As salary negotiations stall, Vallejo school district and educators enter mediation – Vallejo Sun

By Zack Haber

Vallejo teachers and school staff have declared an impasse over stalled salary negotiations with the school district and rallied for higher pay at a Board of Education meeting last week as the two sides enter mediation in the hope of resolving the stalemate.

The Vallejo City Unified School District has offered Vallejo Education Association (VEA) members, which include over 400 classroom teachers, nurses, counselors and other certified employees, a 4.5% raise. But union members say they need a higher raise to make their jobs more sustainable and to help stop high staff turnover.

Source: As salary negotiations stall, Vallejo school district and educators enter mediation

Vallejo educators to rally for more pay, student success | EdSource

Members of the Vallejo teachers union will be rallying and addressing board members at Thursday night’s regular meeting to push the district to better serve students and increase pay.

After five months of negotiations, the Vallejo Education Association (VEA) and the Vallejo City Unified School District (VCUSD) declared an impasse at the end of February and have a state-appointed mediator, according to the California Teachers Association (CTA). The first mediation will be next week.

Source: Vallejo educators to rally for more pay, student success | EdSource

Black History Month celebrated at Children’s Wonderland in Vallejo – The Vacaville Reporter

By Thomas Gase

NAACP Vallejo branch secretary Lynda Daniels knew she was in the right place Saturday to educate others on Black History. As for the right time, well, she said that’s any time.

“Black History is not just February of every year — it’s 365 days a year and this year it’s 366,” Daniels said. “And that’s 24 hours, seven days a week.”

From noon to 5 p.m. Children’s Wonderland in Vallejo was a hub for education on Black History. More than a dozen vendors showed up to spread awareness as part of the Greater Vallejo Recreation District’s Black History Month “Homecoming” Block Party.

Source: Black History Month celebrated at Children’s Wonderland in Vallejo – The Vacaville Reporter

Bill Dodd seeks to bolster school district fiscal health – Times Herald Online

By Thomas Gase

Senator Bill Dodd, D-Napa, introduced legislation on Wednesday aims to protect the finances of California public schools faced with the challenge of declining enrollment by extending the authority of local school boards to consider the fiscal impact of new charter school applications.

The bill comes with enrollment in California public schools declining over the past two decades because of several factors including a declining birth rate and migration from California. Due to school districts receiving their funding based on the number of students they educate, the loss of students has serious financial effects, which require local leaders to make difficult budget choices, including the closing of schools.

Source: Bill Dodd seeks to bolster school district fiscal health – Times Herald Online

Vallejo school district throws support behind Dodd legislation | dailyrepublic.com

Sen. Bill Dodd has introduced legislation that he said would help protect the finances of public schools with declining enrollment.

Senate Bill 1380, co-sponsored by the California School Boards Association and supported by the Vallejo City Unified School District, would extend the authority of local school boards to consider charter school applications that would negatively impact the districts’ financial stability.

Source: Vallejo school district throws support behind Dodd legislation | News | dailyrepublic.com

Sneak peek given at future Early Learning Center site | dailyrepublic.com

A soft launch was held Friday to introduce about 80 educators, community leaders and others to the future Vallejo Early Learning Center.

“The ELC will provide an age-appropriate, safe-learning environment for children, infants, toddlers, preschoolers, (ages) 0-5, in a location that has age-appropriate, development-appropriate facilities, including bathrooms in each classroom,” Juan Cisneros, executive director of Child Start, said in a statement released on Monday.

The Solano County Board of Supervisors in June purchased the former Beverly Hills Elementary School site from Vallejo City Unified School District for $2.8 million. Additional administrative fees and closing costs added another estimated $7,281. Solano received $1 million in gap funding from the state to go toward the project.

Source: Sneak peek given at future Early Learning Center site | News | dailyrepublic.com

New sports gym opens in Vallejo – Times Herald Online

By Thomas Gase

As Vallejo City Unified School District Superintendent William Spalding addressed the crowd at 501 Starr Ave. on Friday afternoon, he couldn’t help but be in awe of the new hardcourt floor inside the facility. It was shiny and new, without a single scratch.

He wants that appearance to change immediately.

“In my time being around schools, this is as good as it gets,” Spalding said, as laughs and cheers rang out from the audience — many of them local dignitaries. “But we want our kids in here, playing basketball, playing pickleball, whatever they’re doing. As this place gets kind of worn it means that it’s being used well. That’s good for everyone.”

