Durham Elementary School -

Tiger Spotlight of the Week: JoAnna Richer, Behavior Intervention Paraprofessional 1) What made you decide to work as a Behavior Intervention Specialist? Becoming Mrs. Jo began studying Behavioral Science/Psychology in college, followed by years working in Probation. After the birth of my daughter, I stayed home to raise my daughter and pursue Art. Then a friend, who worked at DES, shared my history with administration at the school. At that time there was a class that was struggling with behaviors and had a high percentage of children with a history of ACES (Adverse Childhood Experiences). I worked, part time, with only that class for three months and the focus was the whole class Social and Emotional instruction and 1:1 connection building. It was so successful that efforts were made to continue building a SEL program. What started out very specialized 15 years ago has become a normal practice nationwide. Durham Unified recognized, early on, that the social and emotional needs of our children directly relate to their academic and social success. But the best part!...I get to support the foundations of friendship and curiosity to last a lifetime. 2) What are your hobbies and interests outside of work? If I'm not re-designing, building, or creating some form of art then you probably won't be able to find me...because...I'm probably hiking, fishing, or gold panning off grid. 3) A fun fact about yourself or a unique talent you possess, if any? Fun fact, by the time I was 14 years old I moved with my family 12 times to different locations all over the world. My upbringing with my family is a Rags- to-Riches tale with parents from exceedingly humble beginnings that worked hard to get educated, disciplined enough to save money, and were brave enough to pursue interests. 4) Favorite book, movie, or music (pick only one to share) and why is it your favorite? Favorite movie of all time is 300. Although I love the Greeks, Spartans knew how to collaborate. Close second...Speilbergs' The Color Purple...takes me home to Mississippi. 5) Favorite part about working in Durham Elementary School? Laughing...a lot... with kids, parents, and DES staff!

Over the weekend, the DHS Jazz band went to a competition in Santa Cruz where they took 1st place in their division and 2nd overall out of 14 schools! Alex Grandstaff won the overall jazz soloist award. They did an awesome job!

This is an excellent opportunity for children to attend our Durham High Volleyball Team Fundraiser during an awesome week-long volleyball camp from July 14-17, 9 AM to Noon. This is a fantastic opportunity for incoming 2nd - 8th graders to have a great time, learn new skills, and make new friends on the court. Sign up now, and let's serve up some excitement. Volleyball Camp Registration: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfqlO_JP-l4dtsaDnNYGnPN245-2U9kFQO_4-oAlbrwoGX1Jg/viewform

Exciting News! We are thrilled to announce that we have successfully installed over 50 Verkada cameras on our campuses. This upgrade is an essential step towards improving the safety and security of our students and community. Safety is our top priority, and these advanced security measures will help us protect our students, staff, and visitors, making our community a safer place to learn and grow. So, when you visit Durham Unified, remember to smile because you’re on camera! 😊 Together, we’re building a safer environment for everyone. Thank you for your support, Durham Community.

We finally made it to Spring Break! I hope everyone has the opportunity to regroup, visit with loved ones, and have some fun during spring break. It is kind of crazy that we only have 23 days of school remaining when we return from break. We all have to work hard to make the final sprint as positive and meaningful as possible for all of our students. As we hit May, we will hit the season of end of year events very quickly. Here are some of the bigger events:

Tiger Spotlight of the Week: Hayley Hughes, 3rd Grade Teacher 1) Why did you become a teacher? I became a teacher because I have always loved working with kids. After being a social worker for many years and a substitute for a few years I realized how watching students learn and grow is such a fantastic experience that I knew I wanted to be a part of on a deeper level! 2) What are your hobbies and interests outside of work? Outside of work I love spending time with my family and friends. I especially love watching my boys play sports and do all the things they love! 3) A fun fact about yourself or unique talent you possess, if any? I am teaching in the same classroom I was in as a 2nd grader! 4) Favorite book, movie, or music (pick only one to share) and why is it your favorite? Music is one of my favorite things! I love all types of music! 5) Favorite part about working at Durham Elementary School? There are so many reasons I love working at Durham! Durham is my hometown and where my kids are growing up. Also, I love the staff and families in Durham, it is such a unique and special place!

