Watts Teacher Appreciation Week is May 18-22!

Teacher Appreciation Week is coming! We look forward to recognizing everyone who makes George Watts Montessori a great place to go to school. We'll be celebrating May 18-22* this year. More details on daily events are coming soon.

This year, instead of traditional class gifts, we’re introducing the Watts Teachers and Staff Gift Card Drawing. We hope this approach will make it easier for families to contribute while helping recognize all teachers and staff more equitably, an idea that came directly from our school community. (For context, in past years, gift amounts and types have varied widely, and that can be/feel unfair.)   

We are collecting gift card donations May 4–15 in the school’s front office. Teachers and staff will draw gift cards throughout Teacher Appreciation Week. A few guidelines:

  • Individual gift cards should be for at least $10. 

  • Write the gift card amount on the card/holder. 

  • Purchase gift cards from the businesses of your choice, including grocery stores, restaurants, shops, etc.

  • Donate multiple gift cards, if you're able! 

We look forward to showing our appreciation to everyone working at Watts in this fun and festive way! Please contact us off-list if you have any questions, and please stay tuned for more details on our plans for each day of Teacher Appreciation Week.

With thanks,

Ashley McKinstry and Caroline Dorfman, PTA Family Involvement Co-Chairs

National Teacher Appreciation Week is May 4-8. Given the many school events happening in late April and early May, we chose to delay the Watts Teacher Appreciation Week until May 18-22.

Get ready: the Spring Carnival & GaGa Ball Tournament is almost here!

Saturday · 11 am – 2 pm

Free Games · All Are Welcome

The George Watts Spring Carnival is one of our school's most beloved traditions — a few hours of games, music, food, and community that bring families, students, and neighbors together every year. This Saturday, we're doing it bigger and better than ever, and we couldn't be more excited to share what's in store.

What to expect

Join us on the school grounds this Saturday from 11 am to 2 pm for free carnival games, activity stations, live musical acts, and the much-anticipated GaGa Ball Tournament. Every student who wears their wristband (distributed this week!) will receive three free food item tickets — that's gourmet popcorn from The Mad Popper and more, on the house. Additional food tickets are available for $1 each.

And yes — there's a raffle with some seriously impressive prizes (more on those below).

A carnival made possible by our community

None of this would be possible without the extraordinary generosity of our local business sponsors. Their contributions are covering carnival infrastructure, games, and activity stations — meaning all games are free for families to enjoy. Please take a moment to learn about these wonderful businesses and show them some love!

Event Sustainer Sponsors

  • Marie Austin Realty 
    A longtime neighbor and George Watts family and volunteer, Marie Austin Realty has been making Trinity Park a wonderful place for residents and the school to call home for three generations. 

  • Adam Dickinson Realty Group
    A multi-year sponsor of the spring carnival and photo booth, Adam's commitment to building community has enlarged the joy and accessibility of this anchoring George Watts experience.

Signature Sponsor

  • Durham Central Bark
    A newcomer to the local business scene, Durham Central Bark is contributing a raffle prize in addition to their financial sponsorship, and working with the school to bring safe dog interaction training to students.

Spirit Sponsors

  • The Mad Popper
    A former elementary school teacher, owner Andrea's generosity is making it possible for gourmet popcorn to be our carnival staple food.

  • Design Bank
    Co-owners Craven and John are all about creating spaces that people love inhabiting. They're excited to support our students and families in deepening connections.

  • Excel Wipers (who would like to direct you here!)
    A multi-year carnival sponsor with family ties to George Watts, Excel Wipers has a special heart for expanding awareness around our furry community members in need of homes. 

Incredible raffle prizes up for grabs

Our raffle lineup is stacked this year — and donations are still welcome!

  • Durham Central Bark — Spa Day for your pup
    Full groom, face scrub, nail trim & teeth brushing — over $70 value

  • Virge Yoga — Six-month unlimited membership
    A $715 value — the gift of wellness all summer long

  • Museum of Life and Science — 4-day passes
    A $96 value — perfect for a family adventure

A few things to know before you go

The Tobacco Road Relay will be crossing Main St. south of the school on Saturday. Roads directly adjacent to George Watts are not affected, but it's worth checking the race route ahead of time to plan your arrival.

Volunteers are still needed, especially from 12:30–2 pm — sign-ups are open! And if you can swing by the gym on Friday after school to help sort prizes and games, the carnival team would love an extra pair of hands.

