Hard to believe this is already the final update of the school year as we head into the final three days of school. It was equally difficult to believe when I was at the 8th grade visit to the high school, and I noticed that next year’s freshman class is already the Class of 2030!

It is true that time really flies.

Before we rush into our summer activities, I look forward to watching the 8th graders and seniors walk across the stage in the improved football stadium at the high school.

As most of us look forward to finishing three more days of school before recharging over summer break, three of our long time employees will ride off into retirement at the end of this school year.

Jaqueline Lincoln, 6th grade teacher at the intermediate school with 31 years in Durham Unified; Yolanda Prentice, elementary site secretary with 29 years in Durham Unified; and Roni Masuda, 4th grade teacher at Durham Elementary with 24 years in Durham Unified, are all finishing their final year and heading into retirement.

All three were recognized at the May 20 board meeting. There are no words or awards that can truly show the appreciation for their endless hours of support for the children in Durham schools. I can only hope that the ceremony at the board meeting, which included a presentation from Erin Johnston of California Assemblyman James Gallagher’s Office, shows just a little of how much we honor them.

I wish each of them a very long and very healthy retirement!

DES (from Samantha Brown)
As our final full week of the school year comes to an end, Durham Elementary is buzzing with excitement and end-of-year traditions. The week kicked off on Monday, May 18th, as we celebrated National Speech-Language Pathologist Day, our 5th graders visited DIS, and 2nd grade enjoyed their pool party. Our students have been on the move throughout the week with 5th grade visiting the Forebay Aquatic Center, TK and Kindergarten heading to the Silver Dollar Fair for the Farm Babies field trip, and the inspiring DHS Senior Walk took place on Wednesday morning. The week concluded with a series of celebrations, including daily grade-level pool parties, the Reading Pals/Math Buddies end-of-year event, a "Dress Like a Celebrity" spirit day, and Popsicles with the Principal on Friday afternoon. 

As we enter our final week of school, the fun and traditions continue at DES with a busy lineup of events before we head into summer. Please remember that there is no school on Monday, May 25th, in observance of Memorial Day. The rest of the week, Tuesday through Thursday, will follow a minimum day schedule with a 12:20 PM release. Key highlights include our End of the Year Awards Assembly and the DUSD PTS Luncheon on Tuesday, followed by the 5th Grade Advancement, Kindergarten Water Day, and the 1st–5th Field Day on Wednesday. We will wrap up the school year on Thursday, May 28th, with our final trimester evaluations and the highly anticipated Variety Show and Staff Performance at 9:00 AM in the MPR.  

Upcoming Events at DES:

May 2026

• May 25: Memorial Day (No School).

• May 26: Minimum Day (12:20 PM Release); End of the Year Awards Assembly (MPR, 9:00 AM); 5th Grade Advancement Practice; DUSD PTS Luncheon (DES Courtyard, 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM).

• May 27: Minimum Day (12:20 PM Release); 5th Grade Advancement (MPR, 8:30 AM); K Water Day (9:00–11:00 AM); 1st–5th Field Day (9:30-11:30 AM).

• May 28: Last Day of School; Minimum Day Release (12:20 PM); End of Trimester 3; Variety Show/Staff Performance in MPR (9:00 AM).

• May 29: Teacher Work Day.

June 2026

• June 1: First Day of Summer School (8:00 AM)

DIS (From Josh Rowe)

Incoming 6th Grade Visit to DIS
On Monday, May 18th, we welcomed our incoming 6th grade students to campus. I was able to greet students with a welcome message before they enjoyed a snack break alongside our current 6th and 7th grade students. Following the break, our 7th grade CJSF students led campus tours, showing incoming students where everything is located while also reviewing campus expectations and procedures. Thank you to Mrs. Juanarena for coordinating this amazing event and helping make our future Panthers feel welcome at DIS.

Honor Roll Trip
On Tuesday, students were rewarded with a trip to the River Cats game as part of our annual Honor Roll Trip. A total of 140 students qualified for this reward. Students had a great time watching the game, enjoying snacks, spending time with friends, and participating in a parade around the field. Great job, Panthers!

DIS PE
Ladder ball, Spikeball, corn hole and Bucket golf have made their way to DIS PE. Students are sharpening their backyard lawn games to finish out the year and head into summer. 

8th Grade Parents
As we head into the final week of school, please review the important information below so we can have a great week celebrating our students as they prepare for high school next year.

Monday, May 25, 2026 - No School – Memorial Day

Tuesday, May 26, 2026 Minimum Day – Dismissal at 12:10 PM, Promotion Practice: 9:00–11:00 AM (approximately)

All 8th grade students must attend promotion practice in order to participate in the Promotion Ceremony. Please ensure your student arrives at school on time.

Wednesday, May 27, 2026 Minimum Day – Dismissal at 12:10 PM, Final Promotion Practice 9:00 AM–TBD, depending on student preparedness
Promotion Ceremony: 8:00 PM at the DHS Football Stadium

Promotion Ceremony Expectations

8th graders are to arrive wearing their promotion gowns and ready for the ceremony. As in previous years, no additional decorations may be worn during the ceremony, including:

• No leis

• No flowers

• No neckwear

• No sunglasses

• No additional decorations

The only exception will be official CJSF medals awarded by the school.

