Good evening Githens.  This is Dr. Lanier with important information and sports information for the week.  

Important Dates:

• Wednesday, October 11, is an early release day.  Scholars will be dismissed at 1:20.  Please review your afternoon transportation plan with your scholar.  
• Wednesday, October 25 - Cross Country Championship at Jordan High School.
  • Meet begins at 4:30.  The cost is $10.00.
• Thursday, October 26 - Soccer Championship at Durham County Stadium.
  • Game begins at 5:00.  The cost is $10.00.
• Friday, October 27 - DPS Student Wellness Day at all DPS schools
• Monday, October 30 - Volleyball Championship at Southern High School
  • Game begins at 5:30.  The cost is $10.00
• Tuesday, October 31, is the last day of the first quarter.  
• Wednesday, November 1, is a teacher workday.  There is no school for scholars.
• Thursday, November 2 - Football Championship at Durham County Stadium
  • Game begins at 5:00.  The cost is $10.00
• Monday, November 6 - Fall Sports Awards Banquet - Githens Cafeteria at 6:00.
• Tuesday, November 7, is a teacher workday.  There is no school for scholars.
• Friday, November 10, is a holiday.  There is no school for scholars.
• Wednesday, November 22 through Friday November 24, is Thanksgiving break.  There is no school for scholars.
• 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony - Thursday, June 6, 2024; Please note, your scholar’s team assignment coincides with their core one teacher:
  • Seahawks - 9:00am - 10:00am
  • Rams - 10:45am - 11:45am
  • Broncos - 12:30pm - 1:30pm

Student Incentives:

Last week Githens initiated our Raider buck student incentive plan, which allows scholars the opportunity to earn raider bucks through exhibiting behaviors aligned with the Raider Way.  Raider bucks can be used to purchase items at the Raiders Store on Fridays during lunch.  Friday, Githens opened the store for the first time, and it was a huge success!  The success of the store can vastly be attributed to the generous donations of items by our PTA and Raider families.  We encourage families to continue to send in donations as they are truly the backbone of this student incentive plan.  Thank you to all the families who have provided donations thus far.  We hope to have your continued support.  The link to purchase items for the Raider store is located in the weekly Pride Blast sent out by our PTA.  Please drop off any donations at the front office. 

DPS Student Wellness Day:

Durham Public Schools will be hosting Wellness Days for our students and staff to provide time for strengthening our bonds and addressing our physical, mental, and social health.  These unique events will occur during normal school hours on a modified bell schedule.  We ask that you encourage your child to get to school on time and stay at school all day so that they may participate in and enjoy the activities. This offering is designed expressly to ensure that our students and staff consider school a destination where they feel safe and supported! Please feel free to call the school to speak with a grade level School Professional Counselor if you have questions or concerns about this new initiative.

Githens Lockdown Drill:

On Wednesday, October 11, at 9:00am, DPS Safety and Security will conduct a lockdown drill at Githens Middle School.  Please note, parents will not be allowed on campus during this drill.  Additionally, phones may not be answered.  It is imperative that your scholar take this drill seriously by adhering to behavioral norms established by Githens administration.  Additionally, it is imperative that scholars adhere to the cell phone policy at all times, particularly during this drill.  

Raider Sports:

