DHS Weekly Update
Thursday, March 16, 2023
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Hello,
The DHS SLT has been working on a statement for parents in reference to them dealing with faculty and staff at the high school. I would like to thank the DHS SLT for their hard work and dedication to our students. Please see the statement below:
In an effort to create an environment that can effectively support difficult conversations and productive relationships, one that supports our students, parents, teachers, and staff, we must engage in thoughtful and constructive communications.
The DHS SLT parents ask that our school community communicate respectfully with teachers, staff, and the administration. We believe modeling to our children how to communicate, whether it be in-person, through email, or social media, promotes a productive environment and demonstrates compassionate ways to interact with one other.
Duane Sprull
Interim Principal, DHS
Saturday! 9th/10th Grade Red Carpet Formal!
9th/10th Grade
Red Carpet Formal
Saturday, March 18th 7:30pm -10:30pm in the DHS Café
Tickets are $15 on GoFan.co
Attendance Office Procedures
Dear DHS Families,
In an effort to continuously improve school safety, DHS made a few changes to our attendance office procedures that started on Monday, March 13th.
As of Monday, we no longer open the front door to greet our adult visitors. Instead, we ask all visitors to communicate with us through the intercom located just to the right of the main doors. A member of our attendance office staff will greet visitors on the intercom and talk them through next steps.
Parent/Guardian Checkout
A member of the attendance office staff will ask visitors how we can assist them today. If a visitor is here to check out a student, they should simply say “I’m here to check out (student name.” Our intern will then come to the front window to perform an ID check. During the check, parents and guardians will hold their ID up to the glass. After confirming the identity of the parent/guardian, we will call the student down for checkout.
Dropping off belongings for students
A member of the attendance office staff will ask visitors how we can assist them today. If a visitor is coming to drop something off for a student, they should communicate the student’s name to us, place the labeled belongings on the table right outside the door OR ask for the student to come down and receive them directly from the visitor. Any visitors wishing to make direct hand-offs must have their IDs checked. A member of our attendance office staff will come out to pick up the items and bring them inside as soon as the visitor leaves. Medications: We are unable to receive medication for students in the attendance office. Please communicate with Nurse Fletcher (hfletcher1@csdecatur.net) to make an appointment to drop off medication. If you need to administer medication to your child, we will have to call them down to the attendance office. Medication cannot be left at the doors.
Appointments
A member of the attendance office staff will ask visitors how we can assist them today. If a visitor is here for an appointment, they should tell staff who they are meeting with and what time the appointment is to take place. A member of our staff will then come to the front window and ask to see an email with confirmation of the appointment.
Wes Hatfield
Assistant Principal, DHS
Course Request Verifications/Changes
Help DHS Students Experience International Travel
A new committee, Decatur Global, has been launched as part of the PTSA to help fund and support international travel experiences for students at Decatur High School. The focus of the work will be fundraising to offset costs and provide financial aid for these travel opportunities.
If you would like to participate in any way, please email Angie Vaughn angiemvaughn@gmail.com.
Thank you!
Decatur Global Committee
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
Cap & Gown Portraits are Now Available to View and Purchase Through CADY!
A Celebration of Two Decades of Safe Routes/Walk & Roll to School
Bike Dudes Ride Again—A Celebration of Two Decades of Safe Routes/Walk&Roll to School in Decatur
Saturday, March 18, 2023
10:00 am - 12:00 noon
115 Clairemont
Coffee, hot chocolate, donuts, community
All children who have ever participated in Walk& Roll to School and their families are invited. Walk&Roll parent champions and teachers from all schools will be on hand.
Bring your friends.
Decatur Football Fundraiser
During these times of high prices, there is a unique opportunity to have your grocery dollars do double duty. We invite you to “Shop With The Kids” by visiting www.ButchersChoice.Com for premium quality (Certified Angus Beef, top 8%) Steaks, Pork, Chicken and Seafood. The prices are competitive with the store and over 40% of the purchase price goes directly to the school/team thanks to the Butchers Choice Steak Fundraiser!!! Your purchase may also qualify for a handsome tax write off, as the team/booster club are registered 501C3 nonprofit. With the great value, superior quality and massive benefit for the children, it just makes good sense to Shop With The Kids and help our youngsters thrive. Thanks so much on their behalf and Happy Grilling!!!
