Denair Enrollment Slightly Declines, 
Despite Continued Gains at Elementary Charter Campus

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Submitted by Denair Unified School District

Enrollment in the Denair Unified School District is down 38 students from last spring’s projections, trustees were told Thursday night. The losses primarily are at the high school and middle school, but have been partially offset by continued growth at the district’s elementary charter school.

The decline has implications for the district’s future budgets, Chief Business Officer Linda Covello told trustees. Public districts are largely funded by the state on Average Daily Attendance, or ADA. Covello projects this year’s ADA to be 1,225, which reflects an increase of 20 ADA at the elementary level, a decrease of 34 ADA at the middle school level and a decrease of 24 ADA between the two high schools.

Four years ago, when Denair confronted steeper enrollment declines, all staff took pay cuts while others were laid off. That’s not the case today.

The district’s finances have dramatically improved thanks to the strategic cost cutting as well as the introduction of programs that generated enrollment growth.

In particular, the dual immersion English/Spanish program at Denair Elementary Charter Academy has proven to be a magnet for new students. There now are classes in kindergarten, first grade and second grade, with another grade level introduced each year.

The district also has applied for additional grant funding to increase opportunities for students. Most recently, Denair applied for a CTE Facilities Grant to potentially bring in $1.15 million to expand career technical education programs.

“We currently are examining targeted grants and initiatives, along with program enhancements that will stimulate new growth, particularly at the high school and middle school,” said Superintendent Aaron Rosander. “Continued prudent stewardship of our budget, in tandem with innovative program development, will be important linchpins in DUSD’s future growth and financial health.”

The district anticipates having positive monthly cash balances throughout the 2017-18 school year and an ending fund balance of more than $2.4 million, Covello said. Continue reading “Denair Enrollment Slightly Declines, 
Despite Continued Gains at Elementary Charter Campus” »

Denair Boys Ready to Host Basketball Tournament

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Submitted by Denair High School

Seven games into the season and on the eve of hosting their own holiday tournament, Denair High School boys basketball coach R.J. Henderson is beginning to understand his team.

The Coyotes are exceedingly young, they are more athletic than they have been in years and they’re still figuring out how to play together.

An opening night victory over Turlock Christian was followed by four losses in a row – three of them at the Riverbank Tournament two weeks ago. Then came blowout victories last week over Millennium and Stone Ridge Christian.

“I think we’ve definitely turned the corner,” said Henderson, now in his sixth season as head coach. “We really struggled to shoot it in Riverbank. The effort was there, but it was very disconnected.”

Part of the early season growing pains could have something to do with youth and unfamiliarity. The Coyotes only have nine varsity players – two seniors, four juniors and three sophomores. Henderson expects them all to “play and contribute.”

What little depth Denair has already is being tested. Senior center Dylan Mann – the tallest player at 6-foot-5 – rolled his ankle in Riverbank and may not play until the Southern League schedule begins in January. The other senior, forward Justin Short, suffered a broken nose last week against Stone Ridge. He’s out at least a couple of weeks.

That means the Coyotes will have seven healthy players when they take on Waterford on Thursday at 8 p.m. in the first round of the Denair Holiday Classic. Denair’s other games in the round-robin tournament are Friday at 8 p.m. against Turlock Christian and Saturday at 2 p.m. against Hughson.

Still, Henderson is confident the players who are available will continue to work together – even if rest will be at a premium this week. Continue reading “Denair Boys Ready to Host Basketball Tournament” »

Tonight is Opening Night for “A Christmas Story” at the Gaslight Theater

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Submitted by Denair Gaslight Community Conservatory

Tonight is opening night for A Christmas Story, at the Gaslight Theater. Don’t miss out on this Christmas Tradition! It will be holiday fun for the entire family.

Show Times are December 8,9 15 and 16, 2017, at 7:00 pm, and December 10, 2017 at 2:00 pm. Tickets are available online at www.showtix4u.com and at the door. General admission is $10, seniors and students are $8.

For questions, please call (209) 664-9514.

Denair FFA Hosting Drive Thru BBQ on December 15

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Submitted by Denair High School

Denair FFA is having a Drive Thru BBQ from 5:00-8:00 pm, on December 15, 2017. Tickets are available from any FFA member for $15, or you can stop by Denair High School. Please make checks payable to Denair FFA.

All donations will go to Denair FFA members so they can attend the National FFA Convention, State FFA Convention, and many state and local leadership conferences.

Thank you for supporting Denair High School’s FFA students!

DHS Students Show Off Wreath-Making Skills

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Submitted by Denair High School

The offices of the principals and other administrators in the Denair Unified School District are more festive than ever this holiday season thanks to the students in the high school floral design class.

Last week, teacher Taylor Doo paired up her students with top officials in the district. Their assignment? Have the teens show off the skills they’ve learned this fall by leading the adults in a collaborative wreath-building exercise.

“I believe that the true level of mastery is when you can teach someone else your craft, skill, or trade,” explained Doo. “At some point in their career, they will have to teach others what they know. This is one way for the students to prepare for that. Also, I just thought how cool would it be for the roles to be reversed. Students think so highly of their teachers, but they also forget we are human, too. We are learners, too. We have the same struggles with gaining a new skill as they do.”

The fun project required each team to come up with a clever name that described the theme behind their wreaths, which began as rounded 8-inch metal frames. So were born the “Christmas Angels,” the “Ornaments,” the “Doo Crew,” the “Presents,” the “Snowflakes” and the “Reindeer.”

Students Courtney Frazier and Alexis Climer partnered with Principal Kelly Beard of Denair Elementary Charter Academy. They dubbed themselves the “Nightmare Before Christmas.”

Their wreath sported black and purple ribbons with some plastic skull ornaments Courtney attached with a glue gun. Not quite the holiday motif other teams strived for.

“We wanted to be different,” said Alexis, a junior.

Nearby, the “Presents” team of junior Hailee Padgett, freshman Nicole Johnson and Denair Charter Academy Principal David Naranjo were working on something a little more traditional. Their wreath consisted of crinkled purple ribbon with white “DUSD” letters attached.

Simple … and effective.

“I’m going to put it in my office,” said Naranjo. Continue reading “DHS Students Show Off Wreath-Making Skills” »