Focus on Education: Conference in Turlock

The registration deadline is today for the 17th annual Transition from Student to Teacher Conference, which will be held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at California State University, Stanislaus, in Turlock. The conference will focus on issues that confront new teachers and education professionals. Guest presenters and conference facilitators include CSU, Stanislaus, faculty and staff; education specialists; and regional educators. Topics range from credentialing assessments and preparation options to district expectations for new teachers, temperaments in the classroom and "The R.O.U.T.E. to Success" for classroom behavior. There is a $30 registration fee. To register, call (209) 667-3220 or visit http://bit.ly/WfnSgS.

FINANCIAL AID WORKSHOP: Modesto City Schools will present information on getting financial aid for college. The workshop is at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Downey High School cafeteria, 1000 Coffee Road. The workshop will help high school seniors and their families go step by step through the financial aid process. For more information, contact Jorge Perez at (209) 595-9654 or Terry Gonzales at (209) 569-2830.

MOCK TRIAL IN STOCKTON: San Joaquin County students wrapped up Round 1 of the Mock Trial competition Tuesday. Round 2 will be 5:30 p.m. Thursday and Rounds 3 and 4 will be 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the Stockton Courthouse, 222 E. Weber Ave., Stockton. The awards ceremony will be at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at the Federal Building, 401 N. San Joaquin St., Stockton. This year's fictional case is the trial of Adrian Vega, a prominent resident of Hidden Valley and child of the city's mayor, who is charged with felony hit-and-run. All events are free and open to the public.

CHILD CARE CONFERENCE: Stanislaus County's Office of Education and the Children and Families Commission will hold the "Off to a Healthy Start" conference for child care providers from 8:30 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Petersen Event Center, 720 12th St. Patty Kimbrell, an early childhood physical activity trainer from San Diego, will lead exercises and speak on the childhood obesity epidemic and what child care providers can do. The event is free, but seating is limited and registration has closed.