DHS Weekly Update
Thursday, August 10, 2023
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Hello,
Last night I attended Dr. Whitaker’s listening session. We would like to thank the stakeholders that attended for providing powerful feedback. We would also like to encourage you to participate in one of the face-to-face sessions or the virtual session. I was able to chat with a few parents after the event, and they expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to speak directly to Dr. Whitaker. Please see the flyers below for more information about upcoming listening sessions with the superintendent.
DHS SLT Elections will take place later this month. Please see the information below if you are interested in serving as an SLT member.
Finally, we want to see all freshmen and new DHS families at our Parent/Guardian Info Session this Saturday. Dr. Whitaker will make remarks, and our PTSA has put together an AWESOME AGENDA.
Thanks,
Duane Sprull
Principal
In This Edition
Graduation Date Announcement May 22
SLT Elections
Curriculum Night September 5
2023-24 Early Release August 30
Principal Meet and Greet August 18, 22
Spirit Night Naanstop Pop-up August 17
Athletics Updates
PTSA August 15
Dr. Whitaker's Listening Sessions
DEF Student Innovation Grants
Wilde Center Mini-Grants
SAVE THE DATE! DHS Graduation 2024
DHS SLT Elections
It is time for the Decatur High School Leadership Team (SLT) Elections. DHS has two parent 2-year terms expiring this year. If you are interested in serving DHS as an SLT member or returning as a member, please submit your name, a paragraph with a biographical statement, and a paragraph stating why you want to be on the SLT to Duane Sprull at dsprull@csdecatur.net. The deadline for submission is Wednesday, August 23rd. We will eBlast candidate statements in our newsletter. SLT elections will occur virtually and will be communicated after August 24th.
The Decatur High School Leadership Team (SLT) is an elected committee consisting of parents/guardians, DHS staff members, community members, and other personnel. All CSD schools have an SLT, formed as part of our System Charter, renewed by the state in 2014. Some of the responsibilities of this team are:
School Improvement Plan (SIP): Develop, approve and monitor the continuous school improvement planning process
Review the allocation of the school’s instructional and technology budget
Review student achievement data
Recommend and support school needs to the CSD Board of Education during the annual budget process
Help with the interview process of potential Decatur High School employees
Participate in monthly evening meetings
Current members of the Decatur High SLT are:
Elected Parents: Mike Jardine, Kunle Oguneye, Ila Wade, Heather Tell
Staff Members: Cassandra Black, Vacant
Principal: Duane Sprull
Career Academy Director: Terra Smiley (non-voting)
Curriculum Night
We're excited to return to an in-person curriculum night this year. Curriculum night will be 6-7:45 PM on Tuesday, September 5th. All parents and guardians are invited to walk their students' schedules and spend about 10 minutes with each of their teachers. As you know, parking on our campus will be limited, so we've scheduled the evening to end while the sun is still up in case you'd like to bike or walk to DHS. If you can't attend, we'll have an online video platform (called a flipgrid) available for you to view short introductory videos from teachers.
We'll send more details about the schedule and tips for navigating the building as we get closer to the night of the event.
2023-2024 Early Release Days
Please see the 2023-2024 Academic Calendar below. Early Release Days are highlighted in yellow. Decatur High School students will be dismissed at 1:35pm on these days.
DHS Spirit Night - NaanStop pop-up!
Place your order before 8 am on Thursday, August 17th, and your order will be available for pickup on Thursday, August 17th from 5pm - 5:45pm. 20% of sales will be donated to the Decatur High School PBIS by NaanStop and Greg Kodeshty.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 August 17th
-Pickup location is at 620 Avery St in Decatur
-order in advance with an 8am cut off on August 17th
CSD Athletics News and Updates
For All Information Relating to CSD Athletics: decaturbulldogsathletics.com
Bulldog Parents, bookmark the link below for the most up-to-date information relating to athletics at Decatur High School and Beacon Hill Middle School.
First DHS Football Game Is This Friday!
Come out and cheer on your Bulldogs this Friday for a scrimmage against Carver. Join or renew your support of DBB to get your all-sports ticket package before the game!
