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.

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," ...