Be sure to indicate the school, sport and Coach Felton when prompted and know that you are shopping with a 28 year A+ Rated BBB company. Orders will be delivered to the school on a date set by the team. Questions? Call “the Butcher” 770-356-4009.
Mr. William Felton, Jr. MEd
Teacher
Head Football Coach
Harvard Debate Diversity Project
Applications are now officially open for the next cohort of Veritas Debate Institute scholars who will study and compete at Harvard through our nationally acclaimed program.
Rising 8th - 11th-grade students in Metro Atlanta can apply at www.veritasgeorgia.com/apply by Friday, March 31, 2023, at 11:59 PM.
Save the Date - Spring Festival
Decatur High School’s Student Government is hosting a spring festival on April 30 on the DHS football field. The goal of this festival is to showcase Decatur student musicians, artists, small businesses, and clubs. There will also be a raffle, games, food trucks, and other vendors!
If you are interested in selling a product or performing music, fill out this form https://forms.gle/JHQRxWUHvmP2bMJKA. If you have any questions or are interested in becoming a sponsor for this event, reach out to sga@csdecatur.net.
CSD Athletics News and Updates
Bulldog Bash: Sat. March 18: Auction Now Open
Bidding is now LIVE for the Bulldog Bash online, silent auction. Check out all the amazing items up for bid – either online or on your phone – and set your watch lists.
Support the Bulldogs Today!
Silent Auction Items and Coaches Wishlists
You can participate in the auction without coming to the event, but the adult-only party is going to be super-fun with a food truck, bar, Coach of the Year Award and fantastic music from The Dammages and The Thrillbillies. Spread the word and bring your friends.
***Most important – this is all to raise money for sports at DHS and BHMS!
Next PTSA Meeting
DHS SLT News
Next SLT Meeting
DISTRICT NEWS
Community Resource Fair
CSD, in partnership with The Dekalb County Coalition and The Decatur Education Foundation, is excited to host our first annual Spring Resource Fair! The Community Resource Fair will take place on March 16 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at 105 Electric Avenue (in the green space across the Wilson Center and Ebster Gym). We have 20+ vendors and organizations planning to come out to connect with families. The vendors and organizations will be offering mental health resources, physical health resources, food resources, and housing resources. We will also have fun activities on-site for families. For any questions, please contact Madison Bobbitt at mbobbit@csdecatur.net or 470-421-2279.
Interested in Decatur Virtual Academy
The window to sign up for Decatur Virtual Academy (DVA) by choice for next year is open now. The window will close at noon on June 16, 2023. If you want your student to attend DVA for the 2023 -24 school year, please complete this form before noon on June 16, 2023. Space is limited. Once DVA is full, families will be on a wait list. This form may only be completed by a parent or guardian who has educational rights for a CSD student. PLEASE COMPLETE ONE FORM PER STUDENT.
Ms. Whatley will contact you once the form is complete and residency requirements are met to set up an appointment for course selection. Please scan the QR code to see a list of frequently asked questions about DVA.
Decatur Student Center
The Decatur Student Center is looking to connect with parents and provide information about mental health topics that impact our students and community. To see what parents are most interested in, the DSC has created this form that parents can fill out so we have information to inform our topic choices. We would love to hear from you!
Special Education Meeting
Preparing for Postsecondary Transition (Special Education Meeting)
What comes to mind when the words postsecondary transition are mentioned? Maybe SAT/ACTs, graduation, college applications or employment opportunities? All of these things are a great start, but for students with disabilities, postsecondary transition may need to be more broad. Depending on a student's level of impact and how their disability manifests, families will need to start planning earlier for this transition.
Marca Tigner, CSD Transition Coordinator/CTI Instructor, and Cheryl Grant, CSD Parent Mentor will present Preparing for Postsecondary Transition. Mrs. Tigner and Ms. Grant will give a step by step checklist to guide students and their families to a successful transition. Small incremental actions taken now while students are in school can help create positive outcomes for students with a disability.
