2024 Middle Schools to Watch – Year 2024 (CA Dept of Education)

Posted on by

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond has announced that 52 high-performing California middle grades schools have been recognized as California Schools to Watch for 2024. To earn this designation, schools must complete an extensive application and host a site visit by middle grades experts. To retain the designation, each school is reevaluated every three years.

There are 16 new California Schools to Watch this year. An additional 36 schools reapplied to the program, demonstrated their sustained progress, and have been redesignated as 2024 California Schools to Watch. Altogether, there are 200 California Schools to Watch.

Source: 2024 Middle Schools to Watch – Year 2024 (CA Dept of Education)

Celebrating reading, learning and having fun – The Vacaville Reporter

Posted on by

By Richard Bammer

Isabella Bautista, 9, loves to read “Dork Diaries,” a children’s book series.

“It’s about a girl who’s going through life,” said Isabella, referring to the 14-year-old protagonist, Nikki Maxwell, in stories by Rachel Renee Russell, written and illustrated in a diary format and also uses drawings, doodles and comic strips to tell the tale.

Speaking in Megan Coxe’s third-grade classroom on Friday at Callison Elementary, Isabella relished the day, because it was Literacy Character Day, part of National Read Across America Day. Created by the National Education Association, it is a day to encourage children to read and to inspire lifelong learning.

Source: Celebrating reading, learning and having fun – The Vacaville Reporter

Community members come together for a day of reading | dailyrepublic.com

Posted on by

By Susan Hiland

Students at Jean Callison Elementary School were immersed in literacy this week as part of Read Across America.

The big finale on Friday was Literacy Character Day, which was a special event promoting the love of reading and lifelong learning, according to Principal Kacey Ramos.

Each year, National Read Across America Day is celebrated on March 2, the birthday of Dr. Seuss. The annual event is part of Read Across America, an initiative on reading created by the National Education Association.

Source: Community members come together for a day of reading | Education | dailyrepublic.com

BUSD Superintendent thanks voters as Measure C nears official passage – The Vacaville Reporter

Posted on by

By Lynzie Lowe

While Measure C has not yet officially been passed by voters, Benicia Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Damon Wright said the 62.34 percent of tallied votes in favor of the Measure thus far “means everything to our district.”

“I want to thank the residents of Benicia for supporting our schools and investing in our children,” said Wright. “Passing Measure C provides $122.5 million for facility improvements, which will enable the district to address necessary safety repairs and complete much-needed modernization projects.”

As of Friday evening, a total of nine precincts had reported 6,004 in favor of the measure and 2,678 votes against, which has it narrowly cruising to victory with the necessary 55 percent or more of the total votes needed to pass.

Source: Benicia USD Superintendent thanks voters as Measure C nears official passage – The Vacaville Reporter

Budget Center Announces Official Program for Policy Insights Conference – California Budget and Policy Center

Posted on by

By Kyra Moeller

Today, the California Budget & Policy Center announced the official program for its annual conference, Policy Insights, which was announced late last year, and will take place Tuesday, April 16, at the SAFE Credit Union Convention Center.

“With the release of the program, featuring 11 dynamic workshops and plenary sessions, Policy Insights 2024 promises to be an enriching event for California’s public policy community,” said Chris Hoene, executive director at the California Budget & Policy Center. “We encourage all statewide advocates, legislative and government staff, nonprofit organizations, and foundations dedicated to improving public policy to join us as we delve into pressing issues and chart a course towards a more equitable California for all.”

Source: Budget Center Announces Official Program for Policy Insights Conference – California Budget and Policy Center

Plans underway for hiring new Conklin replacement | dailyrepublic.com

Posted on by

By Susan Hiland

It’s full-steam-ahead in the search to replace Travis Unified School District Superintendent Pam Conklin.

Conklin announced her retirement last month.

At the last meeting, the board hired McPherson & Jacobson, a third-party firm, to facilitate the search to fill the position.

