A Class Act! 10 Questions for Rosanne Cantwell

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RCantwell

Submitted by Denair Unified School District

Name: Rosanne Cantwell

Family: I have a spectacular husband of 16 years, Mike, who not only teaches AP biology and chemistry at Gregori High School in Modesto, but coaches wrestling there as well. I am also blessed to have two beautiful, active daughters: Riley is 14 years old and a freshman in high school and Sidney just turned 12 and is a seventh-grader.

School: Denair Middle School

Subjects Taught: Seventh- and eighth-grade math as well as a leadership class

Experience and Education: I worked hard and earned my bachelor’s degree and teaching credential from CSU Stanislaus. I am currently in my 18th year of teaching (all at DMS!!). I started teaching seventh-grade language arts and social studies before moving to sixth grade to partner teach with a dynamic teacher (Mrs. Bush) before taking two years off to stay at home with my girls. I returned to teaching in 2004 and have been teaching algebra/math ever since.

What inspires you about teaching? I think the connections that I get to make with these young adults that I teach inspires me the most. I remember when I was in sixth grade and had to have emergency surgery. My sixth-grade teacher (Ms. Willett) took time to come and visit me while I was recovering in the hospital. I knew then that I wanted to teach and connect with students the way that I felt connected to her. That she would take her personal time to visit me made me feel special. It gives me joy to have former students come back to visit my classroom to tell me they miss my class or that they are doing well in high school math.

After 17 years of teaching in Denair, I have great pride in seeing how successful some former students have become. Some are even parents now to my current students. I currently work alongside a particularly amazing former student (Mrs. Hilton) who carries the same enthusiasm and work ethic now as when she attends the middle school as a sixth-grader! Continue reading “A Class Act! 10 Questions for Rosanne Cantwell” »

DHS Winter Sports Preview

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DHS Coyotes Football

Submitted by Denair Unified School District

The gym is a busy place these days at Denair High School. The boys and girls basketball teams plus the wrestling team all have begun their winter schedules with an eye toward preparing themselves to compete for Southern League titles in January and February.

Boys Basketball

Despite a 10-player roster, third-year coach R.J. Henderson is confident the Coyotes have improved enough to contend for one of the league’s three spots in the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs.

“I’d like to think the last week or two of the season we’ll be playing for something,” said Henderson, whose young team won just seven games a year ago.

This season, the Coyotes will benefit from a sizeable presence in the middle in the form of 6-foot-3, 280-pound senior center Ryan Galhano, who didn’t play last year. Henderson expects Galhano will be one of the most physical players in the Southern League.

Three other seniors – forwards Dominyc Silva and Chase Vann and guard Vince Fuentes – were named tri-captains.

Henderson said Silva has the mentality and savvy of a “35-year-old city league player.” He called Vann “a good glue guy” and rebounder who does many things to help a team. And he said Fuentes is “probably our best pure shooter with the most range.”

Junior guard Isaac Starks, who played on the varsity as a sophomore, rounds out the starting five. Henderson said he’s the team’s best option to create a shot off his dribble.

The small roster means if one player misses practice, an assistant coach has to step in to have a 5-on-5 scrimmage. Denair’s enrollment already makes it the smallest school in the Southern League. Despite that, Henderson thinks his squad will continue to build a new culture of success. Continue reading “DHS Winter Sports Preview” »

DHS Drama Club Presents Christmas Stories: A Radio Play

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DHSdrama120514

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Submitted by Denair Unified School District

The Denair High School Drama Club will be performing, Christmas Stories: A Radio Play, on Friday and Saturday, December 5-6, 2014, at 6:00 pm, and a matinee on Sunday, December 7, 2014, at 2:00 pm, in the Denair High School Event Center. Doors open a half-hour before the show. Tickets for the show will be available only at the door, $8.00 for general admission, and $5 for students, seniors and veterans. You can receive a $1 discount by bringing a marked canned good donation.

DPSC Hosts Craft Night at Denair Elementary School

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CraftNight

Submitted by Denair Parent Service Club

Denair Elementary School’s annual Craft Night fundraiser will be hosted by Denair Parent Service Club (DPSC) and is set for Thursday, December 11, 2014 from 6:00-8:00 pm in the Elementary School gym. We hope you will join us at this fun filled event! There will be holiday crafts to make and a silent auction to bid on gift baskets. DPSC is accepting donations of items for the silent auction gift baskets. Santa will be at the festivities for photos. Water, soda, pizza and cookies will also be available.

Admission is free! Tickets for the activities and food can be purchased at the door for $1.00 each. Food items and a picture with Santa require 1 ticket each and crafts require 1-2 tickets each.

Money raised from this fundraiser will help pay for class fieldtrips, class supplies and technology.

If you are interested in helping out with craft night such as preparing baskets for the silent auction, selling food or helping with the craft tables, please complete this form and return it to your child’s teacher. Thank you for your support!!

Additionally, the English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC) is holding their first annual Tamale Sale on the same evening, from 6:00-8:30 pm.  Tamale sales are pre-sale and drive-thru only. Use the ELAC Tamale Order Form to pre-order your delicious tamales!