Math wiz

Alexander Aliaga, an eighth grader at Turlock Junior High School, took home the top spot in mathematics at the Stanislaus County Office of Education Academic Pentathlon last weekend. Aliaga competed in the "Honors" division for students who have a grade point average of 3.75 to 4.0. He answered questions for algebra 1 and geometry to earn his math title. He also took home a third place finish for ...

Musical partnership

Students from Dutcher and Turlock Junior High schools teamed up to perform in front of a nearly sold out crowd at Pitman High School during the District Music Festival on Tuesday. More than 720 students throughout Turlock Unified School District will participate in the festival, which spans four shows in four nights this week.

Good citizen award

The Turlock chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution presented Hilmar Middle School student Alexandra Britton the DAR Good Citizenship Award on Friday. The Hilmar eighth grader was selected by several teachers who recognized her qualities in five categories: honor, service, courage, leadership and patriotism.

Student overcomes loss of teacher, friend

For most high school seniors the start of their final year on campus is a time of excitement and determination for meeting their goal of graduation. For Denair High School senior Leina Mansilla the start of her senior year was a time of tragedy and confusion.

Cooking up a win

For Turlock High School, last year's Iron Chef loss to cross-town rival Pitman High was a bitter pill to swallow. This year, however, the Bulldogs took the lion's share of points and emerged the winner of the second annual Iron Chef Turlock, held Saturday evening at the Assyrian-American Civic Club.

Keyes girl knows keys to success start with education, commitment

At 11 years old MacKylah Miles has seen and overcome many obstacles in her life.

Credit union doubles Merced College kids scholarships

Educational Employees Credit Union announced Thursday it will match scholarship contributions to Merced College's College for Kids program dollar-for-dollar up to $7,500.

eCademy ready for state approval

Pending state approval, the eCademy at Crane charter school will open by the start of next school year for students in grade K-12.

Local students earn ag scholarships

The future of agricultural education is strong thanks to 11 local college-bound students who intend to keep their talents in the ag community for the foreseeable future.

Pitman student overcomes language, cultural barriers to excel

Pitman senior Ziti Qin, 17, proves that where there's a will, there's a way.

Wakefield siblings learned fairness in the home

March Character Counts Profile: Fairness

MJC students succeed in California Agriculture Leaders competition

Modesto Junior College students earned a first place team win in the College Bowl and numerous individual awards at the March 4 California Agriculture Leaders competition.

Local students to compete in state finals for Odyssey of the Mind

Students from Dutcher Middle and Cunningham Elementary schools recently competed in the Odyssey of the Mind competition, earning spots in the State Finals to be held later this month in Brentwood. Odyssey of the Mind is an international competition that provides creative problem-solving opportunities for students from kindergarten through college. Team members apply their creativity to solve problems that ...

EDUCATION: WISE LESSON

Nancy Haydock of the Stanislaus Wildlife Care Center presented a horned owl to students at Wakefield Elementary School in Turlock. Haydock's presentation was part of Go Green Week, a partnership between the City of Turlock and The Turlock Unified School District.

Stanislaus students to be honored by journalism society for uncovering Palin speaking documents

Two California State University, Stanislaus students will be awarded the James Madison Citizen Award from the Society of Professional Journalists next week for their efforts to uncover a draft version of former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's contract to speak at the University Foundation's 50th Anniversary Gala Fundraiser.

CSU Trustees name Sheley president of Stanislaus

The California State University Board of Trustees has decided to look no further for top leadership at Turlock's CSU Stanislaus campus. The trustees appointed Joseph F. Sheley the permanent president of California State University, Stanislaus; Sheley has held the position as interim since June 2012. After spending nearly a year getting to know the campus and people, Sheley has big plans for Cal State Stanislaus. He promises to create a more engaged community ...

Walnut group hair cut benefits Locks of Love

When the girls of Walnut Elementary announced they'd be chopping their long hair into short bobs, they touched off a movement of sorts at the school. On Wednesday, 41 brave students gathered during a special opening ceremony and cut at least 10 inches of their hair to be donated to Locks of Love. "It never ceases to amaze me how selfless and compassionate the students at Walnut are," said 6th grade teacher Jamie ...

Empty classrooms, full stomachs

Although many classroom seats will be empty for Turlock schools this summer, stomachs will not. Beginning on June 6 and ending July 19, the Turlock Unified School District will be taking part in the "Seamless Summer Program," in an attempt to provide food for those low-income students who go hungry during the summer. The summer program will offer breakfast and lunch on weekdays. Scott Soiseth, TUSD director of child nutrition, said that ...