Source: New sports gym opens in Vallejo – Times Herald Online

County approves contract for early learning center renovations | dailyrepublic.com

The Solano County supervisors on Tuesday transferred the former Beverly Hills Elementary School property in Vallejo to Child Start Inc. to be used as an early learning center.

Supervisor Erin Hannigan called it a “proud moment” in the county’s history of supporting children 5 and younger, and Supervisor Monica Brown noted the need for such centers in the county.

“Early education is what the future of society rests on,” Brown said.

Source: County approves contract for early learning center renovations | Company | dailyrepublic.com

William Spalding announces he will be retiring in June – Times Herald Online

By Thomas Gase

Vallejo City Unified School District (VUCSD) Superintendent William Spalding has announced he will be retiring at the end of June.

According to a news release, Spalding will have his last day of his 37-year career on June 30. He’s been at the helm of the VCUSD for three years.

Spalding was not available for comment before the Times-Herald Friday deadline, but in a news release he expressed gratitude for the portion of his career in Vallejo, initially as a vice principal contributing to the establishment of Jesse Bethel High School and most recently as Superintendent.

“My return to the district granted me the privilege to reconnect with a community that holds a special place in my heart,” Spalding shared in the release. “The support and trust extended by the Board of Education have been instrumental in driving positive change and progress.”

Source: William Spalding announces he will be retiring in June – Times Herald Online

Girls on the Run North Bay hosts 5K fundraiser – Napa Valley Register

It was smiles and high-fives as 900 participants ran, walked and skipped during the Girls on the Run Fabulous Fall 5K on Sunday at Mare Island in Vallejo.

Presented by Napa’s Community Projects Inc., the event raised $17,000 for Girls on the Run programs, which inspire girls in grades 3-8 to build their confidence, kindness and decision-making skills.

“This is by far the best ever GOTR 5K,” said “Magical” Michela Ward, a 10-year volunteer life coach at K.I. Jones Elementary School in Fairfield. “Running through the Wendy the Welder space was so empowering.”

Source: Girls on the Run North Bay hosts 5K fundraiser

Solano students, teachers prepare for the ‘big one’ – Times Herald Online

By Thomas Gase

Much of the nation and Solano County were like Bill Haley and the Comets on Thursday morning — ready to shake, rattle and roll.

A day after an earthquake hit Northern California, schools across the nation and in Vallejo prepared to deal with “the big one” by participating in the ShakeOut earthquake drill at 10:19 a.m. Pacific Standard Time.

According to www.shakeout.org, there were more than 56 million people participating in the drill globally. Of those, most came came the United States, with 10 million participants coming from California alone for the drill that began taking place yearly in 2008. Of the 10 million in California, Solano County had 45,938 participants, including 40,188 in K-12 schools and districts as well as another 1,287 in college universities and 579 in childcare and preschools. Non-profit organizations in the county had 1,220 people do the drill.

Source: Solano students, teachers prepare for the ‘big one’ – Times Herald Online

Vallejo shines in annual Glo Run – Times Herald Online

By Thomas Gase

Dalton Melby began running recently in order to join his dad in the fight to lose some weight.

On Saturday night the only thing that Melby lost while running was his competition.

The American Canyon High School senior won the 2023 Vallejo Waterfront Weekend 5K Glo Run — a race for education presented by the Vallejo City Unified School District and Griffin Technology Academies.

Melby won the 5K run with a time of 24 minutes and 13 seconds.Melby, a member of his school’s tennis team, may have to think about another sport after his win.

Source: Vallejo shines in annual Glo Run – Times Herald Online

Vallejo school district rolls out three-year plan to improve low attendance – Vallejo Sun

The Vallejo City Unified School District unveiled a three-year plan to address dismal student attendance rates in Vallejo schools which dropped to dramatic new lows during the COVID-19 pandemic at a district board meeting on Wednesday night.

District Superintendent William Spalding said during the meeting that chronic absenteeism is a major concern for the district not only because it affects student learning outcomes, but because it also figures into the district’s state funding. With chronic absenteeism rates hovering around 50%, that could translate to millions of dollars in lost funding for the district.

Source: Vallejo school district rolls out three-year plan to improve low attendance

School board finds Vallejo charter network fixed issues that threatened status – Vallejo Sun

By Ryan Geller

The Vallejo City Unified School District Board of Education voted unanimously Wednesday to release Griffin Technology Academies from a compliance agreement that required the charter school network to correct safety, maintenance and financial issues after district officials reported that it had sufficiently addressed their concerns.

