Tag Archives: DUSD

Top DUSD Students Reflect on Quality of Education

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Salutatorian, Madison Taylor and valedictorian, Trey Howze

Salutatorian, Madison Taylor and valedictorian, Trey Howze

The Denair High School Class of 2014 will be honored May 30 at a graduation celebration. The event begins at 7:30 p.m. at Jack Lytton Stadium. Gates open at 6 p.m. Tickets are not required.

Trey Howze will be the valedictorian and Madison Taylor the salutatorian. Trey (4.22) had the highest grade-point average among the 79 graduating seniors and Madison (4.15) had the second-highest.  Trey and Madison recently took time to answer 10 questions about their high school experiences.

Question: What are the key things other students should know about your academic success and how you achieved it?

Trey: The key that students should know about achieving academic success is hard work.  It doesn’t matter if you’re the smartest person, but if you’re lazy you will have problems.  I was able to achieve success because I put the time in to study and work.

Madison: Determination and setting goals is part of what got me so far in academics. I got into a habit of getting home and doing my work right away. It got easier over time. Never be afraid to ask questions because that is part of learning. Failure is also part of learning. Nobody is perfect and failing allows people to realize what they did wrong how to fix it.

Q: How much time outside of class did you spend studying or doing homework?

Madison: In general, I most take about an hour to two hours a day studying and doing homework. As long as I keep up with my work and don’t put it off, it doesn’t take very long.

Trey: I spent an average of about two hours doing homework each night after practice.  The key to spending time is not procrastinating each night but to get portions done so that there is still time to relax and hang out with friends. Continue reading “Top DUSD Students Reflect on Quality of Education” »

DUSD Food Services Director Honored

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Billy Reid AwardThe Produce for Better Health Foundation honored recipients of the Fruits & Veggies – More Matters® Industry Role Models for 2013. Denair Unified School District’s very own Director of Food Services, Billy Reid, was among the esteemed select few to receive the honor as Salida Unified School District’s Director of Food Services. Denair USD currently contracts with Salida USD for Mr. Reid’s services.

The outstanding efforts of these individuals were formally acknowledged at an awards luncheon held on March 18, 2014, during The Consumer Connection, the Produce for Better Health Foundation’s Annual Conference in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Elizabeth Pivonka, President and CEO of PBH stated, “PBH is pleased to recognize such a diverse group of companies from the fruit and vegetable industry for their respective efforts to increase fruit and vegetable education, awareness, and consumption which helps to strengthen our collective work toward a healthier America.”

DUSD Hires New Chief Business Officer

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Linda CovelloLinda Covello has joined the administrative staff at the Denair Unified School District as chief business officer.

Covello comes to Denair after five years at the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District, where she most recently was a categorical program analyst in the finance department. Her first day in her new position was April 1, 2014.

Superintendent Aaron Rosander called Covello “an emerging fiscal leader” with “a keen eye for financial detail” and strong communication and interpersonal skills.

“Linda helped her previous district maximize funding sources for efficiency and effectiveness,” he said.

Covello takes over at a key time in the history of the Denair district, which required a loan from the Stanislaus County Office of Education to balance its $8.7 million budget this year and has made a series of tough but necessary financial decisions to position itself for the future. She will work alongside Douglas Crancer, who has served as the interim chief business officer since last year. He will remain as a part-time adviser through the 2014-15 school year.

“With many changes being made at DUSD, I think the biggest challenge for the district will be moving on from how things have been done or handled in the past,” said Covello. “I am confident that DUSD is moving towards a brighter future and I’m very excited to be a part of the district during this time of transformation and growth.”

Covello, 28, grew up in Los Banos and graduated from high school there before getting a bachelor’s degree in business and accounting at Brandman University. She worked as a purchasing agent in the Monterey district, where she was promoted three times in five years. Her responsibilities included accounting and financial oversight for 19 campuses. She is credited with streamlining a number of processes related to auditing issues and the district’s budget.

The Denair opening appealed to her on two levels: It was a chance to join a new team with a shared vision about education as well as an opportunity to move closer to her family.

“I was quickly drawn to Denair Unified School District because of a few key words in its mission statement: ‘recognizes our children as our future’ and ‘lifelong love for learning,’ ” Covello said. “I was further drawn to DUSD after seeing the location and meeting some of the people involved with the district because it felt like a tight-knit family who cares about each of the students, staff and community members and wants to see each student not only pass, but succeed with flying colors.”

Rosander said Covello’s immediate priorities would be to ensure the district maintains fiscal integrity, learn the “big picture” of school finance and operations, and work with teachers and others to create “the best possible learning environment” for students.

Covello said her initial focus will be “to work with site administrators in accessing their financial information” while developing into “the full-time support that has been missing.”

She also will work with Rosander, Crancer, other district leaders and community members to respond to new requirements tied to state funding.

“She is very knowledgeable about state and federal funding and the multiple rules that must be adhered to with such funds,” Rosander said.

Covello and her husband, Benjamin, live in Turlock.

 

New DUSD Superintendent Addresses Public

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DUSDColorAn 8 minute audio transcript from the January 23, 2014, Denair Unified School District reception for new superintendent, Aaron Rosander, has been posted below. DUSD board president, Robert Hodges, introduced the new superintendent, followed by comments from Mr. Rosander, to a packed DUSD Leadership Room audience.

If you were unable to attend the event, it’s a great way to get to know the new leader of Denair Unified School District. Mr. Rosander officially takes the helm of the district on February 10, 2014.