Happy New Year Dolphins!  This is Kristen Faircloth, proud principal at Durant Road Middle School, with your January 17, 2021 Family Message.

This is the last week of track-out before we begin the second semester. The first day of school is Monday, January 25, 2021.  As you are aware, the WCPSS School Board voted for all K-12 students to start the second semester in remote learning.  Because of this decision, it is even more important for students to be prepared for when school starts.  

There is important information in the Family Message below that will help students start the semester on a positive note.  Additionally, there are some great events coming up to support our DRMS community including 3rd Quarter Materials Pick-Up and Facts with Faircloth.  Be sure to read all the important information below. 

If you have any immediate questions or concerns that need addressed, don’t hesitate to contact us.  You can communicate with your grade level Assistant Principal or Counselor or call the Durant Road Middle School Front Office at 919-870-4098.  We are happy to assist you in any way possible.  Looking forward to a successful and positive Spring 2021!

Begin 2nd Semester in Remote Learning:  The Board of Education voted Thursday, January 14, 2021 for all students in grades Pre-K-12 to remain in remote instruction through mid-February. Board members made this decision after hearing employees and school administrators share their concerns over the increasing percentage of positive cases, the level of community spread in our county and staffing concerns. Board members will review state and local guidance, state and local health data and district operation details before deciding next steps in February. 

3rd Quarter Materials Pick-Up:  Please mark your calendars for 3rd Quarter Materials Pick-Up!  3rd Quarter Materials Pick-Up will take place on Thursday, January 21, 2021 from 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM in the bus loop/parking lot.  The 3rd Quarter Materials Pick-Up will be a drive through event.  It is important to make every effort to pick up these materials for students to be set up for success and ready for the first day of second semester on Monday, January 25, 2021.  If you are unable to pick up materials on January 21, 2021, please pick them up at the school as soon as possible starting Friday, January 22, 2021 between 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM.    

2nd Semester Schedules:  Student 2nd Semester Schedules will be provided during 3rd Quarter Materials Pick-Up on Thursday, January 21, 2021 from 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM.  Student 2nd Semester Schedules will also be available in Powerschools starting Monday, January 25, 2021.  This includes semester elective changes and other needed schedule changes due to social distancing numbers, switching learning platforms, etc.  We hope to reach out to students whose schedules were greatly impacted this week.  Please help your child take responsibility of receiving and reviewing their 2nd Semester Schedule and checking their email for google classroom invites to be ready for learning on Monday, January 25, 2021.  

DRMS Athletics:  Athletic skills development, conditioning and intramural options at the middle school level will not resume until in-person instruction resumes.  Therefore, athletics for Durant Road Middle School students will not take place as planned starting January 25, 2021.  We will continue to communicate any and all updates as they are shared with us from WCPSS.  In the meantime, we suggest any student interested in participating in athletics (including 6th graders), complete page 5 of the  Wake County Participation Forms.  Page 5 of the participation form will need to be completed by a doctor.  Please continue to review the athletics website for information and reach out to our amazing DRMS Athletic Director, Mrs. Trina Mauder at tmauder@wcpss.net, with any questions.  Stay safe, stay healthy, and stay fit!

Facts with Faircloth:  We have enjoyed connecting with our families by hosting virtual principal chats (Facts with Faircloth) this year. In preparation for all students starting 2nd semester in remote learning, we will be hosting another Facts with Faircloth on Monday, January 25, 2021 at 5:00 PM.  The format will be a Google Meet that will be recorded and can be watched at a later time.  Please sign up using the following link: Facts with Faircloth Signup Form. A link for the google meet will be emailed to families who register.  If you would like to view past sessions, please visit our website here. We hope you find this community engagement session informative.

Thank you for supporting DRMS,

Kristen J Faircloth

Principal