Medeiros fifth grader doesn’t see his cerebral palsy as disability

In Horacio Gutierrez's mind he isn't succeeding at anything - other than being a fun-loving kid.

MJC students, faculty cry foul with cuts

After four hours of passionate public comment, with hundreds of students, faculty and community leaders pleading for programs to be saved, the Yosemite Community College District Board of Trustees on Wednesday unanimously voted to send pink slips to 55 employees and eliminate entire programs from Modesto Junior College.

City, TUSD partner for environmental education program

The Turlock Unified School District and the City of Turlock Municipal Services Department teamed up for the fourth annual "Go Green Week" program, which is the city's primary environmental education program. Go Green Week started Monday and will continue through Friday.

College students march to protest cuts in programs

About 70 Modesto Junior College students walked out of class and marched from campus to Modesto's Tenth Street Plaza to protest planned budget cuts on Tuesday.

Turlock Junior High students learn that milk rocks

Recording artist and up and coming star Britney Christian proved that milk rocks during a concert at Turlock Junior High on Tuesday. Christian stopped in Turlock as part of the Foster Farms/ Milk Rocks Central Valley tour, taking place this week at schools from Livermore to Stockton. The Milk Rocks campaign is a multifaceted school campaign promoting the benefits of milk as a healthy alternative to other beverages. ...

Waiting for Walnut

Several hundred anxious parents gathered in the Walnut Elementary Education Center gym Tuesday night, waiting for their child's name to be called on…"the list."

EATING HISTORY AT JULIEN

Fifth grade students from Julien Elementary School in Turlock got a taste of history with maple syrup, a common source of sugar and water during colonial America. Students in fifth grade learn about early U.S. history and pioneers. Julien parent Christina Hemming volunteered to give students a taste of what early Americans did for sugar. She explained that pioneers in New England would tap trees for sap.

Tobacco whistleblower shares story with Turlock students

Good parents always tell their kids not to smoke and while most of the time it works, their advice can sometimes go in one ear and out the other.

University students, faculty adjust to changes in academic calendar

In the first year of California State University, Stanislaus' new, self-supported winter session, 235 fewer classes were available to students, at approximately four-times the price of the state-funded winter term of 2010, but the university says the session offered other benefits to students.

10 programs, 55 positions on MJC chopping block

The effort to shed $8 million from Modesto Junior College's budget would eliminate 55 employees and entire programs from the college – including mass communications, culinary arts, dental assisting, architecture, engineering, communication graphics, industrial technology, French, German and Italian – according to a report released by MJC President Gaither Loewenstein on Monday.

TUSD budget committee advises salary reductions

District-wide salary and benefits could be on the chopping block when the Turlock Unified School District Board of Trustees produces its final budget in June.

Temporarily homeless: Nu Alpha Kappa raises awareness, collects donations

Many college students find it difficult to wake up and get to class in the morning, but for the past week members of California State University, Stanislaus' fraternity Nu Alpha Kappa have welcomed the opportunity to get out of the cold.

MJC president answers protestors’ questions about cuts

Modesto Junior College administrators informed faculty members on Thursday that jobs may be cut – and that the communications department could be eliminated entirely – as the college attempts to shed $8 million from its budget in response to declining state contributions.

Walnut brothers live by ‘Golden Rule’

February Character Counts Profile: Respect

‘Character Counts’ in TUSD

In recent months, the Turlock Unified School District introduced the Character Counts program on campuses and in the community. The program is being introduced in an effort to improve student and adult interaction, decrease behavior problems and teach a set of universal values so educational focus throughout TUSD can improve.

Dutcher students celebrate bi-literacy

Being fluent in two languages is one of the greatest gifts a child can receive in today's world. It increases career opportunities in a highly competitive job market and gives them the opportunity to communicate with more people. Students in the Two-Way Bilingual Immersion program at Dutcher Middle School took the opportunity to showcase their bilingual skills on Wednesday night and persuade younger students that the immersion pays off at the fourth annual ...

Denair Unified fires superintendent

In an unexpected turn of events Thursday night, the Denair Unified School District Board of Trustees unanimously voted to terminate Superintendent Edward Parraz. Parraz will be placed on administrative leave effective immediately until the board and Parraz can come to an agreement on the release of his contract, which was set to expire June 30, 2014. "It is with deep regret that we inform that the board has reached a unanimous decision ...

Cancer doesn't hamper Dutcher student's passion for learning

Very few of Raymond Perez's classmates at Dutcher Middle School know that he is a survivor. Last year Raymond, 13, was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma, the third most common type of cancer in kids and teens ages 10 to 14. He had to spend most of last school year studying at home - and in the hospital. "It was a very difficult time in my life," said Perez. "I cried all the ...

