New DHS Ag Teachers to Grow Program From Ground Up

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Madison Weigel and Matthew Marshall

Submitted by Denair Unified School District

As Denair High School students and teachers anticipate classes resuming next week, nowhere is the excitement greater or expectations higher than in the ag department. Two new instructors have joined the staff, bringing with them energy and optimism that they can create the kind of program that will be a magnet for the brightest teens in and out of the district.

Though school doesn’t begin until Aug. 12, Matthew Marshall and Madison Weigel spent much of July getting to know their students, organizing lesson plans and strategizing about course offerings. The Stanislaus County Fair from July 10-19 gave them a perfect chance to interact with Denair’s FFA students who were showing animals and a three-day FFA leadership retreat last week in San Luis Obispo was another opportune time to bond.

Now, Marshall and Weigel are ready to go.

“The community is itching for an ag program that will benefit students and keep them here in Denair,” said Marshall, whose emphasis will be on ag mechanics, landscape management and ag science.

“We want to teach them ag, but we also want to teach them life skills that they can apply to any career,” explained Weigel, whose focus will be on ag and earth science, ag biology, ag leadership, floral design and horticulture. She also will teach a physical science class at Denair Middle School.

Marshall and Weigel understand the importance of a quality ag program at a rural school like Denair. At similar-sized high schools like Hughson, Hilmar, Waterford or Orestimba, ag classes are popular draws for all students.

Not every student lives on a farm or aspires to a career in agribusiness, but most have a basic appreciation of the value of the nearby orchards, dairies and fields that are a part of everyday life. Many have family members somehow involved in ag or related businesses.

“A strong agricultural program will deliver a high-quality, comprehensive curriculum and hands-on training and practice in our school in order to ensure our students are a valuable source of employable, trained and skilled individuals,” said first-year Principal Alecia Myers. “The importance of this program is immeasurable, as it truly is the pride and success of many of our students and their families.” Continue reading “New DHS Ag Teachers to Grow Program From Ground Up” »

Save the Date for the Denair Farm and Family Festival

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Submitted by Denair Farm & Family Festival

It’s that time of year already! Are you ready for the Farm & Family Festival?

As our new advertising strategy this year for the Denair Farm & Family Festival, we are paying it forward with Turlock Direct, to give our residents not only our ad, but to give them lots of other Local Businesses to visit. We are sharing the love this year! We would also include a big shout out to our Denair Volunteer Fire Department’s 31st Annual Deep Pit BBQ. Tickets are available soon at the Fire Department, through a Fire Department Volunteer Fire Fighter or are available at the door, on Saturday September 12, 2015, starting at 4:00 pm through 8:00 pm. You can drive through, walk up or come on in and visit with all your friends and neighbors, with our family style seating. Cost is $10 for adults or just $5 for kids. You won’t leave hungry!

There’s something new at this year’s festival. We are raffling off a car! Just a $5 donation earns you a ticket. Only a thousand tickets will be sold! Odds are in your favor to walk away with this beauty! All proceed benefit Denair High School Scholarship Fund.  This is a 1997 Acura CL 3.0! Tickets are available from Festival committee members, or at Grandma’s Treasures, in downtown Denair. Tickets will also be available on the day of the festival. Look for us folks wearing green. The car is valued at $3,000. Help support Denair Students and win a car!

We have also changed our hours for better flow for our beloved Fire Department’s BBQ. Denair Farm & Family Festival hours will be from 9:00 am until 3:00 pm, Saturday, September 12, 2015. Continue reading “Save the Date for the Denair Farm and Family Festival” »

Freshmen Orientation Scheduled at Denair High School

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Submitted by Denair Unified School District

All freshmen students are invited to an orientation from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, August 5, 2015, at the Denair High School amphitheater. It will be a fun chance to learn about the schedule, the staff and where everything is before classes begin Aug. 12, 2015.

Wednesday’s schedule looks like this:

  • 5:30 – 5:45: Welcome by Principal Alecia Myers and introductions
  • 5:50 – 6:30: Campus tours given by Leadership Club students
  • 6:40 – 7:00 Pizza
  • 7:00 – 7:30: Team-building games

For more information, contact the Denair High School office at (209) 632-9911.