Hello Parkwood Families,

This is your principal, Ms. Fearrington with your weekly message.  Here are few reminders and important information as we move into this week.

End of Quarter and Report Cards:

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.

Schedule Reminders:

All DPS students on the traditional calendar will have an early release day on Wednesday, February 8^th and a teacher workday on Monday, February 20^th.  Students will get out of school on Wednesday, February 8^th at 12:15pm and all students should be picked up by 12:45pm.  Monday, February 20th is a teacher workday, so there will be no school for students that day.  Please refer to the district school calendar provided and linked here for important dates.

Fall Retake Pictures:

A photographer from Strawbridge Studios will be at Parkwood on February 9^th to photograph Fall Retake pictures.  Attached to this email will be a digital version of the order envelope/flyer for you to read and make a note to your calendar.  If you have any questions, please reach out to Ms. Jacqueline Boone, our school secretary at Jacqueline_campbell@dpsnc.net, if you have any questions or need additional information.

100255 Parkwood Elementary School FALL2 405762 Run 1 Fall Poster.pdf 

100255 Parkwood Elementary School FALL2 405762 Run 1 Flyer.pdf 

Cellphones, Electronics and Toys:

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 see 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.  The Parkwood Visitation Plan is linked here for you to read.  It is important to note that we have added additional information to the section regarding instructional time.  It is not recommended that parents volunteer in their student’s classroom during instructional time.  However, a parent can support and/or assist with making copies, laminating, eating lunch with their student or volunteering in another area of the school at any time.  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.

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