Weekly SPARK: Middle school students engage in 'Building with Google' event, spring issue of Spark Insider out now, and more

La versión en español del boletín estará disponible en el sitio web la próxima semana.

March 27, 2024

DPS Middle Schoolers Engage in Tech Innovation at 'Building with Google' Event

Twenty Durham Public School (DPS) students from Carrington Middle School were invited to Google Durham's "Building with Google" event to build their own computers using Raspberry Pi devices, and dive into the exciting world of hardware and software engineering. Learn more here:

The Building With Google initiative is part of the Students@Work℠ program, a North Carolina collaboration between the North Carolina Business Committee for Education (NCBCE) and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI). Students@Work℠ aims to bridge classroom learning with real-world career opportunities across the state. Members from Durham’s Black Googlers Network, an employee relations group and Google's Lenoir data center were on hand to support this interactive learning experience. Throughout the event, Googlers mentored students, offering firsthand insights into the exciting world of tech careers.

Spring 2024 Spark Insider Magazine Now Available

Learn about our 'Oscars of Teaching' Milken Award winner, the grant that will establish an early college for students interested in healthcare careers, the addition of electric school buses to our fleet, and more in our latest issue of the Spark Insider magazine. Click the button below to read the electronic issue or look for a print copy inside the latest issue of Durham Magazine.

Durham Arts Council Exhibit Features Work from DPS Art Educators

The DPS Arts Educators Show Reception on March 15 showcased the fantastic work of DPS arts educators at the Durham Arts Council. The event featured captivating art pieces and enchanting musical performances.

The Durham Public Arts Instructor Showcase will be in the Allenton & Semans Galleries now through May 5. This is the third year that the DAC has collaborated with the Durham Public Schools to showcase the creativity of our public-school teachers and create a space for their work to be recognized and enjoyed by the community. By featuring their personal creative work this exhibit allows teachers to step outside of their responsibilities in the classroom and share their vision as creators. We hope you enjoy getting to know our public-school teachers through their art work!

Exhibiting teachers include:

Katy Culberson, Central Services - Arts Specialist
Jose Manuel Cruz, James E Shepard IB Middle School
Alyssa Hinton, IGNITE! Online Academy
Adia Ledbetter, James E Shepard IB Middle School
Aislinn Massia, Northern High School
val h h martinez, Durham School of the Arts
Felicia Maye, Durham School of the Arts
Loretta Morgan, Lakewood Montessori Middle School
Amber Santibanez, Durham School of the Arts
Myra Stotesbury, Northern High School
Ann Thaden, C. E. Jordan High School
Ellen Tumavicus, Y. E. Smith Elementary School
Michael Vasinko, Carrington Middle School
Jack Watson, Durham School of the Arts
Emilie Young, Southwest Elementary School

Another opening event will be held on April 19, from 6-8 p.m., and will also feature performing arts teachers from DPS.

Exhibit Details

Students of the Month | March 2024

Zoe Rollins speaks candidly about the internal conflict she’s experiencing as she explores her life’s options after high school. She feels pulled between loyalty to her family and the expectation to stay home and assist with raising her little sister and her desire to see the world for herself. Click here to learn more about Zoe.

It would bode well for Durham Public Schools to remember the name Andre Roberson for he's set his sights on a career in broadcast journalism and is well on his way. The Middle College High School Senior will be a member of the school’s first class of Super Seniors in grade 13 during the 2024-25 school year. During that time, he plans to complete an associate in arts toward the pursuit of a degree and career in journalism. Click here to learn more about Andre.

Lottery Now Open for Afterschool Programs

Durham Public Schools Community Education – the department responsible for after-school programming – will conduct a lottery for elementary afterschool programs this year. The lottery opened on Monday, March 18, and will close on April 19 at 5 p.m. Afterschool lottery results will be emailed to families on Friday, May 3.

An email has been sent to families with details about the lottery and the steps for entering. For more information about this year’s lottery process, please visit Community Education’s webpage at www.dpsnc.net/afterschool.

