DHS Weekly Update
Thursday, March 10, 2022
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
DHS Families,
You may have noticed that we have made some changes this week in order to improve attendance and tardiness. We have implemented the robocalls again for when students miss a class. We have been experiencing a high volume of student absences and we wanted to make sure all families were aware of when their students were not in class. We also have begun to send notifications when students check into school tardy. To help encourage these positive behaviors, we will be having a drawing each month (March, April, May) for any student who has less than 5 tardies to school in a month. Each student who fits this criteria will be entered into the drawing for gift cards, prom tickets, parking spots, etc. We hope that these three changes will help encourage students to come to school on-time and ready for learning.
The 9th and 10th grade dance, sponsored by SGA and PTSA, will be April 30th here at DHS. More information will be sent out by the organizers to the 9th and 10th graders. We are very excited about being able to have this opportunity for them!
While we are continuing to make improvements, we are also planning for next year! See the information below in the eblast regarding making course requests for next year. It is imperative that we have accurate requests now so that we can create our schedules for next year. Also, if you haven't already, consider giving me feedback on this year's bell schedule. The google form will be open until Friday - https://forms.gle/WZrkDg8Z8dx76fd6A. Students and faculty have separate surveys asking them for their feedback as well.
Rochelle L. Lofstrand, Principal
Decatur High School
Update: 22-23 Course Scheduling
Course requests for next school year are now locked. In the last month, students received their course requests and had an opportunity to make changes to those requests. We are now moving into the part of our scheduling process where we use those requests to make our schedule for next year. From this point forward, we will only make changes to requests that meet one of the following conditions:
to make adjustments for failing grades of summer school work
to correct clerical or administrative errors
if student has already received credit for the course
if the student has not met the course prerequisite
if a student has been assigned the wrong course level
Counselors are continuing to work through the rest of the week on changes that were submitted to our form. You should receive communication about any submissions to the form by 8 am on Monday, March 14th. Please reach out to your child's counselor directly if you do not. Thank you for your support as we move to create the best possible schedule for every student for the 22-23 school year.
Decatur Career Academy Parent Survey
Every two years the City Schools of Decatur is required to complete a Comprehensive Local Needs Assessment (CLNA) during the current school year per state and federal guidelines for Career, Technical and Agriculture Education (CTAE). The CLNA should be a fact-finding mission to identify strengths and weaknesses in the six identified areas. Furthermore, it should be informed/validated by stakeholders and team members. A significant component of this assessment is receiving feedback at least twice connected to the following topics. We are asking parents to help in the process by completing this survey.
Decatur Bulldog Bash - This Saturday!
Decatur Bulldog Boosters is hosting our annual Bulldog Bash this Saturday at Legacy Park from 7-11 p.m. to support athletics at DHS and RMS! The super-fun, adult-only event features the Sweet Auburn BBQ food truck, drinks, live music, a silent auction, 50/50 raffle, Coaches’ Wish List Funds, Coach of the Year Award and more.
We would love for you to join us! Visit https://one.bidpal.net/bulldogbash2022/welcome or text "BulldogBash2022" to 243725 to receive a link. Enter “sponsor” in the “Apply a promo code” section to register and receive your free ticket(s).
If you can’t go to the event, you can still register at the link above to participate in the online auction and raffle, which features all kinds of amazing items.
As always, thank you for your support and Go Bulldogs!
Congratulations to Our Ninth Grade Poetry Competition Winners!
1st Place: Sophia Hughes
2nd Place: James Waltemath-Lewicki
3rd Place: Channing Taylor-Felton
Decatur High School Presents: Mamma Mia!
March 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26 at 7:00pm
March 20 & 27 at 2:00pm
Purchase tickets at www.decaturperforms.org
Students: $10
Adults: $12
Special Education Coffee Chat - March 21st
Decatur High School Assistant Principal, Ms. Sturm, will host a virtual Coffee Chat on Monday, March 21st at 5pm. Information will be shared about Special Education at the high school and important things for students and their families to consider throughout high school. This is a public meeting and there will be time for general questions that are not specific to a child's Individualized Education Plan.
Please submit questions/any topics you want to know more about via this Google Form.
