Tiger Spotlight of the Week: Mrs. Katie Perkins, Third Grade Teacher
Spring Break & Minimum Day Reminder
This Friday is a minimum day for all sites:
* Durham Elementary School (DES): Dismissal at 12:20 PM
* Durham Intermediate School (DIS): Dismissal at 12:10 PM
* Durham High School (DHS): Dismissal at 12:50 PM
Spring Break will officially begin at that time. Please be sure to arrange for prompt pick-up.
We hope your family enjoys a safe, restful, and fun Spring Break — we cannot wait to hear all about it on April 13 when we return.
This Friday is a minimum day for all sites:
* Durham Elementary School (DES): Dismissal at 12:20 PM
* Durham Intermediate School (DIS): Dismissal at 12:10 PM
* Durham High School (DHS): Dismissal at 12:50 PM
Spring Break will officially begin at that time. Please be sure to arrange for prompt pick-up.
We hope your family enjoys a safe, restful, and fun Spring Break — we cannot wait to hear all about it on April 13 when we return.
8th Grade Promotion & Important Dates
8th grade families—promotion will be here before we know it! 8th Grade Promotion is scheduled for Wednesday, May 27th, and we are excited to celebrate this milestone with you and your student.
In the meantime, please mark your calendar for April 15th, when students will take their promotion pictures here at DIS. More details will be shared soon, but we wanted to make sure this important date is on your radar.
8th grade families—promotion will be here before we know it! 8th Grade Promotion is scheduled for Wednesday, May 27th, and we are excited to celebrate this milestone with you and your student.
In the meantime, please mark your calendar for April 15th, when students will take their promotion pictures here at DIS. More details will be shared soon, but we wanted to make sure this important date is on your radar.
Tiger Spotlight of the Week: Mrs. Yolanda Prentice, DES Secretary
Exciting news, Durham Community. We have another great update on our high school stadium project! Work is progressing on the grandstand, and some of the visitor side seating has already been installed. Stay tuned for more updates as we get closer to the finish line
With the good weather, construction continues to heat up on the elementary school campus. Demolition is well underway on what will be the brand-new TK/K complex and elementary office.
Tiger Spotlight of the Week: Mrs. Rhiannon Benson, Kindergarten Teacher
🌋 What an EXPLOSIVE day at Durham Intermediate.
Today, our incredible 6th graders wrapped up their volcano projects, and wow — did they go out with a BANG.
It was amazing seeing the community and fellow schoolmates come together to cheer them on. The support and excitement in the air made this day one to remember.
A huge shoutout to all the students who put their hearts into these projects, and to everyone who showed up to celebrate them. This is what Durham school spirit is all about
Today, our incredible 6th graders wrapped up their volcano projects, and wow — did they go out with a BANG.
It was amazing seeing the community and fellow schoolmates come together to cheer them on. The support and excitement in the air made this day one to remember.
A huge shoutout to all the students who put their hearts into these projects, and to everyone who showed up to celebrate them. This is what Durham school spirit is all about
The Panther Press
DIS weekly news and updates
Wildflowers
DIS Week at a Glance
Week at a Glance
Important Announcements
March SOM
Student of the Month
Mrs. Lash nominated our March student ofthe month, Reese Sharrah, Mrs. Lash wrote:
Reese is a hardworking, caring, kind, and considerate student. Each day that Reese arrives at school she brings her best attitude. No matter what is thrown at Reese, she continues to be positive and uplift others. Reese is the type of student that sees a difficult situation and turns it into a challenge that she will conquer. Reese has the ability to be friends with anyone, a rare quality that not many people have. Reese tackles each day with determination and an infectious smile. If you're interested in getting to know Reese, you can find her on the basketball court beating 8th graders.
Congratstulation Reese!
All Stars
DIS All Stars
Durham Intermediate School is excited to celebrate two of our own: Braiden Baker (8th grade) and Hank Garrity (7th grade), who have been nominated to participate in the Northern Section Jr. High North State All-Star Boys Basketball Game! This event highlights the best junior high players across the North State and is a well earned recognition of their talent, effort, and character.
The All-Star Games will be held on Saturday, March 15th at Chico Jr. High School, with the 7th grade game tipping off at 1:00 PM and the 8th grade game at 3:00 PM.
We are proud of Braiden and Hank for representing our school. Let’s show up and support our Panther Pride!
Exciting day at our school today. Some of our elementary students had the special opportunity to witness the groundbreaking start of the new elementary school buildings. It was wonderful to see their excitement as they watched. We can’t wait to see the new school take shape.
Hey Durham community!
We have a few job opportunities available. If you or anyone you know is interested in applying, https://www.edjoin.org/durhamunified
We have a few job opportunities available. If you or anyone you know is interested in applying, https://www.edjoin.org/durhamunified
Student of the Month
Mrs. Lash nominated our March student ofthe month, Reese Sharrah, Mrs. Lash wrote:
Reese is a hardworking, caring, kind, and considerate student. Each day that Reese arrives at school she brings her best attitude. No matter what is thrown at Reese, she continues to be positive and uplift others. Reese is the type of student that sees a difficult situation and turns it into a challenge that she will conquer. Reese has the ability to be friends with anyone, a rare quality that not many people have. Reese tackles each day with determination and an infectious smile. If you're interested in getting to know Reese, you can find her on the basketball court beating 8th graders.
