Holiday Parents Corner

Parent Night Upcoming, Student Led Conferences, Tutoring

6th Grade Updates- A Message to Parents

Hello families! Quarter one grades are out and midterm testing will be coming up shortly after the holiday break. Now is an important time to focus on academics with your student. Here are a few things to look out for:


  • Check PowerSchool for Grade Updates: Many of our teachers update grades frequently and give feedback to students. The best way to keep up with students grades and have conversations is to check PowerSchool each week. Please contact Ms. Habel (Lauren.Habel@dpsnc.net) or Ms. Keaton (Shon.Keaton@dpsnc.net). If your student needs help, you can sign them up for tutoring. Learn more HERE.
  • Read, Read, Read!! Research suggests middle school students benefit greatly from reading aloud every night with an adult. Our students also benefit from building stamina through reading each day for at least 20-30 minutes silently. Reading is their #1 homework.
  • Check Assignments on Google Classroom: Middle school is a great time for students to develop responsibility. Sit down with them at least once per week; have them show you their assignments on Google Classroom and make a to-do list.


As we move through the year, I will give more updates through this newsletter about how you can prepare your student for success. Here are a few ways you can support us in making your student the most successful:

  1. Forward the parent newsletter to other families you know and make sure they are engaged. They can email Mr. Hickson (information below) to sign up for the newsletter.
  2. Sign up for the parent remind: https://www.remind.com/join/28de4bd
  3. Contact teachers to ask how you can support their classroom and your child.
  4. Sign students up for after school tutoring (see below). LEARN MORE.
Big picture

Upcoming Event!! Parent Night: Family Game Night and Student-Led Conferences

Thursday, Dec. 5th, 5:30pm

201 Baptist Road

Durham, NC

Families are invited to come for our winter curriculum showcase and game night. Parents are invited to visit their students' classroom so their students can show off their work so far this year. We will also have games for the family, serve dinner, and offer a concert program with our band and step team. Please RSVP and see the flier below. Student-led conferences start at 5:30 so show up.
Get Directions

RSVPs are enabled for this event.

Big picture
Connect with Mr. Hickson

Connect with Mr. Hickson

Hello families. I am your assistant principal for 6th grade at Neal Middle School. I love Neal, having worked here for six years as a teacher and assistant principal. I hold a bachelors degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in business entrepreneurship and hold my masters degree in school administration from the top-ranked Northeast Leadership Academy program at NC State. I look forward to working with your family.
matthew.hickson@dpsnc.net 7168307225 hickson.youcanbook.me/