Good evening Githens families,
It was such a pleasure to see new and familiar faces at PRIDE Camp and Open House last week! School starts tomorrow, August 24th and I am so excited to welcome you to a new school year, The Raider Way!
Calendar
August 24th - First day of school
Arrival & Dismissal Procedures
We will open the doors for scholars to enter into the building at 8:00am.
ARRIVAL
All morning car riders will use the front entrance for morning drop-off. For the safety of your scholar, please do not drop them off and leave them prior to 8:00am. Remember, you are only allowed to turn right when exiting the parking lot onto Old Chapel Hill Rd. Please do not block the staff entrance on the right of the parking lot. Breakfast and lunch are free to all DPS students this year.
DISMISSAL
Afternoon dismissal for carpool scholars will be staggered in order to reduce the amount of traffic on Old Chapel Hill Road and to keep the safety of our scholars a priority.
6th grade students will be dismissed at approximately 3:20pm to the front of the building
7th grade students will be dismissed at approximately 3:25pm to the front of the building
8th grade students will be dismissed at approximately 3:35pm to the bus parking lot located off Southwest Durham Road
No students will be dismissed between 3:00pm - 3:20pm
The first couple of weeks of carpooling and buses will not be perfect. We ask for grace during this time as we navigate the large amount of traffic and scholars in our Githens community,
Cellphone & Electronic Device Policy
Last school year, a new law required that all North Carolina students must keep their cellphones and other wireless communication devices turned off and put away during instructional time. This means that devices cannot be used for texting, calling, accessing social media, or any other purpose while classes are in session. Devices may be used during non-instructional time. House Bill 959 . Cell phone usage is prohibited on Githens Middle School campus at all times unless authorized by a Githen administrator or designee. Please review the GMS Cellphone Policy in accordance with DPS policy and state law. GMS staff are NOT responsible for any lost, damaged, and/or stolen personal electronic devices which includes but is not limited to cell phones, Airpods, Beats headphones, Apple Watches, Meta Glasses, etc. GMS staff will NOT investigate lost or stolen personal electronic devices.
Technology Updates
This year all middle school students will be day users which means no devices will be sent home with students. The technology fee this year is $15. Please review the information below for more details including how to pay the fee and district wide policy for technology.
GiveBucks DPS Payment Portal: https://durhampublicschools.givebacks.com/shop
Technology Fee Waiver form: 2026-2027 Student Technology Fee Hardship Request
DPS-IT Technology Fee Payment Information Page: https://www.dpsnc.net/o/dps/page/technology-fee
Students who did not return a device and/or charger at the end of the 2025-26 school year, should not be issued duplicate assets. All students are expected to care and use district devices according to our Technology Responsible Use (4312/3225/7320) policy.
The chart below details the governance all DPS schools are expected to follow for the school year. If a replacement charger is needed, a request should be submitted to https://itsupport.dpsnc.net/support/catalog/items/87. Once payment is received, the replacement charger will be provided to the requesting student.
Elementary Schools | Middle & High Schools | |
All DPS elementary school students (PreK-5) will be Technology Day Users for the 2025-2026 school year. A Technology Day User is defined as a student who has access to a DPS issued device and charger during the school day, in their classroom. This student will have access to request a DPS issued device and charger from their school’s inventory if there is an academic need – special projects, inclement weather, etc. | Accidental Damage | Intentional Damage |
1st Occurrence DPS IT Repair 2nd Occurrence DPS IT Repair Discussion with Principal 3rd Occurrence Technology Day User Discussion with Superintendent | 1st Occurrence Technology Day User Discussion with Principal 2nd Occurrence Technology Day User Discussion with Superintendent | |
Replacement charger cost applies for all students and staff | ||
Athletics
Fall Sports Tryouts begin this week. Please review the list below for each Fall Sports’ tryout schedule. If you have any questions regarding athletics please contact Mr. Collins, athletic director via email at micheal_collins@dpsnc.net or Mr. Carter, administrator over athletics via email at james_carter@dpsnc.net
Football
August 24 - 28
3:45pm – 5:45pm (Pick up in Githens bus parking lot, entrance at 3791 SW Durham Dr.)
Cheerleading
August 25 – August 28
3:30pm – 5:15pm (Pick up in Githens bus parking lot, entrance at 3791 SW Durham Dr.)
Cross Country
August 25 – August 27
3:30pm – 5:15pm (Pick up in Githens bus parking lot, entrance at 3791 SW Durham Dr.)
Boys Soccer & Volleyball
August 26 – August 28
3:30pm – 5:30pm (Pick up in Githens bus parking lot, entrance at 3791 SW Durham Dr.)
Tennis- Will be announced later.
Transportation
Transportation Information and guidelines can be found HERE. If you have any questions, contact Mr. Carter, james_carter@dpsnc.net
Protecting Our Students
As part of the Protecting Our Students Act, GithensMiddle Students will view the Protecting Our Students Act video(s) on Wednesday, August 26, during their Core 1 class. District communication was shared previously about this video. If you would like to preview the video it is linked here: https://www.youtube.com/@NCCenterforSaferSchools
Parents/guardians may choose to opt their students out no later than Tuesday, August 25 by calling the front office or sending an email to your grade level administrator.
6th Grade - Mr. Carter james_carter@dpsnc.net
7th Grade - Mr. Goble gregory_goble@dpsnc.net
8th Grade - Mrs. Major vivianease_major@dpsnc.net
If you would like your child to view the video, no further action is needed. However, if you notice that your child has been impacted in any way by the content, please do not hesitate to contact the school. We have counselors available on campus to support any student who may need additional assistance as a result of the topics discussed.
Thank you for your support in keeping our students safe.
Community Events
New Creation Church Community Day on Sept. 19th. More information to follow.
Bright Futures 5K: Lace up your running shoes for the Bright Futures Fun Run! Support schools in the DPS Southwest Region while having a blast.
Date & Registration: Sign up today at Bright Futures Fun Run Registration.
Special Discount: Take 50% off your entry fees until 9/8/26 using promo code DPS 50.
Support Your School: A portion of your proceeds goes directly back to your school, so be sure to select your school when registering!
Important Links
Student school supply list for each grade level can be found HERE
View the 2026-27 Student/Family Handbook (English | Spanish)
Canvas LMS/Parent Canvas Observer Access: Parents are highly encouraged to sign up to be an observer in Canvas. Teachers will post homework assignments for scholars in Canvas and will be responsible for keeping these pages updated.
Dress Code Policy: Please note that Hats, Hoods on heads, Headphones on head, Bonnets, Skimasks, or any other type of NON-religious head gear is NOT PERMITTED to be worn inside of the building for ANY reason!
Talking Points is your official mode of communication with your scholar’s classroom teacher! Please use this LINK to set-up an account!
Infinite Campus Infinite Campus is the official source of student grade information and a convenient way for you to update your most current contact information.
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 - Dr. Major
Raiders, I truly hope you all had an amazing Summer Break and I look forward to welcoming you all to the start of the 26-27 school year and kicking off my birthday tomorrow morning! Have a great evening!