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Principal Update 2/4

Good evening Githens.  Please read the following for important information and updates: 

Important Dates:

  • February 5 - Ticket to Play: 4:00 - 5:00
  • February 15 - Ticket to Play: 4:00 - 5:00
    • Jordan High School Rising 9th Grade Night (Virtual): 6:00 pm
  • February 16 - Early Release Day
  • February 19 - Teacher Workday & Parent/Teacher Conference Day: 8:00 - 4:00
    • No school for scholars
  • February 20 - Winter Sports Awards Ceremony at 6:00 pm in the Githens Cafeteria
  • February 21 - Ticket to Play: 4:00 to 5:00

UPDATE - Scholar Progress Monitoring/Discovery Changes/Parent Conferences: 

The results from all of these assessments were mailed on Friday, February 2.  All scholars at Githens will receive data in the mail.  Additionally, Githens Middle School will hold “Parent Conference Day” on Monday, February 19, from 8:00 to 4:00 to assist in open communication between all families and teachers regarding scholars’ academic progress.  Please reach out to your scholar’s team leader to schedule a 30 minute conference, virtual or in person, on that day.  Please note, teachers will not schedule conferences between 12:00 and 1:00 to provide time for lunch.  

Math Saturday Academy:

In an effort to provide additional support for all scholars in math, Githens is hosting Math Saturday Academy twice a month through the month of May.  The following is a list of dates: February 10 and 24, March 2 and 16, April 6 and 20, and May 4 and 18.  Students will engage in targeted enrichment of priority standards from 9:30 to 11:30 each session.  Snacks will be provided; however, parents must provide transportation.  If you are interested in your scholar attending the Math Saturday Academy, please contact your scholar’s math teacher as soon as possible.

Rising 9th Grade Night - Jordan High School (Reminder)

Attention 8th grade families.  Jordan High School will host an information session for all rising 9th grade families on Thursday, February 15, at 6:00pm.  Please use the following link to register:

Registration link https://dpsnc.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYqdOGtrjgjH9SBitn3z-J-GsX26tE2lv26

Raiders Sports:

Monday, February 5, 2024

Girls Basketball Practice 3:45 – 5:45 pm

Boys Basketball Practice 5:30 – 7:15 pm

Wrestling Practice 3:45 – 5:45 pm

Cheerleading Practice 3:45 – 5:45 pm

Ultimate Frisbee 3:30 – 4:45 pm

Tuesday, February 6, 2024

4:45pm - Boys and Girls Basketball and Cheerleading at Lowe’s Grove (Girls play first)

Wrestling Practice 3:45 – 5:45 pm

4:00pm - Ultimate Frisbee game for all three (3) teams

Wednesday, February 7, 2024

4:45pm – Wrestling at Lowe’s Grove

Girls Basketball Practice 3:45 – 5:45 pm

Boys Basketball Practice 5:30 – 7:15 pm

Ultimate Frisbee 3:30 – 4:45 pm

Cheerleading Practice 3:45 – 5:45 pm 

Thursday, February 8, 2024

5:30 pm - Boys Basketball Championship at DSA

Wrestling Practice 3:45 – 5:45 pm

4:00pm - Ultimate Frisbee game for all three (3) teams 

Friday, February 9, 2024

5:30 pm - Girls Basketball Championship at DSA

Wrestling Practice 3:45 – 5:45 pm

Tuesday, February 20, 2024 - Winter Sports Awards Ceremony at 6:00 pm in the Githens Cafeteria

Ticket-to-Play Sessions for Spring Sports

All students wanting to try-out for Spring sports need a new ticket-to-play

Monday, February 5, 2024 from 4:00 pm until 5:00 pm

Monday, February 12, 2024 from 4:00 pm until 5:00pm (NEW DATE)

Thursday, February 15, 2024 - CANCELED DUE TO DISTRICT ATHLETIC DIRECTORS MEETING

Wednesday, February 21, 2024 from 4:00 pm until 5:00 pm

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 Mrs. 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 Re-entry: 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.

Student Incentives (Reminder):

Githens will continue its Raider buck student incentive plan this week. This plan 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.  Today we had another very successful Raider store opening. The success of the store continues to 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. 

PowerSchool Parent Portal (Reminder):

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 (https://www.dpsnc.net/Page/383) to navigate the setup process.  

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