Campaign Focuses On School Attendance

Increasing student attendance rates and raising awareness about the importance of school attendance is the goal of a recently-launched campaign by the Oakdale Joint Unified School District.

Annual Benefit For Oakdale Schools Slated

In its effort to enrich the educations of students in the Oakdale Joint Unified School District, the Oakdale Educational Foundation is holding the "Music 'n' Motion" fundraising event on Saturday, Sept. 29 at the Oakdale Golf and Country Club from 5 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

Teachers Seek New Classroom Funding Options

When Sierra View Elementary School second grade teacher Linda Kraus finally decided that she needed a digital camera for her classroom, instead of always borrowing the school camera, she knew where to turn.

Show Kindness, Compassion - OJUSD Students Challenged To Step Up

An essay written by a student killed in the 1999 Columbine High School shooting in Colorado inspired a program called Rachel's Challenge to combat bullying and create a culture of kindness and compassion on school campuses.

Oakdale Schools Lead In Exit Exam Passage

Oakdale schools' pass rates of the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) are higher than any other unified school district in Stanislaus County and surpass the county and state average pass rates, according to a report given to the Oakdale Joint Unified School District Board of Trustees at the Sept. 10 regular meeting.

Bullying Presentation Due For Students, Community

Rachel Scott was the first student killed in the Columbine High School shooting in 1999. Her family found her diary that contained an essay called "My Ethics, My Codes of Life" and then developed a program called Rachel's Challenge, which in part, challenges students to eliminate prejudice, set big goals, and be mindful of their influence.

Pressing Tees, Raising Money

A project to raise money by printing T-shirts is gaining steam in the Oasis after school program at Oakdale Junior High School.

County Culinary School Cooking Up Cool

Whether learning life skills or prepping for a culinary career, Oakdale High School ROP students are enjoying the fruits - literally - of their labor as they learn how to cut, prepare, and cook as part of the culinary arts course offered at the newly opened Oakdale Community School campus on South Yosemite Avenue.

Fair Oaks Changes Parent Group Affiliation

Fair Oaks Elementary School has made a switch from the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) to the Parent Teacher Club (PTC). The PTA group decided to disband and become a new type of parent-teacher organization because they felt a PTC would better meet the needs of the school.

Fall Previews Debut Today

As the 2012-13 school year ushers in a new cast of athletes for each sport, it also offers a chance for the Oakdale Leader to preview Oakdale High's perennially successful programs on their respective fields of play. Today's Aug. 29 edition of The Leader features the first of a three part series highlighting 'Oakdale's Most Wanted' athletes and the teams they play for. This week, team previews on Mustang football and volleyball teams can be ...

Oakdale Teacher Named Poet Laureate

Poetry is a passion for Gillian Wegener; she said it is a big part of who she is. Because of her commitment to the art, the Oakdale Junior High School teacher was recently named Poet Laureate in Modesto. Wegener has taught English for 22 years at OJHS, where she began her teaching career. Wegener applied for the Poet Laureate position in February and was recommended for appointment by Modesto's Culture Commission Committee in early April. ...

New Kindergarten Class Added

An increased number of kindergartners in the Oakdale Joint Unified School District has resulted in the establishment of an additional kindergarten class and the hiring of a temporary teacher for the school year.

Chance To Help Magnolia School Win Grant

The community and supporters of Oakdale schools have an opportunity to help Magnolia Elementary School win a grant from Raley's through an online contest. The contest is in its final days and ends this Friday, Aug. 31. "Magnolia Elementary has no shade on its playground and we are hoping to fundraise enough money to provide a much-needed shade structure," Magnolia Parent Teacher Club member Caryn Cummins said. "We have applied for the ...

Art Corps Kicks Off At Fair Oaks

Dedicated volunteers coupled with great support from teachers and family interest have made it possible to launch the Art Corps program this year at Fair Oaks Elementary School, a year earlier than expected.

Enrollment Up In Oakdale Schools

Student enrollment numbers appear to be up slightly this year, wrapping up a full week of school in the Oakdale Joint Unified School District. School started Aug. 14 and OJUSD Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Terri Taylor supplied enrollment numbers on Aug 20.

School Care Closet Needs Restocking

Once donations have been made to local charities and the holidays are over, some people forget that there are continuous needs and those holiday donations can be quickly depleted.

School Trustees Hear Safety Plan

An overview of the Oakdale Joint Unified School District's safety plan and coordinated crisis response plan was presented to the district Board of Trustees at the Jan. 14 regular meeting. In the wake of the Connecticut school shooting, information about school district safety plans has been in the forefront of people's minds.

Public Invited To County Music Fest

General Fund Impact - Special Ed Costs Soaring

Special education costs are increasing for school districts, while the state and federal governments' contributions are decreasing, according to a 25-page report on special education in California released Jan. 3 by the state Legislative Analyst's Office (LAO).

Kids’ Museum Gives Glimpse Of Ancient Egypt

Breakfast Honors Kids Doing School Right

Oakdale High School's academic movers and shakers were honored recently with the "Doing High School Right" breakfast for the first semester. The Dec. 13 breakfast took place in the school cafeteria and is held each semester as part of the OHS Renaissance program to support academic achievement and improvement. OHS college counselor Denise Hitch reported that the students recognized were nominated by staff because they are ...

Students Offer Gifts In A Shoebox

School Safety Examined

In the wake of the school tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut on Friday, Dec. 14, questions about the safety plans of schools are on the minds of people in communities across the country, including here in Oakdale.

Stellar Students

School Projects Moving Forward

The Oakdale Joint Unified School District Board of Trustees voted to move forward with a Request for Qualifications for architectural services for the district's new Central Kitchen and a multi purpose room design that will be for Fair Oaks and Cloverland elementary schools.

Robbins Closes Out Career At Riverbank Schools

Dissections Bring Knowledge About Organs

Animal organs helped elementary school students learn more about human body systems when they recently had the opportunity to analyze them during a dissection "party."

Orchestra Concert For Kids Of All Ages

Oakdale High Marching Band, Colorguard Take First Place

Driving rain, wind, and cold weather couldn't stop the Oakdale High School Marching Band recently as it took first place at the Lincoln Review of Champions in Stockton. On Nov. 17 bands from the Bay Area, Fresno, and the Central Coast flocked to the review because it's one of the last of the competitive marching band season, which coincides with the end of the football season.

OHS Essay Writers Dominate Contest

Oakdale High School students comprised 11 out of 19 award recipients and swept the top three spots at the recent awards ceremony for the American Heritage Scholarship Series essay contest.