Weekly Update

• Athletics and Counseling Updates
• DHS News: T-shirt/Sweatshirt Fundraiser, AP/IB Fees, Rake and Run
• Activities Around DHS: Pizza with the Principals, JROTC field trips, SkillsUSA Competition, Sidekicks Field Trip, & Tech Club Field Trip
• PTSA News
  
• Community Partners
  

Hello,

On Monday November 4, Beacon Hill Middle School will hold a K-12 Math Night and Pizza with the Principal session. This is an opportunity for families to learn more about how to support their students' progress in math at home. Students should attend with their parents and may enjoy complimentary pizza.

Just a reminder that Tuesday, November 5, is a remote digital learning day. Students will work on assignments in Google Classroom. We want to acknowledge the upcoming election and the contentiousness of the circumstances. As part of PACK (Purposeful, Accountable, Connected, Kind), our community should respect the various views of others and embrace the fact that we have choices in this process. We will continue to support respectful and inclusive classrooms, understand heightened emotions, and address any challenges as an opportunity to grow.

I want to thank the DHS Student Government Association (SGA) for organizing a candlelight vigil this past Monday honoring the victims of the Apalachee High School shooting. Our parents helped make the event happen and showed up to support the students as well.

Monday, November 4, is the deadline to order your Decatur High School hoodie or t-shirt. Details on how to order are included in this week’s newsletter.

Sincerely,

Duane Sprull, Ed.D.

Calling all Decatur High School Bulldogs! Here's your chance to show your school spirit and support a pawsome cause!

We're launching a t-shirt and hoodie fundraiser to help students participate in exciting field trips, activities, and clubs. Plus, all proceeds will go towards scholarships for families who need a helping paw!

Here's the deal:

• Rock your school spirit with awesome new tees or hoodies.
• Support student activities – field trips, clubs, and more!
• Help fellow Bulldogs by contributing to scholarship funds.

The deadline to order is Monday, November 4, 2024. Don't miss out! Orders will be produced after the deadline and shipped directly to DHS for easy distribution.

Ready to show your pride and support? Click the link below to place your order!

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!

On October 23, our JROTC cadets embarked on a field trip to Kennesaw Mountain. The trip provided students with a firsthand look at the historical significance of the Atlanta Campaign and the Battle of Kennesaw. Cadets visited key sites on the mountain and watched an informative film. This experience not only deepened their understanding of American history, but also fostered a sense of patriotism and appreciation for the sacrifices made by our nation's heroes.

Our very own Peri Jeffers and Tobiah Watt excelled at the recent regional AGC Skills Challenge, taking first and second place in cabinet making, respectively! 🏆

The AGC Skills Challenges, (Skills USA Georgia), is a program that tests the skills of high school and college students in a variety of construction trades.

Peri's and Tobiah's impressive achievements demonstrate their exceptional talents and dedication to their craft. They will move on to compete at the state level in February, where we have no doubt they will continue to shine! Congratulations, Peri and Tobiah! We're incredibly proud of you both. 🎉

Last Friday, our Sidekicks program brought together students from DHS and Glennwood AANHPI for another inspiring gathering. Each month, these budding friendships foster cultural exchange and artistic expression.

This month, we celebrated the upcoming Diwali festival by creating beautiful hand art. The colorful and intricate designs reflect the vibrant spirit of the festival of lights. We're excited to see what creative projects they'll tackle next!

The PTSA wishes everyone a Happy Diwali! May this festival of lights bring joy, prosperity, and happiness to you and your families.

As a friendly reminder, 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