Eagle's Nest News

March, 2021

Dear Families,

We hope you will enjoy this informative newsletter! It's full of updates about what's going on here at Neal Middle School. Be on the lookout for more newsletters released on a monthly schedule. Staying connected will help all of us succeed!


Sincerely,

The Newsletter Committee

( Ms. Moriarty, Mr. Liska, and Ms. Hanna)

Durham Public Schools News

Questions for Returning in-Person / Preguntas sobre volviendo a la escuela en persona

Starting with the 7th grade cohort, DPS will return to in-person learning on April 8th. If you have questions, enter them into the form here.

Esta forma es para enviar algunas preguntas que tenga sobre volviendo a la escuela en persona.

Neal News!

Be Sure to Register for the 2021-2022 School Year!

Reminder: Please be sure all students have completed the registration for the 2021-2022 school year. All registration forms (including high school) can be found at this link. Please reach out to your child's grade-level school counselor with any questions!

Career Day Coming Up!

We are gearing up for our Title 1 Night on April 29, 2021! We need your help! As our students progress in their learning career, we want to help propel them into their future as much as possible and prepare them with the tools they need for life. Our students want to hear from you about your career! Please complete this form to participate in our career day and an email will be sent to you with participation instructions!


Parent Career Form | https://forms.gle/BAqmA9NEowd2fRLt5

Check out the Sixth Grade Newsletter!

Click here to see the newsletter that's just for 6th graders and their families. See our cohort calendar, celebrate the March Habit Highlight winners, and find our what April's Habit Highlight will be!

...and the Electives Newsletter too!

Click here to see the newsletter that's all about our Elective classes at Neal! There is a section for each class, from Art to Spanish and everything in between. Find out what students are working on in each class, find some great resources, and hear about what's next on our amazing elective team's agenda!

Neal Food and Pantry Program

Please complete this form if you would like to pick up a food bag, school supplies or hygiene supplies. Pick up will take place at Neal Middle School - 201 Baptist Road, Durham, NC 27704. Sign-up for a pick-up slot in the form below. Please contact the school if you have any questions, 919-560-3955. (Por favor acomplete esta forma si le gustaria recojer una bolsa de comida, utiles para la escuela o productos de higiene. Lo recojeria en la Escuela Neal Middle School- 201 Baptist Road, Durham, NC 27704. Seleccione una de las horas en esta forma. Por favor contacte a la escuela si usted tiene alguna pregunta, 919-560-3955.)

Bus Stop Information

Bus Stop info is now available! Click here to see information about your child's bus route as we anticipate a return to in-person learning for some students.

Ms. Pena's Bitmoji Classroom and Occupational Therapy Tips!

Keep up your fine/visual motor strengthening skills over spring break AND be on YouTube? Yes! Check out the occupational therapy YouTube channel and complete detective missions, water play and cheerio noodle fun. Link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCl7TM0cZPGMdZ9Y5a4X1EAA

Check Your Students' Grades

Powerschool Parent Portal:

This year we are unable to send out physical report cards, but no need to worry! You can check on your students' grades and attendance anytime using the Powerschool Parent Portal! Click here to read a letter explaining how to access the Parent Portal, and here is a version in Spanish. You can also watch this handy video tutorial that will take you through the process step by step.

Student Spotlights

Michael Mason and Bryant Cassarubias- Students of the Month for Mr. Cozart! Both young men are consistently in class, on task, with all assignments completed on time. Congratulations to both young men for the effort they put in on a daily basis.


Jenifer Cartegena- Meza, Kailyn Ferguson, Kimi Boone, Kalissa McCurtis, Shaniya Brown, Naomi Ayoola, Joseilin Catillo-Ramirez, Diana Cruz Euceda, Tarah Jackson, Donnamarie Williams, Aline Anguiano, Denise Cruz-Torres, Makayla Lassiter, Kayla Murchison, Danaria Shoulders, Simone Barbour, Hazel Morales Aguilar, Acchiylah Wilder and Naiara Trioche - Shoutout from Ms. Branch for a great quarter!!


Top Grades for their Q3 Core in 7th Science Pride of Lions: Core 1: Bryant Cassarubbias-Serrano and Micheal Mason! Core 2: Navez Thompson! Core 3:Ty Rashio Bright and Victor Guerrero Gonzalez! Core 4: Pedro Gomez-Hall! Congrats to all these student who showed dedication and hard work throughout the entire Q3!! - Mr. Liska


The Kings team would like to Shout Out a few of our many amazing students for participating in the DPS March Math Jam Boards this month. The student listed below ranked in the top 60% of all students that participated with in Durham Public Schools.

Top Performers | Aidan Germond, Dion Brown, Gabriel Bloch, Valentina Varela, & James Funez

Student listed below are also recognized for outstanding scores | Juan Soliz, Jeffery Mariona, Alejandro Aguilera, Hezekiah Ivey, James Shackleford, Jamaurie Long, Erick Pineda, Keven Marquez, Lemar Lawrence, Brandon Polanco, Caleb Capers, John Lopez, Oscar Martinez, & Zaquan Bowling. Great job Kings!!

Staff Shoutout

Shoutout to Ms. Harris and Ms. Autry for doing great things in 6th grade Science. - Ms. Branch


Ms. Click has been awesome in continuing to adapt her teaching to meet our students. The Virtual Notebooks kids have been completing for her have been incredible! - Mr. Cody

Take Care of Yourself

Need Help?

Mental Health Resources

If you or someone you know has a mental illness, is struggling emotionally, or has concerns about their mental health, there are ways to get help. Use these resources to find help for you, a friend, or a family member.

This has been a tough year for many families in our community. If you need more resources, check out this handy Google Doc- there are pages and pages of information about where to get free meals, enrichment activities, discounts and PD opportunities for teachers, COVID-specific assistance, and so much more! (Shoutout to Christy Bechtel, our Beginning Teachers mentor, for this incredible list!) Each month we will highlight one resource in particular. This month's pick is...


Charter Communications-

  • Charter will offer free Spectrum broadband and Wi-Fi access for 60 days to households with K-12 and/or college students who do not already have a Spectrum broadband subscription and at any service level up to 100 Mbps. To enroll call 1-844-488-8395. Installation fees will be waived for new student households.
  • Charter will partner with school districts to ensure local communities are aware of these tools to help students learn remotely. Charter will continue to offer Spectrum Internet Assist, high speed broadband program to eligible low-income households delivering speeds of 30 Mbps.
  • Charter will open its Wi-Fi hotspots across our footprint for public use.

We Want to Hear From YOU!

Click Here to Get in Touch

On the google form linked here, you can give us feedback, ask a question, nominate a student/staff member for a spotlight, or even submit your artwork or schoolwork to be featured in the newsletter!

Neal Middle School

Neal Magnet Middle School has been educating Durham for over 50 years! These days we are soaring to new heights, including a 15% proficiency increase over the last four years. Our school met or exceeded growth in the past two years! Go Eagles!