Future uncertain for K-12 education

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a California State budget solution on Tuesday that will solve $24.2 billion of the state's budget woes. The bulk of the budget deal is $16.1 billion in expenditure reductions, with the biggest cuts to education funding.

CSU Stanislaus braces for share of budget cuts

The $584 million budget deficit that has walloped the California State University system will translate into enrollment reduction, higher fees and "furlough Fridays" at the CSU Stanislaus campus.

CSU faculty union agrees to furloughs; issues no confidence vote for chancellor

Members of the California Faculty Association have joined other unions in the California State University system in agreeing to take a two day a month furlough through the 2009-10 fiscal year.

TUSD trustees ‘just say go’ to school

Turlock High School will be rocking this school year, as local radio station KWIN will be broadcasting on-campus as part of the Turlock Unified School District's "Just Say Go" attendance campaign.

CSU student fees take 20 percent hike

In the wake of waning state monetary support, the California State University Board of Trustees took action Tuesday to close a $584 million budget gap and voted to raise student fees by an unprecedented 20 percent.

College students make science fun

Students at Osborn Elementary love to get their hands dirty in the name of science. Fourth graders in Celia Montes' class got the opportunity to do just that when they made their own play dough molecules on Wednesday.

Budget woes force admissions freeze

In the wake of a projected $584 million budget deficit, the California State University system has taken the drastic step of closing all winter and spring admissions for 2010.

EDUCATION: SUMMER SCIENCE

About two dozen sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students put their brains to work for the annual Math and Science Prep Camp at California State University, Stanislaus.

Nursing students get online option

To meet the growing demand for nurses and ease their own wait list numbers, California State University, Stanislaus will be offering Nursing degrees that can be earned through online classes.

Agriculture teacher, program win top honors

The California Agriculture Teachers Association has named Modesto Junior College professor Steve Amador as a Teacher of Excellence and MJC's Agriculture Department as the 2009 Outstanding Community College Agricultural Education Program.

OLYMPIC DAY

Cathy Ferguson, an Olympic gold medalist in swimming, gave a presentation to students at Julien Elementary School on Tuesday. Ferguson spoke about what it means to win, and told the story of how she started swimming at the age of 10 and grew up to become an Olympic gold medalist. Ferguson was invited to speak to the school by Mayor John Lazar as part of Turlock's Olympic Day celebrations. Turlock is one of many cities ...

Grant to boost science, math education at CSU Stanislaus

A grant of nearly $1 million to use in the recruitment of math and science teachers for "high need" schools was awarded to California State University, Stanislaus.

Move for nursing doctorate at CSU gains momentum

The push for instituting a doctorate program in Nursing at the California State University campuses moved one step closer to realization earlier this month when the State Assembly overwhelmingly passed the needed bill.

Earl students learn about their neighbors on Exploration Days

Students at Dennis Earl Elementary School got a taste of Mexican culture on Friday when they participated in Exploration Day. The kindergarten through sixth grade classes watched Aztec dancers and did classroom activities such as making tortillas, ponchos, and paper flowers.

CSU Stanislaus class of 2009 encouraged to take risks

On a day that felt and looked more like the beginning of the fall semester, about 600 California State University, Stanislaus students walked across the stage, moved their tassels from the left to the right, and became college graduates.

Hilmar earns top grades in WASC accreditation

After a thorough review of its programs and practices by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), Hilmar High School has been awarded a full six-year term of accreditation, the longest available.

TUSD board delays trustee district mapping

The Turlock Unified School District (TUSD) Board of Trustees received information and discussed trustee district mapping at Tuesday's meeting, but received zero input from the public.

TUSD Board of Trustees to discuss district mapping for 2013 elections

The Turlock Unified School District Board of Trustees is scheduled to hear a report and discuss trustee district lines during its Tuesday board meeting at Turlock High School's Performing Arts building.

Food 4 Thought wraps up year

Students at El Capitan Elementary School in Delhi wrapped up a year of Food 4 Thought after-school programming with a special delivery from Merced County Food Banks on Wednesday. The Food 4 Thought program, underwritten by Foster Farms and the food bank, provides supplemental groceries to students every week in exchange for their participation in educational after-school programs.

Gratton School receives garden grant

The California Fertilizer Foundation will be presenting a $1,200 school garden grant to Gratton School. The grant will help improve an already existing garden at the school.

TUSD reinstates Head Start preschool employees

Head Start Pre-school teacher aides and family service workers will likely be reinstated at a June 7 Turlock Unified School District Board of Trustees meeting.

Compromise shines on foundation transparency

The California State University, University of California, and state community college systems have reached a compromise on transparency at university foundations with legislators who have fought for more openness.

Survey reveals class of 2011 optimistic about future

Hundreds of graduates from Turlock, Pitman, Turlock Christian and Denair high schools donned traditional caps and gowns to receive their diplomas on Friday, joining their classmates in commencement ceremonies that have been held throughout the week and will continue into early June.

MJC faculty member layoff overturned

Ten of the 11 Modesto Junior College faculty members laid off as part of $8 million in budget cuts which eliminated entire programs from the college will not return, after Yosemite Community College District Trustees upheld the layoffs on Wednesday.

CSU Stanislaus garners presidential recognition

For the fifth consecutive year, California State University, Stanislaus has been recognized with the President of the United States' Higher Education Community Service Award.

Rabobank gives $50,000 to Ag Science Center’s Mobile Classroom

As Ag in Motion, a state-of-the-art mobile classroom, receives its finishing touches in preparation for its public unveiling next month, Rabobank announced Friday that it is donating $50,000 to the National Ag Science Center to help fund the effort. Ag in Motion is a fifty-three-foot trailer featuring 20 laboratories complete with microscopes, lesson plans and the latest technology to deliver a unique educational experience to area seventh graders. The board of directors of the National ...

EDUCATION: PIONEER DAY

School district partners police department in supporting ‘Character Counts’ program

The Turlock Unified School District has been promoting positive values in students and faculty through the "Character Counts" program, instituted in 2009. Now, the school district is partnering with the Turlock Police Department to stress the importance of the "Six Pillars of Character" - trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship - throughout the community.

Denair's got talent

Denair Middle School held their annual talent show on Wednesday, giving budding dancers, singers and musicians a chance to perform.

Osborn families unify under Latino reading improvement program

For Lissette Ruesga, a parent at Osborn Two-Way Academy in Turlock, involvement in her children's learning is paramount to success and a gateway toward teaching her family the importance of their history and culture.