Students
continue to make improvements in English and math, but too many still are
performing below state standards, Superintendent Terry Metzger told the Denair
Unified School District board Thursday night.
Trustees
have expressed concern with results from the California Assessment of Student
Performance and Progress, known as CAASPP. Students in grades three through
eight as well as high school juniors take a battery of tests each spring over
six or seven days. Their results are then revealed – individually, by grade
level and by school district.
The
performance in grades three through eight also are used to indicate a district’s
academic status on California School Dashboard, intended to be a quick way for
parents and others to measure progress.
“It’s
high profile and high stakes, but often misinterpreted,” Metzger told trustees.
Denair
students have lagged state-set benchmarks for many years in English and math.
That’s still the case, but Metzger said there is a silver lining in the latest
numbers based on tests taken last spring.
John Plett, the senior member of the Denair Unified School District board, submitted his resignation at Thursday night’s meeting. It is effective immediately.
In his letter to Superintendent Terry Metzger
and board President Regina Gomes, Plett said he needed “to focus on my health.”
The remaining four trustees decided they will appoint
Plett’s replacement rather than hold a costly special election. His term ends
in November 2020.
Interested
community members who live within the district’s boundaries and who are
registered to vote may pick up an application at the district’s office or download the form off
the district’s website. Applications
will be accepted Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. until Aug.
19.
A question
and answer session will take place Aug. 15 at 7 p.m. at the district office for
those interested in learning more about the board position prior to applying.
On Aug. 29, Trustees
Kathi Dunham-Filson, Regina Gomes, Ray Prock Jr. and Crystal Sousa will hold a
special board meeting at 7 p.m. to interview all the applicants. After
discussion, trustees will vote that night to choose Plett’s successor. The new
trustee will be sworn it at the Sept. 12 board meeting.
Those with
questions about the process should call Daisy Swearingen, executive assistant
to superintendent and board, at (209) 632-7514, ext. 1202.
Plett, 68, was
first elected in 2011 and re-elected in 2015. A retired law enforcement
officer, he is known for the pride he takes in
the community as well as the students and staff on Denair’s four campuses.
He and his wife,
Kathy, have lived in Denair for nearly 40 years. All four of their daughters
attended Denair schools and one of them, Kara Binkley, is a counselor in the
Denair district. Many members of Plett’s family were in the audience Thursday
night.
This is one in a series of Q&A’s with teachers new to Denair Unified in 2019-20
Family: Just
me and my Boston terrier baby, Token
School: Denair Elementary Charter Academy
State Preschool
Subject taught: Preschool
Experience and education: I have been teaching preschool for
almost 15 years. I started my career at the CSU Stanislaus learning
center. I have had the opportunity to work for a variety of preschool
programs in different capacities. I hold
my California Child Development Master Teacher Permit, and am working toward
obtaining my Site Supervisors Permit and completing my B.A. in child
development.
What attracted you to Denair? DECA
was home for me five years ago, when I worked as a paraprofessional in the
morning preschool class, and now I am so happy to be returning to this great
program, school and district. DECA incorporates many wonderful programs
that help the children of this community to grow and succeed in their lives. It
introduces children to programs such as academic adventures, character bound
and college awareness, starting as early as kindergarten. The small town
environment and involvement is what drew me to DECA in the first place and is
what has drawn me back!
Why most inspires you about teaching? The
children whom I have been able to be a part of their lives, even if it was only
for a few months, are the reason that inspires me to keep teaching. Seeing
their minds grow, their experiences flourish and their relationships become
stronger, is why I do what I do. Not having any children of my own, I always
tell everyone, the children in my classroom are my children! They always will
be! I can’t wait to meet this next group of wonderful children that I get to
explore the year with.
What is a challenge you look forward
to tackling this year? By coming back to DECA after
five years, I hope to challenge myself and become incorporated back into the
district family.
What is your favorite teaching tool
or activity? My favorite teaching activity is anything I can get the
children engaged in and maybe get a little messy, while exploring our
environment. This is how children develop at the preschool age and learn
to their full potential. I always want to provide hands-on experiences in which
they are able to use their problem solving, communication and many other skills
to explore and learn through: STEM/STEAM, TinkerToys and process art are just a
few examples.
