EDUCATION: STAR LAB

First-grade students from Dennis Earl Elementary School in Turlock were able to stare in wonder at constellations inside of a Star Lab Planetarium on Thursday. Earl Elementary borrowed the planetarium from the Stanislaus County Office of Education for a one-day star lab.

Helping Hawks lend a helping hand

A group of about a dozen students from Delhi High School have stepped up to form a new community service club known as "Helping Hawks." The Helping Hawks, named after the school mascot, recently developed into a fully school sponsored club after several students served food at an area homeless shelter.

Donkey ball

Hilmar High School seniors donned their most outrageous outfits and brought their donkeys to school for the annual senior class basketball game. The senior fundraiser game has been held for more than 40 years in a row and helps pay for senior activities including a senior trip. This year the game set an all-time attendance record. The boys won the game, 28-26, thanks a buzzer-beater shot by senior ...

UNIVERSITY: WARRIORS HOMECOMING

California State University, Stanislaus students kicked it old school during the final day of homecoming celebration activities. Due to rain, the homecoming parade went from an outdoor float decorating competition, to an indoor shopping cart decorating contest.

TCHS junior accepted to West Point summer leadership camp

In the Truax family's case the saying "the apple doesn't fall from the tree" rings true.

EDUCATION: YOUNG ARTIST

Pitman High School junior Chole Littrell created a fine piece of art work, which is now displayed in the school office. The mosaic is made of broken pieces of colored glass and cement, carefully constructed to resemble the famous Beatles Abbey Road album cover from 1969. It took Littrell a month to carefully construct the pieces of glass. The young artist plans to pursue art as her major ...

NJROTC: PASS IN REVIEW

Turlock High's Naval Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps received high marks during their Pass in Review ceremony on Tuesday. Capt. Wencesalo gave the Turlock NJROTC 9 out of 10 for performance.

EDUCATION: HONOR BAND

Four students from Pitman High School's band and orchestra were selected to the California All-State Honor Band and Orchestra. Marcelle Winkler, Andrew Grishaw (orchesta), Bryan Rosales and Brandon Crawford are scheduled to perform this weekend in the California All-State Music Education Conference at Saroyan Theater and the Fresno Convention Center. Pitman High Band Director Ruben Modesto said the four practiced almost every day for at least one hour ...

Keyes to Learning Charter students earn accolades, get head start on college

Rachel Segars has been getting a jumpstart on her college career, while earning credits for high school graduation. She took both Intro to Music and Marine Biology through California State University, Dominguez Hills while still in high school. High school senior Danae Johnson was recently accepted to Cal State Stanislaus and will enter with six college units after she took Intro to Art and Intro to Music while still attending high ...

Hilmar students mind their Ps and Qs

There were no elbows on the table or shoveling of food into mouths last Thursday at Hilmar Junior High's annual Etiquette Day event.

Budget committee recommends cuts to schools days, salaries

The Turlock Unified School District's Budget Advisory Committee will recommend the TUSD Board of Trustees cut salaries and reduce the number of days in the school year.

Playing games at Pitman

Who knew playing games such as Warhammer 40,000 or Yu-Gi-Oh could increase adolescent problem solving capabilities, analytical skills and even social skills?

Turlock Junior High extends learning day with after-school program

After-school programming at Turlock Junior High has taken a leap into the technology era with Wii game systems, flat screen televisions and the latest in video gaming technology.

TUSD continues eCademy public forums

Imagine a day when Turlock Unified School District students could have NetBook computers instead of paper textbooks. When the day of lugging around heavy backpacks filled with over-sized textbooks are gone. A day when students can do homework and participate in classroom discussions from practically anywhere they want, whenever they want. Well those days are just months away for TUSD's non-traditional students. <font ...

MJC, Cal State Stanislaus partner in Turlock education center

California State University, Stanislaus and Modesto Junior College announced on Wednesday a partnership which will see MJC offer classes on the CSU Stanislaus campus.

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. " &hellip; 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 ...