Frequently Asked Questions
1. What does the PTSA do?
Our mission is to be a powerful voice for all students, to be a relevant resource for families, and to be strong advocates for the education and well-being of every child and those children’s teachers. We work together because we believe our children benefit when parents and teachers support each other and the school. Together we can provide resources, programs, and information that help all students, all teachers, and all families.
The DSA PTSA helps support our students and teachers through:
2. How does the PTSA raise money? How does it spend money?
Our primary fundraiser is the annual campaign in the fall of each school year. Instead of asking parents and supporters to buy cookie dough or wrapping paper, we ask for a one-time donation. Throughout the year we raise additional funds by selling spirit wear (t-shirts and hoodies), magnets and stickers with the DSA logo. In the fall, we host the Bedford Falls Book Fair to support the DSA Media Center. We also raise money through:
We help support our students and teachers by using the funds for:
3. How can I participate in DSA’s passive fundraisers?
To participate in our “passive” fundraisers, please review the following information:
General Mills Box Tops for Education
Look for the Box Top label found on hundreds of product packages. Clip and return to the main office or mail to the school. Each label is worth $0.10 for the school.
You can also mail box tops to DSA PTSA – Box Tops Coordinator, 400 N Duke St., Durham, NC 27701.
Our mission is to be a powerful voice for all students, to be a relevant resource for families, and to be strong advocates for the education and well-being of every child and those children’s teachers. We work together because we believe our children benefit when parents and teachers support each other and the school. Together we can provide resources, programs, and information that help all students, all teachers, and all families.
The DSA PTSA helps support our students and teachers through:
- Field trip subsidies
- Classroom supplies
- Staff Appreciation
- New books and technology for the Media Center
- Classroom technology
- Maintaining the school landscaping
- A PTSA website for sharing information and staying connected.
2. How does the PTSA raise money? How does it spend money?
Our primary fundraiser is the annual campaign in the fall of each school year. Instead of asking parents and supporters to buy cookie dough or wrapping paper, we ask for a one-time donation. Throughout the year we raise additional funds by selling spirit wear (t-shirts and hoodies), magnets and stickers with the DSA logo. In the fall, we host the Bedford Falls Book Fair to support the DSA Media Center. We also raise money through:
- Dine Out Events (such as Elmo’s First Tuesday)
- Amazon smile
- Harris Teeter VIC Card Together in Education Program (our school code is 3022)
- General Mills Box Tops for Education (collection in main office)
We help support our students and teachers by using the funds for:
- Field trip subsidies
- Classroom supplies
- Staff Appreciation
- New books and technology for the Media Center
- Classroom technology
3. How can I participate in DSA’s passive fundraisers?
To participate in our “passive” fundraisers, please review the following information:
General Mills Box Tops for Education
Look for the Box Top label found on hundreds of product packages. Clip and return to the main office or mail to the school. Each label is worth $0.10 for the school.
You can also mail box tops to DSA PTSA – Box Tops Coordinator, 400 N Duke St., Durham, NC 27701.
Amazon Smile
Start your shopping at smile.amazon.com and search for “PTA North Carolina Congress Durham School of the Arts”. A portion of your purchase (0.5%) will be donated to the school. There is no additional cost to you. Prices are the same as shopping at amazon.com.
Harris Teeter VIC Card Program
When you link your card to DSA, every time you purchase HT Brand products, a small percentage is donated to our school. You must relink every school year to continue supporting our school. This can be done by the cashier, customer service, or you can do it online. Our school number is 3022.
4. How can parents get more involved in PTSA?
You can sign up to help with short one time engagements - anything from passing out flyers at a performance to helping with data entry. You can sign up for our volunteer email list by sending an email to dsaresource@gmail.com.
If you are interested in making a more substantial commitment, please join us for one of our monthly board meetings. The meetings are generally the 1st Wednesday of every month in the DSA Media Center at 5:30pm. You can also send an email to dsaresource@gmail.com to get more information on how you can help.
5. How do I find out about PTSA events, meeting dates or volunteer opportunities?
You can check the main page of our website where we post upcoming events. We also communicate to parents via email when we have events so you can sign up for our email list by sending an email to dsaresource@gmail.com. You can find us on social media at:
6. How do I find out about school news and events?
The primary source of school related information is the school webpage. It has a school calendar, school news and special announcements. It also lists information about:
To receive phone calls with information about upcoming events, sign up for the school robo-calls by sending an email to Ms. Alpizar at marlene.alpizar@dpsnc.net with the subject heading “SUBSCRIBE TO ROBO-CALLS”.
