SCOE Spotlight, Summer 2023

SUPERINTENDENT’S CORNER

Summer is here!

We have ended this year with a whirlwind of exceptional events and celebrations that have made our hearts soar!

From the graduation ceremonies that marked the milestone achievements of our brilliant students to the entertaining SCOE-Chella show, we have witnessed countless moments of joy, accomplishment, and success. The creativity and innovation displayed at SCOE’s Solano Student Art Showcase and Solano Science & Engineering Fair were outstanding, and reinforced the significance of providing young people with opportunities to explore their passions and unleash their potential.

As we approach the well-deserved respite of the summer break, we can embrace this time as an opportunity for rejuvenation, reflection, and growth. Taking a step back from our daily routines allows us to recharge, gain new insights, and return with renewed energy and enthusiasm for students.

During the summer break, I encourage students and families to take advantage of the time to engage in activities that nourish their minds, bodies, and souls. When students explore new books, pursue hobbies, spend quality time with loved ones, and embrace the beauty of nature, they have an opportunity to return to the upcoming school year with a wealth of experiences and a fresh outlook.

To our dedicated educators, I extend my deepest gratitude for your unwavering commitment and exceptional efforts throughout the year. I encourage you to take this summer break to recharge and engage in activities that bring you joy, inspire your teaching practices, and fuel your passion for education.

Parents, your unwavering support and partnership have played a pivotal role in creating a thriving educational environment for your child. I express my heartfelt appreciation for your dedication to your children's education and well-being. I hope your summer creates lasting memories and moments of togetherness with your families.

In closing, our relationships and collaboration with multiple educational and community partners made this school year a resounding success! Take a moment to reflect on your accomplishments.

Wishing you all a safe, relaxing, and joy-filled summer break!

Lisette Estrella-Henderson Solano County Superintendent of Schools

Community Forums Address Rise in Fentanyl Exposures Amongst

Local Youth

Solano County Office of Education, Solano County Public Health, Campus Safety Consultations, Vibe Solano and NorthBay Health joined together to host forums for educators, parents and community members focusing on Naloxone (NARCAN) and strategies for opioid and fentanyl awareness and prevention. Forums were held in Fairfield and Benicia, and both were well attended.

Presentations explained how NARCAN, a life-saving medicine works to save lives. NorthBay Health provided free NARCAN to attendees. Opioids, fentanyl, fake pills, and strategies for awareness and prevention preceded a panel discussion.

Solano County Superintendent of Schools Lisette Estrella-Henderson moderated the forums. Forum panelists included Bela Matyas, MD, MPH, Solano County Health Officer and Deputy Director; Jason Johnson, CEO of Campus Safety Consultations; and Robin Cox, MPH, CPH, Solano County Senior Health Services Manager.

2023

SCOE-Chella TALENT SHOW

SCOE Adult Program Rocks Out at Rush Ranch

SCOE held the annual "SCOE-Chella" talent show for our adult program participants out at Rush Ranch Open Space in Suisun. Students Provided a great lineup of singing, dancing, stand-up comedy and poetry readings. The SCOE talent show fosters personal growth and development by providing a platform for students to showcase their unique talents and abilities, boosting their confidence and self-esteem. Students gain a sense of accomplishment and recognition for their skills, motivating them to further explore their potential. SCOE-Chella also cultivates a supportive and inclusive environment, where students can appreciate each other's talents, celebrate self-expression and collaborate.

Sparking Innovation

Travis Spark Challenge

The Annual Travis Spark Challenge is hosted by Travis Air Force Base’s Phoenix Spark program and Solano County Office of Education. High School students from Solano and surrounding counties visited Travis Air Force Base (TAFB) to participate. The competition provides students with fun, interesting, and challenging real-world problems to solve.

Twelve student teams from Golden Hills Community School, Will C. Wood, DeAnza, Buckingham Charter, Vacaville, Winters and Vanden high schools entered the competition where they were challenged to select one of three genuine issues that TAFB is currently trying to solve. The three challenge prompts included developing solutions for TAFB gate traffic flow, dining facility customer flow or flight line perimeter control.

The competition concluded with Winters High School earning the top spot with the highest score for the overall competition, incorporating a prototype for fingerprint checking at the gate. The Will C. Wood “Wildcat Garage” team won in the challenge category for gate traffic flow solutions. DeAnza High School’s “Air Force Jr. ROTC Deanza” team won the challenge category for flight line perimeter monitoring. The Golden Hills Community School “Eagles” team took home the top award for the dining facility flow challenge category. Each participating team presented creative and thoughtful solutions for the challenges and represented their high schools very well.