Zoom link:
https://csdecatur.zoom.us/j/96864916631?pwd=SDJQMzRacThVeHhmMzI2T0Nic000QT09
Meeting ID: 968 6491 6631
Passcode: 855885
Dial by your location
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
Meeting ID: 968 6491 6631
Passcode: 855885
Find your local number: https://csdecatur.zoom.us/u/acMEiHjDNF
Student Government Association Second Annual Collection Drive
The Student Government Association (SGA) is hosting our second annual collection drive to create bags for the homeless. We will be collecting basic necessities such as food, water, and hygiene products to put in bags for passing out to those in need from Thursday, March 10th - Thursday, March 24th
Homelessness is a significant problem in our community. In just the City of Atlanta, over 3,200 people experience homelessness. By creating these bags, we can keep people a little bit warmer and less hungry for a night.
Sign up first here to donate. Please note that once you sign up, you are committing to bringing in that item. Anything helps!
Thanks and happy donating!
SGA Drives Task Force
Link to sign up to donate: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0c4dabae28a2fec43-sgaACT Prep
Below are the details of the ACT Prep course starting Jan / Feb / Apr, 2022 @ Live Virtual via Zoom
Call us at 404-351-4955 if you have further questions.
Location: LIVE Virtual Class via Zoom
Class Option 1 : Jan 8, 15, 22, 29 Feb 5 | 2022 for ACT Test Feb 12th 2022
Class Option 2 : Feb 19, 26 Mar 5, 12, 19, 26 | 2022 for ACT Test April 2nd 2022
Class Option 3 : Apr 30 May 7, 14, 21, 28 June 4 | 2022 for ACT Test June 11th 2022
Schedule: Saturdays : 9 - 1 pm
Room: Live Virtual Class via Zoom
Register Online for our ACT Prep Class :
https://successprep.com/ACT-prep-atlanta-ga-decatur-high-school
Don't forget to register for the ACT Test!
*Prep class fee is non-refundable after class starts, we do not issue partial refunds for classes you may miss. Any cancellation for refund of a prep class fee must occur 5 days before the start of that prep class, to allow for the seat to be offered to another student.
SAT Prep
Below are the details of the 6 week SAT Prep courses starting Jan 29 & Apr 23, 2022.
Call us at 404-351-4955 if you have further questions.
Location: Decatur High School | 310 N McDonough St Decatur GA 30030
Class Option 1 : Jan 29 Feb 5, 12, 19, 26 Mar 5 | 2022 for SAT Test March 12th 2022 (6 sessions | 4 hrs each)
Class Option 2 : Apr 23, 30 May 7, 14, 21, 28 | 2022 for SAT Test June 4th 2022 (6 sessions | 4 hrs each)
Schedule: Saturdays : 9 - 1 pm on each day (6 sessions | 4 hrs each)
Room: Inside New Library @ Decatur High School
Register Online for SAT Prep Class:
https://successprep.com/SAT-prep-atlanta-ga-decatur-high-school
Textbook you need to buy:
Don't forget to register for the SAT Test! - http://sat.collegeboard.org/home
*Prep class fee is non-refundable after class starts, we do not offer partial refunds for class sessions a student misses. Any cancellation for refund of a prep class fee must occur 5 days before the start of that prep class, to allow for the seat to be offered to another student.
SUNDAYS - SAT Prep
Below are the details of the SAT Prep course starting Mar 27th - May 1st, 2022 @ Live Virtual via Zoom - SUNDAYS!!
Call us at 404-351-4955 if you have further questions.
Location: LIVE Virtual Class via Zoom
Class Option 1 : Mar 27 Apr 3, 10, 17,24 May 1 | 2022 (6 sessions | 4 hrs each) for SAT Test May 7th 2022
Schedule: Sundays : 1 - 5 pm
Room: Live Virtual Class via Zoom
Register Online for our SAT Prep Class :
https://successprep.com/sat-prep-class-live-zoom
Don't forget to register for the SAT Test!
*Prep class fee is non-refundable after class starts, we do not issue partial refunds for classes you may miss. Any cancellation for refund of a prep class fee must occur 5 days before the start of that prep class, to allow for the seat to be offered to another student.
