Focus on Education: Stanislaus County essay contest winners

The American Heritage Scholarship Series essay contest winners will be announced at a ceremony at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Stanislaus County Office of Education boardroom, 1100 H St.

This fall, 166 high school juniors and seniors participated, writing about the 2012 presidential election and whether the media advanced or hindered voters' ability to make an informed decision.

Students had to support their responses with information from a presentation by Keith W. Smith of the University of the Pacific, their knowledge of U.S. history and government, and a minimum of two other sources.

Local educators, editors, community leaders and Superior Court judges judged the essays. The competition is sponsored by the office of education, Modesto City Schools and The Modesto Bee.

TURLOCK TO MEET:

The Turlock Unified School District board will meet at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the professional development center, 1100 Cahill Ave., Turlock. Trustees will vote on large increases in facility use fees and hear a presentation on improving classroom technology in the district, with an estimated cost of $1.1 million. For a full agenda, visit http://bit.ly/TurlockBoard.

SALIDA TO MEET:

The Salida Union School District board will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Sisk School cafeteria, 5337 Sugar Creek Lane, Salida. Trustees will salute students who competed in the district spelling bee and those earning a perfect score on state math tests. The board will hear a report on attendance and discuss alternatives to work around road construction for 2013-14, including consideration of creating a K-8 campus at Mildred Perkins School. To see the full agenda, visit http://bit.ly/SalidaAgenda

EIGHTH GRADE DAY:

Eighth-graders from all schools are welcome to come to Eighth Grade Day, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 30 at Central Catholic High School at 200 S. Carpenter Road. The day's events will include visits to the classrooms, a rally, a free pizza lunch, a noon dance, and time to talk with CCHS students, teachers, coaches and counselors. For reservations, call (209) 524-9611 or e-mail tybor@cchsca.org.