SCOE Spotlight -Spring 2025

Volume 6 | Issue 2 | SPRING 2025

UPDATES & NEWS FROM SOLANO COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION

@solanocoe

Table of Contents In Solano County, students are shining in many spaces, from red carpets and robotics labs to spelling bees and career forums.

04

GARDEN OF DREAMS Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration.

08

LEARNING THROUGH SERVICE Student projects for Solano County Library and the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery.

10

TALENT TAKES THE STAGE SCOE-chella talent showcase.

12

SOLANO EDUCATORS OF THE YEAR Honoring educators across Solano County.

14

SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON OUR VIPS SCOE’s Red Carpet Film Premiere.

20

PATHWAYS TO POSSIBILITIES Career Technical Education (CTE) Forum.

2

Building Pathways for Passion, Learning, and Connection Letter From the Solano County Superintendent of Schools At Solano County Office of Education (SCOE), we believe that education is more than academics and tests; it’s about sparking curiosity, fueling passions, and opening doors to lifelong learning. In this issue, we are proud to showcase just a few of the many events, activities, and opportunities SCOE helps bring to life for Solano County students.

These aren’t just activities, they are invitations. Invitations for students to explore new interests, to find new ways of expressing themselves, and to build meaningful connections to their community. At SCOE, we are deeply rooted in the belief that strong community connections are key to student success. That’s why we continue to build partnerships with organizations throughout the county, expanding what we can offer to students and families together.

SCOE’s theme this year is Learn, Grow, Thrive. It’s more than a motto, it’s our call to action. SCOE is working to foster a ripple effect that reaches beyond schools, aiming to enhance the quality of life and wellness for students across Solano County.

Because every child means every child, we remain steadfast in our mission to support high-quality instruction, dynamic learning opportunities, and innovative programs for every student, every day.

I hope you enjoy the highlights of our efforts in this issue.

Warmly, Lisette Estrella-Henderson Solano County Superintendent of Schools 3

Solano County Office of Education joined the Vacaville People Forum’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration with an interactive art installation inviting attendees to reflect on their dreams for the future.

SCOE’s “Dream Wall” featured a greenery backdrop where community members of all ages wrote their hopes on colorful tags shaped like flowers. As each dream was added, the wall blossomed into a vibrant display of unity, hope, and shared purpose—honoring Dr. King's enduring legacy one flower at a time.

A Garden of Dreams MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. CELEBRATION

4

view more pics

5

Celebrating Inclusivity BE YOU! EVENT

6

Solano County Office of Education joined the fun at the “Be You!” inclusion and resource fair at Andrews Park in Vacaville, which was a free event hosted by the Vacaville People’s Forum. Focused on celebrating people of all abilities, the fair brought together families, community organizations, and resource providers for a fun day of connection, support, and celebration.

SCOE shared information, connected with families, and showed support for inclusive programs that help every learner feel seen, supported, and empowered. view more pics

7

Learning Through Service FLAG BUNDLING AT SACRAMENTO VALLEY NATIONAL CEMETERY

Young adults from Solano County Office of Education’s Adult Program lent their hands and hearts at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery by volunteering to bundle flags in preparation for Memorial Day. This meaningful service activity allowed students to honor veterans while practicing teamwork, responsibility, and civic engagement. Their contribution supports the cemetery’s annual effort to place 54,000 flags at gravesites, ensuring those who served are remembered with respect and gratitude.

8

Learning Through Service BOOKSHELF PROJECT FOR SOLANO COUNTY LIBRARY

Students in Solano County Office of Education’s Golden Hills construction trades class built sets of custom bookshelves for a special community project at the Solano County Library.

Local students decorated the shelves with their own creative flair, turning each one into a unique expression of art and learning. To make them even more special, students in Golden Hills’ Innovation Lab used laser printers to etch a classic Dr. Seuss quote onto the wood, blending craftsmanship, creativity, and community service.

9

Ta l e n t

10

S h o w c a s e

Talent Takes the Stage, SCOE-chella Style Young adults in Solano County Office of Education’s adult program took center stage at the SCOE-chella Talent Showcase, a lively celebration of creativity, community, and self-expression. Held at Andrews Park in Vacaville, the event gave students the opportunity to perform music, sing, lip sync and dance in front of an enthusiastic audience of peers, staff, community members and families. The showcase highlighted each student’s unique strengths and passions, providing a joyful and supportive space. More than just a performance, SCOE-chella was a celebration of inclusion and empowerment, reminding us all that every student has something special to share.

11

Recognizing Excellence in Education 2025 SOLANO EDUCATORS OF THE YEAR AWARDS

Outstanding educators from across Solano County were honored at the 2025 Educators of the Year celebration. SCOE’s Maricela Schrunk, was named Teacher of the Year, and Anthony Fazzare, a maintenance foreman from Vacaville Unified School District, was named Classified School Employee of the Year.

Students from SCOE’s Solano Youth Coalition shared their perspectives on the positive difference that each individual on a school campus makes for students. In addition, students from the Golden Hills construction trades class made wooden plant boxes for each honoree, and students from Vacaville High School's floral design class made boutonnieres and corsages for the honorees as well.

