Strong Elementary Enrollment Growth
 Good News for DUSD

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Submitted by Denair Unified School District

After three years of decline, enrollment in the Denair Unified School District is leveling off thanks to strong growth at the elementary campus. More students boost the bottom line since average daily attendance, or ADA, is the key measurement linked to state funding.

Superintendent Aaron Rosander and Chief Business Officer Linda Covello went over the important financial and enrollment numbers at Thursday night’s DUSD board of trustees meeting.

Covello said the district finished the 2014-15 school year with 1,265 students, a 9% decline from the previous year. Still, thanks to tight fiscal controls and cooperation from labor groups, the district finished the school year with an overall fund balance of $852,403.

And, Rosander explained, this year has started off very well, particularly at the new Denair Elementary Charter Academy. Already, enrollment has exceeded projections by 40 students. The first-ever Spanish immersion program in kindergarten has proven to be especially popular. Thirty-two youngsters signed up, creating the need for a second class. An additional teacher has been hired and the district intends to advertise that it has room for another dozen or so students in the program.

“It’s been a fabulous start to the year,” Principal Sara Michelena said. “Our enrollment is up across all the grade levels.”

Covello’s budget projections show that thanks to enrollment growth and some one-time funding from the state, Denair should end this school year with a fund balance of more than $1.5 million.

Rosander couldn’t help but smile Thursday night when he considered the progress the district has made in a few short years.

“The picture looks very, very good. It appears the plan we put in place about a year and half ago is gaining traction and coming to fruition,” he said. “It’s really a nice trajectory that we’re on.” Continue reading “Strong Elementary Enrollment Growth
 Good News for DUSD” »

Coach of DHS Soccer Team Satisfied to be ‘Under the Radar’

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Submitted by Denair Unified School District

First-year Denair High School soccer coach Greg Gaudio quietly hopes his Southern League opponents take his young team lightly. And though the Coyotes have struggled the past few seasons, they appear primed to make some noise this fall.

They’re off to a 3-0 start behind the powerful offensive duo of seniors Francisco Licea and Isaac Starks.

The Coyotes opened with a dominating 8-3 victory at Hughson behind Licea’s four goals and three more from Starks. The defense limited the Huskies to five shots.

Then, the Coyotes took care of a strong Rio Vista team 3-1 at home, with Licea scoring twice and Starks adding the third goal. Freshman goalie Uriel Gonzalez made eight saves.

Starks nailed four goals and Licea had three assists in a 6-2 home victory over Big Valley Christian. Freshman Seth Martinez and sophomore Oscar Garcia also scored.

It all adds up to an impressive start for a Denair team that won just two out of 14 Southern League games last season. Part of the credit goes to Gaudio, a longtime youth and travel soccer coach in the region who played collegiately at CSU Stanislaus. He admittedly didn’t know much about his team as practice began last month, but says the early results are encouraging.

“I’ve changed the positions of a lot of players to get them in a position to where they can naturally excel,” Gaudio explained. “You can tell it’s really helping the team. It’s allowing them to be a team. Everybody is playing together. It seems to be working.” Continue reading “Coach of DHS Soccer Team Satisfied to be ‘Under the Radar’” »

Visit by Air Force Personnel Highlights DECA Assembly

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Pointon MacDonald

Submitted by Denair Unified School District

The last time Airman First Class Hannah Pointon appeared at an elementary assembly in Denair, she was the guest of honor as the perfect Christmas present for her parents, who didn’t know she was coming and cried tears of joy in an emotional reunion.

Friday morning, Pointon returned to the campus she once attended. This time, there were no surprises. And she brought along a colleague, Air Force Tech Sgt. Brad MacDonald.

The visit continued Pointon’s relationship with Denair Elementary Charter Academy teacher Patti Morrissey, who taught Pointon in fourth grade about 15 years ago. Then, Pointon and her classmates “adopted” some U.S. military personnel, sending cards and letters. After Pointon joined the Air Force a few years ago, Morrissey’s classes chose to adopt Pointon, who grew up in Denair. Her parents, Jody and Roger Jorge, still live here.

Pointon hadn’t been to Denair since Christmas. She and MacDonald, who both are cardiopulmonary technicians, are stationed at Nellis Air Force Base near Las Vegas. They drove eight hours Sunday to California and are staying with the Jorges at their home.

Friday, wearing their Air Force fatigues, they were the featured guests at an 8 a.m. assembly for more than 500 DECA elementary students. MacDonald, in a booming voice, led the Pledge of Allegiance. And he and Pointon proudly joined with the youngsters to sing the “Star Spangled Banner.”

Seeing the awe in the students’ eyes “makes you walk a little taller,” the soft-spoken Pointon admitted.

“They are the reason we do what we do,” MacDonald said.

Afterward, they took cookies decorated with the Air Force logo to Morrissey’s class and briefly shared their backgrounds with her fifth-graders. Continue reading “Visit by Air Force Personnel Highlights DECA Assembly” »

School Spirit on the Loose, Stirred up by Dr. Seuss!

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Submitted by Denair High School

School has started and Denair High School’s student body has got big plans this year. Last year we stepped up our game when it came to float building, and we’d like to continue to improve this year after year. Last year, TJ McDonald took our float trailers and added some solid skirting around them which made decorating them much easier and allowed for a much more professional looking product. This was no small task and it was greatly appreciated. This year Richard Bettencourt and Mr. Stavrianoudakis are constructing permanent solid backboards to add stability and safety for when the floats travel down the road. If time permits, they are also planning to add an electrical outlet to each corner of the trailers to make for easy plugging in of Christmas lights, fog machines, stereos, etc. Future goals include the addition of moving parts. It’s a lofty goal, but one that leadership believes is possible.

As the title should have clued you in, this year’s theme will be “Dr. Seuss” and the students have begun planning and are very excited. Just as last year, the Leadership class and Art department will be coordinating the construction of the floats. The backboards will be drawn and painted in the leadership room and outside lawn area, while the float figures will built in the Art room. Continue reading “School Spirit on the Loose, Stirred up by Dr. Seuss!” »

Denair Farm & Family Sponsoring DHS Scholarship Raffle

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Farm & Family Flyer 2015

Submitted by Denair Farm & Family Festival

The Denair Farm and Family Board and Denair Civic Association are sponsoring the Denair High School Scholarship fund at this year’s Annual Denair Farm and Family Festival.  Tickets can be purchased for a $5 donation that will be enter you in a chance to win a clean 1997 Acura CL.  Their goal is to issue 1000 tickets to make this a large scholarship. Tickets can be purchased from any Denair Civic Association board member.  Tickets are also available at the Denair Fire Department today.