Watts for May Day! Plug in + Childcare Support for May Day

This post is to continue building the Watts involvement in May Day--which is happening next Friday, May 1st. NCAE is leading it, and many organizations are involved, plus PTAs all over the state.

On May 1st, parents and teachers from all across NC will gather in Raleigh to make it clear to the North Carolina General Assembly that our kids come first, that public education matters, that schools deserve real investment — not more cuts.

To show your support or get involved in May Day's Kids Over Corporations, the sign up form is here.

North Carolina may rank first in business but is nearly last for teacher pay and per pupil spending — that's not ok. When money goes to corporate tax cuts or private school vouchers, it’s our kids who lose out — fewer supports, fewer opportunities, and more pressure on families to fill the gaps.

To show your support or get involved in May Day's Kids Over Corporations, the sign up form is here.


There's a good chance the school district will close on that day--but we are working to get camps open and find ways to support families that need help that day with childcare. Two camps will open for enrollment right now, and we're working on getting more!

Camps available on May Day:

Courtney Potter--she will add a link for May Day camp

Soccer Camp on Maryland Ave--they will open if district is closed

**Please sign the form if you need childcare support that day or can give support that day** As more registration links for camps happen, we will share.

Once you fill out the form, we will give you all the info you need for whatever you sign up for. 

Sincerely,

Watts Advocacy Committee (Brigid, Paige, Andrew + Annie)

P.S. Article on May Day:

News and Observer Article on May Day

Tickets for Teachers

Watts Community - former DPS board chair Matt Sears has asked to share the below.  RootEd in DPS launched the Tickets for Teachers program and many of our staff stand to benefit from that work (we've already had Watts teachers sign up in the first few days).  Please see the note below regarding their one-time fundraiser to launch the program.  Since the fundraiser will last only one week, there is some urgency to share it.

Friends/neighbors,

Last month we launched the Tickets for Teachers program which allows community members to easily donate their unused event tickets directly to Durham Public Schools educators and support staff for a well-deserved night out. In just one week we had 500 teachers/staff sign up and gave away 15 sets of tickets to DPAC and other venues, demonstrating incredible community support for our schools.  Can you donate financially TODAY to our ONE-TIME, one-week fundraiser to unlock hundreds more Tickets for Teachers?

Durham loves its educators! Since launching Tickets for Teachers, the community has stepped up incredibly, donating seats to DPAC, the Durham Bulls, and the Hurricanes. The supply of community goodwill is huge, and the demand from our thousands of DPS teachers, bus drivers, and support staff is even bigger.

But connecting a generous donor's ticket—especially a last-minute cancellation—with the right educator at the right school takes time. Right now, doing this manually limits how many educators we can serve. To ensure no donated ticket ever goes to waste, we need to upgrade our engine.

We are raising funds to build the permanent infrastructure of Tickets for Teachers. Your financial donation in 2026 directly funds:

  • A Custom Tech Platform: Building an automated matching tool that instantly pairs ticket donations (even with only hours of notice!) to the specific preferences of Durham Public Schools staff.

  • Marketing & Outreach: Expanding our reach to secure more private and corporate donors, season ticket holders, and venue partnerships, drastically increasing the volume of tickets coming into the system.

  • Seamless Operations: Funding the initial day-to-day management needed to process hundreds—and eventually thousands—of tickets a year efficiently.

Funding our operations is the ultimate multiplier. A one-time, financial gift to build our tech tool doesn't just send one teacher to a game—it builds the automated, sustainable system that will send thousands of educators to events for years to come. It allows us to scale our impact to every single school in Durham.

Invest in the infrastructure of appreciation. Donate today to help us build the technology and operations that will scale Tickets for Teachers, ensuring every DPS educator gets the night out they deserve.

Can you make a tax-deductible contribution?

  • $35 - Equivalent to 2 movie tickets to the Carolina Theater. Will help us notify all of Durham about Tickets for Teachers.

  • $70 - Equivalent to 2 tickets and food/beverage at Durham Bulls. Will allow us to seek unique ticket experiences from regional partners like Carowinds, Busch Gardens, etc.

  • $250 - Equivalent to a family of 4 attending a Carolina Hurricanes game w/ parking, food/beverage. Will keep Tickets for Teachers on-call for last-minute ticket matching.

  • $1,000 - Equivalent to a family of 4 attending a Carolina Panthers game w/ parking, food/beverage. Will help develop our tech tool to automate ticket matching in 2026.

