Students attend school in order to learn state approved curriculum in language arts, math, social studies, science, physical education and a variety of electives. This is the job of schools, to educate all students to the best of our ability. 

Our biggest goal while educating our students is to create a safe learning environment for all students and staff.

There are many things we do to keep our students safe. Some are more obvious than others. Some of the more publicly visible steps in recent years, include the addition of fencing and camera systems.

Some of the less publicly obvious steps include staff medication training, first aid training, threat assessment training and training of staff and students in different types of emergency drills.

A recent example of this was the annual medication training provided by Durham Unified District Nurse Kristin Walters and Health Tech Carina Ellis on Monday, Aug. 24.

The training focused on the proper handling of medicines and the use of emergency medicines that are on site. 

This was a voluntary training, but was attended by a large percentage of our site employees.

Thank you to Kristin and Carina for ensuring this training takes place every year, and thank you to our staff for doing everything possible to keep our students safe

The Durham Rotary Club was fortunate to have Durham High School Senior Preston Stanley as its guest speaker at this week’s meeting. Preston shared his experience of attending Camp Royal (https://rotary5160.org/youth/) representing Durham High School over the summer.  Rotary members asked many questions about the experience, and Preston had well thought out thorough responses. Way to represent Durham High!

DES (from Samantha Brown)
This week Durham Elementary was filled with energy, purpose, and the exciting focus of our student leaders! Our campus was buzzing as 2nd–5th grade Tigers kicked off NWEA MAP testing and our 3rd–5th graders dove headfirst into Student Council campaigns.

The week started with approved campaign posters brightening our hallways, leading into speech preparation afternoons in the MPR. Candidates showed incredible courage and dedication as they prepped their presentations. On Friday, August 28, our 3rd–5th graders gathered in the MPR for our Student Council Elections Assembly to hear from our candidate speeches before returning to classrooms to cast their votes. We capped off the week with smiles and style for our "Wear A Hat" Spirit Day! We are so proud of all the students who stepped up to run and showcase their leadership skills.

Upcoming Events at DES: August 31 – September 4, 2026
*NWEA MAP Testing (Math and Reading) Grades 2–5 Continues (Finishes September 4th)

• Monday, August 31: Newly Elected Student Council Meeting in DES Room 1 (12:15–12:45 PM – Bring your lunch!) | Early Release Monday (1:40 PM Dismissal for K–5; 11:45 AM for TK) for Teacher Professional Learning.

• Tuesday, September 1: Tiger Gear Tuesday | September Staff Meeting in DES MPR (3:00–4:30 PM – Please bring your commitment card from our first staff meeting!).

• Wednesday, September 2: 4-H Meeting in DES MPR (6:30–8:30 PM).

• Thursday, September 3: Lifetouch Picture Day in DES Room 34 (8:30 AM–2:30 PM – Please wait for a PTS Volunteer to escort your class; all staff must have photos taken for badges/yearbook) | Sam Off-Campus at Admin Meeting (9:30–11:30 AM).

• Friday, September 4: PTS Cookie Dough and Gifts Fundraiser Kick-Off (Information packets will be sent home with students).

DIS (From Josh Rowe)
Cardboard Boat Races

Mark your calendars! The Annual DIS Cardboard Boat Races are back on Friday, September 18!

Mr. Richards’ class has already started the unit leading up to this great DIS tradition. This week, students were challenged to construct boats using only aluminum foil and then see how many marbles their boats could hold before sinking. We believe a new record of 166 marbles was set this year!

This is always one of the highlights of the year, and we can’t wait to see the wonderful creations our students design and build as they paddle their way across the DRPD Pool in their cardboard boats.

Homework & Math Help Are Back!

Homework Help and Math Help are back this year! If your student needs a little extra help with homework or math, we have several opportunities available after school:

• Tuesdays — Homework Help: Mrs. Hering, Room 4

• Wednesdays — Math Help: Mrs. Comer, Room 12

• Thursdays — Homework Help: Mr. Richards, Room 7

Homework and Math Help will run from 3:10–3:40 p.m.

