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.

CSUS botany professor’s dream closer to realization

An arboretum intended to celebrate California's diverse collection of plant life – and a former California State University, Stanislaus professor – could break ground as soon as mid-October. But that's only if California State University, Stanislaus can raise the final $30,000 needed to pay for the project, more than 30 years in the making. The brainchild of former CSU Stanislaus botany professor Wayne Piece, the Trans-California Pathway Project would transform a vacant ...

Local children get a lesson in American history

School district lists accomplishments, goals for future

Turlock Unified School District Superintendent Sonny Da Marto is proud of the successes the district saw in the 2010-11 school year and is looking forward to an even better - and more tech savvy 2011-12. Da Marto submitted a report to the TUSD Board of Trustees Tuesday night that listed the district's accomplishments for the 2010-11 school year - 75 in all. "If I have to pick one that stands out I ...

Chemistry students get laptops instead of textbooks

The 160 Honors Chemistry students in the Turlock Unified School District each received brand new laptop computers this week as part of a pilot program. The netbooks are on loan to the students for the school year to aid in the online component of their chemistry class. "They can view tutorials, complete assignments and tests, download lecture notes and amend them as we go through the lecture. It is going to allow students ...

Turlock High students have good showing at debate tournament

The Turlock High School Speech and Debate Team had the following students place at the Delta Charter Novice Tournament on Aug. 27: · Giana Amador and Bryce Brenda: 1st place in Lincoln Douglas Debate · Corey Garcia and Bryce Brenda: 1st place in National Extemporaneous · Sidney Bragdon: 1st place in Original Oratory · ...

TUSD makes gains in test scores

The Turlock Unified School District saw another year of growth in test scores, as the newest Accountability Progress Report was released by the state on Wednesday. The district recorded a 13-point gain in its Academic Performance Index, or API, going from a score of 760 in 2010 to 773 in 2011. "I'm very, very pleased with that over the last three years, we've had growth over time of 8.7 percent in test ...

Turlock High puts learning on fast track

During the morning announcements on Friday, Turlock High principal Dana Trevethan read the answers submitted by students to Thursday's "Question of the Day." The question: Where did Turlock High rank among Stanislaus, Merced, San Joaquin and Tuolumne county high schools in regards to the recently released academic performance index scores? The answer: seventh. After reading the correct answer over the school's public address system, Trevethan went on to list the rank, ...

EDUCATION: PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

Turlock Unified School District recently released the names of students who scored perfect 600s on their California Standards Tests in the 2010-2011 academic year. TUSD had 132 students who got a perfect score on at least one subject and seven students who reached perfection in more than one subject testing area. The CSTs include testing for general math, English-language arts, geometry, algebra 1, algebra 2, summative high school math, integrated high school math, history-social ...

Parents get a chance to learn more about teachers, curriculum

Back to School Night was a trip down memory lane for many Turlock parents. They sat in child-sized chairs at child-sized desks surrounded by picture books and finger paintings. They sat quietly while teachers explained the year's curriculum, and some even had snack time. "Back to School Night is a time for teachers to connect with parents," said Janet Wheeler, a second grade teacher at Julien Elementary School. And what better way ...

eCademy opens doors to first class of students

eCademy Charter School is the newest addition to Turlock Unified School district, but it isn't your typical K-12 school. The school has a physical site at Crane - several classrooms and two mobile units under construction - but most of the high school level courses offered by the school take place online.

Stanislaus students start new year with higher costs

It may not seem like fall, with leaves still on trees and thermometers showing numbers reminiscent of video game high scores.

EDUCATION: GRADUATION DAY

Turlock Unified School District seniors who completed their studies over the summer were honored at their own graduation ceremony at the Board of Trustees meeting on Tuesday night. Students from Turlock High School, Pitman High School, Freedom High and Roselawn were in attendance.

TUSD employee retires after 25 years of service

The Turlock Unified School District Board of Trustees honored Oliver Middaugh on Tuesday for his 25 years of service to the district. Middaugh spent the last quarter of a century as a district maintenance worker.

Local students see another year of progress in state testing

For the second year in a row, students in the Turlock Unified School District have made strides in core academics, according to state test results released Monday.

Students, parents need to prepare for college life

The last New Student Orientation wrapped up at California State University, Stanislaus on Friday. Local colleges and universities across the country are preparing to welcome a new freshman class. The majority of these students will be teenagers fresh out of high school and ready to start their adult lives. The first year of college brings its own unique set of challenges for these freshmen, but campus advisors say that a ...