DHS Weekly Update
Thursday, November 18, 2021
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
DHS Families,
Just a reminder that there is no school next week. I hope that you enjoy your time with family and friends! I am thankful that I have the opportunity to work with the Decatur High School community every day. Thank you for everything you do to support our school, our staff, and our students. We truly are #strongertogether!
Rochelle L. Lofstrand, Principal
Decatur High School
Bus Loop Change - Effective 11-29-2021
Out of an abundance of safety for our students, we are changing the Bus Loop after school. Buses will now double park in the bus lane when they arrive at DHS for afternoon pickup. Parents electing to pick up in the Bus Loop should be prepared to be there until 3:43 pm when the buses pull off each day. Please see the diagram as a reference.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1w99YiLDVb4k_KJd1L4vhHq3GEYyvdqimodK-5zo4aKY/edit?usp=sharing
Attendance Request Form
Please remember that parents are not allowed to enter the school building at this time. When you arrive to pick up your student, come to the main entrance doors leading to the Attendance Office, ring the bell and be prepared to show your ID to Mr. Scott or a designee. Early check-out ends at 3:00pm.
Thank you!
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.
Signing Day at DHS - Congratulations to our Student Athletes!
Sophia Walker- Fairfield University, Volleyball
Quincy Prichard- Berry College, Softball
Joshua Lanum- North Georgia College, Baseball
Brady Jones- Georgia State University, Baseball
Brayden Gordon- Muskingum College, Baseball
Congratulations!
Saturday School
A HUGE thank you to Decatur Education Foundation and their donors for funding our Saturday School Program at DHS. This past weekend, we had close to 70 students attend and receive a variety of academic supports. There's no Saturday School in December, but we look forward to the next date of January 22, 2022.
Saturday School may be right for your student if they:
1. Have missed school and have work to complete
2. Need to redo or rewrite an assessment to show mastery
3. Need tutoring
4. Have a major summative coming up and want help studying
5. Need a focused place outside of the distractions of home and busy pace of the school day
6. Don't have WIN time built in their schedule
7. Have an INC from last year or an APEX class to complete
8. Need support on a Capstone project
If your student meets one of the characteristics above, their teacher may invite them to join us on one of the dates below from 9:00 AM- 12:00 PM in the DHS Library Learning Commons. This year, students may also self-register by using the form in their email.
Dates:
1/22
2/26
3/19
4/16
5/14
Please email Cara Gray, cgray@csdecatur.net, with any questions.
PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) Update
Congratulations to 10 exceptional students chosen for student of the month for November. Every month we award student of the month to students who demonstrate being Purposeful, Accountable, Connected and Kind with excellence. Winners receive a certificate and small prize from SPIKE, our mascot. Students can also add this award to their resumes for the future. Monthly prizes this year have been donated from CFA and from Butter & Cream. Our behavior matrix describes how students can be a part of the PACK in different school wide settings.
DHS Student Government Association Second Annual Holiday Drive
The DHS Student Government Association is hosting our second annual holiday drive from November 29 through December 7! We are asking for donations of NEW toys for the Friends of Refugees Christmas store.
Friends of Refugees is a local nonprofit organization in Clarkston, GA that empowers refugees through opportunities for well-being, education, and employment. Their annual Christmas store provides parents the opportunity to provide presents for their kids while retaining the dignity of paying for what they receive and creating a meaningful holiday season for families. You can find more information at friendsofrefugees.com/christmas/.
Last year we collected over 130 toys, help us in reaching our goal of 170 toys this season! Below is the list of items the store is asking for, and that we will be collecting. All toys MUST BE NEW and preferably from this list!
NEW Donation items for Friends of Refugees
Sports equipment
Soccer balls
Basketballs
Kick Balls
Art Supplies
Sidewalk chalk
Art Kits (jewelry kits, art sets, etc.)
Toys
Trucks and cars
Dolls (non-white)
Toddler figurines (dinosaurs, farm animals, etc.)
Legos (Regular pieces, NO THEMED SETS)
Educational items
Floor puzzles
Table puzzles (10-100 pieces)
Flashcards (sight words, numbers, letters, money, etc.)
