

When Celeste Gravatt first heard about a data breach in her kids school system in February 2023, it sounded innocuous.

“I didn’t really think anything of it at first,” Gravatt says.

Officials at Minneapolis Public Schools called it a “system incident,” then “technical difficulties,” and finally, “an encryption event.”

Source: Why hackers are targeting young public school students : NPR

Fair Board to put final touches on virtual Youth Ag Day – Daily Republic

By Todd R. Hansen

The Solano County Fair Association directors on Wednesday will be updated on the status of the 2022 Youth Ag Day virtual videos.

“What we hope we have created is an educational platform . . . available to any teacher to use as (an agriculture) resource,” Mike Ioakimedes, executive director and chief executive officer, said in a phone interview.

The target is elementary grade levels.

Source: Fair Board to put final touches on virtual Youth Ag Day

Best Practice Assessments Ease Security Upgrade at SCOE – Palo Alto Networks

Solano County Office of Education (COE) provides a variety of services supporting job readiness training, safe schools initiatives, fiscal accountability, and equity projects for six school districts serving 64,000 students in the northeast San Francisco Bay Area. The county has long been one of the most diverse in the United States, and as part of its mission to ensure educational equity, Solano COE provides technical support, resources, and expertise to help school districts empower students through digital learning.

For several years, Solano COE has relied on Palo Alto Networks for the solutions that keep its districts’ networks secure. The Office of Education uses Palo Alto Networks Next Generation Firewall PA-7050 to provide firewalls for the districts, and it employs cloud-delivered security services (CDSS) including Threat Prevention and URL Filtering.

Source: Best Practice Assessments Ease Security Upgrade at Solano County Office of Education – Palo Alto Networks

7 Benefits of Upgrading to a Zoom Education Plan | MarketScreener

By Pat La Morte

If you’re part of an academic institution, a Zoom Education plan can help you get the most out of Zoom for teaching, learning, and connecting. A Zoom Education plan offers features that can make administrators’ lives easier, help educators enhance instruction, and create a more secure, seamless learning environment for students.

As you implement long-term strategies to support hybrid learning, here are seven benefits you need to know about the Zoom Education plan:

1. Integrate seamlessly with your LMSZoom integrates with a number of leading learning management systems (LMS) through LTI Pro and other apps. This means educators can seamlessly schedule and start meetings directly within Blackboard, Canvas, Clever, Desire2Learn, Moodle, Schoology, and other LMS platforms, and students can join a Zoom class from the same LMS they use every day.

Source: Zoom Video Communications : 7 Benefits of Upgrading to a Zoom Education Plan | MarketScreener

Free STEM camps open to Solano middle, high school girls – Daily Republic

Applications are being taken for the free five-day virtual Girls in Robotics Leadership camps to middle and high school girls in June in Solano County.

The Solano County Office of Education and the University of California, Davis C-STEM Center puts on the event. The Office of Education provides the technology needed for the camps.

The middle school camps are scheduled June 7-11 and June 14-18. Optional Zoom instruction is from 1 to 3 p.m. Go to https://c-stem.ucdavis.edu/girl/girl-camp/2021-2/ for more information.

Source: Free STEM camps open to Solano middle, high school girls

Solano students receive Travis Credit scholarships – Daily Republic

Mariah Levy, a senior at Vanden High School, and Shelbri Gates, a senior at Mare Island Technology Academy, have received the first-ever Travis Credit Union Foundation scholarship.

The $500 awards were “developed to motivate and support college-aged youth from underserved communities to pursue post-secondary educational opportunities,” according to a statement released by the credit union.

The scholarships were announced during the annual Life after High School event, hosted in partnership with the Solano County Office of Education.

Source: Solano students receive Travis Credit scholarships

Virtual Academy of Fairfield Suisun Offers Innovative K-8 Learning Opportunities – Daily Republic

By Kris Corey

In April of 2020, the Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District took the bold step to open a K-8 virtual school for families who wanted to ensure their children had a consistent online learning opportunity due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In recent years, the District had discussed an interest in opening an online school. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the timeline for creating a Virtual Academy was accelerated to address the needs of many FSUSD families.

The Virtual Academy of Fairfield-Suisun provides an option for students in grades kindergarten through eighth grade to receive instruction through an online learning format. The Virtual Academy is a high quality educational option for Fairfield-Suisun families. Students take ownership of their learning as they master academic content standards and meet personal goals. Students and families are encouraged to attend the fun and engaging Virtual social engagement opportunities scheduled each month.