May revise means more money, restrictions for Turlock schools

Described as "the most stable fiscal footing in well over a decade," by Governor Jerry Brown, the May revision of the state's 2013-14 budget has been released, maintaining a $1.1 billion reserve. Since Brown first introduced his proposed spending plan in January, revenues have exceeded projections about $4.5 billion. "The governor did recognize those new revenues during the May revise," said Turlock Unified School District's Assistant Superintendent of Financial Services Lori Decker. ...

Hanline provides straight talk to DUSD parents

Denair Unified School District Interim Superintendent Walt Hanline faced the community at a public forum on Monday, and tackled the hard questions about the district's uncertain future. Recent financial troubles have made cuts in district staffing and programs mandatory to avoid state takeover. Hanline provided straight answers to parents' questions about the level of programs that will be offered at Denair schools, and presented one solution to the district's most pressing problem - ...

Local students get Ag Edventure

Earl's Cardoso earns Teacher of the Year honors

Dennis Earl Elementary third grade teacher Michelle Cardoso strives to take her students' learning beyond the classroom and into the community. And it's her drive to go beyond the expected that earned Cardoso the title of 2013 Stanislaus County Teacher of the Year for the K-3 grade division. "I truly had no idea that I would be the one to receive the award," said Cardoso. "It definitely was the cherry on top ...

Walnut teacher earns county's top education honors

Jamie Garner, a sixth grade teacher for the Discovery Math Science Program at Walnut Elementary, has long been a treasured educator to her students. Now, Garner's exemplary teaching has also earned her the title of 2013 Stanislaus County Teacher of the Year for the 4th-6th grade division. "It's because of the school that I am in this position," said Garner. "I love teaching here because we are given so many opportunities to do ...

Warrior Day 2013

California State University, Stanislaus students celebrated the end of another year at Warrior Day on Friday. This annual campus party was almost canceled last year due to concerns about alcohol sales and consumption. In 2012, a scaled-down, student-only event was put together at short notice. On Friday, the event was back in full-force - although still sans alcohol. A series of bands played at the outdoor festival and students were able to get ...

CSU Stanislaus interim president may soon become permanent

An open forum was held at California State University, Stanislaus on Monday to discuss the potential permanency of Interim President Joseph Sheley. University students, trustees and department heads evaluated Sheley's performance, pointing out both the good and areas in need of improvement throughout the campus. Much of the university's tribulations over the past few years arose from system-wide budget cuts implemented due to lack of funding statewide. Like many other California universities, CSU ...

More cuts in store for Denair schools

Denair Unified's new interim superintendent didn't pull any punches during Thursday's board of trustees meeting, calling for even more cuts to help fix the district's financial problems. He also, however, rescinded previous teacher lay-offs that didn't "make sense" to him. "The district will get back to where it was," said Interim Superintendent Walt Hanline. "It'll be back. In order to that we're going to have to suck it up and make the cuts." ...

Playground to parking lot

While students across Turlock have been enjoying the warm spring weather during recess and physical education time, students at Julien Elementary have been watching the bulldozing of their playground. The Julien construction plan, which includes the creation of a new parking lot, is a point of contention between a group of parents and Turlock Unified School District administration. In 2006 the district authorized spending $9.9 million for a series of modernization projects, with ...

Sacred Heart students learn the pioneer way

Fourth and fifth graders at Sacred Heart Elementary School will take a step back in time to the pioneer days as part of the Yosemite Environmental Living Program. During an overnight visit at Yosemite on May 20, students will confront the problems of the pioneers by performing tasks such as cooking, blacksmithing, spinning, candle dipping, covered wagon packing, square dancing and craft making - all without electricity. "Through this program students will discover ...

Local dairywoman donates $1 million to UC Merced

When it comes to educational opportunities, Turlock native Margo Souza believes that it is better to give than to receive. The 74-year-old former president and CEO of Turlock's Circle H Dairy Ranch Inc. donated $1 million to UC Merced in an effort to create leadership initiatives for Merced's diverse student population. In April, the school pledged to establish the Margo F. Souza Leadership Center within UC Merced's Office of Student Life. The ...

TUSD prepares for shift in classroom instruction

As public schools across the country transition to the new Common Core Standards, which will change the way math and reading are taught nationwide, the Turlock Unified School District is already adopting the approach by building a foundation for a better tomorrow for its students. On Tuesday, the TUSD trustees were presented an overview of the district's Common Core Transition and Implementation Plan, changing the way students will learn in the classroom. CCS ...