Hello Parkwood Families,

This is your principal Ms. Fearrington with your weekly message.  February is almost gone and all parents should have received their student’s progress report.  All parent/teacher conferences should be completed by Tuesday, February 28^th, so please reach out to your child’s teacher if you have not scheduled a conference.  Here are some reminders and important information as we head into this week.

Retention Letters:

I want to inform all parents that retention letters will be distributed on March 9^th.  This letter states that a student may be retained if improvements in the specific areas, highlighted by your child’s teacher, are not proficient by the end of the school year.  The letter will also state ways that we can work to improve those areas before the end of the school year.  If you have had a parent/teacher conference this month, then you are aware of your child’s progress and areas of strength and growth.  This letter is required for us to send out every school year at this time and it is simply to alert parents that there is additional work to be done to get their student in good academic standing.  Please reach out to your child’s teacher, Ms. Fearrington or Ms. Carswell, if you have questions or concerns.

Annual African American Read-In:

On Tuesday, February 28^th, we will be hosting our Annual African American Read-In.  The read-in will begin at 8:30am and will last until 10:30am.  I want to thank our awesome community for reaching out and filling all of our slots for the read-in!  We are very excited to be able to host this event again this year and we look forward to having you celebrate Black History Month with our wonderful Parkwood Staff and Students! 

March Title 1 Night:

Parkwood will host our 3^rd Title 1 event on March 9^th.  This event will be class/student led and we will celebrate Women’s History Month.  The event will begin at 5:15pm to 6:45pm.  We will serve dinner at 5:15pm in the cafeteria and the event will begin at 6pm.  We hope you will be able to join us for this special event and get to see all of the hard work our students are doing to celebrate all of the wonderful women that have contributed to our history.  We will share more details next week and thank you in advance for your support.

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.  Our cellphone/electronic policy strictly prohibits phones being on and out during the school day.  Students may place their phones in their book bag to ensure the items remain safe and secure.  Any type of electronics, toys or tablets are not to be brought to school at any time.  Please make sure to check your child’s backpack before and after school to ensure they are not bringing any items that are not allowed on school property.  If you have any questions or need assistance, please feel free to reach out to Ms. Fearrington and/or Ms. Carswell.

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.  I would also like to add that it is very important that you enter and leave the school through the front lobby.  It is very important that due to the nature of our open campus, that it remains secure at all times.  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.

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.  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.

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.

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