Hello Parkwood Families,

This is your principal, Ms. Fearrington with your weekly message.  I hope everyone had a wonderful, safe and restful holiday and was able to spend it with the ones you love!  We have approximately a little over 3 weeks before winter break, so I hope we are all refreshed and ready to work hard.  Here are a few reminders and some important information as we head into this week:

Picture Day:

Strawbridge Studios will be at Parkwood on December 1^st for fall pictures.  If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact our school secretary Ms. Jacqueline Boone at Jacqueline_campbell@dpsnc.net or 919-560-3962.

Title 1 Literacy Night:

On Thursday December 8, 2022, Parkwood will host our Literacy Night for all of our families.  Please come and enjoy food, fun, reading and resources for you to get your student excited about reading!  Dinner will begin at 5:30pm in the cafeteria and will last until 6:15pm.  We will host 2 sessions, one from 6:20pm to 6:50pm and the second from 7:00pm to 7:30pm.  Flyers for the event will come home this week with your student.  Please come join us if you can, we would love to have all of our families there to share in our love of reading!

Winter Break:

Winter Break is fast approaching and I want to make sure that you have all of the proper information to prepare yourself for the school week.  On Tuesday, December 20^th all DPS school will have an early release day.  Students will get out of school that day at 12:15pm and all students should be picked up by 12:45pm.  Wednesday, December 21^st is a teacher workday, so there will be no school for students that day.  Students are to return to school on Wednesday, January 4^th.  Please refer to the district school calendar provided and linked here for important dates.

COVID Protocols and Information:

As we move into the cold and flu season, we have seen an uptick in the number of students that have the flu and it is imperative that if your child is sick that you get them seen immediately.  If your child has a fever and is showing signs or symptoms that are COVID-19 related it is important to keep your child at home to ensure they receive rest and are symptom free without medication for 24 hours before returning to school.  If your child has symptoms, please get your child tested to ensure they are not positive for COVID-19. 

Benchmark Testing:

Our 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th graders will begin benchmark testing on Monday, December 5^th through Tuesday, December 13^th.  They will be tested on Reading, Math and 5^th graders will also take Science.  Please prepare your student by ensuring they get plenty of rest and a good breakfast that week.  We want to make sure they are prepared and ready to do their very best!

There are many ways to stay connected to our community.  Please follow Parkwood Elementary on our Facebook page and website.  Please join the Parkwood PTA!  If you have any questions please visit https://www.durhamparkwoodpta.com/ and/or reach out to Hope Alfaro, our PTA president at durhamparkwoodpta@gmail.com.

Please reach out to me if you have any questions or need assistance!  Enjoy the rest of your weekend and as always Parkwood Panthers…Show PRIDE!

Warmly,

Kimberly Fearrington, Principal