Memory and Matching games
Games
Young children's games (Candy Land, Chutes and Ladders, etc.)
Board games (Jenga, Headbandz, Checkers, etc.)
Card games (Uno, Go Fish, etc.)
Donation bins will be in the Library Learning Commons Lobby (area between Cafeteria and bus loop). We will also have one bin outside in case you can’t bring the donations to the school or want to drop them off during the weekend. Drop your donations off between Monday, November 29, and Tuesday, December 7. We encourage everyone to donate and give back this holiday season.
Thank you!
DHS Student Government Association
Drives Task Force
Run With the Dogs 5K- Register & Submit Your Photos Now!
Run With the Dogs 5K to benefit Decatur Bulldog Boosters
Run With the Dogs (RWTD) registration is open and the event will be LIVE this year!
If you think you have the perfect dog to be featured on this year’s t-shirt as the Face of the Race, please enter the contest. Just post a photo of your dog, plus a blurb about why your dog should be selected as the Face of the Race, to www.facebook.com/RWTD5k or on Instagram with the hashtag #RWTD5K. All contest entrants must register for the race for their dogs to be considered. Photos can be submitted until November 21. Voting on the four finalists will begin November 29 and the "Top Dog" will be announced December 6.
The race is on Saturday, January 29, 2022, with a brand new course starting and ending at Renfroe Middle School. This year the race will feature chip timing for the first time ever!
Run with the Dogs 5K is an annual fundraiser of the Decatur Bulldog Boosters and supports the athletic programs at Decatur High School and Renfroe Middle School. All race participants will receive a long-sleeved T-shirt, which will once again be designed by local artist Adam Pinsley.
Register here for Run With the Dogs!
Grow with Google Virtual Workshops for Jobseekers
Decatur High School will host a series of free workshops on digital skills using resources from Grow with Google for Job Seekers.
November 18 " Digital Skills for Everyday Tasks" from 10:50 am -11:40 am EST
December 9 "Improve Your Resume with Practical Strategies" from 10:50 am - 11:40 am EST
Discover how to land your dream job opportunities using Google Search and Google Maps, and learn how to organize and enhance your job search experience using Google Workspace tools.
These workshops are essential for anyone just starting their job search or looking for new opportunities as well as parents, counselors, and workforce advisors preparing students to find the jobs of their dreams.
Workshops will be led by Demming Bass (bio), award-winning business leader and official speaker for the Grow with Google partner program since 2017.
This workshop series is brought to you through the DHS Library Learning Commons partnership with #GrowWithGoogle, The DeKalb County Public Library, and the Decatur Education Foundation.
Click here for more information (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1onWvwbGrjnoSUWpnO_MV-eimT_6q_w9Wm--qIpjpEi0/edit?usp=sharing)
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!
Now Accepting Nominations for the DHS Class of 2022 Wall of Honor
In 2010, the CSD Athletic Department established the Decatur High School Wall of Honor. That year, Mike Dickerson, Melvin Howard, Don Keiser, Pearl Worrell, and Herb White were recognized as the first class of honorees. To date, 30 outstanding student-athletes have been added to the Wall of Honor.
After taking a year off during the pandemic, the Athletic Department is once again accepting nominations. If you know someone who might be eligible, please complete the nomination form linked below and submit it to Athletic Director, Mr. Rodney Thomas. (rthomas@csdecatur.net).
We are proud of the rich history of Decatur High School Athletics and continue to be impressed by the rediscovered accomplishments of our former student-athletes. Thank you for your help in moving this tradition forward!
Decatur High School Wall of Honor Nomination Form
Congratulations to our Football team, Cheer Squad, and Marching Band. Great Season!
A great Decatur Football season came to an end Friday night. The Bulldogs put up a valiant effort against a formidable team at Calhoun High School but came up short, 21-35. We are proud of all that our team accomplished this season and are already looking forward to next year! Thank you to our Marching Band and Cheer Squad for your energy, enthusiasm, and impressive performances throughout the season.
Basketball and Wrestling Seasons Tip-Off
Good luck to our basketball and wrestling teams as they begin competitions. We’re all looking forward to being able to support the Bulldogs this season. Check decaturbulldogsathletics.com for schedules and information.
