State takes $8.2 million from TUSD budget

The Turlock Unified School District already adjusted their budget for the poor economy three years ago, but now new State legislation is reducing school district funding even further.

TUSD takes a bite into nutrition education

Obesity has more than doubled in children from the age of five to 19, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This comes as no surprise to parents and teachers who often see children pass up healthy food offered in the lunch room and choose anything with grease or sugar.

New faculty at CSU Stanislaus

California State University, Stanislaus has hired three new full-time faculty to fill key openings for the 2009-10 academic year.

Giving back new competition at Keyes Charter

Serving dinner to the homeless on Friday nights, helping stabilize blood donors with juice and crackers, putting books on shelves and sending Valentine's Day cards to soldiers over seas. These are some of the activities students at Keyes Charter School will volunteer to do.

University receives half-million dollar gift

California State University, Stanislaus was given a gift of half a million dollars Friday from long-time university supporters Ed and Bertha Fitzpatrick.

Learning extended in after-school program

An after-school program introduced in Turlock schools last spring will soon be offered in schools all over Stanislaus County.

Earl student charts path to success

While Cheyanne Schraeder may seem like any other American tween, with cheerleading and the "Twilight" series being her favorite things, she gets an opportunity most children her age don't even know about.

Obama’s speech well received by Turlock students

Sitting, waiting, hoping. Students at Turlock High drummed their fingers on desktops and watched the blank overhead projector in their United States history class hoping the Internet would work. "We are just waiting for the president to come on," said U.S. history teacher Mark de la Motte, assuring his students. Two minutes later, the President appeared on the screen and a sigh of relief escaped the students.

Community colleges struggle with higher enrollment and fewer funds

If students at community colleges think the classrooms are crowded now, just wait till they see what it looks like a few years from now. At the same time that state funding for community colleges has decreased, the enrollment is rising at a rapid rate.

Wakefield starts peer mediation program

Playing handball, climbing the jungle gym and jumping in the hopscotch squares is all a part of the fun at recess. Sometimes though, there can be a little rough housing or miscommunication on the playground that can lead to a conflict. This is where the Wildcat Rangers step in to help solve the problems.

Local students show improvement in CAHSEE scores

California High School Exit Exam results were released Wednesday and Turlock's numbers are up by one percent.

Free science lessons at MJC

The Science, Math and Engineering Division at Modesto Junior College will present two series of free science presentations as part of the Modesto Area Partners in Science programs and weekly Science Colloquiums.

Local schools to benefit from tobacco use prevention grant

The Stanislaus County Office of Education recently received $1.8 million in grants for their Tobacco Use Prevention Program from the California Department of Education. This money is to help educate students in sixth to12th grades about the negative health effects of smoking.

Turlock instructor wins big at State Fair

Turlock High agriculture teacher, Chad Russell, won the instructor sweepstakes at the California State Fair in August due to his students' success. All of his ag students won first place at the Fair, which gave their instructor the most points at the end to win his own prize. Russell won a plaque and $150.

Stanislaus dean resigns

California State University, Stanislaus Professor Nael Aly, who has served as the dean of the College of Business Administration for the last two years has resigned his position, according to university officials.

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 ...

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 ...