Weekly Update

• Athletics and Counseling Updates
• DHS News: T-shirt/Sweatshirt Fundraiser, AP/IB Fees, & CSD State of the Schools address
• Activities Around DHS: FCCLA and SkillsUSA field trip, One Goal Visits KSU, & TOK Field Trip
• PTSA News
  
• Community Partners
  

Hello,

This week’s message is going to be short and sweet. I want to thank the PTSA for providing Jimmy John’s to the faculty and staff at DHS on October 11, 2024. We really appreciate the involvement that our PTSA has in supporting all stakeholders at DHS. I want to encourage all families to join the PTSA for the 2024-25 school year. There is one other way you can easily support our PTSA. Please take a moment to join Club Publix or Kroger Community Rewards.

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 to DHS.

Kroger instructions:

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”.

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

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 4th, 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!

On Friday, October 11, DHS students participated in the first-ever CSD State of the Schools address. DHS student and Board of Education Student Representative Sophie D’Elena spoke, and DHS SGA co-presidents Jaemin Park and Kate Sherwood emceed the event. The JROTC color guard presented the colors, and chorus students Qaden Daise, Gabby Fenn, Gillian Fishman sang the national anthem. Thank you to JROTC teacher Col. Johnny Richards and choral director Ms. Elise Eskew Sparks for helping to organize these student appearances!

These students joined Superintendent Dr. Gyimah Whitaker as she reflected on her inaugural year as Superintendent, emphasizing CSD's academic successes, the achievements of the All In Decatur strategic plan, and ongoing efforts to close the achievement gap. Attendees included CSD stakeholders and supporters, local and state elected officials, senior leaders from the Georgia Department of Education, senior administrators from Georgia higher education institutions, four university presidents, business and non-profit leaders, and CSD officials. Thank you to everyone who attended!

Decatur High School's student organizations, FCCLA and SkillsUSA, are ready to take on the new school year with renewed enthusiasm! Both groups recently attended their annual Fall Leadership Rallies, where they connected with other students, learned new skills, and set goals for the upcoming year.

SkillsUSA members kicked off the season at the Champions Rally on October 4th, where they participated in workshops, heard inspiring speeches, and celebrated their accomplishments. FCCLA followed suit on October 16th, gathering for their own rally filled with excitement and motivation.

Both organizations are eager to apply what they learned at the rallies to their projects and activities throughout the year. Stay tuned for updates on their upcoming events and achievements!

A few weeks ago, all 12th Grade Theory of Knowledge (TOK) students successfully escaped from a local escape room and learned firsthand how these challenging puzzles are created! This exciting and educational activity provided students with a unique opportunity to apply their critical thinking and problem-solving skills in a real-world setting.

The students worked together as teams to solve puzzles, decipher clues, and ultimately unlock the door to freedom. After escaping, they were given a behind-the-scenes look at how the escape room was designed and constructed. This experience was a fun and engaging way for students to practice the TOK concepts they've been learning throughout the year, while also gaining valuable insights into the world of escape room design.

We encourage parents/guardians and students to attend one of Dr. Whitaker's Fall Listening Sessions. The remaining listening sessions are October 23 @ 5:30 at Talley Street Media Center and October 29 @ 5:30 at the DHA Community Resource Center (481 Electric Ave).

How are PTSA funds used?

• Supported the College Application Night on October 7 from 4-7 p.m. in partnership with counselors. Teachers/staff reviewed the college applications and essays for nearly 100 seniors. Thank you to the teachers/staff who provided feedback to the students.
• Sponsored the October GENTS meeting. This year, GENTS is partnering with Black Man Lab to host monthly Lunch Bunches at DHS.
• Funded registration for two DHS teachers to the National Alliance of Black School Educators (NABSE) conference in Atlanta in November 2024.
• Funded the 2024 Homecoming parade class of 2024 items (class banners, candy for the parade, class vehicle decorations, etc)

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

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

The City of Decatur is accepting youth applicants for the Environmental Sustainability Board, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, and the Better Together Advisory Board! Students who serve as youth members will have the opportunity to gain experience working alongside City staff to advise the City Commission and shape City programs.

Board members are asked to serve two-year terms, and youth applicants should consider their extracurricular schedules and whether they will be able to serve the full term of their appointments.

The Youth Statement of Interest can be found here. interested applicants should send their completed forms to Andrea.Arnold@decaturga.com by Monday, October 28. Interviews will take place on November 6 and 7, and selected members will be appointed at the December 3 City Commission meeting.

Grab your friends and neighbors and help us celebrate the return of Decatur Education Foundation's highly-anticipated fall FUNdraiser - Supper & Sips! Join us on Thursday, Nov. 14th, from 6-10 pm at The Chapel on Sycamore for an evening of food, fun, and fellowship - all for a good cause. The Supper provides crucial support for DEF, allowing us to continue our work addressing unmet needs, providing enriching opportunities, and supporting our educators.

Get your tickets today! Interested in sponsorship opportunities? Email Meagan@DecaturEducationFoundation.org.

DEF was founded more than 20 years ago by a group of residents who wanted to ensure that EVERY student in CSD had what they needed to learn and thrive. Today, DEF's mission remains focused on Decatur's kids and educators, and we are still 100% reliant on the support of the Decatur community. DEF puts the community's contributions where they will have the biggest impact on our students, and DEF's Step Up Circle is a special group of supporters that allows us to operate programs like Lighten the Load, Teacher Innovation Grants, behavioral health support, arts programming, and so much more. There are also benefits - for both businesses and individuals - to joining DEF's Step Up Circle (beyond the warm and fuzzy feeling you get from supporting Decatur's kids!). Visit https://decatureducationfoundation.org/step-up-circle/ to learn more about the different giving levels.

We previously communicated that all students enrolled in a PE class in CSD would be taking part in the state’s new Fit GA fitness assessment this year. However, due to continued, unresolved technical issues with the state’s new Fit GA platform, CSD has decided to waive participation in the Fit GA assessment for the 2024-25 school year. While some classes and students already participated in a pre-test, no classes or students will be post-tested this year.

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