As the Hillside School Improvement Team continues to work towards accomplishing the goals within the School Improvement Plan, we would like our stakeholders to have an opportunity to share their feedback.
Please share your thoughts and suggestions on the linked Google Form, providing positive and constructive insight and support. This survey is open to Hillside staff, parents, and students.
Senior orientation will take place on August 5th with schedule pick up and adjustments beginning from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm and the session beginning at 5:00 pm.
Families will have the opportunity to stop at tables during the 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm block to gain more information and speak with representatives regarding the items listed below:
• Parking Passes
• Lunch Passes
• Schedule Change
• Early Graduation Application
• Infinite Campus Access
The orientation will begin with an overview, and families will be directed based on their E (enrollment, enlistment, employment) to have a working session getting them ready for their E.
Families will have the opportunity to stop at tables during the 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm block to gain more information and speak with representatives regarding the items listed below:
• Parking Passes
• Lunch Passes
• Schedule Change
• Early Graduation Application
• Infinite Campus Access
The orientation will begin with an overview, and families will be directed based on their E (enrollment, enlistment, employment) to have a working session getting them ready for their E.
🎒 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
🎨 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
🎭 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
Click here for all things graduation for the Hillside High School class of 2025!
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Ia-cm-DXi7jkdLjO_3atwkf2pHSh4sY6lJxFAfe1zFQ/edit?usp=sharing
Spring Exam Schedule 2025
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1n9_Yqq2LVHa4KAYesFsP6kzDS4oISjrzqb1o3AEhyws/edit?usp=sharing
💰 Scholars securing the dollars! 💰
Massive congrats to Karma Livingston of Hillside High School — recipient of both the Cheatham-White Scholarship and The Gates Scholarship. She will be attend North Carolina A&T State University in the fall!
Double the scholarships, full ride, unlimited potential. 🎓🚀 #WeAreDPS #DPSProud
🚀🌱 Big congrats to Hillside High School students Hajira Syed and Dallas Mejia! 🌟
They’ve earned Honorable Mention in the 2025 Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision STEM Project for their innovative work on AstroGel — a smart hydrogel designed to help plants grow in space. As we look to the future of space exploration, their project highlights the importance of sustainable farming beyond Earth. 🛰️🌿
We’re proud of their creativity, passion, and commitment to solving real-world challenges!
📸 Check out the full list of honorees: https://www.exploravision.org/exploravision-2025-honorable-mentions/
#WeAreDPS #DPSProud #STEM #ExploraVision
🎉 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
Tickets will be available in the Hornet Bank
📢 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
It may be Spring Break, but our online library media center is open 24/7/365! Check out our online books and audiobooks at https://soraapp.com/library/durhamschoolnc. Log in with your DPS email address and password to access hundreds of online titles. Have a safe and relaxing break, and we will see you back in the Hillside Media Center on Monday, April 7th!
Officers and representatives from Hillside Student Council had the wonderful opportunity to enjoy a 3-day weekend in Monroe, North Carolina participating in the North Carolina Association of Student Councils conference. They were recognized as an Honor Council and as Victory Junction donors, and the following students were inducted into the Student Council Hall of Fame: Elanah Rooks, Devin DeJesus, Kiyah Perry, Noah Harris, and Destiny Monroe. Way to represent, Hornets!
Hillside High School celebrates Women's History Month this March.
Can you name these famous Hornet alumnae?
Answers: Top L: Lauren Banks, Top R: Shirley Caesar, Bottom L: Pauli Murray, Bottom R: Jeanne Lucas
Are you interested in joining Hillside's Boys Soccer team next fall? Come to room 210 at 4:45 PM on Thursday, March 27, 2025, to learn what you need to do to play soccer next fall!
Contact:
Coach Jaye Pratt
jaye_pratt@dpsnc.net
