Hello, Dolphins! This is Kristen Faircloth, proud principal at Durant Road Middle School, with your July 30, 2023 Family Message.
Welcome to Durant Road Middle School! Monday, July 31 is the first day of the 2023-24 school year! Every school year is exciting and brings different experiences. The 2023-2024 school year will be no different. 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.
DRMS Nominated for Best Middle School in Raleigh (but, we need your help)
We are so excited! Durant Road Middle School has been nominated for Raleigh’s Best Middle School by The News and Observer for the second year in a row! We won this recognition last year and would LOVE to have a 2-peat! In order for us to win this category, we need everyone’s help!
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Please vote at this link (every day) - https://www.voteraleighsbest.com/
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Click, “Education”
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Click, “Middle School”
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Click, “Durant Road Middle School”
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Click, “Review and Cast My Ballot” (in green)
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Click, “Submit Ballot” (in black box at the bottom)
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Vote once a day now through August 4, 2023 at 5:00 PM.
Let’s work together to get DURANT ROAD MIDDLE SCHOOL recognized as the BEST MIDDLE SCHOOL in Raleigh for the SECOND YEAR IN A ROW!
Please complete DRMS Family Survey
Thank you to all our families who attended our Academy Events in preparation for the first day of school!
Please complete this brief survey to help us know the best way to support you and your family throughout this school year. https://bit.ly/drmsFA2023
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 is Monday, July 31, 2023. Numerous staff members will be in the hallways during arrival to help students find their first period class. Homeroom lists will be at the top of each grade level hallway for reference. Each student will have a printed schedule waiting for them in their Core 1 classroom. Staff members will assist students throughout the school day to locate their next location, including dismissal.
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 through 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 7th 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.
PARENT/GUARDIAN QR Code and Link to join PTA for 2023-2024:
https://drms.memberhub.com/store/items/12672
FACULTY QR Code and Link to join PTA for 2023-2024:
https://drms.memberhub.com/store/items/12655
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
