DHS Weekly Update
Thursday, February 23, 2023
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Hello,
Welcome back from the week off. We're rolling through the school year. I congratulate the winter sports teams, clubs, and student organizations for the successful seasons and welcome everyone to the spring seasons. If you come out and support one of our teams, clubs or student activities, you will be pleasantly surprised at our students.
Our School Resource Officer (SRO) will be out of the office until the end of the school year. Currently, we will need an on-campus replacement. However, our City Schools of Decatur Director of Safety and Security, Matthew Damico, is always available to support DHS. The Decatur Police Department will continue to support our campus and will have a contact from the department for immediate contact.
I would like to give a special shout out to Dr. Lena Hamilton and Ms. Amy Judon as recipients of the Good Troublemaker Award. These wonderful teachers exemplify John Lewis’s principle of “good trouble” by speaking up for equity, speaking out for justice, and consistently causing good trouble through their transformative leadership of JEDI work in City Schools of Decatur.
Duane Sprull
Interim Principal, DHS
Mark Your Calendars for the 9th/10th Grade Red Carpet Formal!
9th/10th Grade
Red Carpet Formal
Saturday, March 18th 7:30pm -10:30pm in the DHS Café
Tickets are $15 and will be available for purchase on March 6th on GoFan.co
For non-DHS guest ticket requests, please submit a dance guest form to Ms. Lockhart by March 15th.
There will be a great DJ, Photo Booth and a Red Carpet Snack Bar.
Parents, we will need volunteers and snack donations to help make this event the best one yet. Please sign up using the link below:
https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/20f084babaa2ca6fc1-910th/25675741
Junior and Senior Dues/Prom 2023
ATTENTION JUNIORS AND SENIORS!!!
It's time to take flight around the world. Prom 2023 will be at the Delta Flight Museum on May 20th.
In order to receive a boarding ticket you will need to make sure that you purchase Package A Dues before March 31st at 4:00pm.
You can view the cost of Package A Dues here: https://www.csdecatur.net/Page/1425. Please be sure to choose junior or senior class.
YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ATTEND PROM IF PACKAGE A DUES ARE NOT PAID IN FULL ON OR BEFORE MARCH 31ST BY 4:00PM. NO EXCEPTIONS!
You can view the cost of Package A Dues here: https://www.csdecatur.net/Page/1425. Please be sure to choose junior or senior class.
All dues are located in Infinite Campus for online payments. If you would like to pay by check, money order or cash:
Juniors see Ms. Jones in Room 2128
Seniors see Ms. Wells in Room 1516
Congratulations!
Mock Trial's two teams competed in two separate regions on Saturday, February 4. Both teams earned 2nd place in their regions and will be moving onto District competitions on March 4.
Earning Outstanding Witness awards were: Claire Thompson, Luka Hamaya, and Natalie Goodman
Earning Outstanding Attorney awards were: Penelope Goebel and Noam Segal
We are so proud of these teams and all their hard work. We would like to also thank the SIX attorney coaches for volunteering their time to work with these students three days a week. We are so lucky to have amazing community members who support our school, team, and students.
-Erika Leach and Catherine Thibadeau (teacher coaches)
PTSA TEACHER GRANTS - Your Donations at Work
TO HELP SUPPORT TEACHER GRANTS IN THE
FUTURE, CLICK HERE: PTSA WEBSITE
DHS Cheer Tryout Informational Meeting, March 1
See the flyer below for more information.
Decatur Parents Network Speaker Series
The link to register is https://bit.ly/DecaturParentsNetworkVaping.
Spring Festival
If you are 16...
CSD Athletics News and Updates
Congratulations to our Girls' and Boys' Basketball teams!
Both teams placed three Bulldogs on the Region-4 5A All-Region team. For the Lady Bulldogs, Cornelia Ellington (3), Ryen Evans (5), and Marlo Simms (24) received recognition. Luke Brooks (5), Turner Cummings (2), and Quay Wallace (1) were recognized on the boys' side.
