Tag Archives: Denair Elementary Charter Academy

Tragedy Strikes Twice Among Denair Staff

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Mark Selee

Submitted by Denair Unified School District

Students and employees of the Denair Unified School District are mourning the sudden losses of two popular educators in the past month.

Over the weekend, fourth-grade teacher Mark Selee died of an apparent heart attack while traveling away from his home. On November 1, para-educator Elizabeth De La Rosa succumbed to injuries suffered when she was hit by a pickup in Turlock while walking in late October.

Their deaths, coming so close together, have been a tragic and emotional blow for their colleagues as well as their students.

“To lose two in such a short time is heartbreaking,” said Michelle Bush, the district’s director of student support services.

Selee, 44, had worked on the elementary campus since 2002. He was in his second year as a fourth-grade instructor and previously had taught physical education. He also oversaw the student safety patrol in front of the Denair Elementary Charter Academy campus each day.

“He was one of the friendliest people I’ve ever met,” said DECA Principal, Sara Michelena. “He was absolutely kind to everyone. He was the one who always took troubled students under his wing and worked with them, without judgment.

“I had numerous requests to put kids in his class. Parents just loved him. First and foremost, he just loved his kids. He always wanted to make sure their needs were met. He challenged students and still made kids feel accepted.”

Michelena said Selee had “an amazing work ethic.” It was easy to tell where he was, she added, because his “distinctive” laugh often could be heard all across the campus. “He always found something to be happy about. He was like everyone’s brother.”

Michelena spent Monday calling the families of all of Selee’s current students. And though the DECA teachers are off this week, she invited everyone to a meeting Tuesday afternoon to talk and plan for next week. She said grief counselors will be on hand for students and staff, and roaming substitute teachers will be available for teachers who need a break during the day. Continue reading “Tragedy Strikes Twice Among Denair Staff” »

DECA’s Dual Immersion Program Featured on ‘Good Day Sacramento’

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Good Day Sacramento

Submitted by Denair Unified School District

The brand new kindergarten Spanish immersion program at Denair Elementary Charter Academy received great exposure Monday morning with a visit from a news crew from Channel 31’s “Good Day Sacramento” program.

The excited students from the classrooms of teachers Sandra Cisneros and Nancy Silva sang a song in Spanish and English as reporter Cambi Brown listened and her cameraman broadcast the events live on television.

Brown, who is bilingual, spoke in Spanish and English to the students. She also interviewed DECA Principal Sara Michelena. To watch the fun segment, go to http://gooddaysacramento.cbslocal.com/video/category/spoken-word-good-day/3299824-spanish-immersion/. Different versions of the report also will be featured on Channel 31’s noon and 4 p.m. news programs Monday.

The kindergarten Spanish immersion program began this year and already has proven to be especially popular with parents. Thirty-two youngsters signed up, creating the need for a second class. An additional teacher has been hired. There still is room for another dozen or so students in the program.

The classes follow the 90% Spanish and 10% English dual immersion model, Michelena told Brown. There is an equal mix of English and Spanish speakers. The intent, she said, is to add a dual immersion class at successive grade levels each year as the first group of kindergartners gets older. Michelena said by the time the first group of students become second graders, they will be completely bilingual.

Visit by Air Force Personnel Highlights DECA Assembly

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Pointon MacDonald

Submitted by Denair Unified School District

The last time Airman First Class Hannah Pointon appeared at an elementary assembly in Denair, she was the guest of honor as the perfect Christmas present for her parents, who didn’t know she was coming and cried tears of joy in an emotional reunion.

Friday morning, Pointon returned to the campus she once attended. This time, there were no surprises. And she brought along a colleague, Air Force Tech Sgt. Brad MacDonald.

The visit continued Pointon’s relationship with Denair Elementary Charter Academy teacher Patti Morrissey, who taught Pointon in fourth grade about 15 years ago. Then, Pointon and her classmates “adopted” some U.S. military personnel, sending cards and letters. After Pointon joined the Air Force a few years ago, Morrissey’s classes chose to adopt Pointon, who grew up in Denair. Her parents, Jody and Roger Jorge, still live here.

