DURHAM

🎉 Fantastic news from Jordan High! We’re thrilled to share that Devak Coltrane, a senior at Jordan High School, has been awarded the prestigious Morehead-Cain Scholarship—the only recipient from Durham Public Schools this year! This incredible achievement reflects Devak’s hard work, leadership, and dedication. We couldn’t be prouder! 👏💙 🔗 Learn more about the Morehead-Cain Class of 2029: https://www.moreheadcain.org/blog/introducing-the-morehead-cain-class-of-2029/ #DPSProud #JordanHigh #MoreheadCainScholar #WeAreDPS

🎉 It’s Teacher Appreciation Week at Durham Public Schools! 🍎💙 This week, we honor the dedicated educators who shape minds, build confidence, and create a lasting impact in our schools and communities. Throughout the week, we’ll be highlighting our school-level Teachers of the Year—outstanding individuals who go above and beyond for their students every day. Stay tuned right here as we celebrate their passion, commitment, and the powerful role they play in every child's future. #ThankATeacher #DPSProud #TeacherAppreciationWeek #WeAreDPS

A day to remember at Lakewood Elementary! 🏫✨ We were proud to welcome Dr. Karrie G. Dixon, Chancellor of North Carolina Central University, for a powerful “Conversation with Dr. Dixon.” Her inspiring remarks, the Lakewood Choir’s performance, and special appearances by the NCCU Champagne Cheerleaders and Eddie the Eagle made it an unforgettable celebration of community and education. 🦅🎶 To honor her leadership and commitment to students, Dr. Dixon was awarded a key to Lakewood Elementary School — a symbol of our gratitude and partnership. 🔑❤️ Thank you to everyone who made today so special. #NCCU #LakewoodProud #WeAreDPS #CommunityStrong

✨ This morning, community leaders and supporters joined Crayons2Calculators and the DPS Foundation for a special Open House—and the energy was incredible! Guests enjoyed breakfast, connected with fellow partners in education, and toured the C2C Warehouse and Teacher Store. One of the highlights? Getting hands-on by fulfilling real school supply orders—experiencing firsthand how their support directly equips Durham Public Schools educators. When we come together, we make a real impact. Thank you to everyone who showed up and continues to invest in our students and schools. 💛📚 #DPSProud #Crayons2Calculators #DPSFoundation #SupportOurTeachers #CommunityInAction #DurhamSchools

🎭💃 Northern High dance students had an unforgettable experience on April 9 with a masterclass led by Reynel Reynaldo, a performer with the national touring company of Book of Mormon! Reynaldo brought energy, insight, and inspiration—focusing on stage presence, self-confidence, and inner strength. He also shared highlights from his incredible dance career, which includes performances with FloRida, Queen Latifah, Daddy Yankee, and tours of "On Your Feet!", "Mary Poppins", "Shrek", and more. Thank you, Reynel, for pouring into our students and showing them what's possible through passion and perseverance! 👏🔥 #DPSArts #DPSProud #WeAreDPS #ArtsInSchools

Today, Durham Public Schools joined in celebrating "Purple Up Day"—a special recognition of our military-connected students and their families—led by the dedicated team at Southern School of Energy and Sustainability. Purple Up Day is part of the nationwide Month of the Military Child, honoring the strength, resilience, and unique experiences of students in military families. The color purple represents all branches of the military, symbolizing unity and support. Thank you to the Southern team for spearheading this important celebration and helping us show appreciation for our military-connected students across DPS. #PurpleUp #MonthOfTheMilitaryChild #WeAreDPS #SouthernStrong

Congratulations to City of Medicine Academy student Lizbeth Luna-Lopez! Lizbeth is one of eight finalists for the 2025 North Carolina International Science Challenge and will present her research at the University of Nagoya in Japan this June. She completed her project, “Adapting Green Solid-Phase Peptide Synthesis Procedures Using HBTU as the Coupling Reagent,” through the NC American Chemical Society (ACS) Project SEED program at NC State University. We’re proud to celebrate Lizbeth and all NC ACS Project SEED scholars! #WeAreDPS #STEMExcellence #NCISC2025

📚 April is School Library Month! All month long, we’ll be spotlighting many of our amazing media coordinators across our district who help bring learning to life, spark curiosity, and keep our libraries vibrant and welcoming spaces. Stay tuned as we celebrate their dedication and the vital role they play in our schools! 💙 #WeAreDPS #SchoolLibraryMonth #ThankALibrarian

Today was Bring Your Legislators to School Day, and Easley Elementary was proud to welcome some special guests! 🦅 Senator Sophia Chitlik and Representatives Marcia Morey, Vernetta Alston, and Ray Jeffers spent the morning connecting with students and teachers, listening to their experiences and concerns, and visiting our Kindergarten literacy classes and STEAM Labs. Thank you for your continued support of Durham Public Schools and for taking the time to see learning in action! 💙 #WeAreDPS #PublicSchoolsMatter #EasleyEagles

