Sandy Ridge Elementary School

The countdown is ON!

The first day of school for our traditional calendar students is Monday, August 24, and we’re getting ready to welcome our scholars back for an exciting 2026–2027 school year!

Be sure to visit www.dpsnc.net to view the full Back to School Guide for everything you need to start the year strong!

CALLING THE SENIOR CLASS OF 2026!! You are invited to our Senior Walk at Sandy Ridge Elementary on Monday, June 8th at 12:45pm. We will meet in the Media Center for a catch up before walking the halls as the current Sandy Ridge Stars cheer on our former Sandy Ridge Stars!

Please wear/bring your cap & gown for our celebration! And please forward to anyone you know who also attended SRE!

RSVP Here: https://forms.gle/s73kEVdmaBDBRu327

Great day at the RIDGE with Superintendent Lewis❣️

🚒Durham Firefighters SAVE the Day Once Again!🚒
We are grateful to Durham’s finest for joining us on the first day of school! This year’s Clap-in was a huge success thanks to the incredible support of our Durham firefighters. Their presence and encouragement made our students feel welcomed, celebrated, and ready to shine this school year❣️

Back to School Community School Supply Give Away!!!

🎒 Fill That Bus! Fuel the Year – Starts Today! 🚍

Durham, let’s kick off the school year right! The annual “Fill That Bus! Fuel the Year” school supply drive begins today, running through August 8. Our good friends at the DPS Foundation will be leading the effort in restocking the shelves at Crayons2Calculators so every DPS teacher has the tools needed—completely free—for student success 📝📚

What’s happening:

Community-wide efforts to gather essential supplies—pencils, notebooks, art tools, rulers, folders, tissue, and more.

Drop-off bins are set up around the city (libraries, churches, businesses) and at Crayons2Calculators warehouse, 808 Bacon St., open Tuesdays & Thursdays, 11 am–3 pm.

Prefer to support digitally? Financial donations help purchase high-need items efficiently.

Why it matters:
Last year, Crayons2Calculators distributed over $129,000 in supplies, supporting 96% of DPS teachers at 59 schools—and many teachers still spend hundreds out-of-pocket.

👉 How YOU can help:

Donate supplies: drop off at Crayons2Calculators or community bins.
Give online: support via financial contributions.
Share & volunteer: host your own drive or help pack supplies.
Let’s come together and ensure no teacher—or student—goes without this school year. 🔗 Visit www.fillthebus.org for more details and a full list of needed items.

Our Sandy Ridge Family would like to say congratulations to Mrs. Crystal Laws for receiving 2025 School Counselor of the Year! We are very proud of her! We appreciate all of her hard work and dedication!

🎉 Congratulations to our 2025 Durham Public Schools Counselors of the Year! 💙💛

We're proud to recognize these outstanding counselors who go above and beyond for our students every single day:

🏆 District Counselor of the Year
Crystal Laws – Sandy Ridge Elementary

🍎 Elementary Counselor of the Year
Shyquel Allison – Hope Valley Elementary

📘 Middle School Counselor of the Year
Tarica Rawlinson – Carrington Middle School

🎓 High School Counselor of the Year
Wanda Ceres – Lakeview School

Thank you for the heart, dedication, and care you bring to your schools and students. DPS is better because of you! 🙌

Congratulations to Ms. Tenica Williams our 2024-2025 Teacher of the Year! We are so proud of her for being recognized as a district semifinalist! She is an amazing teacher and well deserving of this recognition!