Official newsletter of Durham School of the Arts
FEMMES+ Connect Program Registration Open Now!
Hello FEMMES+ Parents and Guardians,
We hope you're all doing well! We wanted to let you know that registration for our FEMMES+ Connect program is open now!
FEMMES+ Connect is a Duke-run mentorship program that pairs Duke students with local Durham middle/high school students for an academic year in hopes of inspiring underrepresented students to pursue passions in a diversity of STEM fields! This year, we plan to continue the program virtually, where undergraduate students can share their research, answer any questions about STEM in college, and guide mentees through the scientific thinking and research process through projects. Our program is completely free of cost, and can be learnt more about here: https://sites.duke.edu/femmes/femmesconnect/
We would appreciate it if you could also pass this information to any parents or students you know in middle or high school who might be interested in our program!
If you are interested in becoming a FEMMES+ Connect mentee please use this link to sign up!
https://forms.gle/aYnfMyTsNf6CoyJZ7
As always, don't hesitate to reach out to us at femmesatduke@gmail.com if you have any questions!
Best,
FEMMES+
Save the Date
Saturday, Oct. 4: University Fair (NCCU)
Wednesday, Oct 8: Early Release (1pm)
Wed/Thurs, Oct 15/16: Dine Out at LocoPops
Monday, Oct 27: Teacher Workday
Tuesday, Nov 4: Teacher Workday
Reminders
Please view the 2025-26 Calendar for future teacher workdays, holidays, and other important dates.
To reach the main office: Please email dist.frontoffice.323-DSA@dpsnc.net Your message will reach most of the front office staff.
Please send ALL attendance matters to: attendance@DSALMC.net
Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA)
Community Survey
Please take a few minutes to share your feedback about the PTSA. You can take the survey in English at https://forms.gle/jHLwGKoHDsg5UZ8n7 or in Spanish at https://forms.gle/Harviu9nEZpAnFtX8
Learn more at the Durham School of the Arts PTSA website: https://dsaptsa.givebacks.com/
Meeting Schedule
Please join us at an upcoming PTSA general body meeting:
Nov. 13
Jan. 22
March 19
All are welcome! Stay tuned for zoom links for virtual attendance. The September and March meetings will also be held in person.
Become a Member
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!
Support the PTSA
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 http://www.dsaptsa.com/
Send a check payable to DSA PTSA and mail it to the school:
400 N. Duke St.
Durham, NC 27701
Athletics
Learn about upcoming games, tryouts, and more at the official DSA Athletics website https://dsaathleticzone.com/. You can show your team spirit and get your team swag at the New DSA Athletic Store.
Save money by buying your High School All Sports Season Pass today for just $60 on GoFan. This pass gets you unlimited access to all high school athletic regular season home contests for the year. Come out and support your fellow Bulldogs!
Clubs and Student Groups
Tri-M Music Honor Society
DSA Family, the Tri-M Honors Society, is running their annual Canned Food Drive to support families in our area! The canned food drive will run from today October 1st through the 17th. Please help us by bringing non-perishable food items to any MUSIC classroom.
Esports and STEM
We will be holding the first Meeting for students interested in learning more about the high school STEM program and Technical Student Association in Rm T211 after school on Mon. Oct. 6th from 3:30-4:30. For more information see Ms. Pendrak T211.
Portraits In Ink
It’s that time of year! Portraits In Ink submissions are now open! We welcome you to submit your art and writing to the DSA literary magazine by scanning the posters around school. Submissions are open to both middle and high school. The last chance to submit is December 19th!”
Drive For Change
Are you looking for a good way to earn volunteer hours? Do you enjoy using your creativity for good? Come join us at Drive For Change! We’re a volunteer-oriented club dedicated to organizing donation drives for many different organizations in the Raleigh-Durham area. Meetings are every other Thursday, starting this Thursday Oct 2nd, in room T203 at 3:30. Your community needs you, and Drive for Change is a great way to become involved. Hope to see you there!
Volunteering
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.
Student Support Services
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.
Senior Updates
Seniors, our next Prom Committee meeting will be:
Date: Wednesday, Oct. 15
Time: 3:30-4:15 p.m.
Location: Room D115
If you are unable to attend please email Ms. Thibodeaux.
Driving Eligibility
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.
