Category Archives: Vacaville Unified School District

Graduation season is upon us – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Kimberly K. Fu

Warming temperatures signal the onslaught of summer and, just before that, the milestone of high school graduations.

Congratulations to outgoing seniors. We at The Reporter wish you the very brightest of futures.

Following is a partial list of northern Solano graduations. They include:

  • Wednesday, 6 p.m.: Maine Prairie, at Dixon High Theater
  • Thursday, 7 p.m.: Vacaville Christian Schools, at Falcon Field
  • Friday, 3 p.m.: Travis Education Center, at Gammon Stadium
  • Saturday, 9 a.m.: Dixon High, at Rams Stadium
  • Saturday, 10 a.m.: Vanden High, at Gammon Stadium
  • June 7, 6:30 p.m.: Muzetta Thrower AEC, at Wildcat Stadium
  • June 8, 6:30 p.m.: Ernest Kimme, at Wildcat Stadium
  • June 9 at 10 a.m.: Buckingham Collegiate Charter Academy, at Zunino Stadium
  • June 9 at 6:30 p.m.: Will C. Wood High, at Wildcat Stadium
  • June 10, 9 a.m.: Vaca High, at Zunino Stadium

Vacaville Unified School District will be livestreaming the graduations of Will C. Wood High, Buckingham Collegiate Charter Academy, Vaca High, Muzetta Thrower Adult Education Center and Ernest Kimme Charter Academy on both YouTube and Facebook.

Source: Graduation season is upon us – The Vacaville Reporter

County will conduct special election for Vacaville school district – Daily Republic

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The Solano County supervisors on Tuesday authorized the registrar of voters to run a special election for the Trustee Area 4 seat on the Vacaville Unified School District board.

The school board had appointed David McCallum to replace Cecil Conley, who resigned, but a protest petition was filed with the Solano County Office of Education to force the special election.

Among the issues are parental concerns about the district developing what they believe is a critical race theory or equity policy without public input.

Source: County will conduct special election for Vacaville school district

22nd Annual EYE Light Student Film Festival shows off local talent – Daily Republic

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The 22nd Annual EYE Light Student Film Festival will give students a chance to show off their film talent next week.

The event will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, May 25, at Rodriguez High School, 5000 Red Top Road in Fairfield.

The EYE Light Festival was started by Buckingham Charter Magnet High School using 35mm film. It grew to become an internationally recognized festival. This year it is sponsored by Rodriguez High.

Source: 22nd Annual EYE Light Student Film Festival shows off local talent

VUSD petition drive leads to September special election in Trustee Area 4 – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

It is definitely an off-year election year, but some Vacaville Unified voters in Trustee Area 4 will definitely be going to the polls anyway for a special election in September, marking their ballots to pick a school district governing board member to fill a seat vacated by a petition drive.

John Gardner, Solano County’s assistant registrar of voters, confirmed Wednesday that the election, estimated to cost the district $113,000, will be held on Sept. 12 in the mostly rural north Vacaville trustee area.

In a brief interview in his County Government Center office in Fairfield, Gardner said he received the election petition on May 5 from Solano County Office of Education officials, then ROV employees reviewed and validated petition signatures, and, on May 11, reported back to the SCOE. On Tuesday, officials there sent a formal letter to Gardner with the election date.

Source: VUSD petition drive leads to September special election in Trustee Area 4 – The Vacaville Reporter

Kairos Public Schools earns civics honorable mention – Daily Republic

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Kairos Public Schools received an honorable mention for the California Civic Learning Award, making it one of 18 schools in the state to receive this prestigious recognition.

The California Civic Learning Award is given to schools that demonstrate excellence in civic education and engagement, and Kairos was recognized for “its commitment to preparing its students to be informed, engaged, and responsible citizens,” the school said in a statement.

“We are thrilled to receive this recognition from the California Department of Education,” Jared Austin, co-founder and executive director of Kairos, said in the statement. “At Kairos, we are dedicated to ensuring that our students have the knowledge, skills, and civic dispositions to be active and engaged members of their communities. This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our teachers, staff, and students.”

Source: Good News: Kairos Public Schools earns civics honorable mention

Vacaville drummer to star in new TV competition show – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Rebecca Wasik

When she was 4 years old, Santa Claus brought Molly Rose Hendricksen a plastic toy drum set for Christmas. When she was 9, she asked for a real drum set for her birthday.

