Read Across America - Dr. Seuss’ Birthday Encourages Reading

Fun activities and events helped motivate children and generate enthusiasm for reading in Oakdale schools when Read Across America, a nationwide event to promote literacy, was observed on March 2 in honor of Dr. Seuss' birthday.

OHS Takes Regional Science Olympiad Trophy

Another championship award has been added to Oakdale High School's academic trophy case as the OHS Science Olympiad team took the top prize at the 25th Annual Regional Science Olympiad at Modesto Junior College on March 5. They will advance to the NorCal State Championships in Clovis on April 9.

Good Deeds Focus Of Play, New Program

What's the effect of a single good deed? Students at Magnolia Elementary School are about to find out once they watch a drama production featuring their peers that focuses on doing nice things for others.

Benefit Hoops Game Helps Kids In Need

When a student needs sweat clothes or tennis shoes for PE, school supplies, a jacket, or even a backpack for school, KIND is there to help fill that need.

Dawn’s Column - Overcommitted, Under ‘Fun’ded

Over the past few weeks I've felt especially overwhelmed by my amount of "busy-ness." I deal with bouts of this at different times throughout the year. Work commitments requiring longer hours and late nights as well as home commitments with important business to tend to, evening appointments, and events have left me feeling a little burnt out. There are no signs of this relenting any time soon. <p ...

Fourth Graders Release Salmon

The Salmon Project for this year's fourth graders at Sierra View Elementary School recently came to an end as they released the Chinook salmon they've been studying and learning about since the fall.

OHS Students Prep For Science Olympiad

After several months of preparation and the harried intensity of pulling together the last minute details, 20 of Oakdale High School's best and brightest science students will compete in the 25th Annual Regional Science Olympiad at Modesto Junior College on March 5.

Board Ratifies Agreement

The tentative successor agreement between the Oakdale Teachers Association and the Oakdale Joint Unified School District was ratified by the district's Board of Trustees at the Feb. 28 regular meeting. The teachers agreed to a 2.5 percent pay cut and five unpaid furlough days for the 2011-2012 year. This will result in a salary savings of $471,581 to the district in the 2011-2012 budget. <span ...

OID Report: Enough Water This Year

The Oakdale Irrigation District is expecting its full allocation of water this year and also expects to have water available that has previously been transferred (sold) to Stockton East Water District (SEWD).

Agreement Reached

The Oakdale Joint Unified School District Board of Trustees ratified a tentative agreement with the Oakdale Teachers Association last night at the Feb. 28 board meeting. The teachers agreed to a pay cut and furlough days for the 2011-2012 school year. Read the March 2 issue of The Leader for more details.

College Awareness Raised At Oakdale Area Schools

College awareness has been a theme throughout February at Oakdale High School, as February is College Awareness Month. Further, in support of College Awareness Month on a countywide level, Feb. 18 was "Wear Your College Logo to Work" day.

High School Biology ‘Rap’ Helps Kids Learn About DNA

Maybe they're not future hip hop superstars but sophomores in Bob Wessling's biology class at Oakdale High School found their inner musicians and made biology rap songs about DNA and RNA.

Distinguished Young Woman Named

Oakdale High School student Chloe Schoemann was named the 2012 Distinguished Young Woman at the Saturday, Feb. 19 scholarship competition, formerly known as Junior Miss, held at Magnolia School auditorium.

Rap Session

A biology teacher at Oakdale High School recently gave an innovative assignment to help his students learn and retain material. Bob Wessling's goal is to reach students who aren't as engaged in typical classroom work and get them involved. For full details, read the Wednesday, Feb. 23 issue of The Oakdale Leader.

A Twist On Macbeth Offered Up At Schools

"Macbeth: The Musical" &ndash; a musical comedy version of Macbeth &ndash; with student-created characters and lines has been performed by students in the school district's Gifted And Talented Education (GATE) program, or "gifted learner" program, through the second and third weeks of February. The GATE students at each elementary school site in the Oakdale Joint Unified School District have presented two to three performances of the musical, each ...

New Games Lined Up For Challenge

The rivers of chocolate will flow at the annual Chocolate Challenge, where fun and games with chocolate will reign on the stage, Saturday, May 18 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, May 19 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. At the 21st Annual Oakdale Chocolate Festival, there will be a few changes to the Chocolate Challenge games this year, with some new, timed events where contestants will ...

Native American Life Studied

A "field trip" came to school for Fair Oaks Elementary third graders on May 8 to study the Yokuts people. The Yokuts populated this area at one time and consisted of a number of different tribes.

OID Vote - Westlands Water Sale Cleared

A one-year water transfer contract with the Westlands Water District (WWD) was unanimously approved at the May 7 regular meeting of the Oakdale Irrigation District Board of Directors. There are some conditions on the contract that first protect OID water users before any transfer.

Deadline Looms For Irrigated Lands Coalition

It's the "last call" to join the East San Joaquin Water Quality Coalition, also known as the Irrigated Lands Coalition, said Tom Orvis, Governmental Affairs Directors for the Stanislaus County Farm Bureau, at the recent Oakdale Irrigation District Board of Directors meeting. He said the deadline is Monday, May 13.

2013 Volz Recipient Announced

Fifth Graders ‘Complete’ Space Mission

A trip to Sacramento turned out to be a simulated trip to outer space recently for fifth graders at Fair Oaks Elementary School.

Campus Concern - Board Addresses Discipline Complaint

Complaints about the handling of discipline of a student at Sierra View Elementary School was addressed by the Oakdale Joint Unified School District Board of Trustees at the regular meeting on April 22.

River Flows On The Rise

The Bureau of Reclamation, which operates New Melones Reservoir, and the Oakdale Irrigation District recently released information about flow increases in the Stanislaus River.

Realistic DUI Tragedy Played Out

A drunk driver, a bloody crash scene, dead and dying vehicle occupants.

Rodeo Parade Entertains Masses

It's time to people-watch in Oakdale, and what better place than to watch them march down the middle of F Street to the beat of their own drums &ndash; or to the clip clop of horses' hooves &ndash; than at the 62nd Annual Oakdale Rodeo Parade? The parade starts at 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 13 and features some of the best dressed cowboys and cowgirls of different ages, ...

The 'Write' Trail - Young Writers Close Book On Experience

Author, Author Event Slated At Lemmons Senior Center

Local Student Heads For State Contest

Oakdale resident and Valley Charter High School (VCHS) student Matthew Gery won a gold medal recently at the SkillsUSA California Region 5 Leadership and Skills Conference and will compete at the state contest in San Diego April 4-7.

Halting Student Tobacco Use Focus Of Class

A class focusing on raising awareness and to motivate teens to stop using tobacco or join a voluntary cessation program was part of a pre-cessation class held recently at Oakdale High School.

Sunny Spring Fest Draws Large Crowd