From Decatur Bulldog Boosters
Order Your Swag for the Holidays
Cheer for your Bulldogs in style with everything from warm hoodies and flannel PJs to fleece blankets and winter hats. Our swag store has it all, including the coveted Bulldog flag, which can be hung on a wall or displayed outside your front door. Order by Dec. 5 to receive in time for the holidays.
https://decaturswag.com/decaturhs/shop/home
Need Volunteer Hours?
Earn DHS volunteer hours while cheering on Varsity Boys and Girls Basketball! Volunteers will be selling food, drinks and spiritwear in the gym concession. Please review the available times and sign up for as many slots as you want!
Bulldog Flags
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!
SAT PREP
Below are the details of the SAT Prep class course starting Oct 16 - Nov 20, 2021.
Call us at 404-351-4955 if you have further questions.
Location: Decatur High School | 310 N McDonough St Decatur GA 30030
Dates: Oct 16, 23, 30 Nov 6, 13, 20 | 2021 for SAT Test December 4th 2021
(6 sessions | 4 hrs each)
Schedule: Saturdays : 9 - 1 pm on each day (6 sessions | 4 hrs each)
Room: 2010
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.
District News
COVID-19 Information- Update Vaccination Information in the Annual Data Update
ESOL & Federal Programs Department
CSD Federal & Title Programs Coat Drive!
The City Schools of Decatur ESOL & Federal Programs Department is sponsoring a Coat Drive. Have a coat and want to help us keep families warm this winter? Donate in the front lobby at any CSD school or at the Wilson Center from November 15th to December 10th. The goods you will donate will benefit children and youth in need. We appreciate your donation.
Happy National Parent Engagement Month!
The month of November is National Parent Engagement Month, and our ESOL & Federal Programs Department would like to honor and highlight the parents and family members who provide support at home to help increase their student’s school success. You play such an important and invaluable role in your student’s education. Look for tokens of our appreciation throughout the month of November! We appreciate ALL that you do!
CSD ARP ESSER LEA PLAN Plan
CSD is reviewing its current CSD ARP ESSER LEA Plan. We are extending a period of stakeholder feedback and input on our current plan through December 3, 2021. You may view the current plan on the CSD Website at the URL listed below. You will also find a Stakeholder Feedback Form there to provide any feedback or input that you may have on our current Plan. If you have any questions, please contact, Willie Washington at wwashington@csdecatur.net. Thank you.
Georgia Student Health Survey
This year we will administer the Georgia Student Health Survey to students in their classrooms, and parents and guardians can complete the Georgia Parent Survey at this link https://gshs.gadoe.org/parents.
The Georgia Student Health Survey is an anonymous, statewide survey instrument that identifies school safety and climate issues that impact student achievement. In order to provide a safe and supportive learning environment for your child, the Georgia Department of Education collects survey information from students during the school year. The survey takes approximately 20 minutes to complete and covers various topics such as school climate and safety, alcohol and drug use, and mental health. If you would like to examine the survey questions, please find the survey questions here at the GSHS webpage on the right side of the web page under related documents.
All student survey data is anonymous and self-reported. The Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA) gives you the right to opt your child out of participating in the survey. The survey will be given to all students. If you do NOT wish for your child to participate in the Georgia Student Health Survey, please complete this Opt-Out form by December 17th.
Happy Thanksgiving
City Schools of Decatur Night - State Farm Arena
Looking for a great way to kick off the Holiday Break?
Join our District at the State Farm Arena for City Schools of Decatur Night as the Hawks take on the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday, Dec. 19 at 7:30 PM.
Each ticket includes $10 worth of food and beverage credit.
A portion from each ticket purchased through this offer will benefit the Decatur Education Foundation.
Tickets can be purchased through the provided link: hawkspromos.com/CSD
News From Our Partners
Decatur Education Foundation
Could you be a mentor? We have two mentoring programs for which we’re seeking 15 women and 15 men volunteers to serve as mentors. Our AIM Scholars mentoring program pairs third grade students 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. Our REACH Georgia program pairs five 8th graders with mentors to help navigate high school and preparation for college. Right now we just need one more male REACH mentor. In 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