Durham Public Schools (DPS) is proud to serve the military-connected students and families of Durham County. Through positive relationships built on service and collaboration with military institutions and their affiliates, DPS ensures that the unique needs of these students are identified and addressed with care and excellence.

Our strong partnership with the military enables us to work progressively, identifying trends and setting targets to address areas of need proactively. This forward-thinking approach ensures that military-connected students receive the high-quality services they deserve, fostering their academic success and overall well-being.

DPS collaborates closely with Military Veterans Organizations and other community stakeholders to provide comprehensive support for military-connected students. Our schools are committed to:

• Offering tailored support for transitioning students.

• Providing military-specific professional development for staff to enhance understanding and responsiveness.

• Honoring the Interstate Compact for Educational Opportunity for Military Children, ensuring smooth transitions for students across states and school districts.

At DPS, we value the resilience and dedication of our military-connected students and families, and we are honored to serve as a steadfast partner in their educational journey.

Dear Military-Connected Families,

Welcome to Durham Public Schools! It is an honor and a privilege to serve the educational needs of more than 31,000 scholars across our district, including approximately 1,145 scholars whose parents and guardians are active-duty, guard, reserve, or veteran service members. We deeply value and appreciate your service to our community and country, and we are committed to making your experience in Durham Public Schools positive and memorable.

We recognize that military families bring unique experiences and challenges. Your presence enriches our school community, and we sincerely appreciate the diverse perspectives and experiences you bring to our classrooms. As a district, we are dedicated to ensuring you feel at home, recognized, and appreciated while enrolled with us.

To support our military families, Durham Public Schools actively demonstrates a commitment to military-friendly practices. From creating welcoming environments to providing targeted resources, we strive to ensure your scholar’s academic journey is personalized, inclusive, and supportive. We deeply value and respect the unique lifestyle of military families, and we encourage you to share your thoughts and experiences with us as we aim to foster a school culture that truly understands and values your contributions.

Our commitment to military families is also reflected in our Purple Star Award Designation initiative participation. The Purple Star designation recognizes schools that go above and beyond to support military-connected scholars and families. In collaboration with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, we are proud to have schools working toward and achieving this honor. Highlights of our efforts include:

Professional Development: Training staff to understand the needs of military-connected families.

Community Events: Hosting Veterans Day celebrations and Purple Up Day to show our support and appreciation.

Student Initiatives: Engaging scholars in meaningful activities like letter-writing campaigns for veterans.

Family Resources: Creating a dedicated webpage for military family resources and establishing programs to ease transitions for incoming and outgoing scholars.

Looking ahead, Durham Public Schools aims to achieve 100% Purple Star designation across all schools in the district within the next three years. This commitment reflects our promise to provide the best possible experience for our military-connected scholars and their families.

Thank you for choosing Durham Public Schools. We are honored to serve your family and look forward to supporting your scholar’s educational journey. If there is ever anything we can do to enhance your experience, please do not hesitate to let us know.

Sincerely,

Dr. Anthony S. Lewis

Superintendent

Durham Public Schools