Next PTSA Meeting
DHS SLT News
Next SLT Meeting
CSD Athletics News and Updates
For the most up-to-date news relating to athletics at Renfroe Middle School and Decatur High School, visit decaturbulldogsathletics.com. Are you wondering when tryouts will take place? Do you want to know who is coaching a particular sport? All information can be found here! Contact Rodney Thomas, Executive Director or Student Services/Activities & Athletic Director, and/or David Harbin, Assistant Activities & Athletic Director, with any questions.
Go Bulldogs!
District News
CSD Announcements & Updates
Decatur Student Center Parent Education Program
The Decatur Student Center will be offering a 6-week parent education program on Family Meetings. For more information on the program and registration information, please see this flyer.
2022-2023 New Student Registration
Registration for the 2022-2023 school year opens on March 7. Students that are currently enrolled in CSD do not need to register to move to the next grade level or building. Registration information can be found at https://www.csdecatur.net/enrollment.
ESOL Virtual Parent Meeting
The ESOL Team would like to invite you to City Schools of Decatur's upcoming ESOL Virtual Parent Meeting: Interpreting Your Child's ACCESS Test Scores. The meeting will take place via ZOOM on Tuesday, March 15, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
This meeting will cover:
Types of Scores
Understanding ACCESS for ELs Scores
Using ACCESS for ELs Scores
Additional information about the meeting can be found on the flyer linked here. Please plan to attend to learn important information about ACCESS test scores.
Meeting Link: https://csdecatur.zoom.us/j/96105711050?pwd=bVJyV251ckFyNjhhQXZTU1BTNHFLZz09
If you have any questions, please contact Paris Hardnett at phardnett@csdecatur.net.
CSD Special Education March Meeting
Georgia Tech Excel Program provides a structured, supportive, and inclusive postsecondary educational opportunity for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It also addresses the full scope of the needs of this population from fundamental academics to social activities and vocational preparation. The program activities are categorized into one or more categories: academics, social fluency, independent living, career exploration, and development.
Target audience: Parents/students with disabilities in the 8th-12th grades.
Date: March 24, 2022
Time: 6-7 pm
Location: Virtual Meeting
Click this link to RSVP or email Cheryl Grant
We look forward to seeing you there. Thank you!
CSD Art Show
Don’t forget to mark your calendars for the CSD Art Show on April 20-22. Click here to learn more. (flyer attached)
News & Announcements From Our Partners
Decatur Education Foundation
This Saturday’s Tour deCatur 5K or one-mile Fun Run is offering SAME DAY registrations starting at 7:30 am at the DHS cafeteria. Registrations are still lower than average this year – your participation is KEY to helping DEF continue all its good work in helping Decatur students learn and thrive. We hope to see you out there!
Did you know that DEF is celebrating its 20th year as an organization? To celebrate, we’re hosting a TREASURE HUNT during the month of March! The first 20 families who complete the hunt will be entered into a raffle to win some great prizes including a week of Little Shop of Stories Summer Camp for the 2022 OR the 2023 season. Go to www.decatureducationfoundation.org/DEF-treasurehunt for instructions to sign up, (It’s FREE!)
There are other ways that you can help DEF help Decatur’s kids, through snack donations and volunteering.
Renfroe and Talley are accepting donations at these links:
RMS Snacks: https://a.co/d0HJHTr
Tally Snacks: https://a.co/8BxrMEz
Weekend Food Backpacks: https://a.co/8BxrMEz
Volunteering opportunities abound for both adults and upper high school students in need of hours:
As a Virtual Pals tutor -- we need tutors to be paired with a 2nd- 8th grade Decatur student for a one-hour weekly session. Click here to apply: https://forms.gle/LoiZxoi6WvSe6WEr6
As a Virtual Pals Coordinator -- we need one person who checks in with the tutor pairs on a weekly basis. Time commitment is 1 hour per week. Email muslimo@decatureducationfoundation.org to apply.
As an AIM Mentor -- we need adult male and female mentors to be paired with a third-grader to have new experiences and find their passions. The time commitment is just 2-4 hours per month.
As a REACH Mentor – we need just one more adult male to mentor an 8th grade student who has been nominated by his teachers for the REACH GA program. REACH mentors help their mentees through the rigors of high school and college applications. Time commitment is just 2-4 hours per month.
Decatur High School
Email: kgoins@csdecatur.net
Website: csdecatur.net/DHS
Location: 310 North McDonough Street, Decatur, GA, USA
Phone: 404-370-4170