DHS Weekly Update
Thursday, January 26, 2023
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Dear Decatur High School Community,
Over the last few days of speaking with students in the building and parents via virtual meetings and phone calls, I've been reminded that students want help, and parents want the best for their students. These meetings made me recall a task given to faculty several years ago: completing a spreadsheet about students they were connected to within the building.
Last night I sat with a teacher at the final JV basketball game. His only goal was to support his students outside of his classroom. As we chatted, he spoke about a student that came to him as he was transferring to another school. The student told the teacher he was the only teacher he was telling because he felt the teacher cared about him.
Parents please ask your student a few questions over the weekend.
1. Do you have a best friend at school and who is it?
2. Do you have an adult at DHS you feel connected to and why?
Even for freshmen at this point in the school year, we hope both answers are yes. If the answer is no, please let me know because we need to figure out how to turn those answers into yes. There are many clubs at DHS, not including athletic and career, and technical student organizations. You can view those here. We want to help students have connections that may last a lifetime.
Sincerely,
Duane Sprull
Interim Principal, DHS
9th Grade - The Behavior Assessment for Children 3rd edition Behavior and Emotional Screening System (BASC-3 BESS)
Dear Parents/Guardians,
City Schools of Decatur is committed to creating a culture of student support that addresses the needs of the whole child. One way we are supporting the whole child is by identifying student strengths and areas for growth relative to social, emotional, and behavioral well-being. In our continuing efforts to support all students, the District will be piloting an administration of a universal screener.
The Behavior Assessment for Children 3rd edition Behavior and Emotional Screening System (BASC-3 BESS) is a universal screener that is research-based (valid and reliable), easy to administer (completed online by students), and short (avg time 15 min). The results will help our schools to understand the needs of all students, and guide them to make effective plans to support students at the school, class, and individual levels.
This pilot screener will be administered to students in grades 3, 6, and 9 during the Spring semester February 27 – March 3, 2023. March 6th and 7th are scheduled make-up days for students who may have missed the original administration date. The screening window will be closed to all students by the end of the school day on March 7th.
Why is the BESS Administered?
Helps to identify children that may need support that schools may not otherwise know about.
Identifies students who may not know how to or choose not to advocate for themselves.
Identifies students whose academic and behavioral success masks social/emotional struggles.
Creates an evidenced-based pathway for students to receive additional supports.
Provides information to help school personnel focus their effort/time on students with the highest needs.
Provides information to help individual schools make “big picture” programming decisions and see large-scale trends across the district.
Who will take the BESS
Students in grades 3, 6 and 9 will take the self-report version of the BESS in order to universally screen for at-risk social emotional challenges. Students that report overall scores that fall within the Extremely Elevated Risk range (explained below) will be screened further by their teacher. This second level of screening will help to connect students to individualized supports to increase early intervention.
How are scores interpreted?
The BESS is an individualized rating scale that, when scored, gives T-Scores. These T-Scores are explained below:
Normal Risk: 60 or lower
Elevated Risk: 61-70
Extremely Elevated Risk: 71 or higher
Student results are assigned an Behavioral and Emotional Response Index T-Score (BERI T Score) that indicates how far their score is from the average ratings of other children their age. The average BERI T score for the BESS is 50. Along with the BERI score the BESS also measures the following sub areas to help inform interventions or needs of the child.
Screener Index Explanations
BERI – Behavioral and Emotional Risk Index (Overall Risk)
ERI- External Risk Index (Hyperactivity, Aggression, Conduct) (Teacher Report)
IRI – Internal Risk Index (Anxiety, Depression)
SRI – Self Regulation Risk Index (Self-Control)
PRI – Personal Adjustment Risk Index (Interpersonal, Relationships, Self-Esteem)
What are your next steps?
No action is required if you agree with your student’s participation in the screening. If you would prefer that your student NOT participate in the pilot universal screening, please complete the opt-out form by clicking here or by visiting the District’s MTSS Website: https://www.csdecatur.net/Page/5001. The deadline to opt your child out of completing the BESS is Thursday, February 23, 2023.