12

view more pics

13

Shining a Light on Every Unique Star SCOE’S RED CARPET FILM PREMIERE

14

view more pics

SCOE hosted the 5th Annual RedCarpet Film Premiere at the Vacaville Performing Arts Theater, celebrating the creativity and achievements of young filmmakers.

The event showcased short films produced during SCOE's Inclusion Film Camp, a collaboration with the California Department of Rehabilitation, North Bay Regional Center, and Inclusion Films, founded by filmmaker Joey Travolta.

Participants arrived in style, walking the red carpet to the applause of families, educators, fans and the media. The evening highlighted the power of building community around our young people and the importance of providing inclusive opportunities for all students to express themselves and shine.

15

Solano County Office of Education was proud to host the Kids Expo and Kids Races at this year’s Loop the Lagoon Run, Walk, Stroll fundraiser benefiting local schools. The event brought families together for a fun-filled day of movement and community, with young participants enjoying interactive booths, engaging activities, and age-friendly races.

SCOE’s involvement helped create a welcoming space for children to get active, explore, and celebrate the importance of wellness and education.

Little Feet, Big Fun

KIDS EXPO & RACES AT LOOP THE LAGOON

16

view more pics

17

Connecting Students to Science & Stewardship SPINNNING SALMON CITIZEN SCIENCE PROJECT

Students across Solano County recently released juvenile salmon into the Sacramento River, marking the final milestone of SCOE’s Spinning Salmon citizen science research project. This hands-on program engaged students in raising and monitoring salmon from egg to fry, collecting data, and contributing to statewide conservation efforts. The project was funded by a U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) BWET grant and collaborative partnerships between SCOE, NOAA, UC Davis Centers for Watershed Sciences & Community and Citizen Science and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Hands-on science empowers students to connect classroom learning with real-world environmental science and stewardship of land and natural resources.

18

Sparking Curiosity & Innovation SCIENCE & ENGINEERING FAIR

The Solano County Office of Education's 2025 Science and Engineering Fair brought together students from across the county to showcase their innovative projects in science, technology, engineering, and math. Held at McCormack Hall in Vallejo, the event featured student exhibits, hands-on STEAM activities, and an Engineering Challenge, all aimed at inspiring the next generation of problem-solvers and critical thinkers. Top winners earned the opportunity to advance to the California State Science and Engineering Fair.

19

Solano County Office of Education hosted the State of Career Technical Education breakfast, highlighting Solano County’s ongoing commitment to preparing youth for the workforce of today and tomorrow. Attendees heard from educational leaders, industry partners, and students, recognizing collaborations that connect classroom learning with real-world career pathways, from automotive internships to video production and environmental literacy. The event also featured updates on SCOE’s expanding work readiness efforts.

Pathways to Possibilities CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION FORUM

20

view more pics

21

Words that Inspire COUNTYWIDE SPELLING BEE

D-I-M-I-N-U-T-I-O-N was the winning word at the 49th Annual Solano County Elementary Spelling Bee, where 89 students from 42 schools competed. Sadia Hennous (6th grade, Virtual Academy) earned first place, and Kayla Wu (6th grade, Green Valley Middle) placed second.

In the first-ever Middle School Bee, FA-C-T-I-O-U-S clinched the win. Alyssa Wong (7th grade, St. Dominic) took first, and Gwen Sabio (7th grade, Virtual Academy) placed second.

All four students advanced to the state competition.

view more pics

22

Better Together ACADEMIC DECATHLON

This year, 252 students from 16 schools competed in the Bay Region Academic Decathlon, hosted by the Solano County Office of Education at Solano Community College. Across 10 subject areas, students showcased their knowledge, teamwork, and communication skills in a competition often called the “Olympics of the Mind.”

Congratulations to the top teams advancing to the state competition: 1st – Campolindo High School 2nd – American Canyon High School 3rd – BASIS Independent Silicon Valley Top Solano Team – Vanden High School Special thanks to sponsors Marin Clean Energy, Travis Credit Union, and Fairfield-Suisun Rotary for making this event possible.

view more pics

23

Celebrating Growth & Acheivements ADULT PROGRAM GRADUATION CELEBRATION

24

view more pics

Congratulations to the winter graduates of Solano County Office of Education’s Adult Program! This milestone marked a celebration of hard work, determination, and growth as each graduate reached an important accomplishment. The resilience, strength, and commitment to learning demonstrated throughout the journey is truly inspiring. We are proud of all that has been accomplished and excited to see what lies ahead.

25

Bringing STEM to Life ROBOTICS LEAGUE

Solano County Office of Education’s robotics competitions bring together student teams from across the county to design, build, and program robots that take on exciting challenges.

These hands-on events foster problem-solving, collaboration, and STEM skills, giving students a dynamic platform to explore technology and innovation in action.

26

Honoring Excellence SCOE EMPLOYEES OF THE YEAR

Big congratulations to Solano County Office of Education’s Employees of the Year. This recognition honors the dedication, hard work, and meaningful impact made each day.

Whether guiding students, driving busses, or maintaining essential operations, each contribution helps create an environment where students can learn, grow, and thrive.

These individuals bring heart, excellence, and purpose to everything they do.

27

We Are

HIRING JOIN OUR TEAM!

GREAT JOBS GREAT BENEFITS GREAT PEOPLE OPEN POSITIONS LISTED AT WWW.SOLANOCOE.NET

APPLY TODAY!