Monthly Archives: August 2014

DUSD Bands Off and Running

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MS Band Students

Submitted by Denair Unified School District

Under the direction of substitute music teacher Ms. Julie Mefferd, Denair High School and Denair Middle School band students began practice this week. Within two days of the start of the school year, students already had instruments in hand.

Denair High School band, which currently has 21 students, began warm ups immediately. Student Band President, Andrew Knapp, said many band students felt rusty after not playing their instruments over the summer. He led warm-ups the first two days. Ms. Mefferd commented last week that the high school band is ready for Pep Band performances at home football games, the first of which is August 29, 2014. The band is polishing its “Imperial March” song from the movie Star Wars and rehearsing “The Star Spangled Banner” which they plan to perform at half time of the Homecoming Game October 24.

Middle School Band, which has approximately 50 students, began practice last Wednesday. Ms. Mefferd set the students in concert formation and began sectional warm ups on a practice piece. Students continue to work on fundamentals. Those who have their own instruments are encouraged to bring them everyday.

On August 19, 2014, Denair Unified School District hired retired band director Mr. Donald Thissen, to replace Ms. Cathy George, who left the district this summer. Mr. Thissen, an accomplished trombone player, has taught music K-12 including jazz and concert band and marching band.

Comedian Shares Serious Messages With Denair Students

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Pat HurleySubmitted by Denair Unified School District

There were plenty of laughs and more than a few giggles during comedian Pat Hurley’s presentation to Denair middle and high school students Tuesday morning. His riffs on teen-age sleeping patterns and dirty bedrooms, horror movies and even nursery rhymes entertained both audiences on their first day of school.

But laced within the humor were six serious messages that Hurley has shared at more than 9,000 campuses across the country. They are the qualities, he says, that separate merely good schools from “championship schools.”

  • Having a clean campus
  • Friendliness
  • Teamwork
  • Responsibility
  • Respect for diversity
  • Giving back to the community

Hurley told students that it doesn’t matter how big their school is or where it’s at, those six characteristics don’t change. He should know. He grew up in Atwater in the 1950s and ’60s, and then moved to metropolitan areas where he won three Emmy Awards for his work with children’s television. He now lives in Orange County and writes mystery novels in addition to his campus presentations.

“It’s not the size the school, it’s the quality of the school,” Hurley told about 400 high school students in the gym.

Earlier, talking with about 240 middle school students in their multipurpose room, Hurley said one of his measures of any campus is how clean it is. Continue reading “Comedian Shares Serious Messages With Denair Students” »

Denair Education Meeting Info Posted

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DenairEdFoundationlogo

Submitted by Denair Education Foundation

Denair Education Foundation invites all interested folks to their first meeting of this school year, Wednesday, August 13, 2014, at 6:30, in the Denair Unified School District Leadership Room. All ideas for supporting students in the district are welcome!

There is also an opportunity on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2014, to recycle unneeded electronics. The free eCycle event will take place in the Denair High School parking lot. All proceeds are used to fund activities, such as field trips, technology items, music and art projects, and scholarships. See the website at www.denairedfoundation.org for more info!

 

eCycle FAQ

Q. What items are acceptable?

A. Below are examples of acceptable and non acceptable items. If you need further guidance, please contact us at info@denairedfoundation.org .

Acceptable

TV, Computer Monitors, Laptops, All-in-Ones
Computer – CPU and components, or parts
Computer Accessories – mouse, keyboard, speakers
Office Equipment – Printers, Fax Machines
Cell Phones

Non-Acceptable

Batteries, Lightbulbs
Kitchen Appliances
Kitchen Accessories – Coffee Pots, Toasters, Blenders
Household Fans, Excercise Equipment
Outdoor Tools & Equipment

 

Q. What do you do with the collected materials?

A. It is picked up by a local recycler and we get paid pennies per pound. The pennies add up!

 

Q. What about the any personal data that may be on my computer?

A. The recycler destroys the components, such as hard drives that contain your personal data.

 

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Motivational Speaker Inspires DUSD Staff

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HarveyAlston

Submitted by Denair Unified School District

Motivational speaker Harvey Alston pumped up the Denair Unified School District staff Monday morning, punctuating his presentation to teachers, secretaries, custodians, food workers and administrators by urging them to “be the absolutely the best at whatever you are.”

Alston called the staff members heroes, saying, “A hero is someone who helps somebody; somebody who makes a difference in somebody’s life.”

“We are in the business of saving lives,” he told the 130 district employees. “We nourish children.”

Alston is a former teacher and coach from Ohio who has spoken to students and staff at more than 6,000 U.S. campuses in addition to businesses and other organizations. He is the author of the book “Be the Best” and his website is built around that theme. His presentation Monday was part of a staff development program. Denair welcomes nearly 1,400 students back to its six campuses tomorrow at 8 a.m.

Dressed in a tuxedo, his voice booming in the Denair Middle School multipurpose room, Alston used humor and examples from his own teaching career to deliver his message of empowerment, respect, honesty and responsibility. His words echoed those of Superintendent Aaron Rosander, who stressed the importance of a quality education and introduced Alston by saying, “We’re on a mission to start an epidemic of positive thinking.”

Rosander showed a popular “Shift Happens” video from YouTube comparing educational, population and technological trends from around the world to remind his staff of the rapid pace of change confronting students and those responsible for teaching them. Continue reading “Motivational Speaker Inspires DUSD Staff” »