Thank you for your generous support of our Durham Public Schools teachers and staff!

Matt, Chief Connector at RootEd in DPS, Founder of Tickets for Teachers

Help Us Finish the Year Strong – Backpack Buddies Support Needed

Thanks to your incredible generosity, we are able to send our Backpack Buddies home with extra food to cover the full 9 days of Spring Break—something that makes a real difference for students who rely on these meals.

Because of that extended break, we’ve used a significant portion of our remaining funds. As we head into the final stretch of the school year, we’re hoping to raise enough to continue providing weekend food support for our George Watts Montessori students who need it most.

A small contribution goes a long way in helping us keep this program running through the end of the year. If you’re able to give, we would be so grateful for your support.

Thank you, as always, for showing up for our kids in such a meaningful way. This community truly makes a difference.

GIVEBACKS: GWM Backpack Buddies

With gratitude,
[Emilie Morgan / Backpack Buddies Team]

DPS Schools Consolidation Concerns

If you haven't' seen it yet, we wanted to share the recent IndyWeek article that's been circulating: DPS is facing nearly $1 billion in deferred maintenance, and at last week's Board of Ed/County Commissioners meeting, the focus was on the BoE's proposal to close and demolish Watts, Club, and other older/smaller elementary schools, and consolidating the students at a new, yet-to-be-built school in a different location. While the BoE stressed that the proposal to shutter and consolidate Watts, Club, etc. is hypothetical, the county’s budget deficit is not, and the proposal to close and consolidate a number of DPS schools may very well materialize. 

A few of us are planning to attend upcoming meetings of both the DPS Board of Education and the Durham County Board of Commissioners. Why both? Because these two groups have distinct but interconnected budgeting roles: the school board sets the district's budget and makes decisions about which buildings to repair, consolidate, or close. But the school board can't control its own funding -- under NC law, it's the county that is responsible for funding school buildings and capital needs, and it's the county commissioners who will decide whether/how to fund the budget proposed by the school board.

We could use some help attending these meetings. We're looking for other families who have questions about what is happening and how we got here to watch, listen, take notes, and try to get our questions answered. Afterward, we'll put together a plain-language summary and next steps to share with families.

Would you be willing to join us at one of these meetings? Here are the upcoming meeting dates, which are open to the public:

If you're interested in attending, please complete this form so we can make sure all the meetings are well covered. 

Thank you,

Andrew, Annie, Bethany, Paige, and Brigid (George Watts PTA Advocacy Committee)

UPDATE 1:

Happy Friday before spring break. I am writing with an update about Watts closure concerns. Thank you to Amber Sniff who attended last Monday's County Commissioners' meeting. Amber's recap of the meeting is: 

  1. The meeting did not specifically address DPS's closure and consolidation proposal.

  2. The meeting discussed the upcoming county budget. 

  3. The notes are "budget looks grim" and "the county is going to have to make hard decisions." 

Key takeaway: It is important to have people from the Watt's community participate in the next couple of months of budget meetings if we want to better understand what might happen to Watts in the near future. 

For now we are asking for help with the following:

  • People who can attend the County Commissioners' Virtual Budget Discussion March 30, 7:00-8:30 pm which will include a Q&A. 

  • People to prepare comments for and attend the County Commissioners' May 26th Public Hearing, 7:00 pm on the recommended budget. 

If you can attend either or both, please complete this form so we can make sure all the meetings are well covered. 

The CARNIVAL is just SIX WEEKS away!

The George Watts Montessori School Spring Carnival and Ga-Ga Ball Tournament is just six weeks away. It will take place on Saturday, April 25, from 11am - 2pm on the George Watts playground.

Sign up here if you can be a carnival volunteer!

Please mark your calendar, and spread the word to friends and family!  All are welcome to this wonderful event that supports our school, deepens connections, and promises smiles. 

There will be games and prizes, activity stations, food, The Mad Popper popcorn, music, touch-a-truck, and more!

It's a team effort to make the carnival a success. As you are able, here's how you can help:

  • Volunteer! 

    Many hands make for light work, and there is a task and timeframe for everyone who is able to help. Click here to raise your hand; thank you!

  • Prize Donations!

