The Phoenix

The Cross Keys BioBuilders Club recently returned from participating in a poster presentation at MIT featuring fifty schools representing four countries. Our team, currently featured in International BioBuilders Club literature, also toured and participated in workshops at Boston's Ginkgo Lab. Fingers crossed that the team's work will be published for the second consecutive year.

Special thanks to Ms. A. White!

On behalf of our Drama Club, we want to extend a huge THANK YOU to everyone who came out to support and participate in our CK International Festival Talent Show! Your presence, energy, and enthusiasm helped make this event truly special.

To those who took the stage—thank you for sharing your talents and embracing the spirit of celebration. Your performances brought so much joy and showcased the incredible diversity and creativity within our school. And to those who cheered from the audience, encouraged our students, and helped make this event possible—your support means the world. A special thank you to our custodial team for their hard work in ensuring the cafeteria was ready. Your efforts in fixing the seating and preparing the space did not go unnoticed, and we truly appreciate all that you do to support CK!

Thank you for making this night one to remember! We appreciate you and look forward to more opportunities to celebrate our amazing school and students together. ❤️ ❤️ ❤️

Manuel Bonilla-Aguilar served as the DCSD student representative at the March 10 DeKalb County School District Board of Education meeting.

Dr. Mead and Mr. Julian led the parade of art educators in recognizing the month of March as Youth Art Month.

The Cross Keys Band received the Community Impact Award from the DeKalb County Chapter of the N.A.A.C.P. for the Band's participation in the N.A.A.C.P.'s annual parade honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Saturday, Jan. 18.

(Dan Hesse Photo Credit)

I am excited to share some great news: on March 10, 2025, the DeKalb County School Board approved funding for significant enhancements and upgrades to the Cross Keys High School modernization project - a long-overdue investment. With this commitment from our Board, Cross Keys High will be transformed into an engaging, state-of-the-art educational campus, equipping all students with the knowledge, skills, and abilities they need to succeed in their chosen career paths.

As many of you know, this modernization journey began in November 2018, when a $90,000 Construction Management at Risk contract was awarded to Evergreen Construction Company. This was followed by a budget allocation of $44,419,077 to enable work to construct the additions and modernization of the Cross Keys High School project in May 2024. This week’s Board approval of new budget additions and reallocations of $99,065,458 brought this project's total guaranteed maximum price to approximately $149 million, including architectural and engineering services. More detailed project and budget information can be found HERE. This final phase, shaped by community feedback, includes:

• A new auditorium and music suites
• Renovation of the existing gymnasium
• New HVAC systems in current classroom wings
• Restroom upgrades
• Enhanced courtyards
• Upgrades to the existing DeKalb High School of Technology-North
• Expansion of the Food Science Lab into a complete Culinary Science program
• A new baseball field
• Re-roofing of existing buildings

Over the next three school years, you will witness Cross Keys High School’s impressive transformation as we renovate and expand its facilities, ensuring that our students, families, and staff benefit from innovative and dynamic learning environments. I invite you to explore the full scope of this modernization project at dekalbschoolsga.org/cip/. Thank you for your partnership and commitment to our students’ futures. Together, we will make Cross Keys High School a premier institution strategically designed for the 21st-century scholar.

Sincerely,

Dr. Devon Q. Horton
DeKalb County School District Superintendent

Congratulations to the FBLA state level competitors who competed this past weekend at the FBLA State Leadership Conference. A special shoutout goes to...

-Digital Video Production Team (7th Place)

-Aadil Elamkulath

-Montaseer Chowdhury

-Mohammed Zaman

**2nd year in a row placing in the top 10 in state!

-Management Information Systems (3rd Place, National Qualifier)

-Temeyia Anderson

**Only the 4th CK student to qualify for National Competitions

Thank yous go to Mr. Green & Ms. Shelton

From March 12th to March 15th, TSA students competed in engineering and technology events at the GA TSA State Leadership Conference in Athens, GA. Congratulations to the following students:

Bryce Dilworth: dragster and on-demand video

Jonathan Olivetti : technical problem solving and on-demand video

Liam Rhodes: flight endurance and on-demand video

Luis Nava: flight endurance and on-demand video

Jonathan Manzanarez: technical problem solving and on-demand video

Betzy Nava: biotechnology, VR simulation, and on-demand video

David Ramirez: biotechnology, VR simulation, and on-demand video

Nhan Phan: biotechnology, VR simulation, and on-demand video

Christopher Lozano: biotechnology, VR simulation, and on-demand video

Thank you Mr. Pasker, TSA Sponsor!

