Annual Events

Please check out the calendar on Parent Square for our school calendar of events. We also try to share all events in a timely fashion on Parent Square through our weekly Paw Print newsletter and on our social media pages (linked in the footer of this page). Remember, you must be Volunteer in Public Schools (VIPS)-approved to volunteer in the school. VIPS must be done each year. In our experience, you are usually approved within 24 hours. And if you are seeking a PTA leadership position click here.

Volunteer Interest Form

Our traditions are powered by parents! The PTA provides the budget and blueprints, but our parent committees bring the magic. Take a minute to let us know where you'd like to help.

Fall Semester Events

Boohoo/Yahoo Breakfast

The first day of school is an emotional time for all families. Join other adults in the cafeteria to dry your tears of sadness/joy with coffee and donuts.

New PTA Member Mixer

Join the board and other PTA members for an informal mixer. A great opportunity to meet new people and learn how to plug in.

Campus Beautification Workdays

Durham is a school built and maintained with a lot of love and sweat equity. Once a month, a crew of willing adults, teachers, and students donate their time and muscle to outdoor planting, weeding, and campus improvement projects.

Spirit Nights

Partnering with local restaurants, Spirit Nights make fundraising simple and delicious. Mention Durham Elementary at checkout on designated days, and a portion of sales will go directly to our PTA!

Hispanic Heritage Festival

A vibrant, community-wide celebration of Hispanic food, culture, and music that directly supports our students' International Baccalaureate (IB) education.

Scholastic Book Fair

The PTA coordinates and staffs this exciting week-long event to put new books directly into our students' hands and foster a lifelong love of reading.

Note: While the PTA completely funds and operates the fair, specific classroom shopping schedules and campus access windows are coordinated in partnership with school leadership.

Durham Auction and Gala

Our premier adults-only fundraiser of the year. A beloved, time-honored Durham tradition that our adult community looks forward to all year long! This is the ultimate night out to go big, dress up, and celebrate together. Beyond being an incredible evening of fun and neighborhood camaraderie, the Gala is our largest fundraiser of the year, featuring live and silent auctions that directly benefit our students, teachers, and campus initiatives.

Movie Night

Pack your blankets and lawn chairs for a fun, family-friendly evening under the stars! We bring the community together for an outdoor film screening, complete with concessions and plenty of neighborhood fun. Traditionally coordinated and hosted by our Dudes at Durham.

Winter Literacy Night

A cozy, cold-weather evening dedicated to celebrating the joy of reading. Families join us on campus for storytelling, interactive literacy activities, and foundational learning fun.

Classroom Parties

The PTA funds the supplies and organizes the parent volunteers to bring festive celebrations straight to our kids' classrooms.

Note: Party dates, designated times, and visitor safety guidelines are established in partnership with school leadership to ensure a smooth day for all students.

Campus-Administered Events (Courtesy Listing)

The following events are fully managed and scheduled by the Durham Elementary School administration and leadership. We provide these details as a courtesy to help families plan, but please note that all final dates, times, and guidelines are determined exclusively by the front office.

Character Day Parade

An annual campus tradition where students dress up as their favorite book characters and parade through the school.

Scheduling Note: Finalized dates, guidelines, and costume parameters will be communicated directly by school leadership.

Grandparents Day Luncheon & Student Birthday Lunches

Special designated days throughout the year when families and grand-friends are invited to campus to share a meal with their students during standard lunch periods.

Scheduling Note: Finalized schedules and RSVP procedures will be shared by the front office.

Coffee with the Principal

Regular Q&A sessions hosted by campus leadership. These meetings provide a great forum to discuss school updates, curriculum goals, and campus news.

Scheduling Note: Official dates and times will be announced via school administration channels.

Fall Pictures

The official individual student portrait and class group picture day(s) managed entirely by the school office and their designated photography vendor. These pictures are utilized in the yearbook.

Scheduling Note: Picture day schedules, retake dates, and purchasing packages will be distributed directly by the front office.

Spring Events

Spotty Olympics

Our student fundraiser. Students can be sponsored by parents, extended family, friends, neighbors etc. and raise money by completing laps. Part pep-rally, part fun run. The kids love this event.

STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) Week

A mix of presentations and hands-on activities throughout the week focused on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math

Durham’s Got Talent Show

Students perform and submit videos to a panel of judges. Winners are chosen and move on to a live performance competition

International Fest / iFest

Each grade level is transformed into an exotic location. Students and their families are invited to visit each country to learn a new culture and try a new cuisine.

Staff Appreciation Week

Week dedicated to faculty and staff to celebrate all of their hard work throughout the year. Lunches, gifts, cards, decorations, restocking the teacher's lounge, etc.

Volunteer Appreciation

End of year celebrations for all those who gave their support during the year.

Volunteer Page