Seating Information

• No tickets are required for the Promotion Ceremony

• Gates will open at 6:00 PM

• Please do not save seats early

• ADA-accessible seating is available in the new football stadium stands

Promotion Ceremony Quick Details

• 8th graders must report to the DHS Gym no later than 7:00 PM

• The home side of the football stadium will open at 6:00 PM

• Promotion begins promptly at 8:00 PM

Parking Information

Parking will be available:

• In the front DHS parking lot

• In the outfield area of the JV Softball Field

Please note:

• The yellow road gate from Durham Dayton will be closed

Handicap Parking

Handicap parking will be available near the portables on the west side of the football stadium. A golf cart will also be available to assist those needing transportation support.

Parent Reminder

Please be respectful of others and refrain from bringing:

• Air horns or loud noisemakers

• Large bunches of balloons that obstruct the view of others

• Large signs

We are all there to celebrate our students, and minimizing distractions helps make the ceremony enjoyable for everyone.

8th Grade SunSplash Trip

Thursday, May 28, 2026

The bus will leave promptly at 8:00 AM and is expected to return at approximately 6:00 PM. Please have students on campus by 7:45 AM.

• There is no cost to students

• Lunch will be provided

Students should bring:

• Towels

• Sunscreen

Students will also have opportunities to purchase additional food and drinks if they wish. We will have a cabana area where students may leave their bags and belongings during the trip.

Important Dates

• May 25: Memorial Day – No School

• May 27: 8th Grade Promotion

• May 28: Last Day of School / SunSplash / Pool Party

DHS (From Marty Wilkes)

3 Days until graduation!

It is that time of year, have your kids check under the bed and get all those library books and their chrome book charger out and send it back to school.  I am sure you don't want an extra bill for the third chrome book charger that they have under their bed…

On Monday our future Trojans spent the day at DHS for 8th Grade Shadow Day!  Students were paired with upperclassmen to experience a day in the life at DHS, participated in ASB elections, enjoyed an ice cream social, and even received their very first Trojan spiritwear shirts. We loved welcoming the Class of 2030 to campus! See attached pictures.

While Shadow Day was happening, seniors were enjoying their Senior Trip to Sunsplash, a fun way to celebrate and enjoy their last few days together. 

Reminder: All seniors are required to attend grad practice on Tuesday (5/26) and Wednesday (5/27). If necessary, we will practice on Thursday (5/28) as well. Practice begins at 1:15 pm and will go until finished (not less than 2 hrs).

Graduation is here!! Be there to celebrate the class of 2026 at the DHS football field on Thursday, May 28th at 8:00 pm. Congratulations graduates…we wish you all the best!!

Athletics:
Softball: The Girls are still alive in their super regional playoff format.  They dropped their Tuesday game against UPrep 2-1.  They came back strong on Thursday to beat Winters 11-1 and then top Colusa 10-7 to advance to the championship game.  The Girls will play UPrep again at 12:00 tomorrow.  The winner takes home the D 4 title.

Baseball: The boys season came to an abrupt end on Tuesday.  Teams have to play clean in the playoffs and the boys made some costly mistakes which lead to them being on the wrong end of a 9-8 game.  The team will return eight starters so next year they should be improved.

AG:

-Mr. Deaton: Sheep, Goats, and Steers

-Mrs. Kann: 1/2 of the Pigs and Turkeys

-Ms. Trujillo: 1/2 of the Pigs and Rabbits

Upcoming Events:

5-28 Graduation: 8:00 pm

Student Services and Supports (from Marilyn Bertolucci)

Mental Wellness is the Secret to Academic Success

Often, we focus on study habits, tutoring, or screen-time limits. But there is a quieter, incredibly powerful engine behind your student’s academic success: their mental wellness.

When a student feels emotionally secure, supported, and mentally healthy, their brain is ready and able to learn. 

1. The Brain Needs Calm to Learn 

When a child is overwhelmed by anxiety, stress, or deep sadness, their brain enters a "fight or flight" mode. 

• Healthy Mind: Better concentration, quicker retention of facts, and higher test performance.

• Stressed Mind: High distractibility, forgetfulness, and mental fatigue.

2. Emotional Resilience Equals Academic Grit  IT IS OK FOR STUDENTS TO STRUGGLE

School is full of challenges, from a tough math concept to a disappointing grade on a project. Students with strong mental wellness possess resilience. Instead of shutting down or giving up when they face an academic hurdle, they are equipped to view mistakes as learning opportunities and try again. 

3. Better Sleep and Energy

Mental wellness and physical health are deeply connected. Anxiety and stress are notorious for disrupting sleep. A mentally thriving student sleeps better, wakes up refreshed, and has the sustained physical energy required to power through a demanding school day.

4. Positive Social Connections

A large part of the school day happens outside of the classroom and away from textbooks. When students feel good about themselves, they build healthier friendships, navigate peer conflict more easily, and work together better on group projects. A student who feels lonely or excluded at recess or break will naturally struggle to participate confidently in class.

Click this link to watch - Why Mental Health is Critical for Academic Success

This talk focuses on the need for schools and educators to have a proactive stance in supporting student emotional well being so academic and personal achievement is possible.

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