RHS Summer Update # 3

Please join me in welcoming another new faculty member to Riverside High School for the 2025–2026 school year! Below you’ll find her photo and bio so you can get to know her as she joins our Pirate family.

My name is Shirley Torain-Frink, and this will be my first year at Riverside High School as an EC Teacher for the OCS program. I am so excited to join the Pirate family! I have been teaching for 10 years in the OCS program at my previous school. My goal is to educate and empower the students not only for a life of success but also to understand the long-term benefits and value of earning a high school diploma. I’m all about empowering students and holding myself to the same standard of excellence I ask of them.

Prior to Riverside, I worked at Person Senior High School in Roxboro. I have a very small, close-knit family. I enjoy family gatherings, watching softball, fellowshiping with friends, and hanging out with my grandson. I got married and graduated from NCCU during the onset of the pandemic in 2020, which I think is pretty cool. I graduated from North Carolina Central University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice. I also have a Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Phoenix. In May 2020, I graduated from North Carolina Central University with my Master of Arts in Teaching degree in Special Education. From really not liking school when I was younger to becoming a lifelong learner is truly amazing to me.

I’m looking forward to an amazing year ahead and can’t wait to meet everyone. Let’s make it a great one—Go Pirates!

We’re pleased to report that the rollout of Infinite Campus is well underway. Infinite Campus is now the official student information system for Durham Public Schools and all school districts in North Carolina.

On or before Friday, August 8, you will receive a unique URL via email fromDurhamPublicSchools@psu320nc.mg.infinitecampus.org, that will allow you to set up an Infinite Campus Parent Portal account so that you may access important information for your student. When you gain access to the portal, you may be required to answer questions that are designed to maintain your student’s privacy. Please respond to those questions.

If you do not receive an email by August 8, please contact our data manager Ms. Zwickle-Cheeck. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Students can now view their schedules in Infinite Campus.

Please note that these schedules are still being finalized and may change as we work to balance classes.

• Final schedules will be available by Monday, August 18th.

• The official Schedule Change Request Form will also be released on August 18th.

• We kindly ask that you hold all schedule change inquiries until the form is available.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we complete this process to ensure a smooth start to the school year.

Durham Tech Fall 2025 Start Dates

• 16-week & Term A courses: Begin Monday, August 11, 2025
• Term B courses: Begin Tuesday, October 14, 2025

Below are important reminders and updates from advising/orientation to help you start strong this semester. Please read carefully and ask questions if anything is unclear.

Confirm Your Schedule

• Contact your high school counselor to ensure your high school schedule works with your Durham Tech classes (avoid time conflicts or course overload).

Logging In

• Username: Last name + first initial + last four digits of Durham Tech ID
• Example: williamsk1234
• Password: Same for Self-Service, Canvas, and Outlook email.
• Email: username@durhamtech.edu (Access via Outlook.com).
• Canvas Access
• Courses will appear in Canvas on Monday, August 11: canvas.durhamtech.edu
• TIP: Read and save your syllabus; use a planner to stay organized.
• Online courses: Log in on the first day and complete any required assignment to avoid being dropped.

We are excited to welcome our newest Pirates!

• Parents: Required on campus from 9:00–10:30 a.m. to receive general information on “Life as a Riverside Pirate”, rules, policies, and procedures, and protocols.
• Students: All new Riverside students and incoming 9th graders are required on campus from 9:00 a.m. –12:50 p.m.
• Students will participate in a series of sessions and activities to prepare them for their freshman year.
• Pick-up is no later than 1:00 p.m.

Additional Details

• Snack bags will be provided.
• Food trucks will be available for optional food purchases.
• For questions, email Assistant Principal McKoy at Jasmine_mckoy@dpsnc.net.

All 12th-grade students are required to have the Meningococcal vaccination. This must be received before the first day of school.

A floating Open House will be held on Friday, August 22, 2025, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
All grades, families, and new students are invited to attend. Come meet your teachers and get ready for a great school year! More detailed information will be shared soon.

As a reminder, schools will use the weighted GPA at the end of the THIRD quarter to determine valedictorian and salutatorian.

Riverside High School will have a new bell schedule this fall! Stay tuned for more details coming next week.

Cady is our school’s official senior photographer. Cady must photograph each senior to appear in the yearbook.Cady will email booking reminders and send out all-inclusive informational pieces to students’ homes.

All sessions include yearbook cap and gown, and an indoor casual scene. Sessions start at $29, which includes your formal yearbook photo, cap and gown portraits, and one additional indoor scene of your choice. Elite Sessions range in price and can include an all-out private photography experience including eleven scenes and hair and makeup styling. Then, of course, there are plenty of options in between. You choose the one that fits your style. Prints, packages, and upgrades come with additional charges.

You can schedule your session online or call the Customer Experience Team at 678.722.3449 as soon as possible because appointments fill up fast.

You can take your pictures at their state-of-the-art Studio (RALEIGH STUDIO - 5950-A Six Forks Rd, Raleigh, NC 27609) or Riverside High School.

Senior portraits on campus will be taken September 24 from 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. in the lower-level gym.

You must be photographed by November 15 to appear in your yearbook. You must have your portrait made before November 1st if you want to select the pose for the yearbook.

If you have any additional questions, check out the Seniors FAQ page.