DHS Weekly Update
Thursday, September 16, 2021
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
We've had a great Homecoming Week celebrating our school, our athletes, and our students! We are keeping an eye on tomorrow's weather because we have the parade at 5:30 PM. If the weather does not look like it is going to cooperate, we will send out a notification at 3:30 PM tomorrow.
Just a reminder that next week is September Break so have a great week and we will see all our Bulldogs on September 27th!
Rochelle L. Lofstrand, Principal
Decatur High School
Attendance
Rasheeda Salaam Tolbert, Assistant Principal
Early Check-out Stops at 3:00PM
Check-Out Process During 2021-2022
- We are doing early check-outs a little differently because of the COVID restrictions on visitors. Early check-out stops at 3:00 PM. Check out our website - https://www.csdecatur.net/Page/4714 - for this updated procedure and contact info.
Vaccination Opportunities
The Dekalb County Board of Health mobile vaccination unit will be returning to provide COVID-19 vaccines Thursday, 9/30 at Decatur High school (upper parking lot).
This is free to everyone in the community 12 and over.
Vaccines will be available from 5 - 7 pm, Thursday, 9/30.
- All 3 vaccine options will be available.
- A third dose will be available to those that are eligible (proof required). Please see attached for additional information.
- Any child between the age of 12-17 receiving the COVID-19 vaccine must have proof of their age and a parent/guardian.
ALSO...
We received word that one of our local Pediatricians will have openings for children (12 and over) and adults.
Oakhurst Pediatrics (317 W. Hill St., Suite 111, Decatur, Ga 30030) will be offering Moderna & Pfizer COVID vaccines on 9/24/21.
You do not need to be a patient to receive a vaccine, but they do ask that you make an appointment.
If interested, please email vaccine@oakhurstpediatrics.com with your name, date of birth, and best contact number.
Please contact Shonda Moore, smoore1@csdecatur.net with any questions.
DBB News
It’s Homecoming Week in Decatur!
The Bulldogs welcome Arabia Mountain in a game you won’t want to miss! This week’s game is a white out, so dress accordingly! DBB Sponsor Amy Widener, Keller Williams Realty Metro Atlanta, will be giving away hand sanitizer to the first 500 people in the gate. And, there will be another special spirit item for the first 1000 people in the gate! Come hungry because Hattie Marie’s BBQ will be serving nachos, sausage dogs, popcorn and fries in the lower concession stand (near the visitor side). And King of Pops will be set up nearby!
Kickoff is at 7:30 PM. Gates open at 6:30 PM. Tickets can be purchased at https://gofan.co/app/events/325523?schoolId=GA4954.
Please download your ticket BEFORE you get to the stadium. This will ensure you a much faster entry since you won’t have to wait for your phone to load the ticket with everyone using the network at the same time! And, there’s still time to get tickets for all DHS and RMS games ahead of time by joining DBB. Go to decaturbulldogboosters.org to join today!
Important Information about Gifted Review
Each fall semester the gifted review team looks at existing student data to discuss students’ needs and to determine if further evaluation for possible gifted identification is needed. Students can be recommended by teachers, but can also be recommended by parents or other students. If you are interested in having the team discuss your child’s needs, you may complete a Recommendation for Review Form (found at the website below) and submit it to Jennifer Gonzalez, our Gifted Specialist by October 6th. No additional information is needed. For more detailed information about the review process and to obtain a copy of the Recommendation for Review Form, please contact Ms. Gonzalez or visit the following website: https://www.csdecatur.net/Page/581.
Fall Tennis Ladder
The tennis coaches at the high school have created a Fall tennis ladder open to all tennis enthusiasts. You do not need to currently be on the team to join the ladder or be an experienced player and it is free to participate! The purpose of the ladder is to play tennis against other members in our community in a low pressure, but still competitive, and fun environment while promoting the sport in our community during the tennis off-season. The ladder is co-ed and the top 3 male/female finishers will automatically make the tennis team in the Spring. We will send all match format, participation expectations, challenge/position rules, and more info. to all enrolled participants. Play will begin after Fall Break (September 27th) and run until Christmas break. Participants who join after September 27th will be added to the bottom of the ladder while initial participants will be randomly assigned a position.
