DRMS' Principal Message
Greetings Dolphin Families,
As we wrap up an incredible school year, I want to take a moment to share how much I’ve loved my first year at Durant Road Middle School. It has been a joy getting to know our students, staff, and families, and I’m so proud of the academic growth and progress we’ve made together. To our 8th graders—congratulations! We wish you the very best as you take on the exciting challenges of high school. To our rising 7th and 8th graders, I hope you have a safe and restful July , and I look forward to welcoming you back on July 28 as we kick off the 2025-2026 school year with energy, enthusiasm, and Dolphin pride!
We have lots of exciting celebrations happening this week as we wrap up the school year! From award ceremonies and student recognitions to fun-filled events like TOPS & POPS, we are proud to honor the hard work, growth, and achievements of our students. It’s a joyful time to reflect, celebrate, and finish the year strong!
TOPS & POPS Celebrations – Monday, June 23! We are excited to recognize our students’ academic achievements and growth with two special celebrations on Monday, June 23. A huge thank-you to our amazing PTA for sponsoring both of these events!
- TOPS Breakfast – Students who earned a Level 4 or 5 on the Reading and/or Math EOGs will be invited to a celebratory breakfast at 8:30 AM.
- POPS Party – Students who showed growth in Reading and/or Math will be celebrated during electives with popcorn and dancing!
EOG/EOC Score Notification: Score notification letters were sent home with students on Friday. Families can also view their child’s scores anytime through the PowerSchool portal.
6th & 7th Grade Awards Ceremonies This Week: We are excited to celebrate the hard work and achievements of our 6th and 7th grade students during this week's awards ceremonies! Families of students receiving an award have been contacted directly and are invited to attend. We look forward to recognizing our students’ accomplishments and ending the school year on a high note!
8th Grade Promotion Ceremony: The moment is here! We are thrilled to celebrate our amazing 8th grade students as they take the next big step toward high school. This special event marks the culmination of their middle school journey, and we couldn’t be prouder of all they’ve accomplished. Due to limited seating, this is a ticketed event—families of 8th grade students have received tickets and event details in advance. We can’t wait to honor our students in this memorable celebration of their hard work, growth, and success!
EOG Tests: EOG (End-of-Grade) makeup testing continues this week for students who were absent on their original testing day. These state-required assessments are mandatory and play an important role in measuring academic progress and student growth. If your child still needs to complete their exam, please ensure they are present, on time, and prepared to do their best. A good night’s sleep and a positive mindset go a long way! Thank you for your continued support as we work together to help every student succeed!
EOG Remediation & Readministration: As part of our continued support for student success, we are offering an opportunity for students who did not score proficient on the Reading and/or Math End-of-Grade (EOG) assessments to participate in focused remediation followed by a second chance to take the test. Parents of students who are eligible for this opportunity received a message via TalkingPoints last week. If your child qualifies, we ask that you RSVP to confirm your child’s participation in the EOG Readministration. This program provides targeted instruction to strengthen essential skills and gives students another opportunity to demonstrate proficiency. We are committed to helping every student grow and succeed!
- Math EOG Remediation & Readministration - Friday, 6/27/25
- Reading EOG Remediation & Readministration - Monday, 6/30/25
Library Book Return Reminder: We are still working to collect all library books before the end of the school year. Please remind your student to return any library books they have at home as soon as possible. This helps us keep our collection complete and ready for next year’s students. Thank you for your support. If you have any questions, please contact our Media Specialist, Laura Aldridge, at LAldridge@wcpss.net.
Yearbooks: Yearbooks have arrived and have been distributed to students. Yearbooks are still available for purchase online at https://tinyurl.com/drmsybk2025, or $64 cash or check. Bring any payments to Ms. Frady during arrival at the top of the 7th grade hallway. Email Ms. Frady at afrady@wcpss.net with any questions.
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 28, 2025. 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 28, 2025. Immunization records may be dropped off at the front office or emailed to kbograd@wcpss.net. We appreciate your attention to this mandate.
Mark Your Calendar for the Start of the 2025–26 School Year!
- Rising 6th Grade Academy
Thursday, July 24 | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
This is an important event for rising 6th graders and their families. Join us for an informative session designed to help families get ready for middle school. Students will enjoy fun activities and have the chance to walk through their schedules to become familiar with their new environment. Please arrive promptly at 9:00 AM and plan to stay until 12:00 PM to make the most of this exciting day! - Rising 7th & 8th Grade Floating Open House
Thursday, July 24 | 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Families are invited to a flexible open house to get questions answered and walk through your child’s schedule. Stop by anytime during this window!
WCPSS is Transitioning to Infinite Campus: WCPSS is moving from PowerSchool to a new student information system called Infinite Campus. Families will learn more about this important change during both the Rising 6th Grade Academy and the Rising 7th & 8th Grade Open House on July 24. We encourage all families to attend and get familiar with how this new system will help you stay connected to your student’s information. We look forward to seeing you and kicking off a great school year!
Grade Level Newsletters: Please review grade level newsletters as they include lots of great instructional information.
Have a great week!
Dr. Curtis M. Brower
Principal
