DHS Weekly Update
Thursday, January 14, 2021
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Next Tuesday (1/19), our K-5 students return to in-person learning. RMS and DHS do not have a return to in-person learning at this time. We will continue virtually until it is time for us to return (date TBD). I have enclosed the schedules for the next 3 weeks. Next week is a 4-day week because of the MLK holiday. The week of the 25th is when we are giving the PSAT to some of our 11th and 10th graders and there is no virtual instruction on Tuesday, Jan. 26th. I will be sharing information regarding Wellness Wednesdays and our virtual schedule beginning February 1st in an additional email.
Virtual Schedule for the week of January 18th - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1sENTGUeuBV-ZQs20u0KveRbU_Wd5b3kNNAlhnJXnO5g/edit?usp=sharing
Virtual Schedule for the week of January 25th - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wmQo3QmxRVA497Uhe90hnHAUPCeuJlI4L6jOSdPDg1k/edit?usp=sharing
Monday there is no virtual school as we celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. I encourage all DHS students and staff to participate in this Day of Service. If you need some ideas, https://americorps.gov/newsroom/events/mlk-day has some volunteer opportunities near you.
Principal Lofstrand
VIRTUAL DHS 101
Session topics include: how to support your student through these trying times; student perspectives on academic pathways and extracurricular involvement; accessing and interpreting grades via Managebac; and a virtual tour of Decatur High School’s physical space. There will be limited Q&A. All sessions will be posted on the DHS website under "DHS 101".
Please, note that these sessions are designed to answer questions and provide information about DHS for parents of new students. Information about course registration and course and program choices for students in all grades is being produced and distributed through advisement and will be posted on the Counseling Department website under the heading of Course Request Season. Please, see that page for an overview of the plan for course registration.
DHS SPIRIT WEAR!
DHS BAND FUNDRAISER
Wahoo! Wine & Provisions will generously donate 15% of purchases to the DHS Band Parents Association from Friday, January 15th through Sunday, January 31st, when you mention the DHS Band. All you have to do is say "DHS Band," and we'll receive crucial funds for our talented musicians. Great wine for a great cause. Thank you!
PTSA NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT!
HELP THE DHS ASIAN CULTURE CLUB SHOW APPRECIATION FOR OUR NURSES
DECATUR BULLDOG BOOSTERS
It's January. And, it's cold. This could only mean one thing... yes, it's time for Spring sports to begin. See the dates below for the start of Spring sports. Reach out to coaches if you have not already completed the interest form for your particular sports (Interest Forms linked here)
January 12:
Boys' Soccer - Coach Harbin (dharbin@csdecatur.net)
Girls' Soccer - Coach Gathany (sgathany@csdecatur.net)
January 19:
Baseball - Coach Gilbert (rgilber@csdecatur.net)
Boys' Lacrosse - Coach Archer (rarcher@csdecatur.net)
Girl's Lacrosse - Coach Mayer (jmayer@csdecatur.net)
Track & Field - Coach Souther (msouther@csdecatur.net)
February 8:
Boys' Golf - Coach Shelton (rshelton@csdecatur.net)
Girls' Golf - Coach Nowacki (pnowacki@csdecatur.net)
TBD:
Tennis - Coach Kessel (akessel@csdecatur.net)
DISTRICT NEWS
Special Education Resource: Postsecondary Transition
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 Specialist 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/families
- All levels of impact/disability
Preparing for Postsecondary Transition (Virtual Meeting)
Date: January 27, 2021
Time: 5:30pm-6:30pm
RSVP to Cheryl Grant cgrant@csdecatur.net
CSD Nutrition Updates for Spring 2021!
Please note: Our last day of bus meal delivery is tomorrow 1/15/21. We will send extra food home on Friday 1/15/21 to cover the breakfast meals on Tuesday 1/19/21.