On Tuesday, the board held a special meeting to discuss parameters for the position and a timeline to hire a new person to fill the role of superintendent by the end of April.

Source: Plans underway for hiring new Conklin replacement | Education | dailyrepublic.com

TUSD Ramps Up Search for New Superintendent – BNN

Posted on by

By Nasiru Eneji Abdulrasheed

Fairfield’s Travis Unified School District is in the midst of a significant transition, following Superintendent Pam Conklin’s retirement announcement last month. In response, the board has engaged McPherson & Jacobson, an external firm, to lead the search for a new superintendent, aiming for a candidate to be in place by the end of April.

Source: Travis Unified School District Ramps Up Search for New Superintend…

Community forum aims to link families with child care programs – The Vacaville Reporter

Posted on by

The Solano County Office of Education, with other partners, will host the annual Child Care Planning Council community forum Saturday in the Fairfield Civic Center Library.

The event, 10 a.m. to noon in the 1150 Kentucky St. library, seeks to link Solano families and educators with information about high-quality child care opportunities in Solano County, according to organizers of the gathering, who issued a press statement.

Child care providers, parents, guardians, educators and community members are invited to learn about child care options throughout Solano County, including paid and assisted programs.

Source: Community forum aims to link families with child care programs – The Vacaville Reporter

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

Posted on by

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

Students wanted for annual Kindness Video Contest | dailyrepublic.com

Posted on by

The Solano County District Attorney’s Office is calling on junior high and high school students to create videos for Kindness Campaign 2024.

This is the sixth year for the video contest “showcasing the power of kindness on campus,” the DA’s Office said.

The district attorney “invites students to submit a video between 30 seconds and two minutes in length that expresses what the power of kindness can accomplish in their school community. It asks the question, ‘How can the power of kindness be used in our schools, homes, and communities to make a positive difference?'”

Source: Students wanted for annual Kindness Video Contest | News | dailyrepublic.com

CA schools gained billions during COVID-19 pandemic. Now the money is running out – Times Herald Online

Posted on by

By Carolyn Jones

An end to billions of dollars in federal Covid relief funds, declining enrollment, staff raises, hiring binges and stagnant state funding should combine over the next few months to create steep budget shortfalls, with low-income districts affected the most.

“The fiscal cliff is going to vary,” said Marguerite Roza, director of the Edunomics Lab at Georgetown University. “The districts that got the most Covid relief dollars, those that have the most low-income students, are going to face the biggest losses.”

Source: California schools gained billions during COVID-19 pandemic. Now the money is running out – Times Herald Online

Early election results indicate unofficial passage of Benicia Measures – Times Herald Online

Posted on by

The polls have officially closed in Solano County and election results are slowly coming in. Here are the most recent, and unofficial, results on the measures facing Solano County voters in Tuesday’s California Primary.

Measure A

With eight precincts reporting and 4,152 votes cast as of 10 p.m., the City of Benicia’s proposed hotel tax – known as Transient Occupancy Tax – was rolling to victory with 80.39 percent of the votes.

The tax would raise the transient occupancy tax on hotels and vacation rentals from 9 to 13 percent. This increase is projected to boost annual city revenues by around $250,000, with oversight from a citizens committee.

Source: Early election results indicate unofficial passage of Benicia Measures – Times Herald Online

SPI Announces 2024 Model Continuation High Schools – Year 2024 (CA Dept of Education)

Posted on by

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond announced today that 31 schools throughout the state were recognized as Model Continuation High Schools for 2024. Model Continuation High Schools provide comprehensive services to at-risk youth through the use of exemplary instructional strategies, flexible scheduling, and guidance and counseling services. Continuation schools provide a high school diploma program for students who have not graduated from high school, are required to attend school and are at risk of not completing their education.

“Congratulations to these outstanding schools for their all-around excellence as alternative centers of learning,” said Superintendent Thurmond. “Teachers and administrators at our Model Continuation High Schools work to develop relationships with students to create a positive and personalized learning environment and provide them with opportunities to explore options beyond high school, preparing students for the next chapter in their lives.”

