Weekly Update

• Athletics and Counseling Updates
• DHS News: No Fee November, Rake and Run
• Activities Around DHS: DCA 3rd WIN time workshop, Donate Blood
• PTSA News

Hello,

Congratulations to our boys and girls Cross Country teams who were named Region Champions! Go Bulldogs! The girls' and boys' teams have not finished lower than second in the Region over the past 10 seasons. They are looking forward to the state meet tomorrow in Carrollton. Good luck to the team as they seek to bring home individual as well as the team state championship awards.

Please be diligent in sitting down with your students to review their academic progress. Encourage them to seek the assistance that is needed during WIN Time and tutoring sessions. Our teachers are available and ready to support their needs. We want all students to meet their potential and want to play our role in providing the foundation they need to achieve this goal.

Students are currently in the process of selecting courses for the 2025-2026 school year. Tomorrow is the first day to make course requests and the window will remain open until Friday, November 15. Students should seek to take coursework that is challenging, addresses their interests, and prepares them for post high school goals. All the pertinent course section information is available on the DHS Counseling page.

Sincerely,

Duane Sprull, Ed.D.

Get Your Yard Ready for Winter!

The Decatur High School Close Up Club is excited to announce its annual Rake & Run service project! On Saturday, November 16, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., a team of dedicated DHS students and chaperones will come to your home to rake and bag leaves.

What is Close Up?

Close Up is a unique educational experience that empowers high school students to become active citizens. Through immersive programs in Washington, D.C., students engage with policymakers, explore government institutions, and learn firsthand about the democratic process.

How can you help?

By participating in our Rake & Run, you're not only helping to beautify your neighborhood but also supporting the next generation of leaders.

To sign up:

• Simply provide your address and contact information.
• Slots fill up quickly, so sign up early!

Please note:

• There is no financial obligation to participate.
• Donations are greatly appreciated and will help more students attend the Close Up trip.

Thank you for your support!

Exciting Workshop Opportunity for CTAE Students!

Topic: Navigating Your Career Path: The Power of Employability Skills and In-Demand Trades

We're excited to announce that we'll be hosting Mr. Terry Owens, Education Coordinator at Georgia Power, for an insightful workshop on November 13th.

Workshop Highlights:

• Understanding Employability Skills: Learn why these skills are crucial for success in today's job market.
• Exploring In-Demand Trades: Discover exciting career opportunities in skilled trades and the necessary skills to excel in these fields.
• Georgia Power's Commitment to Energy Efficiency: Gain insights into the various roles within Georgia Power that support energy efficiency initiatives.

Class Activities:

• Interactive discussions
• Role-playing exercises
• Career exploration

Don't miss this opportunity to empower yourself with valuable knowledge and practical skills.

To learn more, CLICK HERE

Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity! Only 40 Spots Open!

The next PTSA meeting will be on Tuesday, Nov. 19 at 6:30pm. DHS PTSA meetings are on the third Tuesday of the month at 6:30 in the Learning Commons (aka Media Center). Enter through the Bus Loop doors (off Commerce). Access the virtual meeting info on the school calendar.

Ways to support the PTSA: If you are a Publix or Kroger shopper and are not already supporting another group through their rewards program, please consider supporting Decatur High PTSA. Publix Instructions:

1. Join Club Publix, if you’re not already a member. Terms & conditions apply.
2. Log in to your Club Publix account. Select My Publix Partner in your profile to choose Decatur (GA) High School.
3. Pay with the Publix app or enter your phone number at checkout; Publix will donate a portion of your eligible purchase

**Decatur HS PTSA is part of Kroger Community Rewards.**

1. Create a digital account. A digital account is needed to participate in Kroger Community Rewards. If you already have a digital account, simply link your Shopper’s Card to your account so that all transactions apply toward the organization you choose.

2. Link your Card to an organization. a. Sign in to your digital account. b. Search for your organization here. c. Enter the name (Decatur HS PTSA) or NPO number of the organization (EH991) you wish to support. d. Select the appropriate organization from the list and click “Save”.

To support the PTSA with a direct donation, please see this link

Each year, the DHS PTSA recognizes seniors who have completed 60 hours or more of community service during their high school years with a special cord at graduation and identification in the graduation program. This is a great opportunity to celebrate for students for their hard work, commitment, and community involvement.

How do I submit hours?

There is a two-step process to getting credit for community service hours:

1. Students: Send a completed volunteer form to CS@DecaturHighPTSA.org. Keep a copy for your records.
2. Parents/Guardians: Go to the PTSA website and complete the form on the Community Service page. PLEASE NOTE: Select your student’s name in the "name" field for them to get credit.

Other FAQs

Is community service required to graduate from DHS?

There is NO Community Service Hour requirement to graduate from Decatur High School.

Is this the same as the IBCP “Service Learning” hours?

No. The IBCP requires 50 Service-Learning hours. Students submit those hours to IBCP through a separate process.

What qualifies as community service?

Community service is defined as volunteer work for non-profits, government, or community organizations that benefits the organization or those it serves. It can also include helping with community needs outside of a formal organization. To receive credit, the following guidelines must be met:

• It must be performed without compensation to the student. Neither paid work nor court-ordered community service will be accepted.
• It must benefit at least one person other than the student or the student's relative(s).
• It must not be associated with proselytizing.

What is the deadline to submit volunteer forms and log hours?

For seniors, all hours must be entered into the PTSA website by Monday, April 28, 2025.

Does community service from middle school count?

No. The Community Service Recognition is for service hours completed from the first day of freshman year to the deadline for submission senior year.

Does community service from another school count?

If the hours were completed during your high school years, they will qualify.

Can I submit one form for multiple volunteer events?

If all the hours are with the same organization and you have all of the dates listed, it’s okay to submit one form. For example, if you help pull weeds in a community garden every weekend for a month, those can be combined into one form. We do recommend submitting them as close to the volunteer date as possible.

What if I don’t have an account on the PTSA website?

If you’ve never created an account on the PTSA website, go to the homepage and click Register/Login. You’ll see an option to create an account for new users. On the next page, complete the form, and you’ll receive an email with a link to complete your registration. Note that the link expires in two hours. Be sure you add your student(s) to your account.

Can students log hours on the PTSA website?

Accounts on the PTSA website are tied to parent/guardian emails; however, some parents provide their login information to their students to log their hours.

Who do I contact if I need help?

Email CS@decaturhighptsa.org with any questions.

We look forward to seeing all the incredible ways our students are making a difference!

1. Decatur High School
2. Decatur High School PTSA
3. Visiting DHS and Student Attendance
   
4. Bell Schedule
5. DHS Cell Phone Protocol
6. Bus Routes