DURHAM

🎒 Fill That Bus! Fuel the Year – Starts Today! 🚍 Durham, let’s kick off the school year right! The annual “Fill That Bus! Fuel the Year” school supply drive begins today, running through August 8. Our good friends at the DPS Foundation will be leading the effort in restocking the shelves at Crayons2Calculators so every DPS teacher has the tools needed—completely free—for student success 📝📚 What’s happening: Community-wide efforts to gather essential supplies—pencils, notebooks, art tools, rulers, folders, tissue, and more. Drop-off bins are set up around the city (libraries, churches, businesses) and at Crayons2Calculators warehouse, 808 Bacon St., open Tuesdays & Thursdays, 11 am–3 pm. Prefer to support digitally? Financial donations help purchase high-need items efficiently. Why it matters: Last year, Crayons2Calculators distributed over $129,000 in supplies, supporting 96% of DPS teachers at 59 schools—and many teachers still spend hundreds out-of-pocket. 👉 How YOU can help: Donate supplies: drop off at Crayons2Calculators or community bins. Give online: support via financial contributions. Share & volunteer: host your own drive or help pack supplies. Let’s come together and ensure no teacher—or student—goes without this school year. 🔗 Visit www.fillthebus.org for more details and a full list of needed items. #FillThatBus #DPSStrong #FuelTheYear #Crayons2Calculators

Scholar. Athlete. Falcon. 🦅📚

Jordan High’s own Noah Clark is officially committed to play football at the University of South Carolina! 🏈

📈 4⭐ Recruit
🏅 #8 in NC | #21 defensive lineman | #126 in the nation (Class of 2026, 247Sports Rankings)
📊 75 tackles | 18.5 tackles for a loss | 4 sacks
⚡ Team captain | All-State First Team
🎥 Signing streamed LIVE via @on3recruits (https://www.youtube.com/live/rEVhLGhACDg)

Noah’s drive, dominance, and discipline built his legacy at Jordan. Now he’s taking that fire to the SEC. 🔥

Proud of you, Noah. The best is just getting started. #WeAreDPS #DPSProud

🚀 Big Congratulations to Rustina Sharpe! 🌟 We're thrilled to celebrate Rustina Sharpe, STEM Teacher and Science Specialist at Eno Valley Elementary, for being selected as one of just 15 educators statewide to join Crew 5 of the North Carolina Space Education Ambassadors (NCSEA) program! 👩🏾‍🏫🌌 Through this prestigious program, Ms. Sharpe will connect classrooms and communities with NASA resources and hands-on space science learning. Her leadership will help inspire the next generation of scientists, explorers, and innovators—right here in Durham Public Schools! 🌍✨ Learn more about the NCSEA program and Crew 5 here: 🔗 ncspacegrant.ncsu.edu #DPSProud #STEMeducation #NASAinClassrooms #WeAreDPS

🌍🎉 MAJOR congratulations to Forest View Elementary’s Odyssey of the Mind team for placing 7th out of 61 teams at the World Finals held at Michigan State University! They competed against over 700 teams from across the globe — including Poland, South Korea, China, Switzerland, Hong Kong, France, and teams from across the U.S. — and represented Durham Public Schools with pride and creativity. 💡✨ After taking 1st place at both Regionals and State, they capped off an incredible season on the world stage. Huge shoutout to the team, their teachers, and families! 👏👏👏 #OdysseyOfTheMind #GlobalThinkers #DPSProud #WeAreDPS

✨ Big news from C.C. Spaulding Elementary! 🎭 Their historic auditorium just got a stunning renovation — blending the building’s legacy with fresh, modern upgrades! 🏫🎉 Here’s what’s new: 🎨 Fresh paint & carpet 💺 Brand new seats 💡 Upgraded lighting, sound system & new aisle lights 🎭 New stage curtains, refinished stage, and ceiling fans ♿ Chair lift added so every student can shine 🖼️ Hand-painted murals were preserved on canvas and reinstalled to honor the space’s history A beautiful space, reimagined — ready for the next generation of performers, speakers, and stars! 🌟 Stay tuned as we continue transforming the capital landscape of our schools — one campus at a time. 🔧🏫 #WeAreDPS #CIPforDPS

🌟 Shoutout to Jennifer Painter of Jordan High! 🌟 Ms. Painter has earned Honorable Mention for the English Language Development Recognition Award for her outstanding work in the DPS ESL program! 👏📚 Recognized for her passion for teaching, ability to create a welcoming classroom, and her dedication to student success, Ms. Painter continues to make a lasting impact on her school and community. 💬❤️ “She’s earned the respect of both students and colleagues,” said Dr. Kristi Day of the Office of Teaching and Learning. As part of this honor, Ms. Painter will attend the Growing Success for MLs Summer Conference with full sponsorship! 🎉 #WeAreDPS #DPSExcellence

🎨 Huge Congrats to Hillside’s Shanea McLaughlin! 🎉 Shanea has been selected as the student artist for the 2024–2025 DPS Foundation Annual Impact Report — creating all the artwork for this major project! 👏🖌️ Chosen through a competitive interview process, Shanea worked side-by-side with the Foundation’s professional graphic designer, gained mentorship, and earned a stipend for her incredible work. Shanea brought vision, discipline, and serious creative talent to the table — and we couldn’t be prouder. The future is bright for this rising star! 💫 #DPSArts #HillsideHigh #StudentSuccess #DPSProud #WeAreDPS

