Denair Unified School District Passes Budget

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DUSD_logo-SmallDenair school trustees passed a lean budget Thursday night while reassuring community members that the district is committed to sustained academic excellence even as it keeps a watchful eye on expenses.

After hearing an analysis by the district’s financial team, trustees voted 4-0 to pass the $8.15 million budget for 2014-15. The district expects to have a $130,000 deficit, but will not require any financial assistance from the Stanislaus County Office of Education. The past two years, the county office loaned the district $2.4 million to prevent state takeover.

By 2015-16, Denair officials expect to have about $370,000 more in revenue than expenses.

“We want to let parents know that we’re not just in survival mode,” Trustee John Plett said after the meeting. “We want the highest quality classes in arts, in math, in science, in English; we’ve not lost sight of that. We’ve hit a speed bump the past couple of years, but students still can get a quality education here.”

Plett joined Trustees Kathi Dunham-Filson, Carolyn Brown and Robert Hodges in passing the budget. Trustee Sandi Dirkse was absent.

“Even though the budget is lean, nothing has been taken away,” said Dunham-Filson. “We still do music. We still do languages. We still do ag. We still do many programs.” Continue reading “Denair Unified School District Passes Budget” »

June Vendors in the Park

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June 2014 Vendors in the ParkThe next Denair Vendors in the Park is scheduled for Sunday, June 29, 2014, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Join them for amazing shopping, all while supporting small businesses, home businesses and local artists. It’s a laid back community and family friendly event, fun to just stop in and walk around. Bring the kids and the pooch too. They have a terrific assortment of booths for you to enjoy, from candles to country glass wear, they have it all! It all happens in Sterling Ranch Park, on the corner of Salluce Drive and McCauly Drive.

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!

Elite Drum and Bugle Corps Training in Denair

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Santa Clara VanguardClass may be out for the summer, but the staccato beat of drums, the blare of horns and an array of colorful flags are filling the air around two Denair campuses this week.

The Vanguard Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps from Santa Clara once again are using the grassy fields and other facilities in Denair to prepare for the summer competition season. It is the fifth consecutive year the 146-member organization has held a weeklong camp at the adjoining high school and middle school sites.

“The relationship between Denair and Vanguard has been positive and has generated interest to the degree that folks will stop by to watch and inquire,” said Aaron Rosander, superintendent of the Denair Unified School District.

Last year, the camp provided a springboard to the Drum Corps International Open Class Championship, which the Bay Area group won for the second time.

“The Vanguard Cadets are honored to once again spend time here in Denair. We have always been treated so wonderfully and want to give much thanks to the district office personnel and school administration,” said Steve Barnhill, the corps’ director.

The connection to Denair was established by Vanguard’s CEO a few years ago, Barnhill said, and has worked out perfectly. Continue reading “Elite Drum and Bugle Corps Training in Denair” »

Veteran Educators Join Denair Unified Team

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DUSD_logo-SmallTwo experienced educators will join the leadership team at the Denair Unified School District before the next school year starts.

Sara Michelena is the new Director of Elementary Education. She will oversee staff and students at Denair Elementary School as well as the adjacent Denair Academic Avenues campus.

Christine Skinner was hired as Associate Director of Secondary Education and will serve as the vice principal at Denair High School and Denair Middle School.

The hires were formally approved Thursday night by the district’s Board of Trustees at their monthly meeting.

Michelena comes to Denair from the Turlock Unified School District, where she was assistant principal of Cunningham Elementary in the 2013-14 school year. Before that, she spent 13 years in the Patterson Joint Unified School District as an elementary teacher, instructional coach and language coordinator, and as assistant principal at Apricot Valley Elementary.

Michelena has a bachelor’s degree from California State University, Chico, a teaching credential from St. Mary’s College and an administrative credential from California State University, Stanislaus. She is working toward a master’s degree in school administration at Stanislaus.

“I was drawn to Denair because I spent the majority of my career in a similar district and knew it would be a great fit,” Michelena said. “I was also very fortunate to work with many residents of Denair, in this last year, and they sang the praises of the community and district.” Continue reading “Veteran Educators Join Denair Unified Team” »

DUSD Sponsors Summer Movie Express

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Regal Summer Movie Express

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Denair Unified School District has partnered with Regal Cinemas to sponsor the Regal Summer Movie Express.  The Summer Movie Express features family friendly movies on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, throughout the summer, starting at 10:00 am. Admission is $1. Upcoming movies include The Lego Movie, The Adventures of Tintin, Kung Fu Panda 2, Mr. Peabody & Sherman, Rio 2 and more. A complete listing movies is available at the Regal Summer Movie Express web site.

The Regal Turlock Stadium 14 is located at 2323 West Main Street, in Turlock.