TUSD trustees approve budget, await further state cuts

After months of slashing expenses, negotiating new contracts, and cutting services and programs, the Turlock Unified School District finally has a budget for the 2009-10 school year ... at least for a few weeks.

Retiring teachers honored, voice their appreciation for district

Marsha Memmott has spent the last 30 years teaching English to Turlock eighth graders. She has spent 30 years correcting grammar, grading essays, and explaining when to use "who" and when to use "whom." After all of those years of dedication to Turlock students and their education, Memmott is retiring from her job at Turlock Junior High School.

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 ...

UC Merced researchers awarded $2 million

Researchers at the University of California, Merced Sierra Nevada Research Institute have received a $2 million National Science Foundation grant to expand on a prototype system which uses wireless sensors to track snowpack depth, water storage in soil, stream flow, and water use by Sierra vegetation. The funding will allow researchers to place sensors throughout the 2,000-square-mile American River Basin, creating a larger prototype system which could ultimately offer California water managers better ...

CSU Stanislaus president highlights increased enrollment in state of university address

California State University, Stanislaus President Hamid Shirvani delivered his 2011 State of the University address Friday, highlighting rising student enrollment despite the challenge of declining state funding for the university. Year-over-year, CSU Stanislaus has seen an 11.5 percent increase in enrollment, bringing the total headcount to 9,248 students. The university has seen a similar increase in full-time-equivalent students, up 14 percent, which the university attributes to both the increase in students and a ...

Delhi launches Key Club

This school year the Delhi High Key Club was officially established as one of the school's few service-related organizations on campus. Last year Delhi High School was approached by the Turlock Kiwanis Club and member Joe Blanc and asked if students would be interested in such a club on campus. There was a very positive response. Sophomore Miguel Mendoza stepped up and volunteered to get the club up and running under the ...