The school board started the process of adding new semester-long courses at the high school that the state will be requiring for high school graduation in the near future.

Starting next school year (2025-2026) high schools in California are required to offer an Ethnic Studies course, and the Ethnic Studies course must be a requirement for high school graduation for the graduating class of 2030 and beyond. That means that it will become a California high school graduation requirement for the class that is now in 7th grade.

High schools in California are required to add a financial literacy course beginning in the 2027-2028 school year, and it must be a graduation requirement starting with the class of 2031 (this year’s sixth graders).

The Durham Unified Board of Trustees, at this week’s board meeting, voted to add both of these new courses to the high school offerings beginning in the 2025-2026 school year. 

The state requires the ethnic studies course be focused “on the traditional ethnic studies first established in California higher education, which has been characterized by four foundational disciplines: African American, Chicana/o/x and Latina/o/x, Native American, and Asian American and Pacific Islander studies. The focus on the experiences of these four disciplines provides an opportunity for students to learn of the histories, cultures, struggles, and contributions to American society of these historically marginalized peoples, which have often been untold in US history courses.” The school board will look at the overview of study for each of these areas for the course offered at Durham High School at its meeting on March 12. For more information on the course requirement and how schools have been instructed to design it visit the California Department of Education website: https://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/cr/cf/esmc.asp

The state is still developing its model curriculum for the required financial literacy course, but Durham High is working on its own curriculum to start the course in 2025-2026. The board approved a focus on money management, borrowing, earning, investing, and insurance.

DIS Principal search

The district held interviews for the principal position at Durham Intermediate School this week. The interviews were held by a large committee that included DIS staff and parents (and future DIS parents), board members, site principals, and district leadership.  A unanimous recommendation of the interview committee was provided to the superintendent. The offer of the job and an acceptance of the job took place today. The DUSD Board of Trustees will vote at the March 12 board meeting to officially name Josh Rowe as the next principal of Durham Intermediate School. Josh is a Chico resident and is in the process of completing his 4th year as the principal of Los Molinos Elementary School (a TK- 8th grade school). He has 10 years of experience in school administration.

Measure B and Construction Updates

The district is in the process of selling the first round of bonds from Measure B, which was approved by Durham community voters last November. The first sale is for $9 million and will fund projects at Durham Elementary School and Durham High School.

The design process for a new Transitional Kindergarten and Kindergarten complex at Durham Elementary begins on Monday, March 3. Additionally, the district will be issuing a Request for Qualifications for contractors for the TK/K project very soon.

The board also voted to approve the superintendent to negotiate an agreement with Eagle Architects to design a new grandstand at the stadium at Durham High School.

Thank you Mr. Wilkes!

As most of us know, high school principals have an endless list of evening events to attend. It seems like Mr. Wilkes is everywhere!

This week alone he attended the ski and snowboard competition on Monday at Boreal, attended and presented at the Durham Rotary meeting on Tuesday, supervised the girls basketball team section playoff home game on Wednesday, supported the Ag program’s Boots and Bowties event on Thursday night, supervised (and provided transportation) to the Northern Section Masters Wrestling championships in Oroville today, will be found in the high school gym tonight for the boys basketball team’s section playoff game, and he will complete the week in Oroville on Saturday for the completion of the wrestling championships.

I am exhausted after typing all of that! Thank you Mr. Wilkes for literally being everywhere. 

Updates from Principals

DES (from Samantha Brown)
This week at DES, trimester 2 report card assessments continued. We held a lockdown safety drill on Wednesday morning, and everyone did a great job! Today our Grandparent's Day committee held a planning meeting. We had January Popsicles with the Principal this afternoon to acknowledge students for their academic achievements and great efforts.

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.

DIS (From Joanne Parsley)

It was a quiet week at DIS as we thoroughly enjoyed our four-day weekend.  As we write this, the office is once again getting a small facelift.  We are having cabinets and shelving installed as well as teachers' mailboxes.  Our Nurses are getting the finishing touches on their new office with new cabinets and shelving as well. 

Our 8th graders turned in their rough drafts of their 8th-grade projects and have been working on peer reviews this week.  We continued with the peer review process because we believe it brings value to both the writer and the reader.  When students read others' papers, they notice items they could correct on their own papers and those of their peers.  In the coming weeks, they will be putting the finishing touches on their papers, and beginning to work on their presentations.  We will be reaching out to the community to once again volunteer to be our judges for their presentations. This has been a long-standing tradition and we are thrilled and honored to keep it going. 

The 6th grade is learning all about "Adaptations, changes, and relationships in the natural world" as preparation for Shady Creek!   Ancient Civilization speeches are underway. Look for students in costume presenting facts about “their” assigned culture.