Assessment Windows: LAS Links (3/18-3/19), MAP (3/18-3/21)

3/17 Boys JV Soccer @ Decatur 5:30

3/18 Extended Homeroom for MAP - Reading Testing; College AIM Field Trip to Inspire Brands

3/19 End of the 9 Weeks; Extended Homeroom

• 9-10th Grade: MAP - Language and Math
• 11th Grade: SAT
• 12th Grade: College and Career Options Fair (Gym)

3/20 MAP Makeup; PAST Project Field Trip to GA State Capitol; Class of 2026 Field Trip to Main Event; Environmental Science Georgia Aquarium outreach program (Driveway); Tennis v SWD 4:30

3/21 MAP Makeup; Soccer v SWD 5:30/7:30 Adams

3/22 Atlanta Black College Expo

Assessment Windows: LAS Links, MAP

3/25-3/26 Sequoyah/PATH Academy Rising 9th Grade Visit

3/24 JVSoccer v Arabia Mountain 5:30/7:30 Avondale/Cobb

3/25 Tennis @ St. Pius X 4:30; Soccer @ N. Springs 5:30/7:30

3/26 PAST Project Meeting @ Sequoyah (Clemons/Acevedo); Out of Hand Theatre Community Event 9a

3/27 High Museum Field Trip; State of the District 5:30 (Fernbank Science Center); Tennis @ Druid Hills 5:30p; Baseball v Heritage Prep 4:30p

3/28 Progress Reports in IC; Band Field Trip to Jackson County High School; Outdoor Education Field Trip to Panola Mountain State Park; Soccer v Lithonia 5:30/7:30p Avondale/Cobb

3/29 Parent Prom 6p (Cafeteria)

Have you heard someone mention the Student Assignment Project, also known as SAP, and wondered what it was?

For months, Student Assignment Project committees have played a crucial role in reviewing student assignments to DCSD schools, a process that goes beyond adjusting attendance boundaries. Composed of teachers, parents, community partners, and local leaders, these committees serve North, Central, Southwest, and Southeast DeKalb.

These committees meet monthly to offer impartial, data-driven recommendations to the Board of Education and District leaders. Their vital contributions include:

• Proposing equitable boundaries, facility uses, and program enhancements.
• Identifying ways to eliminate inequities and improve academic opportunities for all students.
• Providing insights on enhancing family and community engagement in schools.

At its core, this collaborative effort focuses on program evaluations, community feedback, and potential reorganizations to better serve students and families.

DCSD remains committed to making informed, thoughtful decisions based on data and community input. To learn more, visit our Student Assignment Project Resource Hub at dekalbschoolsga.org/sap/ where you can access meeting videos, presentations, recaps, district data, and our new Student Assignment At-A-Glance videos.

Student Leaders and Club Sponsors, the City of Brookhaven is inviting us to participate in a volunteer opportunity at Blackburn Park this Saturday morning from 7am-11am. All we will need to do is put on the t-shirt being provided for us and have fun cheering for the runners/walkers as they pass by.

I will be present to meet you all there and cheer with you, plus any other sponsors who might be interested in attending. Though I am only sending this to this leadership group, all club members are welcome to sign up until the 20 available spots are filled.

Please note that you will need your own transportation to and from the park where it is being held. We are not providing transportation. You must also take the time to complete the volunteer link by this Wednesday, March 19th please. Lastly, I am attaching a permission slip that you will need to return to me no as soon as possible.

Club & Class sponsors, please assist me in getting this information to your students. Also, if interested in attending with me (Twania White), please let me know. Thank you

• 5K Volunteer Sign-Up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B4EADAB2AA5FEC61-55359185-2025