Monthly Archives: November 2016

DECA Students Share Limousine Ride With Their Principal

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DECA Limo Ride

Submitted by Denair Elementary Charter Academy

How excited were a group of Denair Elementary Charter Academy students last month when they found out at a schoolwide assembly that they were going for a limousine ride to a special lunch with Principal Lucy Zamora?

“I felt like pinching my skin off to see if I was dreaming,” gushed fifth-grader Jason Murray.

“My legs were shaking when I had to walk in front of everyone,” admitted fourth-grader Andrea Padilla.

Wednesday – after three long weeks of anticipation – eight lucky students got their special ride. They first gathered for photos with Zamora outside the long, black stretch Lincoln. Then, one by one, they hopped into the luxury car, oohing and aahing at the built-in TV, refrigerator and other features.

“One of them said it felt, ‘Just like heaven,’ ” said Brittany Hughes, Zamora’s administrative assistance who accompanied the group on their short ride to McDonald’s on Geer Road.

For most of the students, it was their first time in a limo. They earned the reward by exhibiting the character trait emphasized in October – respect. When a teacher or other staff member sees a student displaying, they give the children Coyote Cash, when can be redeemed for prizes at the school store.

To add additional incentive for good behavior, Zamora took the rewards program a step further. Every two months, she will randomly draw eight names for a limo lunch ride from among those students who have received Coyote Cash.

The other positive character traits that can earn rewards are responsibility, trustworthiness, citizenship, honesty and fairness.

Zamora said she and her staff already can tell the incentive system is working. Continue reading “DECA Students Share Limousine Ride With Their Principal” »

Denair Cross Country Runners Medal at Section Meet

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Denair High School Logo

Submitted by Denair High School

It’s fair to say that not only did the runners on the first-ever Denair High School cross country team make some impressive strides this year, so did the program itself.

The Coyotes’ successful debut in the sport was capped off Saturday when two runners — Danielle Tigner (frosh/soph girls) and Seth Martinez (sophomore boys) – earned medals at the Sac-Joaquin Section Meet in Folsom.

Running a 3,300-meter course on grass and gravel at the Willow Creek Reservoir, Tigner finished in 20 minutes, 38.9 seconds – good enough for sixth place.

Martinez, competing on the same course, was timed in 15:51.8. He was 11th overall, but received a medal as one of the top eight runners not on one of the top teams.

Coach Matthew Groom said he couldn’t be prouder of his two runners or their teammates.

“Both runners worked hard over the season,” he said. “They were able to run faster and better than they did when the season started. Tigner has had some distance-running experience. She has ran 5K’s before this year.  Martinez has never had any distance-running experience.  He did well this year, despite that fact.

“With this year being the first Denair has had cross country, and my first year as a coach in the sport, we all learned a lot about the organization and the sport itself.  We will take the lessons we have learned over the season and improve our team next year.

“I was pleased that not only did we have runners who qualified for Sections, but they both medaled.  I think with the experience that all our runners had, we will be able to qualify more runners next year.”

2016 Denair Football Team’s Unshakeable Legacy: Pride and Confidence Restored to Program

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DHS Coyotes Football

Submitted by Denair High School

Forget the numbers. It was always about heart and will and determination with this year’s Denair High football team. While the doubters and the others fixated on how few players Denair had, the Coyotes focused on what they could control – effort and desire. They practiced hard and played even harder, accomplishing goals few outsiders believed were in reach.

Never mind Friday’s 48-12 Sac-Joaquin Section Division VI playoff loss to a more talented Amador team. The 2016 Coyotes will long be remembered as the young men and their coaches who restored pride and confidence in the program.

“These are the guys who jump started our program,” said second-year coach Anthony Armas. “I think what we were able to do this year despite our numbers … to get people excited again about the program, that’s going to be their legacy.”

Denair rarely had more than 14 or 15 players suit up for any game. Frequently, there were more coaches on the sideline than reserves. Because of injuries, the Coyotes even finished a 50-0 blowout over Le Grand with 12 players.

The fact that Denair was winning while facing teams with twice as many or more players was remarkable.

“I think some things didn’t go the way we wanted, but the way we overcame the numbers, that was satisfying. Not only for the kids, but the coaches, too. I’ve never been part of that,” said Armas.

The Coyotes finished the year 6-5. But that doesn’t tell the whole story. The program had won only eight games in the past four seasons combined. Denair wasn’t given much of a chance in the Southern League, but ended up tying for third place, shut out three league opponents and earned a playoff berth only it saw coming.