Golden Hills Community School “Eagles”

Career Exploration

Solano County Schools CTE Directory

Career technical education (CTE) plays a vital role in equipping students with practical skills, specialized knowledge, and relevant industry experience, empowering them to earn jobs after high school.

Solano County high schools have robust offerings for students, and SCOE has created an at-a-glance

Career Technical Education (CTE) Directory to showcase districts' wide range of CTE pathways and career certifications. CTE opportunities for Solano County students include:

Aeronautics

Agricultural Mechanics

Agricultural Science

Animal Care

Auto Tech

Biotech

Building Trades

Business Marketing

Culinary

Dance

Digital Media Education

Emergency Response

Engineering

Floral Design

Hospitality

Kinesiology

Law

Medical Science

Performing Arts

Public Safety

Video Game Design

Video Production

Welding

TK Symposium Sparks Growth for Early Learners

High-quality early learning instruction builds a strong foundation for successful lifelong learning. SCOE hosted more than 65 transitional kindergarten (TK) teachers, California State preschool program teachers, instructional assistants, paraprofessionals, and administrators at the TK Summer Symposium for two incredible days of valuable networking, professional growth and specialized learning!

These dedicated educators learned about the powerful role of play in preschool and TK classrooms, discovering new ways to ignite imagination and foster creativity. They explored the possibilities that play offers for young minds and ways to help our youngest learners develop essential skills and thrive.

Education 2 Employment Pilot Program Celebrates Graduates

Through support from the Solano County Board of Supervisors, SCOE was able to celebrate graduates from our pilot Education 2 Employment (E2E) program! E2E is a pilot partnership with school districts to identify and reengage youth ages 16-24 who have been out of school or who are at risk of dropping out. E2E is an opportunity for students to complete their graduation requirements, obtain paid work experiences and connect to other needed supports and services. E2E helps students remove barriers to success, practice what they are learning at their workplace and eventually generate a selfsufficient wage. SCOE appreciates the ongoing support and collaboration with Solano County to assist in improving the quality of life for students and families. Congratulations graduates!

Construction Trades Fair for 400 Students

SCOE partnered with the California Apprenticeship Coordinators Association and Napa Solano Trades to host a Construction Trades Fair for students at the Vallejo Fair Grounds. Over 400 students attended from 17 schools in both Napa and Solano County to learn from industry partners and experience hands-on exhibits about careers in the trades.

Thank you to all industries that supported the event: Brick Layers • Carpenters • Cement Masons • Insulators • Ironworkers Laborers • Operating Engineers • Painters/Glaziers • Sheet Metal & HVAC • Tile Layers • Test & Inspection • Construction Trades Workforce Initiative (CTWI) • Tradeswomen • California Highway Patrol • Fire & Police departments.

Explore the Outdoors this Summer

Discover native plants & animals with the Solano Outdoor Explorer course at Rush Ranch Open Space in Suisun.

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Find the Explorer signs

Scan the QR code.

One app

Countless adventures

Summer Learning & Experiences with the Xplore Solano App

Places to go and things to do, in one convenient app.

Outdoor experiences for children are crucial for their holistic development, as they foster a sense of exploration, enhance physical fitness, promote mental well-being, encourage social interaction, cultivate environmental awareness, and nurture a deep connection with nature that lasts a lifetime.

In 2021, Solano Land Trust inspired a partnership bringing together the Cities of Fairfield and Vacaville, the Greater Vallejo Recreation District (GVRD), Solano County Office of Education, Solano County Parks, Solano Transportation Authority, Solano Public Health and Park Rx to create Xplore Solano, a community app connecting Solano County residents to places to go and things to do outside.

Powered by the OuterSpatial app, each partner organization posts to the Xplore Solano Community account with events, activities, trails, parks, and more. Xplore Solano offers families one convenient app to find where to go and what to do outdoors in Solano County. So, download the OuterSpatial app and get outside today!

The Xplore Solano community within in the OuterSpatial app is a partnership of:

Making a Splash in Science

Students in Solano County partnered with researchers from UC Davis to investigate the behavior of 'spinning salmon'. This behavior involves young salmon twisting in a spiral pattern and is believed to be linked to a thiamine deficiency. For one semester, ten high school classrooms observed salmon eggs with varying thiamine levels. Students shared their observations and questions with UC Davis researchers, making valuable contributions to scientific research and gaining hands-on experience in a collaborative research team.