    Watts has an Earth-friendly tradition of collecting pre-owned toys, books, and games that are in sufficient shape to be 'recycled' as prizes for the carnival games. If you're willing to do a little 'spring cleaning' to set aside items that have run their course with your children but may bring joy to others, that would be wonderful!  Past treasures include such things as matchbox cars, small figurines, dolls, books, gently used stuffies, art kits, board games, toys, and balls. Details about where and when to deliver items will be shared in the season ahead. 

  • Props for the Photo Booth!  

    If you have props, costumes, accessories, shiny or silly dress-up clothes like feather boas, hats, mustaches, etc., please consider donating them for the photo booth (no heirloom items please, as they won't be returned, but used in carnivals to come).

  • Business Sponsor Leads!

    As you have local businesses in your life who you'd be willing to invite to serve as a carnival sponsor, we'd love to hear from you. This is a great way for businesses to gain exposure and spread their community spirit!

Thank you for saving the date for our Spring Carnival, and enlarging the joy of the community with the gift of your presence!

GaGa Tournament Registration

It's time to start preparing for the 5th Annual Watts Gaga Ball Tournament!

The event will be held in conjunction with the Watts Carnival on Saturday, April 25th. 

Teams can register using this form.

If you are new to the tournament, or need a refresher, here are the basics for the tournament:

  1. Teams of two can register anytime between now and April 15

  2. Each team must have at least one current Watts student. The second team member can be a child or adult

  3. Teams are randomly assigned two initial games. Each game has four teams of two.  During each game, individuals are given scores based on when they are eliminated. The sum of those scores is then added up. The top scoring teams across the two round robin games advance to the knockout round

  4. Teams are seeded in the knockout round based on the highest number of points earned during the round robin games. In the past, the twop 32 teams have advanced into the knockout round, but the actual number of teams depends on the number of registrations

  5. During the knockout round, the top two scoring teams advance. In the event of a tie, the team with the latest player in will advance. For example, if two teams have 14 points each, and Team A had the last player in the game, then Team A would advance

  6. We hold open a couple of slots for day-of registrations, but we will only accept a limited number in order to keep the round robin matches balanced. If you want to play, please make sure you register by the deadline. 

We look forward to seeing everyone on the 25th!

A Golden Ticket to Mural Club

This spring, we’re inviting a group of 4th- and 5th-grade students to bring imagination to life on our playground wall through a new Mural Club. The mural will be designed and led by Ms. O’Connell, with help from Ms. Sanderson. Using a projector, students will help outline and paint the mural for the entire school community to enjoy.
Who can participate: Mural Club is open to 4th and 5th grade students.
When: Twice per week after school (not Tuesdays) from mid-March through April from 2:30-3:30.  If it's raining, we will cancel that day. Mural Club weeks:

  • March 16–20

  • March 23–27

  • April 7–10

  • April 13–17

  • April 20–24

If your child is interested in participating or you’d like to volunteer, please fill out the form here:
https://forms.gle/HF9guSUTny1Tpbhj6

Two additional notes:

  1. School Carnival: All community members will have a chance to contribute to the mural at the Spring Carnival on April 25

  2. Parent Volunteers: We’ll also need parent volunteers to help & supervise students! Consider volunteering for an hour even if your child isn't participating.

George Watts Spring Carnival Save the Date!

Hello, George Watts Community!

I'm reaching out with the happy news that the George Watts Montessori School Spring Carnival and Ga-Ga Ball Tournament will take place on Saturday, April 25, from 11am - 2pm on the George Watts playground.

Please mark your calendar, and spread the word to friends and family!  All are welcome to this wonderful event that supports our school, deepens connections, and promises smiles. 

There will be games and prizes, activity stations, food, The Mad Popper popcorn, music, touch-a-truck, and more!

It's a team effort to make the carnival a success. As you are able, here's how you can help:

Volunteer! 

Many hands make for light work, and there is a task and timeframe for everyone who is able to help. Click here to raise your hand; thank you!

Prize Donations!

Watts has an Earth-friendly tradition of collecting pre-owned toys, books, and games that are in sufficient shape to be 'recycled' as prizes for the carnival games. If you're willing to do a little 'spring cleaning' to set aside items that have run their course with your children but may bring joy to others, that would be wonderful!  Past treasures include such things as matchbox cars, small figurines, dolls, books, gently used stuffies, art kits, board games, toys, and balls. Details about where and when to deliver items will be shared in the season ahead. 

Props for the Photo Booth! 

