Parent EdLink Email Newsletter: August 2009

August 2009

August 25 was a great day for Durham Public Schools as we welcomed students back for traditional school.  Year-rounds kicked off the 2009-10 school year when they started in mid-July.  I know you have heard about the difficulties caused by the budget situation but we are committed to each and every child having the best year yet.  We know that in times of challenge, we each have to do more and so we will in this situation.  Thank you for being supportive and involved parents. 

Carl Harris, Superintendent

In this newsletter:

• Graduation Project Postponed Indefinitely
• Kitchen Table Conversation Planned for September 15
• H1N1 Updates at www.dpsnc.net/H1N1
• Holton Career Center Opens
• Three for Me Volunteer Effort
• Fox 50 Family Fest Scheduled for October 3
• College Fair Coming Up October 4
• Military Recruiter Opt-Out Form

Graduation Project Requirement Postponed Indefinitely

The North Carolina State Legislature has voted to end the North Carolina Graduation Project as a requirement for graduation.  The state will begin a study of the project, and no graduating senior will be required to complete such a project until at least 2015, if then.  This means that Durham Public Schools also will not require students to complete the project until further direction from the state.  It is up to individual high schools as to how to recognize that work which already has been completed toward the former requirement.

Kitchen Table Conversation Coming Up September 15

African-American males have been identified as the group most in need of support to improve academic success.  The Durham Association of Educators (DAE) and Durham Public Schools are developing a proposal for a national grant to improve academic success for African-American males in selected schools.  Input is needed into the proposal.  Parents, students, teachers and community members are invited to discuss this important topic at a Kitchen Table Conversation that DPS and the DAE are co-hosting on Tuesday, September 15. 

The Kitchen Table Conversation will be held at W.G. Pearson Magnet Elementary School, 3501 Fayetteville Street, on Tuesday, September 15 from 7 until 8:45 pm. Facilitators will be on hand to help with the discussion.  Participants are asked to RSVP online or to Carrie Johnson, DPS Public Affairs Office, at 560-3652 or email carrie.johnson2@dpsnc.net

Schools and Health Department Preparing for H1N1

As school starts, so does the likelihood of the H1N1 flu spreading.  And, since the flu is known for affecting children more so than adults, DPS is working with the Durham County Health Department to prepare. These two groups need help from parents and students to help prevent the spread of flu.  Here’s what you can do: 

• Wash your hands thoroughly, several times a day.
• Avoid touching your mouth, eyes and nose with your bare hands.
• Cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing.
• If you feel sick, stay home. If your child is sick with 100  F fever combined with cough and/or sore throat, do not send him or her to school. Keep your child out of school for 24 hours after the fever is gone without the use of fever-reducing medicine.
• If you are contacted by the school nurse and/or school staff that your child has these flu-like symptoms at school, please plan to pick up your child promptly to help prevent exposure to others in the school setting.
• If you or your child has a persistent fever and chronic medical conditions, you are advised to contact your health provider immediately.

Updates will be posted to the H1N1 section of the DPS Website at www.dpsnc.net/h1n1

Holton Career Center Now Open

High school students are encouraged to check out the New Holton Career and Resource Center.  Holton gives students a chance to complete a full high school degree at their base high school, as well as get certification or course work in career-related fields. This is an exciting opportunity for students to get ahead of the crowd while still in high school.  Program offerings include landscape construction, visualization and modeling, barbering, computer engineering, entrepreneurship – and much more.  Check out the Website at www.holtoncareer.dpsnc.net for more information on Holton and the great opportunities available here. You can find registration forms for Holton with your school’s guidance counselor. 

PTA Urges Three Hours of Volunteer Time

The DPS Council of PTAs is urging all parents to volunteer at least three hours this school year as a part of the National PTA Three for Me effort.  At the Council’s annual Leadership Workshop held on August 22, PTA Council President Trilby McClammy announced that every parent is asked to volunteer a minimum of three hours this school year to help the students and staff.  Superintendent Carl Harris also addressed the PTA presidents, treasurers and other officers in attendance and he too expressed his support for the Three for Me volunteer push.  Schools can register with the National PTA to participate in Three for Me to take advantage of forms and ideas that are available.  The PTA Three for Me Website is at http://www.three4me.com/index.htm

Look for DPS at Fox 50 Family Fest!

Durham Public Schools is participating in the first Fox 50 Family Fest on Saturday, October 3 from 12 noon until 5 pm.  The American Tobacco Campus in downtown Durham is the location for this fun-filled event.  There will be interactive activities focusing on family health and safety, nutrition, education, community awareness and family fun.  Live stage music and entertainment, food vendors, inflatable attractions, face painting, balloon art and more will be available at this free event.  Diamond View Park on the American Tobacco Campus, home to the Durham Bulls baseball team and adjacent to the Durham Performing Arts Center is the site for this event.  Various DPS staff members will be on hand at the DPS tent. 

College Fair Coming Up October 4

Save gas and time!  Parents and students who are interested in learning more about colleges and universities are encouraged to attend the annual Durham College Fair on Sunday, October 4, from 1:00 until 4:00 pm at Northgate Mall.  Learn about two- and four-year college programs, financial assistance and other information that you need to plan for college.  The College Fair is sponsored by the Carolinas Association of College Registrars and Admissions Officers and hosted by North Carolina Central University.  For a complete list of colleges and universities that are expected to attend, go to www.dpsnc.net.

Military Recruiter Opt-Out: Form Must be Completed Yearly

One of the provisions of the federal No Child Left Behind law is that it requires that names, addresses and telephone listings of secondary school students must be released to military recruiters when they request this information.  Parents or guardians may opt out of this request by signing a form and returning it to your school office.  Note that this must be done each year.  If you do not want your child’s directory information released to military recruiters, the form is online at http://www.dpsnc.net/about-dps/forms/student-information-request-forms/military-recruiter-opt-out-form.  Parents should complete the form and turn it in at the school office.