Community Briefing

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Community Briefing

MONEY FOR HOMELESS STUDENTS: Several area school districts will get federal stimulus money to help homeless students. "In addition to the devastating cuts we've seen in state education funding, families are suffering from job loss, service cuts and home repossessions," Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell said. "These budget cuts and economic hardships affect all students but have the greatest impact on our homeless children, a student population that is unfortunately growing." Districts and the funds they're receiving are:

Stanislaus County Office of Education $57,400

Ceres Unified $8,400

Turlock Unified $18,700

Manteca Unified $63,300

Tuolumne County Superintendent of Schools $22,300

Jamestown School District $13,394

The funds will help schools address the educational and related needs of homeless students. Schools can use the money for programs for preschool-age homeless children; before- and after-school programs, mentoring, and summer programs with educational activities. For additional information on Homeless Children & Youth Education, go to www.cde.ca.gov/sp/hs/cy.

4 SCHOOL DISTRICTS GET CAFETERIA FUNDS: Four local school districts are getting money to update food service equipment. Districts and the money they're receiving are:

Chatom Union $6,740

Keyes Union $10,250

Salida Union $29,610

Waterford Unified $12,543

This one-time funding of $12.8 million in Equipment Assistance Grants is part of federal stimulus funding. The California Department of Education received $70 million in requests for new kitchen equipment, underscoring the need for additional support to improve school food operations across the state. The grants were awarded on a competitive basis with priority given to sites with at least 50 percent of children eligible for free or reduced-price meals. For more information on the grants, go to www.cde.ca.gov/fg/fo/r9/arraeg08result.asp.

REGISTRATION HELP FOR NEW MJC STUDENTS: Modesto Junior College is gearing up its StartSmart early registration program this week. New students can earn a higher registration priority by participating in StartSmart; seats are still available in many of the workshops that start Wednesday and continue through July 27 in the Mary Stuart Rogers Student Learning Center on the west campus. Space is limited to 50 seats per session. Workshops combine orientation, advising and registration. Completion of StartSmart can result in a student being able to register for classes as much as one month earlier than other first-time students. To sign up, people must complete an MJC application either online at www.mjc.edu or in the admissions office on either the west or east campus. The second step is to take the English-reading and math assessment tests before a StartSmart workshop reservation can be made. Assessment dates are available on the MJC Web site or by phoning 575-7728. Fall classes will begin Aug. 31.