About 20 interested parents and staff members met Wednesday night for an initial meeting to discuss how students from Denair Elementary Charter Academy’s popular Dual Language Immersion program will transition to Denair Middle School in two years.

The first class of students in DECA’s dual language program is currently in fourth grade, but it’s not too early to begin thinking about and planning for a smooth transition for these students when they enter middle school in August 2021.

DECA Principal Kelly Beard and Learning Director Laura Cardenas kicked off the meeting with a short presentation of the three pillars of dual language immersion and how they are addressed at DECA. The three pillars are biliteracy, bilingualism and cross-cultural competence. The pair also described the “90-10” model, in which students start their educational career with 90% in Spanish and 10% in English. The percentages shift each year until fourth grade, when instruction is 50% Spanish and 50% English.

DUSD English Learner Coordinator Maria Olivas described for parents and staff the requirements for the State Seal of Biliteracy, which is awarded to high school seniors upon graduation if they meet the criteria set forth by the State of California.

Superintendent Terry Metzger stated that the district’s goal is for every student enrolled in the dual language program to earn their Seal of Biliteracy. Based on this goal, it’s important that the district carefully plan what a secondary dual language program will look like. Students will need to build and sustain their academic language in Spanish and English in order to show the high level of proficiency required for the Seal.

The audience members heard several ideas about how the dual language program could be implemented at the middle school level. Many participants expressed interest in hearing/seeing how dual language programs are integrated in other local districts. The district already has begun discussions with nearby districts and plans to take a committee of parents and staff to conduct some school visits this year.

District Trustee Kathi Dunham-Filson assured parents that the school board is committed to the vision of providing a dual language program that prepares students to be fully bilingual, biliterate and culturally competent. This includes ensuring that students in the K-5 program have a strong 6-8 program to further build their skills.

Dr. Metzger indicated that there is much work to do over the next two years, including programming, scheduling, examining and ordering materials, and hiring staff. She invited parents to join staff in the process and asked those interested to provide their contact information.

A follow-up meeting to report progress on this transition is planned for the spring.

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Denair football Coach Anthony Armas said he enjoyed this year’s Homecoming festivities more than he can ever remember. He was caught up in the enthusiasm and community spirit of the rally and parade on Friday, and was proud that the students in his math intervention class won one of the dress up day contests earlier in the week.

Friday’s dominant 35-7 victory over Gustine only added to Armas’ enjoyment, allowing his team to shake off the memory of their loss the week before against first-place Ripon Christian.

“It was just a fun week,” Armas said.

Another way to get Armas to smile is to mention fullback Dylan De Silva, who has set the tone on offense all season. The senior was at it again against Gustine, running for three touchdowns to raise his season total to 12 (11 rushing and one receiving).

It is the third time this year De Silva has scored three TDs in a game.

“He’s just a special athlete,” Armas praised. “He’s fast and he’s shifty. He plays fullback, so he makes a lot of cuts in tight spaces. That’s not something you can teach. He’s just a naturally athletic kid.”

Armas credited Denair’s offensive linemen for opening enough holes for De Silva to squirt through. They did it despite having a size disadvantage against Gustine.

“We tried to go fast. We wanted to speed up the tempo to wear them down and so they couldn’t substitute,” Armas said.

As has been the case most of the season, that strategy worked. Denair led 14-0 at halftime, 28-7 after three quarters and coasted to victory.

The Coyotes (4-2 overall, 1-1 Southern League) mostly avoided the turnovers and penalties that have frustrated them this season. They did lose a fumble late in the first half that stopped a scoring chance, but played much better against the Reds (1-5, 1-2).

“We’re definitely heading in the right direction,” Armas said.

While De Silva was the unquestioned leader on the offense, Armas also was pleased with his defense. He singled out junior nose guard Drake Francis for causing havoc to Gustine’s offense.

“He really got after it,” Armas said. “He was very aggressive and they their center a lot of trouble. He was getting pressure up the middle on their quarterback.”

JV score: Gustine 21, Denair 20. The Coyotes are 1-5 overall and 0-3 in the Southern League.

This week: Denair hosts longtime rival Orestimba this week at Jack Lytton Stadium. The Warriors (3-3 1-2) were shut out 35-0 by Ripon Christian last week, but Armas still has plenty of respect for them. “They’re still pretty good. They beat a Hughson team that’s doing well in the Trans-Valley League. They’re definitely used to winning.” … With four regular-season games remaining, Armas said it’s too early to begin thinking about a third straight trip to the playoffs. “It’s one game at a time for us. … We’ve got to continue to think about ball security on offense and cutting down on penalties and mistakes. That’s what we harp on in practice.”

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To defeat Ripon Christian on Friday night, Denair football Coach Anthony Armas assumed his team would have “to play a perfect game.” The Knights were bigger at many positions and their depth meant fewer players had to play the entire game on offense and defense, a distinct edge against the Coyotes, whose best players rarely come off the field.

