Silva Hired as Next Principal at Denair Middle School

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Submitted by Denair Unified School District

The Denair Unified School District didn’t have to look very far to find its next principal for Denair Middle School. Trustees voted unanimously Thursday night to hire Amanda Silva, who currently serves as the district’s assistant director of special education.

“She’s dedicated to Denair. She empowers others. She’s forward thinking. She’s passionate about kids,” said Kara Backman, the district’s director of secondary education and high school principal. She served on the hiring committee will be Silva’s direct supervisor.

Backman said Silva stood out among the seven internal and external candidates who were interviewed. Silva will become the middle school campus’ fifth principal in the past four years, a trend she intends to do her best to end.

“The biggest thing is building culture and pride in community, school and students,” she said. “We need to be positive, think positive and work hard.”

Silva has been with the district since February 2016 and has worked with staff and students across all four campuses to develop special education programs. She has a bachelor’s degree in psychology, and an administrative credential and master’s degree from College of San Joaquin.

Confronting a steady decline in enrollment will be among her first challenges, she said.

“We need to become a team,” said Silva, who believes the relationships she already has forged with the DMS staff will benefit her. “We’ll be focused on doing our best for all our students.”

Silva will replace Brian LaFountain, who will return to the classroom teaching high school math in Ceres. Continue reading “Silva Hired as Next Principal at Denair Middle School” »

Terry Metzger Hired as New Superintendent of Denair Unified School District

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Submitted by Denair Unified School District

The Denair Unified School District announced Thursday night that it has hired Terry Metzger as its new superintendent.

Metzger has been the assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction in the Rincon Valley Union School District in Santa Rosa since 2012, but she is no stranger to Stanislaus County or the Central Valley.

She has two degrees from CSU Stanislaus – a master’s in education administration as well as a doctorate in educational leadership. She also has taught classes there as an adjunct faculty member.

Before she moved to Santa Rosa, Metzger was a teacher and elementary school principal in Galt. She also taught various grade levels in Lodi and Stockton, and has served as a principal coach for the Education Leadership Institute in Sacramento.

She is thrilled to be coming to Denair.

“I’ve been looking for a superintendency for a couple of years,” she said. “I’ve been picky. It was important to me to find the right match. I’m honored to have this opportunity.”

DUSD Board President Ray Prock Jr. said she emerged after an extensive search that included in-depth interviews of the four finalists by trustees as well as a committee made up of staff and community members.

“Terry was our No. 1 choice,” he said.

Metzger will officially start work in Denair on July 1, but intends to make as many trips as possible to the area before then to become familiar with the staff and community. She will be paid $145,753 annually, which includes the same 2.75% salary reduction as all other district employees.

She will succeed Aaron Rosander, who will leave in June after four years as superintendent. Continue reading “Terry Metzger Hired as New Superintendent of Denair Unified School District” »

DHS Receives $2,500 Grant for FFA Programs

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Submitted by Denair High School

The Denair High School FFA program recently was awarded a $2,500 grant from the Monsanto Fund on behalf of Denair dairyman and DUSD School Board Trustee Ray Prock Jr.

The money will be used to underwrite travel expenses to send Denair students to various FFA events and leadership conferences, said FFA adviser and ag teacher Nicole Hefner. There are more than 160 FFA members at Denair High.

“We would like to thank the Monsanto organization for helping fund our program to attend these different leadership conferences,” she said. “They help students attain unique leadership skills … essential in the workplace. This couldn’t be possible without the help of funding from Monsanto.”

Prock and his family have operated a large dairy east of Denair for decades. His son and daughter both attend Denair High.

The purpose of the Grow Communities program is to partner with farmers to make a positive impact in farm communities across the country by supporting local nonprofit organizations. Since the program began in 2010, more than $29 million has been directed to organizations across rural America.

“Farmers play a pivotal role in rural communities, and through their commitment to Grow Communities program, we are able to provide the monetary support these nonprofit organizations need to make an impact,” said Monsanto President Al Mitchell.

Learn more at www.Facebook.com/AmericasFarmers

Children’s Summer Full-Play Production, Cinderella With the Comedia Players

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Submitted by Denair Gaslight Community Conservatory

August 3-5, 2018

Audition:  June 20th at 6:00pm (Free)

Rehearsals:  July 9-12 & July 23-August 2, 2018. 8-17 Year-olds.

Production Participation:  $25 per child

Play Synopsis:  The Italian tradition of commedia dell’arte may be centuries old, but it’s alive and well in this rollicking play-within-a-play!  The lively commedia troupe spices up the classic Cinderella story with sharp wit, slapstick shenanigans, and endless silly squabbles.

For more information contact info@denairgaslight.com or (209) 664-9514

Price Ford Sponsors DRIVE ONE 4 UR SCHOOL for DHS’ Booster Programs

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Submitted by Price Ford of Turlock

Price Ford of Turlock is proud to announce its next fundraising event taking place on Saturday, May 12th at the Denair High School campus.

In collaboration with the local community, Price Ford of Turlock is conducting a Drive One 4 UR School program in an effort to raise up to $8,000 in funds to benefit Denair Sports Boosters, Sober Grad and Denair’s FFA Boosters. Price Ford has hosted several Drive One events over the past few years, raising tens of thousands of dollars for local schools including Turlock High School and Pitman High School.

“Denair High School is fortunate to partner with Price Ford during their Drive One 4 UR School event. The funds raised will benefit the Denair High School Sober Grad, Athletic and Agriculture departments. Our students will benefit immensely from this event,” said Kara Backman, Principal of Denair High School.

Kathy Pritchard, Denair FFA Booster President said of the promotion, “The Denair Sports Boosters is very excited to work with Price Ford to continue our mission of improving athletics at Denair High School.”

Price Ford’s upcoming Drive One 4 UR School event will be a fun, engaging way to raise money for the local high schools. With each test drive of a new Ford vehicle, funds will be donated directly to the Denair High School Sports Boosters, Sober Grad and the FFA Boosters. No donations will be asked of the participants.

“We are excited to be partnering with Denair High School for the first time. This Drive One promotion will be a great day of fun test drives and no salespeople – all for a great cause,” stated James Figurell, owner of Price Ford of Turlock.

As a part of the dealership’s commitment to its neighbors, Price Ford continues its mission of providing vehicle shoppers and vehicle owners the buying and service experiences that are easy, affordable, transparent, and set the standard for business excellence. The store supports community causes where passion and purpose come together.

For more information, contact:

Jennifer Goundas Diiullo, Big Wave Media

Phone: 510-842-3676

Email: jennifer@BWMagency.com