FOOTBALL FRIDAY Expectations
Football Fridays are back at Decatur High School. The Bulldogs take on Carver-Atlanta this Friday. Please attend to the following expectations:
All tickets must be purchased online at GoFan.co
No bookbags will be allowed in the stadium
Students may not stand on the seats in the bleachers
All BHMS students must be accompanied by an adult to enter the game
CSD Employees (+1) receive free entry to all regular season home games with their CSD badge.
We look forward to cheering on the Bulldogs this season!!
Five Ways to Support Decatur Athletics
Decatur Bulldog Boosters (DBB) raises money annually to meet the needs of Decatur Athletics. These funds support more than 1,100 student-athletes on 57 teams, representing 19 GHSA-sponsored sports at DHS and BHMS.
- Become a sponsor: Promote your business across athletic and DBB events. Plus receive a mobile ticket package via GoFan.
- Become a member: Select from various mobile ticket packages good for all sports via GoFan and get a free spirit item with Family Booster level and above.
- Donate to our Annual Fund: Whether you can afford $5 or $5,000, know that each donation will be put to good use.
- Join our team: DBB meetings are held on the second Monday of every month at 6:30 p.m. in the DHS Performing Arts Center Hospitality Suite.
- Cheer on our athletes! Game tickets are available through DBB Membership and Sponsorship packages or on GoFan. (No cash or credit accepted at the ticket gate.) Click HERE for more information.
DHS/BHMS Swim Interest Meeting, September 12
All students at Decatur High School and Beacon Hill Middle School who are interested in participating in swimming should plan to attend an interest meeting on September 12. The meeting will be held in the Beacon Hill Middle School Cafeteria at 5:30 pm. Students should attend with their parent/guardian.
If you have questions, please contact Head Coach Molly Randall (mrandall@csdecatur.net).
DHS Boys’ Lacrosse Interest Meeting
All students 8th-grade and above who are interested in playing Lacrosse at Decatur High this Spring should plan to attend an interest meeting on Monday, August 14. The meeting will be held at 4pm in the Health Classroom on the bottom floor of the PAC.
Upcoming SLT/PTSA Meetings
PTSA
Join us at our meeting on August 15th at 6:30 pm. Check the school calendar for meeting details.
SLT
Join us at our next meeting on September 26th at 5:15 pm. Check the school calendar for meeting details.DISTRICT NEWS
Dr. Whitaker’s Listening Sessions
Students, staff, family, and community members are welcome to attend any session across the district.
Please click the following link for the virtual meeting on August 16: https://csdecatur.zoom.us/j/92894167992?pwd=TkczWHUvQXFtMHkrOTBRcXJ6aU9VZz09
COMMUNITY PARTNER ANNOUNCEMENTS & UPDATES
DEF Announces Innovation Grants
The Decatur Education Foundation is excited to announce that applications are open for our Teacher Innovation Grants and — for the first time ever — Student Innovation Grants! These grants are designed to support teachers and students in the City Schools of Decatur by providing funds for innovative educational experiences. Awards for our Innovation Grants range from $200 to $3,000. The application deadline is August 31, 2023, and the grant awards will be announced on September 14, 2023.
Last year, we awarded over $35,000 in Teacher Innovation Grants, and this year we want to double it! For more information and to support DEF’s Innovation Grants, visit DecaturEducationFoundation.org.
To apply for a Student Innovation Grant, visit:
The Wylde Center Decatur Farm to School Mini Grants Now Available
Do you have plans for a new garden or class project? Fantastic ideas on how to incorporate farm to school principles into a teaching unit? Or maybe you need funds for a "green" field trip?
The Wylde Center Decatur Farm to School Committee invites you to apply for a grant for 2023-24. Teachers, administrators, PTA members, and parent volunteers can apply on behalf of their CSD school. Please get your applications in before September 22, 2023.
Decatur High School
Email: noreply@csdecatur.net
Website: csdecatur.net/DHS
Location: 310 North McDonough Street, Decatur, GA, USA
Phone: 404-370-4170