Quarterly Newsletter

Parents,

We thank you for your continued support regarding the importance of your child being present at school. Recently, our graduation rate was published publicly showing our 4-year graduation rate at 86.88%, a slight decrease from last year and the 5-year graduation rate increased to 92.07%. While we are proud to be above the state average, our goal is not 87%. Our goal each and every year is 100%. For that to happen, parents, students and teachers all must work together and accept responsibility.

We believe attendance directly correlates with grades which impacts graduation rates. Since 2019-2020, many schools, along with Dade County, have struggled in the area of attendance. We believe that coming to school to receive face-to-face instruction, in a safe learning environment with positive, healthy relationships are key ingredients for success. Our leadership team has worked collaboratively to develop new attendance procedures for the '23 - '24 school year to incentivize student attendance. Students have opportunities to exempt final exams in addition to free admission for home athletic events. We have high expectations for our students and, hopefully, one day students will look back and realize we were trying our best to help them be successful in life.

To begin the '23 - '24 school year, students with A's & B's and less than three unexcused absences from the previous semester received a Gold, Maroon or Wolverine Card. The requirement to earn a gold card is 0-1 unexcused absences and All A's for the Spring '23 semester. A gold card earns the students free admission to as many of the home athletic events they want to attend. This card also includes two family passes. Forty-one students received a gold card. (Freshmen - 9, Sophomores - 13, Juniors - 5, Seniors - 14) A maroon card earns the students free admission to ten home athletic events plus one family pass. Fifty-two students received a maroon card. (Freshmen - 5, Sophomores - 19, Juniors - 13, Seniors - 15) A wolverine card earns the students free admission to five home athletic events. Sixty-one students achieved this card. (Freshmen - 23, Sophomores - 11, Juniors - 16, Seniors - 11)

Other incentives for cardholders include discounted tickets to school events or the right to enter drawing for random prizes throughout the semester including gift cards to local restaurants.

Mrs. Chastity Steadman, an assistant principal at DCHS, does an outstanding job with PBIS. Her creative ideas encourage positive behavior at our school. Each Friday, teachers reward their students in each class on how they ROARed during the week. A student is eligible for up to sixteen points per week. Any student who receives ISS/OSS during the week is ineligible to receive points. Students then have the choice how to spend their points.

Students can spend their points in their teacher's classroom store or the school-wide store. At the end of the first quarter this year, we had Food Truck Friday at DCHS. Lagenna's Rolling Cantina and Tropical ParadICE both visited our school in early October. Approximately sixty students participated in the PBIS reward. At the end of the semester, we have a PBIS field trip planned to reward our students. The requirement for that trip is ninety-eight (98) points. Last year, our students enjoyed our trip to the UTC Aquatic Center. This year, Mrs. Steadman has planned a trip to Urban Air in Chattanooga. Here are a few pictures below of Food Truck Friday.

Email: brentcooper@dadecs.org

Website: https://www.dadecountyschools.org/dchs

Location: 300 Tradition Ln. Trenton, GA 30752

Phone: 7066577517

Facebook: facebook.com/dchswolverines

Twitter: @DadeCoHigh