Hello Parkwood Families,

This is your principal Ms. Fearrington with your weekly message!  This week our panthers came to school ready to go and put in some great quality work on taking the iReady assessment.  It was also the first full week and our panthers handled it with PRIDE!  Here are a few reminders and important information as we head into the next week:

Important Holiday and Schedule Reminders:

All DPS students on the traditional school calendar will observe MLK Day on January 16^th and a teacher workday on January 17^th.  Students will not attend school on both of those days.  Please refer to the district school calendar provided and linked here for important dates.

End of Quarter and Report Cards:

On Friday, January 13^th, the instructional quarter will end.  We will begin 3^rd quarter on January 18^th when students return from the MLK holiday.  Report Cards will be available via parent portal on January 24^th.  If you do not have access to your parent portal, please reach out to our data manager, Ms. Joanne Brosh at joanne_brosh@dpsnc.net or our school secretary or Ms. Jacqueline Boone at Jacqueline_campbell@dpsnc.net, for assistance on how to access or to create an account.  A printed copy will be available, however, every parent should have access to their portal for easy access to view progress reports, graded assignments and report cards.

Cellphones, Electronics and Toys:

Since we have returned from winter break, we have noticed an increase in the support needed to assist with students who have their cellphones, electronics or toys out during instructional time.  These items that have been brought from home, not school issued electronics.  Our cellphone/electronic policy strictly prohibits phones being on and out during the school day.  Students may place these items in their book bag to ensure the items remain safe and secure.  If you have any questions or need assistance, please feel free to reach out to Ms. Fearrington and/or Ms. Carswell.

COVID Protocols and Information:

It is important that as we have seen an increase in the amount of COVID-19 cases and flu, that we remain vigilant with symptoms that can be COVID-19 or Flu related.  If your child has a fever and is showing signs or symptoms that are COVID-19/Flu 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 or the flu.  You will need to provide proof of a positive COVID-19 test by taking a picture or providing the doctor’s note to your child’s teacher.  If you have any questions, please reach out to your child’s teacher.

Updated Elementary Visitation Guidelines:

We have updated our protocols for elementary school visitation during instructional hours.  These changes have been designed to make school more inviting to you, and to ensure that all students are receiving quality instructional services in a safe environment.  We have updated our classroom visitation guidelines to protect your child and all of our students at Parkwood.  The classroom visitation guidelines are built around 5 tenants:  Safety, Relationships, Equity, Independence and Instructional Time.  The Parkwood Visitation Plan is linked here for you to read.  If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to your child’s teacher, Ms. Fearrington or Ms. Carswell.  Thank you all for supporting all of our teachers, staff and students at Parkwood, we truly appreciate your commitment and dedication to a joyous school learning environment.

Return to School, Attendance and Tardies:

I want to remind all parents that all students are to arrive by 7:45am when the instructional bell rings.  If your student arrives after that time, you will need to come into the front office to sign your student in.  You will no longer be able to drop your student at the front without coming into the school building to sign in.  As we are preparing for the instructional day, our front office staff needs assistance on the amount of students that are coming in after 7:45am.  We have encountered a significant number of students that are tardy and we thank you in advance for your support with this new process moving forward.

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