Tag Archives: Denair Charter Academy

Denair Charter Academy Students Connect with Teachers

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DCA Office Sign

Submitted by Denair Unified School District

Erin Kirkley, who was once a dropout and now is on the brink of graduation, calls Denair Charter Academy “her second home.” Darlene Contrell credits DCA with turning around her grandson’s life. A teen father says the independent study program allows him to balance school with a job to support his daughter. Aspiring church missionary Tabitha Harrison appreciates the flexibility of the schedule.

Though each student’s situation is unique, they all reflect an approach to what Principal Michelle Bush calls “personalized education.” The appeal and effectiveness of that philosophy is reflected in the small campus’ impressive growth: Just since August, DCA’s enrollment has risen from 225 students to 320 today.

“I think the kids are seeking a different kind of experience,” explained Bush, who blends high academic expectations for her students with equal portions tough love and emotional support. “The magic in this place comes from the relationships teachers establish with their students that extend beyond the lessons.”

DCA is not a traditional school. It offers comprehensive support for parents who home school their children (46 this year) as well as a rigorous independent study program for high school students who need a different path to their diplomas. Those teens arrive from throughout the region for a variety of reasons – they have fallen behind in a traditional setting, they have behavioral or emotional issues, they have to work to support their families or they have specific scheduling needs.

Whatever the circumstances, Bush and her staff work on-one-one with the student and his or her family to create an Individual Learning Plan, which guides what will follow. Students spend only an hour or two on campus each week to meet with their teachers, who grade and review previous assignments, answer questions and give the teens the next week’s worth of lessons to be completed at home. There also is one parental meeting a month and a counselor on staff to work with families.

The expectations are high and the responsibility all on the student to complete the work.

“The image of it being a quick and easy way to get an education is the myth that is blown away,” Bush explained.

Kirkley arrived last year as a junior, admittedly with “a bad attitude toward school … and toward life.” She had bounced between high schools in San Antonio, Texas, and Modesto before being directed to DCA. Continue reading “Denair Charter Academy Students Connect with Teachers” »

DES and D2A to Unify for 2015-16 School Year

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Current DES/D2A Office

Submitted by Denair Unified School District

Two elementary campuses will become one at the start of the next school year in Denair, it was announced Thursday night.

Denair Elementary School and the adjacent Denair Academic Avenues will merge to form a new school called Denair Elementary Charter Academy. Together, the two schools today educate 485 kindergarten through fifth-grade students from Denair and surrounding areas.

A new charter will be written that incorporates the best of both campuses, Superintendent Aaron Rosander told Denair Unified School District trustees Thursday night in unveiling the plan. He cited the charter school’s Spanish language and fine arts programs and DES’s music and traditional academic offerings as strengths that would be retained on a unified campus.

“The charter is proposed to provide a Spanish language dual immersion program and exposure to fine arts throughout in a ‘college awareness’ school culture,” Rosander explained. “This new charter is projected to be the pre-eminent elementary education leader of its type in our local region.”

Denair Academic Avenues, or D2A as it is known, was formed in 2010. In addition to enriched Spanish and performing arts instruction, it adds 30 minutes to the school day Monday through Thursday. Because it is a charter school, students outside the DUSD can attend without needing permission from their home district.

Denair Grammar School started in 1907. It was renamed Denair Elementary School when four classrooms were built on the current site in 1949.

Principal Sara Michelena, who oversees both schools, had multiple discussions with teachers, parents and community members about the consolidation. The proposed name of the new charter school is DECA, she said – a name suggested by staff that draws from the popular and successful Denair Charter Academy independent study program that also is part of the DUSD. Continue reading “DES and D2A to Unify for 2015-16 School Year” »

A Class Act! 10 Questions for Tina Nunes

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Tina Nunes

Submitted by Denair Unified School District

Name: Tina Nunes

Family: Husband, Alfred; children, Morgan, 17, and twins Allison, 13, and Alfred, 13

School: Denair Charter Academy

Subject taught: Independent Study

Experience and education: My background is in agriculture. I earned an Associates of Science Degree from Modesto Junior College, a Bachelors of Science in agriculture education from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, and my single subject agriculture teaching credentials from Cal Poly, SLO.

What most inspires you about teaching? As a teacher, we do not always know the impact we have on students; however, when you see the difference you are making in their lives or years later when a student tells you how much you helped them … that makes all the hard work worth it and inspires me to keep working hard to make a difference in their lives.