Monday, October 9, 2023

4:45pm – Volleyball & Boys Soccer Games at Githens versus Neal

Purchase tickets at https://gofan.co/

Ticket prices - $7.00 for middle school and older

3:30 - 5:45pm - Football Practice & Study Hall

3:30 – 5:45pm - Boys and Girls Cross Country Practice & Study Hall

3:30 - 5:45pm - Cheerleading Practice & Study Hall

Tuesday, October 10, 2023

4:45pm – Football Game at Githens versus Brogden

Purchase tickets at https://gofan.co/

Ticket prices - $7.00 for middle school and older

3:30 – 5:45pm - Boys and Girls Cross Country Practice & Study Hall

3:30 – 5:45pm – Volleyball Practice & Study Hall

Wednesday, October 11, 2023

3:30 - 5:45pm - Football Practice & Study Hall

3:30 - 5:45pm - Cheerleading Practice & Study Hall

3:30 - 5:30pm – Boys Soccer Practice & Study Hall

3:30 – 5:45pm - Boys and Girls Cross Country Practice & Study Hall

3:30 – 5:45pm – Volleyball Practice & Study Hall

Thursday, October 12, 2023

4:45pm – Volleyball & Boys Soccer Games at Githens versus Lakewood

4:45pm - Cross Country versus Lakewood at Githens

Purchase tickets at https://gofan.co/

Ticket prices - $7.00 for middle school and older

3:30 - 5:45pm - Football Practice & Study Hall

3:30 - 5:45pm - Cheerleading Practice & Study Hall 

Friday, October 13, 2023

3:30 - 5:45pm - Football Practice & Study Hall

3:30 - 5:45pm - Cheerleading Practice & Study Hall

3:30 – 5:45pm – Volleyball Practice & Study Hall

A document has been added to the Parent Resource folder that contains the sports schedules for the 2023-2024 school year.  Click on the link provided in the email that accompanies this phone message to access the document and plan accordingly.  All sports ticket sales are virtual through “GoFan” and are required for entry.  Please use the link provided in this email to follow the steps necessary to purchase tickets.  For further information regarding athletics or specific teams, please email either Ms. Stackhouse, Athletic Director, or the coaches.

Durham Public Schools wants to ensure safety at all our athletic events.  To achieve this, there must be effective collaboration with our schools, athletics, security, and school communities.  Please be advised of the following:

• Clear One Bag Limit: Guests (spectators and students) will be limited to one bag that is clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC and less than 12" x 12"x 6" — exceptions will be made for medical and baby needs. However, if the bag is not clear, the contents of the bag must be displayed. 
• No Reentry: Spectators that voluntarily leave an athletic contest may not be allowed reentry into that contest. 
• Elementary & Middle School Students: All elementary and middle school students must be accompanied by an adult when attending athletic competitions.

A reminder that we ask all scholars and families to pay close attention and adhere to the following guidelines:

• Scholars are not allowed to be dropped off prior to 8:00 am.
• Scholars must be on time daily. 
• Scholars are required to bring laptops and chargers everyday and must ensure their laptop is fully charged every morning before entering the building.
• Cell phone use is not allowed at any time during the school day for any reason and scholars will need to power off their cell phones and place them in their book bags prior to entering the building.  Scholars are not permitted to use cell phones on the bus.
• Scholars who carpool in the afternoon need to be picked up no later than 3:45.  The school day ends at 3:20.

That’s all for now!  

IMPORTANT LINKS:

Parent Resource Folder

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1b99yzhijM3WM0QzydyrFUa2tjDJ1Lv4U?usp=sharing

DPS School Safety, Security, and Emergency Information Guide for Parents/Families:

 DPS School Safety, Security, and Emergency Information for Parents and Families and DPS School Safety, Security, and Emergency Information for Parents and Families (SPANISH VERSION).

Athletics: https://www.dpsathletics.com/githens

GoFan:

https://gofan.co/app/school/NC13663

One-to-One Student Device Handbook (English/Spanish)

Parent/Student Technology Agreement (English/Spanish)

Githens Middle School 2023 - 2024 Supply List 

Bus Transportation

“Here Comes the Bus” Bus Tracking App

School Nutrition Services

Cell Phone Policy

Traditional Calendar (English/Spanish)

PowerSchool Parent Portal: PowerSchool Parent Portal is the official source of student grade information and a convenient way for you to update your most current contact information.  DPS has created step by step instructions, as well as video instructions, on how to access the PowerSchool Parent Portal.  Use the link above to navigate the setup process.

Canvas LMS

Parent Canvas Observer Access: Parents are highly encouraged to sign up to be an observer in Canvas.  Teachers will post homework assignments for scholars in Canvas and will be responsible for keeping these pages updated.

2023 - 2024 Student/Family Handbook (English/Spanish)

Discovery: Every scholar at GMS is scheduled to take an intervention class from 9:22 to 10:12.  Click the link to access a description of the learning scholars will engage in.

Durham Public Schools Dress Code Policy

Immunization Requirements