TUSD one step closer to trustee area elections

Turlock Unified School District trustees have always been selected through city-wide elections, with a candidate's place of residence in town not a factor. That might soon be changing as the Stanislaus County Committee on School District Organization and Reorganization unanimously voted on Wednesday to accept a proposal by the TUSD to create trustee areas for the 2013 elections. <font face="Times New ...

Dennis Earl students walk like an Egyptian

Sixth graders at Dennis Earl Elementary School went back in time on Friday to 2600 BC, transforming their classrooms into ancient Egypt with mummified chicken legs and gold jewels on display.

College students present study of Turlock’s bike paths

Five Geography majors at California State University, Stanislaus spent the semester biking around Turlock to help make the community a safer place. They surveyed existing bike routes and areas around town that could use bike paths to measure Turlock's bikeability and propose new bikeways.

Tools for learning

Wakefield Elementary School first graders took home Christmas boxes filled with literacy tools ranging from pencils to books. The College of Education from California State University, Stanislaus put together 110 literacy boxes that were delivered to all the first grade classes at Wakefield on Tuesday. The college wanted to provide the literacy tools for students to use over Christmas break so they can continue to learn ...

A step back in time

Turlock Junior High School students from the 7th grade GATE and Honors classes put on their best Victorian outfits on Thursday to dress the part for their Christmas activity of "A Christmas Carol." Students used district-adopted materials to show other students from their school, Walnut Elementary School and Brown Elementary School sixth graders what times were like back in the Victorian days. Turlock Junior High band ...

Bringing civility back to Denair

Civility has been in short supply in Denair over the past month, but the Denair Unified School District is looking to actively change that with the formation of a new committee.

More Turlock students staying in school

Keeping kids in school is a continuous goal for local educators. To accomplish that goal, the Turlock Unified School District has implemented a number of initiatives in the past few years to address high school drop outs including curriculum assessments, pacing calendars and benchmarks. TUSD's hard work has made a difference, according to the newly released 2008/2009 California Dropout and Graduation Rates report. <p style="margin: ...

TUSD receives grant money to enhance school technology

Technology plays a strong role in daily life now more than ever. As recipients of the Enhancing Education Through Technology American Recovery and Reinvestment Act competitive grant for one-time funds of $240,000 for students in seventh grade to 12th grade, the Turlock Unified School District can now give students, teachers and staff about the most up-to-date technology training.

TUSD budget committee prepares for mid-year cuts

The Turlock Unified School District is hoping for the best but preparing for the worst, as a new governor will soon take office with a $6 billion state deficit.

Pre-school program gives children tools they need to succeed

As the 20 Head Start pre-school students in Maria Marques' classroom at Osborn Elementary finished their lunches, parent volunteers Victor Sanabria and Christine Berlin helped the kids throw away their disposable plates and head to the reading carpet.

A real life lesson in First Amendment rights

A couple of weeks ago, Denair Middle School student Cody Alicea rode his bike to school like any other day with an American flag flapping in the wind behind him. At the time, he was learning about the United States Constitution and the freedom of speech guaranteed to all Americans under the First Amendment.

Turlock high schools come together to fight cancer

High school students all over Turlock are looking to make a difference this academic year.

Students gather pennies for schools in Middle East

First, second and third graders at Denair Academic Avenues Charter School had the chance to look at things they would miss at their school if they weren't available during a Pennies for Peace campaign kick-off rally last week.

Reactions to flag incident disrupt classes in Denair

Daily routines at Denair Unified School sites have been disrupted, to say the least. A community and media maelstrom has surrounded Denair Middle School and eighth grade student Cody Alicea after he was told by a campus employee to remove the American flag from his bicycle on Nov. 8.

Community demands answers at heated school board meeting

The Denair Unified School District adopted the new "Choose Civility" initiative led by the county office of education at their Thursday board meeting, despite the lack of civility shown by a few audience members.

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.