Official newsletter of Durham School of the Arts |
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Wed, Dec 10: Early Release (1:20 pm)
Mon, Dec 22: Teacher Workday
Tues, Dec 23 - Fri Jan 2: Winter Break
Mon, Jan 5: Return to School
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Rather than host multiple fundraisers throughout the year, we do one annual campaign. This year, our campaign goal is to raise $20,000. If each family made a gift of $25, we could easily exceed our goal! (You, of course, can give more.)
NO amount is too small, as anything we raise directly benefits the students of DSA. Please consider making a donation to help to ensure that current and future students have a great experience at DSA. There are two ways to make your tax-deductible donation:
Make a donation online at: https://www.givebacks.com/donate/dsaptsa
Send a check payable to DSA PTSA and mail it to the school:
400 N. Duke St.
Durham, NC 27701
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Teacher & Staff Favorite Things |
Looking for a simple way to brighten a teacher’s day?
Our PTSA has put together a fun list of our teachers’ and staff members’ Favorite Things! This list includes their go-to treats, small joys, and even items they’d love to add to their classrooms (be sure to check out columns M and N).
If you’d like to surprise a teacher or staff member this season, explore their favorites using the link below:
🔗 Teacher & Staff Favorite Things List
Let’s spread a little extra joy to the amazing educators who support our students every day! 🎁
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The Yearbook is now on sale! |
If you purchase your DSA Yearbook between now and January 30th, you get it at the discounted price of $50. After January 30th, the book costs $60.
Attention Senior Families: Senior Ads are also now available. This is a great opportunity to celebrate your graduating Senior with pictures and messages of encouragement. Ordering details below.
The yearbook staff is very excited to capture the memories of DSA’s 2025-2026 school year. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Mr. Donaldson at Alphonso_Donaldson@dpsnc.net.
Yearbook Ordering Link
Senior Ad Ordering Link
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4th Annual Arts Career Fair |
Dear Durham School of the Arts Parents,
My name is Rebecca White, and I am the Career Development Coordinator for Durham School of the Arts. I’m reaching out to invite your organization to participate in our fourth annual Arts Career Fair on February 4, 2026. This event brings together professionals from a wide range of creative fields to help students understand how their passions and artistic skills can translate into meaningful careers.
Why we are contacting you:
Our goal is for students to see the real-world opportunities that exist across all sectors. Because of that, we ask that organizations send a representative who works directly in a creative, design, or arts-related role, rather than someone from sales or general outreach.
What participation looks like:
You will host a booth where you can share information about your company, your creative team, and the types of art-related roles your organization employs. Students may also request portfolio feedback or ask questions about skills, pathways, and career preparation. Your presence will help them understand the wide variety of ways their artistic abilities—and the technical skills they are learning now—can support a future career.
We welcome industry professionals, colleges, independent artists, small businesses, and entrepreneurs, as long as they can demonstrate how their work connects to one of our arts pathways.
If you are interested in attending, please complete this brief form
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out—I’d be happy to help.
Event Details
Event: Arts Career Symposium
Date: February 4, 2026
Time: 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Set-Up: 8:30–9:00 AM
Take-Down: 12:30–1:00 PM
Location: Durham School of the Arts
400 N. Duke St., Durham, NC 27701
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Hey DSA! Tickets for the Decades Dance cost $10 and go on sale to all high schoolers this Dec 11th and 12th during A and B lunches in the cafeteria. Don’t forget—the theme is Olympus Ball! |
Are you a first generation college student looking for a program that will mentor you and provide academic support? If so, become apart of Student U. See your School Counselor for more information. |
The High School Black and White ball, February 14th at 7pm. Tickets are on sale starting on February 2nd through the 12th during A & B lunch. Tickets are $25 for students and $30 for guests from other high schools. Can't wait to see you there! |
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DSA Wind Ensemble to Perform at Invitation of North Carolina Department of Public Instruction |
Congratulations to the Durham School of the Arts Wind Ensemble!
Their hard work and talent earned them an invitation from the N.C. Department of Public Instruction to perform on Thursday, Dec. 4, for the December Season of Joy Celebration. Catch the livestream on the NCDPI YouTube channel at 11:30 a.m. at https://www.youtube.com/ncpublicschools
The DSA High School Wind Ensemble is the top group in the school’s band pathway, made up of dedicated musicians in grades 9 through 12. These students take on advanced material, lead their own small ensembles, shape their sound together, and bring real artistry to every performance. Their teamwork, commitment, and love of music continue to set the bar high.
DPS is proud of you all! We know that you'll represent us well!
