Today at DIS, DHS counselor Christy Spade visited 8th grade classes to review course request forms for next year's classes. The students gained important insights into what to expect in high school, explored the course catalog, and learned about various opportunities and activities available to them. The session was informative, and students asked many questions.
A message from food service:
It’s a fantastic day for our Durham community. We have two amazing home sporting events happening today. Join us in celebrating our boys and girls senior soccer players during senior night, and don’t miss the excitement of our home basketball game, too. Let’s pack the stands and show our support for both teams! Good luck, and Go, Durham!
Jo Ann Stewart Aydt graduated from Durham in 1966. Looking back, she is amazed at the high quality of education she received at this small, rural school. With the help of Maurice Balaam and Joyce Dorsey, she obtained scholarships to the University of California, where she graduated in 1970. After moving to Alabama, she began working for Boeing as a quality engineer on the space program. Throughout her career, she worked on the Delta II, Delta IV, and Atlas V before retiring. Jo Ann feels that she was well prepared by the Durham Unified School District. We are proud of you, Jo Ann Stewart Aydt.
We have an exciting home girls basketball game tonight. Come and cheer on our amazing team. It's senior night, and we'll be celebrating our incredible seniors. Let's pack the stands one last time for our seniors and show our support. Good luck, and Go Trojans!
Tiger Spotlight of the Week: Dina Buttitta, Kindergarten Teacher
1) Why did you become a teacher? I always loved school, learning new things, and working with kids. I wanted to be able to share that with the students in my classes. I love the excitement and curiosity that all the little ones in my class have everyday.
2) What are your hobbies and interests outside of work? I enjoy reading and spending time with my family.
3) A fun fact about yourself or a unique talent you possess, if any? N/A
4) Favorite book, movie, or music (pick only one to share) and why is it your favorite? I have so many favorite books; it is hard to choose just one.
5) Favorite part about working at Durham Elementary School? My favorite part of working at Durham Elementary School are the people. We have such a strong sense of community and family here - it was the first thing I noticed when I started working in Durham.
This week, DES hosted its third Family S.T.E.A.M. Night. Families came together for an evening filled with learning activities. Alongside this event, the Music Boosters organized a fundraiser hamburger dinner for all the guests. Everyone had a great time connecting and enjoying the activities.
Good luck to our amazing ski team at their second slalom race of the season at Alpine Meadows! Go Trojans!
It's the 50th Anniversary of Block D!
The stage is set for a great show at the 2025 Block D performance on Feb. 8th.
Doors open at 7, and the show will start at 7:30. Our students have been rehearsing what is sure to be a lineup of star performances.
Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at the door, cash or check only. Community members, alumni, and DHS students are welcome and encouraged to attend. Block D is Durham's Athletic Club. The dance consists of student performances, contests, and group dances. Bill Wells started the club in 1975. This will be our 50th anniversary, and we will have more performances than ever before.
We look forward to seeing you there!
We are looking for alumni to work the door and concessions. If you'd like to volunteer, please reach out to Kinsey Coughenour at kcoughenour@durhamunified.org.
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
The installation of fencing on the east side of the Durham Intermediate School campus has been ongoing. Please remember that the area, including the parking spots on the south side of the district office near the sixth grade classrooms, is not a dropoff or pick up location for students. It is not a safe place to drop off students in this location. When the fencing installation is complete, this entrance will not be open, and any student dropped off there will not be able to enter campus at this location. Please utilize the planned drop off area between the district office and Durham Intermediate School gym or drop your student off in the front of the school, where the new parking lot faces the high school parking lot. Thank you for helping to keep our students safe.
For those of you heading down to the game on Saturday, here is some more information.
The X on the far left is the Parking garage we are supposed to park in. (There will be a fee) The X on the bottom right on L Street is the player entrance where players and officials will enter. The third X is the entrance for spectators and Parents.
Tiger Spotlight of the Week - Katlin Redding, TK Teacher
1) Why did you become a teacher?
I became a teacher because I believe in the power of making a difference in students' lives. I want every student to feel welcome, heard, and valued, creating a safe environment where they can thrive. My passion lies in inspiring students to fall in love with learning, helping them discover their potential and develop a lifelong curiosity. By fostering a positive and supportive classroom, I hope to make an impact that extends beyond academics, shaping confident and curious individuals for the future.
2) What are your hobbies and interests outside of work?
Outside of work, I enjoy spending quality time with my family, going camping or just watching a movie on the couch. I’m also passionate about turkey hunting, which allows me to connect with nature and challenge myself. Additionally, I love attending my sons sporting events, and doing crafty things with my sweet daughter.
3) A fun fact about yourself or unique talent you possess, if any?
A fun fact about me is that I really enjoy the outdoors and I love shooting my bow with my dad and brother on the weekend when I have free time.
4) Favorite book, movie, or music (pick only one to share) and why is it your favorite?
I love the old school Matilda movie. Growing up it was one of my favorites and when my kids were small they loved it too. So we've watched it many times in my house and it's definitely an all time fav.
5) Favorite part about working at Durham Elementary School?
This question is so easy to answer!! My favorite part about working at Durham Elementary School is the incredible sense of community and support. Being new to Durham this year, I felt so welcomed and included by everyone. The amazing students and families have made my transition smooth and so enjoyable. Every day, I look forward to coming to work and doing what I love most- teaching! The supportive environment here truly makes a difference and inspires me to give my best each day! I'm so beyond lucky to be a part of this wonderful community!
Wishing our amazing ski team the best of luck as they gear up for their first slalom race of the season at Boreal. Good luck, and Go, Trojans!
Mark your calendars! This year, the Boots and Bowties Dinner Fundraiser will be held at the Memorial Hall on February 20th. Tickets are available now by visiting our Eventbrite website. We are asking any parents willing to help with this dinner to please email Ms. Luce. This fundraiser would not be possible without the help and donations from our parents and community members. Thank you in advance for supporting our chapter.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2025-boots-and-bowties-dinner-fundraiser-tickets-1112054568149
Mark your calendars! This year the Boots and Bowties Dinner Fundraiser will be held at the Memorial Hall on February 20th. Tickets are available now by visiting our Eventbrite website. We are asking any parents willing to help with this dinner to please email Ms. Luce. This fundraiser would not be possible without the help and donations from our parents and community members. Thank you in advance for supporting our chapter!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2025-boots-and-bowties-dinner-fundraiser-tickets-1112054568149
A few days ago, an incredible community spirit display occurred in downtown Durham. Nine dedicated students performed a "random act of kindness" by tackling the muddy, leaf-filled area in front of Barb's Buy-gones and Needful Things, which had slick and slimy leaves in the street, raising concerns about community safety.
A BIG SHOUTOUT to Rowan Turnquist, Jonathon Gore, Jack Johansson, Jonas Ilukowicz, Bryce Landon, Carter Schmid, Liam Edson, Hank Simmons, and Micah Dawsons for their hard work and commitment to making the Durham Community a better place.
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.
January’s Student of the Month is Zach Zwinger. He has a 4.13 GPA and is on Durham’s wrestling team. This year, Zach has applied to several colleges, including Cal Poly, UCLA, UC Berkeley, North Dakota State, and Chico State. He would like to major in Biology. He is currently taking Physics, Advanced Biology, SOU English, and AP Government. Zach has been attending Durham since the 5th grade.
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.
