Superintendent's Weekly Update
The old saying is April Showers bring May Flowers. In schools, it might as well be April state testing leads to May craziness. This is especially true in Durham this year with our late spring break.
The week leading up to the second weekend in May adds to the crazy May schedule in Durham. Already this week, we have hosted Open House at Durham Elementary and Durham Intermediate schools. The events were extremely well attended by parents at both schools. Incoming DIS Principal Josh Rowe was here meeting parents and students at open house.
Thank you to all of our teaching staff for putting in the extra work to make your classrooms look great and being here into the evening. Also - thank you to our custodians, grounds and maintenance crews for making our campuses look great.
On Thursday, Substitute VAPA teacher (long time DES primary teacher) Jona O’Shea led classes through their final rehearsals for their Grandparents Day performances. As soon as the rehearsals were complete, the DHS band came marching through the elementary campus and continued through the intermediate and high school to prepare for the May Day Parade.
Today, Grandparents Day took over campus. It is always amazing to see the incredible amount of grandparents that share the day with their students (See attached pictures). Thank you to the DES staff and PTS for keeping this cherished tradition alive and well in Durham.
The school week officially draws to a close today, but the busy week is far from over. Walking around campus this week you could see floats coming together and that can only mean tomorrow is the May Day Parade and Picnic here in Durham. Many students and staff members will participate in parts of these events tomorrow.
More events keep coming next week with the high school senior awards night on Thursday (May 15) and the 8th graders heading from the intermediate school to the high school on Friday (May 16)for the high school shadow day (5th graders will also get a tour of the intermediate school on this day).
With all of this happening this week, it could be easy to forget that Sunday is Mother’s Day. Happy Mother’s Day to all of our moms!
DIS Band brings home the trophy
The DIS concert band went to a competition in Santa Clara last weekend and took first place for their division, and then took overall first place for all middle schools no matter their size! They did awesome and when you see a 7th or 8th grade band kid, give them some kudos! (see attached photo)
Redwood tree removed at DES
You may have noticed that a rather large Redwood tree was removed this week from the front of the Elementary campus (along Durham Dayton Highway). The tree apparently had two tops growing about halfway up the tree. The high winds last Sunday caused one of the large tops to break off and land across the parking lot between the school and Durham-Dayton Highway.
Thank you Ed and Leigh McLaughlin and DUSD groundsman Bob McGuffin for arriving at the school quickly and removing all of the debris. (see attached pictures)
The remainder of the tree was not safe, and a tree company was hired to come in on Tuesday and remove the remainder of the tree.
Fortunately, no one was injured when the tree fell.
Updates from Principals
DES (from Samantha Brown)
It has been an incredibly busy week at DES!!! We continued with end of the year reading assessments and Grandparents' Day practices. Stacey Blake held the Scholastic Book Fair in the DES Library. The DUSD Art Docent parents and DES/DIS Art Teacher, Shannon McLean, put together an amazing Art Show Display in the DHS Gym. Some DES classes toured the Monument Project Museum at DIS. On Wednesday evening we held Open House, which was very well attended. On Thursday, classes were able to watch the various grade levels practice for their Grandparents' Day performances and the fabulous DIS Marching band paraded through our campus and hallways. Today, our amazing PTS parents held the 46th Annual Grandparents Day, a wonderful DES tradition, with approximately 750 grandparents and special guests visiting DES; a huge thank you to our PTS parents, MOT staff, Food Services, and all the familiar faces that return each year to lend a helping hand - this event would not possible without all the planning and teamwork that go into every detail of making this event possible! Thank you to the DES Staff for all their planning and hard work as well that goes into planning activities in the classrooms for students, parents, grandparents and special guests! Lastly, thank you to PTS for a week filled with delicious and thoughtful treats in the Staff Lounge! Also, look for our Kindergarten KIds and our new parade banners in the May Day Parade tomorrow morning.
