Four Denair High Students Recognized for Bilingual Skills

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Anry Fuentes, Rosalinda Martinez, Hector Obando

Submitted by Denair Unified School District

Four students at Denair High School have earned prestigious recognition for their bilingual speaking and writing abilities.

Seniors Anry Fuentes, Rosalinda Martinez and Juan de la Cruz and junior Hector Obando were awarded the coveted Seal of Multilingual Proficiency in a ceremony Wednesday night at the Gallo Center for the Arts in Modesto. The designation will be specially noted on their high school diplomas, certifying that they are fluent in English as well as Spanish.

This important recognition helps graduates when they apply to colleges, compete for scholarships or submit job applications.

“This is a verification of their skills,” said Maria Olivas, a Spanish teacher at Denair High who also serves on the language committee run by the Stanislaus County Office of Education.

This year, 544 juniors and seniors from nine Stanislaus County school districts applied for the Seal of Multilingual Proficiency. Of that group, 231 were certified as meeting the bilingual standards, according to a release from the County Office of Education. A dozen different languages were represented.

All students must submit an autobiography in English, followed by a 300-word essay in their other language on a designated topic. Those who pass the first step then went to the county office for face-to-face interviews in both languages. The scores from the autobiography, the essay and the interviews are combined to determine which students qualify for the seal. Continue reading “Four Denair High Students Recognized for Bilingual Skills” »

Hard-Luck Denair Nearly Pulls Out Victory Against Le Grand

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DHS Coyotes Football

Submitted by Denair Unified School District

Teachable moments. Learning from mistakes and finding a way to better execute complicated football concepts.

That’s been the consistent message from first-year coach Anthony Armas and his staff to a young Denair High football team. And though the Coyotes’ record in the top-loaded Southern League may not show it, there have been signs of improvement even during a five-game losing streak.

Friday’s 46-40 loss to Le Grand was the latest example.

Denair used a powerful ground attack to build a 28-20 halftime lead at Jack Lytton Stadium. After the teams traded scores in the third quarter, the Coyotes still clung to a 40-39 midway through the final period.

But a fumble near midfield proved to be Denair’s undoing. Le Grand marched to what proved to be the winning score with about two minutes left on the clock. The Coyotes got the ball back one final time, but couldn’t make enough plays to drive for the go-ahead points.

“The kids were pretty devastated,” said Armas. “The game went back and forth. We couldn’t stop them and they couldn’t stop us. We just turned it over too many times.”

In addition to the final fumble, Denair also suffered an interception. It was the only pass the Coyotes (2-7, 1-5) threw all night.

Justin Steeley, Juan Barrera and Chase Pritt took turns running for yardage much of the game behind some nice blocks by their offensive linemen.

Barrera later left the game after reinjuring his knee. “Juan’s pretty banged up,” Armas admitted.

After getting roughed up by the Southern League’s powerhouses – Gustine, Orestimba, Ripon Christian and Mariposa – Denair found an equal in Le Grand (2-7, 2-4).

“We’re getting healthier along the offensive line,” Armas said. “That helps.”

The season – which began in the heat of August – will conclude on a crisp fall night with Friday’s game at Waterford (2-7, 0-6). It will be a final opportunity to turn the hard work and sweat and bruises into a much-needed victory.

“We’re just focused on trying to get better at what we’re doing,” Armas said. “That’s what we tell the kids each day in practice.”

Denair Education Foundation October eCycle Event

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Denair Education Foundation Logo

Submitted by Denair Education Foundation

Denair Education Foundation will be holding an eCycle event at Denair High School on Saturday, October 31, 2015, 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.

Your donations help students go on field trips, buy new technology equipment, sponsor scholarships, and enrich music, art, and theater curriculum.

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 Denair’s students and the environment!

Please join us at a meeting – the second Tuesday of each month –  in the DUSD Leadership Room and see how you can be a part of supporting our local schools!

Continue reading “Denair Education Foundation October eCycle Event” »

Community Turns Out to Oppose Proposed School Territory Change

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Submitted by Denair Unified School District

A passionate, purple-clad audience of more than 200 Denair residents, parents and students turned out Wednesday night with a common goal: convince a group of county leaders to leave school district boundaries in place and deny a Turlock developer’s attempted land grab.

At stake is more than $1 million in onetime development fees, plus hundreds of thousands of dollars per year in state funding based on student attendance.

But more than money, what was clear in more than 2½ hours of public hearings in Denair and Turlock was the pride the Denair boosters feel for their schools, their teaching staff and their community. Many portrayed the boundary petition by home builder Ron Katakis as a thinly veiled attempt to diminish the quality of education received by Denair students and enable him to increase the price of his homes.

Denair superintendent Aaron Rosander captured the emotional pitch of the David vs. Goliath situation that pits Denair Unified, its 1,300 students and $9 million annual budget against Turlock Unified and its 14,000 students and $136 million budget.

“Small schools matter. Rural schools count. This is truly about small schools that make a positive, powerful and long-lasting impact on children,” he told the 10 county schools committee members to loud applause.

Katakis’ proposal involves about 91 acres at the corners of Tuolumne and Waring roads. The property is about a half-mile from the Denair schools complex on Lester Road, but more than two miles away from the nearest Turlock schools.

The land has always been within the Denair district, but Katakis petitioned the Stanislaus County Office of Education to move it to the Turlock Unified School District, claiming homeowners will likely identify with Turlock because the new neighborhood lies with the city limits. Continue reading “Community Turns Out to Oppose Proposed School Territory Change” »

Denair Education Foundation Seeking New Members

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Submitted by Denair Education Foundation

Denair Education Foundation is seeking additional members to the group. DEF is a community based, non-profit organization, whose mission is to raise funds to enrich and improve the quality of the educational environment for Denair Unified School District students. This is done by sponsoring monthly e-cycle events. Short monthly meetings are held to discuss disbursement of monies. The next meeting is November 10, 2015 at 6:30 pm, in the DUSD board room. Helping with e-cycle events and sponsoring student projects and activities are effective community service. You would be most welcome to the group. Check the web page, denairedfoundation.org for more information. We hope to see you November 10!