Good evening Githens families,
Please review this email in its entirety for updates in Raider Nation
Calendar
Sept 1 - iReady Diagnostic Window Opens
Sept 7 - Labor Day/No School
Sept 8 - PTA Meeting via Zoom at 7:30pm
Sept 21 - Teacher Workday, No School for Scholars
Sept 24 - Progress Reports Go Home
Sept 29 - Curriculum Night
Sept 30 - Teacher Workday, No School for Scholars
PTA Updates
The first GMS PTA meeting of the year will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 8th at 7:30pm via zoom. PTA meetings will take place on the second Tuesday of each month through May.
You can add the meetings for the entire year to your calendar by clicking here or join the meeting without adding to your calendar with this Zoom link.
Zoom meeting details:
Meeting ID: 861 0509 4418
Passcode: raiders
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
We will begin using THIS form for parents who wish to allow their scholar to walk home from school and/or wish to meet their scholar at carpool and safely walk them across the street. Please complete this form even if you have completed a grade level specific form. The GMS Walker form will help carpool staff support identify students who have permission to walk.
Again I would like to stress that the first couple of weeks of carpooling and buses will not be perfect. We continue to ask for grace during this time as we navigate the large amount of traffic and scholars in our Githens community,
Cellphone & Electronic Device Policy
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
We have begun assigning devices to students to be used throughout the day. This is a reminder that devices will not go home with any students this year. 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 will conclude this week. Team practices and game schedules will be shared soon. 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
Transportation
Transportation Information and guidelines can be found HERE. If you have any questions, contact Mr. Carter, james_carter@dpsnc.net
Community Events
New Creation Church Community Day on Sept. 19th. From 3pm - 7pm.
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 trust that you had a restful weekend. I look forward to seeing you all tomorrow to kick off the second week of school. Have a great evening!