Weekly SPARK: Burton Named Top Magnet School of Excellence, Tickets on Sale for Evening to Shine, and more

Jan. 21, 2025

Burton Elementary Named Top Magnet School of Excellence

Congratulations to Burton Elementary School for being named a Top Magnet School of Excellence by Magnet Schools of America! Only 24 schools in the NATION are awarded this prestigious honor.

Five more DPS magnet schools earned top honors:

Schools of Excellence:

Durham School of the Arts

Durham School of Technology

George Watts Montessori Elementary School

Schools of Distinction:

City of Medicine Academy

Lakewood Montessori Middle School

These awards celebrate innovative curricula, academic excellence, diversity, and strong community partnerships.

Lottery Application Now Open for Career and Technical Education Pathways

Is your student interested in becoming a chef? Or do they see a future in computer science? Durham Public Schools offers a number of Career and Technical Education Pathways, with options available at each of our comprehensive high schools. Entry is through the annual application lottery, which is now open. Click here to learn more about the CTE pathways available across the district.

In addition, the lottery is open for magnet school programs, specialty schools, early college programming, and Montessori preschool.

The lottery will close at 5 p.m. on Jan. 31. Lottery results will be announced on March 3. Lottery application assistance will be provided on Jan. 25 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Minnie Forte-Brown Staff Development Center, 2107 Hillandale Road.

For more information about the lottery, and to apply, please click the button below.

Tickets Now on Sale for An Evening to Shine - Annual Showcase and Scholarship Fundraiser

The Durham Public Schools Foundation (DPSF) and Durham Public Schools (DPS) are excited to announce our annual student arts showcase and scholarship fundraising event, An Evening to Shine, at the Durham Performing Arts Center on Feb. 11 at 7 p.m.

Guided by vocal clinicians, artists, and choreographers, over 500 elementary, middle, and high school students will display their vocal, dance, and visual arts talents in front of over 2,500 community members. Proceeds from An Evening to Shine support the Durham Promise Scholarship Fund, which provides scholarships to at least one senior at every DPS high school. Previous scholarship winners can be found here.

Buy your tickets now by clicking the button below.

Buy Tickets

Community Asked to Provide Feedback on City's Proposed Neighborhood Bike Routes

The Transportation Department is installing neighborhood bike routes, also known as bike boulevards, to help residents safely navigate by bicycle to destinations across Durham using local streets with low traffic volumes and speeds. Bicycle Boulevards use signs, pavement markings, and speed and volume management measures to discourage through trips by motor vehicles and create safe, convenient bicycle crossings of busy arterial streets.

Phase I of the neighborhood bike routes project was 7 miles and finished construction in Summer 2024. Phase II of this project includes 8 to 11 miles of neighborhood bike routes with the expected construction in Fall 2025.

Phase II of the Neighborhood Bike Routes Project launched with an online survey available as well as an opportunity to speak with the Transportation staff at community events. Residents can weigh in on proposed routes through an online survey, which is available in English and Spanish on the project webpage. Responses are due by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 7.

A map of proposed routes is now available. Traffic circles and curb extensions will be used at some locations to help slow speeds and prioritize bicycle and pedestrian roadway safety. Construction could begin as soon as Fall 2025.

Take the Survey

Family Academy

Section 504 Lunch and Learn Session

Join Family Academy on Wednesday, Jan. 22, at 12 p.m. for a virtual Lunch and Learn session on Section 504. During this session, participants will learn how to plan, request, and engage in the Section 504 process. Participants will also learn the specifics of Section 504, such as eligibility requirements, parent and student rights, and more. Click here to register.

2025 DCPTA Family Engagement Conference

Join Family Academy and the Durham Council of PTA on Saturday, Feb. 8, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for the annual Family Engagement Conference at the Minnie Forte-Brown Staff Development Center, 2107 Hillandale Road. All families are invited to attend. Breakfast, lunch, and childcare will be provided. Click here to register and see the full schedule.

ACT Prep and Information Session

All high-school families are invited to attend an ACT Prep and Information Session hosted by Family Academy and A Plus Test Prep on Tuesday, Feb. 25, from 6-7 p.m. at the Minnie Forte-Brown Staff Development Center, 2107 Hillandale Road. Dinner and childcare will be provided. Click here to register.

Helping My Child Develop a Growth Mindset Workshop

Join Family Academy and Book Harvest on Thursday, March 6, from 5:30-7 p.m. for an information session on exploring the differences between a fixed and growth mindset and learn strategies to help students develop a mindset centered on growing their abilities and potential. All families are invited to attend. Dinner and childcare will be provided. Check here to register.

Self-Publishing Workshop

Is your child creative and has dreams of publishing their own book? Join Family Academy, Authors for the Culture, and Books 2 Inspire for a workshop on how to begin the process of self-publishing on Saturday, March 8, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Minnie Forte-Brown Staff Development Center, 2107 Hillandale Road. This workshop is a drop-off event open to all middle and high school students. Snacks and supplies will be provided. Click here to register.

DPS Game of the Week: Hillside vs. Jordan

Come watch the Hillside Hornets take on the Jordan Falcons in men's and women's varsity basketball on Friday, Jan. 24, at Jordan High School, 800 Clayton Road. The women will play at 5:30 p.m., and the men will play at 7 p.m. Enjoy a great day of family fun and support your local high school teams!

School Spotlight: E.K. Powe Elementary School

It's a party, it's a party, it's a CARPOOL PARTYYYY! Bryan Lord of MIX 101.5 WRAL-FM brought his Carpool Casanova magic to E.K. Powe Elementary, entertaining kids, parents, and teachers with sing-alongs, dance moves and pure fun. Making Fridays unforgettable since 2021! #weareDPS