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.

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.

Local students get AgEdventure at CSU Stanislaus

More than 1,400 third graders from Turlock, Denair and Keyes school districts attended the 2nd annual AgEdventure Day, hosted by CSU Stanislaus Agriculture Studies Department on Friday.

School administrators roll up their sleeves

Turlock Unified School District administration and trustees rolled up their sleeves and went to work with classified employees on Thursday in recognition of Appreciating Classified Employees (ACE) Day.

TUSD lays off 10 state preschool aides

With an uncertain state budget picture and a potential reduction in funding looming, the Turlock Unified School District Board of Trustees on Tuesday voted to issue layoff notices to the 10 paraprofessionals employed in the district's state preschool program.