Source: SPI Announces 2024 Model Continuation High Schools – Year 2024 (CA Dept of Education)

Solano’s top spellers crowned at Saturday event | dailyrepublic.com

Posted on by

Holy Spirit sixth-grader Kiaan Kahn on Saturday won the 48th annual Solano County Spelling Bee.

“Her winning word was ‘miscellaneous,'” the Solano County Office of Education reported.

Second place went to fifth-grader Zara Virk from Nelda Mundy Elementary School in the Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District.

Kahn and Virk each received a trophy and will be represent Solano County at the California Spelling Bee Championship held in San Joaquin County on April 27.

Source: Solano’s top spellers crowned at Saturday event | News | dailyrepublic.com

Opportunities continue for Solano Students | dailyrepublic.com

Posted on by

Solano County Office of Education (SCOE) celebrated Career Technical Education (CTE) month by highlighting some of the CTE classes available to high school students in Solano County on social media throughout February.

In 2018, the California legislature introduced the K12 Strong Workforce Program (K12 SWP) funding program. Solano County Office of Education (SCOE) receives SWP funds and supports K–12 local education agencies (LEAs) in creating, strengthening, and expanding career technical education (CTE) courses, course sequences and pathways for high school students.

Source: Good News: Opportunities continue for Solano Students | Education | dailyrepublic.com

Solano County Boosts Career Education, Forges Pathways for High School Success – BNN

Posted on by

Throughout February, the Solano County Office of Education (SCOE) took to social media to celebrate Career Technical Education (CTE) month, showcasing the diverse range of CTE classes available to high school students across Solano County. This initiative aligns with the broader goals set forth by the California legislature’s 2018 K12 Strong Workforce Program (K12 SWP), which aims to enhance, create, and expand CTE courses and pathways. “Supporting career technical education opens doors to explore various careers, develop practical skills, obtain meaningful employment, and secure economic empowerment for students in Solano County,” remarked Solano County Superintendent of Schools Lisette Estrella-Henderson.

Source: Solano County Boosts Career Education, Forges Pathways for High Sc…

Applications for annual Operation Recognition being accepted | dailyrepublic.com

Posted on by

The Solano County Office of Education is again hosting its annual Operation Recognition event which honors United States veterans and interned Japanese Americans who were unable to finish high school due to wartime circumstances.

“For over a decade, SCOE has been honoring local veterans and their families by awarding retroactive high school diplomas. It is important that we commemorate both living and deceased veterans, and it is a privilege to connect with local families and recognize the sacrifices made by their loved ones and our fellow Americans,” Solano County Superintendent of Schools Lisette Estrella-Henderson said in a statement.

Source: Applications for annual Operation Recognition being accepted | News | dailyrepublic.com

Families can apply for high school diplomas for vets who never got one – The Vacaville Reporter

Posted on by

By Richard Bammer

The Solano County Office of Education will host its annual Operation Recognition event in the coming weeks. The ceremony honors veterans and Japanese-Americans who never picked up their high school diploma due to wartime circumstances.

For more than 10 years, the SCOE program has provided eligible veterans with retroactive high school diplomas during a ceremony to celebrate their “graduation” and recognize their sacrifices, Jennifer Leonard, assistant superintendent of communications and community engagement, said in a news release.

Source: Families can apply for high school diplomas for vets who never got one – The Vacaville Reporter

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

Posted on by

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

Board of Education reviews state’s proposed educational budget ahead of fiscal year – The Vacaville Reporter

Posted on by

By Lynzie Lowe

The Solano County Board of Education spent Valentine’s Day educating itself on the state’s recently released proposed 2024-25 budget plans.

Michelle Henson, Deputy Superintendent of Administrative Services and Operations for the Solano County Office of Education, presented information to the board at Wednesday’s meeting on Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposals for the 2024-25 state budget, focusing her presentation on educational funding.

Source: Board of Education reviews state’s proposed educational budget ahead of fiscal year – The Vacaville Reporter