Armas said he sensed something magical might be happening when his players forced seven turnovers and beat Ripon Christian 32-0 on the road on Oct. 7.

“It was like, ‘Holy Cow,’ ” he said. “Everybody got psyched.” Continue reading “2016 Denair Football Team’s Unshakeable Legacy: Pride and Confidence Restored to Program” »

Denair Trustees Approve 4% Pay Increases

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DUSD Logo

Submitted by Denair Unified School District

Trustees in the Denair Unified School District enthusiastically approved across-the-board 4% pay increases Thursday night, yet another sign the district’s financial recovery plan is paying dividends.

The raises are retroactive to July 1 and will be reflected in employees’ November paychecks. They add $534,113 to the cost of pay and benefits this budget year. It is money well spent, trustees say.

“If it’s there, we want to give it back,” said Trustee Robert Hodges of the money for the pay increases. The additional funds are the result of unexpectedly strong enrollment growth this year.

Denair was forced to slash salaries and staffing in 2013 when it faced a fiscal crisis due to declining enrollment and reduced state payments. Salaries for classified staff shrunk by 12%; pay for teachers and administrators was cut 8%. Some employees were laid off. The Stanislaus County Office of Education stepped in to provide temporary financial oversight.

Thursday’s move comes a month after trustees granted one-time payments of 2.37% of the salaries of all teachers who were on staff in 2015-16. Classified staff received identical bonuses earlier this year. In addition, all employees received 1% raises in the spring.

“The hope is the restoration will be ongoing,” said board President Sandi Dirkse.

Teachers in Denair can earn to $79,119 in addition to stipends for coaching or having a master’s degree. Principals can make up to $96,915, depending upon experience. Classified managers can earn up to $76,138 while non-salaried employees are paid up to $23.99 per hour.

Trustees voted 4-0 for the salary increases, with Kathi Dunham-Filson absent, after an optimistic budget report from Chief Business Officer  Linda Covello that projects the district will be on sound fiscal footing for at least the next three years.

“It’s the strongest financial position Denair Unified has been in in many years,” said Superintendent Aaron Rosander. Continue reading “Denair Trustees Approve 4% Pay Increases” »

Eight Denair High Students Recognized for Bilingual Skills

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Denair spanish Language Recipients 2016

Submitted by Denair High School

Eight students at Denair High School have earned prestigious recognition for their bilingual speaking and writing abilities.

Senior Cesar Flores; juniors Yareli Coria, Alondra Montanez and Jesus Perez; sophomores Angela Verduzco and Reyna Villa; and freshmen Brigg Wenstrand and Jesus Flores were awarded the coveted Seal of Multilingual Proficiency in a ceremony Nov. 2 at the Gallo Center for the Arts in Modesto. The designation will be specially noted on their high school diplomas, certifying that they are fluent in English as well as Spanish.

This important recognition helps graduates when they apply to colleges, compete for scholarships or submit job applications.

“This is a verification of their skills,” said Maria Olivas, a former Spanish teacher and coordinator of the English Language Development programs in the Denair district. She also serves on the language committee run by the Stanislaus County Office of Education.

This year, about 1,100 students from 15 Stanislaus County high schools applied for the Seal of Multilingual Proficiency. Of that group, 303 were certified as meeting the bilingual standards, according to the County Office of Education. Twenty-three different languages were represented.

All students must submit an autobiography in English, followed by a 300-word essay in their other language on a designated topic. Those who pass the first step then went to the county office for face-to-face interviews in both languages. The scores from the autobiography, the essay and the interviews are combined to determine which students qualify for the seal.

“Being proficient in multiple languages enhances a student’s education and value in the marketplace,” said Tom Changnon, the county superintendent of schools. “Our economy is tied to that of other nations, and Californians who participate across international borders bring strength and potential to this state’s global enterprises.”

All the Denair students honored this year take advanced Spanish classes at the high school taught by Sandra Cisneros. In the five years of the Multi-Lingual Seal recognition program, 16 Denair students have been awarded certificates.

“As a teacher, I have been very fortunate to see that all the effort and dedication that the foreign language students have put into the multilingual seal assessment have been paid off with a grand acknowledgement and Seal diploma,” Cisneros said.

Added Olivas: “Learning a language at home is an advantage, but if they don’t have training in class, they probably won’t pass the tests.”