School Tools

Orange Converse All-Star sneakers and brown track pants; a student in a Durham NC school

DURHAM PRE-K ROLL UP & ENROLL

The Durham Partnership for Children will host the Durham PreK Roll Up & Enroll on Saturday, March 15, 10am–1pm, at Durham Technical Community College (1637 E Lawson St, in the quad). Learn about pre-kindergarten for your child and get help filling out the application for the 2025–26 school year. Here are the documents you should have to complete the process: your child’s birth certificate, your proof of address, proof of one month’s income, proof of annual income, and your SNAP benefits letter (if applicable). They’ll also have games, snacks, and a resource fair. Click here for the Durham Public Schools’ pre-k application, and click here to visit the website (and subscribe to their newsletter).

STUDENT U

WG Pearson Center (600 E Umstead St), website:

Following the motto, “Empowering Students, Building Leaders, Changing Communities,” educators/staff with this nonprofit organization support middle and high school students with educational and lifeskills programming as they make their way to college. Students can get tutoring, go on college tours, gain financial literacy, and attend year-round afterschool programs. College students can learn about scholarships, getting mentors, and receiving individualized year-round support. Click on the website (above) for more info on upcoming workshops, consultations, and programs.

Adults who are interested in being volunteer tutors, can click here to sign up. Volunteers serve at least once a week during afternoon or evening hours for a semester (usually from 1 to 2 hours per session). You can choose to volunteer in person or virtually.

BRAINFUSE

Brainfuse is a website where students with an internet connection and Durham County Library card can get free online tutoring and homework help. First, go to the library’s website (durhamcountylibrary.org) and click on “Online Resources.” You’ll see some choices; click on “Get Homework Help.” Choose “Brainfuse” from the list; when you enter your library card number, be sure not to leave any spaces. If you set up a Brainfuse account, you’ll be able to save your study sessions and tests and to receive messages.

Parents can help choose lessons that are aligned with state education standards; you can get live, real-time help.
If you click on “Expert Help” and then “Live Tutoring” between 2 and 11pm, you’ll be able to find an online instructor.
When you click on “Writing Lab,” you’ll be able to upload something you have written and have it analyzed by a writing expert. They’ll make helpful comments so you can go back and improve it with edits and rewrites.
If you’re studying a foreign language, you can click on “Language Lab” and get help from a language tutor.
Click on “LEAP Learning Platform” to take practice tests for SAT. GED, Reading, Writing, and College Prep Math.

Brainfuse isn’t just for students. The Adult Learning Center offers live online help for GED preparation, resumés, cover letters, MS Office skill development, and preparation for US citizenship. If you prefer to learn in Spanish, you can always click on “Español” in the upper right-hand corner.

VILLAGE OF WISDOM

website

The Village of Wonder has started Dreamship, a black parent fellowship, which has four goals, which are to explore:

How to rest in Blackness and heal through Black Genius
How to use creativity and art to protect Black Genius
How to use research and design to protect Black Genius, and
How to change the way educators teach and protect Black Genius.

Their approach is to encourage and uplift black students, some of whom might feel that being black is a disadvantage. Parents are invited to click here for more info and to fill out the interest form so they can attend meetings and workshops to help their children.

Feel free to explore the website to learn about additional programs and activities.

SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS

Help support Durham Public School (DPS) teachers by participating in Fill That Bus! Many teachers pay for their needy students’ school supplies out of their own pockets and Crayons 2 Calculators in turn help the teachers by providing the supplies their need, free of charge.

Here’s a list of the most-needed items:

pencils
pencil boxes
wide-ruled/college-ruled notebook paper
one-subject spiral notebooks
legal pads
graph paper
index cards
highlighter markers
permanent markers
copy paper
dry-erase markers and erasers
Post-it notes
binder clips
paper clips
glue (4-ounce bottles)
hand sanitizer.

You can also host your own supply drive or make a monetary donation if you’d prefer to help out that way. Large donations of classroom supplies can be dropped off at the Crayons 2 Calculators warehouse (808 Bacon St) Monday through Thursday between 11am and 3pm. Click here for more info.

DPS FAMILY ACADEMY

Durham Public Schools’ DPS Family Academy will start up again when school starts. Speakers provide helpful information and tips for parents/grands/caregivers of DPS students to help them thrive in the school environment. Follow the DPS Family Academy on Facebook.