So often, the profound impact educators have on their students becomes an unspoken echo. We carry the memories of our favorite teachers in our hearts, sharing fond stories with friends long after the school bells have stopped ringing. Yet, how rarely do we take a moment to reach back across the years, find that person, and simply say, "Thank you for the impact you made on my life."

I was reminded of this beautiful thought recently. This week, I received an email from a fellow Durham High School classmate, Mike Rogers. Mike was searching for a way to send a message to Mr. Nick Rabo, the long time metal and auto shop teacher at Durham High School.

Even after 38 years, the mark Mr. Rabo left on Mike’s life remains vividly clear. Moved by a video he found online titled “The Importance of Reaching Out to Old Teachers,” Mike felt an urge to express his gratitude. Unsure of how to find Mr. Rabo directly, he reached out to me.

It is an honor to be the bridge that delivers this message. I can only imagine the warmth that will fill Mr. Rabo's heart when he realizes that nearly four decades later, a former student still holds so dearly to the lessons and the guidance he shared. It is a testament to a legacy that time cannot erase.

(Note: I haven't linked the video here as some of its language is a bit too raw and colorful for a school setting, but if you'd like to experience its heartfelt message for yourself, you can easily find it with a quick search.)

Grandstand rising at DHS
The football grandstand construction project at Durham High School makes amazing progress everyday. Just today, the announcer/coaching booth was placed on top of the grandstand (see attached pictures).

The visiting stands are nearly complete and the new shade structure will rise soon.

We also upgraded the signage on the snack bar for the community members and organizations that donated to the coliseum project a little over a decade ago (see attached picture).

DES (from Samantha Brown)

I hope everyone had a fabulous and rejuvenating Spring Break! It was wonderful to see our students and staff return to campus this week with such high energy. We certainly hit the ground running on Monday, April 13th, with our Student Council meeting during lunch and an enthusiastic CAASPP Testing Rally in the MPR to kick off the week for our 3rd–5th graders. Our Chess Club met in the library, while our teachers utilized the Early Release Collaboration time for essential grade-level planning on Monday afternoon. Testing officially began on Tuesday, followed by a productive monthly staff meeting and a fantastic evening VAPA performance of "Nuts! The Musical" by Mrs. Del Carlo’s class. The musical energy continued Wednesday evening with Miss Madera’s class taking the stage for their performance. We concluded this busy week on Friday afternoon celebrating our March Students of the Month during "Popsicles with the Principal" in the courtyard. Our school wide picnic and staff challenges have unfortunately been postponed again until Friday, April 27th due to weather.

Next week at DES is full speed ahead as we celebrate National Volunteer Recognition Week and National Public Schools Week. While our 3rd–5th graders tackle their second week of CAASPP testing, we have a full slate of afternoon and evening events: the PTS meets Tuesday at 8:30 AM at Memorial Hall, followed by a Probationary Teacher meeting after school. On Wednesday, we honor our office team for Administrative Professionals Day and hold our School Site Council meeting. Thursday features a Technology Committee meeting and Ms. Brunelle’s first grade performance of "Nuts! The Musical." Weather permitting, we will conclude the week on Friday with our schoolwide picnic and staff challenges.

Upcoming Events at DES:

April 2026

• April 19–25: National Volunteer Recognition Week; National Public School Week

• April 20: DES CAASPP Testing

• April 21: PTS Meeting (8:30 AM at Memorial Hall); Probationary Teachers Meeting (after school).

• April 22: National Administrative Professionals Day; Earth Day; School Site Council (Rm 4, 3:00–4:00 PM).

• April 23: Tech Committee (2:45–3:45 PM); 1st Grade VAPA Play (Ms. Brunelle, DES MPR 5:30 PM).

• April 24: School Spirit Day - Camo/Nature Dress Up Day

• April 27: DES CAASPP Testing; Tri-3 Report Card Assessments; Grandparent's Day Practices (PM); Chess Club (1:40–2:25 PM).

• April 28: National Superhero Day (Dress like a superhero); National School Bus Driver's Day; PBIS Leadership (2:45–3:15 PM, Rm 39).

May 2026

• May 1: 3rd Grade Walking Field Trip Around Durham (starts 9:00 AM).

• May 3–9: Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week; Scholastic Book Fair.

• May 4: Tri-3 Report Card Assessments; Grandparent's Day Practices (PM); Student Council Meeting (Rm 7, 12:15–12:45 PM).

• May 5: DUSD Art Show; Staff Meeting (Rm 6, 3:00–4:30 PM).

