Weekly Update

• Athletics and Counseling Updates
• DHS News: No Fee November, Cinema Drive, Rake & Run, GHP Nominees
• Activities Around DHS: Hadestown Get Your Tickets, TAP Field Trip, SGA Field Trip, NHS Blood Drive
• PTSA News

Hello,

Congratulations to Mr. Darius Duffie, our lead custodian, named DHS Professional Employee of the Year! Mr. Duffie was acknowledged at the CSD Board meeting with the following: “Mr. Duffie is one of the rocks that keeps the school running.” The DHS staff made the following comments about Mr. Duffie: "He cares about the students and tries to lift up the ones that will allow him to give them grace. He never rests, as I’m always watching him doing something in the hallways to make the school stocked, prepped, and as efficient as possible for learning. Mr. Duffie is a constant at the school and is always willing to be part of the community. It was a blast being in the faculty band with him and watching him shine on the keyboard. Mr. Duffie cares about the DHS community and all students and staff.” The other nominees for DHS PEOTY were Ms. Katrina Goins, Ms. Raven Aderbigbe, Ms. Erylyn Espinoza, and Ms. Nina King.

There are only four instructional weeks left in this semester. Please take a few minutes to review grades in the parent portal with your student. It will be a good time to support your students by urging them to confirm upcoming summative assessments as we wrap up the semester.

Senior families, please take advantage of Georgia Match and those schools that are waiving application fees this year during the month of November. Our counseling team has put together information in the Counseling Newsletter that can be valuable for all senior students. Go ahead and mark your calendars for the upcoming FASFA and Financial Aid Info Webinar on December 11, 2024, at 6 pm.

Please take the opportunity to support our girls at tonight’s Flag Football Senior Night. We would also like to invite you to see Hadestown: Teen Musical or the DHS playoff football game tomorrow night. The Agnes Scott parking deck will also be available for those who wish to attend.

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!

Last week, our talented 10th, 11th, and 12th-grade Teaching as a Profession (TAP) students had the opportunity to attend the Aspiring Educators of Tomorrow conference at Kennesaw State University. This was the second year our upperclassmen have participated in this phenomenal experience. The day was filled with inspiring speakers, including the 2025 Georgia Teacher of the Year and State Superintendent Woods. Students also attended informative mini-sessions on various education topics and enjoyed lunch in the campus dining hall.

Decatur High School’s Student Government Association (SGA) members recently attended the Georgia Council for the Social Studies (GASC) district conference. This event brought together over 600 student leaders from across the state for a day of inspiring keynote speeches and engaging leadership workshops.

We want to express our sincere gratitude to everyone who contributed to the recent National Honor Society Red Cross Blood Drive. Thanks to the efforts of 49 student workers and 90 generous donors, we were able to collect an impressive 66 pints of blood, far surpassing the initial goal of 52 pints.

We're excited to announce that our next blood drive is scheduled for March 11, and we've set an ambitious goal of 72 pints. With the support of the Red Cross, we hope to exceed this target and make an even greater impact on the lives of those in need.

The next PTSA meeting will be on Tuesday, November 19 at 6:30 p.m. DHS PTSA meetings are on the third Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. in the Learning Commons (aka the 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.

- Sign in to your digital account.

- Search for your organization here.

- Enter the name (Decatur HS PTSA) or NPO number of the organization (EH991) you wish to support.

- Select the appropriate organization from the list and click “Save”.

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

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