Parent EdLink Email Newsletter: December 2009
December 2009
As I prepare to leave Durham Public Schools for the U.S. Department of Education, I want each and every parent to know just how much I have valued and gained from my time as your Superintendent. It has been a privilege to stand beside you at arts, athletic and academic events, to shake the hands of your children who have excelled, to assist in ensuring that the district was doing everything we could to provide all 33,000 students with an education that prepares them for greatness.
In my view as an educator of more than 30 years, DPS is headed in the right direction in terms of improving the lower-performing schools, in challenging the higher-performing students and in engaging this entire community with its public schools. I have every confidence that the next Superintendent will build on the strengths of this district, will discover new and better ways of improving academic performance and will develop the same respect that I have for a community that cares so much about its future. Durham will always be a special place to me. Thank you for the many ways you have supported me in this important work.
Carl Harris, Superintendent
In this newsletter:
- Reception to Honor Superintendent Carl Harris
- Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Support: Thursday, Dec. 10
- Showcase of Schools Ends Dec. 15; Complete Online Applications Starting January 4
- Kindergarten Welcome Sessions Start Jan. 12
- Free Tax Service Available
- Secondary Grading Practices to be Discussed Around Kitchen Table
Reception to Honor Superintendent Carl Harris
Parents and other community members are invited to a reception honoring Superintendent Carl Harris on Wednesday, December 9, from 3:30 until 5:30 pm at the DPS Staff Development Center, 2107 Hillandale Road. Dr. Harris recently accepted a position as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Education for Policy and Strategic Initiatives with the U.S. Department of Education. Those who attend the reception are encouraged to bring their favorite children’s book for the DPS BookMark project. The books will be given to DPS students in honor of Dr. Harris. To RSVP for the reception, go online to http://www.dpsnc.net/forms/superintendent-carl-e.-harris-floating-reception
Showcase Open House and Choice Application Process
Parents are reminded that there are still open houses planned in a number of schools before the Showcase of Schools period ends December 15. The Showcases kicked off on Nov. 14-15 when DPS held the annual Elementary Magnet and Middle/High School Fairs. Following this opportunity to visit schools, parents can then apply for slots for their children in DPS magnet, year-round and small high schools. The applications will be online at the DPS Website on Monday, January 4. The applications can be submitted online during the month of January—until the end of the business day on January 29. Look for this information on the DPS homepage at www.dpsnc.net
Purchase Tickets Today to 2010 Evening of Entertainment
It is a night of entertainment by talented DPS choral students that you will not want to miss. Buy your tickets soon for the 2010 Evening of Entertainment and help support students in Durham! This year the event will be on Saturday, February 20 at 7:00 p.m. at the Durham Performing Arts Center. Duke Energy is a key sponsor for this event. Proceeds benefit the Durham Public Schools Scholarship Foundation. Tickets will be available for parents of participating students starting Dec. 12 and to the general public on Dec. 19. Ticket prices are $25, $15 and $10 and are available online at www.DPACnc.com Also, you can call 919.680.2787 or visit the onsite box office.
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Support
If you are a grandparent who is raising or helping to raise your grandchildren, please try to attend the monthly sessions that are held by Durham County Cooperative Extension at the DPS Staff Development Center, 2107 Hillandale Road. The Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Support and Education Group will meet the second Thursday of the month on December 10. All meetings will be held from 6 until 7:30 pm at the DPS Staff Development Center, 2107 Hillandale Road. Refreshments will be provided. To attend, call Peggy Kernodle, 560-0523 or email pkernodle@co.durham.nc.us.
Kindergarten Welcome Sessions Scheduled
Parents whose children will start kindergarten in 2010-11 are invited to attend one of the Kindergarten Welcome Sessions that will be held on January 12 and 19 and March 9. Sessions are from 6:30 until 8:00 pm at the DPS Staff Development Center, 2107 Hillandale Road. Child care will be provided. Hear from DPS kindergarten teachers what your child needs to know to be ready to enter school, learn about kindergarten registration and magnet applications, discover the highly-rated before and after school care programs, and get all your questions answered about DPS kindergarten. Call Kate MacDonell at 560-9403 or email her at kate.macdonell@dpsnc.net More kindergarten info is online at www.dpsnc.net/kindergarten
Tax Service and Credits Available to Parents
Durham Public Schools is pleased to again host a community tax preparation site (called VITA) at the DPS Staff Development Center, 2107 Hillandale Road. Free help is available at the site from IRS-certified volunteers. To make an appointment at the DPS Staff Development Center location, call 919-667-1000 or go to www.cra-nc.org and click on the appointment link. Parents are urged to sign up for the Earned Income Tax Credit for which they may be eligible. We urge families to use this service and get the credits you deserve.
Kitchen Table Planned to Discuss Secondary Grading Practices
Members of the DPS High School Reform group have been discussing secondary grading practices and what changes need to be made. Now there is a chance for you to weigh in. Possible changes to Secondary Grading Practices will be discussed at the Kitchen Table Conversation to be held on Thursday, Jan. 14, at Rogers-Herr Middle School from 7:00 until 8:45 pm. Trained facilitators will be on hand to guide the discussion. To register go online after December 15 at www.dpsnc.net or email Carrie.johnson2@dpsnc.net