• May 6: School Nurse’s Day; National Interpreter Day; Open House/DUSD Art Show (5:00–7:00 PM).

• May 8: Minimum Day (12:20 PM Release); Grandparent’s Day.

• May 9: Kindergarten Stick Horses in DES (9:30–10:30 AM); May Day Parade & Picnic (10:00 AM).

• May 10: Mother’s Day.

• May 11: Tri-3 Report Card Assessment Make-ups; 1:00 PM Fire Drill to Shelter in Place.

• May 12: 5th Grade Band Concert (DHS Gym, 6:00 PM).

• May 13: Durham 4-H in MPR (6:30–8:30 PM).

• May 14: 3rd Grade Durham House Walking Field Trip (8:30–11:30 AM); 2/3 Pen Pal End of Year Celebration (Kona’s Ice, 12:15 PM); 4th Grade to Sacramento (Sutter’s Fort/RR Museum).

• May 15: TK ABC Fashion Show (Cafeteria, 9:00–9:30 AM); 2nd Grade Field Trip to Turtle Bay (8:30 AM – 2:00 PM); Popsicles w/ Principal (2:00 PM).

• May 18: National Speech-Language Pathologist Day; 5th Grade to DIS (AM); 2nd Grade Pool Party (11:20 AM - 1:20 PM).

• May 19: 5th Grade to Forebay Aquatic Center (8:30 AM - 2:00 PM); 1st Grade Pool Party (12:00–2:00 PM); Probationary Teachers Meeting (3:00–4:00 PM); PTS at Memorial Hall (8:30 AM).

• May 20:  DHS Senior Walk (through 10:15 AM); 4th Grade Pool Party (12:00–2:00 PM).

• May 21: 5th Grade Pool Party (12:00–2:00 PM); RP/MB End of Year Celebration in MPR (1:00-2:00 PM in MPR); TK to Silver Dollar Fair for Farm Babies Field Trip (8:30–11:00 AM).

• May 22: School Spirit Day - Dress Like A Celebrity; 3rd Grade Pool Party (12:00–2:00 PM); Kinder to Silver Dollar Fair for Farm Babies Field Trip (8:30–10:30 AM).

• 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); TK/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)
Honor Roll Trip 2026

Earning above a 3.5 GPA is a huge accomplishment, and we are proud to recognize over 140 DIS students who have achieved this honor!

Students were notified with a letter this week If your student earned a 3.5 GPA for the first three quarters, they received a permission slip to attend the Honor Roll Field Trip to the River Cats game on May 19.

Please return permission slips to Holly in the office by May 1.

If you are interested in chaperoning and driving, all required paperwork and fingerprinting must be completed prior to the trip. If this has not been completed, you will not be able to attend as a chaperone. If you have already been fingerprinted this school year, you are all set. If you still need to complete fingerprinting, please contact the district office.

Summer School
A bright and engaging summer is ahead at Durham Unified!

Summer School 2026 for Durham Elementary (DES) and Durham Intermediate (DIS) will run from Monday, June 1 through Thursday, June 25.

Our program is designed to support and strengthen student learning while preparing students for success in the upcoming school year. Students will participate in engaging, hands-on lessons, including core academic support, small group instruction, and fun weekly themes.

Invitation letters were sent home last week based on this year's quarter grades. If you have questions about summer school, please contact Morgan Alaways at DES.

State Testing Begins Next Week
Starting next week, students at Durham Intermediate will begin the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP). Students will test in their English classes with their English teachers.

Testing Schedule:

• ELA: Tuesday, April 21 – Friday, April 24

• Math: Tuesday, April 28 – Friday, May 1

• Science (8th Grade Only): May 5 – May 7

Testing includes the Smarter Balanced Assessments for ELA and Math (Grades 6–8), and the California Science Test (CAST) for 8th grade students.

Attendance Matters
It is extremely important that students are at school and on time each day during testing. Testing sessions begin promptly, and being present and ready helps students do their best while avoiding the need for make-up testing. 

We appreciate your support in ensuring your child gets a good night’s rest and arrives at school on time each day.

These assessments are valuable tools that help us understand your child’s progress and growth. Practice tests are available at: www.caaspp.org

Important Dates

• April 21 – April 24: ELA CAASPP Testing

• April 28 – May 1: Math CAASPP Testing

• May 5 – May 7: 8th Grade Science Testing

• May 6: Open House (6:00–7:00 PM)

• May 8: Carnival Day & Minimum Day

• May 15: CJSF Sponsored Dance

• May 18: 8th Grade & 5th Grade Shadow Day

• May 19: Honor Roll Field Trip

• May 27: 8th Grade Promotion

• May 28: Sun Splash / Pool Party / Last Day of School

DHS (From Marty Wilkes)
29 Days until graduation!

