Hello, Dolphins!  This is Kristen Faircloth, proud principal at Durant Road Middle School, with your July 23, 2023 Family Message.  

 

Welcome to Durant Road Middle School!  Every school year is exciting and brings different experiences.  The 2023-2024 school year will be no different.  My name is Kristen Faircloth, proud Principal at Durant Road Middle School.  The staff and I are very excited about the beginning of the new school year.  We have wonderful students, parents, and staff at Durant Road Middle School, and we are looking forward to partnering with each of you as we continue to make DRMS a great place to learn and grow.  We would like to take this opportunity to share some information with you that will help make the “back to school” transition smooth.

 

Durant Road Middle School

Durant Road Middle School will provide a relevant and engaging education and will graduate students who are collaborative, creative, effective communicators and critical thinkers.

 

Single Track 4 Calendar

Durant Road Middle School follows a single track 4 calendar.  All students will follow the track 4 schedule.  The first day of school will be Monday, July 31, 2023.

 

6^th Grade Academy

The 6th Grade Academy is scheduled on Tuesday, July 25, 2023.  This event is a combination of “Meet the Teacher” and “Open House”.  An additional “Open House” will not be scheduled.  6^th grade students and one adult will attend the 6^th Grade Academy together.  Parents, please plan to arrive at your scheduled time and stay with your child for the duration of the Academy.  During the 6^th Grade Academy, you will have the opportunity to receive your student’s schedule, meet the teachers, learn about curriculum and expectations, purchase PTA school spirit wear and join the PTA, check on bus schedules, take care of items related to your child’s cafeteria account, learn about PowerSchool account and register to volunteer.  Eligible 6th grade students will receive their Chromebook.  

 

• Morning session: 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM (English Session)

• Afternoon session:  12:00 PM – 3:00 PM (Spanish Session)

 

7^th Grade & 8^th Grade Academy

7^th Grade Academy and 8^th Grade Academy are scheduled on Wednesday, July 26, 2023.  These events are a combination of “Meet the Teacher” and “Open House”.  An additional “Open House” will not be scheduled.  Students and one adult will attend the Academy together.  Parents, please plan to arrive at your scheduled time and stay with your child for the duration of the Academy.  During the 7^th Grade Academy and 8^th Grade Academy, you will have the opportunity to receive your student’s schedule, meet the teachers, learn about curriculum and expectations, purchase PTA school spirit wear and join the PTA, check on bus schedules, take care of items related to your child’s cafeteria account, learn about the PowerSchool account and register to volunteer.

 

• 7^th Grade Academy:  8:00 AM – 11:00 AM

• 8^th Grade Academy:  12:00 PM – 3:00 PM

 

Instructional School Hours

DRMS’ instructional school hours are 8:15 AM – 3:00 PM.  Please plan for your child/children to arrive by 8:00 AM.  This will allow them to prepare for the start of the instructional day at 8:15 AM.  Students should not be dropped off before 7:45 AM.  

 

Carpool Transportation

Carpool is located in the back of the school.  To drop students off at arrival, parents should turn right after entering the school grounds and circle around to the back of the school.  To pick up students at dismissal, parents should follow the same procedures.  Please do not use the front of the school or the surrounding neighborhoods to drop off or pick up your student.  

 

Bus Transportation

Bus routes are posted on the WCPSS Transportation website and were communicated to families via School Messenger on July 20, 2023 for year-round calendar schools. If your child is assigned a bus route but will not be riding, please take the time to  decline bus service  by using the provided link.  

 

Student Agendas

Every student will be provided a Student Agenda on the first day of school, thanks to the DRMS PTA.  Students are expected to bring their Student Agenda to school daily and use the agenda book to record assignments.  The Student Agenda also includes several policies, expectations, and school practices.  It is your responsibility to read and become familiar with the information provided in the agenda.  Parents/ guardians are expected to sign the first page of the agenda.  

 

Electives

Students will have the opportunity to engage in two electives per quarter/semester.  Electives will follow an A-Day / B-Day schedule for a 90 minute period.  All students will take a semester Healthful Living/Physical Education elective.  Unfortunately, Dance will not be offered during the 2023-24 school year as an elective offering.  

 

Rising 7th Grade - Important! Immunizations Required

NC State Law mandates that all 7th-grade students have their TDAP and Meningococcal (MCV) vaccines by the start of their 7^th grade year, July 31, 2023.  7th grade students who have not submitted their immunizations will be suspended based on policy.  Please return immunization records showing TDAP and Meningococcal (MCV) vaccines anytime between now and July 31, 2023. Immunization records may be dropped off at the front office or emailed to kbograd@wcpss.net.  We appreciate your attention to this mandate.  

 

We welcome you to Durant Road Middle School and look forward to a successful 2023-2024 school year where we will partner with you to develop learners to be critical thinkers, productive collaborators, effective communicators, and creative learners.

 

Thank you for supporting DRMS,

Kristen J Faircloth

Principal