We are proud of each of these individuals, their teammates, and their coaches for this exciting honor! See the pictures below.
DHS Basketball Wins Region and Advances to Second Round of State!
Congratulations to our girls’ and boys’ basketball teams. Both teams are winners of the 2023 Region-4 5A Basketball Tournament. In close games, the girls were victorious against a talented Arabia Mountain team, and the boys defeated a tough Tucker team.
On Wednesday, both teams were victorious in the first round of the State Tournament. The DHS girls proved to be a tough match up against Northgate High School. After taking the lead early in the first quarter, the Bulldogs never looked back. The boys followed the girls success defeating Harris County. The Bulldogs jumped ahead and maintained a comfortable lead throughout the game. With these wins, the Bulldogs advance to the second round. Both teams will host on Saturday. Games will begin at 4:00 (girls) and 5:30 (boys). Go Bulldogs!
DHS Cheer Tryout Informational Meeting, March 1
All cheerleaders interested in participating in tryouts for the 23-24 DHS cheer team should attend an informational meeting held at DHS on March 1. Cheerleaders should meet the coaches at the front of the DHS building at 4 pm. This includes rising 9th-graders.
Call for Silent Auction Donations
Decatur Bulldog Boosters (DBB) will host our annual Bulldog Bash on March 18 at Legacy Park to support athletics at DHS and BHMS. The adult-only event features food trucks, bands and an online, silent auction – all to raise money for the Decatur Athletics. Please save the date and look for more information to come. In the meantime, we are looking for donations for the silent auction, including anything from gift cards and gift baskets to products, services, trips and experiences. This is a great way to market your business while supporting DBB. Please email Diana Yassanye with questions or complete our online form here.
Next PTSA Meeting
DHS SLT News
Next SLT Meeting
DISTRICT NEWS
CSD Black History Spirt Week
It’s not too late… to celebrate! ALL CSD students, staff, families, and community members are invited to participate in CSD Black History Month Spirit Week, February 20-24!
Thursday 2/23:
Rock apparel from an HBCU. If you attended an HBCU, meet us at the Wilson Center by Ebster at 4 PM for a photo opp.
Friday 2/24:
Demonstrate how you contribute to the CSD village by having group discussions in your building or department based on the following quote:
"If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else."
- Booker T. Washington
What does the quote mean?
How can you put the quote into action?
Send any photos, videos, or stories from the week to adowner@csdecatur.net of you (or your group) demonstrating you lifting yourself up by lifting up someone else.
Please continue to check your local school newsletters and websites for upcoming Black History celebrations throughout the month. Please send your photos and/or videos to andowner@csdecatur.net.
Kings Award
ALL CSD students, PK-12, are invited to apply for their school's Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mrs. Coretta Scott King Awards. This joint award recognizes student teams who best demonstrate the beliefs and visions of two great Civil Rights leaders. Complete this application (one per team) by Monday, February 27, at 4 PM EST. Contact Anthony Downer at adowner@csdecatur.net for more information.
We want to hear from you! Please share feedback on the CSD Vision & Mission by March 5
We want to hear from you! As part of the CSD strategic planning process, we are reviewing and updating our vision and mission statements. The survey is now open and we want to hear what you like and what you think we should change or add to these foundational parts of our strategic plan.
Why are we doing this? Vision and mission statements help ground the work school districts do and represent the shared values and goals that everyone in the school community is committed to working toward. They form the foundation for developing and implementing policies and practices to support staff members, families, and students.
Call to Action: Please take 5-7 minutes to complete the CSD Vision & Mission Survey, review the current vision and mission statements (both are included in the survey for your reference), and share your thoughts with us. Don’t delay and complete by March 5th!
Behavioral and Emotional Screening System (BESS)
The BESS screener window opens 2/27- 3/3. For more information or to Opt-out please visit https://www.csdecatur.net/Page/5001. The opt-out link closes at 4:30 p.m. today.
