Summer at City Hall internship returns for Vacaville area high school students – The Vacaville Reporter

Summer at City Hall is back.

High school students interested in learning about local government are encouraged to apply for a four-week internship with the City of Vacaville.

The deadline to apply is March 26 and the program is open to Vacaville youth who will be juniors or seniors in the Vacaville or Travis Unified School Districts in the fall of 2023.

Interns will attend a class about local government and participate in an internship with the City of Vacaville or the Vacaville Unified School District. Students will focus on skill development, civic engagement, and local government.

Source: Summer at City Hall internship returns for Vacaville area high school students – The Vacaville Reporter

Vacaville Rotary Club awarding scholarships for high school seniors – The Vacaville Reporter

The Vacaville Rotary Club is in search of deserving students seeking scholarships to use toward college education-related costs.

The Vacaville Rotary is looking for the next generation of leaders who want to honor those high-achieving students who go beyond their regular class work and have demonstrated a passion for service above self. 20 scholarships will be awarded in the amounts of $500 to $4,000 each totaling 28k.

High School Seniors in the Vacaville Unified and Travis Unified School Districts can pick up an application in their school counseling office or online at www.vacavillerotary.org.

Source: Vacaville Rotary Club awarding scholarships for high school seniors – The Vacaville Reporter

Travis school board OKs advance of $5.7M to cover bridge loan option – Daily Republic

By Susan Hiland

Travis School District trustees approved a request Tuesday at the Solano County Board of Supervisors meeting to authorize the county treasurer to transfer approximately $5.7 million in one or more loans to the school district.

Gabe Moulaison, chief business officer, gave made the presentation to the board.

“Every year we have to pass this resolution,” he said. “We have plenty of reserves but we are asking for this in case later in the year that is not the case.”

Source: Travis school board OKs advance of $5.7M to cover bridge loan option

Travis teachers, district start negotiations for coming school year – Daily Republic

By Susan Hiland

Contract negotiations between the Travis School District and its teachers got started – officially – Tuesday as trustees approved a request to accept the Travis Unified Teachers’ Association initial proposal for items to consider for the 2023-2024 school year, then forwarded their own objectives.

Negotiations cover salary and benefits along with elementary preparation/planning, common planning days and adjunct duty. Travis trustees also heard about proposed changes related to teacher prep time, physical education class sizes, and cost-of-living levels and medical benefits.

Source: Travis teachers, district start negotiations for coming school year

Leadership opportunity for Vacaville youth – The Vacaville Reporter

Are you a Vacaville high schooler interested in learning about government?

Check out the Annual Summer at City Hall program in Vacaville.

This 4-week program — a partnership with the city of Vacaville, Vacaville Unified School District and Travis Unified School District — is open to Vacaville youth who will be juniors or seniors this fall.

Youth will participate in a class focused on skill development, civic engagement and local government. Students will also have an opportunity to intern with the city of Vacaville or Vacaville Unified School District.

Source: Leadership opportunity for Vacaville youth – The Vacaville Reporter

Travis school board to consider teachers’ association negotiations – Daily Republic

Travis School District trustees will give the public a chance Tuesday to comment on the initial proposal for the Travis Unified Teachers’ Association contract for 2023-2024. The board is then scheduled to vote on the proposal.

Negotiations cover salary and benefits along with elementary preparation/planning, common planning days and adjunct duty.

The district proposes to explore current needs related to elementary preparation and common planning time, and to negotiate necessary amendments, according to a staff report. The district also proposes to explore new and different options relative to adjunct duty time and to negotiate necessary amendments in order to serve the best interests of students and operational needs.

Source: Travis school board to consider teachers’ association negotiations

Trustees to ask county for $5.7M bridge loan to cover Travis School District expenses – Daily Republic

Travis School District trustees are scheduled to consider a request Tuesday of the Solano County Board of Supervisors to authorize the county treasurer to transfer approximately $5.7 million in one or more loans to the school district.