If you have props, costumes, accessories, shiny or silly dress-up clothes like feather boas, hats, mustaches, etc., please consider donating them for the photo booth (no heirloom items please, as they won't be returned, but used in carnivals to come).

Business Sponsor Leads!

As you have local businesses in your life who you'd be willing to invite to serve as a carnival sponsor, we'd love to hear from you. This is a great way for businesses to gain exposure and spread their community spirit!

Thank you for saving the date for our Spring Carnival and for enlarging the joy of the community with the gift of your presence!

George Watts Backpack Buddies Update :)

We want to share a few pictures and say thank you for your continued support of our school's Backpack Buddies program. None of this would be possible without the continued donations, grocery runs, bagging help, and support from all of you!

Thank you for helping us ensure all kiddos at our school have full bellies so they can show up each week and focus on learning, playing, and growing. We are able to support 52 kids each week because of you!

George Watts Backpack Buddies Givebacks Campaign 

Sign Up Genius: Bagging/Sponsoring 

Let’s Hang Out! Pizza + Hi-Wire

The Watts PTA Advocacy Committee would love to invite you and your family to a casual, family-friendly get-together at Hi-Wire Brewing on Saturday, February 7th from 4:00–5:30 PM. Pizza is on us!

This is a chance to connect with other Watts families and spend some time with our amazing teachers. Coming out of our parent survey in the fall, the #1 priority was getting plugged into the priorities of the Durham Association of Educators. So that's what we're gonna do!

We’ll learn more from our teachers about the DAE priorities for 2026 and talk about how families can stay informed and get involved in ways that feel doable. Topics will include:

  • Supporting fair pay and benefits for school staff

  • Keeping our schools safe and welcoming for every student

  • Improving transportation for families

  • Clear communication and transparency from the district

  • Retaining great teachers in our classrooms

Please fill out this quick and easy RSVP form.

We hope to see you there! And sending all of us good, safe vibes with the impending snowstorm.

2026 PTA Dine Outs

We’re excited to kick off 2026 with a fresh lineup of PTA Dine Outs—a fun and easy way to support our school while enjoying meals at some favorite local restaurants. When you dine out on these special dates, a portion of the proceeds is donated directly back to George Watts, helping fund programs, events, and opportunities for our students.

Mark your calendars and bring your appetite—spring is shaping up to be delicious!

Before we look ahead, don’t forget about Wheels on Thursday, January 15—another great chance to come together as a community.

Spring Dine Out Dates

🍗 Tuesday, February 3 | 2:00–7:00 PM
Alpaca Chicken, 703A 9th Street, Durham NC
Stop by Alpaca Chicken in the afternoon or evening for a flavorful meal that gives back. Be sure to mention George Watts or reference the flyer (English or Spanish) so your purchase counts toward the fundraiser.

🌮 Wednesday, March 4 | 5:00–9:00 PM
Luna, 112 W Main St, Durham NC
Make it a midweek treat at Luna! Whether you’re grabbing dinner with family or meeting friends, your meal during these hours will help support our school.

🍝 Monday–Thursday, April 13–16
Elmo’s (Dine-in Only), 776 9th St, Durham, NC
Enjoy a sit-down meal at Elmo’s across four days in April. This is a wonderful option for a relaxed family meal or a fun lunch out—just remember it’s dine-in only for the fundraiser to apply.

🍕 Tuesday, May 12 | 4:00 PM–close
Timber Pizza, 501 Washington Street, Durham, NC
Treat the family to Timber Pizza for a midweek dinner out. Whether you’re dining with friends or picking up a quick meal, your order during the fundraiser will help support our school.

Thank you for supporting George Watts—one meal at a time. We can’t wait to see you out in the community this spring! 💙🍽️

Holiday Wrap-Up: Thank You for Supporting Our Watts Community

Hi everyone,

As we head into winter break, I wanted to share a final wrap-up and a heartfelt thank you for the many ways you showed up for our school community this holiday season.

Teacher & Staff Appreciation

Because of your generosity, 76 teachers and staff members and 19 crossing guards received gift cards, favorite items, and heartfelt notes of appreciation. We are incredibly thankful for the adults who support our children each day.

Dove Program

Thanks to the Watts community, 30 students will have a brighter holiday season with gifts provided through our annual Dove program. Your willingness to adopt, share the sign-up, and help behind the scenes made a real difference for our families. We really "Decked the Halls" with gifts for the students!

