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:
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
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
March’s Student of the Month is Parker Thomas. Parker has a 4.1 GPA and is on Durham’s swim team. Parker will be going to Butte College in the fall. Ms. Thomas would like to major in child development. She is currently taking, Physics, SOU English and math, and AP government. Parker has been attending Durham schools since Kindergarten.
Durham High celebrated two top 10 finishers in Giant Slalom (GS), with Marcus Montgomery securing 3rd place in the Men’s Snowboard category and Lily Larrabee finishing 9th in the Women’s Ski division. Durham takes pride in this accomplishment, particularly given the competition from a field of 400 State Championship-qualifying athletes.
This is a friendly reminder that school will be closed tomorrow and Monday, January 17, 2025. Enjoy the time off!
Kira Montgomery was the DHS class of 2022 salutatorian, and she attended Durham schools from kindergarten through graduation. She currently attends the University of California, Irvine as a double major in Dance Performance and Education Sciences. She grew up in the competitive dance scene and has trained in various styles including hip hop, tap, jazz, contemporary, ballet, and modern. Kira has trained with prominent industry choreographers such as Chloe and Maud Arnold, Kent Boyd, Brooke Lipton, Kevin Maher, Ryan Lohoff, and more. She currently tours the US with Hollywood Vibe Dance Convention as a choreographer's assistant and event coordinator and is a member of UCI's Kaba Modern Hip Hop Crew. Within the past few years, she has grown her passion for choreographing and creating pieces for studio showcases, UCI's Barebones Dance Theater, and Kaba Modern. She is looking forward to finishing her degrees to begin industry and professional work in LA and surrounding areas.
Kira, we are so proud of you and love seeing you pursue your dream! Keep inspiring others to go after their dreams, too. Your passion and determination are truly motivating
Shane Buzza graduated from Durham High School in 1983 and participated in baseball and cross country. He served as Student Body President in his senior year. He showed a strong interest in math and physics and aimed to attend the Air Force Academy. Shane attended Chico State for a year before receiving nominations to West Point, Annapolis, and the Air Force Academy, ultimately choosing West Point.
Graduating in 1988 with a BS in Mathematics, Shane became a Second Lieutenant in Field Artillery and served in Operation Just Cause in Panama. He transitioned to the Army Reserve in 1991 to pursue physical therapy, earning two Master's degrees from CSU Fresno and a Master of Strategic Studies from the Army War College.
Shane settled in the Monterey Peninsula, raising two sons and running a small physical therapy business. Following 9/11, he served stateside and in multinational exercises, commanding at various levels before becoming a General Officer in 2016.
Currently, Shane is a Major General and Chief of Staff at the U.S. Army Forces Command. His military training includes numerous advanced courses, and he has received various awards, including the Legion of Merit. He has two adult sons and enjoys multisport racing. He holds a private pilot certificate and has recently taken up skydiving, hoping to serve one final assignment before semi-retirement.
We thank you for your service and for being a shining example of what it means to give back to our nation. We are very proud of you.
Tiger Spotlight of the Week: Brian Glover, Physical Education Teacher
1) Why did you become a teacher? After a lifetime of loving sports, I wanted a job where I could coach everyday! I’m blessed my “work” is encouraging children to have fun while learning to be a team player and enjoy healthy pursuits… I love seeing parents out and about and hearing that their child loves a particular unit.
2) What are your hobbies and interests outside of work? I love spending time with my wife and our 3 adult children. Even though they are all grown (In fact I am going to be a grandpa soon!), we still all get together to go camping and fishing as often as possible. Golfing also tops my list!
3) A fun fact about yourself or unique talent you possess, if any? Meeting Steve Garvey at a Giants game as a child and him being so kind to me and my group of friends actually converted me to being a Dodgers Fan. Not easy in Durham- ask Anne Marie Spafford!
4) Favorite book, movie, or music (pick only one to share), and why is it your favorite?
The Natural- the best baseball movie ever made! Every baseball fan needs to watch it at least once.
5) Favorite part about working at Durham Elementary School? The kids, the parents, and our community. I am lucky to have a team of like minded coworkers that want to do right by our students every day. I love when students stop by our house to say hi when I am doing yard work, and I am glad our house has become a home base on Halloween where I can catch up with former students. Not all towns have friendships like Durham creates, usually starting with our school.