The loans would cover what the staff report describes as one or more cash shortages caused by delays in payments from the state.

The amount is less than or equal to the 85% of fiscal year 2023-24 anticipated property tax revenues for the district, as estimated by the Solano County auditor, according to a staff report.

Source: Trustees to ask county for $5.7M bridge loan to cover Travis School District expenses

Job fair sheds light on vacancies in Solano school districts – Daily Republic

By Susan Hiland

Schools across the area are looking to fill multiple types of position, so the Solano County Office of Education hosted a job fair Saturday for people to seek jobs in a single setting.

“This is targeting the communities in Solano County,” said Mike Minahen, associate superintendent of Human Resources. “The goal for today is to provide an opportunity to recruit locally.”

Nearly all school districts in Solano County came out on a rainy Saturday.

Source: Job fair sheds light on vacancies in Solano school districts

Nominations open to recognize those who help students with disabilities – Daily Republic

Nominations are being accepted for the 17th annual Community Advisory Committee Recognition Awards for those who go above and beyond in the service of students with disabilities.

The CAC Awards are presented to educators, youth and community members for outstanding service who go above and beyond in service of students with disabilities.

Award recipients are from each school district within the Solano County Special Education Local Plan Area: Benicia, Dixon, Fairfield-Suisun, Travis and Vacaville, as well as the Solano County Office of Education.

Source: Nominations open to recognize those who help students with disabilities

Travis school board set to start recording, streaming meetings – Daily Republic

By Susan Hiland

Travis School District trustees will soon move into the computer age with a live streaming of meetings.

The board on Tuesday approved the purchase of cameras and equipment to begin live streaming the meetings.

Superintendent Pam Conklin reported the board had expressed an interested in getting information on how much it would cost to live stream the meetings.

Source: Travis school board set to start recording, streaming meetings

Talented teen soloists showcased in Solano Symphony concert – The Vacaville Reporter

By Richard Bammer

“Music is the language of the spirit” it’s been famously said, but it also will be spirited music when longtime Solano Symphony conductor Semyon Lohss and the orchestra accompany three teenage musicians during the annual Salute to Youth concert in Vacaville on Sunday.

The music, to be performed by winners of the 2022 Young Artists Competition, other student musicians and the orchestra, begins at 3 p.m. in the Vacaville Performing Arts Theatre, 1010 Ulatis Drive.

In a press statement, symphony Board President Melinda Ellis said the trio of winners are active music students at Davis Senior High School in Davis.

Source: Talented teen soloists showcased in Solano Symphony concert – The Vacaville Reporter

Vanden Academic Decathlon winners: ‘High-caliber kids,’ adviser says – The Vacaville Reporter

By Richard Bammer

Call them intellectual champions.

The eight-member Vanden High Academic Decathlon team triumphed Sunday at the North Bay region competition, besting 16 other Bay Area teams.

With a first-place finish, the Travis Unified students have been invited to go on to another test of wits, memory and know-how by representing Solano County at the state competition March 24 to 26 in Santa Clara.

Their latest winning performance at Solano Community College in Fairfield was a no-surprise effort. After all, Vanden squads have won the county competition 22 times in as many years and the California championship during three of those years.

Source: Vanden Academic Decathlon winners: ‘High-caliber kids,’ adviser says – The Vacaville Reporter

Vanden whiz kids triumph at Academic Decathlon for North Bay region – The Vacaville Reporter

By Richard Bammer

Student scholars at Fairfield’s Vanden High walked away Sunday with bragging rights and medals around their necks for their triumph at the Academic Decathlon for the North Bay region.

Winning first place overall, the Travis Unified students have been invited to go on to compete and represent Solano County at the state competition. Campolindo High School took second and also can proceed to represent Contra Costa County at state. Third place was awarded to Basis Independent Silicon Valley Charter from Santa Clara County.