Backpack Buddies

The George Watts Backpack Buddies program continues to be a vital source of care for our students. Last week, the number of students needing food assistance increased from 40 to 52. When the need increased, the Watts community rose to the occasion, sending home extra-large Backpack Buddy bags so all 52 students could head into winter break feeling supported and cared for.

Whether you donated, volunteered, baked, wrapped gifts, wrote a note, or quietly helped behind the scenes, you helped make our school a place where kids and adults alike feel cared for, valued, and supported. I am deeply grateful to raise my kids alongside yours in such a thoughtful and generous community!

Wishing you and your families a restful, joyful holiday break.

Holiday Happenings at Watts

Thanks to our students and families, we raised $1,225 for Duke Children’s Season of Hope, supporting child life services, family assistance, and care for kids receiving treatment.  Thanks to everyone who donated art, baked goods, crafts, and jewelry. They were a HIT.  And a special shout out to our sellers at the booth - you rock!!!

Holiday Happenings Still to Come:

Teacher/Staff Appreciation: You should have received an email from your room parent organizing a class appreciation gift for your teachers.  Donations need to be sent to your room parent by Dec 12.

  • This year, each room has "adopted" 2-3 staff members as well, and your room parent will work with you and your teachers on that appreciation gift as well.

  • If you are part of the community and want to contribute to Teacher Appreciation:  Venmo: @Elena-Snavely (pin: 5977) - Watts Appreciation in the Memo

Afterschool Staff Appreciation: You should have received an email from Sarah Guidi

Annual "Dove" program: If you are interested in supporting one of our families with holiday gifts, you can sign up HERE. Share the sign-up with friends, family, and coworkers! 

  • There are ~66 slots that need to be filled still

  • Presents need to be wrapped and delivered to the front office by Dec 16

  • If you are part of the community and want to adopt a Dove but don't live in Durham - email us. You can have your packages shipped to the PTA, and we can wrap and deliver them to the school.

Organizing Watts School Based Care & Protection Teams

As you may have heard, US Border Patrol is suspected to be in Raleigh today (11/18/2025) with the potential for a presence in Durham and surrounding counties as well. Therefore we want to get prepared in case they do come to town. This provides information on how we are building a Watts Care and Protection Team, in coordination with efforts like Public School Strong and others for this week and potentially beyond. 

From tomorrow (Wed. Nov 18) to Friday (Nov 20), we will form welcome committees at drop off from 7-8am.

This will look like gathering near the front of the school, holding signs, leading chants and songs, verifying potential ICE sightings at schools, and collecting support request forms from other parents.

There are two ways to get more involved: 

  1. We are starting a Watts-specific signal thread to be in immediate relationship with each other and coordinate the welcome committee and ongoing efforts as needed (like making sure families' needs are met for the longer term).

  2. There is a Public School Strong form to sign-up for School based care and protection teams which will work across Durham’s schools.

If you’d like to be in be added to either, please fill out the form and a PTA member will reach out: https://forms.gle/GS1mGJpagTHc3z5N6

Additional resources and organizations in this moment:

  • We encourage you to follow Siembra NC for other ways to plug in and support efforts across the Triangle.

  • This is a resource guide from parents in Chicago about how they kept their kids, parents, teachers, and schools safe--it is a strong resource with links on how to talk to your kids about ICE and this moment. 

  • If you want to get more plugged into Durham Public School Strong, Durham for All, and other allied community organizers, you can reach out to them at publicschoolstrongdurham@gmail.com or info@durhamforall.org with any questions.

Celebration: You helped us exceed our fall fundraising goal 🎉

We are thrilled to share some exciting news: together, we exceeded the fundraising goal for our Annual Fund drive! 

Thanks to your generosity, we raised $27,731 to support our students, teachers, and school programs... exceeding our $25,000 goal! 

We are so deeply grateful for the ways you've shown up for all students at Watts. Your gifts will support teacher appreciation, community building activities (like last week's movie night!), field trips, classroom supplies, and more. 

Thank you so much, truly! We could not do this without you! 

2025 Fall Events

Our PTA has some exciting events coming up, and we can’t wait to share them with you! These gatherings are a wonderful way to bring families together, support our students, and strengthen our school community. Mark your calendars—here’s a look at what’s ahead!

