Good evening Githens families,
Please review this email in its entirety for our weekly updates at Githens.
Calendar
Mar. 3rd - Teacher Workday - No School for Scholars
Mar. 5th - Lockdown Drill at 1:15pm
Mar. 10th - PTA via Zoom at 7pm
Mar. 19th - Spring Performance
Mar. 20th - Last Day for Make-Up Work
Mar. 26th - Multicultural Night 6pm - 8pm
Mar. 27th - End of Quarter
Mar. 30th - Apr. 6th - Spring Break (Return to School on Apr. 7th)
PTA Updates
We are seeking new PTA officers for the 26-27 school year. If you are interested, please reach out to the current PTA president, Mrs. Littlejohn for more information.
2025–26 Yearbooks! PURCHASE INFO: The PTA is excited to provide all 8th graders FREE yearbooks this year! 6th and 7th graders can purchase yearbooks at $25 each using this [link]. (Teachers = Homeroom teacher in the prompt.) SUBMIT YOUR PICTURES: Help make this yearbook special by uploading your event photos [here] and tagging them with the event name - sports, dance, clubs, chorus, etc. DEADLINE to order yearbooks and submit photos is MARCH 20.
Saturday Academy
Saturday Academy is available for Githens Middle School students who did not score a 3, 4, or 5 on the 2025–2026 Middle of Year (MOY) Assessment (Math 6, 7, and 8). This program is designed to strengthen essential math skills and prepare students for end-of-year success. In addition, families are invited to participate in brief parent sessions each Saturday from April 11-May 16th to learn about the math concepts being taught, ask questions, and receive resources to support learning at home. We look forward to partnering with you to support your child’s academic growth and confidence in mathematics. For specific questions regarding Saturday Academy, please contact Mr. James Carter, james_carter@dpsnc.net or Dr. Kia Barfield, kia_barfield@dpsnc.net.
Spring Lockdown Drill
Our Spring Lockdown Drill has been rescheduled to Thursday March 5th at 1:15pm.
Immunizations Update (All Students)
As news is shared regarding measles outbreaks throughout North Carolina and the country, please know that there is no confirmed case in Durham Public Schools, and that we are continuously working with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and the Durham County Department of Public Health to remain proactive.
If we do not have a record of your student’s measles vaccination or documented exemption, please submit it to the school as soon as possible. If your child has not received the measles vaccination, please contact your health provider as soon as possible. The Durham County Department of Public Health can also provide vaccinations. They may be reached at (919) 560-7645. Should you have any questions about this respiratory virus, please consult your physician or the district’s Lead Nurse Regina Blackmon at regina_blackmon@dpsnc.net.
Raider Store
The Githens Raider store is in need of donations. Please visit our Amazon Wishlist to donate today. We appreciate all of your support!
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
The Spring Sports Parent Meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 4th at 5:45
The following Sports are still allowing students to join:
Track and Field
Boys Lacrosse
Please get a Ticket-to-Play from Mrs. Stackhouse to be eligible to join the teams
Boys Tennis will start tomorrow, March 4 and will be held at Githens from 3:45 – 5:45pm. Meet in Mrs. Stackhouse’s classroom on the 8th grade hallway
BOOSTER CLUB: The Githens Athletics Booster Club supports all Raiders student-athletes by raising money to provide needed equipment for over 17 Githens Middle School sports teams. We also celebrate our athletes through sports awards and celebrations after each sports season. This year membership is FREE! If you haven’t already, submit this form to join today: https://forms.gle/qT9f7rbaJ7bwKRXV9
If you have any questions regarding athletics, please contact Mrs. Shlisa Stackhouse at shlisa_stackhouse@dpsnc.net or Mr. James Carter at james_carter@dpsnc.net
Community Events
*Congratulations to our Raiders who participated in An Evening to Shine on Feb. 24th. You all did an amazing job and we are beyond proud of our Raiders.
Infinite Campus & Rooms Information
As we approach mid-January, we want to ensure that all parents and guardians are able to monitor their child’s academic progress. One of the best ways to stay informed is by regularly checking your child’s grades in Infinite Campus. If you have not yet created an Infinite Campus Parent Portal account, please visit https://320.ncsis.gov/campus/portal/psu320durham.jsp to set up your login and begin accessing your child’s grades, attendance, and assignments. Currently, 55% of our families are actively using Infinite Campus, and we would love to see that number continue to grow. Your partnership plays a vital role in supporting student success, and staying connected is an important first step. Thank you for your continued support as we work together to help every student succeed.
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 - Mrs. Major