Students protest fee increases, term cancellation

About 33 students at California State University, Stanislaus took their grievances with the canceling of the Winter Term session next year to the hallways and quad on Thursday. Beginning at 9 a.m., the students held signs and shouted phrases such as, "When they cut we bleed," "No hikes, no fees, education should be free," and "What do you want? Winter term! When do we want it? Now!"

New natural reserve at UC Merced

The University of California, Merced's Yosemite Field Station has been named part of the UC Natural Reserve System, giving the University its first natural reserve site.

Locals awarded CSU Stanislaus scholarships

Twenty-four California State University, Stanislaus students have been recognized as 2009-2010 Mary Stuart Rogers Scholars. The nine graduate and 15 undergraduate awardees were selected for their academic talents.

Making it official

Denair Unified School District board members and Superintendent Edward E. Parraz cut the ribbon Wednesday to "officially" open the new Denair Middle School. The construction started in October 2008 and finished last month for a total of $1.6 million to build the new middle school.

Stadium renovation costs increase

The potential costs and benefits of renovating Turlock High's Joe Debely Stadium was the number one topic of discussion at Tuesday's Turlock Unified School District Board of Trustees meeting.

Outgoing TUSD board members give their take on the election

Tuesday night's Turlock Unified School Board meeting was an emotional one for at least three trustees. Timm LaVelle, Tami Muniz and Felica Renshaw attended their last board meeting as trustees on Tuesday, as they were voted out of office in the Nov. 3 election. At the next meeting, Bob Weaver, Lori Crivelli and Josh Bernard will take their places.

Pitman student known for his love of agriculture

Ethan Alvares can be seen showing his steer with the Pitman FFA or throwing down tackles Friday night for his school's football team. But what really characterizes Alvares, is his desire to help others, his leadership skills and his sense of humor.

Top Livermore Lab scientist to speak at CSU Stanislaus

John P. Knezovich, science and technology principal directorate at Laurence Livermore National Laboratory, will present a lecture entitled "Carbon Dating: Applications to Forensic Science" at CSU Stanislaus on Wednesday.

Student journalists rack up awards

Modesto Junior College journalists garnered five awards from the Journalism Association of Community Colleges of Northern California for work on the Pirates' Log, their student newspaper.

Grant to assist Hispanic education

Hispanic education will receive a boost locally, as the U.S. Department of Education awarded a $230,000 grant to CSU Stanislaus.

UC Merced uses sun to go green

The University of California, Merced welcomed a new 8.5-acre, 1-megawatt solar array this week. Almost 5,000 solar panels will track the sun to provide 20 percent of the campus' annual electricity needs, rising to two-thirds of the campus' energy on sunny summer days.

CSU Sacramento seeks applicants for government fellowships

Four California State University, Sacramento fellowships offer a chance to work as a full-time staff member in the California State Assembly, Senate, Executive Branch or within the California court system.

National Guard visits local elementary school

Brown Elementary School celebrated Veteran's Day on Friday with the help of the California Army National Guard who landed a UH60 Black Hawk helicopter right on campus. Along for the demonstration were an LMTV truck and a high mobility multi-wheeled vehicle. All of this was possible with the help of kindergartner Bradley Williams parents' Major Douglas Williams and Catalina Williams, who are both active in the Army. Each student got to sit in the vehicles ...

Keyes Elementary breaks ground for new classrooms

Third grade students learned a new vocabulary word for the week, "concrete," as the foundation for the new classroom buildings was being set on Tuesday.

TUSD pursues funding for sidewalks, safety training

Students who walk to school in the Turlock Unified School District could soon be a little bit safer, thanks to the Safe Routes to School program.

Merced College president retires

Merced College President Benjamin T. Duran will retire at the end of the academic year, he announced Tuesday. "I have contemplated this move for the last year or so but could never find the right time to make this life changing decision," Duran said. " … After reflecting on this and talking with my family for the last few months I came to the conclusion that there is never a right time to ...

Stanislaus to offer first accredited online MBA in state

California State University, Stanislaus will be the first institution in the state to launch a fully online Master of Business Administration degree program which is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. "The fully online MBA represents an exciting opportunity for increased access that allows each individual to study anytime, anywhere in pursuit of their graduate business degree," said CSU Stanislaus President Hamid Shirvani. "We are extremely proud to offer ...