What do you want your students to
remember? I want each of my students to remember that Ms. Cassie is a
safe person that they can always come to and have fun with. I want them to
remember that their preschool life was a time they felt safe, worry-free, happy
and ready to explore.
How can parents support what you do? Parental
involvement is so key to the preschool learning environment. I love when
parents want to attend field trips, volunteer in the classroom, or just need to
sit and talk with someone. My classroom is always open to parents, and
while there are a couple hurdles to volunteering, don’t let it stop you. Come be a part of your child’s preschool
experience! You are their FIRST teachers. Please encourage them to ask questions
to increase their problem-solving and communication skills.
What would surprise people about your
job? I think people would be surprised at how much teachers think
of your wonderful children as their own and how much time we take to make
their educational experience, hopefully, a wonderful one.
What do you do for fun? I love to spend time outside,
relaxing or adventuring. I love hanging out with my Boston terrier and
friends.
This is one in a series of Q&A’s with teachers new to Denair Unified in 2019-20
Family:
Husband, Paul, and children
Aidan, 17, and Kellan, 13
School:
District
Subject taught: Speech
therapist
Experience and
education: I graduated from Fresno State
with a master’s in communicative sciences and disorders, and a clinical
rehabilitative services credential. I also hold a state license in speech
pathology. I have worked in the school setting for my entire career and also
take private speech therapy clients.
What
attracted you to Denair? My friend Suzie Ramirez raved about this district
and the leadership. I also was attracted to the idea of the small-town, small-district
atmosphere.
Why most
inspires you about teaching? Giving a child the gift of communication. Knowing that my interventions are helping a child communicate
and that those skills will help them their whole life
is the very reason I do what I do. It’s an
amazing feeling to watch them make progress over time and meet goals. Let
me tell you how awesome it to watch a child go from having no words to speaking
in short sentences! Just the best feeling ever!
What is a
challenge you look forward to tackling this year? I will be spending my time working in
two different districts this year for the first time in my career.
What is
your favorite teaching tool or activity? I have many therapy tools and tricks I have gained through
the years. I would say with the expansion of technology the iPad apps that are
now available for speech therapy are an awesome tool to keep students engaged.
What do you
want your students to remember? You will never regret being kind.
How can
parents support what you do? This is one
of my most favorite parts of this job. I love educating and empowering the
parents of the children I work with. Watching a parent have an “aha” moment as
we are working together is amazing. Knowing that the “aha” moment will lead to
more progress in their child is priceless.
What would
surprise people about your job? One trait that is crucial for speech language pathologists (SLPs) to have is the
ability to be creative. It is part of the job. Because each client is never like the one before, we are always using our
creativity to keep therapy interesting,
motivating and efficient. For example, because SLPs
do not have a curriculum to follow, the schools SLPs
often use their creativity to pull together lessons that both are
individualized for the students as well as follow along with the general
education curriculum. We also often tailor therapy to our student’s interests to help motivate and therefore build success. This takes time, patience
and a lot of creativity!
What do you do for fun? I love music, enjoy attending concerts and wine
tasting. I love spending weekends hanging out with friends and family.
This is one in a series of Q&A’s with teachers new to Denair Unified in 2019-20
Family: Married with two daughters
School: Denair Elementary Charter Academy
Subject taught: Fourth-grade Dual Language Immersion
Experience and education: More than 20 years in various
education positions: including instructional aide, migrant education homeschool
preschool teacher, substitute teacher and, for the last four years,
elementary school teacher.
What attracted you to Denair? The
small-town feeling and the Dual Language Immersion program.
Why most inspires you about teaching? To
see students grow and when they have their (aha moment) when they actually get
it.
What is a challenge you look forward
to tackling this year? I will be teaching fourth grade
for the first time in my career.
What is your favorite teaching tool
or activity? I enjoy using technology for various activities.
What do you want your students to
remember? How much fun they had learning in fourth grade.
How can parents support what you do? By
having an open communication and to let me know if they have any questions,
comments or concerns.
What would surprise people about your
job? I will be teaching 50% in English and 50% in SpanishWhat do you do for fun? I love to go to the beach
and watch my daughter play volleyball.
