Good evening Githens families,
I hope you had a great weekend. Please review this email in its entirety for our weekly updates at Githens.
Calendar
Tuesday Nov. 11th - Veteran’s Day, School Closed
Thursday Nov. 20th - Performing Arts Concert at GMS
Friday Nov. 21st - School Dance
Monday - Friday Nov. 24th - 28th - Thanksgiving Break, School Closed
Raider Store
The Githens Raider store is in need of donations. Please visit our Amazon Wishlist HERE. We appreciate all donations as this helps support our mission and vision of students modeling The Raider Way.
Performing Arts Concert
The GMS Performing Arts will host its Winter Concert on Thursday, November 20 at Githens. More information to come.
Give to Githens 2025: Annual Fundraiser! As of Saturday evening we raised $9,000 towards our $40,000 goal. Can you help us reach our second challenge match level? We only need to raise another $1,000 to receive $10,000 in matching funds! Your tax deductible donations go towards supporting important initiatives and events for our school community, including teacher stipends and grants (Nov 5, Nov 7) and other events as highlighted in the weekly PrideBlast. You can donate online through Givebacks. Cash and Checks (made out to Githens Middle School PTA) are also accepted. Donations can also be dropped off at the Githens front office during school business hours (8:15am to 3:00pm) or mailed to 4800 Old Chapel Hill Road, Durham, NC 27707. Every dollar counts and is appreciated!
Go to the 2025 Give to Githens page for more information on how to donate. Every dollar counts and is appreciated. Reach out to givetogithens@gmail.com with any questions.
Thank you all for supporting our Githens community!
School Dance
The GMS PTA will host a Harvest Dance on Friday, November 21st from 6:00pm - 8:00pm. In order to attend, students must have no disciplinary major referrals from Monday October 20th to Friday November 21st. Students are not allowed to stay after school. All Scholars must leave school and return to the dance at 6pm. Please review our GMS Dance Policy HERE (ENG) and HERE (SPN). Students will receive a copy of the permission slip during report card distribution. Also, our GMA PTA would love to have your support and help with the Dance. Please use the Sign up Genius to volunteer.
Transportation (Carpool and Buses)
Carpool: 6th grade car riders are dismissed at 3:20pm followed by 7th grade car riders being dismissed at 3:30pm. No students will be dismissed between 3:00pm - 3:20pm and ALL carpool scholars must be picked up no later than 4:15pm daily.
Buses: To help you stay informed, we encourage you to use the Edulog app to track your scholar’s bus and receive real-time updates about delays or changes. Transportation information and guidelines can be found HERE. If you have any questions regarding buses, please contact Mr. Carter, james_carter@dpsnc.net. Thank you for your patience and support as we work to ensure safe and efficient transportation for all students
Athletics
Winter Sports Try-outs
Ticket-to-Play will be each day before tryouts. A reminder that all students wishing to try out for a DPS sport must complete the Ticket to Play process. This process ensures that your scholar is eligible to try out for their desired sport.
Girls Basketball
November 10, November 12, November 13 (No Tryouts Tuesday, November 11)
Pick up in Githens bus parking lot, entrance at 3791 SW Durham Drive
3:30pm – 5:30pm, after school when the athletes are dismissed, the team will meet in Mrs. Stackhouse classroom (8th grade hall).
Boys Basketball
November 10, November 12, November 13 (No Tryouts Tuesday, November 11)
Pick up in Githens bus parking lot, entrance at 3791 SW Durham Drive
5:30pm – 7:30pm, after school when the athletes are dismissed, the team will meet in Mr. Arnstein’s classroom (8th grade hall).
Wrestling
November 12, November 13, November 14 (No Tryouts Tuesday, November 11)
(Pick up in Githens bus parking lot, entrance at 3791 SW Durham Drive)
3:30pm – 5:30pm, after school when the athletes are dismissed, the team will meet in Dr. Swartzer’s classroom (7th grade hall).
Ultimate Frisbee
November 10, November 12, November 13 (No Tryouts Tuesday, November 11)
(Pick up at the front of the school entrance at 4800 Old Chapel Hill Road)
3:30pm – 5:15pm, after school when the athletes are dismissed, the team will meet in Dr. Manning’s classroom (8th grade hall).
Prior to attending any Ticket to Play event, please log into Dragonfly and complete the following steps:
1. Log into Dragon Fly https://max.dragonflyathletics.com/maxweb/max-cover/login?redirectUrl=%2Fmain
https://www.dpsathleticzone.com/githens/registration/
2. Once you have either set up or logged into your account, you should see your child's/student athlete's name at the top of the page.
3. Click the "Get Ready" tab at the top, and then scroll down to "Things to Do"
4. Under the appropriate school year, click the "Get Started" under the "Prep for ___ Athlete Eligibility". Each item you have submitted, are currently working on, or still need to complete will be labeled accordingly.
For questions regarding GMS Athletics please contact Ms. Stackhouse, shlisa_stackhouse@dpsnc.net or Mr. Carter, james_carter@dpsnc.net
Community Events:
*All County Band will take place on Tuesday, November 18th
*Showcase of Schools will take place on Saturday November 22, 2025
Infinite Campus & Rooms Information
Beginning in the 2025-26 school year, Durham Public Schools is transitioning to a new student information system, NCSIS powered by Infinite Campus . This system will replace PowerSchool as your one-stop-shop for grades, attendance, and other important school information. Watch this video to preview the new system. You can stay connected via the Campus Parent app, which can be downloaded through the links below or by visiting the App Store or Google Play on your smartphone.
Download from the Google Play Store
This year, Durham Public Schools will launch a districtwide two-way messaging tool that will make communicating with families easier and more efficient. The new tool, called Rooms , is part of the same platform that runs the district website and app, which will integrate and streamline the process for teachers and district leaders to communicate with families. From now on, communication from our schools will all exist in one place: The DPS district app. Parents and guardians can also receive messages from their teachers via text and email or can check notifications via a web browser.
Download from the Google Play Store
Our goal at Githens is to keep a strong connection between home and school. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions or concerns.
For 6th grade inquires - Mr. Carter
For 7th grade inquires - Mr. Goble
For 8th grade inquires - Mr. France interim for Mrs. Major
Raiders, I will see you tomorrow, let’s have a productive week!