Medeiros student knows the meaning of respect

March Character Counts Profile: Respect Student feature: Kendrick Lacerda Nominated by: Principal Jennifer Yacoub and Assistant Principal Laura Long Kendrick Lacerda, a fourth grader at Sandra Tovar Medeiros Elementary School, is proof there are still children who know the meaning of the word respect. His actions in and out of the classroom were recognized through the Turlock Unified School District's Character Counts program for the trait of respect. Lacerda, who ...

Former track standout earns NCAA postgrad scholarship

CSU Stanislaus alumna and track and field standout Alycia Wagner has received the prestigious NCAA Minority Enhancement Program Postgraduate Scholarship for careers in athletics. Wagner, who was the first CSU Stanislaus student to win the award, will receive a $6,000 scholarship for enrolling in a sports-related academic program as a full-time graduate student in the 2013-14 academic year. "I am so thankful and excited to receive this award," Wagner said. "It is of ...

Superintendent apologizes for early calls

Turlock Unified School District Superintendent Sonny DaMarto issued an apology on Friday for accidentally sending out a robocall to publicize today's Festival on the Green event to the homes of students at 5:45 a.m. The robocall was supposed to go out at 5:45 p.m. "I apologize for the call so early in the morning. It was my fault. Evidently I set the time to be delivered on 'a.m.' instead of 'p.m.' for the ...

Sacred Heart Preschoolers to present 'An Afternoon with Picasso'

Nearly 200 aspiring young models will hit the catwalk today for the 8th annual Sacred Heart Preschool Fashion Show and Tea. The sold out event will house nearly 300 people in the school's gymnasium and feature a light lunch and tea, live and silent auctions and raffle of over 20 items. "This fashion show is one of my favorites," said Debbie Cannella, founder of Sacred Heart Preschool. "Having a fundraiser where children are ...

Turlock High students put their campaigning skills to the test

Parents voice outrage at proposed Denair school board election change

In an effort to save more money for a financially struggling Denair Unified School District, the district's board of trustees considered postponing board elections for one year. This idea was met with disdain by district parents who questioned current board members' competency and their motives for wanting to postpone elections. In a special board meeting held Thursday night, Superintendent Edward Parraz recommended rescheduling the election of governing board members by aligning district elections ...

TUSD prepares for governor's adult school changes

When Governor Jerry Brown released his proposed budget plan for the 2013-14 fiscal year, it included many changes in education funding. One of those changes, that moves adult school funding from K-12 school districts to community colleges, has many schools throughout the state fearing a loss of services to local students. The Turlock Unified School District, which has the largest adult school program in Stanislaus County, fears that if the governor's proposed budget ...

New assistant principal working to make TJHS '800-point school'

The new assistant principal at Turlock Junior High School is a familiar face to many. That's because the district picked longtime Turlock resident Sumeet Singh, a former 8th grade history teacher at TJHS. Singh started his new role this week as the assistant principal of curriculum and instruction, working alongside Principal Dave Kline and Assistant Principal of Student Services Tim Norton. "I've barely been working for this position for about a week ...

Read Across America

Students of Cunningham Elementary School were nothing short of ambitious after attending their annual Read Across America assembly, a nod to the nation's largest reading celebration in honor of Dr. Seuss' birthday. The audiences ranged from kindergarteners to sixth grade students, and all were encouraged to dress up as their favorite story book characters in light of the occasion. During the assembly, students were taught about the importance of reading and were encouraged ...

Area students compete in Regional Science Olympiad

Future scientists will put their skills to the test today, as the CSU Stanislaus campus hosts the 27th annual Stanislaus County Regional Science Olympiad. More than 550 students representing 16 middle school and 14 high schools from across Stanislaus County will be participating in a series of events that will begin at 8:30 a.m. and end at 2 p.m. inside the gym. "This is a wonderful event for our junior and high ...

NJROTC student wins big at air rifle competition

Determination and discipline are just two of the traits developed by those who participate in air rifle marksmanship. For Richard Gastelum, a junior ROTC student at Turlock High School, competing in air riffle competitions has also earned him the title of one of the best shooters in the nation. Gastelum was selected as one of the top 15 shooters in the nation, beating out 3,065 competitors, in the 2013 Navy JROTC Service Championship ...

Festival to highlight talents of local students

Over 600 Turlock Unified School District students will be showcasing their musical talents at the Festival on the Green, set for March 9 at Pitman High School. Festival on the Green, hosted by the Turlock Education Foundation and TUSD, is free and open to the public. "Our goal is to provide an opportunity for the community to come together and celebrate music and arts in our community and enjoy our TUSD students," ...