If you would like more information, have any questions regarding the screener or screening process, or would like to inspect the screener, please plan to attend one of the the following Virtual Parent Information Sessions and submit Q & A questions here:
Monday February, 6, 2023
12:00 pm - 12:30 pm
Wednesday, February 8, 2023
9:00 am - 9:30 am
12:00 pm - 12:30 pm
4:30 pm - 5:00 pm
Sunday! Dr. Ibram X. Kendi & Nic Stone Author Event at DHS Performing Arts Center
2022-2023 Georgia's Student, Parent & Staff Surveys
The 2022-2023 Georgia Parent Survey is now open. Survey participation is voluntary, but we strongly encourage participation in the surveys to provide schools with critically important data to help guide prevention and intervention strategies. This also impacts your school's CCRPI score. It is recommended that your school has at least a 75% participation rate. The survey will remain open through Friday, January 27, 2023.
Georgia Parent Survey
Tripod Survey
Dear Parents,
We will administer the Tripod Survey right after Winter Break. The Tripod student surveys gather data from students about themselves, their classrooms, and their schools. Classroom-level measures offer insight into teaching effectiveness, peer dynamics, student engagement, and the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) culture. The survey takes approximately 20 minutes to complete. You can review the Tripod Survey questions and the Tripod DEI questions at the links provided. 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 Tripod Survey, please complete this google form by February 3rd to opt out.
DHS Students! Have Any Talents?
The Career Association Club is hosting a school-wide talent show for anyone to showcase their talents! Singing, poetry, dancing, and many more talents will be showcased.
Here is the link to sign up: https://forms.gle/J62o14LNFrGjasHK8
Reach out to @72samuwold@csdecatur.net if you have any questions.
DHS Spirit Night - NaanStop pop-up!
Place your order before 8 pm on Wednesday, February 1st, and your order will be available for pickup on Thursday, February 2nd from 5pm - 5:45pm. 20% of sales will be donated to the Decatur High School PBIS by NaanStop and GregKodeshRealty.com. PBIS gives rewards to students who are purposeful, accountable, connected and kind. Thank you for your support and for being a part of the PACK!
NaanStop is a family-owned Indian restaurant offering family meals including basmati rice, fresh baked naan, handmade samosas, 2 entrees, and chutneys (feeds 4).
-link to menu: http://bit.ly/NSorderDecatur
-pick up time is 5pm - 5:45pm on Thursday February 2nd
-Pickup location is at 620 Avery St in Decatur
-order in advance with an 8pm cut off on Wednesday February 1st
Yearbooks Are Running Out!
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
CSD Athletics News and Updates
DHS Softball Player Interest Meeting
All students interested in participating on the Softball team in Fall of 2023 should plan to attend a brief player interest meeting on January 31 at 4 pm. The meeting will be held in the Health classroom in the lower level of the PAC. Please contact Coach Williams (twilliams@csdecatur.net) with any questions.
Parent Lacrosse Meeting
A parent meeting for boys lacrosse will be held on Jan 26 in the DHS cafeteria from 6-7 p.m. All parents with boys who are interested in playing should attend.
DHS Wall of Honor Class of 2023
On Friday, January 23, Decatur High School will induct it’s newest class to the Wall of Honor. Congratulations to Christopher Hambie (‘84), Xavier Mann (‘82), and Carter Wilson (‘72) who will be recognized between the girls’ and boys’ basketball games on Friday evening. Come out to Decatur High School to help us celebrate each of these former Bulldogs.
The Decatur High School Wall of Honor was started in 2010 to recognize Bulldog Alumni for their success as student-athletes at Decatur High School and their accomplishments post-graduation. We are excited to welcome each of these accomplished individuals to the Decatur High School Wall of Honor.