Source: Vanden whiz kids triumph at Academic Decathlon for North Bay region – The Vacaville Reporter

Vanden High School takes first at North Bay Academic Decathlon, heads to state – Daily Republic

By Susan Hiland

Vanden High School took first place Saturday overall in the North Bay Region Academic Decathlon.

The team is invited to go on to compete and represent Solano County at the state competition.

Also going to the state competition is Campolindo High School, whose team took second overall. They will represent Contra Costa County at state. Third place was awarded to Basis Independent Silicon Valley Charter from Santa Clara County.

Source: Vanden High School takes first at North Bay Academic Decathlon, heads to state

Travis trustees hear high, low points of student progress, well-being – Daily Republic

By Susan Hiland

Trustees of the Travis School district last week received information about how students are faring both academically and socially, along with an update of what the district is doing to help both students and their parents.

Sue Brothers, assistant superintendent of Educational Studies, presented an update Tuesday on the midyear Local Control and Accountability Plan.

Brothers covered student performance and district progress on both school board goals and state-mandated Local Control and Accountability Plan goals in the areas of basic services, family involvement, student social-emotional wellness and academic achievement.

Source: Travis trustees hear high, low points of student progress, well-being

Travis board backs changes to graduation requirements – Daily Republic

By Susan Hiland

Travis School District trustees on Tuesday approved a change in the graduation requirements starting with the Class of 2024.

Specifically, the governing board removed the health course graduation requirement.

The reason the district was considering this change is because many students and families have stated the students wanted to take additional electives courses but the schedule didn’t allow for it, according to a staff report.

Tiffany Benson the director of Curriculum and Instruction, gave part of the presentation.

Source: Travis board backs changes to graduation requirements

Travis school board considers change to graduation requirements – Daily Republic

By Susan Hiland

The Travis School District is looking to make a change to graduation requirements starting with the Class of 2024.

Specifically, the governing board on Tuesday will consider removing the health course graduation requirement.

The reason the district is considering this change is because many students and families have stated the students wanted to take additional electives courses but the schedule didn’t allow for it, according to a staff report. Removing this requirement will offer an opportunity for 11th grade students to take an additional class, including advanced studies and courses for remediation.

Source: Travis school board considers change to graduation requirements

New Travis trustees question board handbook restrictions – Daily Republic

By Susan Hiland

Two new trustees at the Travis School District wasted little time Tuesday in placing their stamp on how the district is governed by questioning what could have been routine approval of the board’s Governance Handbook.

Matthew Bidou, who won his seat in the Nov. 8 election and was sworn into office Tuesday, questioned several parts of the handbook and wanted to discuss them further at a special study session meeting before he felt comfortable signing off on document.

Source: New Travis trustees question board handbook restrictions

Travis school board considers course changes, meeting dates for coming year – Daily Republic

By Susan Hiland

Travis School District trustees will likely see some changes in the new year.

The board at Tuesday’s meeting will select a president, vice president and clerk. Trustees will also will select representatives to the Solano County School Boards Association and the Travis Regional Armed Forces Committee.

Superintendent Pam Conklin will serve as board secretary.

The changes will take effect immediately after the election.

Source: Travis school board considers course changes, meeting dates for coming year

Vanden students get visit from Army medical commander – The Vacaville Reporter

By Nick Sestanovich

Vanden High School’s location just 2 miles from Travis Air Force Base and within a district largely comprised of military families means it is far from uncommon for students to consider military careers after graduation.

As medical science and Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) students learned Monday, there are many jobs available, even for those who are just looking into the medical field. That lesson came courtesy of Maj. Gen. Michael Talley, commanding general and commandant of the U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence in San Antonio — and a former Vanden student himself.

Talley talked to students in the school’s library about his time at Vanden, the path that took him to his current role and the different types of medical jobs available within the military.

Source: Vanden students get visit from Army medical commander – The Vacaville Reporter