Good afternoon Dolphins!  This is Kristen Faircloth, principal at Durant Road Middle School, with your June 21, 2020 family message.

Happy Father's Day to all of our Dolphin Dads, Grand-Dads, Step-Dads, Dads to be, Mentor-Dads, Uncle-Dads, those who serve as Dad figures, and teacher Dads.  We hope you receive the celebration you so deserve and know how much we appreciate you.  During the summer break, we will continue to share updated information as it becomes available.  As always, please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions and continue to use this time to relax and recharge for an amazing 2020-2021 school year.

Single-Track Year-Round Schools:  On Tuesday, June 16, 2020, the Wake County Board of Education voted to allow single-track year-round schools to keep their single-track calendars in 2020-21.  Single-track calendar schools will follow the same schedule as Track 4 on the multi-track year-round calendar. The school year will begin on Aug. 17, 2020 and end on June 29, 2021.  A previous proposal would have converted single-track calendar schools to traditional calendar, to comply with new guidelines for single-track schools outlined in a recent state law. Conversations with state lawmakers since that time have led us to believe changes will be made by the state allowing single-track year-round calendars in 2020-2021. While we have every expectation the law will be amended, the board may have to revisit single-track schools in the event that does not occur.  Because of the shortened year-round school year, we will likely need to add 15 minutes to the school day to meet the state's minimum requirement of 1,025 hours of instruction each year. We will share more information about bell schedules in coming weeks.

A Message from the DRMS PTA:  There will be a general PTA meeting via Zoom at 7:00 PM Thursday, June 25, 2020 to approve an interim budget and elect next year’s officers. Only paid PTA members may vote, but all are welcome! Please email durantroadmiddlepta@gmail.com for the meeting password if you would like to attend.

Thank you for supporting DRMS,

Kristen Faircloth

Principal