What are your biggest challenges as a teacher? At times, it feels as if you want the success or achievement more than the student, but I have learned to never give up no matter how challenging a student may be. The rewards are so much greater than the challenge.

What is your favorite teaching tool or activity?   I feel the greatest educational tool is any hands-on activity where students can physically see and touch the subject matter they are working on. When a student can take a formula that they memorized and physically see how it is used is the greatest teaching tool.

How has Common Core affected your classroom strategy? I have always believed in vocational education being from an agriculture background. To me, Common Core has reinforced the necessity of applying what we are teaching to real-life application and students being able to problem solve. I believe that in the long run, Common Core will create adults who are stronger critical thinkers and successful problem solvers.

What do you want your students to remember? I want my students to remember that I believed in them and that with hard work and dedication, they can truly accomplish their goals in education and in life! Continue reading “A Class Act! 10 Questions for Tina Nunes” »

A Class Act! 10 Questions for Samantha Ericksen

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Samantha Ericksen

Submitted by Denair Unified School District

Name: Samantha Ericksen

Family: Husband and three daughters

School: Denair Charter Academy

Subject taught: Kindergarten through sixth-grade home school class

Experience and education: BA and teaching credential from Biola University. I spent five years as a classroom teacher in Modesto. This is my 14th year at DCA.

Why most inspires you about teaching? Seeing students make progress in areas that are challenging for them.

What are your biggest challenges as a teacher? Teaching multiple levels effectively.

What is your favorite teaching tool or activity? Using technology to create projects with my students.

How has Common Core affected your classroom strategy? I use more conversation between students to inform their learning.

What do you want your students to remember? I want them to remember that they are capable of anything. They CAN succeed.

How can parents support what you do? Participate in school work. Check their assignments. Show you care about school.

What will it take to improve academic success in DCA? A group effort between parents, teachers and students to emphasize the importance of lifelong learning.

What’s next in your classroom? We are focusing on water and energy and how we can conserve both.

What would surprise people about your job? That the time I spend on paperwork exceeds the amount of time I actually spend with students.

What do you do for fun? I became a teacher because I enjoy being with children and helping them become lovers of learning.

Stanislaus County Superintendent Tours Denair Schools

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Tom Changnon with student Heather McDougall

Submitted by Denair Unified School District

Stanislaus County’s top education official walked away impressed after his quick visit Monday to three campuses in the Denair Unified School District.

Tom Changnon, Stanislaus county superintendent of schools, used words like “amazing,” “excellent” and “terrific” to describe his hourlong tour. He popped in to classrooms at Denair High School and Denair Middle School as well as Denair Charter Academy, observing lessons and talking with students as well as teachers.

“Boy, am I impressed. There are a lot of good things happening out here,” said Changnon, who tries to visit each of the county’s 25 school districts every few years. He estimated it had been at least three years since his last trip to Denair, which is in the midst of a remarkable financial and academic recovery under new Superintendent Aaron Rosander.

“It’s night and day difference here now,”Changnon marveled. “The level of enthusiasm among the students and staff is obvious.”

Changnon was accompanied on his walking tour by Rosander as well as Aaron Delworth, the principal of the high school and middle school. Changnon generated plenty of reaction with his San Francisco Giants pullover and orange-and-black tie. A former minor league baseball pitcher, it was clear which team he’s pulling for in the World Series.

“Go Giants,” was a familiar response when Changnon entered science, history and social studies classes at the middle school or was spotted by high school students during their lunch period.

He interacted with sixth-graders learning about energy convection in the ocean and others studying Greek mythology. At Denair Charter Academy, he talked with Principal Michelle Bush as well as a student and staff involved in the very popular independent study program. He saw the high school band area and cafeteria, and was especially impressed by the four student-built floats that appeared in Friday’s homecoming parade.

“This is really something. Amazing,” Changnon said while art teacher John Stavrianoudakis explained how the projects came together.

Changnon listened intently as Rosander and Delworth described plans to form partnerships with nearby California State University, Stanislaus, to bring in professors to lecture about science and language arts or offer advanced placement and college-level classes to Denair students.

“That’s excellent,” said Changnon. “You get a really good feeling walking around this campus. These are good kids. They’re open, they’re friendly, they shake your hand. Denair is such a nice place. The people who live here have a lot to be proud of with this school district.”