Crash Survivor Delivers Powerful Message On Drinking And Driving

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July 17, 1994

Submitted by Denair Unified School District

July 17, 1994. It’s the day when the arc of Michelle Stevenson Fuller’s life was forever altered. The day that two of her Denair High classmates died and she was seriously injured. All were passengers in a car being driven by a drunken driver.

In the blink of an eye, so much changed, so much was lost.

Fuller’s scars – physical and emotional – remain. So does the white cross on Zeering Road, marking the site of the incident.

Friday morning, Fuller, now 38 and a mother of two, shared her story with students at her alma mater who were not yet born in 1994. Her speech was part of the school’s “Every 15 Minutes” presentation, which involved a simulated crash scene, multiple “deaths” and a memorial service to emotionally underscore the dangers of drinking and driving.

But there was nothing made up about Fuller’s example.

Not quite two months removed from graduation at Denair, she and some friends were at a party in Turlock on a typical summertime Saturday night. Music was playing. Teens flirted. And alcohol was readily available. Someone in the group knew of another party in Denair. So six teens piled into a four-seat Suzuki Sidekick with a girl who had been drinking.

“It was a solo accident; no one hit us,” Fuller said. “She lost control and overcorrected. The CHP estimated we were going 80 mph.”

The Sidekick rolled 2½ times and ended up against a tree. One of Fuller’s best friends was killed. So was a boy who was a junior and had jumped in the vehicle just to get a ride to the next party. Continue reading “Crash Survivor Delivers Powerful Message On Drinking And Driving” »

DECA Petition Approved By DUSD Board

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DUSD Logo

Submitted by Denair Unified School District

Denair Unified School District trustees enthusiastically approved a plan Thursday night to create a new elementary charter school for next year that would combine Spanish instruction for all students with rigorous core subjects and exposure to fine arts.

One of the unique features of the Denair Elementary Charter Academy, or DECA, would be a dual immersion English/Spanish class for kindergarteners. The class would follow the 90% Spanish and 10% English dual immersion model, said Principal Sara Michelena. The goal is to have a 50/50 mix of English and Spanish speakers. The intent, she said, is to add a dual immersion class at successive grade levels each year as the first group of kindergartners gets older.

Response has been strong, Michelena said. Already, 36 kindergarteners have signed up for the immersion program.

“We are creating our very own, very unique program,” said Superintendent Aaron Rosander. “We will be the pre-eminent leader of this kind of education in our region.”

DECA would replace the current charter program, known as Denair Academic Avenues. Denair Elementary School, which shares the same campus today, will technically remain in existence, though district officials expect most of the students to enroll in the DECA program. Students in the same grade level will be in the same class for the core programs, but DECA students will have access to more electives.

“Because this is such a powerful program, we think the choice is easy,” Rosander said.

Trustee Sandi Dirkse said the early community reaction to the new charter has been tremendous.

“The energy and buzz around town is very positive,” she said. “I’m hearing from parents who are very excited.” Continue reading “DECA Petition Approved By DUSD Board” »

April Vendors in the Park

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April 2015 Denair Vendors in The Park

Submitted by Denair Vendors in the Park

The next Denair Vendors in the Park is scheduled for Sunday, April 26, 2015, 10:30 am to 2:00 pm. Join them for a great community Arts & Crafts Festival.

Vendor Information

Cost: $24 and a small fun raffle donation of $5 value (discount if prepaid at least two weeks prior to event date) All independent consultants, such as Mary K., Scentsy, etc., that sign up to hold a spot must prepay in that time, or spots will be released at the two week mark due to the fact that they only allow one representative per specific company.  All arts and crafters may either take advantage of the discount to prepay or pay the day of the event.

Space: You will have a space that is as big as your pop up, up to 12’x12′. Some spots are deep and you may utilize this extra room. If you would like a double space, please make arrangements with Mel DeSouza prior to set up so that she can accommodate this request, for an additional fee.

All vendors and crafters must sign a Vendor Contract and a Hold Harmless Agreement from Stanislaus County. They will be available at the event to print, as well as the Denair Vendors in the Park page in the notes section, for you to send in with your payment.

Set up will begin at 8:00 am and the show begins at 10:00 am. Tear down will be after 3pm. You may stay later if you wish, but please make arrangements if you will need to leave early as you will be assigned an outter spot so as to not disturb the show or neighboring vendors.  Non profit, Community Service, or Animal Adoption, Rescue or Awareness booths are still free! Spread the word!

‘Every 15 Minutes’ Presentation Impacts Students

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Every 15 MinutesImagine, if you can, being zipped into a body bag, taken to the morgue and pushed into a cold, dark space. Ashley Ramaley can. It happened to her Thursday.

Imagine, also, being whisked by helicopter or ambulance to the nearest hospital with critical injuries suffered in a horrific car collision. Imagine that all the emergency measures weren’t enough, that you were pronounced dead and your family members were brought to identify your body. Jose Fuentes and Yulissa Tafolla can. They had it happen to them Thursday.

And finally, imagine being the cause of so much pain, suffering and grief. Weston Fair can. He was the drunken driver behind the wheel Thursday in an “Every 15 Minutes” simulation played out at Denair High School.

It was a frightening, heart-breaking and, yes, sobering reminder to Denair’s students and others of the dangers of drinking and driving.

“Alcohol abuse and drunk driving is an avoidable epidemic that brings untold grief and tragedy to thousands of Americans each year,” said Denair Superintendent Aaron Rosander. “It is so critically important that we educate and impact the lives of our teens in powerful and lasting ways that will save lives and create a safer, healthier future culture. … Such activities serve to honor and protect the most wondrous gift of all: life!”

In reality, no one died. But that didn’t make the emotions any less real or raw for the 270 students the presentation was directed to, the 30 teens who one-by-one became “victims” throughout the day or the loved ones they left behind. Continue reading “‘Every 15 Minutes’ Presentation Impacts Students” »

DMS Sixth Graders Take To The Hills

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Outdoor School Teachers

Submitted by Denair Unified School District

Six dozen sixth-graders from Denair Middle School are spending a week in the woods at the Foothills Education Outdoor Center, learning about geology, ecology and natural history. The camp has been a popular extension of the students’ science curriculum for decades and something they eagerly anticipate.

This year, the 72 students were accompanied by DMS teachers Linda Richardson, Patty Guillen and David Rodriguez as well several Denair High School students, who attend as camp counselors.

Students arrived at the 143-acre campus Monday and return Friday afternoon. The lessons are conducted by the Foothills staff naturalists and are very interactive. Students take nature hikes during the day and night, learn about the Me-Wuk culture and have trips to nearby Calaveras Big Trees State Park and Moaning Cavern Adventure Park.

Boys and girls sleep in separate cabins and share meals in a large cafeteria. At night, there is dancing and presentations around a campfire.

This year, six-graders from Hart-Ransom School in west Modesto are at the camp at the same time as the Denair students.

“We are one of the few schools that are able to attend for the full five days of camp,” said Denair Principal Aaron Delworth, who enthusiastically recalls the camp from his own days as a sixth-grader in the 1980s.

The $284 cost per student for a weeklong stay – paid for by parents — has persuaded many school districts to reduce the number of days spent in Sonora. Not Denair. Delworth said students hold fund-raisers to reduce their families’ costs. The Parents Supporting Education group underwrites a portion of the fee. Other parents and community members make contributions, Delworth said. And there are scholarships for some families available from the Stanislaus County Office of Education.

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