Kindergarten Enrollment Now Open

We're ready to welcome the Class of 2037 to Durham Public Schools! Kindergarten registration is OPEN. Click the button below to learn about the required documents and to get the process started. For assistance, contact the Office of Student Assignment at 919-560-2059 or Early Education at 919-560-3505. We're excited to embark on this journey with your family!

Enroll Now

Forest View Students Place Second in Odyssey of the Mind Regional Tournament

Forest View Elementary's Odyssey of the Mind teams rocked the Eastern Region Tournament, securing second place! Now, they're gearing up for the North Carolina State Finals at Wingate University this Saturday, March 23. Let's cheer them on!

Student and Employee Spotlight

Congratulations to our outstanding students, educators and staff who were recognized at the March 21 Board of Education meeting:

Students of the Month

March:

Zoe Rollins, J.D. Clement Early College High School

Andre Roberson, Middle College High School at Durham Tech

February:

Camren Daniels, Southern School of Energy and Sustainability

Teacher of the Month

Rebecca Klingaman, J.D. Clement Early College High School

Employee of the Month

Deja Flythe, Student Support Services

Spark Pin Recognition

Deona Washington, Transportation

Notable Achievements

N.C. Junior Top Chef Champions from Northern High School:

Brody Terry, Aiden Lankford, Salomon Garcia-Gallardo, and Myles Bates

State Champion Athletes:

Hillside's Stephanie Jackson: 4A State Champ in Pole Vault

Hillside's Desmond Smith: 4A State Champ in 55m hurdles

Riverside's Vivian Brennan: 1st in women's diving

The following teachers were also recognized for attaining or renewing their National Board Certification:

Melanie Kvasnicka, Durham School of the Arts

Jessica Odom, Jordan High School

Jacson Lowe, Durham School of the Arts

Alice Bowser, Sandy Ridge Elementary School

Kyra Brogden, Easley Elementary School

Laura Brady, Riverside High School

Maureen Kurz, Durham School of the Arts

Scott Michaels, Middle College High School at Durham Tech

Paul Poppe, Jordan High School

Rachel Moran, Rogers-Herr Middle School

William Oakley, Riverside High School

Breanna Saunders, Jordan High School

Felisha deBlaquiere, George Watts Montessori Elementary School

Tokay Allen, Spring Valley Elementary School

Anthony Amos, Durham School of the Arts

Amy Beard, Southwest Elementary School

Sarah Cade, Riverside High School

Amber Ann Cline-Rabah, Durham Public Schools

Stacy Elliott, Durham School of the Arts

Nicole Emmert, Ignite! Online Academy

Emily Ericson, Riverside High School

Sharon Farrar Johnson, Northern High School

Marie Green, City of Medicine Academy

Amanda Haas, Easley Elementary School

Mandy Hays, Durham Public Schools

Blythe Hutchinson, Lakewood Elementary School

Julie Keeton, Hillandale Elementary School

Jill Lowe, Hillandale Elementary School

Krystal Mangum Brothers, Parkwood Elementary School

Joann McAdon, Little River School

Elizabeth Moffitt, Durham Public Schools

Jessica Morris Hale, Southwest Elementary School

Teresa Parkinson, Easley Elementary School

Emma Refvem, Durham Public Schools

Rebecca Stone, Riverside High School

Jordan Watson, Durham School of the Arts

Holly Woodard, Durham School of the Arts

DPS Game of the Week: Southern vs. South Garner

Come watch the Southern Spartans take on the South Garner Titans in a Varsity baseball game at the Southern School of Energy and Sustainability, 800 Clayton Road, on Wednesday, March 27 at 6 p.m. Support our local teams and enjoy a great night out with the family!

School Spotlight: C.C. Spaulding Elementary

Last week, the N.C. Central University Men's Achievement Center and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity hosted a campus beautification day at C.C. Spaulding Elementary School. The school posted on its social media: "We appreciate them cleaning up our campus and organizing our clothing closet." We love seeing our community supporting our schools!