Attention Parents Just a reminder that this Friday, April 18, 2023, all three schools will have a minimum day to kick off Spring Break. We wish everyone a fun break and can't wait to see everyone back at school on Monday, April 28.

We have the SWEETEST WAY to support Durham High School PTS! Just in time for all of the upcoming springtime festivities, you can purchase vouchers for yummy treats from Chico Nothing Bundt Cake. They can be used any time, don’t expire, and make great gifts!!! Place your order TODAY! Click the link - https://durhampts.ejoinme.org/cakes

Tiger Spotlight of the Week: Molly Knobbe, 2nd Grade Teacher 1) Why did you become a teacher? I became a teacher because of all the amazing teachers I had growing up. I loved school as a child. My teachers made me feel safe, valued and heard. I aspire to create that same environment for my students. 2) What are your hobbies and interests outside of work? I have a lot of hobbies, my main focus outside of work is coaching high school golf. I played golf in HS and college and it brings me so much joy to help my team gain skills and achieve their goals within the sport. 3) A fun fact about yourself or unique talent you possess, if any? I’ve lived in Norway. 4) Favorite book, movie, or music (pick only one to share) and why is it your favorite? My favorite movie is My Fair Lady. It’s a classic. 5) Favorite part about working at Durham Elementary School? I love working at DES because of my amazing colleagues. It is also an added bonus that I get to see my wonderful nephews more often!

Happy Paraprofessional Day to all the amazing Paraprofessionals at DES. Mrs. Brown and the entire Durham Elementary staff want to express their heartfelt thanks to our incredible Paras. Your hard work, dedication, and support make DES an extraordinary school. Your efforts truly do not go unnoticed. We appreciate all that you do!

It is the time of year where we have some well-deserving employees receive awards as evidenced by this week’s Classified and Certificated Employee of the Year events sponsored by the Butte-Glenn County chapter of the Association of California School Administrators. Stacy Blake, Dana DelCarlo, Erica Montgomery, Jenna Juanarena, Emily Abshier, Carmina Vital, and Ed Hernandez earned the outstanding awards for the extra mile they all go in the name of supporting the students of Durham Unified. Even though these employees received the awards this year, they are symbolic of the efforts our staff makes every day

1) Why did you become a teacher? I became a teacher because I personally did not enjoy school, and always felt like an oddball. I wanted to make a change within my own classroom so that all students felt welcome, and that they all had the ability to learn no matter what stood in their way. 2) What are your hobbies and interests outside of work? I love to relax and hang out with my husband and our cats! I also enjoy playing video games, listening to audio books, and going for long walks in Target! 3) A fun fact about yourself or unique talent you possess, if any? I taught myself in 6th grade how to modify video games on the computer by changing the core codes! 4) Favorite book, movie, or music (pick only one to share) and why it is your favorite? I love any book by Colleen Hoover, her books are full of drama and suspense. 5) Favorite part about working at Durham Elementary School? My favorite part of working at DES is the school community and staff, especially my team! We truly feel like a family!

Tiger Spotlight of the Week: Rhiannon Benson, Kindergarten Teacher 1) Why did you become a teacher? I wanted to and still want to have an impact on children being lifelong learners by loving school! I want them to be so excited about coming to school that they forget they are learning! 2) What are your hobbies and interests outside of work? If I am not at one of my 3 children’s sporting events you could find me hiking, walking my dog, swimming, biking, or hanging with friends. Basically anything outdoors and even better if it is near water! 3) A fun fact about yourself or unique talent you possess, if any? I played hole set on the Chico State water polo team in college! 4) Favorite book, movie, or music (pick only one to share) and why is it your favorite? I love all things country! My boys have been raised listening to country music! It feeds my soul! If possible I love to see country concerts live like Megan Moroney and Kenny Chesney last summer! 5) Favorite part about working at Durham Elementary School? I love the connections in Durham. I love the connections I have developed with staff, the families I teach and my kids! It is a family and everyone always supports each other.