The vote ended a compliance agreement that required Griffin’s four charter schools to address 19 conditions related to student health and safety, facilities maintenance and financial management that the district alleged were violations of the school’s charter and California law.

Source: School board finds Vallejo charter network fixed issues that threatened status

CC Sabathia makes perfect ‘first’ pitch – Times Herald Online

By Thomas Gase

With the 2023-24 school year in its own first inning of sorts, CC and Amber Sabathia wanted to make the perfect delivery to all Vallejo first-grade students.

Free backpacks and school supplies were given out by the Sabathia PitCCh In Foundation on Thursday morning to every single first grader in Vallejo — a tradition of the Sabathia pair for about two decades. Although the first day of school had come and gone in the Vallejo City Unified School District, many students, teachers and school staff members were happy to have the support from CC and Amber.

Source: CC Sabathia makes perfect ‘first’ pitch – Times Herald Online

Vallejo students learn to fly on first day of instruction – Times Herald Online

By Thomas Gase

Dr. Seuss once wrote, “You’re off to great places. Today is your first day! Your mountain is waiting, so get on your way!”

Monday in Vallejo hundreds of students began a climb up their mountain.

It was the first official day of school Monday in the Vallejo City Unified School District, which meant a time for students to walk excitedly to meet their new classmates, teachers, schedules, books, desks, playground and sometimes even – for kindergartners and high school freshmen – their new schools.

At Elmer Cave Language Academy in Vallejo, it was also a time for parents and guardians to walk their little ones to class for the first time. For Ben and Mary (declined to give last name) that meant walking their daughter Della to her kindergarten class.

Source: Vallejo students learn to fly on first day of instruction – Times Herald Online

Hanif happy to watch students grow – Times Herald Online

ByThomas Gase

There is a flurry of activity on Saturday at City Park in Vallejo and a few hundred people offering a variety of educational services. So for a moment, Watch Me Grow Inc. founder Jameelah Hanif is taking it all in.

“Wow, powerful things happen when you collaborate with others,” she says with a smile wider than the Grand Canyon.

For the third straight year Hanif has helped put together a community resource fair — this year called “Solano Families Thrive”– on the second Saturday of August. The event aims to help kids that will go back to school, which for the Vallejo City Unified School District means this Monday.

Source: Hanif happy to watch students grow – Times Herald Online

Teachers get hands-on training in county’s open spaces | dailyrepublic.com

Twenty-nine teachers joined Solano Resource Conservation District and area experts for a three-day professional development training in Solano County’s open spaces.

The Solano Water Institute gave teachers a local perspective on water and conservation issues that they can bring back to their classrooms. Teachers also had time to share ideas and enjoy the outdoors before kicking off a new school year.

Each day of the training featured hands-on lessons from Project WET, an award-winning environmental education curriculum created by the Water Education Foundation.

Source: Teachers get hands-on training in county’s open spaces | News | dailyrepublic.com

It’s never too late to graduate – Times-Herald

By Jordan Baker

Perseverance was the word of the day for Vallejo High School and John Finney High School 2023 graduates on Monday.

“You’ve shown perseverance,” Vallejo City Unified School District Superintendent William Spalding told the group at a special ceremony for students unable to participate in June’s graduation ceremony because of a lack of credits.

“Maybe not the exact way you planned it, but what you’ve done is very important,” Spalding said. “You’ve gone to finish up the work. You’ve shown the type of perseverance you’ll need your whole life.

Source: It’s never too late to graduate – Times-Herald

Three Vallejo City Unified schools receive notable accreditation distinctions – Times-Herald

By Thomas Gase

Three schools in the Vallejo City Unified School District (VCUSD) earned six-year accreditation status this week –Vallejo Adult School at Al Berenguer Educational Center, as well as Jesse Bethel and Vallejo High Schools. The trio received the status from the Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

The three schools went through a process that included conducting an in-depth self-study, hosting a visit by fellow educators, and engaging all stakeholders in a follow-up process of implementing, monitoring, and refining the resulting schoolwide action plan.

“The six-year accreditation of three of our schools is a testament to our staff and faculty’s continuous work,” Vallejo City Unified School District Superintendent William Spalding said in a news release. “The Vallejo Adult School has remained a stellar resource to Vallejo’s adult community and a pride point of our District. We know there is still work to be done at our high schools to improve, but this is an endorsement of our improvement efforts underway in our schools.”

Source: Three Vallejo City Unified schools receive notable accreditation distinctions – Times-Herald