Students Release Salmon

Students attended field trips, collected data, and interacted with researchers and guest speakers. They enjoyed observing the salmon's journey from eggs to alevins (newly spawned salmon or trout) and teachers benefited from collaborating with the research team and accessing curricula. To conclude the semester program, students had the opportunity to release the salmon back into the river system, creating a meaningful experience for students to connect their work to long-term research efforts in California.

SPINNING SALMONPROJECT

Solano County Educators

Shining Stars: Solano's Top Teachers

Solano County Office of Education (SCOE) hosted the annual Educators of the Year awards in Vacaville. Educational leaders, teachers, family and friends celebrated exceptional teachers from Solano County. Maria Williams, an eighthgrade math teacher at Grange Middle School in Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District, was selected as Teacher of the Year. Williams expressed her gratitude for the support she receives from her school and district and shared her passion for making an impact as a teacher.

Congratulations to this year's winner and nominees who are extraordinary educators who have gone above and beyond to provide highquality instruction in a positive environment.

N O M I N E E S

Teacher of the Year

Mary King Travis Unified School District

Buchanan Miles Vacaville Unified School District

Lena "Amber" Chatterjee Vallejo City Unified School District

Justin Koeppen Benicia Unified School District

Stephanie Roupp Dixon Unified School District

Maria Williams Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District

Jason Hicks Solano County Office of Education

Educators of the Year

Celebrated Classified Champions

Congratulations to Classified Employee of the Year winner, Audrey Madden from Dixon Unified School District who highlighted the culture of support within her district at the celebration. Madden plays a crucial role in creating a nurturing and supportive educational environment.

Classified employee nominees demonstrate the ability to lead by example and encourage a collaborative and supportive work environment.

Each Teacher and Classified Employee of the Year winner received a $1,000 check from Travis Credit Union and a handmade lantern crafted by a Golden Hills Community School construction class.

N O M I N E E S

Audrey Madden Dixon Unified School District

Stephanie Westfahl Travis Unified School District

Anita Kelly Vacaville Unified School District

Terry Cheeseman Vallejo City Unified School District

Jessie Khangura Solano County Office of Education

Nate Paeste Benicia Unified School District

Martha Foley, Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District

Classified Employee of the Year

SCOE Celebrates ACSA Award Winners

Each year, the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) recognizes outstanding performance and achievement by individual administrators. Two SCOE administrators were selected as ACSA Region 4 (Mendocino, Sonoma, Napa, Marin, Solano Counties) awardees. Tacey Rodgers, Ed.D. was named ACSA Region 4 Classified Leader of the Year, and Nicola Parr, Ed.D. was honored as the ACSA Region 4 Student Services Administrator of the Year. We congratulate our SCOE colleagues and thank them both for their amazing contributions to SCOE and education in Solano County!

The credentials, experiences, and contributions of these two remarkable educators are representative of excellence in the field of education."

-ACSA Region 4 President Lisa Eckhoff

Asynchronous Collaborative Learning Space for Educators

Solano educators spoke, and we listened! Teachers need support in a variety of areas through a method that is flexible and responsive to their unique learners. The courses offered on SCOE’s Collaborative Learning Space include:

• How the Brain Learns to Read

• California Health Education Framework Course

• Reimagining Math Class: Rich Math Tasks

• Tech Tools and Strategies for Distance and In-person

• Parent Communication

• Introduction to Universal Design for Learning (UDL)

• UDL Planning & Implementation (Part 2)

• Wild Spaces and You - Engaging Youth in Community Citizen Science

• Utilizing Technology to Create a Highly Engaging Virtual and In-Person Classroom

Learn more about these and other professional learning opportunities and networks in SCOE's Collaborative Learning Space .

Help Stuff the Bus for Students

SCOE's foster and homeless youth services program is kicking off the annual "Stuff the Bus" campaign between June 23 - July 28, 2023.

Community members are invited to donate backpacks, school supplies, gift cards, and online monetary contributions via PayPal. Donation portal and drop-off locations are on our website.

Monetary and gift card donations will be used to purchase school supplies that help students who are in foster care or experiencing unstable housing go back to school prepared with the supplies they need.

Our campaign wouldn't be possible without the incredible support of our community partners. We thank organizations such as the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Solano County, Sutter Medical Foundation, North Bay Schools Insurance Authority, and Valero Refinery for their generosity in helping to collect donations. With these partnerships, SCOE has been able to provide backpacks and supplies to every school district in Solano County!

