The Autism Connection, Inc. will sponsor a Family "Fun" Day Picnic on Saturday, July 17, 2010 (raindate Saturday the 24th) at the EJ Arthur Elementary School in Athens for any Greene County families impacted by autism. The picnic will be held from 4:00-7:00 and the cost is free. Parent Networking, BBQ, Face Painting, Bouncy House, Playground and more! RSVP 518-731-6500 by 7/1/10.

On June 24, Durham Elementary students performed the school’s annual “Moving Up” ceremony before a packed house of proud parents and family members. Each year the outgoing fifth grade class leaves their customary seats at the front of the assembly to take the stage. The incoming fifth grade class (this year’s fourth graders), move up to fill the seats vacated by the outgoing class. Each subsequent grade follows suit until the entire school has symbolically “moved up” to the next grade.

Ellen Woods from the Poison Control Education Center visited Durham Elementary to help students identify the dangers of toxic household products and poisonous plants and animals. She also introduced students to “Mr. Yuk”, the green frowning face used to mark poisonous products. Mrs. Woods explained that Mr. Yuk may look scary, but he is there to keep children safe. If they see him on any product, stay away from it, because it could be toxic.

Ralph Hull, 91 years old and a lifetime Durham farmer, visited Durham Elementary fifth grade students to talk about Civil War artifacts and local history.

Students got to see and touch many items, like a stirrup from a cavalry saddle, a file used to trim a horse's teeth, bullets from the battle of Gettysburg, and even a cannonball discovered in a Durham field where the army had once conducted cannon practice. Mr. Hull explained the importance of these items and described how soldiers had used them.
Mr. Hull talked about how fields in Durham had been used to train cavalry soldiers and cannoneers. He also talked about how, when he a little boy, he had even known a man who had fought in the Civil War.

In May, the Cairo-Durham Central School District launched a new look to our website. Visitors will find familiar functionality of the site and an updated appearance. The website features individual webpages for Cairo Elementary, Durham Elementary, the Middle School, the High School, and the district. The CDCSD will continue to provide regular updates to the website, including announcements of upcoming events, stories of student and faculty success and challenges facing the district.

Ms. Stalter has been awarded Teacher of the Year at Durham Elementary. Each year faculty members choose one teacher who has shown outstanding performance in the classroom. As a physical education teacher, Ms. Stalter has shown a steadfast dedication to her students and her work.