Welcome to Durham
Welcome to Durham Elementary School 2022-23!
I am so very excited to see everyone again and look forward to meeting our new families!!! We know that there are a lot of worries and anxiety about safety. Please note that we have prepared the school with procedures and materials to maximize safety at all times.
Please remember:
- To check current COVID safety guidelines and wear a mask or face covering when required or recommended.
- To bring a bottle or thermos for water which can be refilled using our touchless bottle filler stations.
- To label all backpacks and lunch bags with the student’s name and room number.
- No parents/guardians/visitors allowed on campus.
Durham is very proud to be a model school, well known for our ability to accelerate the academic performance of our students while providing a nurturing environment for learning. Durham Elementary received both state and national recognition as a California Distinguished School 2012, a National Blue Ribbon School 2012, a California Title I Academic Achievement Award recipient in 2013 and 2016, a Campaign for Business and Education Excellence Honor Roll recipient 2014, 2015 and 2016, a Campaign for Business and Education Excellence Honor Roll STEM recipient 2015 (for Math and Science), a CA Gold Ribbon School 2016, an Innovate Top Bay Area Public School Leading in Educational Equity 2017 and 2019, and National School of Excellence 2021. Our highly trained teachers are skilled at setting rigorous academic goals for students and are fully committed to working with them to reach those goals.
When you visit Durham Elementary, you will fall in love with our beautiful campus. We have a self- contained area for our pre-school, transitional kindergarten, and kindergarten classes. Our big playground is adjacent to a large multi-purpose room that serves as a cafeteria and gym. Every classroom is equipped with a projector and document camera. Classrooms in TK and Kindergarten have a center with chrome books while grades 1-5 have a cart in every classroom. Our library is updated annually to encourage wide reading. YMCA offers before and after school care right on campus.
We at Durham value the diverse backgrounds of our students and families. Our work ethic is centered on “helping each other grow and succeed.” We develop positive relationships as part of our character education. Many family nights are scheduled throughout the year with a range of activities. Parents/guardians are encouraged to get involved and be part of our leadership groups such as School Site Council (SSC), Parent Teacher Association (PTA), Safety Committee, and English Language Advisory Committee (ELAC).
SCHOOL VISION
At Durham Elementary, we are committed to the growth and success of every child. We envision our school as a safe, nurturing, and rigorous educational environment where college and career readiness, life-long learning, social responsibility, and diversity are valued.
SCHOOL MOTTO
We are the Durham Eagles! We only do our best, nothing less!
Teresa Bonaccorsi
Principal