Tiger Spotlight of the Week: Gianna Noonan, Third Grade Teacher 1) Why did you become a teacher? I find so much meaning in helping to educate future generations. Kids have ways of viewing life that are inspiring, passionate, hopeful, and hilarious! 2) What are your hobbies and interests outside of work? I have far too many hobbies for the amount of time there is in a day! I love riding my horses, running, playing guitar, cooking and baking (to offset the running..) and spending time with my wonderful friends and family. 3) A fun fact about yourself or unique talent you possess, if any? I am very good at doing handstands! 4) Favorite book, movie, or music (pick only one to share) and why is it your favorite? Very unsurprisingly, I have to admit that I am a "Swifty" through and through! 5) Favorite part about working at Durham Elementary School? The staff at DES is unlike any that I have experienced. They are a supportive, helpful, encouraging and fun crew who I am so grateful to be able to rely on. The feeling of community is prevalent in every aspect of this school, and I am so lucky to be a part of it!

Durham Unified is excited to announce that we will be offering Summer School for students TK-11 this year. Parents, look out for the sign-up links coming your way via email on Monday, March 24th.

Tiger Spotlight of the Week: Holly Rowe, DES and DHS Office Clerk 1) What made you decide to work as a DES and DHS Office Clerk? I attended DUSD school from 1st-12th grade, and now all 3 of my boys are doing the same thing. I enjoy getting to know the staff and kids that my children spend most of the day with! 2) What are your hobbies and interests outside of work? I love to read! I also enjoy movies, fishing, hiking, and all of the activities that my boys participate in. 3) A fun fact about yourself or a unique talent you possess, if any? I have always been able to memorize song lyrics very easily. If it's a song from the 80's or 90's I can probably sing it. 4) Favorite book, movie, or music (pick only one to share) and why is it your favorite? I love the movie My Fair Lady! Everything from the costumes to the music just makes me happy! 5) Favorite part about working in Durham Elementary School and Durham High School? Truly my favorite part is all of the students. They are sweet, silly and funny everyday!

This is a reminder to all DES parents that tomorrow is Camo Day at DES. Let's show our school spirit. We can't wait to see all the creative outfits.

Tiger Spotlight of the Week: Dayna Gibbs, aka "Ms. Dayna," DUSD Food Services Manager 1) What made you decide to work in Food Services? I have worked in food service for all of my adult life. The rewarding experiences came from elderly customers at a diner, until I came to DUSD. After leaving the private sector of food service, I found much appreciation for the love of food and food creation. Although the little people don't tip in money they sure do tip with smiles and love. I appreciate being able to try new food, and creative ways of making it for them. Bringing back nutritious options to our students was very important to me when I was granted this opportunity as a food service manager. In this exciting time in food service going back to scratch, quick scratch and fresh foods, I am proud of being able to provide a non pre packaged meal to our students daily. 2) What are your hobbies and interests outside of work? If you know me, you know! I volunteer a bit, so my spare time is filled with helping concessions, exchange students (I have 2 this year) or anything else that needs help. I also love to golf a short course. 3) A fun fact about yourself or a unique talent you possess, if any? I LOVE LEGO! 4) Favorite book, movie, or music (pick only one to share) and why is it your favorite? My favorite book is The Giraffe and a Half. It is close and dear to my heart. I used to read it to my kids every night, and no matter how old they are or got, they would all end up in the room I was reading it in. That's what keeps it special to me. I was honored to be able to read it to Mr. Coffee's class last year on read around day. 5) Favorite part about working at Durham Elementary School? DUH!!! The amazing kids, Staff and Parents!! This exceptional group of people who all come together everyday in some way, to make our end goals about how much we can make it better for our kids, simply leaves me speechless.

This is a friendly reminder that school will be closed tomorrow and Monday, January 17, 2025. Enjoy the time off!

Tiger Spotlight of the Week: Lesleigh Brunelle, First Grade Teacher 1) Why did you become a teacher? Kids are so fun and I enjoy how inquisitive they are. I love being part of helping students learn and grow. 2) What are your hobbies and interests outside of work? Spending time with my family, crafting and taking photos. 3) A fun fact about yourself or unique talent you possess, if any? I enjoy reading and writing poetry. 4) Favorite book, movie, or music (pick only one to share), and why is it your favorite? A few of my favorite modern day poets are Beau Taplin and Tyler Knott Gregson. 5) Favorite part about working at Durham Elementary School? I appreciate the inspiring people I work with, the sweet students, and the loving community. My favorite part of working at DES is having the opportunity to teach students, and learning from them along the way.