Weekly SPARK: Happy Holidays from Dr. Mubenga, DPS members give back, and more

The Weekly Spark will take a break for the holidays. The next issue will be published on Jan. 9.

Dec. 19, 2023

Dear parents, students, teachers, staff, and community partners,

As we approach the end of this calendar year, I wanted to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude for your unwavering dedication to our Durham Public Schools community. Each one of you has played a vital role in ensuring the success and well-being of our students, and I am continually inspired by your commitment to excellence.

As we embark upon winter break, I encourage you to take this time to rest, recharge, and spend quality time with your loved ones. Your well-being is paramount, and I hope you find moments of joy and relaxation during the holiday season.

Thank you once again for your hard work and dedication throughout the year. I wish you a restful and joyful winter break, and I look forward to the continued success of our district in the new year.

With gratitude,

Dr. Pascal Mubenga, Superintendent

Lyons Farm Grandmother Crochets 505 Scarves for Students

Last week, students at Lyons Farm Elementary got a special gift, thanks to Ms. Susan Colquitt, whose twin granddaughters, Caroline and Kennedy attend the school. Colquitt crocheted 505 scarves and distributed them with a handwritten note and special pencils and erasers. Each student received this "Play it Forward" package.

"I hope these extraordinary students (the caretakers of our future) are motivated to continue to learn about how to make a positive difference in our world through kindness and helping others," Colquitt said in an email. "Knowing that they are part of such an incredible learning environment, I truly believe they are off to a phenomenal start!"

DPS Speech Language Pathologist Transforms Lives in Ethiopia, Overcoming Education Challenges

During a recent mission trip to Ethiopia, Karen Taylor, a speech language pathologist at Pearsontown Elementary, saw firsthand how the values of Durham Public Schools are not shared everywhere and the resources available in the district are a privilege. One of the core beliefs in DPS is that all students deserve an education that is caring, culturally responsive, and serves the needs of the whole child, including social, emotional, and academic needs. Teams of specialists are available to meet the needs of all children. However, those same educational and behavioral supports are not available at schools everywhere – and in some places, the children who have needs are not even supported in the larger society.

“It’s been heartbreaking learning how very little special education there is, how little parents know, and how children with special needs are treated,” she wrote to Dr. Kristin Bell, the executive director of the Exceptional Children’s Department, while she was winding down her trip in October. “Most people shun them or think they are a curse to the family. Husbands sometimes leave their wives. Children can be chained to a tree or locked and left in a room.”

Sign Up for Open Houses and School Tours

There’s still time to learn about your assigned school and application program choices under the new 2024-25 Elementary Student Assignment Plan. Schools are holding open houses through December and January, where you can visit and learn more about our district-wide STEM by Design at every school, year-round learning, Montessori programs, International Baccalaureate programs and Dual Language Immersion.

Open House Schedule

Student of the Month | December 2023

Congratulations to our December Student of the Month, Leila Perjes, a senior at Riverside High School.

Leila Perjes is what her teacher Seth Stallings describes as a dream student.

“She is valedictorian-smart, but she is also humble and socially adept,” Stallings said. “She is the consummate peer to her classmates, and she is an able leader and teammate in her athletic endeavors."

That humility and care for others shines through when Perjes talks about her experiences at school and her plans for the future.

“I am motivated by the people that surround me. It is really inspiring to see my friends pursue the passions and interests that they have, and the accomplishments that they receive along the way,” Perjes said. “I may not pursue the same things as them, but witnessing their successes in doing what they love motivates me to want to succeed in the things that I love.”

Read the full article by clicking the button below.

Employee Spotlight

Congratulations to our outstanding educators and staff who were recognized at the Dec. 14 Board of Education meeting:

Teacher of the Month

Joy Mason, George Watts Montessori Elementary School

Employee of the Month

Michelle Herrera-Garcia, Glenn Elementary School

Spark Pin Recognition

Sherrod Washington, Transportation

Meredith Mooney, Research and Accountability

Heidi Perez, Curriculum and Instruction

Dr. Wanda Boone, Durham TRY

Dr. Daniel Bullock, Office of Equity Affairs

State Board of Education Recognition

Pearsontown Elementary School Principal Asia Cunningham was also recognized at the N.C. State Board of Education meeting for being named a Milken Educator.

DPS Game of the Week: Riverside vs. South Granville

The Riverside Pirates will play the South Granville Vikings in a girls' varsity basketball game at South Granville High School, 701 N. Cres Drive, Creedmoor, on Tuesday, Dec. 19, at 6 p.m. The game will also be available for live streaming on the NFHS network.

School Spotlight: Creekside Elementary School

On Tuesday, Dec. 12, students, teachers, and staff at Creekside Elementary celebrated raising $42,000 for the Parent-Teacher Association this fall. The students also enjoyed a visit from Captains Whittington and Towner of the Durham City Fire Department to help them celebrate. Great work, Creekside!