Area students get training in biotech at THS

Did you know that you can transform e-coli bacteria by injecting DNA extracted from a jelly fish that will create a florescent protein, which could then create insulin for use by a human diabetic? If you didn't know that (or even have a clue what protein exactly is) you can rest assured that a group of about 30 students from area high schools do know.

Local sixth graders earn accolades for Future City designs

For months, sixth graders from around Turlock spent hours playing the "Sim City" computer game – for school, of course.

TUSD Budget Advisory Committee in quandary

Members of the Turlock Unified School District Budget Advisory Committee (BAC) were left speechless and clearly in shock numerous times during a disconcerting budget meeting Monday evening at Turlock High.

School employees honored at annual event

They're the heroes behind the scenes of every school. Those individuals who dish out the macaroni, trim the grass, schedule substitutes, and watch over the school yard, but seldom receive appreciation.

Proposed upgrade to school meals adds fruits, vegetables and subtracts sodium, calories

President Barack Obama and the U.S. Department of Agriculture want American kids to be healthier. To help the nation's students on their way to better health, the USDA has proposed updating the nutrition standards for meals served through the National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs for the first time in 15 years.

TUSD quickens pace of district mapping for 2013 trustee elections

The Turlock Unified School District Board of Trustees laid out a timeline Tuesday night that will chart the course towards the first district elections in 2013.

Remembering Martin Luther King, Jr.

Turlock Junior High students recognized Martin Luther King, Jr. Day by researching the Civil Rights leader's life and his impact on American history. Below are just a few of the essays.

EDUCATION: CALL TO SERVICE

In honor of the 50th anniversary of John F. Kennedy's inauguration, mayors from across the country are challenging youth to get involved in their communities. The speech JFK made on that day is still famous for the line "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country."

School district financial health dependent on tax extension

Governor Jerry Brown's proposed budget for 2011-2012 leaves a lot of unanswered questions for the Turlock Unified School District. Officials say that if California voters don't approve to extend a set of taxes that are about to expire the results could be devastating for local school districts.

Higher education takes big hit in Brown budget

Governor Jerry Brown's 2010-2011 budget proposal, released Monday, calls for a $500 million, 18 percent cut in state support to the California State University system.

TUSD eCademy to become charter school

Targeting non-traditional students has always been the goal of the Turlock Unified School District's new eCademy school, but now the district is looking to bring in more students sooner by becoming a charter school.

TUSD sixth graders raise money for outdoor education camp

Turlock schools have been coming up with creative ways to raise money to allow all of their sixth graders to attend the traditional Outdoor Education camp. Some schools have put on Halloween stores, candle sales and cookie dough fundraisers to make ends meet for their sixth graders.

Campus gears up for year of growth, changes

In the coming year, the University of California, Merced, will appoint new leadership, open additional buildings, increase enrollment and hire more faculty members.

Class makes dresses for Salvation Army

Pitman High School students in Anne Cornell's fashion and design class learned the value of community service this semester. Thirty-six students sewed 30 little girls' Christmas dresses and donated them to the Salvation Army. Major Debi Shrum of the Salvation Army said the dresses will be distributed to families with young daughters during the holiday food distribution, and they would probably all be gone by the end of ...

Walnut Elementary enters USDA recipe challenge

Michelle Obama created the Let's Move! program in order to motivate America's kids to make healthier eating choices. The U.S. Department of Agriculture then joined the First Lady's campaign with their Recipes for Healthy Kids contest and Walnut Elementary has taken on this nutritious challenge with gusto.

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.