This week in Advisory students completed a Character Strong lesson. The To Be Challenge for the week is to be Inclusive. Students were encouraged to make an effort to include others this week by inviting someone who might feel left out to sit with them at lunch or on the bus, join a group activity, or to be their partner in class.

On Wednesday, 16 students took the Spring SAT test.

We had 29 girls go to the Dream It, Be It Career Support Conference in Chico.  They learned how to set goals, balance stress, overcome obstacles, and met with mentors to explore different careers.  Everyone enjoyed themselves and felt the conference was a great experience.  We hope to bring more students next year.  The Soroptist of Bidwell Rancho and Chico did an amazing job.  Please see the photos attached. 

Athletics:
Baseball: The boys improved to 19-1  overall and 5-0 in the SVL. They won their second SVL game over Colusa 21-2  Our boys took down Hamilton 11-1 on Monday and Paradise on Wednesday 18-5 and will play Paradise Friday in an effort to get their 20th win of the season. They play Winters at home on the Tuesday

Softball: The ladies have won three straight and moved their record to 9-6 going into today's game vs Paradise.  The Girls beat Willows 17-0, Paradise 5-3 and Biggs 6-1. Next week the Trojans host Winters on Tuesday.

Golf won its match this week and is 3-0 in the SVL play.

AG:
Our Parli-Pro Team is headed to State Finals! On April 17th and 18th they will be competing in Fresno for a Silver Bowl and a State Title.  

If your student is showing an animal at the fair with FFA, please make sure they schedule a project check with their advisor. They need to have a total of 4.

-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:

April 30  - SAT Digital Readiness Test
May 1 -   Decision Day
May 5 -  Mazie Birthday
May 11 -  AP Calculus Test
May 14 -  Senior Awards
May 17 - Baccalaureate
May 18 - Senior Picnic
May 18 -  8th Grade Shadow Day
May 20 -  Senior Walk
May 28 - Graduation

Student Services and Supports (from Marilyn Bertolucci)
Parents,Guardians, Students and Staff Your Voice Matters: California Healthy Kids Survey (CHKS) 2026

What does it actually feel like to be part of our district right now? To answer that, we go straight to the source.

Between May 4 and May 8, 2026, DUSD students in grades 3 through 12 will participate in the California Healthy Kids Survey (CHKS). This is an anonymous, confidential survey that allows our students to share their experiences regarding school safety, mental health, and learning environments.

What is the CHKS?

The CHKS is a comprehensive assessment that helps us understand the "climate" of our schools. It asks students about:

• School Connectedness: Do they feel they belong? Do they have a caring adult on campus?

• Safety: Insights into bullying, harassment, and campus security.

• Physical & Mental Health: Questions regarding exercise, emotional well-being, and (for older students) health-risk behaviors.

How does  it work?

The survey is administered online during the school day. It is 100% anonymous; no names or IDs are attached to the data. We are looking for trends, not individual identities.

The Consent Process

Because we are surveying students from elementary through high school, the consent process varies by grade level:

• Grades 3–6 (Active Consent): A paper permission slip will be sent home with your student. Please sign and return this form to your student’s classroom teacher no later than April 30, 2026. Without a signed form, your student will not participate.

• Grades 7–12 (Passive Consent): If you do not want your student to participate, please notify the school office in writing or complete a google form  by April 30, 2026. A separate form for each student will need to be completed. Otherwise, they will be included in the survey.

7th -12 Grade Opt Out Form 25/26

Formulario de exclusión (7.º a 12.º grado) 25/26

What do you do with the data? 

We don't collect this information just to file it away. We use these insights to:

1. Secure Funding: Data helps us prove the need for grants that fund school counselors and other student supports.

2. Improve Programs: If students report feeling unsafe in specific areas or times of day, we adjust our supervision and safety protocols.

3. Local Control (LCAP): This feedback directly informs our District’s yearly goals and budget.

I want to review the survey. How can I do that? 

We believe in transparency. If you would like to review the survey questions before they are administered, physical copies of the survey modules for all grade levels are available for your review at the District Office starting 4/22/2026 .

Thank you for your partnership in helping us make Durham Unified School District a place where everyone feels safe, heard, and supported.

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