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Hello,

We’ve had another great week at Decatur High School. I look forward to meeting you during my Meet and Greets on August 18th (face-to-face) and August 22nd (virtual). I also want to encourage you to participate in Dr. Whitaker’s listening sessions. Our goal is to continue to streamline communication with families.

STAR testing is next week. The STAR assessment helps us identify students that need additional support, measure student growth throughout the school year, and provides valuable information for families, teachers, and administrators to help students make course decisions. Please watch the linked video for more information and encourage your student to do their best on this assessment.

Sincerely,

Duane Sprull

Principal

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)

September 5, 2023

6:00pm-7:45pm

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.

August 30th is our first early release day. Students will be dismissed at 1:35pm.

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.

The 2023-2024 school year will be a memorable one for sure! We are planning on a full book so don't lose those memories - get a yearbook now before they sell out (like the last two years). Books can be bought at Jostens and are $60 until Homecoming! They will then go up to $65. Get one today! If you have any questions please email indecatur@csdecatur.net.

You can now purchase your senior ads from Jostens at this provided link. The yearbook staff will design ALL SENIOR ADS, but will give parents options on pre selected fonts, colors etc. to help individualize your ad. You will purchase and pay for your senior ad on the Josten’s website at the Josten's Store. Ads must be purchased by October 5, 2023. For more specific information please see the Class of 2024 Senior Ad Information If you have questions please email the staff at indecatur@csdecatur.net.

Hey Class of 2024 can you believe that you are seniors now? There are lots of things to do at the start of this year and we want to make sure you are in the senior section of the yearbook! You have until November 15, 2023 to have your senior photo taken by CADY in order to be included in the senior section.. Please go to CADY studio to register now! You can register and sign up for a session HERE. There are several photo options you can choose, but to be in the yearbook you just need the yearbook pose. The SIMPLE SESSION includes the formal shot, Cap and Gown photos, and one extra ‘scene.’ You should have started receiving emails about scheduling an appointment. You can go to one of their studios OR schedule an appointment here at the high school during a Road Show (though I think these dates are filled up). The closest studio, The Atlanta Studio, located at 2030 Powers Ferry Rd., Suite 520 Atlanta, Georgia 30339 (near the Braves Stadium) is accepting appointments now. It is advised that you schedule an appointment sooner rather than later so that you can get retakes if you wish. Again your picture must be taken by November 15 to be included. For the full letter with information please see the Class of 2024 Senior Pictures

Get ready to smile! Underclassmen (grades 9-11) photos will be Tuesday September 5 during advisement classes. These photos will be used for student ID cards, Infinite Campus photos, and yearbook photos. SENIORS who are new to the school will be able to take a school ID photo. Senior yearbook photos must be scheduled with CADY at cady.com/schedule).

If you would like to preorder photos you can do so by GOING HERE. If you do not preorder, digital proofs will be available afterwards and photos will be available for purchase.

If you have any other questions please email the yearbook sponsor Ms. Lockhart at alockhart@csdecatur.net.

We attended the Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) National Leadership Conference in July 2023! Our student competitors were (L to R) Malena Clavijo (Baking & Pastry), Maddie Cooper (Sports Nutrition), Maeve Gallentine (Fashion Design), and Miles Floyd (Job Interview). Maeve received a gold medal, 3rd in the Nation, and a sewing machine. Malena received a silver medal, placed in the top 10 in the Nation, and received a Chef's Knife! Maddie also received a gold medal, and Miles received a bronze medal! We are extremely proud of these four competitors for advancing from Region to State to Nationals with their STAR Event projects! While we were in Denver, Colorado, we attended sessions, networked with Family and Consumer Sciences students across the nation, and we even had time to explore downtown Denver together.

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.

1. Become a sponsor: Promote your business across athletic and DBB events. Plus receive a mobile ticket package via GoFan.

2. 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.

3. Donate to our Annual Fund: Whether you can afford $5 or $5,000, know that each donation will be put to good use.

4. 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.

5. 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) 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) Registration Open for High School Fall Lacrosse

Registration is now open to Decatur residents for Fall High School Girls Lacrosse. You're encouraged to register now, since registration opens to non-residents August 16 and there are only 25 slots available on the team.

Practices: Tuesday/Thursday 5:30-7pm Ebster Field

Season start: Tuesday August 22

Season end: Thursday October 26

Game dates: Sept. 10, Oct. 8, 15, 29. River Ridge High School, Woodstock, GA

Decatur Registration Fee does not include game series fee of $125 due later via invite

Players must have a current USA Lacrosse membership to play games https://www.usalacrosse.com/membership

Players must have lacrosse stick, goggles, and mouth guard. Jersey provided.

(BHMS) Registration Open for Middle School Fall Lacrosse

Decatur Fall Middle School Girls Lacrosse registration is now open. New players welcome! This team is focused on learning lacrosse fundamentals and basic strategy to build a team for a Spring season with games. Although the team will be practice-only, we will attempt to have some scrimmages later in the season with local clubs (DLYLA and Buckhead Eagle Sticks have shown interest).

Middle School Lacrosse

Practice: Saturday 5:30-7pm Ebster Field

Season start: Saturday August 26

Season end: Thursday October 14

Players must have lacrosse stick, goggles, and mouth guard. Please contact Coach Rob (rob@decaturgirlslacrosse.club) if you need equipment guidance.

(DHS) College Athletics Recruiting Seminar

Are you interested in continuing your athletic career at the collegiate level? Amy Bryant, Decatur Parent and former NCAA Championship College Coach, will lead a seminar for students and parents on September 6 in the DHS PAC Theater. The seminar will begin at 6:30pm. Navigating the college recruiting process is challenging. We are thankful Amy Bryant is here to share tips, insights, and advice. Don’t miss this opportunity.

If you are planning to attend, please complete the INTEREST FORM HERE.

(DHS) DHS Volleyball “Class Bash”

DHS Students and Staff are encouraged to sign up the first annual DHS Volleyball “Class Bash.” Sign up to play or show up to cheer on your DHS staff and peers as they compete for the Volleyball Class Bash Championship!

Please Join the PTSA, and please consider adding your name to our "As needed" volunteer list so we can reach out to you when needs arise.

Upcoming Events where support is needed:

Homecoming Parade

• Each class will build a float at an off-site location under the supervision of the parent volunteers. Starting Homecoming, students will begin building class floats for the Homecoming Parade (which is held before the Homecoming football game). All students are invited to participate in this annual right of passage. Four gracious float host families will open their homes to our students to help them build these floats, but they can't do it alone. We must have 4 chaperones per shift in order to build or we will not be able to continue. Please consider volunteering your time to support these students.
• If you can be a host family, please email Parent Coordinator, Janine Kupersmith <thefivekupes@gmail.com>
• Historically, float building shifts are Monday-Wednesday of Homecoming week from 5pm-8pm, and on Thursday from 5pm-9pm.
• Sign-up links will be provided for
• Chaperones for each build night
• Donations of snacks and drinks are needed to feed these teenagers
• Materials for float building (some materials are provided as part of the SGA budget)

Homecoming Dance

• Volunteer support will be needed for decorating the gym, chaperoning the event, donating snacks, and cleaning up. Stay tuned.

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: visit: https://bit.ly/DEFStudentInnovationGrants.

Here is the link for TIG application.

Teacher Innovation Grants and Student Innovation Grants Workshops

Mon, 8/21 4-5 pm @ Elizabeth Wilson School Support Center

Wed 8/23 4-5 pm @ DEF Offices at Legacy Park

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.