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May 7, 2024


DPS Names Teacher of the Year

First Sergeant Jeffery Matthews says his wife has been patiently waiting for him to plan their retirement travel. After all, he’s already served in the United States Army for 29 years. But he’s now working his second career as a JROTC instructor at the historic Hillside High School, and commits to four more years when he receives freshman students every year. Having charge over ninth, tenth, eleventh, and twelfth grade students, the retired non-commissioned officer says he needs to see his freshmen graduate. He’s serving his seventh year of ushering his young scholars through the threshold of commencement after having tracked them through their high school careers.


A native of Louisiana, Matthews says he loves learning, citing history as his favorite subject because he loves dates and timelines. He also enjoys reading and writing. He is currently working on his Masters degree in business administration. He was a military instructor and taught advanced individual training while serving the country. He trained officers and non-commissioned officers in developing basic job skills, wrote curriculum, and worked for TRADOC (Training and Doctrine Command) of Virginia.


Read more about the honoree and the prizes he received, including a one-year lease from Mark Jacobson Toyota, by clicking the button below.


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Lloyd Lindsay Named DPS Beginning Teacher of the Year

Join us in celebrating Lloyd Lindsay, a seventh grade math teacher at Brogden Middle School, for being awarded DPS Beginning Teacher of the Year! Lindsay's passion, dedication, and innovative teaching methods truly make a difference in our students' lives. Congratulations, Mr. Lindsay, on this well-deserved honor!

Southern Alumnus Drafted to the NFL Miami Dolphins

Congratulations to Southern School of Energy and Sustainability alumnus Jaylen Wright who was picked up by the Miami Dolphins in the 2024 NFL Draft. We will continue to cheer for you on Sunday afternoons!

Holton Cosmetology and Barbering Students Win Awards at State Conference

Congratulations to our Holton Cosmetology & Barbering students for their outstanding performance at the Skills USA State Conference in Greensboro, April 23-25! Congratulations to our state winners:


  • Jaquil Dainty - Barbering
  • Makayla Blackwell - Natural Hair Design and Braids
  • Kaylia Campbell - Fantasy Hair and Makeup
  • Team BF - Skill Project Showcase: Cosmetology
  • Team BW - Skill Project Showcase: Cosmetology
  • Team CH - Skill Project Showcase: Cosmetology
  • Kymberly Gaddy - Natural Hair Design and Braids
  • Team A - Skill Project Showcase: Cosmetology


The first place winners are invited to compete in the National competition in Atlanta in June. Keep shining bright!


Southern's Skilled Trade Students Design, Build 'Tiny Office' for HUB Farm

Southern School of Energy and Sustainability’s skilled trades students and teachers are taking on a project that will both enhance students’ skills and help out some friends. They are building a “tiny office” that will eventually be located at the Durham Public Schools Hub Farm, which is a learning farm that serves some 3,000 DPS students each year. The office will be complete with HVAC and custom-made desks!


When you’re managing a small farm, complete with gardens, animals, and hundreds of Durham Public Schools students visiting each week, it can be a little challenging to perform your required administrative tasks out of … well … a barn.


Southern's carpentry and skilled trades teachers and students have come to the rescue of their friends at DPS’s Hub Farm, a “learning farm” that serves 3,000 DPS students each year. The Southern skilled trades team has designed and is currently constructing a “tiny office” at Southern that will eventually make its way to the farm near Eno Valley Elementary School in northern Durham.


Read more by clicking the button below.

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Students Across District Enjoy Award-Winning Lunch from Northern Culinary Team

It's an award-winning lunch for #WeAreDPS students. Last Thursday, students across the district were treated to a dish of chicken taquitos with cilantro lime rice and sweet potato fries that the Culinary Arts students from Northern High School won an award for in the N.C. Junior Chef Championship. Bets on how quickly the dish would empty were the order of the day.

Community Invited to Share Feedback on Superintendent Search

The Durham Public Schools Board of Education has officially launched the process for selecting the next superintendent for Durham Public Schools. The Board, with assistance from Alma Advisory Group, will lead a national search to identify the district’s next leader. 

 

Community and stakeholder input plays a crucial role in ensuring the success of our search for a new superintendent. We invite you to share your thoughts and perspectives. All responses are confidential and anonymous. The survey will close on Friday, May 10.

 

Survey in English

Student Survey

 

Community meetings will be held May 6-8. The DPS and Durham communities are welcome and encouraged to attend community input meetings. Please see below for dates, times, locations, and registration details. Interpretation services are available for each session. 


Tuesday, May 7

Hillside High School

3727 Fayetteville Road, Durham, NC 27707

6 p.m. 

Register Now

Childcare available.


Wednesday, May 8

Southern School of Energy and Sustainability

800 Clayton Road, Durham, NC 27703

6 p.m.

Register Now

Childcare available.


Please click the button below for the latest information and updates related to the superintendent search. 

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DPS Game of the Week: Track and Field Championships

Come watch some of the best athletes in Durham Public Schools compete in the Durham Athletic Conference (DAC) Track and Field Championships at the Durham County Stadium on May 8, from 2-7 p.m. All 10 middle schools will be participating in the championship track meet. DPS badges are not permitted. Admission is $10. Come support our student athletes! 

School Spotlight: Bethesda Elementary School

Bethesda students made a difference on Earth Day! Grades 1-5 joined forces for a cleanup using materials from Keep Durham Beautiful. Their efforts resulted in collecting around 10 pounds of trash. Way to go, young environmentalists!

May Observances

Durham Public Schools celebrates the diversity of our community and is proud to recognize the following observances in the month of May:


Asian American and Pacific Islander Month

Mental Health Awareness Month

Jewish American Heritage Month

Speech Language Pathologist Month


May 6-10: Teacher Appreciation Week

May 7: National Teachers Day

May 8: National School Nurse Day

May 16: National Bike to School Day


Upcoming Events

May 8

7:45-8:30 a.m.

Lakewood Elementary - Breakfast with Bulldogs


May 8

12:30-1 p.m.

Eastway Elementary - Tea with (Principal) Teel

New and returning families invited.


May 9

4-5 p.m.

Burton Elementary - Ice Cream for IB

New and returning families invited.


May 9

5-6 p.m.

Glenn Elementary Meet and Greet with Treats

New and returning families invited.


May 9

5:30-6:30 p.m.

Hillandale Elementary - Popsicles on the Playground

New and returning families invited.

May 9

5:30-8:30 p.m.

Board of Education Work Session

511 Cleveland St.


May 9

6:30-7:30 p.m.

Pearsontown Elementary - Get the Tea with Mrs. C.

New and returning families invited.


May 10

1-2 p.m.

Parkwood Elementary - Popsicles on the Playground

New and returning families invited.


May 10

6-9 p.m.

Lyons Farm Elementary - Movie Night

New and returning families invited.

To share story tips, event announcements, or feedback about the newsletter, please contact the Office of Public Affairs.

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511 Cleveland St., P.O. Box 30002

Durham, NC 27702

(919) 560-2000

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