GWM Weekly Update, week of March 2, 2026 (English/en español)

3 days ago, GWM

GWM Weekly Update, week of February 20, 2026 (English/Spanish)

10 days ago, GWM
George Watts Montessori logo with text Updates from Principal Jenn
Mark your calendar for the DPS Sustainability Summit 2026 🌎
Join us on March 7, 2026 at Southern School of Energy and Sustainability (800 Clayton Rd, Durham, NC) for a full day of ideas, creativity, and community focused on building a more sustainable future.
This isn’t just a summit. It’s a chance to see sustainability in action.
You’ll experience:
• Student projects that bring real-world solutions to life
• Practical tips you can use at home right away
• Community partners sharing the work happening across Durham
• Food trucks, arts and crafts, and fun activities for all ages
• An inside look at sustainability efforts across Durham Public Schools and our local community
🎟 Your FREE ticket includes a $5 food voucher to use at the food trucks during community time.
Bring your family. Invite a friend. Come curious. Leave inspired.
Register now and secure your food voucher:
👉 https://bit.ly/Sustain2026

Marca tu calendario para el DPS Sustainability Summit 2026 🌎
Acompáñanos el 7 de marzo de 2026 en la Southern School of Energy and Sustainability (800 Clayton Rd, Durham, NC) para un día lleno de ideas, creatividad y comunidad, enfocado en construir un futuro más sostenible.
Esto no es solo una cumbre. Es una oportunidad para ver la sostenibilidad en acción.
Podrás disfrutar de:
• Proyectos estudiantiles que muestran soluciones reales
• Consejos prácticos que puedes aplicar en tu vida diaria
• Organizaciones comunitarias compartiendo su trabajo en Durham
• Camiones de comida, arte, manualidades y actividades divertidas para todas las edades
• Una mirada interna a los esfuerzos de sostenibilidad en las Escuelas Públicas de Durham y en nuestra comunidad
🎟 Tu entrada es GRATIS e incluye un cupón de $5 para usar en los camiones de comida durante el tiempo comunitario.
Trae a tu familia. Invita a un amigo. Ven con curiosidad. Sal inspirado.
Regístrate ahora y asegura tu cupón de comida:
👉 https://bit.ly/Sustain2026
14 days ago, Durham Public Schools
"Logo for Durham Public Schools Sustainability Summit with a stylized blue and green water droplet, set against a soil and green leaves background."

Grounding–an intentional focus on the present

During our staff meeting yesterday, we had professional learning around stress management, including the brain science around sympathetic and parasympathetic systems. This also included tools for managing stress, for both staff and students, such as GROUNDING–an intentional practice of bringing one’s focus to the present moment, in your body or in your surroundings, instead of being trapped by the thoughts in your mind that are causing anxiety.

This morning, our community noticed a rainbow over George Watts Montessori–a beautiful moment in our surroundings on a heavy morning, navigating the real fear in our community brought by increased federal law enforcement activity this week. #gwmpeacematters 

4 months ago, GWM
Picture of school with rainbow overhead

Quarter 1 Family Nights coming up soon! You're invited: https://bit.ly/GWM-Q1Family-2025

You’re Invited: Quarter 1 Family Nights  

5:00-6:30 PM @ George Watts Montessori

  • Primary + EC-AU K-2 classes: Thursday, September 25

  • Lower El classes: Thursday, September 18

  • Upper El + EC-AU 3-5 classes: Tuesday, September 16

Part 1: from 5:00-5:35, parent/guardian and student will visit the classroom to learn more about what the year will look like in the classroom for students. Each grade level band has curated an interactive opportunity for students and guardian.


Part 2: from 5:40-6:30, classroom communities will transition to the playground for a classroom dinner with students and guardians. Look for communication from your room parents about signing up to bring something to share. The PTA will provide pizza and paper plates for all classroom communities. Our hope is this will be a time to build connections with other families from your child’s classroom.


6 months ago, GWM
🎒 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
8 months ago, Durham Public Schools
FTB! Social Media
🎉 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
10 months ago, Durham Public Schools
Celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week: Honoring the Heart of Education
📢 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
11 months ago, Durham Public Schools
Mo Wants to Know