Vacaville born and raised, Molly Rose has now made it all the way to the small screen. The professional drummer will be starring in “Banded: The Musician Competition,” set to air May 13 on AXS TV.

Once she received her real drum set, Molly Rose was determined to learn the rudiments of drumming.

“She would sit for hours at her First Acts drum set in front of a portable DVD player, wearing her dad’s military headset learning the rudiments,” said Althea Taschioglou Hendricksen, Molly Rose’s mother and “momager”. “It was amazing to watch her learn. She had no other guidance at that point, but a lot of dedication.”

Source: Vacaville drummer to star in new TV competition show – The Vacaville Reporter

Wood students revamp Becca & Ben’s Closet for “Legacy Project” – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Rebecca Wasik

Leaving behind a legacy is an important part of being on Will C. Wood High School’s Student Council.

This year five council members have made it the mission of their Legacy Project to revamp the school’s prom dress donation program called Becca & Ben’s Closet.

What sets this program apart from others is how much effort these students — Mia Langthaler, Lilly Deal, Kyra Petrov, Tiffany Romero and Emmanuel Morando, all of them juniors — have put in to create a true shopping experience.

Source: Wood students revamp Becca & Ben’s Closet for “Legacy Project” – The Vacaville Reporter

Gain awareness of and celebrate the special needs community – The Vacaville Reporter

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Vacaville’s Third Annual Be You! Event for Special Needs Awareness is 1-4 p.m. Sunday at Play 4 All Park on Elmira Road.

Learn about local and regional resources for the special needs community, play games, join the parade and hear some special guest speakers.

The event is hosted by Vacaville People’s Forum, Vacaville City Councilman Mike Silva, SODA- Social Opportunities for Disabled Adults, and Found It Peer Support & Social Group.

Source: Gain awareness of and celebrate the special needs community – The Vacaville Reporter

Vacaville Unified Schools to livestream graduations this year – Daily Republic

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The Vacaville Unified School District will be live streaming the graduations for the Class of 2023 this year.

Families and friends of graduates from Buckingham Collegiate Charter Academy, Will C. Wood High School, Vacaville High School, Kimme Charter Academy/WRAP and Muzetta Thrower Adult Education Center will be able to watch the ceremonies from their homes, even if they are unable to attend in person.

Source: Vacaville Unified Schools to livestream graduations this year

Vacaville Unified’s credit rating upgraded to ‘AA’ by Fitch Ratings – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Rebecca Wasik

The Vacaville Unified School District’s credit rating has been upgraded by Fitch Ratings from ‘AA-‘ to ‘AA’.

Fitch Ratings, a credit rating agency, upgraded VUSD’s Issuer Default Rating (IDR) based on the district’s strong financial performance, careful money management and a solid local economy.

“We enjoyed working through the process with Fitch Ratings to receive this upgraded rating, which is a result of our district’s responsible financial management and commitment to fiscal sustainability,” said VUSD Assistant Superintendent of Business & Administrative Services Kelly Burks in a press statement. “This rating demonstrates our credit worthiness and ability to repay debt as a district, as well as the stability within the Vacaville community.”

Source: Vacaville Unified’s credit rating upgraded to ‘AA’ by Fitch Ratings – The Vacaville Reporter

VUSD teams up with SCC to offer biotech courses for high schoolers – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

Analytical thinking skills. Knowledge of biology. Being thorough and detail-oriented. The ability to work on your own and with others. Good verbal communication skills. Knowledge of mathematics. Knowledge of chemistry, including the safe use and disposal of chemicals.

Those are among the key skills a biotechnologist should have.

Students at Vacaville and Wood high schools will have a chance to learn and retain such skills in the coming year on their respective campuses if they enroll in a dual option that is a newly announced partnership between Vacaville Unified and Solano Community College.

Source: VUSD teams up with SCC to offer biotech courses for high schoolers – The Vacaville Reporter

Buckingham Collegiate Charter Academy celebrates new multi-purpose room with Ribbon Cutting – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Rebecca Wasik

Buckingham Collegiate Charter Academy’s new campus on McClellan Street in Vacaville is finally complete.

The Knights celebrated the completion of their new multi-purpose room with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday morning. Students, staff and members of the community were invited to see the new multi-purpose space and enjoy breakfast from the multi-purpose room’s kitchen. The completion of the campus was made possible through Measure A, which was passed in 2014.

