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WEEKLY UPDATE/MENSAJE SEMANAL 10/31/2022

Greetings Pirates,

This is Dr. Woods-Weeks calling with the weekly update. Congratulations to our Cross-Country Team coached by Mr. Shaun Thompson, Maggie Healy, and Jason Page! Cross country stands out at Regionals, for the second year in a row, and the third time in school history, the boy’s team has made it to the State Meet. And for the second year in a row, and for the second time in school’s  history, the girl’s team has made it to the State Meet! On top of that, Sophomore Elizabeth Healy is the Regional Champion, finishing 1st place and senior Ellison Deskins was recognized for her 12th place finish.  In the men’s race, Sophomore Connor Tyrrell was recognized for finishing 11th.  The States meet will be held in Kernersville this Saturday, November 5.

Please congratulate the Cross-country team and wish them well next week as they compete in the state Championship in Kernersville.

Parents, to improve email communication and response time, going forward, please copy my administrative assistant, Ms. Rebecca Monroe at rebecccca_monroe@dpsnc.net  to all emails sent to me that need an immediate response.

Game Plan: College is excited to announce a new event this year, Noche de Universidad. This event will be held Nov. 9th @ 6:30 PM at the Emily K Center. The goal of this night is to give families a high-level overview of their various postsecondary options, the costs associated with pursuing higher education, and strategies for undocumented students, all in Spanish. Mark your calendar!  We will have representatives presenting from the College Foundation of North Carolina, Durham Tech Community College’s Center for Global Learner, as well as LatinxEd’s College y Consejos.

We will also have additional organizations tabling at this event, such as Student U, Latino Community Credit Union, and El Centro Hispano, which will provide food bags for attendees.

We’ve attached a flyer with this information and registration link.

We value you as a community partner and believe that it takes a village to change Durham’s college access landscape and ensure every student has a postsecondary plan. Click here to schedule a meeting with our team if you wish to connect directly, or feel free to call (919-680-0308) or email us with any questions. Our full updated list of events can always be found on our website at https://www.emilyk.org/programs/game-plan-college#events-calendar. 

As a reminder:

  • Monday, October 31st is a TWD, no school for students.
  • The second quarter will begin Tuesday, November 2, 2022. Students you walk into your classes with an A. It is up o you to keep it.
  • Report cards will be distributed Wednesday, November 3, 2022.
  • PreACT Testing will resume on Tuesday, November 1st  and Wednesday November 2nd  in the Media Center. Our goal is 95 % participation. Students if you have not taken the test, please plan to do so Tuesday.
  • The Fall Chorus Concert is on Thursday, November 3rd at 7:00pm.  Admission is $5. DPS employees get in free.  We hope to see you there!
  • Swim Team Tryouts will begin on Tuesday November 1st from 6:15-7:15 am at Edison Johnson.  To be eligible for tryouts, you must have received a TICKET-TO-PLAY from Coach Duncan.  Please see Coach Minnick in room 118 with any questions. 
  • Football  will travel to Southern Alamance to compete in the first round of the NCHSAA playoffs Game time is  at 7 pm.
  • Ticket to play update - There will be two additional chances for students to get a ticket to play for winter sports . Monday  October 31st  in the front lobby from 3:00 pm to 3:45 pm and Tuesday November 1st  in the front lobby during SMART Lunch.
  • Women’s Basketball -  October 31st  Must have a ticket to play, 6:15 to 8:30 Upper gym  Meet in the Lobby 
  • Varsity Men’s Basketball Tryouts October 31st -  Must have Ticket to play, 4:15 to 6:30 pm Meet in the upper gym 
  • JV Boys Basketball Tryouts November 1st .  Must have a ticket to play, 4:30 to 6:30 pm Upper gym
  • Wrestling October 31st,  must have a ticket to play, 4:15 to 6:30 pm,  Meet in the lower gym
  • Swimming November 1st ,  must have a ticket to play , 6:15 to 7:15 am @ Edison Johnson  500 W Murray St. Durham 27704
  • Winter Track and Field November 1st  Must have a ticket to play, 4:30 to 6:15 pm Meet in front of the weight room 
  • Parents, for safety reasons, please adhere to the procedures outlined during orientation for car line drop off and pick up. We are currently experiencing congestion, risk of collision, and  other harm  because cars are not following the procedure.
  • Also, we are seeing an increase in outside food brought into the building. Only juniors and seniors are aloud to leave campus for lunch and must consume purchased food off campus before returning to school. All food brought on campus will be discarded.
  • We will begin booting cars that are parked on campus without a parking pass this week. The cost to remove a boot is $25.00. Please do not park on campus if you do not have a parking pass.

That said, parents please  continue to help us enforce the DPS Code of Conduct by ensuring that your student adheres to the policies and procedures set forth. Students show your school pride by wearing our school colors on Friday. I will see each of you at the River tomorrow. Go forth and make it a great evening. Roll Pirates Roll! Thank you.