September

  • Q1 Family Nights

  • Upper El on Tuesday, Sept 16, 5-6:30 PM

  • Lower El on Thursday, Sept 18, 5-6:30 PM

  • Primary on Thursday, Sept 25, 5-6:30 PM

  • Peace Parade on Friday, Sept 19, 8:10 AM

  • Dine-Out at Torero’s on Tuesday, Sept 23, 4:30-8:30 PM

October

  • Coffee with the Principal on Friday, Oct 3, 8-9 AM

  • Fall Picture Day on Friday, Oct 10

  • Dance and Parent Dry Tailgate on Thursday, Oct 16, 5:30-6:30 PM

  • Dine-Out at Bull City Solera on Tuesday, Oct 21

November

  • Family Movie Night on Monday, Nov 3, 6 PM

  • Parent-Teacher Conferences throughout the Week of Nov 3

  • Quarter 1 Showcase of Learning throughout the Week of Nov 3

December

  • Book Fair throughout the Week of Dec 1

  • Q2 Family Night on Thursday, Dec 4, 5-6:30 PM

  • Coffee with the Principal on Friday, Dec 12, 8-9 AM

Want to be sure you never miss a PTA event? Subscribe to our shared calendar (on website/iCal link). Upcoming activities will be added directly to your own calendar—no extra reminders needed. It’s the easiest way to stay connected and always have the latest news at your fingertips!

All Things Transportation

A message from Principal Jenn

Our first priority is always student safety, and morning arrival and afternoon dismissal are a critical component of student safety! I would ask that you take a few minutes to carefully review this next session in order to do your part! During the first couple of weeks, we ask for a lot of grace & courtesy, and especially patience, as everyone learns our routines and processes.

Being on time and ready to learn is essential for our students and classrooms. We begin instruction daily at 7:45, so it is important for your student to arrive on-time. The car rider circle and walker/biker doors will close promptly at 7:45 each morning. If you arrive after the doors are closed, a parent will need to bring the child in and sign them in at the front office.

  • Bus Transportation: DPS has worked diligently over the summer to make this year’s bus transportation kick-off the best yet! We know the first couple of weeks come with delays and shifts in bus stop times as our drivers and families adjust to their stops and routes–please be patient and know that it gets better.

    • Bus stop locations and times can be found in Edulog. Edulog is also how you will receive the most up-to-date notifications and daily updates, as well as track the bus while en route. During the first few weeks of school, bus stop times change frequently, so make sure to check often. If you need assistance signing up for a bus, please email Christine Bertson. New bus stops can take up to 2 weeks once school starts.

    • Meet your child at the bus stop–be ready 15 minutes before the stop time! Students in preK through grade 3 must have an adult at the stop to be dropped off, unless it is a group stop (such as an apartment complex). If no one is at the stop, the student will be returned to the school and need to be picked up.

    • Our school office closes daily at 3:15PM. Save the contact information for transportation in your phone, now, in case you need after-hours information in an urgent situation: 919-560-BUSS(2877). Our team at transportation will have the ability to contact drivers directly while on the road with emergency radios.

  • Car riders, walkers, and bikers: please see THIS GRAPHIC of our traffic flow–maintaining a clear traffic flow ensures safety for those walking and crossing at the intersections. Our doors open for car, foot, and bike arrivals at 7:25AM. 

    • Walker specifics: 

      • Walkers will enter through the door off Urban Ave, adjacent to the playground. 

      • Please utilize crosswalks–crossing Urban Ave. without a crosswalk has caused significant safety concerns. 

      • In the afternoon, please line up towards Urban Ave. in order for our staff to take student names. 

    • Car rider specifics: 

      • Please be alert to directions from our crossing attendant, Mr. Charles. He will provide clear signals to ensure students and families can cross safely while maintaining the flow of traffic for car riders.

      • During afternoon pickup, please do not get in line before 2:10PM. Our line can cause traffic congestion since our line is on local streets. 

      • Please write your child’s name clearly on the provided card (available during meet-the-teacher) and display it in the windshield to support a quick pick-up process.

    • Bike rider specifics:

      • Bike riders will enter through the door facing Watts St. next to the bike racks. 

      • Please walk your bikes when going through the carpool or the bus sidewalk.

      • Please lock your bike up during the school day–we have had instances of bike theft in the past. 

    • Self-Dismissal: Many of our students arrive and depart school independently. In order for a student to be dismissed without an adult, we must have a “self-dismissal form” on file. A new form is required each year. Forms can be printed HERE, or a paper copy is available in the main office. Students should return completed forms to their teacher.

GWM Transportation Graphic