Category Archives: News

A Class Act! 10 Questions for Tami Sondeno

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Tami Sondeno

Submitted by Denair Unified School District

Name: Tami Sondeno

Family: My husband Denis, with whom I have been married to for 22 years; my son Cameron, 18, who attends MJC and is on the water polo team; my daughter Natasha, 16, who attends Pitman High School and is on the dive team; and my daughter Shannon, 12, who attends Denair Middle School and is on the leadership team.

School: Denair Academic Avenues

Subjects taught: Fourth and fifth grade math and science

Experience and education: I attended Modesto Junior College and received an AA degree in child development. I furthered my education at CSU Stanislaus and earned BAs in child development and liberal studies. I have a multiple subjects credential as well as a general science supplemental credential. I taught science, history and core at Yolo Junior High for eight years and moved to Livingston as a part-time instructor for seven years, in which I taught fourth grade. I have been in Denair for 10 years and have instructed fifth grade, 4/5 GATE, fourth-grade GATE, first- through fifth-grade science, and now fourth- and fifth-grade math and science.

Why most inspires you about teaching?  The excitement that students generate when they have learned new content and apply it to their daily lives.

What are your biggest challenges as a teacher? I want to purchase more lab materials for hands-on based instruction and my budget is not in the six figures. Nasco can be my greatest friend and foe!

What is your favorite teaching tool or activity? Teaching hands-on science and math labs is my favorite way to instruct because I find that the students are extremely engaged in the learning process. I just love to hear, “Wow! That was so cool!” Continue reading “A Class Act! 10 Questions for Tami Sondeno” »

Annual Powderpuff Game This Wednesday

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Powderpuff Flyer

Submitted by Don Helnore

Every mid-October signals the time of year that the ladies take over the grid iron and invade Jack W. Lytton Stadium at Denair High School for the annual Powderpuff Game. This year’s game will be played Wednesday, October 15, 2014, at 6:30 pm. The 2014 Powderpuff Game between the junior and senior girls will be an exciting display of athleticism and competitiveness. The game is always a fun time for all, including the fans in the stands cheering, the players on the field giving their all and the all-boy cheerleading squads, showing their support and showing their moves during half time.

The game is a fundraising event for Denair Sports Booster and Denair High School Wrestling. Gates open at 5:30 pm and start time is 6:30 pm. The cost to attend is $6 for adults, $5 for students, and $3 for students with an ASB sticker. There will be food available to purchase at the game.

Both teams have done an excellent job preparing for the game and both squads look like they are ready to play. There are some great coaches volunteering their time to help them. Denair Head Wrestling Coach, and former Denair Assistant Football Coach, Don Helnore is coaching the juniors along with Denair Assistant Wrestling Coach and former Denair High School Football Player Matt Saldana, Denair Assistant Football Coach Andy Rutherford and former Denair High School Football Player Donny Helnore.   The seniors have former Denair Assistant Football Coach Russell Steeley returning, to coach along with Denair Assistant Football Coach Rick Snyder, and a group of current football players.   It looks to be an exciting game that will determine who will have bragging rights for the rest of the school year.

Last year juniors this year’s seniors will be looking to get a chance at a victory that escaped them last year. Last year returning player, senior Katie Stafford understands what it felt like to be on the other side watching last year’s seniors enjoy their victory. “Horrible, we thought we were going to win. I think we are better this year. The game is not new to us like last year and we know what to expect.” Continue reading “Annual Powderpuff Game This Wednesday” »

Denair Education Foundation October eCycle Event

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Denair Education Foundation LogoSubmitted by Denair Education Foundation

Denair Education Foundation will be holding an eCycle event at Denair High School on Saturday, October 25, 2014, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.  Gather those old TV’s, CPUs, monitors, laptops, printers, cell phones, scanners, and copiers. Donating them is free and helps raise funds for activities and equipment for the students of Denair Schools.

Last year, students enjoyed a Diego Rivera art exhibit, attended a play at CSUS, enlarged the selection of books at the elementary school library, and applied for scholarships (John Robbins Memorial and Modesto Junior College).

Denair Education Foundation was established in 2005 to “enrich and improve the quality of the educational environment for the students of the Denair Unified School District.”  The list is long of funded opportunities for the students.  They are made possible through donations and our main e-cycle fundraiser.  Thanks to all who have donated!  You are helping students and the environment!

 

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 or call (209) 668-2206.

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.

Coyotes Drop Southern League Game to Gustine

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DHS Coyotes Football

Submitted by Denair Unified School District

It was a tale of two halves Friday night for the Denair High football team against Gustine.

The Coyotes emerged from a back-and-forth first half with a one-point lead, only to have a number of crucial penalty calls go against them in the final two quarters in an entertaining but ultimately disappointing 35-22 Southern League loss.

Denair (2-4, 0-3) led 22-21 at halftime and was poised to record its first league victory, but couldn’t sustain any offensive rhythm in the final two quarters.

“We were still running the same game plan, but every time we moved the ball, we got a penalty flag,” said head coach Ted Howze. “The officials took our kids out of the game.”

Gustine (5-1, 2-1) scored first in the opening quarter, but Denair quickly responded. On the first play after the kickoff, senior running back Austin Hughes broke loose up the middle and sprinted 70 yards for a touchdown to tie the score 7-7.

Gustine marched down the field again to score another touchdown early in the second quarter. Again, the Coyotes answered, this time on a 37-yard TD pass from Dominyc Silva to tight end Brandon Steeley.

Sensing Gustine was aggressively trying to block the point-after kick, Denair ran a perfect fake. Silva again found Steeley on a pass for the two-point conversion to give Denair a 15-14 lead.

The teams exchanged punts before Gustine scored once more to move ahead 21-15. The Coyotes got the ball back with about two minutes left in the half and efficiently marched down the field. They capped the drive on Alex Valle’s 3-yard TD run with 6 seconds to play to take a 22-21 lead into halftime. Continue reading “Coyotes Drop Southern League Game to Gustine” »

DUSD and Stanislaus County Partner on Monte Vista Sidewalk

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Stanislaus County Seal

Submitted by Denair Unified School District

The Denair Unified School District and the Stanislaus County will collaborate on a project that will improve safety around the high school stadium as well as beautify the western entrance to town.

The plan is to replace a weedy area on the north side of Monte Vista Avenue with 640 feet a sidewalk and landscaping. The county will pay for the 5-foot sidewalk, which will connect with an existing walkway that now ends at the intersection of Lester Road and Monte Vista. The school district will be responsible for the installation and maintenance of 12 feet of landscaping between the new sidewalk and a chain-link fence.

Superintendent Aaron Rosander announced the good news at Thursday night’s school board meeting. Grading will begin in a few weeks and the project should be completed later this fall, he said.

Rosander credited county Supervisor Vito Chiesa and Public Works Director Matt Machado for their support and willingness to partner on the project. Members of the Denair Municipal Advisory Council also endorsed the new sidewalk.

The new walkway will provide a safer route to and from Jack Lytton Stadium, which hosts football games and other community events. The entrance on the west side of the stadium currently requires people who park toward the east to navigate the dirt and weeds on the north side of Monte Vista.

The upgrade also will improve people’s first impression of the community. Monte Vista curves and turns into Main Street at the intersection with Lester. A small triangle of grass includes a “Welcome to Denair” sign. Continue reading “DUSD and Stanislaus County Partner on Monte Vista Sidewalk” »