Hello Parkwood Families,

This is your principal Ms. Fearrington with your weekly message.  I would like to thank all of my Parkwood families that joined us for our last Title 1 Event.  We appreciate all of your support and thank you for being the BEST families in DPS!  Here are a few reminders and important information as we head into next week.

Important Dates:

All DPS traditional schools will have an early release day on Wednesday, May 3rd.  Students will dismiss at 12:15pm and all students need to be picked up by 12:45pm.  Please refer to the district school calendar provided and linked here for important dates.

Book Fair:

On Monday, May 1^st through Friday, May 6^th, the PTA will be hosting our Annual Book Fair at Parkwood.  All students went home with a flyer for the book fair on Friday.  Students will be able to purchase items from the book fair during their Library/Media Connect during the school day.  Please reach out to your child’s teacher if you have any questions or need additional information.

Spring Carnival:

PTA will host our Spring Carnival on May 6^th from 10am to 1pm at Parkwood!  There will be games, food trucks and a bounce house for all families to enjoy.  The Book Fair will be open that day, so families can purchase items from 10am to 1pm.  Please come and support our PTA and school by joining us on Saturday.  We look forward to seeing you at 10am!

Teacher Appreciation Week:

We will be celebrating all of our teachers and staff on Monday, May 8^th through Friday, May 12^th.  Though we all know a week is nothing compared to the AMAZING work they do each day, we want to celebrate all the ways they touch our students lives in the most positive ways.  Please take the time to recognize your child’s teacher and show them how much you care about the work they do for our students every day.  As a school, along with our AWESOME PTA, we hope to show them how much they mean to our community!

iReady Testing:

On Friday, May 5^th, students will begin iReady Testing.  The dates and grade levels are as follows:

• Friday, May 5^th – 3^rd/5^th grade Reading
• Monday, May 8^th – 3^rd/5^th grade Reading
• Tuesday, May 9^th – K-2/4^th grade Reading
• Wednesday, May 10^th – K-2/4^th grade Reading
• Thursday, May 11^th – 3^rd/5^th grade Math
• Friday, May 12^th – 3^rd/5^th grade Math
• Monday, May 15^th – K-2/4^th grade Math
• Tuesday, May 16^th – K-2/4^th grade Math

Parent Portal:

On May 5^th, Durham Public Schools will be sending out the Back-to-School form to all parents.  This form will be available in your parent portal.  Please make sure you have a created a parent portal account or have access to your account.  Important information will be obtained over the summer for transportation and without an account; there may be delays in bus transportation for your child.  If you need to create an account or need access to your account, please reach out to Ms. Brosh, our data manager at joanne_brosh@dpsnc.net or Ms. Jacqueline Boone, our school secretary at jacqueline_campbell@dpsnc.net.

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 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