Submitted by Denair Unified School District

A just-completed community survey shows widespread support for the key priorities established by the Denair Unified School District.

Nearly 200 residents, parents, students and staff responded to the online survey, which was conducted in English and Spanish for two weeks starting in late February. Superintendent Terry Metzger briefed trustees on the results at their monthly board meeting Thursday night.

The priorities are established each year as part of the Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP), mandated by the state for every district. The goals are formed with input from the community.

For this school year, Denair’s priorities are:

• Increase the high school graduation rate
• Attract and retain highly effective staff
• Implement state standards
• Provide intervention and enrichment for students
• Accountability and transparency
• Engage the community
• Safety and facilities

No less than 68% of respondents agreed with every goal. The highest favorable rating (81%) was for increasing high school graduation rates, which is interesting in that Denair High routinely ranks among the top in the state with a grad rate of 95% or higher. Continue reading “Community Survey Reveals Broad Support for Key Denair Unified Objectives” »

Submitted by Denair High School

Denair High’s Drew Pritchard and Steffin Winston have made and shared many memories in their four-year athletic careers at Denair High. So it’s somehow fitting that they will share another award after the Coyotes’ most successful basketball season in more than a decade.

The two seniors have been chosen Co-Players of the Year by the Turlock Journal.

Pritchard averaged 15 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals a game. A three-year starter, he also made the Southern League’s first team three times.

Winston averaged 13 points, nine rebounds, two blocks, two steals and two assists. He made the all-Southern League first team the past two seasons.

The tandem led Denair to a 17-11 record this season and helped the Coyotes to the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs the past two years.

“They provided a positive environment,” Coach R.J. Henderson told the Journal. “That was the thing about both of them; they have leadership skills that really provided a lift with a younger team this year with juniors and a freshman that started.”

Henderson credits Pritchard and Winston with helping to change the culture associated with Denair athletics, including their roles on last fall’s state championship football team.

“I think they are a couple of vibrant students on campus and I think that translates as far as crowds and interest,” he said. “Both of them attract people towards them and we never had that before. We had talented kids come through, but those two are the total package.”

Submitted by Denair High School

Henry Johnson has been overcoming obstacles, knocking down barriers and inspiring those around for all of his 16 years.

Now, the Denair High School sophomore has been recognized as part of a countywide program honoring students who have succeeded against all odds, beyond expectations or simply won the hearts of the administrators and other educators who helped them achieve their goals.

Tuesday morning, Henry was among 23 Stanislaus County students from 14 districts to receive an Every Student Succeeding Award at a breakfast in downtown Modesto.

Henry was born with Apert Syndrome, a genetic defect that falls under the broad classification of craniofacial/ anomalies and is primarily characterized by specific malformations of the skull, midface, hands, and feet. His skull was prematurely fused and unable to grow normally, and his fingers and toes were fused together in varying degrees.

He has undergone more than 20 surgeries to separate his fingers and toes, reform his skull and restructure his face. His most recent was early this year at UC Davis to realign his eyes.

Through it all, Henry has maintained a positive attitude about school and life. He is popular with his classmates and a favorite of his teachers. From 2008 to 2011, he and his family raised more than $90,000 for cranial research through a series of Henry’s March fun runs at CSU Stanislaus.

“Henry is an amazing kid,” said Denair Principal Kara Backman, who nominated him for the award. “He is the true definition of a young man that exudes grit, perseverance, and kindness.” Continue reading “Denair High Student Henry Johnson Honored with Special Stanislaus County Award” »

Submitted by Denair Elementary Charter Academy

The students and staff at Denair Elementary Charter Academy are having fun this week, marking the birthday of Dr. Seuss on March 2 while also celebrating Read Across America week.

“It’s a chance to promote reading and inspire students to read,” said Principal Kelly Beard.

The DECA student council has identified a different dress-up them for each day, encouraging students as well as staff to come to school in non-traditional outfits.

Monday was “Fox in a Socks” with crazy socks and hair, Tuesday was “Put Me in the Zoo” for spotted or dotted clothing, Wednesday was pajama day and Thursday was “Cat in the Hat” twin day.

Friday, everyone is urged to come as their favorite Dr. Seuss character. Beard and her third-grade daughter, Mackenzie, plan to be Thing I and Thing II. Learning director Laura Cardenas will be the Cat in the Hat.

“It’s been a fun week,” Beard said. “Everyone always looks forward to it.”

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SACRAMENTO – Denair ran into a taller, stronger, faster team Monday night in the second round of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division V playoffs, with predictable results.

Sacramento Adventist scored the first 14 points of the game and never looked back, cruising to a 67-36 victory and ending the Coyotes’ season.

“They’re bigger across the board. They were better and more skilled at most positions,” assessed Denair Coach R.J. Henderson.

The Capitals (25-5) limited the Coyotes (17-11) to just 13 points in the first half in building a 19-point lead.

“Their game plan didn’t alter,” Henderson said. “After makes, they went into a zone (defense) and after misses, they go man. We saw that in the three films we watched, but we didn’t handle it well.”

Despite its cold shooting, Denair trimmed Sacramento Adventist’s lead to 10 points entering the second quarter. The run coincided with insertion of junior Austin Upfold, who kept the Coyotes in the game.

“Austin came off the bench and sparked us, but we could never really make a push,” Henderson. “I thought if we could get it to eight or nine points by halftime, we’d have a chance. … We just didn’t make enough plays and enough shots.” Continue reading “Denair’s Season Ends with Basketball Playoff Loss” »