SCOE Partners on Mentorship Program for Youth

The Counseling & Cuts empowerment and mentorship program hosted another five-week session in partnership with Solano Community College, Solano County Office of Education, local barbers, and hair salons for youth between the ages of 13 and 21. Participants had the opportunity to shadow local barbershops and stylists to learn more about cosmetology and business ownership as well as other topics such as positive self-image, mental wellness, and much more.

Special thank you to Justin LeGrand-Logan, Owner of BMW Fairfield Dealership for providing the motivating keynote at the closing ceremony. This program could not happen without all of our partners.

Thank you to our barber and stylist partners:

Double Edged Experience, Mr. Donald Long • IV the People and Savvy Living , Jerome and Danitza Villanueva

• Key Cuts, Mr. Keir Robertson • King Carter Cuts, Mr. Carter Anderson • Velocity Cutz, Mr. Kevin Stovall •

Headspace Beauty Salon, Ms. Teresa Borrego • WhipLash, Ms. Tekara Thompson • Crystal Howard, Stylist

• Healthy Hair by Gee Gee, Ms. Gee Gee Boone • Beauty by Nature, Ms. Yvonne Brown

Thank you to our community partners:

Solano Community College

• Solano County Health and Social Services, Behavioral Health

• Solano County

Health and Social Services, Public Health

• Solano

• Solano Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

County Probation

• Solano Black Chamber of Commerce

Solano Small Business Development Center

Seneca Families of Agencies • Agape Counseling

Travis Credit Union

Solano Student Art Showcase Featured 370 Students

This May, SCOE's Solano Student Art Showcase featured 370 students from 26 Solano County schools. The art was on public display at the Solano County Fairgrounds and featured live performances, a virtual art display, an in-person art exhibit, and a community health fair with local food trucks.

The goal of the showcase was to recognize the resiliency of all young artists, post-COVID, by supporting and promoting mental health and wellness, in addition to alcohol, tobacco, and other drug (ATOD) prevention.

SCOE’s youth development services department hosts the event in partnership with Club Stride, Fighting Back Partnership, Nature of Sound, Solano County Friday Night Live, Solano County Public Health, Solano Youth Coalition, Vallejo Project, and VIBE Solano. We appreciate their ongoing support of this event and Solano students!

Solano Youth Coalition Advocates for Child Abuse Prevention

April was National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and students from SCOE's Solano Youth Coalition (SYC) family justice committee decorated Vacaville Town Hall with blue ribbons and pinwheels alongside Solano County Office of Education (SCOE) staff, Vacaville Police Department staff, City of Vacaville staff, and other community partners.

The SYC is a partnership between SCOE and the Solano Friday Night Live Program. SYC students build partnerships for positive and healthy youth development which engage youth as active leaders and resources in their communities. The SYC is a youth-led coalition that provides opportunities for youth to build leadership capacity and commitment for life-long involvement in advocating for healthy communities. Their annual "Paint it Blue" campaign is one of many outreach efforts they make throughout the year.

Horsing Around with Access Adventures

Some amazing young adults from our Irene Larson Education Center received great experience this school year at Rush Ranch Open Space through a partnership with Access Adventures. They were awesome ranch hands, helping to move hay, feed and groom the horses, muck stalls, move fences and other ranch tasks. Most importantly, they got to connect with horses, young and old each week.

We appreciate our ongoing partnerships with Access Adventures and Solano Land Trust that help us create hands-on outdoor learning opportunities for our young people!

Young Innovators at Solano Science & Engineering Fair

Solano County Office of Education hosted the 2023 Solano County Science and Engineering Fair at the Solano County Fairgrounds. The annual event provides an opportunity for elementary, middle and high school students to apply science and engineering skills, investigate problems, gather and evaluate evidence, and develop intelligent conclusions. Aside from the science and engineering projects, there were engineering challenges and STEM-related activities from colleges, universities, and organizations that students, parents and the community were able to try out and enjoy.

Special thanks to Michael Silva (Professor, Department of Biotechnology and Department of Biological Sciences, Solano College CCPI-STEM Fellow, and Vacaville City Council member) for giving the keynote speech to inspire students to consider a career in science, engineering, or a related field.

A very special thank you to all of our donors for helping sponsor this event:

Nestor Roces, Taxhauz • Bay Area Regional Energy Network • Dr. Brisbane Pucan, DDS • Lakeshore Learning

Scholastic • Solano Association of Realtors • Timothy Murphy, Farmers Insurance • Costco, Vallejo & Fairfield

Congratulations to Ian Atroshchenko from Vacaville High School who was the overall winner for the event, and congratulations to all who participated!

