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As the first day of school approaches on Monday, Aug. 25, families are doing more than packing lunchboxes and picking out backpacks – they’re getting organized. And one of the smartest ways to prepare is by understanding how Durham Public Schools handles the basics: attendance, transportation, and emergencies.

In Part 2 of our handbook series, Southpoint Access breaks down what families need to know to avoid common pitfalls and ensure a smooth start to the year.

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📅 Attendance: Why It Matters, What Counts, and What to Watch

Durham Public Schools requires every student between the ages of 7 and 16 to attend school daily – and younger students who are enrolled must follow the same rule.

🧠 Attendance is about more than seat time – it’s tied to learning, grades, and even exam exemptions.

What counts as an absence?

• A full-day absence = not present for at least half the school day
• A class absence = missing more than half the class period
  ✔️ Absences from school-sponsored events or religious holidays do not count against minimum attendance.

Excused or unexcused?

All absences require written documentation within 3 days of returning to school. After:

• 5 consecutive or
• 10 total absences in a semester, the principal may require a doctor’s note for any future illness-related absences.

Students with 10+ absences per semester will receive written notice – and could face disciplinary consequences if absences are unexcused.

📌 Related Policy: 4400 – Student Attendance Requirements

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🎓 Want to Skip Final Exams? Attendance Counts

High school students can exempt non-state-mandated final exams if they meet these thresholds:

Course Length	A Grade	B Grade
90 days	≤ 3 absences	≤ 2 absences
180 days	≤ 6 absences	≤ 4 absences

✅ Absences for field trips, approved religious holidays, or medical waivers don’t count toward the limit.

Even if exempt, students may choose to take the exam – and the score will count only if it improves the overall grade.

📌 Related Policy: 3410 – Testing and Final Examinations

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✍️ Signing Out Students Early

Only parents or legal guardians may sign out a student unless the school has received written authorization in advance. You’ll be required to show ID.

Some schools may limit early dismissals near the end of the day to reduce classroom disruption – call ahead if possible.

📌 Related Policy: 4210 – Student Release

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🔁 Transferring to Another DPS School

If you’re seeking a transfer from your child’s assigned school:

• Requests must go through the Office of Student Assignment
• Transportation is typically not provided
• Students must maintain good attendance, behavior, and academic standing to remain at the new school

📌 Related Policy: 4132 – Student Transfers

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🚌 Riding the Bus: Expectations and Safety

Durham Public Schools provides transportation for eligible students – but riding the bus is a privilege, not a right.

Bus Expectations:

• Follow directions of the driver and bus monitor
• Remain seated while the bus is moving
• No food, drink, or disruptive behavior
• Keep hands and belongings inside the bus

Important Note:

🚫 Unauthorized boarding is prohibited. Only students assigned to that bus may board. Parents or other individuals are not allowed on school buses without permission.

Repeated behavior issues may result in suspension of bus privileges.

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🚨 Emergency Procedures: What to Expect and How to Prepare

Every DPS school follows the Standard Response Protocol (SRP), which includes five main emergency actions:

Protocol	What It Means	Student Action
Hold	Stay in classroom	Remain in room, do business as usual
Secure	Lock outside doors	Return inside, continue normal activities
Lockdown	Intruder threat	Get out of sight, stay silent
Evacuate	Leave the building	Follow staff to safety
Shelter	Environmental threat (e.g., tornado)	Follow specific instructions

All staff and students are trained annually, and schools post the SRP instructions in every classroom.

How Parents Are Notified:

• Robocalls
• Text alerts and emails
• Social media: @DurhamPublicSch
• Local news outlets like Southpoint Access

📣 Make sure your contact info is current in Infinite Campus

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🌨️ Weather Closures and Delays

When weather threatens to close or delay school:

• DPS will notify families through the same channels as emergency alerts
• Follow @DurhamPublicSch or Facebook for real-time updates
• Local news outlets also carry closure information

🏡 Pro Tip: Make a backup plan for childcare or transportation now, before a weather event hits.

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📣 Get Emergency Alerts from Durham County

DPS encourages families to sign up for Alert Durham, a free notification system that sends real-time alerts about severe weather, evacuations, and county-wide emergencies.

📲 Sign up here: https://www.smart911.com/smart911/ref/reg.action?pa=dconc

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👪 Talk About It Before the First Day

Before school starts:

• Review your school’s arrival and dismissal procedures
• Talk to your child about behavior expectations on the bus
• Practice what to do in a lockdown or evacuation (age-appropriate)
• Add school and emergency contacts to your phone

📣 Have a question you want answered in this series? Let me know – I may feature it in a future article.

🔜 Coming Next: Part 3 – “Equity, Dress Code, and Creating Safe School Communities”

Next, we’ll explore how DPS ensures that schools are safe, inclusive environments for every student – including anti-bullying policies, gender support guidelines, and what the dress code really says.

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