Pointon hadn’t been to Denair since Christmas. She and MacDonald, who both are cardiopulmonary technicians, are stationed at Nellis Air Force Base near Las Vegas. They drove eight hours Sunday to California and are staying with the Jorges at their home.

Friday, wearing their Air Force fatigues, they were the featured guests at an 8 a.m. assembly for more than 500 DECA elementary students. MacDonald, in a booming voice, led the Pledge of Allegiance. And he and Pointon proudly joined with the youngsters to sing the “Star Spangled Banner.”

Seeing the awe in the students’ eyes “makes you walk a little taller,” the soft-spoken Pointon admitted.

“They are the reason we do what we do,” MacDonald said.

Afterward, they took cookies decorated with the Air Force logo to Morrissey’s class and briefly shared their backgrounds with her fifth-graders. Continue reading “Visit by Air Force Personnel Highlights DECA Assembly” »

Denair Unified Kicks Off New School Year on Wednesday

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Years of Service Recognition
Submitted by Denair Unified School District

Classroom doors will swing open and Denair Unified School District students will return to class Wednesday at 8 a.m. to begin the 2015-16 school year. There have been some significant changes in the few short months since students and staff started their summer break.

A new elementary school, Denair Elementary Charter Academy, has been formed. It cleared its final administrative hurdle in July when it received approval from the State Department of Education. Already, it has generated widespread interest among parents. Enrollment has swelled to 510 students, about 35 more than at the end of the last school year.

  • Three new principals have been hired. Alecia Myers takes over at Denair High School, Travis Manley is the new leader at Denair Middle School and Dawn Allen will oversee Denair Charter Academy.
  • New teachers have been added on every campus and a learning director has joined the DECA staff.
  • Thanks growth at the elementary level, enrollment is holding steady at about 1,275 students. That number is likely to increase as out-of-district independent study high school students enroll at Denair Charter Academy in the coming months.
  • The district’s administrative offices are poised to move from portable buildings the state no longer approved of to three remodeled former classrooms on the old Denair Academic Avenues campus.

There were plenty of smiles and hugs Tuesday morning as Superintendent Aaron Rosander welcomed teachers and staff members for a full day of training. Eighteen employees were honored for years of service ranging from 10 to 30 years for what Rosander called “the greatest profession on the planet.” Continue reading “Denair Unified Kicks Off New School Year on Wednesday” »

DECA Petition Approved By DUSD Board

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DUSD Logo

Submitted by Denair Unified School District

Denair Unified School District trustees enthusiastically approved a plan Thursday night to create a new elementary charter school for next year that would combine Spanish instruction for all students with rigorous core subjects and exposure to fine arts.

One of the unique features of the Denair Elementary Charter Academy, or DECA, would be a dual immersion English/Spanish class for kindergarteners. The class would follow the 90% Spanish and 10% English dual immersion model, said Principal Sara Michelena. The goal is to have a 50/50 mix of English and Spanish speakers. The intent, she said, is to add a dual immersion class at successive grade levels each year as the first group of kindergartners gets older.

Response has been strong, Michelena said. Already, 36 kindergarteners have signed up for the immersion program.

“We are creating our very own, very unique program,” said Superintendent Aaron Rosander. “We will be the pre-eminent leader of this kind of education in our region.”

DECA would replace the current charter program, known as Denair Academic Avenues. Denair Elementary School, which shares the same campus today, will technically remain in existence, though district officials expect most of the students to enroll in the DECA program. Students in the same grade level will be in the same class for the core programs, but DECA students will have access to more electives.

“Because this is such a powerful program, we think the choice is easy,” Rosander said.

Trustee Sandi Dirkse said the early community reaction to the new charter has been tremendous.

“The energy and buzz around town is very positive,” she said. “I’m hearing from parents who are very excited.” Continue reading “DECA Petition Approved By DUSD Board” »