To stay in the know, subscribe to the DSA daily announcements. Sign up here: https://forms.gle/Tpp4MmWcFRLy59DH7
7. My student is interested in a school sport. How can I find out more information?
All Durham School of the Arts High School students trying-out for any sport must complete the “Ticket to Play” process prior to trying-out for any sports team. This process is in place for students to submit all required paperwork to the Athletic Department. Students will receive a “Ticket” once all of the required paperwork has been submitted. The “Ticket to Play” process will also include the Athletic Department staff performing a preliminary eligibility check. Those students that are not eligible will not receive a “Ticket” and will not be allowed to try-out.
Staff contacts and tryout/practice dates are listed here. Athletic forms are listed here. Sports websites can be linked from here. For additional information, contact the DSA Booster club.
8. Is there a school calendar?
The school calendar is available on the school website. You can also link to it here.
9. Is there a school map?
A campus map is available here. There are also printed copies available in the main office.
10. How do I find college and school counselor information?
The DSA Student Services website lists contact information for all school counselors. The website also provides links to college resources, suggested reading for helping your student’s academic success and additional information.
11. How can I contact my student’s teacher?
During Open House (late August) you will have an opportunity to meet with each of your student’s teachers and to learn about their plan for the upcoming school year. The teachers will provide important information including classroom policies, expectations, their contact information and their class website (if available). If you were unable to attend open house, you can check the DSA Staff directory for their email address: https://www.dpsnc.net/domain/873
Start your shopping at smile.amazon.com and search for “PTA North Carolina Congress Durham School of the Arts”. A portion of your purchase (0.5%) will be donated to the school. There is no additional cost to you. Prices are the same as shopping at amazon.com.
Harris Teeter VIC Card Program
When you link your card to DSA, every time you purchase HT Brand products, a small percentage is donated to our school. You must relink every school year to continue supporting our school. This can be done by the cashier, customer service, or you can do it online. Our school number is 3022.
4. How can parents get more involved in PTSA?
You can sign up to help with short one time engagements - anything from passing out flyers at a performance to helping with data entry. You can sign up for our volunteer email list by sending an email to dsaresource@gmail.com.
If you are interested in making a more substantial commitment, please join us for one of our monthly board meetings. The meetings are generally the 1st Wednesday of every month in the DSA Media Center at 5:30pm. You can also send an email to dsaresource@gmail.com to get more information on how you can help.
5. How do I find out about PTSA events, meeting dates or volunteer opportunities?
You can check the main page of our website where we post upcoming events. We also communicate to parents via email when we have events so you can sign up for our email list by sending an email to dsaresource@gmail.com. You can find us on social media at:
- Facebook: facebook.com/dsaptsa
- Instagram: dsaptsa
- Twitter: @dsaptsa
6. How do I find out about school news and events?
The primary source of school related information is the school webpage. It has a school calendar, school news and special announcements. It also lists information about:
- Art Tracks at DSA
- School Sports
- List of Classes Offered at DSA
- Library/Media Center Information (including a library catalog)
- Registration Forms
- Student Services
- Parent Resources (including school supply lists, arts placement information and more)
- Driver’s Education
- Summer Assignments
To receive phone calls with information about upcoming events, sign up for the school robo-calls by sending an email to Ms. Alpizar at marlene.alpizar@dpsnc.net with the subject heading “SUBSCRIBE TO ROBO-CALLS”.
To stay in the know, subscribe to the DSA daily announcements. Sign up here: https://forms.gle/Tpp4MmWcFRLy59DH7
7. My student is interested in a school sport. How can I find out more information?
All Durham School of the Arts High School students trying-out for any sport must complete the “Ticket to Play” process prior to trying-out for any sports team. This process is in place for students to submit all required paperwork to the Athletic Department. Students will receive a “Ticket” once all of the required paperwork has been submitted. The “Ticket to Play” process will also include the Athletic Department staff performing a preliminary eligibility check. Those students that are not eligible will not receive a “Ticket” and will not be allowed to try-out.
Staff contacts and tryout/practice dates are listed here. Athletic forms are listed here. Sports websites can be linked from here. For additional information, contact the DSA Booster club.
8. Is there a school calendar?
The school calendar is available on the school website. You can also link to it here.
9. Is there a school map?
A campus map is available here. There are also printed copies available in the main office.
10. How do I find college and school counselor information?
The DSA Student Services website lists contact information for all school counselors. The website also provides links to college resources, suggested reading for helping your student’s academic success and additional information.
11. How can I contact my student’s teacher?
During Open House (late August) you will have an opportunity to meet with each of your student’s teachers and to learn about their plan for the upcoming school year. The teachers will provide important information including classroom policies, expectations, their contact information and their class website (if available). If you were unable to attend open house, you can check the DSA Staff directory for their email address: https://www.dpsnc.net/domain/873