"Biretta" the Winning Word at 47th Solano County Spelling Bee

Solano County Office of Education’s 47th Annual Solano County Spelling Bee saw 40 local schools in participation. The top 13 spellers advanced to the championship round held at Journey Downtown in Vacaville.

Lily Glotzbach, a 6th grader from Travis Elementary in Travis Unified School District, earned first place. The winning word was “biretta”, a hard square, ceremonial hat with three or four vertical projections and sometimes with a pompom or tassel at the top, worn by Roman Catholic clergy. Second place in the competition was awarded to 5th grader Sophia Alexis Regacho from St. Catherine of Siena School in Vallejo. Both qualified to advance to the California Spelling Bee Championship. Congratulations Lily and Sophia!

Student-led Forum Addresses Well-being of Solano Youth

SCOE's Solano Youth Coalition (SYC) hosted a student-led forum regarding the well-being of youth in the Solano County community. The panel included district Superintendents Dr. Damon Wright from Benicia USD and Brian Dolan from Dixon USD, as well as School Board President David Bowen (Dixon USD), and Dr. Valerie Garrett, Director of Educational Options from Solano County Office of Education.

Students posed questions to the panel inquiring about actions districts are taking to mitigate student access to tobacco products, how schools/districts are addressing the increased needs of student mental health, how violence prevention and teen dating violence are being addressed, and how students can stay connected with the district to ensure their voices on issues are heard.

The forum was the result of a hands-on civics engagement training the SYC received from the League of Women Voters Solano County (LWVSC). This is part of an ongoing partnership with LWVSC and SYC, to help encourage more youth involvement and interest in civics, government, and policy work.

285 Students Join Academic Decathlon Competition

Solano County Office of Education hosted the North Bay Region Academic Decathlon at Solano Community College in Fairfield. This year’s competition registered 285 students from 17 schools across eight bay area counties.

The Academic Decathlon includes tests in art, music, language and literature, mathematics, economics, science, and social science. In addition, there are communication tests that include writing an essay, delivering prepared and an impromptu speeches, and an interview.

The rigorous competition resulted in Vanden High School winning first place overall. Campolindo High School took second overall and third place was awarded to Basis Independent Silicon Valley Charter from Santa Clara County. The top teams from eight counties were invited to go on to compete at the state level.

Special thanks to Travis Credit Union for their ongoing sponsorship of the event, providing checks to the winning teams to help cover the costs associated with traveling to the state competition. SCOE also thanks the multitude of volunteers who support the event and serve as coaches, interview and speech judges, room monitors, runners and super quiz assistants.

Golden Hills Community School- June 2023

SCOE was honored to celebrate students who earned their high school diploma from Golden Hills Community School and Evergreen Academy. These students showed hard work, resilience and perseverance as they worked toward their diplomas. The possibilities are endless for all of our amazing graduates!

Adult Program Completion Ceremony- June 2023

Many remarkable young people in SCOE's adult program earned their certificates of completion. This program aids in the development of young adults as they transition from high school into more independent and thriving members of their communities. We are so proud of these wonderful young adults, and cannot wait to see what they accomplish next!

Solano County Office of Education Governance

The County Superintendent and the County Board of Education are elected officials who have separate duties and responsibilities. County Superintendents of Schools are established pursuant to the California Constitution and are considered county officers (similar to a sheriff, district attorney, or clerk).

The County Superintendent is elected by voters of Solano County. The Superintendent serves as a liaison between local school districts and the state. The Superintendent also serves as the chief executive officer of the Solano County Office of Education. The Superintendent leads SCOE in providing leadership, collaboration, support, and fiscal/program oversight for the county’s six school districts which serve approximately 61,000 students.

The Solano County Board of Education is comprised of elected representatives from seven trustee areas. The Solano County Superintendent of Schools serves as the ex-officio secretary to the County Board. The Solano County Board of Education serves as the governance body for the Juvenile Court and Community School System and may authorize charter schools. The Solano County Board of Education also serves as an appellate body for expulsion, inter-district attendance, and charter school appeals.

Solano County Superintendent of Schools Lisette Estrella-Henderson

Elease Cheek Trustee Area 5

Peggy A. Cohen-Thompson Vice President Trustee Area 7

Michelle Coleman Trustee Area 1

Amy Sharp Trustee Area 2

Dana Dean Trustee Area 3

Teresa Lavell Trustee Area 4

Board President Ginger Dunne Trustee Area 6