Congratstulation Reese!
Mrs. Lash nominated our March student ofthe month, Reese Sharrah, Mrs. Lash wrote:
Reese is a hardworking, caring, kind, and considerate student. Each day that Reese arrives at school she brings her best attitude. No matter what is thrown at Reese, she continues to be positive and uplift others. Reese is the type of student that sees a difficult situation and turns it into a challenge that she will conquer. Reese has the ability to be friends with anyone, a rare quality that not many people have. Reese tackles each day with determination and an infectious smile. If you're interested in getting to know Reese, you can find her on the basketball court beating 8th graders.
Congratstulation Reese!
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT!
Cayden graduated in the DHS Class of 2023. After DHS, he attended Universal Technical Institute Sacramento Auto Technology Program with FORD specialty from August 2023 then graduated in November 2024 with (4) Student of the Class awards, (15) times on the President's List and Professionalism-High Honors. He applied, qualified and was then accepted into one of 12 spots in the Porsche Technology Apprenticeship Program in Eastvale, CA. Qualifications for a spot included:
-High School Grad/GED
-Completion of Universal Tech's Auto curriculum certified by ASE
-3.5+ GPA in the Auto Program
-Clean Driving Record
-95%+ attendance rate in Auto Program (No more than 3 days & he had perfect attendance)
-Entrance Exam
-Multiple Interviews
He relocated to Rancho Cucamonga,CA in January 2025. This program fully sponsored housing & education. He graduated from PTAP June 2025 & accepted a position at Boise Porsche in July 2025. He's loving Idaho and feels good calling it his new home!
Cayden graduated in the DHS Class of 2023. After DHS, he attended Universal Technical Institute Sacramento Auto Technology Program with FORD specialty from August 2023 then graduated in November 2024 with (4) Student of the Class awards, (15) times on the President's List and Professionalism-High Honors. He applied, qualified and was then accepted into one of 12 spots in the Porsche Technology Apprenticeship Program in Eastvale, CA. Qualifications for a spot included:
-High School Grad/GED
-Completion of Universal Tech's Auto curriculum certified by ASE
-3.5+ GPA in the Auto Program
-Clean Driving Record
-95%+ attendance rate in Auto Program (No more than 3 days & he had perfect attendance)
-Entrance Exam
-Multiple Interviews
He relocated to Rancho Cucamonga,CA in January 2025. This program fully sponsored housing & education. He graduated from PTAP June 2025 & accepted a position at Boise Porsche in July 2025. He's loving Idaho and feels good calling it his new home!
Survivor DIS Season 1 is well underway. During PE Tribes were formed at random, to compete in mental toughness challenges, physical strength, teamwork and more for the title of Tribe Survivor DIS. Tribes have picked names based on island languages, created flags and will begin their hunt for hidden immunity idols today. Points are awarded, tribes voted out and advantages earned all in hopes of becoming the season 1 winner.
Tiger Spotlight of the Week: Miss Nicole Luce, 5th Grade Year Long Substitute
We may be a day late, but our appreciation for our Ag teachers is always right on time! 🌱 Thank you for your dedication, passion, and impact on our students and community. Happy Ag Teacher Appreciation Day
PEG Presentations
It’s almost time for our PEG Presentations.
Mrs. Withrow will be sending out a SignUpGenius link next week through ParentSquare, asking for community volunteers to serve as panelists. This project is such a powerful experience for our students, and we truly could not do it without the support of our families and community members.
We are looking forward to hosting our PEG Presentations on March 10th and 11th and celebrating the hard work, growth, and creativity of our students.
Thank you in advance for your continued support of Durham Intermediate School and our Panthers!
It’s almost time for our PEG Presentations.
Mrs. Withrow will be sending out a SignUpGenius link next week through ParentSquare, asking for community volunteers to serve as panelists. This project is such a powerful experience for our students, and we truly could not do it without the support of our families and community members.
We are looking forward to hosting our PEG Presentations on March 10th and 11th and celebrating the hard work, growth, and creativity of our students.
Thank you in advance for your continued support of Durham Intermediate School and our Panthers!
Tiger Spotlight of the Week: Mrs. Dayna Gibbs, DUSD Food Services Manager
It is not everyday that we see snow in Durham, but it happened on Thursday and many of our students found time to get outside of the classroom and experience the snow.
We will probably never have a “snow” day like Paradise schools had on Thursday and Friday, but it was fun for our students while it lasted.
We will probably never have a “snow” day like Paradise schools had on Thursday and Friday, but it was fun for our students while it lasted.
Durham Unified is looking for parents, students, and community members to join our school wellness committee.