Seventh and 8th graders just finished up their fruit illustration project. They were learning about the Elements of Art Form, as well as different types of composition. They completed the project with watercolor pencils. The photos attached are the images in progress with the rough draft.

DHS (From Marty Wilkes)

DHS is currently exploring the potential opportunity to offer an auto shop course through Butte College on campus through dual enrollment. Stay tuned as information becomes available I will keep you updated.

Twenty DHS students attended the Butte County Office CTE program facility tour on Feb. 21.  Students were able to check out programs such as Dental Assistant, Medical Assistant and Phlebotomist

On Tuesday, students will be taking a tour of Chico State. 

Students who have not turned in their registration forms for the 25-26 school year need to do so immediately. 

Feb. 21 – Butte County Career Technical Education Tour (sign-ups only)
March 3 – FAFSA/CADAA Deadline for Cal Grant Eligibility

The AG Department:

FFA week and Boots and Bowties…  Too busy to talk…
March 1 - Gridley Field Day
March 7 - UC Davis Parli-Pro Contest
March 8 - UC Davis Field Day
March 12 - Chapter Meeting

Athletics: 

Girls’ basketball posted a record of 18-7 and finished second in the Sacramento Valley League (SVL) with a league record of 9-3. The Durham girls’ team was awarded the No. 3 seed in Division  5 of the Northern Section and hosted Portola on Wednesday night. The visiting team knocked down 11 three pointers in the game to keep the game close, but Kyleigh Flux played outstanding in the first half and Karla Rangel took the game over in the last 2 minutes hitting a big three pointer and going 4-for-4 from the foul line to be preserve the Trojan win 53-47.  The girls’ team will most likely travel to Modoc on Tuesday for the semifinal game.  The girls’ team with the win on Wednesday will likely get into the state playoffs.

Boys basketball finished their regular season with a record of 24-4 and 12-0 in the SVL. The boys’ earned the No. 2 seed in the section playoffs and will host Trinity (14-13).  The game is scheduled for Friday night at 7:00.

Soccer: the girls’ team finished their season with a 3-15-1 record and finished second in league with a 2-3-1 record. The girls’ soccer team season came to an end with a first round playoff loss to Willows with a score of 3-1.

Ski and Snow Board Team: Hit the slopes on Monday at Boreal. The Durham ski team saw 10 athletes finish in the top 10.  Lily Larabee won both her races for the ski team, and Hayden Poyner took 5th and 7th in her two races on the snowboard side.  On the boys’ side, the top finisher was Marcus Montgomery, he placed first and second in snowboarding.  Rowan Turnquist finished 3rd and 6th in his two races on the snowboard side.  Ty Webb took 4th in both of his races and Ryley Vanella finished 5th and 6th. Alex Gradstaff thought it would be funny to spray the principal with snow on the way down the mountain. His punishment will come when he least expects it (insert evil laugh)….

DHS Boys and Girls wrestling teams both won the Northern Section Division 3 section championships.   The girls won the section championship for the second year in a row.  They saw six girls win their weight classes: Tatum Wagner, Lilah Cardoza, Emma Waggoner, Kendal Schmid, Sophia Owen and Chloe Cox.  The Boys won their 10th straight section title, and the boys saw nine athletes take first place: Judah Teague, Landon Salindong, Hayden Solinger, Isaiah Vaughn, Colson Thurman, Zack Zwinger, Richard Halvorson, Carter Schmid and Jose Garcia

Student Services and Supports (from Marilyn Bertolucci)

Did you know that The California Department of Education supports  State Special Schools and three Diagnostic Centers! 

California School for the Blind

California School for The Deaf Fremont

California School for The Deaf Riverside

The Diagnostic Centers provide comprehensive assessments for students who are eligible for special education, staff development and training for educators. 

Be sure to take care of yourself and your family. 

BSSP Health and Wellness Center The Health and Wellness Centers (HWCs) are dedicated to providing urgent, primary and preventive care solely to employees, retirees and family members covered by one of BSSP's medical plans. All visits are by appointment, only.  Telephone appointments are also available for many acute or episodic conditions not requiring a physical examination.

Copays are as follows:  

• Preventive care is $0 on all plans.

• HSA plans:  In accordance with IRS regulations,  a $25 copayment is due for all visits other than preventive care and well visits.   

• Non-HSA plans may have a dispensary copay of $5 or $10.  

Chico Office 530-879-7582
Oroville Office 530-532-5918

Click here to see how to access virtual and additional services. 

BSSP Mental Health Supports can be provided in virtual and in person. 

If you or a loved one is in crisis call, text or chat at 988
988 Lifeline Using the 988 Lifeline is free. When you call, text, or chat the 988 Lifeline, your conversation is confidential. The 988 Lifeline provides you judgment-free care. Talking with someone can help save your life.

Weekly Update Archive