Tag Archives: Denair Charter Academy

DUSD Graduation Ceremony Information

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Submitted by Denair Unified School District

Graduation season is upon us! Below is a comprehensive listing of all Denair Unified School District graduation ceremonies. None of the events require tickets for entry.

The Denair Charter Academy 8th Grade promotion ceremony will take place on Tuesday, May 26, 2015, at 6:00 pm, in the Denair Middle School Coyote Center. Doors open at 5:30 pm.

Denair Charter Academy will be will be presenting the Class of 2015 on Wednesday, May 27, 2015, at 7:30 pm, at Jack Lytton Stadium. Gates open at 7:00 pm.

The Denair Middle School 8th Grade graduation will take place on Thursday, May 28, 2015, at 7:00 pm, at Jack Lytton Stadium. Gates open at 6:00 pm.

Denair High School will be presenting the Class of 2015 on Friday, May 29, 2015, at 7:30 pm, at Jack Lytton Stadium. Gates open at 6:00 pm.

DHS Staffing Adjusted to Reflect Enrollment Decline

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Submitted by Denair Unified School District

No teachers are losing their jobs, but four instructors will have reduced class schedules in 2015-16 because of projected enrollment declines at Denair High School.

There are 305 students currently at the high school, but only 270 are expected on campus for the first day of the 2015-16 school year when it begins Aug. 12. That disappointing trend required Denair Unified School District trustees to vote unanimously Thursday night to pare back the number of classes offered. If enrollment picks up, some of the teaching hours and classes could be restored.

Superintendent Aaron Rosander stated, “While it’s unfortunate to layoff even partial teaching positions, this reduction is necessary due to a downtick in enrollment at the high school. Having said this, the overall enrollment trend for the District is beginning to show improvement. This should ultimately have a positive effect on Denair High School in future years”.

The district needed to reduce teaching hours by the equivalent of two full-time positions, or 12 classes, trustees were told. The resignation of a part-time Spanish teacher provided one period. The teaching loads of four other teachers were reduced by one, two or three periods each to make up the balance.

No subject was eliminated. Small reductions occurred in English, math and science, civics and economics, world history, PE, health, computer science and Spanish.

Denair High School continues to perform well overall. Its graduation rate is among the highest in Stanislaus County. And the school stood out in the California High School Exit Exam, or CAHSEE, results released this week. Continue reading “DHS Staffing Adjusted to Reflect Enrollment Decline” »

DHS Graduation Rates Again Exceed State and County Averages

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Submitted by Denair Unified School District

Denair High School continues to perform well above the state and county averages in graduating its students, according to CA Graduation Statistics by the California Department of Education.

In 2014, 74 of 79 seniors graduated from Denair High, a rate of 93.7%. That compares to a statewide average of 80.4% and a Stanislaus County graduation rate of 82%.

“Student graduation rates reflect the dedication of our community and schools to the education and success of our students. No child left behind is not a platitude or vacant slogan at Denair schools but, rather, a practice and commitment to our students,” said Aaron Rosander, superintendent of the Denair Unified School District.

Denair has long been one of the high-achieving high schools in the county when measured by graduation rates and student performance. The rate was 98.7% (75 of 76) in 2013, 98.8% (84 of 85) in 2012 and 100% (74 of 74) in 2011.

“Denair High School, and particularly our learning director, tracks student progress very closely throughout the year,” said Principal Aaron Delworth. “We have been very pleased with our graduation rate over the years and will continue to strive a for 100% graduation rate.”

Many of Denair’s graduates attended public and private universities in California like University of California, Los Angeles, California State University, Stanislaus, California State University, Fresno and the University of the Pacific, while others have been accepted at prestigious colleges out of state. Continue reading “DHS Graduation Rates Again Exceed State and County Averages” »

Bush and Delworth Assume New Administrative Roles in 2015-16

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Aaron Delworth and Michelle Bush

Submitted by Denair Unified School District

Two veteran educators will move into different leadership roles in the next school year within the Denair Unified School District, which has launched a statewide search to fill the vacancies their new assignments will create.

Michelle Bush will take over as the senior director of curriculum and instruction, student support services and state preschool. For the past two years, she has been the principal at Denair Charter Academy.

Aaron Delworth will become the full-time principal at Denair Middle School. He has been principal at Denair High School and the middle school the past two years.

“These changes are made solely to enhance the effectiveness at each of our schools and across the district,” Superintendent Aaron Rosander said in a note to the staff.

Bush began teaching in the district in 1991 and previously was the principal at Denair Middle School for three years. She will replace Fawn Oliver, who plans to retire at the end of this school year after working in various administrative roles since 2001.

“Michelle’s many talents and skills will be put to powerful use in this new capacity,” Rosander said.

Delworth, a Denair graduate, has worked as a teacher and administrator in the district since 2004. The new role returns him exclusively to the middle school, where he served as principal from 2010-13.

“(He) has extensive experience at the middle school level. His full-time leadership at DMS will undoubtedly be welcomed and invaluable,” Rosander said.

New principals will be recruited for the high school and DCA, Rosander said, and are expected to be in place when the new school year begins in August.

A Class Act! 10 Questions for Cristina Rojas

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Cristina Rojas

Submitted by Denair Unified School District

Name: Cristina Rojas

Family: Sons, Alex (20) and Max (18); daughter, Grace (12)

School: Denair Charter Academy

Subject taught: Independent Study – all

Experience and education: Bachelor’s degree in economics and teaching credential in math. I have been teaching in Denair since 2010.

What most inspires you about teaching? Making a difference in the lives of students is what inspires me.

What are your biggest challenges as a teacher? Time.

What is your favorite teaching tool or activity? My favorite teaching tool/activity is having in-depth conversations with my students.

How has Common Core affected your classroom strategy? Common Core has jump-started many relevant real-world, cross-curricular conversations between me, my students, other students and teachers in the classroom.

What do you want your students to remember? I want my students to remember that they all are valuable, have worth and have something special to offer this world.

How can parents support what you do? I believe parents can support what I do by being present and engaging in their child’s life.

What’s next in your classroom? Continued collaboration and problem-based learning activities and lessons.

What would surprise people about your job? The amount of paperwork that this job entails would surprise people.

What do you do for fun? I love to travel, am passionate about cooking and enjoy reading.