Next week we will continue end of the year assessments. On Monday during Early Release Collaboration, teachers will attend a presentation on the California Math & You as we explore new math curriculums. Our Pen Pal program and Reading Pals and Math Buddies programs will wrap up next week with a visit from the Kona Ice truck, which will also be available for purchase after school on Friday, May 16th. Our 3rd and 4th grade classes will have their end of the year pool parties. As well, our 4th grade classes will have a visit from the Bidwell Mansion docents on Wednesday morning; the 5th grade students will spend some of Friday morning as DIS touring the campus and shadowing the 6th grade students; and, our third grade classes will be taking a field trip to the Durham Cemetery to wrap up their Durham Living History Unit on Friday morning as well.
TIger Spotlight of the Week: Kacy Adkins, Title 1 Teacher, Reading Discovery/ELD
1) Why did you become a teacher? I was born into a family of educators, which is what easily guided me into becoming a teacher. When I was in high school (at Durham) the DHH program started and those students were included in my classes and my sports teams. I enjoyed having them join us, and it opened my eyes on what type of teacher I wanted to be. I decided to be a dualed credential teacher and received my multiple subject and special education credentials, so I could teach all types of learners. I spent my first year as a reading and English Language Development teacher and then chose to clear my special education credential. After that I taught special education for 8 years (which I absolutely loved) until I took a 2 year break to be home with my third child. And now I am back as a reading and English Language Development teacher again.
2) What are your hobbies and interests outside of work? You can find me on a snowmobile in the winter and a slow-pitch softball field in the summer or fall! But if I am not keeping my 3 kids busy with fishing, hunting, or sports you can also find us traveling to our next adventure! I love traveling to Idaho multiple times a year to see the Tetons in the summer and winter where we kayak, hike, fish, take side-by-side rides, and snowmobile.
3) A fun fact about yourself or unique talent you possess, if any? A fact about myself that people find interesting/fun, are my kids' birthdays! My boys are both born on Cinco de Mayo (5-5) and are exactly 2 years and 30 minutes apart. And my daughter was born on a Tuesday on 2-22-22.
4) Favorite book, movie, or music (pick only one to share) and why it is your favorite? The Harry Potter series will always have my heart, especially on a cold fall/winter day at home! Going to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Orlando was so fun to check off my bucket list!
5) Favorite part about working at Durham Elementary School? I have a special connection with Durham! I am a Durham graduate and my mom (Mrs. Wiley) taught at Durham for 30 years! The Durham schools raised me (and my husband), and my children are now 4th generation Durham students. So, having the opportunity to give back what Durham gave to me is what I love about working here! I still remember the teachers that worked here (or still do work here). And I can recall going on the fish hatchery and Sutter Fort field trips that Durham Elementary still attends. The way Durham can leave a huge impact on you is another favorite part about working here... and now I have the opportunity to leave the same impact on the students I work with at Durham Elementary!
DIS (From Joanne Parsley
Durham Intermediate School spent the minimum day out at the high school track (see attached pictures). Huge shoutout to Jenna Juanarena and Mike Richards for putting together an amazing field day for our students. The students participated in all activities related to track and field. Thank you to our parent volunteers and high school students who helped time, measure and cheer on our students.
Our 8th graders. who are running for a position on the Student Body at high school next year, will be campaigning next week and preparing speeches for the rally shadow day which happens next Friday.
7th grade Science is wrapping up their unit on the human body while math spent the week learning about composite figures, surface area and volume.
7th Grade History is creating their Renaissance trading cards with the top artists, monarchs, reformers, scientists and explorers of the time.
PE: 7th grade fitness testing is underway!!! Students are enjoying indoor field games including over-the-line volleyball, spike ball, Dr. Dr., basketball and wiffle ball to finish out the year.
Open house was another success on Wednesday night at DIS--our 8th grade hosted a US monument Museum with visits from Elementary and Middle school students as well as our open house guests.
