Durham Intermediate School -

Shady Creek was yet another huge success for our 6th graders.  It did look a bit different this year, but it was nothing our students and staff couldn't tackle.  Our students had sun, rain, and even snow.  The administrators came to the decision that it would be safest for our students and transportation to come home early as snow was predicted and it's difficult for our buses.  Our students and staff, being the troopers that they are, were able to pack up all of their items in about 20 minutes, eat lunch, and then board the bus to come back home. Even though their week was cut short, the students had an amazing and educational few days.  A big shoutout to our teachers: Mrs. Rigsbee, Mrs. Lincoln, and Ms. Skelly.  Our administrator, Mrs Parsley, and our nurses, Carina Ellis and Kristen Walters.  We appreciate you all so much. 

Last week, the 8th graders were able to present their 8th grade projects to panels of generous volunteers from our local community. We loved seeing the 8th graders “dressed to impress” for their presentations and the family members who came to support their students. As always, our DIS students impressed us with their passions as they researched a broad range of topics and educated us with this knowledge. Tears were shed, high fives were given, and a collective celebration has settled over the 8th graders as their months of hard work have concluded.

SHADY CREEK STUDENTS COMING HOME TODAY, THURSDAY, MARCH 13TH Due to the projected weather forecast of snow in the mountains tonight and tomorrow, the 6th Graders at Shady Creek will be coming home today for transportation safety. The buses are leaving Durham this morning, and students should be back on campus for regular school dismissal at 3:15pm. Students can be picked up by the DIG ​or students can ride their normal busses home.

Durham Unified is excited to announce that we will be offering Summer School for students TK-11 this year. Parents, look out for the sign-up links coming your way via email on Monday, March 24th.

This is a friendly reminder that school will be closed tomorrow and Monday, January 17, 2025. Enjoy the time off!

Durham Intermediate School is kicking off a scholarship donation fundraiser for this year's trip to Shady Creek Outdoor School.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.