Source: Press Release: Virtual Academy of Fairfield Suisun Offers Innovative K-8 Learning Opportunities

Benicia High club creates video to help peers deal with Covid-19 stress – Daily Republic

The Benicia High School Youth Advocacy Club made a video presentation at the recent statewide Virtual Youth Summit as a resource to help peers cope with the stresses of Covid-19 and distance learning.

“The result is a video and presentation on Brain Dance, a full body-brain exercise that reduces stress, increases levels of the feel-good hormone serotonin, and helps develop new neural connections,” according to a statement released by the Solano County Office of Education.

“We created brain dance to give young developing minds a way to grow,” sophomore club member Lillian Theis said in the statement. “We thought making a video would be a fun and beneficial way to reach younger audiences.”

Source: Benicia High club creates video to help peers deal with Covid-19 stress

Cooper Elementary student leads virtual pledge in video series – The Reporter

By Nick Sestanovich

Schools in Vacaville may have moved to virtual learning because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the tradition of placing one’s right hand upon their hearts and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance has continued.

At Cooper Elementary School, one student has led the pledge through a series of videos, all filmed in front of flags in different locations.

Fifth-grader Keegan Pierce has been filmed leading the pledge in areas ranging from the Vacaville Police Department to Disneyland. The videos started off each school day for the student body, just as the pledge would during a typical in-person school day.

Source: Cooper Elementary student leads virtual pledge in video series – The Reporter

Thousands of Devices Available for Schools – Year 2020 (CA Dept of Education)

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond announced Wednesday that the California Department of Education (CDE) has worked closely with technology companies to make available more than 500,000 more computing devices for California students in need.

“We cannot stop until we know we have leveled the playing field for every student in California by connecting them to the technology they need to succeed now, and in the years ahead,” Thurmond said. “At a time when there is a worldwide shortage of devices, I want to thank these companies for prioritizing California students, and I am proud that we have been able to work together to give school districts a unique chance to equip every student in need with a computing device.”

Thousands of devices will be made available within weeks as many schools either continue distance learning or transition to hybrid models that require some remote instruction.

Source: Thousands of Devices Available for Schools – Year 2020 (CA Dept of Education)

Imagine That! program provides learning, socialization – Daily Republic

By Amy Maginnis-Honey

Imagine That!, a science, technology, engineering, arts and math museum for children of all ages, has turned its main exhibit area into a classroom hosting 30 kindergartners through sixth-graders.

The desks are separated by 6 feet, temperatures are checked daily and all wear a mask.

When it’s time for recess, the children are welcome to explore some of the exhibits and take a spin on The Spinner, which is comparable to having your own merry-go-round.

Source: Imagine That! program provides learning, socialization

DUSD Important Notice On Computer Distribution Change To Schedule | Dixon, CA Patch

Computer distribution days and times have been changed from what was announced on Friday. Please use the information below:

Wednesday, August 19th, 11:30 A.M. to 7:30 P.M.

Thursday, August 20th, 7:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.

Distribution will still happen at Dixon High School. Due to the high temperatures, devices will be handed out in the Gym to provide our staff with a safe place to work. Park on the front of campus to get closest to the entrance.

Source: Dixon Unified School District Important Notice On Computer Distribution Change To Schedule | Dixon, CA Patch

Webchats to help Solano teens with Covid-19 stresses – Daily Republic

By Daily Republic Staff

A series of Monday webchats to help teens and young adults to cope with the stresses of Covid-19 has been extended through June.

The Mental Health Mondays webchats will be facilitated by Student Wellness Specialists from Solano County Office of Education Student and Program Support Department.

“In the wake of the Covid-19 worldwide pandemic, our young people are facing unprecedented challenges and stresses that can have a lasting impact on their overall well-being,” Solano County Superintendent of Schools Lisette Estrella-Henderson said in a statement. “I am inspired by SCOE staff’s commitment, cooperation and collaboration to use technology to problem-solve and place priority on our students.”

Source: Webchats to help Solano teens with Covid-19 stresses

Solano Youth Invited To ‘Mental Health Mondays’ Zoom Webchats | Benicia, CA Patch

By Maggie Fusek

Solano County youth 14 to 21 years old are invited to participate in an upcoming series of free mental health webchats held through Zoom. Mental Health Mondays Webchats are facilitated by student wellness specialists from Solano County Office of Education’s Student and Program Support Department, giving youth a safe space to ask questions and exchange information with their peers about mental health.

Last month, SCOE’s Youth Development Department hosted the “Coping with COVID” webchat series for youth on a wide range of topics including: mental health, stress and anxiety management, mindfulness, and routine and schedules. The series, particularly Mental Health Mondays, was successful and received positive feedback, and is now extended through June.