We are hiring an Intermediate School Principal to join our excellent team. If you’re ready to lead, inspire, and shape the future, we want to hear from you.
https://www.edjoin.org/Home/JobPosting/2030671
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT!
Rose Flores is a proud graduate of Durham High School, class of 2016. After high school, Rose pursued her education at Sonoma State, earning her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a focus in Marketing in 2020. Rose then went on to graduate from Sonoma State again in 2022 with a Master’s in Business Administration
With a strong foundation in supply chain logistics and manufacturing, Rose has made an impact as a buyer/planner at Lundberg Family Farms for the past two years.
We are so proud of your accomplishments, Rose. Keep inspiring others.
Join our team! We are hiring a Utility/Bus Driver. Be part of our excellent team and a member of this incredible community.
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT! Mark Davis, who graduated in 2023 and enlisted in the US Air Force. He officially graduated from basic training on March 6th and 7th, 2024.
One of our favorite stories about Mark is how he looked forward to lunchtime each day, eagerly anticipating the sweet surprise of candy from home for dessert. The surprise always brought a smile to his face.
Thank you for your service, Mark. We’re proud of you.
The District Office will be closed tomorrow, December 27, and reopen on December 30. Thank you, and have a great weekend.
Tiger Spotlight of the Week: Stacey Blake, Librarian
1) Why did you become a teacher? It's been a long and crazy journey to get to this position at DES, but being the school librarian is where I fit best. Reading to students and interacting with them daily truly fills my bucket. The joy and excitement they bring to each reading session is incredibly fulfilling. It's rewarding to see their curiosity spark and to be part of their learning journey. I truly love my job.
2) What are your hobbies and interests outside of work? Outside of DES, I enjoy reading, spending time with my family and friends, playing games, and taking weekend trips with my wonderful husband of 33 years. These moments of relaxation and connection are incredibly important to me, and I cherish the time I get to spend with loved ones, creating lasting memories. Whether it's exploring new places or simply enjoying a game night, these experiences bring joy and balance to my life.
3) A fun fact about yourself or unique talent you possess, if any? My children share a birthday. My son, Nicholas, was born on June 14, 1994, and my daughter, Madeleine, was born on June 14, 1996. It's always a special day for our family, celebrating both of them together!
4) Favorite book, movie, or music (pick only one to share), and why is it your favorite? I've watched many movies that I've loved, but my favorites will always be Disney movies. Many Thanksgivings have been spent watching a Disney movie with my whole family, laughing and crying together. These movies hold a special place in my heart, as they've created lasting memories and brought my family closer through shared moments of joy and emotion.
5) Favorite part about working at Durham Elementary School? Over the last 16 years, I've seen many changes in the Durham district. I've gained new friends, met many people, and watched students grow into wonderful human beings. The one thing that has remained constant, however, is the sense of community. The staff and students truly become a family here. It's a great place to live and work, and I'm grateful for the connections and experiences I've had along the way.
Just a reminder that tomorrow is a minimum day for all schools as we kick off winter break. We wish all our students and families a joyful holiday season filled with fun and relaxation. We'll be back to school on January 6, 2025.
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT!
Jake Ilukowicz is a member of the 2023 graduation class and a Durham student from K-12. Not only did Jake excel in academics at Durham, but he was also a section champion in baseball and basketball.
Jake is attending Texas A&M, pursuing a Sports Management degree with a Marketing minor. Jake is on the path to achieving his dream of working for a professional sports team.
Congratulations, Jake. We're all so proud of you.
🍕🥤🥗It’s time for some MOD Pizza!!! Durham High School PTS is holding a TROJAN TAKEOVER at MOD PIZZA TODAY (all day long). DHS PTS will receive 25% of sales* during this fundraiser. Participate by ordering online using the code MODGIVES25 or by visiting MOD located at 851 East Avenue, Suite 150 in Chico, and show this fundraiser flyer or mention the fundraiser at checkout. 🥗🥤🍕PLEASE SHARE with your family, friends, and neighbors!!!
* Tax, gift cards, and retail sales are excluded from the donation.
Our pre-enrollment for new students is officially LIVE on our website. https://durhamunified.aeries.net/enrollment/Eligibility.aspx?step=year This is specifically for NEW TK or Kindergarten students, as well as any NEW students entering other grades. If you're new to the district or know someone who is, now is the perfect time to get started! Spread the word and visit our website for more information. https://www.durhamunified.org/
