Weekly SPARK: Middleton-Brown Named Principal of the Year, Regional Meetings Continue, and More

Oct. 24, 2023

R.N.Harris Principal Mshinda Middleton-Brown Named DPS 2023-2024 Principal of the Year

R.N. Harris Principal Mshinda Middleton-Brown has been named 2023-2024 Durham Public Schools Principal of the Year. DPS Superintendent Dr. Pascal Mubenga made the announcement during a surprise visit to the school this morning.

“You have transformed the lives of our future leaders through your innovation, motivation, and inspiration,” he said.

Under Middleton-Brown’s leadership, R.N. Harris was designated as a ‘B’ school for the first time ever. Additionally, R.N. Harris was named a 2023 Blue Ribbon Lighthouse School, and listed among the Top 20 percent of schools in the State of North Carolina for academic growth.

banner graphic with the words 'Bring the Power of Possibilities Home. 2024-25 Elementary Student Assignment Plan'

Informational Meetings for New School Regions Continue this Week

Informational meetings will be hosted for each of the new regions outlined under the 2024-25 Elementary Student Assignment Plan this week and next week. At these meetings, families will have a chance to learn more about the plan implementation and can talk with principals at their assigned schools, as well as at the optional program schools in their region. Translation services will be provided. Please visit click the button below for more information about dates and locations, as well as to register.

Learn More

Join the Virtual Family Cooking Night on Oct. 25

Join the DPS Hub Farm and Northern High School's Culinary Arts department, led by Chef Peter Brodsky, for a fall evening of virtual family cooking on Oct. 25, from 6-7 p.m. Invite your family members to learn how to make Thai sweet potato curry to celebrate autumn alongside the DPS farming and culinary community. The lesson will take place on Zoom.

Students Invited to Take ACT Practice Test on Oct. 28

Durham Public Schools and Compass Education Group have partnered to offer a computer-proctored ACT practice test at no cost. This test matches the current paper/pencil, linear version of the test. The test results are invaluable in helping Durham Public Schools’ College Counselors and Compass directors craft the ideal testing and tutoring plan for each student.

The at-school, computer-proctored ACT practice test (linear, mirrors paper/pencil version) will be administered on Saturday, Oct. 28, from 9 a.m. to noon. Locations include the Durham School of Technology, Hillside High School, Jordan High School, Northern High School, Riverside High School, Southern School of Energy and Sustainability, and the School for Creative Studies.
The at-home, computer-proctored ACT practice test (linear, mirrors paper/pencil version) is available anytime on Saturday, Oct. 28.

Virtual review sessions will also be hosted in December. The Spanish session will be Dec. 3 from 6-8 p.m., and the English session will be Dec. 8 from 6-8 p.m.

DSA Hosting Fall Arts Festival on Oct. 28

The 12th annual DSA Fall Art Festival: Día de los Muertos will be on Saturday, Oct. 28, from 6-9 p.m. at Durham School of the Arts, 400 N. Duke St. The festival celebrates the rich and diverse cultures of the school's Latino/Latina community and creates a space for all students and their families to honor their heritage. It also showcases the immense talents of students through art exhibitions, performances, and more.

The theme for this year's festival is “For the Love of Land & Legacy!” DSA has partnered with Paperhand Puppet Intervention, local organizations, and other schools in the district to create the Wings of Legacy project that focuses on the importance of monarch butterflies, their preservation, and connections to themes of migration and legacy. The culmination of this project will be on display at the festival in an interactive art installation.

The festival will also include food trucks, a main stage featuring bands such as Los Rumberos Star and La Orquesta K’Che, a community altar or ofrenda, kids activities and games, and community engagement tables.

School Spotlight: Mangum Elementary

The Mangum Explorers wore orange for #UnityDay to show that they are united against bullying. National Unity Day is celebrated the third Wednesday of October each year to unite for kindness, acceptance, and inclusion. Participants wear orange to send a visible message that no child should ever experience bullying.

DPS Game of the Week:

Hillside vs. Jordan High School

The Hillside Hornets will take on the Jordan Falcons in an exciting varsity football game at Hillside High School, 3727 Fayetteville St., on Oct. 27 at 7 p.m. The Jordan Falcons will be playing for a possible conference championship under the direction of Head Coach Antonio King, who is the former coach for Hillside and an alum. Meanwhile, Hillside's current Head Coach Torrey Nowell lead New Bern to a state championship last year. It will be an exciting face-off between these two excellent teams under top leadership!