A garden gala

Julien Elementary School held its 13th Annual Garden Celebration on Friday. The garden has been a focal point of instruction for the school in science and nutrition. Julien Garden Coordinator Janet Wheeler said students have learned a solid foundation for later horticulture and environmental interest through learning about how the food cycle works, soil, insects, worms, nature and nutrition. This year the garden has produced chard, kale, carrots, radishes, lettuces, beets, edible flowers, poppies, ...

Denair Academic Avenues gives parents, students choices

When Denair Academic Avenues opened last year the administration and staff wanted to give parents a choice. Choices and exploring new "avenues" in learning are what Denair's only full time, classroom-based charter school is all about. Known as D2A, the school is a dependent charter of the Denair Unified School District and it offers full core curriculum standards in English language arts, science, social studies, physical education and mathematics. However, what D2A ...

Pitman High parents, students learn about road to college, career

Planning for a prosperous and fulfilling future was the theme Wednesday night at Pitman High's annual College Night. Admission counselors and recruiters from public and private universities, vocational schools, community colleges and the military were on hand to answer questions and provide advice to hundreds of parents and students. According to Associated Student Body President Isais Rumayor, the event was a crash course to educate both parents and students on how to ...

Prospective students look for ‘right fit’ at CSUS preview day

For scores of high school students, one concern reigns supreme: getting into college. And not getting into just any college, of course, but the right college. On Saturday, California State University, Stanislaus opened its gates to more than 400 prospective students and their guests, offering visitors a chance to see if the university is truly right for them. "I wanted to know more about the campus," said Alex Senior, 16, of ...

Officials advocate early education over incarceration

CSU Stanislaus wins grant for graduate education

A California State University, Stanislaus effort to increase the percentage of Hispanic and low-income students in graduate programs, and the rate of degree completion among those students, will continue for a second year following renewal of federal grant funding. "This second year of funding is further acknowledgement that the university has demonstrated substantial progress toward the grant project's primary goals and objectives," said President Hamid Shirvani. "I am very pleased with the headway ...

Gunner and Mac have the bridge at THS’ NJROTC

From 2003 to 2006, U.S. Navy Chief Warrant Officer Wardee "Gunner" Bruce served as the Naval Reserve Junior Officer Training Corps instructor at Turlock High and then he retired to a life of philanthropy through organizations like the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion. And then the call came this summer - it was time to report back for duty at Turlock High School. The call came after THS had ...

Hilmar Homecoming: 100 years of Yellowjacket Pride

Walk to school day

Hundreds of Walnut Magneteers and their families participated in the school's Walk to School Day on Wednesday. The event was organized to raise awareness about the health benefits of walking to school and the potential negative health effects of sedentary lifestyles. In the United States, nearly one in three children are either overweight or obese.

Schools help break Guinness World Record for jumping jacks

More than 5,000 pre-K to college students in Turlock participated in what is believed to be a Guinness World Record for the most people doing jumping jacks in a 24-hour period. Nationally, more than 100,000 people joined in the effort, led by first lady Michelle Obama and sponsored by National Geographic Kids magazine. Erin Hall of California State University, Stanislaus' Kinesiology Department said the previous record was 20,00 in a 24-hour period ...

Hilmar High celebrates 100 years

This week the Hilmar community will celebrate the 100th birthday of Hilmar High School with what is sure to be a historic series of events and celebrations. Of course, the highlight of the week will be the homecoming parade on Friday - featuring "Glee" star and HHS' most famous graduate Dot Jones as marshal, followed by Yellowjackets taking on Riverbank High. The parade will take place on Lander Avenue at 2 p.m. <p ...

Wakefield students honored for trustworthiness

October Character Counts Students: Vanessa Flores and Dilpreet Kaur, Wakefield Elementary Wakefield Elementary School students Dilpreet Kaur, 9, and Vanessa Flores, 11, both scored a perfect 600 on their California State Test for academic standards but perhaps what is even more impressive is their character. On Tuesday, Dilpreet, a fourth grader and Vanessa, a sixth grader, were honored as October's Character Counts students of the month for the trait of ...

CSU Stanislaus to host Sustainable Futures conference

From Oct. 14 to Oct. 16, CSU Stanislaus will play host to the fifth annual Conference for Sustainable Futures. This year, the conference will occur at the same time as the annual Bioneers Conference of social and scientific innovators in San Rafael, with some lecturers and presentations beamed live to the Turlock campus from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. from Oct. 14 through Oct. 16. Speakers include Phillipe Cousteau, Gloria Steinem, Amory Lovins ...