Hello Parkwood Families,

This is your principal Ms. Fearrington with your weekly message.  I hope you are enjoying your long weekend and taking time to relax.  We have moved into testing season for all of our Panthers so please make sure to have students rested and on time for school.  Here are a few reminders and important information for this week.

Important Dates:

All DPS traditional schools will have a teacher workday on Monday, April 10^th.  Students will not attend school on this day.  Please refer to the district school calendar provided and linked here for important dates.

Report Cards:

All students should have received report cards on Thursday, April 6^th.  Please check your parent portal if you have created an account and can access your student’s information.  Most students received a paper copy of their report card, so please check your child’s folder or backpack for their report card.  If you need assistance with your parent portal or did not receive your child’s report card, please reach out to your child’s teacher, 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.  The flyer and agenda are attached to this email.  We hope to see you there!

Strawbridge Classroom Group Pictures:

On Thursday, April 27^th, Strawbridge will be at Parkwood to take Classroom Group Pictures.  Information for the photos will come home with your child’s teacher on Tuesday, April 11^th.  If you are interested in purchasing a classroom group picture, please reach out to your child’s teacher so they can keep a running record of the orders.  If you have questions please reach out to your child’s teacher or Ms. Jacqueline Boone, our school secretary.

EOY Benchmarks:

3^rd, 4^th and 5^th grade students will have their final EOY benchmark assessments on April 17^th through April 26^th.  Please prepare your students by having them get a goodnights sleep and breakfast on the days that they will test.  Also encourage your child to take their time and do their very best.  It is very important that all students arrive at 7:45am to be prepared and on time to take their test.  It creates a lot of anxiety for students when they are rushing to get prepared for school, so having a stress free morning creates an optimal environment for success.  The benchmark schedule is below:

April 17^th – 5^th Grade Science

April 18^th – 4^th Grade Reading

April 19^th – 3^rd/5^th Grade Reading

April 20^th – 4^th Grade Math

April 21^st -  3^rd/5^th Grade Math

April 24^th, 25^th & 26^th – Make Up’s

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 student 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, Principal