To indicate your interest please fill out the form linked here
If you have any questions or concerns email akessell@csdecatur.net
Thanks!
DHS Coaches: Andrew Kessel, James Pressley, Westley Phillippi, Thanh Doan, & Bethany Atkinson
Student Volunteers Needed
Our surrounding communities are welcoming newly arriving Afghan refugee families. To assist families during this transition, the Afghan American Alliance of GA is collecting furniture and helping to move families into new housing every week. The Afghan American Alliance has received generous furniture donations, and volunteers are needed to assist with picking up and delivering these donated items. There is work to be done throughout the week; however, most of the volunteer hours can be on the weekends, if that better fits volunteer schedules.
If you are interested in getting involved, please contact Hogai Nassery (hsnassery@gmail.com) for more information.
Senior Yearbook Deadlines
Senior Pictures
Senior pictures need to be taken by November 15 in order to be included in the yearbook. To be included in the yearbook you must have your portrait taken by CADY. The closest studio is the Atlanta studio located at 2030 Powers Ferry Rd., Suite 520 Atlanta, Georgia 30339 (near the new Braves Stadium) has appointments evenings and weekends.. You have until November 15 to get your photo taken for inclusion in the 2021-2022 yearbook. Please go to cady.com/schedule in order to schedule your time slot now. Anyone who needs financial assistance for the sitting fee should reach out to Principal Lofstrand, rlofstrand@csdecatur.net.
If you have any other questions please email the yearbook sponsor Ms. Lockhart at alockhart@csdecatur.net.
Senior Quotes
Senior quotes are due Friday Sep 17th. Quotes must be submitted by students with the Google form. Senior quote guidelines and the google link can be found here: Senior Quotes
Senior Baby Picture Spread
If you want to be a part of history, submit your baby picture before Friday, Sep 17th. Seniors OR parents can submit the photo. Learn how here: Baby Pictures.
Senior Ads.
TIME AND SPACE ARE RUNNING OUT!
This is the perfect time to purchase a Senior Ad and send your senior off with the memories of the past and some wise words for the future!! Please see the Jostens website for more information. The final due date to purchase a Senior Ad is October 31 but space is limited and on a first-come, first-serve basis, so get your order in now! Ads will be designed by the yearbook staff, and once an ad is purchased, the yearbook staff will reach out to you to let you know how and when to send pictures and words in. . If you have any questions please email the staff at indecatur@csdecatur.net
Underclassmen Retakes
Underclassmen retakes 9-11 will be Thursday, September 30. More information will follow. If a student did NOT get a picture taken on the original date, it is important for them to be at school on the 30th for school IDs. If they would like a retake, they just need to show up per the directions that will be emailed to students.
Buy Your Yearbook
The 2021-2022 school year will be a memorable one for sure.
We are planning on a full book so don't lose those memories - get a yearbook now
Books can be bought at www.jostens.com and are $55 until Oct 31.
After Oct 31 prices go up to $60.
Get one today! If you have any questions please email alockhart@csdecatur.net.
Announcing: The Inaugural Bulldog Legacy Cross Country 5k
The DHS Cross Country team is hosting a community 5k race on the trails at Legacy Park! The race is a fundraiser for the cross country team and will take place on Saturday, September 25. It is a 2-loop, 5k course which goes through fields and wooded areas. There will be two waves: All those expecting to run 25 minutes or less will start at 7:30 AM. All those expecting to complete the race in over 25 minutes will start at 8:15 AM.
Packet pick up will be Friday, September 24 from 5 PM to 8 PM, or the morning of the race starting at 6 AM. All participants registered by September 22 will receive a commemorative race t-shirt!
Due to the width of the trails, this race is not dog friendly.
To register, please follow this link: https://www.athlinks.com/event/bulldog-legacy-trail-race-357572
Unable to participate but would still like to contribute to the fundraiser? Please follow this link: https://donate.chronotrack.com/event/62761
If you have any questions email Mary Souther at msouther@csdecatur.net.
