Hello Parkwood Families,

This is your principal Ms. Fearrington with your weekly message.  I hope everyone had a wonderful, relaxing and restful spring break.  I am excited to hear about all of the amazing things our panthers experienced while on break!  Here are some reminders and important information as we head into this week.

Important Dates:

All DPS traditional schools will observe Good Friday on Friday, April 7^th and Monday, April 10^th is a teacher workday for all students.  There will no school for students on those days.  Please refer to the district school calendar provided and linked here for important dates.

Report Cards:

All students will receive report cards on Thursday, April 6^th.  Please make sure you have access to your parent portal or have created a parent portal to be able to access your child’s report card.  If you need assistance with your parent portal, please reach out to Ms. Joanne Brosh, our data manager at joanne_brosh@dpsnc.net or Ms. Jacqueline Boone, our school secretary at jacqueline_campbell@dpsnc.net.

Last Title 1 Event:

Please mark your calendars and save the date for our last Title 1 Event.  It will be hosted at Parkwood on Thursday, April 27^th from 5:00pm to 7:30pm.  More information and details are forthcoming.  We hope to see you there!

Retention Letters:

Retention letters were distributed on Thursday, 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.  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.

Kindergarten Registration:

Kindergarten Registration is underway and please make sure to register your child as soon as possible.  If you need additional information about Kindergarten registration, please click on the link provided here.  If you need assistance registering your child for Kindergarten, please out to Ms. Joanne Brosh, our data manager at joanne_brosh@dpsnc.net or Ms. Jacqueline Boone, our school secretary at jacqueline_campbell@dpsnc.net.

Cellphones, Electronics and Toys:

I would like to remind all students and parents that 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.  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. 

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:

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, Principals