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Stanislaus Office of Education issues layoffs to teachers, staff as enrollment declines

in Education
The Stanislaus Military Academy in Turlock is an alternative education program provided by the Stanislaus County Office of Education, which despite its challenging students ranked highest in a union survey of teacher satisfaction in schools across Stanislaus County. NAN AUSTIN MODESTO BEE FILE
The Stanislaus Military Academy in Turlock is an alternative education program provided by the Stanislaus County Office of Education, which despite its challenging students ranked highest in a union survey of teacher satisfaction in schools across Stanislaus County. NAN AUSTIN MODESTO BEE FILE

Local agencies are awash in COVID-19 relief funding. And local school districts struggle with a teacher shortage.

So why is the Stanislaus County Office of Education giving layoff notices to teachers and other employees?

An administrator confirmed SCOE is laying off employees this week, including 18 teachers, two managers and six classified employees.

Continue Reading on The Modesto Bee

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Learning through music

in Education/Entertainment/News
Liz Hallack helps her daughter Elena as she tries to follow along with the lessons at the Little Tunes studio in downtown Turlock (PAWAN NAIDU/The Journal).
Liz Hallack helps her daughter Elena as she tries to follow along with the lessons at the Little Tunes studio in downtown Turlock (PAWAN NAIDU/The Journal).

Ashley Soto grew up loving to dance, but when she had to have knee surgery in 2019, her doctor told her it was time to find a new hobby. The trained singer and dancer thought about the fun she had taking her kids to baby music classes in the Bay Area, but when she moved to Turlock with her family, she realized there weren’t any here. That’s when she decided to open Little Tunes in October 2019.

“I was asking around, are there some in Modesto or Merced, but nobody was doing them,” said Soto. “I’m a classically trained singer and dancer, maybe I should start doing these classes.”

Soto operates Little Tunes in the Alegria Performing Arts Center at 320 E Main St. in downtown Turlock. There are a variety of lessons for students. The classes do songs in sign language and other languages. The students play in rhythm and learn about movement. They also learn about traditional music such as jazz and ballot.

Continue Reading on Turlock Journal

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TUSD welcomes alumni to help further equity initiatives

in Education/School

In an effort to make sure that all students have equal access to resources and educational support, the Turlock Unified School District has hired a new equity coordinator.

The TUSD Board of Trustees approved Angélica Cárdenas Ayala for the position of Coordinator of Equity Initiatives, effective Wednesday.

Ayala’s background includes an MA in Education, Counseling and a BA in Politics and Spanish. She recently held the position of Lead Counselor at ACE Charter High School in San Jose and previously worked for Aspire Public Schools in her work to guide students to pursue higher education.

Continue Reading on Turlock Journal

Voice of the students on TUSD Board

in Education/School

Turlock students have a couple of their own advocating for them and voicing their concerns on issues big and small when it comes to the Turlock Unified School Board of Trustees. Bella Kern and Kate Ogden are the student representatives on the TUSD Board and participate in the board’s bimonthly meetings.

The two high school representatives felt that their involvement in an array of activities gave them the experience they needed to make a difference on the Board.

“I really like Turlock High and I’m really involved, I feel like I do a lot. So, I feel like I can represent what’s going on, maybe not the best, but in a respectable way,” said Ogden.

Continue Reading on Turlock Journal

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Turlock Unified offers virtual instruction for students in quarantine

in Education

Turlock Unified School District has decided to provide access to instruction when a secondary student in grades 7-12 is placed on quarantine (not allowed to physically attend school due to a COVID-19 related exposure or illness). Teachers will be opening their classrooms virtually through the use of cameras and online learning platforms, including Google Classroom.

“TUSD teachers and staff are working to support all students so they graduate college and career ready. Use of digital resources during quarantine periods is a further opportunity to engage students in learning. All students will be required to complete assignments and meet expectations for satisfactory progress to receive credit toward promotion or graduation,” said Chief Communications Coordinator Marie Russell.

Continue Reading on Turlock Journal

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Math camps get youth ready for junior high

in Education

A summer camp for junior high age youth aims to get them excited about math.

Sundar S.T.E.A.M. Academy will once again be providing a summer camps for students entering 6th-8th grade in fall 2021.

The Geometry and Algebra camps will be held on July 19-30.

“Our Geometry Camp ensures connection and context of geometry and the concepts in engineering,” said Viji Sundar, owner and program director of Sundar Academy. “The Algebra Camp will review equations, inequalities, number sense and fractions to get them ready to start the school year with confidence.”

Continue Reading on Turlock Journal

City needs more rec leaders for after-school program to continue

in Education

Amid an unprecedented staffing shortage, the City of Turlock Parks, Recreation & Public Facilities Department was recently forced to delay registration for one of its after-school programs and is in desperate need of applicants interested in working with students. 

As of Thursday, Parks, Recreation & Public Facilities Supervisor Karen Packwood said 30 individuals had been given conditional job offers as Recreation Leaders to oversee the City’s PLAY and ASES programs. Registration for the PLAY program was originally set to open in July, but was delayed this week as more employees need to be hired in order for it to run efficiently. 

“Like other businesses, we are challenged with having to rebuild staff levels, and we are hopeful that fun and professional individuals will step up to help us meet this need,” Packwood said.

Continue Reading on Turlock Journal

Grant funding provides summer learning at TUSD elementary campuses

in Education

Thanks to grant funding, students throughout Turlock Unified School District have even more opportunities to learn this summer through hands-on activities offered at each elementary campus for the very first time. 

While summer school was previously only offered at select TUSD sites, this year an Expanded Learning Opportunity Grant from the state allowed the school district to collaborate with the Stanislaus County Office of Education to create a Summer Learning Curriculum across all campuses during the month of June. In total, TUSD received $9.46 million in ELO funding. 

Continue Reading on Turlock Journal

Rotary Foundation awards scholarships to outstanding seniors, 2020 graduates

in Education/People

The Ceres Rotary Club Foundation honored outstanding graduating seniors and first-year college students on May 21 with a first or second of two-year educational scholarships.

The club’s scholarship program is unique in that the scholarships are paid over two years with four annual awards at $2,500 or $1,250 a year, and the Lew Family Scholarship, at $4,000 or $2,000 a year. Additionally, the awards offer applicants a variety of college and vocational training options.

Two Central Valley High School seniors were given scholarships. Paola Campos was awarded the $4,000 Lew Family Scholarship and Virginia Moore was gifted the $2,500 General Education/Social Services Scholarship.

Continue Reading on Ceres Courier

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CNA training program returns to TUSD

in Education/Health

Turlock Unified School District is constantly expanding and improving its Career Technical Education offerings for students, and grant funding secured this year made it possible to once again offer an invaluable program for those looking to jumpstart their healthcare careers.

TUSD high school seniors enrolled in the district’s Nursing Assistant Training Program (NATP) went to their final lab at Turlock High School on Friday — one final step before taking their California Nursing Assistant exam to become certified. According to Director of CTE and Program Equity Tami Truax, grant money allowed TUSD to provide CNA training for students for the first time since the 2017-18 school year. 

Continue Reading on Turlock Journal

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