🎶 Big News from Jordan High! 🎶 The Jordan High Jazz Combo has been selected to perform at the 2025 NC Music Educators Association (NCMEA) Conference — the highest honor a student ensemble can receive in North Carolina! 🎷👏 📍 Held at the Benton Convention Center in Winston-Salem, NCMEA is the largest gathering of music educators in the state. Only two other groups statewide were chosen — and they're one of them! This marks just the second time in school history that a Jordan ensemble has earned this honor. The last? 1976. Proud is an understatement. Let’s hear it for our incredible student musicians! 💙🎵 #JordanJazz #NCMEA2025 #DPSArts #WeAreDPS

💰 Scholars securing the dollars! 💰 Congrats to Robert McNair of Jordan High School — awarded the prestigious Diehl Scholarship to Rhodes College, valued at $136,000! Excellence, leadership, and a fully funded future. 🎓📘 #DPSScholarsSecuringDollars #RhodesCollege #DiehlScholarship #WeAreDPS #DPSProud

💰 Scholars securing the dollars! 💰 Huge congratulations to Zahid Pinkard of Jordan High School — awarded multiple scholarships to Wingate University, totaling $154,000, including: 🎓 Honors College Merit Scholarship 🎓 Porter Byrum Scholarship 🎓 Bulldog Pride Scholarship 🎓 And more! Academic strength, leadership, and excellence — fully recognized and fully funded. 🐾🎓 #DPSScholarsSecuringDollars #WingateUniversity #HonorsScholar #WeAreDPS #DPSProud

💰 Scholars securing the dollars! 💰 Congratulations to Blair Brinson of Jordan High School — awarded the Access Scholarship to Howard University, totaling $28,000! Bright future. Bold path. Bison bound. 🎓🖤💛 #DPSScholarsSecuringDollars #HowardUniversity #AccessScholarship #WeAreDPS #DPSProud

💰 Scholars securing the dollars! 💰 Shoutout to Keith McNeil of Jordan High School — awarded a total of $80,000 in scholarships to attend the Savannah College of Art and Design, including: 🎨 Academic Honors 🎨 Achievement Honors 🎨 SCADnow Scholarship 🎨 Student Recognition Scholarship Designing the future — fully funded and full of vision. 🎓🎨 #DPSScholarsSecuringDollars #SCAD #ArtAndDesignScholar #WeAreDPS #DPSProud

💰 Scholars securing the dollars! 💰 Congrats to Edith Orellana Argueta of Jordan High School — awarded a $96,000 Academic Merit Scholarship to Meredith College! Academic excellence paving the way to a bright future. 🎓🌟 #DPSScholarsSecuringDollars #MeredithCollege #MeritScholar #WeAreDPS #DPSProud

💰 Scholars securing the dollars! 💰 Congratulations to Journi Grice of Jordan High School — awarded the Trustee Scholarship and the Honors Program Scholarship to Emory & Henry University, totaling $94,000! Hard work. High honors. Fully supported. 🎓✨ #DPSScholarsSecuringDollars #EmoryAndHenryUniversity #TrusteeScholar #HonorsProgram #WeAreDPS #DPSProud

💰 Scholars securing the dollars! 💰 Big congratulations to Sam McBrierty of Jordan High School — awarded the Volunteer Scholarship to the University of Tennessee, totaling $52,000! Rocky Top bound with big goals and a big win. 🎓🧡🏔️ #DPSScholarsSecuringDollars #UniversityOfTennessee #VolunteerScholar #WeAreDPS #DPSProud

💰 Scholars securing the dollars! 💰 Congratulations to Caroline McCulloch of Jordan High School — awarded the Academic Charter Scholarship to Auburn University, totaling $28,000! Excellence rewarded. War Eagle ready. 🎓🧡💙 #DPSScholarsSecuringDollars #AuburnUniversity #AcademicScholar #WeAreDPS #DPSProud

🎭 Standing Ovation for Josiah Jennings! 🎭 We're thrilled to announce that Josiah Jennings has been awarded Best Actor at the 2025 DPAC Rising Star Awards, held on Thursday, May 29 at the Durham Performing Arts Center. This prestigious honor recognizes Josiah's exceptional talent and dedication to musical theater. As part of his award, he will receive a $2,000 scholarship and an all-expense-paid trip to New York City to compete in the National High School Musical Theatre Awards®—the Jimmy Awards. The DPAC Rising Star Awards celebrate outstanding achievements in high school musical theater across central North Carolina. Hosted by Clay Aiken, the event featured 20 student finalists competing live on stage, with winners selected by a panel of esteemed judges. Congratulations, Josiah! Your passion and hard work have truly shone on stage. 🌟 #DPACRisingStarAwards #DPSProud #WeAreDPS

💰 Scholars securing the dollars! 💰 Congratulations to Alexa Izquierdo of Southern School of Energy and Sustainability — awarded the prestigious Chancellor’s Science Scholarship to UNC-Chapel Hill, valued at $40,000! STEM excellence. Leadership potential. Tar Heel bound. 🎓🔬💙 #DPSScholarsSecuringDollars #UNCChapelHill #ChancellorsScienceScholar #WeAreDPS #DPSProud

💰 Scholars securing the dollars! 💰 Huge congratulations to Kevin Perla Martinez of Southern School of Energy and Sustainability — awarded the Wingate Academic Scholarship to Wingate University, totaling $116,000! Dedication. Achievement. Fully funded future. 🎓💼 #DPSScholarsSecuringDollars #WingateUniversity #AcademicScholar #WeAreDPS #DPSProud

💰 Scholars securing the dollars! 💰 Big congratulations to Zoe Johnson of Southern School of Energy and Sustainability — awarded a $56,000 Merit Scholarship to Randolph College! Excellence earned. Opportunity unlocked. 🎓🌟 #DPSScholarsSecuringDollars #RandolphCollege #MeritScholar #WeAreDPS #DPSProud