Decatur County Community High School
605 E Commercial St, Oberlin, KS 67749
September 8, 2024 (Schedule at the bottom, Skip What You Want)
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Decatur community,
Friday night lights will be glowing throughout the Oberlin sky again this Friday, as the boys will kick off their home opener against Dighton. This past Friday, the true potential of this team was on display as we won our home opener in Greeley 50-0. The amount of freshmen and sophomores that are contrbuting on this team is a significant factor that cannot go unnoticed, as the past few years of JH success on the field is showing is now translating to a team that will give us something to cheer about.
Friday night home football is a tradition that is as American as America can get, a sports' pastime that only exists here in the good old U.S. It is a reminder that always brings out the most "Proud to be an American" memories, and a time to remember the past.
The beginning of the football season has always been one of my favorite times of the year, but 23 years ago this week changed it quite a bit. Initially, it was absolutely for the worse, but as the years have gone by, it has come to mean perseverance, an example by our country that represents so many aspects of our lives, so many moments when we are challenged to overcome adversity.
Where were you 23 years ago son September 11th? My daughter is no longer a teenager, and 23 years ago I wasn't a father, something I think about now as an example of how time flies. For me, I was in my first year as a teacher in Louisburg, KS, a new home after teaching in Wichita for several years prior.
I am a Broncos fan, and I remember that on the Monday night before the attack, the Broncos were hosting the New York Giants. I remember that game as much as I remember any other game, primarily because of what happened the next day. I remember that Ed McCaffery broke his leg that night, the Broncos won the game, and the New York Giants were stranded in Denver the next day because their flight was unable to take off because the skies were closed. This fact is what has always made it easy to remember that September 11th was a Tuesday.
I remember that on the 11th, I was teaching a 6th grade English class at the time I was told, struggling to grasp what it all meant.
I remember the fear of the nation, the gouging gas prices, and the intense wondering of what was going to happen next? What did it all mean?
What I remember most is the rallying of our nation. Though it was a tragedy, the nation came together, supported one another, and remembered why we are who we are, why we are so fortunate, and why we are so proud of our country.
Shoutout to to all of the students that auditioned for this year's musical. It takes a lot of courage to get up in front of a group and sing, dance, and act. Most people can't do it, but these students are ready to go. We have a lot of veteran performers this year, and I expect it so be as good as ever.
Shoutout to each student that is taking a college credit course. Through the school we offer a variety of credits through Colby Community College that are taught by a few of our teachers. Ms. Carter is able to offer both Comp. and Comp. II credit through her senior English classes for those that sign up, Ms. Saul is able to offer College Speech, and Mr. Bricker is able to offer Physics and a few different Chemistry classes. There are also several students that have chosen to take an online course through Colby. It's great to see our students pushing themselves.
Shoutout to a dominant beginning to the JH sports season. As I watched our JH girls get off to a strong start, I took a brief moment to walk outside to see how the boys were doing on the football field. By the time I got out there, I watched the boys put up their 4th touch down of the first half before heading back in to watch the JH A team look very solid in their win against Wallace Co. By the end of the night, the girls had won at each level and the boys had ended the game early in the 3rd quarter as they went ahead by more than 45 points. It was a great start .
Jade Tuttle, Serenity Ozaeta, and Jenna Fuentes Had the Tallest Design
Shoutout to Mr. Kyle Breth and his 8th grade students. As I was walking by his class, I couldn't help but stop in and check out the activity that they were doing. Mr. Breth had divided the class into small groups of 4 or 5. Each group was given an amount of spaghetti noodles, marshmallows, and tape with the simple task of building the tallest structure possible. It was a fun activity to watch , and the kids were genuinely enjoying themselves.
Mrs. Johnson's Classes Race to Identify Musical Notes
Shoutout to music teacher Lisa Johnson. In my wanderings, I heard students having a good time. What at first looked like charades turned out to be an impressive race to identify musical notes visually. It was great to see how quickly students had grasped the concepts.
