Parent EdLink Email Newsletter: March 2010
MARCH 2010
We could not be more excited that spring is (hopefully) right around the corner! With that in mind, you will be interested in makeup dates for those missed due to inclement weather.
We also have a Technology Showcase coming up that will knock your socks off. Parents with students making the transition to middle school this fall won’t want to miss a workshop with tips and info to make it easier. And we all want our students to be as healthy as possible, so we are offering a workshop for that, too!
Parents of high school students will want to check out the Governor’s Page program, an excellent opportunity for young people to learn firsthand about how government works.
Here’s to “thawing out” and hoping your spring break is restful and replenishing for you and your family!
H. Hank Hurd, Interim Superintendent
Make-up Dates Set
At its February 25 meeting, the Board of Education determined the dates needed to make up for the additional day of snow that was not covered in the traditional and year-round calendars for this year. Traditional schools made up school on Feb 19 and have two additional make-up dates: March 19 and April 1. Year-Round schools will make up school on March 22 and 23 and June 9. If DPS misses additional days, the Board determined the make-up days will be the Saturday following the inclement weather day for traditional schools and June 10 for year-round schools.
Governor’s Page Program
When Governor Bev Perdue visited Durham to help present the NEA Foundation grant, she encouraged high school students in DPS to apply for the Governor’s Page Program. This program is year-round and runs each week from Monday at 1:00 pm to Friday at 2:00 pm. The program is open to all high school students between the ages of 15 and 18, who are in good academic standing at their schools. For more information go online to www.volunteernc.org/code/govpage.htm
Technology Showcase on March 8
Come out to the DPS Technology Showcase to see how teachers and students integrate technology into education. This free event will take place on Monday, March 8, from 5:00-6:30 p.m. at the DPS Staff Development Center, 2107 Hillandale Road.
Move to Middle School Workshop for Parents on March 11
Making the move from fifth grade to middle school is an important transition. That is why Durham Public Schools has published a new Middle School Course Guide http://www.dpsnc.net/images/pdf/academics/MidSchGuide_10.11.pdf and is sponsoring a workshop designed to help fifth-grade parents feel more comfortable about this important move. Plan to attend on Thursday, March 11, from 7:00 until 8:00 pm at the Durham Public Schools Staff Development Center, 2107 Hillandale Road. Sign up online at http://www.dpsnc.net/forms/transition-to-middle-school
Healthy Kids Workshop Scheduled for March 15
Parents, if you are concerned about children’s health, you will want to attend an informative workshop on Monday, March 15, from 6:30 until 8:30 pm. NC Action for Healthy Kids in partnership with Durham Public Schools is presenting “Parents Take Action for Healthy Schools,” a free skill-building workshop. The session will be held at the DPS Staff Development Center, 2107 Hillandale Road. A healthy dinner will be served at 6:00. Registration is required at http://take.actionforhealthykids.org/site/Survey?ACTION_REQUIRED=URI_ACTION_USER_REQUESTS&SURVEY_ID=1700
Free Tax Help Available
The VITA site at the DPS Staff Development Center is open for free tax preparation services from now until April 15. If your family earned less than $49,000 this year, take advantage of the FREE tax preparation services at a VITA site in the community. IRS-certified volunteers will prepare your tax return for free, e-file for you and you can receive your refund within 10 days. The VITA site at the DPS Staff Development Center, 2107 Hillandale Road, is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 am until 8:00 pm and Saturdays from 9:00 am until 1:00 pm. Make an appointment to get your taxes prepared for FREE (for people who earned less than $49,000) by calling 667-1000 or going online to https://www.securedata-trans10.com/ap/communityreinvestmentassociationofnc/index.php?page=10/
