4 min read Southpoint Access

[SoDu Sunrise Showcase] Tough Times for 7th Grade at Rogers-Herr?

[SoDu Sunrise Showcase] Tough Times for 7th Grade at Rogers-Herr?
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By Wes Platt, Neighborhood News Guy

WEATHER FORECAST

Today's morning weather in South Durham, seen at Eagle Ridge Court where it intersects with South Roxboro Street in South Durham. Photo: Wes Platt.

Per the National Weather Service: Cloudy, but clearing gradually in the afternoon, with a high near 72. Tuesday night, clear with a low around 46 degrees.

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Got creative kids? Send art - drawings, paintings, whatever you've got - to illustrate our weather forecasts in the newsletter! Send images to wes.platt@southpointaccess.news.
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Seventh Grade Shakeup?

In just a few months, John Michael is expected to start 7th grade at Rogers-Herr Middle School. But a discussion on the Rogers-Herr Parents page on Facebook has me worried. An anonymous member writes:

"I’ve heard negative things about 7th grade (no permanent ELA teachers, assistant principal has left/taken a leave of absence with no replacement) and am considering moving schools. I’d like to know how the year has been for current 7th graders."

In reply, some parents have reported a "very challenging" year for their kids, particularly when it comes to communication. Other parents with a consistent team had better experiences, and praised teachers of choir, art, and math.

I'm a fan of the year-round calendar, and John Michael's 6th grade experience has largely been positive. But I'm obviously worried about what awaits us this summer.

The SoDu We Love Reading Book Club has its first discussion thread on the Southpoint Access subreddit! Read the first chapter of Song in a Weary Throat by Pauli Murray and join us!

Got questions for your neighborhood news guy to chase down answers? Reach out to wes.platt@southpointaccess.news.

Enjoying the SoDu Sunrise Newsletter and the information provided by Southpoint Access? Support our work with your donation!

NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS

  • South Durham Criminal Incident Reports for April 2025: South Durham saw a continued rise in vehicle-related crimes last month, according to the latest report for ZIP code 27713, with motor vehicle burglaries and thefts making up the largest share of reported incidents. This is based on data supplied by the Durham Police Department to LexisNexis.
  • Fusion Academy Coming to Chapel Hill: Located on the first floor of The Gwendolyn near Glen Lennox, the new campus marks the third Fusion site in North Carolina, joining existing schools in Raleigh and Charlotte. Fusion’s model focuses on customized education for students who benefit from individualized instruction, including those with ADHD, dyslexia, anxiety, or other learning and social-emotional differences.
  • Selfie Studio Returns to Southpoint: The immersive photo experience features four selfie studio containers and eight distinct color zones, each exploring the psychology of color and personality through interactive design. Visitors can take a short quiz via QR code to discover the color that matches their vibe – and then snap a themed selfie to match.

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From One SoDu Small Business to Another - Let's Team Up This April: I’m inviting other local small businesses to become monthly sponsors of the newsletter. It’s my way of helping us support each other: your sponsorship helps keep local news flowing, and it puts your business in front of an engaged, loyal audience on a regular basis.

What's Happening Today?

  • African Writers Book Club. Adults. 1 to 3 p.m. Children’s programming room at Southwest Regional Library at 3605 Shannon Rd. (Durham County Library)
  • Durham Book Club – For Middle School Students. 4 to 6 p.m. Reading and discussing The Marvellers by Dhonielle Clayton. Meeting room at Southwest Regional Library at 3605 Shannon Rd. (Durham County Library)
  • Durham Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission. 7 p.m. in the second-floor conference room at City Hall, 101 City Hall Plaza. (Durham Government)

Check out this week's activities!

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What's on Your Mind? Send letters to the editor and news tips to wes.platt@southpointaccess.news!

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Wes Platt

Wes Platt