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DRMS' Principal Message

Hello Dolphins!  This is Kristen Faircloth, proud Principal at Durant Road Middle School, with your March 14, 2021 Family Message.

 

We hope you had the opportunity to get outside and enjoy the beautiful weather this weekend.  We are all looking forward to the additional sunlight with the beginning of Daylight Saving Time.  This past Thursday, a new law was signed by the Governor allowing school districts to operate grades 6-12 in Plan A or Plan B. The WCPSS Board of Education will be meeting on Tuesday, March 16, 2021 to discuss plans for secondary schools.  The DRMS staff continues to be ready and committed to support all students regardless of changes and learning platforms.  We will communicate information as soon as we are made aware.

 

We are excited to welcome Cohort 3-C students to campus this week.  Please take a moment to read the Family Message below as there is a lot of helpful information including STEAM Engine fundraiser updates, March 17, 2021 Family Engagement event, Lunch & Learn opportunities, and much more.  Please let us know if you have any immediate questions or concerns that we can help you with.  You can always communicate with your grade level Assistant Principal or Counselor or call the Durant Road Middle School front office at 919.870.4098.  

 

STEAM Engine:  DRMS is thrilled to partner with STEAM Engine! presented by Power of Purpose (Pop!).  STEAM Engine! is all about equality, positive vibes, and helping students believe in themselves and their ability to help others.  We also reward them with some incredible prizes and a bunch of amazing Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math supplies for our students.  Our STEAM Engine fundraiser began on Monday, March 1, 2021 and will run until Tuesday, March 16, 2021.  Help us empower your child to help others by helping them with their GOLDEN TICKET assignment.  We thank you in advance for being awesome!

 

DRMS Family Engagement Event:  DRMS will host a virtual Family Engagement Event on Wednesday, March 17, 2021.  The fun will begin at 5:00 PM.  Families can choose from four engaging options for two rounds.  Please see more information below and sign up by clicking on the links to join the staff and friends on Wednesday, March 17, 2021.

 

Join us for a wee bit of fun at our virtual community engagement night.  It is sure to bring you some laughs and delight.  A four leaf clover may bring some luck your way; as trivia and bingo will be played.  Maybe it’s crafts or food that interest you; go ahead and sign up for one round or two!  So prepare your screens and wear your green; come join us to play and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day!

 
 
DRMS Athletics:  Please see the DRMS Athletics updates below.
 
Fall Sports: This week we have fall sport skill sessions for our 3-C students and Virtual Academy students placed in with cohort 3_C! Only those students who have received an email from Mrs. Mauder and completed all of their paperwork will be allowed to attend these skill sessions. Virtual Academy students will have to arrive and stay in their cars for their health screening at the front of the school between 3:00 PM - 3:20 PM. 3-C students will wait for Ms. Dunbar to announce their dismissal from class. All skill sessions will end at 4:30 PM. Please pick your student up in the bus parking lot no later than 4:45 PM. If you have any questions, please email Mrs. Mauder (tmauder@wcpss.net). 
 
Spring Sports: It's time to start signing up for spring sports! Spring sports will begin on March 22, 2021. In order to attend, you must complete the interest form by Thursday, March 18, 2021 and submit your required paperwork. We will be hosting a virtual parent meeting on Monday, March 15 at 6pm to help answer questions about spring sports. All information regarding spring sports can be found on our athletics website. If you have any questions about spring sports, please email Mrs. Mauder (tmauder@wcpss.net).
 
Attention 7th Grade Students:  Registration for 8th Grade Electives begins next week! Ms. Van Rensburg, 7th grade Counselor, will be visiting Science and Social Studies classes to review the course offerings and registration process.  Students will register at home through PowerSchool and Ms. Van Rensburg will be available to assist as needed.  Please reference this slide deck that Ms. Van Rensburg will be sharing with 7th graders next week to familiarize yourself with the process.  Parents and guardians are encouraged to discuss course offerings and take part in the process. It's a great way to connect with your child and engage in their schooling!  Registration Deadline for rising 8th graders is March 24, 2021.
 
Lunch & Learn:  We are pleased to share that the DRMS Student Services Team will be hosting virtual meetings (Lunch & Learn) for parents and caregivers monthly.  Our Student Services team will discuss topics related to supporting social & emotional wellness during remote learning and will also be open to provide support in areas you may need. Our next session is on Tuesday, March 23, 2021 at 12:00 PM. The topic is “PowerSchool.”  The format will be a Google Meet.  Please sign up using the following link: Lunch & Learn Parent/Caregiver Sign Up Form. A link for the google meet will be emailed to families who register.  We hope you find this community engagement session informative!
 
Rising 7th Grade Immunizations:  NC State Law mandates that all rising 7th grade students have their TDAP and Meningococcal vaccines.  Please return immunization records showing TDAP and Meningococcal vaccines by or before August 1, 2021.  Immunization records may be emailed to zdiggs@wcpss.net.  We appreciate your attention to this mandate.  
 

Free Family Workshops for Stress Management, Wellness Skills, and Keeping Kids Safe:  WCPSS offers free wellness workshops that focus on helping students and families during this challenging time. Topics available include Circle Connections, keeping kids emotionally and physically safe, stress management and wellness skills, and a Virtual Parent Summit. These workshops can help families learn about emotional support strategies being used in our schools, which can also benefit families at home. Learn more.

 

National School Social Worker Week:  National School Social Worker Week was observed March 7-13, 2021.  School Social Workers work every day with students, preschool to high school, promoting positive change and eliminating barriers to student learning.  They provide a link between the home, school, and community through support services that positively impact the development of the whole child. Thank you to Mr. Orlander Bullock, DRMS School Social Worker, for your commitment to your students, families, and staff!

 

DRMS PTA Updates:  Congratulations to 7th grade Special Education Teacher Ms. Decker on this week's Staff Shout Out! You can view all our Shout Outs, or submit one of your own, by clicking here. The PTA is seeking board and committee members for the 2021-22 school year. If you are interested in being part of the PTA, please click here to indicate your possible areas of interest (this is just an interest/contact form, NOT a commitment). And, we have just two more days until the end of our STEAM Engine fundraiser - let's keep those donations coming and thank you as always for supporting DRMS! 

 

Thank you for supporting DRMS,

Kristen J Faircloth

Principal