📸 In Case You Missed It! State Superintendent Maurice “Mo” Green brought his “Mo Wants to Know” tour to Durham on April 7! He visited our DPS Hub Farm, toured the culinary arts facilities at Northern High, and connected with students, staff, and community members. From meaningful conversations to tasting student-prepared food, it was a day full of learning, listening, and celebration. Thank you, Superintendent Green, for taking the time to engage with our DPS community and the North Central Region! 💙 #WeAreDPS #MoWantsToKnow #NCed

🎉 Congratulations to our DPS Assistant Principal of the Year Finalists! 👏 Candace Clark – Oak Grove Elementary 👏 Dr. Quincey Farmer – C.C. Spaulding Elementary Thank you both for your outstanding leadership, dedication, and the positive impact you make every day. We’re proud to celebrate you! 💙 #WeAreDPS #DPSLeaders #APoftheYear

April is Autism Acceptance Month, and Durham Public Schools is proud to support a culture of understanding, inclusion, and respect. Let's celebrate the unique strengths of individuals with autism and continue building a community where everyone belongs. 💙 #WeAreDPS

🚀✨ The Wooten Company brought STEM to life for 4th & 5th graders at C.C. Spaulding Elementary! From stormwater collection to kinetic energy, students explored real-world STEM careers with hands-on experiences—plus a fire hydrant grand finale! 💦🔬 Thank you, Wooten, for inspiring future innovators! 👏 Click here to view the article from Wooten: https://thewootencompany.com/blog/bringing-stem-ideas-to-life-with-scholars-at-durham-elementary-school #STEMeducation #FutureScholars #WeAreDPS

🏆 Congratulations to Amy Green, Athletic Director at Northern Durham, for earning the 2025 NCADA Athletic Director of Excellence Award! 🎉 She will be honored at the NCADA Conference on March 30 in Wilmington, NC. Thank you for your dedication to athletics! 👏⚡ #AthleticExcellence #NCADA #DPSProud

Durham Public Schools mourns the loss of statesman Dr. John Harding Lucas, Sr., who served this district, county, state, and nation with excellence as an educator and servant leader. As a long-serving principal of Hillside High School, one of the first members of the merged Durham Public Schools Board of Education, and a fierce advocate for educators near and far, he set the bar high for advocacy and scholarship. His influence is far-reaching, and we will remain ever grateful for his thoughtful and calm approach to teaching and learning and resolving the issues that persistently face public education.

🌱🍕🍪 Food, Fun, and Learning in 3rd Grade! 🍪🍕🌱 The E.K. Powe Elementary 3rd grade team has done an incredible job bringing their IB unit – Sharing the Planet to life! Using HMH Farm to Table, students explored where food comes from, how our choices impact daily life, and how to prepare healthy meals. ✨ Highlights from this amazing unit: ✅ D.I.N.E. (Durham nonprofit) visited to teach about healthy choices, and students made veggie pizzas—some were shocked that people put veggies on pizza! 😆🍕 ✅ A field trip to Northern's Culinary Arts kitchen, where students made spaghetti and baked cookies—they couldn’t stop talking about it! 🍝🍪 ✅ Now, students are designing food trucks, using math to set menu prices, budget costs, and calculate profits. 🚚💰 ✅ After break, they’ll plant and grow vegetables to observe, measure, and eventually eat! 🌱🥕 This hands-on learning experience has been truly inspiring! 🎉👏 #WeAreDPS #EKPowe #NutritionEd

📢 State Superintendent Mo Green Wants to Hear From You! 📢 Join the "Mo Wants to Know" tour on April 7 at 6 PM at Northern High School (Durham, NC) for a public listening session on the future of NC public schools. Parents, students, educators & community members—your voice matters! Register here: go.ncdpi.gov/NorthCentralMWTK #MoWantsToKnow #NCed #PublicEducation

The Durham Public Schools Board of Education has approved Anthony White as the new Executive Director of Auxiliary Services. White, currently principal at Brogden Middle School, will begin his new role at the end of the school year. #WeAreDPS

🎉🏆 Big win for Northern High School! 🏆🎉 The Polaris yearbook staff has been named grand prize winners in Treering’s nationwide graphic design competition! Their "All 'N' the Details" homecoming spread stood out among hundreds of entries across the country. Yearbook adviser Lauren Casteen shared her pride in the students' hard work, and senior Destany Cato-Umstead called it the perfect way to cap off her final year. 💙📖 As part of their prize, the team will enjoy a pizza party, free yearbooks for students in need, and a $500 Amazon gift card for supplies! Check out their winning design here: https://blog.treering.com/2025-winners-spread-design-contest/ #DPSProud #NorthernKnight

🏆🚀 Forest View’s Odyssey of the Mind Team Wins State Championship! 🚀🏆 Congrats to Team AstronOMical Odyssey! for placing 1st at the NC Odyssey of the Mind State Tournament! Their stellar performance earned top scores, and now they’re headed to the World Finals at Michigan State University in May! 🌍✨ Way to go, Elijah, Mimi, June, Zella, Zoe, and Madelyn! 👏🎉 Let’s cheer them on as they take on teams from around the globe! 🌟 #OdysseyOfTheMind #StateChamps #DPSProud