Hello, this is Kristen Faircloth, proud principal at Durant Road Middle School with your weekly message.

We had another exciting week at DRMS as we celebrated School Social Worker week, listened to an amazing band concert, held a successful tornado drill, won our first soccer and softball games of the season, congratulated students who made the track & field team, enjoyed a cultural arts performance and engaged in college and career ready activities.  What a great time to be a Dolphin!  

Track 1 Dolphins tracked out on Friday, March 8, 2019 and will track back in on Monday, April 1, 2019.  We will welcome back track 2 Dolphins on Monday, March 11, 2019 after a well deserved break.  

Our eighth grade tracks 2, 3 & 4 will enjoy an author's visit, Keith O'Brien, on Monday, March 11, 2019.  Our tracks 2 & 4 Dolphins will enjoy a cultural arts performance, Bright Star Theater, on Wednesday, March 13, 2019.  Bright Star Touring Theatre will present Freedom Songs, The Music of Black History.  Music has long played such an important role in American culture and history.  And yet, perhaps no single population has provided bigger influence on American Music than the African American Community.  Bluegrass, Jazz, The Blues, Spirituals - so much of our musical identity as a nation can be traced to this rich heritage.  We are excited to provide these opportunities for our learners.  

You are invited to Durant Road Middle School's Student Led Conferences!  Tracks 3 & 4 Student Led Conferences are scheduled for March 19, 2019 and tracks 1 & 2 are scheduled for April 10, 2019.  Parents will sign up for a 40 minute time slot between 3:30 PM and 6:00 PM.  Students will share their learning activities and goals and communicate their progress in all classes.  The PTA will be selling spirit wear and we will have food trucks in the carpool loop.  You will not want to miss this fun event!  Please look for more information in your child's weekly newsletter and communication.  

We are excited to kick off our second annual Splash Dash this week with our children!  Our goal for this fundraiser this year is $20,000 to purchase much needed technology for the classrooms and school.  Staff members will be wearing Splash Dash T-shirts on Wednesday and showing the students videos to kick off the fun.  Tracks 1 & 3 Splash Dash is scheduled for Tuesday, April 16, 2019 and Tracks 2 & 4 Splash Dash is scheduled for Tuesday, April 23, 2019.  Please help us reach our $20,000 goal and take DRMS to the next level!

DRMS is piloting DreamBox Learning, a K-8 digital math program that independent studies have found to raise student achievement and better prepare children for future success. Your student can access DreamBox Learning from any computer, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. All you need is a high-speed Internet connection. A parent letter regarding DreamBox was sent out on Friday, March 8, 2019 with detailed information.  Please take a minutes to learn more about this amazing resource and reach out to your child's teacher if you have any questions.  

Save the date for our next Spirit Night at Moe's!  The PTA will be hosting Spirit Night on Wednesday, March 20, 2019.  Come out and enjoy dinner with friends and family while supporting DRMS.

Thank you for supporting DRMS,

Kristen Faircloth

Principal