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There will be no Esports meetings this week and next week. We will start back meeting on Tues 12/16/25. Refer to the Esports webpage for changes in the meeting schedule. See Ms. Pendrak T211 if you have questions. |
DSA chorus presents the High School Black and White ball, February 14th at 7pm. Tickets are on sale starting on February 2nd through the 12th during A & B lunch. Tickets are $25 for students and $30 for guests from other high schools. Can't wait to see you there!
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Hey DSA! The giving season has begun and Drive for Change is calling on you to be a giver. For our first drive of the year we will be collecting gently used children's books for Book Harvest. We know many of you probably have lots of kids books just sitting on the shelf, so why not harvest them and donate to a good cause! The drive will run until November 30th. To donate, look for the red boxes around school. |
Tri-M will be hosting a "new to DSA" social for HS music students that are in their first year here at DSA. The social will be held on Friday December 12th at 3:30 in the DSA Band room. The December Tri-M Meeting will be on Wednesday December 17th at 8:00 AM in the DSA band room |
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- If your student is interested in Government, apply for the 2026 Youth Legislative Assembly. Click on the link below for more information. https://www.ncleg.gov/YLA
- If you or your family need help in locating community resources (such as food/clothing.), please reach out to the school social worker, Angela Carbone. Angela_carbone@dpsnc.net 919 -560-3926 ext. 23266
- Scholars to College is a free, four-year program that helps students prepare for high school, college, and future careers. Starting in 9th grade, students receive academic support, college and career exploration, mentoring, and family workshops, throughout high school, all to help them stay on track for success after graduation. We’re now recruiting upcoming 9th graders! Applications open in January 2026! Learn more here!
- Student Support Services is continuing with our Kindness initiative. If you see a “Be Kind” QR code around the school, please let us know about who you caught being kind! This will be announced on the loudspeaker whenever you have caught someone being kind.
- To learn more about Student Support Services and current programming, please visit https://sites.google.com/dpsnc.net/dsastudentservices?pli=1.
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Note in the Pocket is a non-profit based in Durham and Raleigh. They have provided high-quality wardrobes to children and their families in need in the area for over 10 years. Note in the Pocket offers a relaxed, air-conditioned environment year-round for volunteers. There are several ways for students to get involved for those who need service hours or who are looking to give back. Students can come in for a volunteer shift where they will assist in sorting through donations, fold and label wardrobe items, or many other tasks around the facility. Students need to be age 16 and up to volunteer without a chaperone. Students can also run clothing drives to generate donations for Note in the Pocket.
If students are passionate about Note in the Pocket’s mission and want to commit more time to participating, they can apply for Teen Board. In this program, students will work with Note in the Pocket’s leadership on various projects to gain hands-on leadership development experience, guided by mentors that provide insight into the functions and demands of running a nonprofit organization.
Volunteer shifts run from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday, as well as 9 a.m.-12 p.m. on Saturdays. Clothing drives can be done on students' own time. Teen Board accepts applications each summer for a year-round program.
For volunteering, sign up for a shift here, or contact Stephanie Schaben at Stephanie@noteinthepocket.org. For clothing drives, contact Karol Turner at karol@noteinthepocket.org, and for the Teen Board, contact Kristina Isaac at kristina@noteinthepocket.org.
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Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) |
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Please join us at an upcoming PTSA general body meeting:
All are welcome! Stay tuned for zoom links for virtual attendance. The September and March meetings will also be held in person.
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Welcome back to school! It's time to join or re-join the PTSA for the 2025-26 school year. Please visit our giveback page for memberships bit.ly/joindsaptsa. We would love your support.
Our 2025-26 board members are:
President: Stephanie Hawver
Vice President 1: Brittney McGraw
Vice President 2: Ashanti Smith-Watson
Treasurer: Maryann Ruiz-Heard
Secretary: Dr. Danielle Sutton
We look forward to continuing to support DSA this year!
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Rather than host multiple fundraisers throughout the year, we do one annual campaign. This year, our campaign goal is to raise $20,000. If each family made a gift of $25, we could easily exceed our goal! (You, of course, can give more.)
NO amount is too small, as anything we raise directly benefits the students of DSA. Please consider making a donation to help to ensure that current and future students have a great experience at DSA. There are two ways to make your tax-deductible donation:
400 N. Duke St.
Durham, NC 27701
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Any DSA student who is requesting an N.C. Driving Eligibility Certificate must pass 5 of their 7 classes and submit their Drivers Ed certificate to the main office before school, during lunch or after school before 4 p.m. Once the office receives the Drivers Ed certificate, the student will receive the N.C. Eligibility form within 48 hours. Please note that the certificate is only valid for 30 days. Please ensure that you have scheduled your appointment with the DMV. |
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