Hello Parkwood Families,

This is your principal, Ms. Fearrington with your weekly message.  I want to give a HUGE thank you to our Awesome PTA for hosting our Annual Book Fair and Spring Carnival this past week!  We also had some amazing volunteers from Hillside High School who came to support the carnival by supervising the events/activities.  We also had a wonderful group of volunteers that came Saturday morning to clean up the Parkwood grounds.  Thank you to F3 for making our school look great!  Here are some reminders and important information as we head into next week.

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:

iReady Testing has begun and I want to remind all parents to please make sure your student is present on testing days.  The dates and grade levels are as follows:

• 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

EOG Testing:

EOG testing will begin on May 26^th through June 9^th.  It is very important that all students in 3^rd, 4^th & 5^th grade are present and prepared to take their test.  Attendance is important everyday but during testing we are on a tight schedule with all of the events that occur at the end of the year.  If students are not present during their testing day, they may miss other celebratory events that are scheduled.  Testing dates will be shared next week for all families.

End of Year Events:

As the school year comes to an end, we know that all families are anxious to get dates for promotional ceremonies and field trips.  We are finalizing those dates and will be sharing them next week with all families.  We are sorry for the delay but testing dates effect those specific events and we want to make sure that the testing schedule is created to optimizing the academic success of our students.  Thank you for your patience!

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/ to get additional information about how to join our PTA. 

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