Author Archives: DenairPulse Editor

Denair Kindergartner Killed in Weekend Car Wreck

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Submitted by Denair Unified School District

The Denair Elementary Charter Academy campus is in mourning after a kindergarten student was killed early Sunday morning when the car her mother was driving veered off a road east of Modesto. Elliana Davila was ejected from the car and pronounced dead at the scene. California Highway Patrol investigators said she was in a car seat that had not been properly secured.

“Elliana was a beautiful, sweet little girl and will be dearly missed by all who knew her,” said Sara Michelena, DECA’s principal. She sent a letter home with students Monday about the tragedy.

Elliana was riding in a car driven by her mother, Angelica Castellanos-Davila. At about 4:30 a.m. Sunday, the CHP said Castellanos-Davila was heading south on Albers Road near Milnes Road when she lost control, went off the pavement and hit a pole.

Castellanos-Davila was taken to a Modesto hospital with non-life threatening injuries. When she was released, she was arrested and booked into county jail on suspicion of DUI causing injury. Her bail is set at $100,000.

Michelena’s note to parents suggests they carefully watch and listen to how their children react to Elliana’s death. “If they want to talk, answer their questions clearly, honestly, and be prepared to answer the same questions repeatedly,” the letter advises.

Grief counselors and others will be made available on campus for students, staff and parents in the days and weeks to come, Michelena said.

Denair High School Hosts Basketball Clinics

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Basketball

Submitted by Denair Unified School District

Denair students who want to sharpen their basketball skills are invited to sign up for free clinics in January and February. The sessions will be conducted in the high school gym by Denair High School varsity boys coach R.J. Henderson and varsity girls coach Taryn Garza. Boys and girls are invited to register. All the clinics are on Saturdays from 10:00 am – Noon. Each camp is limited to 60 students. Grades 1 through 5 will have clinics January 16 and the 23rd, 2016; middle school students will have a clinic January 30th. The sessions will cover basic skills, fundamentals and teamwork. Sign-up sheets are available in the elementary and middle school offices. Each student must fill out a waiver and will receive a pass to an upcoming Denair High School basketball game.

You can download a flyer for the basketball clinics here.

Free After-School Snack and Supper Program Begins Monday

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Submitted by Denair Unified School District

A free after-school food program for any child 18 and under will be unveiled Monday by the Denair Unified School District. Children do not have to attend Denair schools to participate and there is no income or other eligibility restrictions.

“Just show up and we’ll feed you a delicious, nutritional meal,” said Billy Reid, Denair’s food services director.

The program will be offered from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Denair Middle School cafeteria. The menu will change daily, Reid said, and will be different from what is available at lunchtime.

Reid describes it as a “supper and snack” program because for some children, it may serve as the heartiest meal before bedtime. Main courses will include hamburgers, burritos, pizza and chicken nuggets. Fresh fruit and vegetables will be available. Refreshments will include juice and milk.

The food is paid for through a grant from the Federal Child and Adult Care Food Program targeting at-risk youth. Reid emphasized, however, that anyone under 18 from the surrounding community is welcome to participate. He has room for up to 600 children and expects 100 or more to take advantage Monday when hamburgers, vegetables and fruit will be served.

The grant requires an enrichment activity be shared with children and their parents, and Reid said there will be flyers and other items available emphasizing the importance of good nutrition.

The after-school program is separate from the free breakfasts already served each morning, Reid said. About 100 Denair students participate in that program, but there is room for more, he said.

For more information about the after-school program, call (209) 632-7514, ext. 1243. You can download a flyer for the Supper Program here.

Preseason Schedule Toughens Coyotes for Southern League Competition

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DHS Coyotes Football

Submitted by Denair Unified School District

A rugged preseason schedule confirmed a couple of things for Denair High boys basketball coach R.J. Henderson.

First, Isaac Starks is one of the best pure shooters at the high school level Henderson has ever seen. “He’s got a skill set that’s very special,” said the coach of his star guard, who is torching opposing defenses for 23.5 points a game.

Second, the Coyotes have the ability to hang with bigger, more athletic teams. Henderson intentionally entered tournaments with larger schools (Turlock, Ceres and Davis, for instance) to challenge his relatively inexperienced team. They have a 6-8 record to show for it, but he’s hopeful the tougher competition has prepared them for the beginning of the Southern League schedule next week. “I think our staff has done a good job getting the kids ready,” he said. “Here we go. It’s 0-0 and a 12-game season now.”

Henderson, in his fourth year, believes Denair can legitimately compete for one of the league’s three Division 5 playoff berths. Mariposa is the heavy favorite, he said, but everyone else is grouped together. “Honestly, there’s one big dog and two through seven are going to compete for two spots.”

Whatever chances the Coyotes have begin and end with Starks. The 5-foot-11 senior is responsible for about 75% of the team’s offense this season. In addition to his scoring – which represents half the team’s average – he also hands out more than four assists a game. He rarely comes off the floor; Henderson sometimes calls time out just to give him a rest.

“He’s shooting 50% from the field, 40% from three-point range and in the mid-80s on free throws. He can shoot. I haven’t seen too many high school kids in the last 25 years that do what he can do,” Henderson said. “He’s almost cold-blooded out on the court. He doesn’t show a lot of emotion. That’s a trait I’ve seen from better shooters. I think that’s a part of his growth as a three-year starter.” Continue reading “Preseason Schedule Toughens Coyotes for Southern League Competition” »