Durham Public Schools

10/20/2026

What's Happening in DPS? | Durham School of the Arts

On Monday, October 19, Durham School of the Arts (DSA) welcomed Consul General Donají Alba Arroyo and Priscila Núñez, Consul of Culture and Education from the Mexican Consulate in Raleigh, for their first official visit to a North Carolina public school. Durham Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Anthony Lewis joined the diplomats in celebrating the kick off of DSA’s 15th Annual Fall Art Festival: Día de los Mu***os.

Rooted in the tradition of Día de los Mu***os, the festival uses holistic arts education to nurture storytelling, celebrate heritage, and create space for all students to explore their cultural identities while centering Latino stories, cultures, and lived experiences.

Following a tour of the school, the diplomats met with DPS central office staff, student ambassadors and envoys, and community organizers to learn about the festival’s year-round initiatives and hear firsthand about the experiences and challenges facing immigrant students across the district. The visit celebrated the power of arts education to build meaningful connections across cultures, strengthen community, and create opportunities for young people to be seen, heard, and valued.

Families warmly invited to the 15th Annual DSA Fall Art Festival: Día de los Mu***os on Saturday, October 24, 6–9 PM at DSA! This year’s theme, El Crecimiento / Growth, celebrates how our creativity, communities, and traditions grow and change while staying connected to our roots. We are also excited to bring back our community parade, which will begin at 5:00 p.m., just before the festival.

DSA Fall Art Festival: Día de los Mu***os
📅 Saturday, October 24
🎭 Parade: 5 PM
🎨 Festival: 6–9 PM
📍 Durham School of the Arts, 400 N. Duke Street

10/19/2026

🏫 Big possibilities. One place to explore them all!

Join us at the DPS Showcase of Schools to discover the schools, programs, and opportunities available for your student!

📅 Saturday, November 14, 2026
🕙 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
📍 Northern High School | 4622 N. Roxboro Road, Durham

Meet representatives from every DPS school, ask questions, and explore everything from neighborhood schools to year-round, Montessori, International Baccalaureate, and Dual-Language Immersion options. Learn about early colleges, specialty high schools, career and technical education, and more!

Connect with district staff to learn about school assignments, academics, arts education, and student supports.

Bring your student, bring your questions, and explore your possibilities with DPS!

🔗 Start exploring: https://welcome.dpsnc.net/

10/16/2026

10/16/2026

10/15/2026

💙 Supporting healthy scholars starts with informed families!

DPS parents and legal guardians: Please review our handout about Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes to help your family stay informed.

📄 View the diabetes handout: https://aptg.co/cYPG5r

Does your scholar need diabetes care during the school day? Visit our Managing Health Conditions & Forms webpage for information and forms to help your scholar receive the support they need:
🔗 https://www.dpsnc.net/page/managing-health-conditions-and-forms/

Together, we can help our scholars stay healthy and ready to learn!

10/14/2026

For many students and families, the middle school years bring a unique set of academic, social, and emotional challenges. At Brogden Middle School, educators have responded by establishing a schoolwide culture centered around collaboration, connection, and a shared commitment to student success — and the results are evident.

Brogden’s recently released 2025-26 accountability data from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction reflects significant gains in student performance, including an 11-point increase in overall proficiency and growth that ranks among the state’s highest. Behind those numbers is a deliberate approach that combines data-driven instruction with strong relationships, student voice, and a sense of belonging for every member of the school community.

Read more at DPSNC.net.

10/12/2026

What's Happening In DPS? On October 2, 2026, published seventh grade author Makayla Mitchell visited Spring Valley Elementary School to share her love of reading and writing, engage with the students, and encourage them to believe that they, too, can become authors and accomplish great things.
The Rogers-Herr Middle School student has written "When Your Mom Is a Principal and It’s Time, It’s Time to Go!"

10/12/2026

What’s Happening in DPS? Our students are walking, biking, and rolling to school!

Schools across Durham Public Schools celebrated Walk, Bike & Roll Day on October 7, and the fun continues throughout the month as elementary school communities lace up, strap on helmets, and get moving together!

A special shoutout to E.K. Powe Elementary School, featured in these photos, for joining the celebration and showing us how a morning trip to school can bring a community together. 💙

Thank you to the families, staff, and community partners helping students build healthy habits and practice safe ways to get to school!

10/12/2026

🎪 Step right up—school lunch takes center stage!

Durham Public Schools is celebrating National School Lunch Week, October 12–16, with this year’s theme: “Cafeteria Circus!”

Behind every meal is a talented school nutrition team balancing busy schedules, preparing nutritious food, and serving students with care. This week, we’re shining the spotlight on the creativity, teamwork, and dedication that keep our cafeterias running and our students fueled for learning! 🍎🥦

Join us in giving our school nutrition staff a round of applause! Thank your cafeteria team this week and share a shoutout in the comments. 👏