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:

May 7 - DES and DIS Open House
May 9 - 46th Grandparents Day at DES!
May 10 - May Day Parade
May 15 - DHS Senior Awards Banquet
May 16 - DIS shadow day at DHS
May 21 - DHS Senior Walk at DES/DIS
May 22 - Band Concert at the Center for the Arts at PV High school (6 pm)
May 28 - DIS Promotion (7 pm)
May 29 - DHS Graduation (7:30 pm)

Updates from Principals

DES (from Samantha Brown)

It’s been a full and exciting week at Durham Elementary as we head into a well-deserved spring break! Our 3rd–5th grade students showed great perseverance as they wrapped up CAASPP testing, and we’re proud of their focus and effort.

On Tuesday morning, our TK students stole the show with their adorable ABC Fashion Show—strutting down the red carpet in style and putting smiles on everyone’s faces!

Wednesday afternoon marked our final School Site Council meeting of the year, where we reviewed and updated our School Plan for Student Achievement goals. Then on Thursday, our third grade students participated in a walking field trip to the Durham House, enriching their Durham Living History unit with hands-on local learning. We also held our final Technology Committee meeting, during which we reviewed feedback from the April staff survey and began setting tech goals for the upcoming school year.

Today, students celebrated Career Day by dressing up as what they hope to be when they grow up—always a fun and inspiring spirit day! Although many students were out, those on campus enjoyed festive classroom activities, including egg hunts for some of our younger students. Staff wrapped up the day with a delicious potluck pulled pork lunch, followed by a professional development training from an Amplify California Desmos Math presenter, offering insight into a potential new math curriculum with universal screeners and interventions for future piloting.

Wishing everyone a restful, relaxing, and refreshing spring break. Let’s return ready for a fantastic finish to the school year!

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!

DIS (From Joanne Parsley

First and foremost, Durham Intermediate School would like to wish students, staff and families a safe, wonderful and much deserved Spring Break.

Durham Intermediate wrapped up English and math state testing this week including most of the make-ups. Our 8th Graders will take the Science portion when we return.  Thank you to all of our teachers, students and parents for a successful testing term.

Jacqueline Lincoln's 6th Grade class presented their "Shark Tank" ideas today to six would-be investors or "Sharks." Students worked either alone or with a team to create an idea based on a Chinese historical artifact. They created an updated version of an idea or used an article from the era and utilized it in a new way. The students then created a "prototype" to show the sharks.  They used their math skills to project costs, a platform in which to sell and mathematical split of profits between themselves and their potential investors. The students must present their idea in front of their peers, parents, staff and of course the "sharks." This is a wonderful lesson taught by Mrs. Lincoln. 

Seventh grade ELA students have finished their "Guided by a Cause" unit by writing their argumentative essays.

Seventh and 8th grade math students took and most finished their state testing this week.

8th science: We wrapped up our Forces and Motion unit with the always popular Egg Safety Car Project! Students showcased their understanding of Newton’s Laws and the Engineering Design Process with some super creative designs(See Photos). While a few eggs met a messy end, the learning (and fun) was a success!

PE: This week was all about track and field: 4x100 relays, long jump, 200m, high jump, and the mile kept everyone movin' and groovin'. Our students will take the week off and then gear up for our exciting school wide Field Day on May 9th!

CJSF News: Penny and Paper Wars have ended! Congratulations to Ms. Skelly class for their win! 

CJSF Volleyball Tournament has been running all week during lunch! CJSF Championship Volleyball Game for 7th and 8th will be held in the DIG on April 18th.

DHS (From Marty Wilkes)

Counseling:
Since our weekly update thought it was Spring Break last week, not this week, here’s the highlights you didn’t see…Of the 40 seniors who attended Butte College’s Reg2Go, 9 registered for vocational programs including Cosmetology, Fire Academy, Auto, Heavy Equipment Technician, Photography and Recording Arts, while 31 signed up for an Associates Degree with plans to transfer to a four year college. Some of the majors selected include Child Development, Engineering, Kinesiology, Nursing, and Business Management. Way to go – this is a big first step for these seniors!

Last week’s Character Strong challenge was To Be Accepting. Next time you are in a conversation involving different opinions ask, “What do you think?” Choose to learn more about that person’s perspective and even if you don’t change your mind, practice appreciating them for their views.

And now for this week’s news…

We finally made it to Spring Break! College apps are in, seniors are finalizing their postsecondary plans and the majority of the available scholarship deadlines have passed. Our community members are hard at work reviewing the DHS Common Scholarship Application to select their recipients. We are looking forward to celebrating our seniors at Awards Night on Thursday, May 15th – which will be here before we know it!

Speaking of the DHS Common Scholarship Application, we had 47 seniors submit an application. The Library was busy last week ahead of the deadline with students completing all of the requirements. Today, the Durham Ag Boosters and North Valley Community Foundation Scholarship applications were due. 

When we return on Monday, April 28th, the Durham Community Foundation Scholarship application is due.

This week six seniors who were selected by our high school Student Excellence Committee were invited to join Judge Mosbarger for lunch at Butte Creek Country Club. The students heard from several local leaders, including Judge Mosbarger, who shared their stories about how they got into their profession, their postsecondary educational experiences, community involvement and more. We appreciate these outstanding community members for taking time out of their busy schedules to speak with our students. See attached picture.

This week’s To Be Challenge: Be Aware. Right before you fall asleep, practice taking a Mindful Moment for yourself by reflecting on the day. Think about the emotion you felt the strongest and the emotion you would like to feel more the next day. Good practice for all of us!

The AG Department:

Congratulations to Liam Edson, Jonathon Gore, Jack Johansson, Daisy Knowles, Bryce Landon, Josie Landon, James Osbon and Ashley Spence for being elected to the 25-26 Durham Chapter officer team.

April 17- Easter Arrangement Pick up
May 2 - Cal Poly Field Day
May 10 -  May Day Activities 

Athletics: 

The Varsity Baseball team improved its overall record to 10-4 and is 4-0 in the SVL after picking up a 9-7 win over Hamilton and a 6-5 win over Los Molinos. Spring Break will be a busy one for the baseball team with five games scheduled.  The Durham team will find out a lot about its pitching staff.

April 22-  at Winters
April 23 -  vs Winters
April 25 - vs Biggs
April 26 - vs Los Molinos
April 26 -  vs Maxwell

Softball has a 12-5-1 record and is  4-2 in the SVL picking up a 12-4 win over Oroville. Hayden Poyner had a big day at the plate going 3 for 4 on the day with a 3 run home run.

April 29 vs Pierce 
April 30 at Paradise

Golf:

The golf team had two league matches this week and came in first in both. On Monday, the team played in Arbuckle shooting a combined 431 as a team. The school in 2nd place was 77 strokes behind. 

On Thursday, at Table Mountain Golf Course, Max Pignataro came in first place with an individual score of 74 and Coby Gausemel shot an 84. Durham is 4-0 in league with 3 matches left in league play.

April 28 -  at Arbuckle
April 29 -  East Nicolaus
May 7 -  Butte Creek CC

Student Services and Supports (from Marilyn Bertolucci)
Each year, the month of May is recognized as Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and promote the importance of mental well-being for everyone. It’s an opportunity to check in with ourselves and each other, to listen, support, and remind one another that mental health is just as important as physical health.

This year’s theme, “Together for Mental Health,” emphasizes the power of community, connection, and compassion. Whether it’s supporting a friend, seeking help, or simply taking time to rest, every action matters. 

Weekly Update Archive