11/23/25 Principal's Message - English
Greetings Dolphin Families!
As we head into our Thanksgiving break, we want to extend our heartfelt appreciation to all of our Durant Road Middle School families. Thank you for your partnership, support, and the trust you place in us each day. Our school community is stronger because of you. We hope our students enjoy the days off this Wednesday through Friday and find time to rest, recharge, and celebrate with the people who matter most.
We also want to thank the incredible staff who make Durant Road Middle School a welcoming, safe, and inspiring place. This includes not only our teachers and instructional support staff, but also our front office team, student support team, custodians, and cafeteria staff.
From all of us at Durant Road Middle School, we wish your family a happy, relaxing, and heartwarming Thanksgiving. We are so thankful for each of you and for the role you play in our school community.
Supporting Our Students and Families
We know recent federal immigration orders may be causing concern for some families. Our top priority remains the safety, well-being, and success of every student, and we are here to support them.
Building leaders have been reminded of the procedures that law enforcement agencies must follow when interacting with students on campus. If law enforcement seeks access to a school, we will consult with legal counsel to ensure compliance with applicable laws. Our district does not ask about or record families’ immigration status, and student privacy is always protected.
Most importantly, we are here to support our students. We encourage families to reach out to our student support services if your child has questions, concerns, or social-emotional needs during this time. Every student deserves to feel safe, supported, and ready to learn.
Notes of Thanks and Gratitude
We would love to hear from our families about what you are grateful for at DRMS. Please take a brief moment to express your thanks and gratitude to our amazing staff by completing this short form. Your words of appreciation make a great impact on our climate and culture.
Winter Open House – Spread the Word!
We are excited to invite our rising 6th grade students and families to our Winter Open House for Recruitment on Tuesday, December 17 from 6:00–7:30 PM. We encourage all incoming 6th graders to attend. This is a wonderful opportunity for families to learn more about the engaging programs, caring teachers, and vibrant community at DRMS. We are a great year-round option!
If you have neighbors and friends with middle school aged children who do not attend DRMS, we encourage you to invite them to join us. Your word of mouth helps us reach families who may not yet know all that our school has to offer. We will also host School Tours on January 27 and January 29 from 9:00–10:00 AM for those who would like a closer look during the school day. RSVP here!
Enrollment applications for magnet, year-round, and early college schools are now open. Visit the WCPSS website to learn about program options and eligibility. The application window closes on Dec. 12 for early colleges and Jan. 22 for magnet and year-round schools. Learn more
Thank you for helping us share the great things happening at DRMS!
Food Resources for Families
Wake County is expanding its efforts to make sure families have access to healthy, affordable food. Several new and ongoing initiatives are available to help families and students across our district find nutritious options close to home.
- Food Resources for Families in Wake County - District Food Resource List
- Families can use the Wake County Food Finder to locate pantries and distribution sites nearby.
- Farmers Markets Emergency Funds - Through November, participating farmers markets across Wake County are offering $20 in market tokens to individuals and families experiencing hardship due to the government shutdown. These tokens can be used for fresh or frozen food items meant for home preparation.
- The Nourishing Wake initiative is designed for adults (18+) who live in Wake County, face food or nutrition insecurity, and have a qualifying health condition such as diabetes, hypertension, or obesity.
PTA News
We're excited to announce our first 6th, 7th, and 8th grade dance!!
Under the Sky: A Chill Camping Dance!
Pack your sense of adventure (no tent required!) and join us for a cozy afternoon of fun under the sky!
When: December 12th
Time: 3:30-5:30 PM
Tickets: $5 - includes a cup of hot cocoa!
There'll be dancing, photo ops, and tasty concessions! So grab your friends, throw on your best campfire flannel, and come make some warm memories before winter break! Click here to Buy Tickets (Dates for cash sales will be announced soon.)
We also need your help to make it a success! Parent volunteers play a huge role in keeping the event fun, safe, and well-organized for our students. Click here to signup and see where you can help.
All volunteers must be approved through the WCPSS Volunteer site:
https://myvolunteer.com/wcpss/volunteer/login
Additional Dates to Remember:
-Scholastic Book Fair December 10th - 18th (more info coming soon about setting up your handy e-wallet!!)
-Chipotle on Capital Blvd Spirit Night December 10th
Grade Level Newsletters: Please review grade level newsletters as they include lots of great instructional information.
Have a great week!
Dr. Curtis M. Brower
Principal

