Focus on Education (10/23/14)

SPECIAL EDUCATION COUNCIL TO MEET

The Superintendents Council that oversees special education in Stanislaus County outside Modesto City Schools will meet at 9 a.m. Friday in the Stanislaus SELPA conference room, 1404 Stonum Road, Modesto. The panel will consider a recommendation to use mental health funds to increase support for better behavior and discuss, but not vote on, updates to its transportation procedures. See the agenda at http://tinyurl.com/SELPAagenda.

MERCED AFTER SCHOOL PARADE THURSDAY

The nationwide Lights On! After School celebration will be at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, rain or shine, starting at K and Main streets in downtown Merced. This year, the event will highlight the importance of early education with a parade featuring some of the youngest students. The Merced County Local Child Care & Development Planning Council is partnering with event organizers. The theme for the parade is “It All Starts Here!” The area will be closed to traffic starting at 1:30p.m. The walking parade recommends wagons and strollers for younger children, but no motorized transportation will be permitted. Early Education programs can call Sheilah Brooks at (209) 381-6675 or email sbrooks@mcoe.org to register.

SCHOOL DANCE PROGRAMS FUNDRAISER

At 6 p.m. Thursday at the Gallo Center for the Arts, 1000 I St., Modesto, the Juline Foundation for Children will hold an “Evening Under the Stars” fundraiser to support its programs bringing free dance instruction to schools. A children’s performance will start at 8 p.m. Cost is $45 at the door.

ENGLISH LEARNERS SYMPOSIUM SATURDAY

The Great Valley Writing Project will hold an English Learners Symposium for educators from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday at Demergasso-Bava Hall, California State University, Stanislaus, 1 University Circle, Turlock. The ninth annual symposium, titled “Transitioning to the Common Core with English Learners,” will include research-based approaches for teaching argument writing to English learners; writing to increase comprehension and improve student engagement in content areas; and technology approaches and tools to build confident, mature writers. Space is limited. Registration is $40, free for student teachers and interns. For more information, call (209) 667-3490 or visit www.csustan.edu/gvwp. Register at http://2014el.eventbrite.com.

MJC SPEECH AND DEBATE TEAM SCORES

The Modesto Junior College speech and debate team took sweepstakes awards in every category at the 2014 Santa Rosa Junior College Speech and Debate Tournament held Oct. 10-11 in Santa Rosa. Several MJC debaters were given speaker awards for their rhetorical eloquence throughout the tournament. In novice, Rick Morris got a second-place speaker award and Megan Chatelain took first place. In open, Michael Rourick took fifth-place speaker, Jon Sahlman took second, and James Baugh finished as the tournament’s top speaker in parliamentary debate. Sahlman collected a finalist award in communication analysis. Baugh took home the gold in persuasive.

EMPIRE STUDENTS GIVE SHOES TO OTHERS

Empire Elementary surpassed its Think Kindness 15 Day Challenge goal of collecting 800 pairs of shoes to send to poor children around the world. The school collected 833 pairs of shoes, said Principal Nancy Fox. “I believe the success of our campaign speaks to the determination of our students and the generous support of our community,” she said by email. Members of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Modesto pitched in, collecting shoes for the cause, Fox said.

This story was originally published October 21, 2014 at 6:13 PM with the headline "Focus on Education (10/23/14)."