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DRMS' Principal Message

Happy rainy Sunday, Dolphins!  This is Kristen Faircloth, proud principal at Durant Road Middle School, with your January 22, 2023 Family Message.

 

Despite the rainy weather today, we hope your family has enjoyed a great weekend.  It was great to welcome our Dolphins back on Thursday, January 19, 2023 with a strong start to Q3.  Students followed a new bell schedule with most having new electives.  Our sixth and eighth grade students engaged in a grade level assembly setting them up for success and learning about celebrations that we hope all students will be able to attend.  Our seventh grade students will participate in their grade level assembly on Monday, January 23, 2023.  

 

Please take a moment to read through the Family Message below, as well as the grade level newsletters, and do not hesitate to reach out if there is any way we can support you.  

 

Q2 Report Cards:  Report cards will be sent home on Thursday, January 26, 2023.  Be on the lookout for additional assessment information attached to your child's report card, such as NC Check-Ins, and Fast Bridge.  The information will provide you with an understanding of how your child is performing and progressing academically. Please review these scores with your child and use them to set goals for the second semester.  

 

Bell Schedule:  The adjusted bell schedule worked great last week.  Our 6th and 7th grade Dolphins have changes, while our 8th Dolphins do not have any changes from the previous semester.  You are welcome to click on the link to review the second semester bell schedule.  Please see the updated lunch times as a FYI:

  • 6th Grade
    • Lunch A: 12:32 PM - 12:57 PM
    • Lunch B: 1:03 PM - 1:28 PM
  • 7th Grade
    • Lunch A: 11:31 AM - 11:56 AM
    • Lunch B: 11:59 AM - 12:24 PM
  • 8th Grade
    • Lunch A: 10:27 AM - 10:55 AM
    • Lunch B: 10:58 AM - 11:23 AM 

 

Dolphin Cards:  As part of our PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention Support) Program, an incentive/reward initiative has been implemented!  All students were given "Dolphin Cards" on Thursday, January 19, 2023 during their homeroom class.  Students will have an opportunity to earn and be celebrated at a block party at the end of Q3 during their elective time by following DRMS expectations.  Make sure you ask your student about their Dolphin Card and how they are doing.  

 

8th Grade Parents:  The next school year is quickly approaching and it is almost time to have our current 8th grade students register for courses for their first year of high school!  Durant Road Middle School will be partnering with WCPSS Family Academy, and representatives from some of our feeder schools, to host a High School Parent Information night on January 25th at 5:30 PM.  The presentation will include information about high school graduation requirements, course offerings, GPA, course sequencing, and more!  Please plan to attend the meeting to be informed and support your students to have a smooth transition to high school.  We also encourage you to attend information sessions and tours at your child's perspective high school.  

 

Makeup Pictures:  Makeup picture day has been scheduled for January 26, 2023. Purchases for pictures can be made online or by check. More information will be sent home and on our website.  If your student was not present for the first picture day, you will be able to take your photo on January 26, 2023. If you would like to have your pictures retaken, please send your student with the originally purchased pictures on January 26th for Strawbridge.  

 

Student Device Program:  There have been some changes to the WCPSS student device program.  As of December 2022, WCPSS Tech Services is no longer processing ticket requests for student chromebook chargers to replace the first charger issued along with their WCPSS chromebook, leaving it to each school to fulfill those requests.  As of today’s date, Durant Road Middle School has already distributed all the extra chargers we have received from WCPSS tech services. If a student damages or has lost their charger, families can purchase a replacement charger from Durant Road Middle School for $29.32 via the Online Payments on DRMS webpage.
 
 
As a reminder, students participating in the student device program are expected to bring their fully charged chromebook and charger to school each day.  Student devices that are not functioning because of a defect in the device will be repaired or replaced as needed. Devices that are damaged or lost will be replaced once during the device loan period. Students who experience a second incident of damage or loss will be limited to in-school use of a device only.
 

Dress to Impress:  The DRMS Beta Club is initiating 4 dates as "Dress to Impress Professional Days!"  Our Beta Club Dolphins have decided to lead by example after having conversations about the school's dress code.  We are looking forward to supporting this initiative!  

  • February 1, 2023
  • March 1, 2023
  • May 3, 2023

 

Yearbook:  Order your yearbook now for the best price all year! The sooner you order, the better the deal! Order online at www.jostensyearbooks.com. Students will receive their yearbooks in the spring when they are delivered.

 
 
8th grade yearbook ads:  "It's that time of year again to start planning ahead! Your 8th grader is halfway through their last year of middle school! Celebrate their achievements and accomplishments with a yearbook ad specifically for them. To purchase an ad, go to www.jostensadservice.com/student. Reach out to Mrs. Robertson (sdrobertson@wcpss.net) with any questions!  PS: don't forget to order your yearbook too at www.jostensyearbooks.com"
 

Meal Benefits:  During the 2021-2022 school year, all students received free school meals supported by federal funding due to the pandemic; however, this funding ended on June 30, 2022. In order to receive free or reduced-price meals for this school year (2022-2023), families need to submit a meal benefits application. 

 

All families must complete an application for the 2022-2023 school year in order to receive benefits. Please allow 10 business days for processing.

 

For every student that turns in the free and reduced meals application and qualifies, the school also receives federal funds that benefit the students and teachers at the school.

 

We need you to complete a 2022-2023 meal benefits application so our school can be eligible for extra funding next year. If you have not completed a free or reduced-price meal application and think your child may be eligible, pick up an application at your child’s school or apply online. 

 

A student’s status from the 2021-2022 school year will roll over to this current year; however, it only carries them forward for the first 30 operational days or until a new application for the 2022-2023 school year has been processed.

 

Meal prices for the 2022-2023 school year are below:

  • Breakfast - $1.75
  • Lunch - $3.25

 

Thank you for supporting DRMS,

Kristen J Faircloth

Principal