Please note that there is no bus service home after Homework or Math Help, so families will need to arrange transportation home for students who attend.

ASB Elections & Speeches

Today, students interested in serving as officers in our Associated Student Body (ASB) gave their campaign speeches to all DIS students in the DIG.

Following the speeches, students cast their ballots during Advisory. We appreciate all of the students who were willing to step up, run for office, and put themselves in front of their peers. Election results will be announced next week!

Back to School Dance

Saddle Up, Panthers! Our first dance of the year is coming up!

The PTS-Sponsored Back to School Dance will be held on Friday, September 4, from 5:30–7:00 p.m. at Durham Memorial Hall. Admission is $10.

All DIS students are invited to come out, have some fun, and dress in their DIS-appropriate country western attire. We hope to see plenty of Panthers there!

Upcoming Events

• September 4 — Jog-a-Thon Rally

• September 4 — Back to School Dance

• September 7 — Labor Day — No School

• September 14 — Minimum Day

• September 16 — Picture Day

• September 18 — Cardboard Boat Races

DHS (From Marty Wilkes)
School is officially in full swing. Before we get too far into the year, I would like to welcome our four Exchange Students.  Henry is from Germany, Frederik is from Denmark, Patti is from Spain, and for the first time in my career we have Nuriya, an exchange student from Tajikistan.  Henry and Frederik are working on learning how to play American Football.  Nuriya will be wrestling and Patti will be on the ski team.  Yes Mr. Martin, she has experience. 

Counseling:
Schedule changes are in the books. Now it’s on to all the other fun fall activities that keep the Counseling department busy…college applications, FAFSA, tours, tests, oh my!

In Advisory this week, students participated in an Open Ocean Survival game that tested their teamwork skills and ability to survive being lost at sea. Seniors painted the tank. Next week students will enjoy Club Day, a fun opportunity to learn about clubs on campus.

We look forward to seeing everyone at Back To School Night on Wednesday, September 2nd. 

Students who signed up for the PSAT or SAT need to submit their payment by no later than September 18th.

Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) will be administered on September 22nd.

More information will follow, but mark your calendars now…Senior and Parent Night will be on Tuesday, September 22nd. You won’t want to miss this important evening!

 Athletics:
Volleyball has a 7-1 record going into the weekend after dropping their match against UPrep on Tuesday  3-1.  Volleyball heads to the Sutter tournament on Saturday.  The football team got off to a good start with a 57-12 win on Friday.   The Trojans threw the ball all over the field to throw for a school record of 8 TDs.  Tonight they host the defending division 5 state champions with JV at 5:30 and varsity at 7:30.

Volleyball: 
Aug. 29:  At Sutter Tournament
Sept. 3:    Home vs Biggs
Sept. 8:    Home vs Winters

Football:
Aug. 28:  Home vs  Redding Christian 5:30-7:30
Sept. 11:  At Oroville

AG:
Aug. 24:  County Fair
Aug. 26:  First Chapter meeting

Student Services and Supports (from Marilyn Bertolucci)
Did you know about…
The Reading League -The Reading League’s mission is to advance the awareness, understanding, and use of evidence-aligned reading instruction. https://www.thereadingleague.org/

Click the link Professional Development Opportunities with BCOE 

Proven Practices to Support English Learners In Making Academic Writing Gains for Grades 4-8

3 Day Series

Day 1 - September 22, 2026
Reading and Summarizing Informational Text

Day 2 - November 10, 2026
Opinion and Argument Writing

Day 3 - January 19, 2027
Informative Writing

Planning with Intention in ELA: Tiered Instruction That Supports All Students

Choose one:
September 29th K–2 Session: 8:30-3:30
September 30th 3–5 Session: 8:30-3:30

Weekly Update Archive