Decatur Parents Network - Speaker Series
SAT PREP
Below are the details of the SAT Prep class course starting Aug 21 - Sept 25, 2021.
Call us at 404-351-4955 if you have further questions.
Location: Decatur High School | 310 N McDonough St Decatur GA 30030
Dates: Aug 21, 28 Sept 4, 11, 18, 25 | 2021 for SAT Test October 2nd 2021
(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.
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!
Bulldog Flags
Decatur Bulldog Boosters (DBB) is building excitement about the upcoming school year and the return to normalcy by selling Bulldog Flags so that the entire Decatur community can show our spirit.
A Bulldog Flag costs $40 or is free if you become a DBB Sponsor (at any level) or purchase a Family Member (or above).
These are durable, outside flags that measure approx. 3’x 5’ and can be attached to a flag pole, hung in a window, or displayed on a wall. All proceeds go to support 1000 student-athletes on 45 teams representing 14 sports at Decatur High School and Renfroe Middle School.
Purchase your flag at DecaturSwag.com, or go to decaturbulldogboosters.org for more information on DBB memberships and sponsorships. Let's line our streets with these flags and show everyone what Bulldog Nation is made of!
District News
From the Special Education Department
Families Of Children Under Stress (FOCUS)
CSD Special Education Department welcomes Ms. Jaide Camacho, Program Director of FOCUS. Ms. Camacho will share the variety of ways her organization assists families with children who have special needs. FOCUS provides multi-levels of support for the whole family. Come and learn what this wonderful organization has to offer you and your family!
Audience: Families of Special Needs Students, K-12th grades & all Levels of impact.
Date: October 7, 2021
Time: 6pm-7pm
Location: Virtual
Click here to RSVP or email cgrant@csdecatur.net
The Power of the NOW & COMP Waivers
Jackie McNair, Parent Mentor of Gwinnett County, will present a detailed explanation of the New Options Waiver (NOW) and the Comprehensive Supports Waiver Program (COMP) for CSD families. These waivers can provide a financial bridge to assisting your student in having a positive outcome once they transition out of school. In this meeting, Ms. McNair will share how her family manages and utilizes the waiver to assist with sustainable supports for post-secondary transition.
*It is important for families to apply for these waivers while their child is in school.
Audience: Renfroe & DHS Parents of High to Mid. impact special needs students
Date: October 14, 2021
Time: 6pm-7pm
Location: Virtual
Click here to RSVP or email cgrant@csdecatur.net
News From Our Partners
Decatur Education Foundation
The Race is ON! One of Oakhurst's most anticipated events -- the Madison Ave Derby --is happening on October 16th and registration has begun at www.madisonavesoapboxderby.org! Participation in this community event is practically a rite of passage for Decatur kids, and it raises important funds for issues affecting our students. This year's Derby beneficiary is the Decatur Student Center, located in CSD Decatur High School and equipped to attend to our students' behavioral health and nonacademic needs. To learn more about the Student Center, please visit www.decatureducationfoundation/behavioral-health. See you at the Derby!
Homework Help: We are continuing our Virtual Pals tutoring program in which we pair a 2nd-8th grade student with an upper high school student or adult volunteer to help with homework, time management, and motivation. If you would like to sign your student up for the program, you can go here: https://forms.gle/nLrKbwkXyvYjEAJB8
Could you be a mentor? We’re also seeking 15 women and 15 men volunteers to serve as mentors for our AIM Scholars mentoring program. Third grade students are paired with an adult mentor who help them by supporting their Academics and explore their Interests; Mentors also help their students connect to educational and enrichment opportunities. For just 2-4 hours per month, you can have a meaningful impact in the life of a student. For more information, please visit www.decatureducationfoundation.org/mentoring
Decatur High School
Email: kgoins@csdecatur.net
Website: csdecatur.net/DHS
Location: 310 North McDonough Street, Decatur, GA, USA
Phone: 404-370-4170