Source: Solano Youth Invited To ‘Mental Health Mondays’ Zoom Webchats | Benicia, CA Patch

California needs $500 million to buy enough computers, internet connections for all students – Times-Herald

By Diana Lambert

California needs at least $500 million to address the immediate need for home computers and internet access for K-12 students, as most schools are expected to continue at least some distance learning next school year, said Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond during a press conference Wednesday.

Thurmond called on companies, foundations and individual donors to help provide the 600,000 computers and tablets, and 300,000 to 400,000 internet connections or hot spots needed for distance learning after campuses closed in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

The department has been working with companies like T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless, Amazon and others and has distributed 100,000 hot spots to students and 21,000 computers to districts.

Source: California needs $500 million to buy enough computers, internet connections for all students – Times-Herald

SSPI Works Toward Internet Access for Students – Year 2020 (CA Dept of Education)

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond and state leaders serving on the Closing the Digital Divide Task Force continued their work today on behalf of California’s most vulnerable students and families who continue to experience barriers to internet access despite calls for providers to expand their services.

During the task force’s latest hearing, Thurmond and members heard testimony from advocates for students living in urban and rural areas, who described continued inequities that stand to put California’s most at-risk learners further behind. During the hearing, representatives from internet service providers were asked to respond to concerns raised, including limited or no service in specific zip codes, “free” internet offers that require costly long-term contracts, mandatory deposits, and other constraints to access.

Source: SSPI Works Toward Internet Access for Students – Year 2020 (CA Dept of Education)

Imagine Learning Recognizes Top Schools for Exemplary Usage of Digital Programs – Cision PR

Imagine Learning, a Weld North Education company and leading educational technology developer of supplemental adaptive curriculum for PreK through eighth-grade students, today announce the winners of the 2019-2020 Imagine Nation Awards. The awards are part of the esteemed Imagine Learning motivational program igniting engagement and amplifying confidence for all learners.

Today, we congratulate 231 schools and students from across the country for their exceptional use of Imagine Learning programs: Imagine Language & Literacy, Imagine Math 3+, Imagine Math PreK-2, Imagine Math Facts, and Imagine Español. Over 16,000 schools implementing the evidence-based programs were eligible for the Imagine National School of Excellence Award and/or the Imagine Nation Beacon School Award.

Source: Imagine Learning Recognizes Top Schools for Exemplary Usage of Digital Programs

Task Force Calls for Free Internet for Students – Year 2020 (CA Dept of Education)

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond announced today that his Closing the Digital Divide Task Force is asking the leaders of major internet service providers to provide free guest access to all of California’s students. Executives from these companies will be asked to speak to their commitment to the state’s most vulnerable students and families at the next task force meeting on Monday, May 4 at 4 p.m., which will be streamed live online.

Superintendent Thurmond created the task force, co-chaired by Senator Connie M. Leyva (D-Chino), to help close the technological gaps that put millions of students—including those living in remote, rural areas and students living in poverty—at a further academic disadvantage. Executives from all major service providers, including AT&T, Charter Communications, Comcast, Cox Communications, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon, have been invited to the meeting, which will be livestreamed on the CDE Facebook page.

Source: Task Force Calls for Free Internet for Students – Year 2020 (CA Dept of Education)

Benicia students, teachers work to bridge ‘digital divide’ – Benicia Herald

By Emma GoularteEvery student has different home lives and it is unrealistic to believe that all students will have the same opportunities as others. Some people live in different places and some have limited access to what they need. It is inequitable to expect that everyone has the same circumstances.

“Learning online has decreased my actual understanding of many school topics,” said Benicia High School (BHS) senior Jett Walker. “In order to fully comprehend topics to their full extents, I need to really get involved in person. Online schooling does offer this to a certain extent, but it lacks the actual ability of becoming fully engaged in certain topics.”

Source: Benicia students, teachers work to bridge ‘digital divide’

Solano conservation district offers online education material – Daily Republic

By Daily Republic Staff

The Solano Resource Conservation District on May 6 will launch its “Watershed Wednesdays” online education program and will provide free material to teachers and caregivers for use in their online school lessons.

The material features district educators exploring “nature as they shelter at home, virtual classroom visits, worksheets and links to other meaningful activities,” the district announced in a statement.

“We’re very excited that we can continue supporting Solano County’s students and families during this difficult time. Fortunately, nature is around us no matter where we are, so we are highlighting that in our distance learning program and encouraging students to still be nature scientists at home,” Allison Martin, Solano Resource Conservation District Education Program manager, said in the statement. “We also hope that schools will use some of our printable resources to help those who may not have regular access to a computer.”

Source: Solano conservation district offers online education material