The new multi-purpose room can be used for sports, cooking and as a cafeteria. It also includes a stage for assemblies or performances.

Source: Buckingham Collegiate Charter Academy celebrates new multi-purpose room with Ribbon Cutting – The Vacaville Reporter

Markham Elementary’s She-Wolves Program welcomes guest speakers – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Rebecca Wasik

A Travis Air Force Base airman, a lawyer and a school psychologist walk into a classroom. What do they all have in common? They are all strong women who have found success in their career paths.

These three women were invited to Markham Elementary School in Vacaville Wednesday by Assistant Principal Becky Schlafer to speak to the school’s She-Wolves program. The goal? To inspire the young, female She-wolf students to take any career path their hearts desire.

The She-Wolves filed into the classroom with their lunches of macaroni and cheese and an apple on the side and chose a desk. Many smiled at the airman standing at the front of the classroom, said hello, and thanked her for her service.

Source: Markham Elementary’s She-Wolves Program welcomes guest speakers – The Vacaville Reporter

Notre Dame School students sweep the Vacaville Citywide Spelling Bee – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Rebecca Wasik

V-I-C-T-O-R-I-O-U-S.

Two students from Notre Dame K-8 School in Vacaville secured wins in the elementary and junior high school divisions of the Grace B. Powell Citywide Spelling Bee on Wednesday at Will C. Wood High School’s Catwalk Theater.

The champion of the elementary school division is sixth-grader Luke Bantique. The winner of the junior high division is seventh-grader Margrethe Lim.

Source: Notre Dame School students sweep the Vacaville Citywide Spelling Bee – The Vacaville Reporter

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

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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

Getting a jump on college – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

Vacaville High seniors on a rainy Tuesday afternoon crowded into a Solano Community College classroom in the Student Services building, their minds, eyes, and ears focused on learning what the two-year school was all about and had to offer, hoping to get a jump start on admissions.

Jumpstart was an apt word for the gathering, as it is the name of a Vacaville Unified program newly rolled out and called JumpStart Solano, which district officials describe as a “success program” designed to help and prepare Vacaville and Wood high school seniors to make a seamless transition from their respective schools to SCC.

Source: Getting a jump on college – The Vacaville Reporter

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

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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

Buckingham Collegiate Charter Academy students partner with Recology for breast cancer fundraiser – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Rebecca Wasik

National Honor Society students at Buckingham Collegiate Charter Academy in Vacaville are making a difference when it comes to breast cancer awareness.

Recology Vacaville Solano currently leases out pink trash totes for $200 a year, with all funds supporting the Solano Midnight Sun Breast Cancer Foundation. These pink totes replace the traditional gray trash totes that are standard for residents. The totes are vibrant pink to show support to those in the community who may be suffering from or are survivors of breast cancer.

Source: Buckingham Collegiate Charter Academy students partner with Recology for breast cancer fundraiser – The Vacaville Reporter

What’s in a name? Honor for a retired longtime Vacaville educator – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

Before Vacaville Unified leaders opened a new school in her honor, she recalled “a wonderful career that I would do again in a heartbeat.”

“It was my calling and I loved going to work every day,” said Shelley Dally in a brief email just hours in advance of the Wednesday dedication of the Shelley Dally Early Learning Village at 621 S. Orchard, the former home of the Bethany Lutheran School, across the street from Alamo Elementary.

And moments before she grasped the obligatory oversized scissors to cut the white ribbon emblazoned with VUSD lettering, Dally, a former district trustee serving for 10 years, reflected on the event’s meaning, saying the district’s newest campus is a place “where from the very beginning of a student’s education, they can come to a place that is based not only on giving them a great start in life but on equity,” a school where special-needs students “are included from Day 1 with general education students.”

Source: What’s in a name? Honor for a retired longtime Vacaville educator – The Vacaville Reporter

Vacaville is “building a foundation for a vibrant tomorrow” – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Kimberly K. Fu

The COVID-19 pandemic and its impacts wrought much change in Vacaville, as well as reflection.

As Mayor John Carli eloquently explained Wednesday during the State of the City address: “It was a time of renaissance. … But this year is really about building a foundation for a vibrant tomorrow.”

The address was the highlight of the Movers and Shakers Breakfast Summit hosted by the Vacaville Chamber of Commerce at the Vacaville Opera House.

Source: Vacaville is “building a foundation for a vibrant tomorrow” – The Vacaville Reporter