Parent EdLink Email Newsletter: November 2009

November 2009

As you may have heard, I have accepted a position as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Education for Policy and Strategic Initiatives with the U.S. Department of Education.  I am leaving Durham around the end of this calendar year with mixed emotions, but there is one thing of which I am sure – I have never worked with a group of parents who are more passionate about their children’s education.  I thank you for the opportunity to have served our students and families and I celebrate what we have been able to accomplish together.

I also have been fortunate to be able to spend a great deal of time out in our schools just about every day so I see the great work of our teachers and the interesting experiences of our students. Coming up this month and next, you can witness the same thing.  Plan to join us at the Elementary Magnet Fair on Saturday, November 14, and the next day, Sunday, November 15, for the Middle and High School Fair.  At these two events, you can meet and talk with students, staff and administrators from many of our schools to learn more about what makes each of them unique.  Once your interest is piqued, you can then take part in Showcase of Schools open houses that are scheduled in all of our schools between November 15 and December 15. Come See for Yourself the many unique features of our schools.  Learn more at the new Choice Schools Website at www.dpsnc.net/choice

While you are on the DPS Website, be sure to check for regular updates to the H1N1 site.  We are working closely with the Durham County Health Department to provide up-to-date information for parents about H1N1 and seasonal flu. 

Here’s hoping you have a happy and healthy November! 

Carl Harris, Superintendent

In this newsletter:

• Middle School Career Expo: Thursday, Nov. 5
• Elementary Magnet Fair: Saturday, Nov. 14
• Middle and High School Fair: Sunday, Nov. 15
• Holton Sign-Up Under Way
• Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Support: Thursday, Nov. 12
• Donors Choose Offers Way to Help Teachers

Middle School Career Expo Coming Up November 5

Where can DPS middle school students and their parents learn more about careers and get free pizza and prizes?  It’s all at the Career Expo on Thursday, November 5, from 5 to 7:30 pm at Northgate Mall. More than 200 career professionals will be on hand.  Plus, there will be free pizza, door prizes ($100 each for two students and a $50 gas card for two parents/guardians), a career scavenger hunt, an attendance contest between middle schools, and FREE parking. This career exploration event is hosted by Durham Public Schools-Career and Technical Education, Futures for Kids and the Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce. For more information, contact your middle school’s Career Development Counselor or Kathy Hoffmeier, Vice President of Workforce Development, Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce, 682-2133 x228.  

Elementary Magnet Fair is Saturday, November 14

Parents who are interested in magnet and year-round elementary schools will want to come to Hillside High School on Saturday morning, November 14, for the Elementary Magnet Fair.  At the Fair, to be held from 9 am to noon, parents can talk with staff, parents and students from the elementary magnet and year-round schools. 

Magnet and year-round applications for the 2010-11 school year will be online on Monday, January 4, 2010.  Application deadline is Friday, January 29, 2010.  Look for more information at www.dpsnc.net/choice and on DPS Channel 4.

Middle and High School Fair is Sunday, November 15

At the Middle and High School Fair, parents will have the opportunity to visit displays of all DPS middle and high schools, including middle and high school magnets and middle school year-round schools.  This event will be held at Hillside, 3727 Fayetteville Street, on Sunday, November 15, from 1 until 4 pm.  All the traditional middle and high schools will be there, along with the small high schools.

Sign Up for New Classes Offered at Holton Career and Resource Center

There are great new courses coming to Holton Career & Resource Center in January and sign-up for these classes is under way in high schools.  Courses include:
--Scientific Visualization: Further your computer skills and prepare for design jobs in medical imaging, gaming and other industries. In “Sci Viz” students will create 2-D and 3-D images and models and delve into animation.  --Cisco Networking: Start preparing for Cisco Networking Certification by taking hands-on courses.  Learn how to assemble a computer system, install operating systems, gain networking skills and more.  --Landscape Construction and Turf Grass Management: Prepare to learn technical skills needed to work in landscape design and contracting, horticulture, gardening and environmental landscaping. Students will work toward certification. 

Sign up for Holton classes through your high school guidance counselor.  Students take classes at their base high schools in the morning and Holton career classes from mid-day until late afternoon.  Visit the Holton display at the DPS Middle and High School Fair on Sunday, November 15, from 1 until 4 pm at Hillside High School or schedule a private consultation about Holton by contacting Principal Gloria Woods-Weeks at 560-2219. Holton is online at www.HoltonCareer.dpsnc.net.

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 through December.  Those dates are November 12 and December 11.  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.

Donors Choose Offers Easy Way to Support Teachers

Are you looking for a way to improve your child’s classroom? Donors Choose, an online charity where community members can donate to classrooms, could be the solution for you. The charity allows teachers to request funding and materials, and donors can search through different projects to support.  To donate, simply visit the Donors Choose Website. From there you can use the search engine to type in North Carolina and further define it by searching for Durham. You will be able to view all projects and read information from teachers to find projects from DPS teachers. To find out more information or to start donating, please visit DonorsChoose.org.