Target Audience:
9th -12th grade students with IEPs & their families
Click here to RSVP or email Cheryl Grant cgrant@csdecatur.net
K-12 New Student Enrollment
Enrollment for new students for the 2023-24 school year has begun! All current students do not need to reenroll to move to the next grade band. However, current students entering K, 3rd, 6th, and 9th grades should be prepared to provide (at their school) updated residency information when school starts. Please go to https://www.csdecatur.net/enrollment to review the enrollment process and required documentation.
ESOL & Federal Programs College & FAFSA Night
Attention all ESOL & Federal Programs Parents and Families!!!
Please RSVP for our College and FAFSA workshop to be hosted on Tuesday, March 21, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. at the Wilson Center Central Office, 125 Electric Avenue, Decatur, GA 30030.
This is an opportunity to learn about college funding resources and speak with professionals regarding the admission process. We will have light refreshments for students and parents to enjoy. Plus some amazing giveaways!
Additional information about the meeting can be found on the flyer linked here.
If you have any questions pertaining to the event please contact Raven Aderibigbe, ESOL & Federal Programs McKinney-Vento Liaison, at raderibigbe@csdecatur.net or (470) 936-2522. This meeting will be recorded. Interpreter and childcare services are available upon request.
CSD Student Art Exhibit
The CSD Art Teachers will host their annual system-wide student art exhibit, April 19 - 21, 2023 at the Solarium in Oakhurst.
City Of Decatur
This Summer CYS will be having another Leaders in Training (LIT) program for ages 14-15. During the program, each teen will have the opportunity to engage in the following:
Volunteer for service projects and gain hours
Experience college readiness
Field trips
Gain experience on how to becomes a camp counselor
Work with a diverse group of peers, staff and children
We are also offering our Junior Counselor (JC) programs for ages 16-17. This is a program that is centered around applying the skills that were taught in LIT. However, if a teen did not attend LIT, they are still encouraged to apply. Every JC will have their own learning experience with becoming a camp counselor. JCs will have the opportunity to:
Engage with campers and counselors during our 4 weeks of camps
Shadow and assist camp counselors in order to provide a fun and safe atmosphere for all campers
Experience fun team building activities with peers, staff and campers
Receive pay of $7.25
COMMUNITY PARTNER ANNOUNCEMENTS & UPDATES
Decatur Bulldog Boosters
Bulldog Bash Sat. March 18; Auction Open 3/15
Check out all the amazing items up for bid – either online or on your phone – for the Bulldog Bash online, silent auction.
Click here to register, purchase tickets to the event and bid on items!
You can participate in the auction without coming to the event, but the adult-only party is going to be super fun with a food truck, bar, Coach of the Year Award and fantastic music from The Dammages and The Thrillbillies. Spread the word and bring your friends.
***Most important – this is all to raise money for sports at DHS and BHMS!
THANK YOU to everyone who walked, ran, and trotted in last week’s Tour deCatur – you helped raise funds to ensure all Decatur students can learn and thrive! Photos of the event are now up on our Facebook page – check them out and tag your friends: https://www.facebook.com/DecaturEducationFoundation
Volunteers needed: Your skills could help a Decatur student in just one hour per week as a Virtual Pal Tutor! We pair 2nd-8th grade students with upper high school or adult tutors to help with homework, organization and motivation. It’s an easy way to give back to your community in a meaningful way (and for high school students to earn volunteer hours!) Click here to sign up: https://forms.gle/SnUp5TNx3JZRTNja7
Tickets now on sale! Amplify Decatur is hosting their Spring Concert in the Square on Saturday, April 29th and DEF is so pleased to be one of the beneficiaries. The line-up is chock full of some amazing musicians – check them out and purchase tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/amplify-decatur-music-festival-tickets-527859721637. Your evening of live music will support DEF, Decatur Cooperative Ministry and Giving Kitchen
Decatur High School
Email: noreply@csdecatur.net
Website: csdecatur.net/DHS
Location: 310 North McDonough Street, Decatur, GA, USA
Phone: 404-370-4170