DHS Weekly Update
Thursday, December 2, 2021
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
DHS Families,
I hope everyone had a restful week off last week. We only have a couple of weeks before the next break. As this is a busy time of year, I'd like to remind everyone that we keep our school calendar updated on our website - https://www.csdecatur.net/dhs. Even during our non-school days, there is so much our students are involved in!
In Decatur, we are part of a very diverse community both inside and outside the schools. Here is a resource that could be useful when thinking about how other communities celebrate their heritage throughout the year - https://seramount.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Diversity-Holiday-Calendar_2021.pdf. I would like to mention that tomorrow, Dec. 3rd, is International Day of Persons with Disabilities, designed to raise awareness in regards to persons with disabilities in order to improve their lives and provide them with equal opportunity. More information can be found here - https://www.un.org/development/desa/disabilities/international-day-of-persons-with-disabilities-3-december.html. Thanks to SEPTA (Special Education Parent Teacher Association) of Decatur for these links!
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.
DHS Spirit Night - Bad Daddy's Burger Bar- December 8th
PBIS Update
To help students feel connected to one another, students can send one another PAWS shoutouts. When students see their peers do something kind, they can fill out this google form. Then, once a month, we add paw prints to our shout-out art display across from the library.
December 8th is Wacky Wednesday. Wear your wacky tacky clothes to school. Our Bulldog Ambassadors thought this event could help teachers and students connect.
Decatur Parents Network - Speakers Series
PARENTING...HOW AM I DOING?
Register here: https://bit.ly/ParentsHowAmIDoing.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
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.
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
Spring Sports to Begin after Holiday Break
It’s hard to believe but our Spring Sports at RMS and DHS will begin after we return from the Holiday Break. This includes Baseball, Golf, Lacrosse, Soccer, Tennis, and Track & Field. Check decaturbulldogsathletics.com for specific information relating to your activities of interest.
Reminder: All students must have an updated medical profile with a current physical uploaded to DragonFly in order to participate. More information and detailed instructions can be found in the hyperlinks HERE on the CSD Athletics website
DHS Tennis Interest Meeting December 9, 2021 at 7pm
The DHS Tennis program is having it's initial interest meet next Thursday. Tryout dates are set for January 10-14th from 4-6pm at Glenlake Tennis Center. Please share with anyone that you think might be interested. See you there!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1s6EFCldr1X_LF-OrxG4rjQKzXaKvT2G-uzxPDdlZK4Y/edit
Contact Coach Kessel (akessel@csdecatur.net) with any questions.
DHS Soccer Tryouts Begin January 4
Tryouts for the Girls’ and Boys’ Soccer programs will begin on January 4, 2022 and run throughout that week. Exact times will be announced soon.
Girls’ Coach - Doug Altizer - daltizer@csdecatur.net
Boys’ Coach - Stephen Gathany - sgathany@csdecatur.net
DHS/RMS Baseball Tryout Information
DHS Varsity, JV and 9th Grade Tryouts will run from 1/18-1-20 (depending on weather).
RMS tryouts will happen during the same week, exact dates and times to be announced soon!
Contact Coach Gilbert (rgilbert@csdecatur.net) with any questions.
DHS Tryouts:
Tuesday Jan. 18th - Thursday Jan. 20th.
Varsity/JV Tryouts - 4-6pm
Freshman Team Tryouts - 6-8pm
Decatur High School has a new varsity sports program!
Esports teams started competing in the 2020-2021 school year and currently has 2 Rocket League teams and 1 League of Legends team competing this year. All teams are in the GHSA playoffs this week. DHS League of Legends Team are currently ranked 2nd in the state with a record of 6 wins 1 tie and 0 losses and won their first playoff game on November 30th. DHS Rocket League varsity team is currently ranked 8th and DHS Rocket League junior varsity team is ranked 25th. Both teams have won their first playoff game 4-0 and face each other in Round 2 of the playoffs on December 1st.
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!
Ultimate Frisbee
Interested in playing on the girl’s ultimate frisbee team?
Beginners welcome! Ultimate is a fast paced game, but no experience is required. The team generally practices 2-3 times per week and plays local games and some tournaments. Come check it out. Everyone is welcome to come and play. Please contact Cindy Sanders at cindy.sanders@live.com to get on the mailing list. There will be a kick-off meeting the beginning of the year.
District News
Transportation
School Nutrition
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 10, 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.
CSD Federal & Title Programs Coat Drive
CSD Community Members, We Need You! As the colder months are approaching, and as we are moving into the holiday season, the CSD Federal & Title Programs Department is kicking off a Coat Drive during November and December to help our families in need to stay warm this winter!
We will have a drop-off bin at each CSD school and at the Elizabeth Wilson School Support Center to collect coats and will collect coats beginning Monday, November 8 - Monday, December 13. We ask that all donations be NEW items to help us maintain the integrity of our families.
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
Tutors needed: Can you help out a Decatur student virtually one hour per week? If so, we’d love your help! Please click here to apply: https://forms.gle/LoiZxoi6WvSe6WEr6
Decatur High School Alumni – the next alumni newsletter is coming soon, are you on the email list? If not, you can sign up at www.decatureducationfoundation.org/alumni. And you can update your profile at any time if you’ve got some exciting accomplishments to share with your classmates. Go Bulldogs!
MTSS dept. presents CSD Super Saturdays for K-5
Please complete the form to register your K-5 CSD student(s) for a Super Saturday session. CSD teachers and highly recommended staff will conduct engaging hands-on enrichment activities with small groups (1:10) of students on one (1) Saturday per month. The instructional focus will change from month to month (Math, STEM, ELA/Reading, etc.). All sessions will run from 9:00am- noon. This is FREE to all CSD K-5 students, but space is limited based on teacher availability. Registration will close at noon on the Friday before the session OR when all spaces have been filled. You will receive a confirmation email from Google upon successful registration.
REGISTER HERE: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfYbU9CnNyx9e-u_qgoCTzjpS2cizbb2IkpppQJaWcitw8n0g/viewform
Decatur High School
Email: kgoins@csdecatur.net
Website: csdecatur.net/DHS
Location: 310 North McDonough Street, Decatur, GA, USA
Phone: 404-370-4170