DHS (From Marty Wilkes)
May Student of the Month:
May’s Student of the Month is Tucker Willows. Tucker has a 4.06 GPA and is one of our senior band members. Tucker would like to major in Marine Biology. He is currently taking Economics, English, Physics and both Jazz and Symphonic Band. Tucker has been attending Durham schools since 5th grade. Tucker will be attending Butte College in the Fall and would like to transfer to U.C. San Diego when he is finished with his General Education classes.
Counseling:
This week’s Character Strong challenge is To Be Gracious. Think about someone in your life or the community who makes a positive impact. Show your appreciation by thanking them with a note or a social media post.
One final reminder that any outside scholarships seniors have received are due to Mrs. Ladd TODAY in order to be mentioned at Awards Night.
Summer School is coming. We are working diligently to pull together a list of students who need to attend summer school to recover credits. Information will be sent home to those students early next week.
A representative from Chico State visited campus yesterday to talk to students who have been admitted about their next steps and to answer any questions. She even left some cool swag for the kids.
This past Tuesday 29 students completed the AP United States Government and Politics test. Way to go!
May 10 - Senior awards 6:00
May 16 - Senior Picnic
May 29 - Graduation 7:30 Sharp!
Band:
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!
The AG Department:
AET Team took 3rd at Cal Poly State Field day finals, Ryley Vanella Placed 3rd in the individual category.
May 9 - Mother’s Day Floral Pick up
May 10 - May Day Activities
May 13 - Ag Advisory
May 14 - FFA Banquet 6:00
Athletics:
Varsity Baseball heads into their last game with a 16-8 record and is 8-3 in the SVL. Durrham plays East Nicolaus today,and the winner locks up second place in the league.
The Durham softball team is currently 17-6-1 and 7-3 in the SVL. They will close out their regular season on Monday. It has been fun watching the transformation of this team. The girls and Coach Dan Martin have made tremendous strides from where this team was three years ago. Our lone four-year player, Sophia Owen, saw a lot in her time with Durham Softball, but she should be very proud and pleased with the turnaround the program has made. Coach Martin is losing Owen and fellow senior Kyleigh Flux off of this year's team, but with 19 players returning to the program the future looks bright for Coach Martin and the softball program.
May 9 - at East Nicolaus.
May 12 - at Winters
Golf:
Durham High School Golf Team is the Sacramento Valley League Champions! This is their second consecutive title. They finished out their final league match at home (Butte Creek Country Club) on Wednesday. Coby Gausemel had the low round of the day with a 75. Max Pignataro was named league MVP with a season average of 77.4. The team will travel to River View Country Club on Tuesday, May 13 for the Division III playoffs.
Student Services and Supports (from Marilyn Bertolucci)
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about the importance of mental wellness for children, teens, and families.
Why It Matters:
1 in 5 children experience a mental health disorder each year.
Early support and open conversations can prevent more serious issues later in life.
Signs to Watch For:
Changes in mood or behavior
Withdrawal from friends or activities
Trouble sleeping or eating
Academic struggles or lack of focus
Excessive worry or sadness
How You Can Help:
Start conversations about emotions—listen without judgment.
Model healthy coping strategies (deep breathing, physical activity, asking for help).
Prioritize daily routines: sleep, balanced meals, and tech-free family time.
Reach out to your student’s school counselor or mental health professional if concerned.
Normalize Mental Health:
Just like physical health, mental health needs regular attention.
It's okay to ask for help—and it’s strong to do so.
Want to know more:
Mother's Day in the United States originated in the early 20th century, largely due to the efforts of Anna Jarvis, who wanted to honor her own mother and recognize the sacrifices of mothers more broadly. The first official celebration took place in 1908 in Grafton, West Virginia. Thanks to Jarvis’s campaigning, President Woodrow Wilson declared it a national holiday in 1914, setting it for the second Sunday in May.
Have a wonderful and safe weekend!