Denair Charter Academy Hourly Teachers Receive Pay Increases

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Submitted by Denair Unified School District

Another piece of the salary restoration puzzle was put into place by Denair Unified School District on Thursday night when they unanimously approved 2.2% pay increases for 13 teachers at Denair Charter Academy.

The instructors at the campus serve home-school students and parents in grades kindergarten through eighth as well as teens enrolled in the independent study high school program.

Unlike teachers at the district’s other campuses, they are paid hourly and are not covered by a union contract. When the district faced financial crisis in 2013, their pay was reduced 3.5%. Thursday’s board action restores their wage in the same proportion as already has occurred this year for union-covered teachers, as well as non-teaching classified staff and administrators.

Also on Thursday, the board:

  • Elected Trustee Kathi Dunham-Filson as board president for 2017 and Trustee Ray Prock Jr. as clerk.
  • Approved the addition of two new courses at DCA: the history of Mexico and introduction to culinary arts. Matthew Groom will teach the first course; Barry Cole will lead the second.
  • Heard a report from Lucy Zamora, principal at Denair Elementary Charter Academy, and four of her instructors who recently attended a conference on dual immersion language programs in New Mexico.
  • Cheered as Denair High School Principal Kara Backman reported that more than $30,000 was raised for the campus’ FFA programs and students from the first-ever tractor pull in November. More than 1,100 people attended the event at Jack Lytton Stadium.
  • Heard a presentation from Mike Curry of Johnson Farms, asking the district to join other public agencies and residents in opposing the State Water Resources Control Board’s plan to increase flows in the Tuolumne, Stanislaus and Merced rivers.

DHS Library Club Hosts Angel Tree

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Submitted by Denair High School

The DHS Library Club is partnering with the Salvation Army and hosting an  Angel Tree this year.  You may come to the DHS Library and pick a tag from the tree.  The child’s gender and age are listed on the tags. Buy age appropriate gift(s) and return the unwrapped gift and tag to the DHS Library.  Gifts will be distributed to families that have signed up under the Community Food Basket Program with the Salvation Army.

If you aren’t able to come to the library to pick a tag, please buy your gift, and when it is returned, we can add the age appropriate tag.  Please return gifts by December 14th 3:30 p.m., to the DHS office.  If you have questions, please contact Ms. Schell at 632-9911 ext. 4259, W-F or 632-2510, ext. 3210-M & T.

The DHS Library Club thanks you for your kindness and support!

Class Act! 10 Questions for Rosa Zamudio

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Rosa Zamudio

Submitted by Denair Middle School

Name: Rosa Zamudio

Family: My big family includes my parents, four sisters, three brothers, seven nephews and four nieces. We all live in Riverbank except for my older sister, who lives in L.A. with her three children.

School: Denair Middle School

Position: Bilingual school secretary

Experience/education: I have a BA in Education from Ashford University in San Diego. Before working for DUSD, I worked for a head start program for eight years as a secretary, social worker and data technician. I also worked as a library assistant for the Stanislaus County Library. I love books, so one of my future career goals is to become a full-time children’s librarian.

What most inspires you about working at Denair Middle School? What inspires me the most about working at Denair Middle School is seeing students really trying their best to succeed in school. Some students really care about turning in their work and getting good grades and, to me, that is very inspiring.

What are your biggest challenges as a classified staff member? I have just recently become a classified staff member working for DUSD so I haven’t really found any big challenges yet.

What is your favorite support tool or activity? Being patient works for me! I think that taking the time to learn something new or taking the time to help someone is a great way to become an efficient co-worker and great team player.

What do you want your students to remember? I want students to remember that with just a little effort, great things can happen. Doing their homework, behaving in class and just being a good person can help them succeed both personally and academically.

How can parents support what you do? Parents can support what I do by being accessible and being willing to work with office staff. Continue reading “Class Act! 10 Questions for Rosa Zamudio” »

Class Act! 10 Questions for Carlos Mendoza

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Carlos Mendoza

Submitted by Denair Charter Academy

Name: Carlos Mendoza

Family: I come from a family of six and I’m the youngest of four siblings.

School: Denair Charter Academy

Subject taught: All subjects with a focus on math.

Experience and education: I have worked in Denair Unified School District for about five years. I have a bachelor of arts degree in psychology.

What most inspires you about working in Denair Charter Academy? What inspires me most is seeing how much a student can grow with their teacher and the comradery between all the staff members.

What are your biggest challenges as a classified staff member? As a classified staff member, I have the ability to help any who are in need of assistance. Even though I want to help everyone, sadly I am not able to be in more than one place.

What is your favorite support tool or activity? My favorite support tool/activity to do with students are giving the students positive reinforcement and reassurance in their capabilities. Those are a few of the tools I’ve learned from the Positive Behavior Intervention and Support (PBIS) program, which is why I am looking forward to continue use of PBIS in the years to come.

What do you want your students to remember? I want my students to remember that they are capable of achieving anything their heart desires — all they have to do is try. Life may not always go as one plans, but we have to learn how to roll with the punches. And if the path they are walking on is too difficult, then they have two options. One is to keep pushing forward and the path will eventually get better; or select a new path to walk on from the millions of paths that are out there. I want nothing but the best for my students and I don’t their failures to hold them back. I want their failures to give them the wisdom to grow into their full potential and push them forward; like Victor Kiam once said, “Even if you fall on your face, you’re still moving forward.”

How can parents support what you do? Parents can support what I do by supporting their own children, since most of the learning will happen at home. Being an advocate for their child is one of the greatest examples of support a parent can provide. Continue reading “Class Act! 10 Questions for Carlos Mendoza” »