We will no longer be using our pre-order system starting on Monday 1/19/21. As K-5 students return to in-person instruction we will continue to offer meals FREE to all students until the end of the 2020-2021 school year. Meal pick-ups for our virtual learners will continue for any student ONLY at our Decatur High School TakeOutSpot during the same 10:30 AM-12:30 PM time frame. Students in our CSD buildings will be offered daily take-home meals as they exit their school. These meal bags will contain both lunch for the current school day and breakfast for the following school day. We ask that all students remember to take meals, as it helps support our school nutrition program. If your child needs a vegetarian meal or has a special diet concern please complete the online survey on our website as soon as possible. We will ensure that these meals are available at the student’s designated school site for in-person students and at Decatur High for virtual students.
Please check out our CSD webpage (https://www.csdecatur.net/nutrition) and our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/CSDschoolnutrition) as we continue to finalize our plans for January 19th and on.
Run with the Dogs Virtual 5k on January 23-31, 2021
Run With The Dogs 5K race will take place virtually from January 23-31, 2021. The 5K is an annual fundraiser of the Decatur Bulldogs Boosters, which supports the athletic programs at Decatur High School and Renfroe Middle School in Decatur, GA. You can register at http://www.rwtd5k.com. Runners who register by January 11 will receive their race t-shirt by January 23 and be entered into a special prize drawing. The Decatur Bulldog Boosters raise money annually to meet the needs of student athletes, including uniforms and equipment. These funds are used to support 685 student athletes on all 25 teams representing 14 sports at Decatur High and Renfroe Middle Schools. Decatur Bulldog Boosters needs your support now more than ever. We need as many RWTD5K participants as possible!
Decatur Education Foundation News
As CSD rolls out its plans for spring semester, DEF will be working to continue to support families to ensure our students have what they need to learn and thrive. DEF established Virtual Pals Tutoring Program to provide extra help for CSD students in the 2nd through 8th grades during virtual learning. Participants are paired with a community volunteer tutor who provides basic homework help, tutoring and virtual learning support. We currently have 18 tutor pairs, but have more available spots. If your student would like to enroll in the program, please fill out this application. To see all of our Covid initiatives, please visit www.decatureducationfoundation.org/Covid-19.
Our friends at NaanStop are hosting a pop-up right here in Decatur Thursday, January 14th and donating 20% back to DEF!!! Dine out on authentic Indian food and raise funds for DEF at the same time! Here are the details: Link to menu: https://bit.ly/NSorderDecatur - Pickup/drive-thru at Avery St/Bucher Dr. in Winnona Park neighborhood - Pickup instructions will be sent with confirmation - Pickup will be available between 5pm-5:45pm on Thursday 1-14 - Masks/distancing required at pick up - order in advance before 5pm on Wednesday, 1-13
Take Action Tuesdays!
Take Action Tuesday is a new weekly spotlight where CSD spotlights our students for their good deeds in our community. #OurKids are truly making the world a better place in so many ways and each Tuesday we will salute one student for their fantastic work. We need your suggestions! Do you know a CSD student who is working to make the world a better place in small or big ways? Let us know! Complete this form (https://forms.gle/WJaPFJZ8ojTtNCVK8) and they may be highlighted next week! Please be sure to include a photo!
School Shout out
Each month, the District Dispatch features shoutouts from parents and students to our excellent teachers and staff at one of our schools. This month we are featuring Westchester Elementary School teachers and staff.
If you would like to shoutout your child’s teacher or a staff member, send an email to Sarah Jones at sjones1@csdecatur.net. Also, at the end of the school year, nominate your child’s teacher for the Extra Mile award. Keep an eye out for more information on how your student can nominate a teacher or staff member as we get closer to the end of the school year. You can find the past shoutouts on this page https://www.csdecatur.net/shoutouts.
Decatur High School
Email: kgoins@csdecatur.net
Website: csdecatur.net/DHS
Location: 310 North McDonough Street, Decatur, GA, USA
Phone: 404-370-4170