Decatur Student Center Offering Family Meetings
Would You Like to Learn How to Conduct Family Meetings?
Are you tired of constant family arguments?
Are you tired of feeling as if your family is disconnected?
Are you tired of your family not knowing the schedule for the week?
Then perhaps Family Meetings are for you! Participants will learn how to conduct effective family meetings that will benefit all family members and encourage cohesiveness. Family Meetings have been shown to increase family members’ self-esteem, communication & conflict-resolution skills and instill a sense of belonging & resilience.
When: Wednesdays, beginning March 1
What: 5 weekly, 45-minute Google Meet sessions from 12:00 - 12:45
How: Attend weekly interactive meetings with camera on & ready to participate!
Cost: FREE and limited to 6 families
Click here to register and learn more!
Atlanta Hawks - City Schools of Decatur Night
Join the Atlanta Hawks on March 3, for City Schools of Decatur Night at State Farm Arena. Each ticket includes $10 worth of food and beverage credit that can be used at our restaurants inside the arena the night of the game. Special pregame performance by the BHMS Chorus!
To purchase tickets, click here. See flyer for details.
Community Resource Fair
CSD, in partnership with The Dekalb County Coalition and The Decatur Education Foundation, is excited to host our first annual Spring Resource Fair! The Community Resource Fair will take place on March 16 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at 105 Electric Avenue (in the green space across the Wilson Center and Ebster Gym). We have 20+ vendors and organizations planning to come out to connect with families. The vendors and organizations will be offering mental health resources, physical health resources, food resources, and housing resources. We will also have fun activities on-site for families. For any questions, please contact Madison Bobbitt at mbobbit@csdecatur.net or 470-421-2279.
COMMUNITY PARTNER ANNOUNCEMENTS & UPDATES
City of Decatur
Decatur Launches 200 Stories Initiative
In celebration of City of Decatur’s bicentennial, the City has launched the 200 Stories Project- a community story vault- to preserve and document the history of those who are and have been part of the Decatur community. Through the power of storytelling, participants will help shape a shared vision for the future of Decatur.
Whether you are new to Decatur or have been around for a while, the City invites you to contribute to this historical moment by sharing your experiences. There is no script – simply volunteer to sit down and talk with an interviewer.
Interested in connecting with other community members? There is also an opportunity to volunteer as an interviewer. To participate, email 200stories@decaturga.com, or call Aileen de la Torre at 678-553-6596 or Renae Jackson at 678-553-6561.
Donations are needed to help food-insecure students and their families. Our BHMS snack pantry and weekend backpack programs are in need of replenishing. You can help by donating directly to them using these links:
Beacon Hill Middle Snack Program: /a.co/d0HJHTr
Weekend Backpack Program: https://a.co/6Etc74W
Early Bird Registration EXTENDED ONE WEEK for the 21st Annual Tour deCatur at www.tourdecatur.com. Decatur’s favorite 5K and one-mile fun run is scheduled for Saturday March 11th. All adult participants who register on or before February 23rd will receive a race t-shirt. Youth participants for both the Fun Run and the 5K will receive a participation medal. As DEF’s biggest fundraiser, your participation helps fund everything we do to help our students learn and thrive. Presenting Sponsor Mathnasium of Decatur and Platinum Sponsor Realtor Amy Widener will be there at the race with giveaways!
Amplify Decatur is hosting their Spring Concert in the Square on Saturday, April 29th and DEF is so pleased to be one of the beneficiaries. The line-up is chock full of some amazing musicians – check them out and purchase tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/amplify-decatur-music-festival-tickets-527859721637. Your evening of live music will support DEF, Decatur Cooperative Ministry and Giving Kitchen.
Decatur High School
Email: noreply@csdecatur.net
Website: csdecatur.net/DHS
Location: 310 North McDonough Street, Decatur, GA, USA
Phone: 404-370-4170