The Decatur High School Wall of Honor was started in 2010 to recognize Bulldog Alumni for their success as student-athletes at Decatur High School and their accomplishments post-graduation. We are excited to welcome each of these accomplished individuals to the Decatur High School Wall of Honor. SEE FULL WEBSITE POST HERE
If you would like to nominate a former Decatur Bulldog to the Wall of Honor, please contact Athletic Director, Rodney Thomas (rthomas@csdecatur.net).
If you would like to nominate a former Decatur Bulldog to the Wall of Honor, please contact Athletic Director, Rodney Thomas (rthomas@csdecatur.net).
Next PTSA Meeting
DHS SLT News
Next SLT Meeting
DISTRICT NEWS
State & Federal Programs “Ask an Expert” Event
You are cordially invited to “Ask the Expert,” a virtual event being held February 2, 2023 from 6:00-7:00 p.m. for K-5 Title I, ESOL, Special Education, and General Education parents and families.
Ms. Gereen Francis, Behavior Interventionist, will give an overview of her role and upcoming CSD behavior support initiatives. Over the past two years, students, parents, and caregivers have had to adjust to changes in our world. At times, these changes are reflected in behavior. Ms. Francis will offer suggestions to pre-submitted behavior questions to help support your child at school and at home. To learn more about the speaker or to RSVP, please click the link here.
Please submit your questions here.
For questions or additional information, please contact Cheryl Grant at cgrant@csdecatur.net or Brittany Stewart at bstewart@csdecatur.net.
Google Meet Video call link: https://meet.google.com/mwz-siww-qmw
Or dial: (US) +1 865-375-0059 PIN: 938 337 249#
More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/mwz-siww-qmw?pin=4696257640820
Community Celebration of Black Joy
On Friday, February 3, 2023, from 6:00 to 8:30 PM, the GPB and Decatur High School Library program partnership, ASALH, and AAHGS will host a “Community Celebration of Black Joy” at DHS. Events will include a panel discussion centered around clips from the series “Making Black America: Through the Grapevine'', spoken word performances, a student-curated gallery walk, a genealogy exhibit, and more facilitated by the DHS Black Student Union.
Click here to register for this event.
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.
From Special Education
The Special Education Parent Survey is a survey that helps the state to determine parents’ perception of the success of parent engagement relating to 10 specific areas of special education and the IEP process and is used as a means of improving services and results for children with disabilities. Georgia’s parent survey is available to all families of students with IEPs.
* Families that have more than one student with an IEP, please complete an individual survey for each student.
For more information about the survey click here! Thank you in advance for your participation!
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 PARTNER ANNOUNCEMENTS & UPDATES
Run With the Dogs 5K this Saturday!
Exercise while supporting a good cause! There's still time to register. This Peachtree qualifying event is one of the Decatur Bulldog Boosters' fundraisers and a can't-miss community event for all ages.
T-shirt and race number pickup:
There will be lots of runners, so early pickup is highly recommended.
- Thursday and Friday at Fleet Feet Decatur, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday at Beacon Hill Middle School, 6:00 - 7:30 pm
You can also pick up on Saturday morning before the race begins.
Register here. See you at the race!
Next Weekend: Mead Road Mardi Gras Parade is coming up soon on Saturday, February 4th starting at 1pm at F.AVE. Every CSD school is invited to march in the parade that has raised more than $30K for music and theatre grants! Community krewes can sign up at www.meadrdmardigras.org. As a reminder, this is a “walk or roll only” parade, no motorized vehicles allowed (we’re keeping it old school!) Laissez les bons temps rouler!
In March: Registration is for the 21st Annual Tour deCatur is NOW OPEN 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 18th 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. Thank you to our Presenting Sponsor Mathnasium of Decatur who will be there at the race with math games and giveaways!
Decatur High School
Email: noreply@csdecatur.net
Website: csdecatur.net/DHS
Location: 310 North McDonough Street, Decatur, GA, USA
Phone: 404-370-4170