A Class Act! 10 Questions for Coree Fitzgerald

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Coree Fitzgerald

Submitted by Denair Unified School District

Name: Coree Fitzgerald                                   

School: Denair Academic Avenues

Subject taught: Kindergarten

Experience and education: I have taught at Denair schools for 11 years. I grew up in Denair and attended schools here from kindergarten through 12th grade. I went to Westmont College in Santa Barbara and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology. I earned my teaching credential through California State University, Stanislaus, and went on to complete my master’s in education there as well.

Why most inspires you about teaching? I love that as a kindergarten teacher I get to be the students’ first experience with education in the school setting. I love to see when my students are excited about what they are learning and eager to keep trying when things seem difficult. My main inspiration is that the kids will have a love of learning and the confidence they will need during their next years in school.

What are your biggest challenges as a teacher? My biggest challenges as a teacher are to bring a group of students who are often on vastly diverse paths and reach them all, taking into account that there are 20-30 individuals in a class each year and tailoring our program and curriculum to meet all of their needs.

What is your favorite teaching tool or activity? I enjoy using technology in the classroom to show students a different way to see things other than just through stories or speaking with them. In some ways we can bring in real-life experiences for those students that are not familiar with a topic. Continue reading “A Class Act! 10 Questions for Coree Fitzgerald” »

Denair Education Foundation March eCycle Event

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Submitted by Denair Education Foundation

Denair Education Foundation will be holding an eCycle event at Denair High School on Saturday, March 28, 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.

Last year, students enjoyed a Diego Rivera art exhibit, attended a play at CSUS, enlarged the selection of books at the elementary school library, and applied for scholarships (John Robbins Memorial and Modesto Junior College).

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! Continue reading “Denair Education Foundation March eCycle Event” »

DHS Sports Boosters Host Drive-Thru Dinner Fundraiser

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DHS Sports Boosters Drive-Thru Flyer

Submitted by Denair High School Sports Boosters

Denair High School Sports Boosters are hosting a drive-thru dinner on Thursday, March 26, 2015, 4:30 – 6:30 pm, in the Denair Middle School parking lot. Dinner will consist of pork loin, rice pilaf, steamed vegetables, dessert and a drink.

Tickets are $12.00 each and can be purchased by calling Carissa Borba at (209) 410-3516.

Positive Momentum Continues To Build For DECA

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Submitted by Denair Unified School District

Potential kindergarten enrollment is only one small measure of public enthusiasm for the proposed Denair Elementary Charter Academy. Still, the early response is overwhelmingly positive.

Already, there are 88 children signed up for kindergarten next fall. That compares to 85 kindergartners on the two elementary campuses today.

“We typically have two-thirds of our enrollment by mid-March, so that’s very good,” elementary Principal Sara Michelena told Denair Unified School District trustees Thursday night.

The meeting was the first opportunity for the board and members of the public to review plans for a revamped elementary charter school, which will be known as DECA beginning with the 2015-16 school year. It will replace the separate and adjacent elementary programs that exist today — Denair Elementary School and the Denair Academic Avenues.

One of the primary goals in writing a new charter, Michelena explained, was to blend the best of both current campuses, which together have about 500 students in kindergartens through fifth grade.

A key attraction for parents of current charter school students has been the Spanish component. Michelena said DECA will build upon that, offering all students 30 minutes of Spanish instruction Monday through Thursday. And DECA will introduce a dual immersion option for kindergarten where students will be taught 90% in Spanish and 10% in English.

Already, there are 26 students signed up for that class, with five more on a waiting list. A second class could be added if there 40 students, Michelena said. Going forward, she said the intent is to add a dual immersion class at successive grade levels each year as the first group of kindergartners gets older. Continue reading “Positive Momentum Continues To Build For DECA” »

DUSD Officials and Teachers Thrilled With Plans for DECA

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Submitted by Denair Unified School District

Denair schools trustees and the public will have their first chance Thursday night to publicly review plans for a revamped elementary charter school.

The proposal calls for Denair Elementary School and the adjacent Denair Academic Avenues to form a new school known as Denair Elementary Charter Academy, or DECA, for the 2015-16 school year.  Together, the two campuses now have about 500 kindergarten through fifth-grade students from Denair and surrounding areas.

DECA’s mission, according to the proposed new charter, “is to provide students with an engaging, nurturing, equitable learning environment that promotes the development of skills necessary for the 21st century.”

The curriculum will be rich with core subjects such as language arts, math, science, social science and physical education. Electives will include world/foreign languages, drama, music, art, dance and computer instruction.

Already, DECA’s dual immersion English/Spanish class for kindergartens is proving to be popular, with 26 students signed up and five on a waiting list, said Principal Sara Michelena. A second class could be added if there at least 40 students.

The class will follow the 90% Spanish and 10% English dual immersion model, Michelena said. 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.

All other DECA students also will have regular Spanish instruction, Michelena said. In addition, the new charter school will have two 30-station computer labs to teach tech skills and will continue to focus on arts enrichment for all students. Even at the elementary level, there will be an emphasis on building a college-going culture among children. Continue reading “DUSD Officials and Teachers Thrilled With Plans for DECA” »