Those size and number advantages paid dividends the longer the hard-fought game went on. RC stretched its 7-0 lead at halftime to 14-0 after three quarters and then tacked on two more touchdowns in the final period on its way to a 28-7 victory over Denair in a showdown of the Southern League’s top two teams.

“Our defense played well for 2½ quarters. They just got worn down while they (the Knights) were rotating kids in,” said Armas, referring to RC’s depth.

Denair didn’t score until the fourth quarter, when Dylan De Silva ran 9 yards for a touchdown. The Coyotes wasted a good scoring opportunity in the first half when they fumbled inside RC’s 20-yard line. And as happened in previous weeks, a few ill-timed penalties stopped other drives before they could turn into points.

Denair also didn’t take advantage of an interception and a muffed punt by Ripon Christian.

“Our effort was great. They played their tails off,” Armas said of his team. “This is by far the toughest team we’ll play.”

Armas was especially pleased with three players asked to take on different roles because a teammate had been suspended for one game. Junior Derek Coleman, normally a guard, slid over to play tackle because senior Derek Starkey had to play tight end. On defense, junior Jose Lopez had a strong game at linebacker.

“Those guys really stepped up,” Armas praised.

It was the second year in a row that Ripon Christian (4-1 overall, 2-0 in the SL) handed Denair its first league loss. A season ago, that was the only blemish on Denair’s record as it marched to the Sac-Joaquin Section Division VII championship and eventually the state title. With five league games remaining, the Coyotes still are very much in control of their destiny as they seek a return trip to the playoffs.

JV score: Ripon Christian 33, Denair 0. The Coyotes are 1-4 overall and 0-2 in the Southern League.This week: The Coyotes (3-2, 1-1) will celebrate homecoming Friday night at Jack Lytton Stadium by hosting Gustine (1-4, 1-1), which lost to Mariposa 31-0 last week. “It’s a good Southern League rivalry,” Armas said. “I’m sure they’ll come in here ready to go.” … Last season, Denair beat Gustine twice, the second time coming in the Section Division VII semifinals. … Armas said he enjoys all the activity surrounding homecoming week, including the parade and floats on Friday, but that “this is really just another week. We’ve got to focus on what we can control and we’ll be all right.”

Penalities. Turnovers. Composure.

Expect Denair football Coach Anthony Armas and his assistants to return to those three themes again and again this week in practice.

That’s because while Denair’s 20-12 victory over Le Grand on Friday night was gratifying, it was anything but satisfying to the Coyotes’ coaches, players and fans at Jack Lytton Stadium.

The Coyotes, at times, were poised and proficient, like when they scored three consecutive touchdowns in the second quarter to take a 20-0 lead. But they also were their own worst enemies, with their sloppy play and lack of focus allowing Le Grand back in the game with a pair of third-quarter TDs.

“We shoot ourselves in the foot, big time,” assessed Armas.

Denair (3-1 overall, 1-0 in the Southern League) looked to be in control in the first half behind running back Dylan De Silva and quarterback Elvis Silva.

De Silva motored for 178 yards on the ground, including a 22-yard TD run for the first score of the game. He also caught three passes for another 42 yards, including a 9-yard touchdown from Silva for Denair’s second score.

A few minutes later, Silva hooked up with Jacob Lewellen on a 23-yard TD pass, giving Denair a comfortable 20-0 lead at halftime.

But the momentum shifted quickly in the third quarter. Denair fumbled the opening kickoff, setting up Le Grand (2-2, 0-1) with a short field. The Bulldogs took advantage, scoring to cut Denair’s lead to 20-6.

A second Denair fumble – this one when the Coyotes were driving for a score – gave Le Grand the ball back. Again, the Bulldogs cashed in Denair’s mistake, scoring to make it 20-12.

Continue reading “Denair Opens Southern League with Win Over Le Grand” »

Submitted by R.J. Henderson, Denair High School boys basketball coach:

For the second year in a row, fans of the Denair High School boys basketball team who also enjoy Cajun food are invited to a fun night to support their team. On Saturday, Sept. 28, the coaching staff will host its 2^nd annual Cajun Crab Boil.

Tickets are $60 and include all-you-can-eat crab, shrimp, sausage, veggies and garlic bread served family-style. All-you-can-drink beer and wine is included in the ticket price.

Proceeds will help offset travel and equipment expenses for the team. Some will be set aside to fund future scholarships for players.

The event will run from 6 to 11 p.m. at 843 Helena Ave. in Waterford.

For more information, contact coaches R.J. Henderson (209) 535-8332. Denair’s team is coming off back-to-back trips to the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs. The Coyotes were 17-11 and finished second in the Southern League a year ago before losing in the second round of the playoffs.