Gold Rush Lesson Incorporates Student Drama

A play about the Gold Rush helped fourth graders at Cloverland Elementary School transfer what they learned from a textbook and get a better idea of its realities and have some fun, too. Cloverland teachers Christina Carmelich and Cindy Bellinger assigned roles to their students who then learned lines in a musical called "Gold Dust or Bust."

Educational Trip Turned Into Medical Emergency

The seventh grade southwest trip turned into a harrowing experience for 13-year-old Dustin Hoy in its final few days. According to teacher Fred Yerzy, on the fourth day of the adventure, the group completed a difficult hike into the Grand Canyon. They ate dinner at the Cameron Trading Post and Dustin complained that he wasn't feeling well and vomited.

Contract Ratified

The Oakdale Joint Unified School District Board of Trustees ratified the tentative agreement between the district and the classified employees union in an action at the May 9 regular meeting. The California School Employees Association (CSEA) #830 and the district negotiated and the membership voted in favor of ratification. The agreement is fair and equitable to all parties involved, said Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources and Superintendent-elect Marc Malone.

Oakdale FFA Honors Members, Supporters At Banquet

The Oakdale FFA chapter held its annual awards banquet at the Bianchi Community Center on May 3, handing out numerous achievement awards for its members, as well as recognizing parents and others in the community who've been supportive.

Administrative Changes At Schools

Administrative Changes At Schools

Dunning Earns Volz Scholarship

Oakdale High School senior Daniel Dunning, considered an outstanding and well-rounded student, was recently named the winner of the Leo Volz Scholarship. The prestigious and coveted scholarship pays 100 percent of an Oakdale student's college tuition and books for four years of undergraduate education at an accredited two- or four-year college of their choice.

College Bill To Be Paid In Full

What Oakdale High School senior will have his four-year college education paid for in full due to being an outstanding, well-rounded student? He's the winner of a special scholarship endowed by a former local farmer. Find out who the 2011 Leo Volz Scholarship winner is in the May 4 issue of The Oakdale Leader.

Students Mentored Through Reading Club

While their peers are out on the playground for lunchtime recess, more than a dozen students at Cloverland Elementary School are meeting, by choice, with adults to read books.

Students Off For Southwest Adventure

Oakdale Junior High School seventh graders, teachers and parent chaperones are off on a Southwest adventure, including some exploration of the Grand Canyon, for a six-day educational tour during Spring Break, April 25-30.

School Bells - Teachers Association Selects Winners

Two local educators or community members who make a significant difference in the community through their contributions toward the enhancement and improvement of education and the enrichment of the lives of children are selected by the Oakdale Teachers Association each year to receive the California Teachers Association School Bell award. They help instill in others the knowledge, judgment and values that shape society and enhance the lives of future generations.

OHS Library Mural Being Extended

Oakdale High School art teacher Nancy Kern, librarian Audrey Rinna, and history teacher Marty Fauria had a vision to extend the historical mural that is housed in the school library.

Job Shadow Event, Scholarships Draw Record Number Of Students

In what is being called a rousing success by participants, the Oakdale Chamber of Commerce sponsored job shadow event hosted the highest number of applicants in the history of the program with 37 students and 43 applicants.

Two Selected For School Bell Award

Two local individuals have made significant contributions toward the enhancement and improvement of education. Additionally, they've enriched of the lives of children in this community and were recently selected by the Oakdale Teachers Association to receive the 2011 California Teachers Association School Bell award.

Who are they?

Malone To Assume Superintendent Role

After a comprehensive and competitive search process, Marc Malone was recently named the new Superintendent for the Oakdale Joint Unified School District. Malone currently serves as the district's Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources and will assume the Superintendent role on July 1 from the retiring Fred Rich.

Elementary Schools Celebrate Rodeo Spirit

Oakdale elementary schools got into the rodeo spirit on April 8, embracing Oakdale's western heritage by dressing and decorating in cowboy style in honor of the Oakdale Rodeo.

Round ‘Em Up

There is just barely a week of summer break left for students in the Oakdale Joint Unified School District. The first day of school districtwide is set for Thursday, Aug. 7. While the elementary age students may fill this final week with backpack shopping or playdates, the upper grades are busy at their respective campuses.

Day Camp Wraps Action Packed Summer

This week marks the final week of Oakdale's Super Summer Camp program offered through the Oakdale Joint Unified School District. Camp is open to students in kindergarten through sixth grade and campers can attend any or all of the weeklong summer sessions.

Care Closet: Donations Needed For Students

School supplies are being collected now, as Oakdale Joint Unified School District officials look toward the fast approaching start of the new school year.

Summer Sessions Focus On Homeschooling Options

Homeschooling is a rewarding educational alternative. It is especially valuable for those families wanting to pass on their religious heritage, family values or personal beliefs to their children. Special needs or high achieving children who do not fit into a typical campus classroom benefit greatly from the one on one work at an individual pace.

FFA Officers Attend Leadership Camp

Oakdale FFA members recently attended a three-day sectional leadership conference in Pinecrest over a weekend, at Camp Sylvester. During this time FFA chapters from the Stanislaus-Tuolumne section and the Tri-Rivers section went along with two delegates selected by their chapters. These delegates were to vote for the new sectional officers that would represent each section at regional meetings and events and also help run the section.

Horse Around With Pre-County Fair Horse, Livestock Events

Trot on down to the Stanislaus County Fairgrounds for horse show and livestock events before the fair opens.

Knights Ferry Graduates Group

Knights Ferry School held its commencement ceremony on June 3, graduating 13 eighth graders. Each of the graduates had speaking parts in the ceremony.

School Board Passes 2014-2015 Budget

The 2014-2015 school budget was approved by the Oakdale Joint Unified School District Board of Trustees at the June 9 regular meeting.

Super Summer Camp On Now

Summer Camp is open. Oakdale's Super Summer Camp started on June 2 and is an eight-week summer program for children in kindergarten through sixth grades to keep them engaged in fun activities, field trips, and learning opportunities five days a week.

Valley Home Graduates Eight

Valley Home Joint School District held its eighth grade commencement ceremony on May 21 at the school gymnasium, with eight students graduating.