Homecoming Court Announced
Shoutout to our seven seniors (pictured left to right) that will represent our Homecoming Court this year:
Madison Urban, Jesse Hendrickson, Michaela Wasson, Garrett Emigh, Makadyn Ketterl, Talan Sauvage, and Jenna Fortin.
The DCHS Homecoming Court consists of Senior Football players and 4 female candidates that are voted on by the teachers and students.
Beautiful Band Shell Mural Revealed at the City Park
Last week, I gave a shoutout to Sharee Dempewolf, the DC-Oberlin Economic Development and Chamber Executive Director for a variety of reasons, including the invitation to the band shell reveal. I am so glad that she gave this invitation. I had heard about it, but I made it an even bolder point to ignore the location until it was completely done. It was amazing, and the picture here with DCHS students in the background of the ribbon cutting ceremony is one that I hope ends up down at the museum.
The band shell was one of the first things that caught my eye on the day that I interviewed, and I thought to myself that when it was made, someone really cared. Who knew that a few years later it would be redone and look as amazing as it does?
Communities should take pride in those moments like this when the things that were built and left for you by past generations are once again taken care of for future generations to share.
Here's an idea. This Friday, before the game, why not stop in and check out the new design?
Online Pay Now Available (Please Pay School and Lunch Fees)
All fees can be paid online with a credit card. You can still pay by cash, check, or credit card in person as well.
We will be sending out notifications soon to those familiest that still owe fees or need to add funds to a school lunch account.
Event Guidelines
Decatur Community:
Here is a reminder of the following policies at all home activities:
- Once inside the stadium/building, all students/children should remain in the stands during home activities. It will be the responsibility of parents/guardians to monitor their children during these events.
- 5th grade students and below should be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult at all activities.
- 6-8 grade students should be seated in the student section or with a parent or responsible adult.
- 9-12 grade students should be seated in the stands..All balls are to remain outside of the stadium and off school grounds.
- Students should not be running around or causing disruption to those trying to enjoy the game.
- Any recurring issues may result in the student/child being asked to leave.
DCHS has a supportive community that makes for a great environment at all home events, and we want to ensure an enjoyable and safe experience for everyone.
GO BIG RED!
The Addams' Family Musical
This year's musical will be the Addams' Family. The cast and crew auditioned this past week and will spend the next few months getting prepared for a show that has always been a popular high school musical in the state of Kansas. There will be more information coming out. For now, we will leave you with the some dates to plan for and a synopsis of the The Addams' Famiy Musical.
Dates: Saturday, November 16 @ 7:30
Sunday, November 17 @ 2:30
Synopsis: In its typical creepy, kooky, mysterious, and spooky fashion, the ghoulish Addams family is visiting the graveyard for an annual gathering of all family members, living dead, and undecided, to celebrate what it is to be an Addams. However, the family encounters an unforeseen obstacle when Wednesday decides to introduce her new “normal” boyfriend Lucas to the family. In protest, Uncle Fester enlists the help of the Addams’ ancestors to call an end to the young budding romance. As Wednesday admits that she is falling in love, Morticia, Gomez, and Pugsley worry about her changing ways. As the families of Wednesday and Lucas come together for dinner one fateful evening, chaos ensues and the two families find themselves admitting deep secrets and coming together in ways they never would have imagined. The Addams Family Broadway Musical tells the story of love and friendship through adversity, with a comical and macabre yet poignant spin.
Attendance and Truancy Policy (Repeat Info.)
We are beginning the year, and I want to make sure that I get this out to everyone right away.
1. Research shows that the single greatest factor contributing to student achievement is attendance at school. Although we realize there will be occasions when students legitimately need to be gone from school, it is the combined responsibility of the school officials and parents to see that these absences are kept to a minimum.
2. Approval for an absence by a parent does not necessarily mean that the absence will be excused. School administrators will make the final determination as to whether or not an absence will be considered excused.
3. A student is considered absent when he/she is not in regular school classes or in a school-sponsored activity. Upon an absence, a student must have a written or verbal excuse from a parent or guardian. If the parent fails to call the school, the school will make an attempt to reach the parent via an automated PowerSchool attendance message.
4. Each semester a student has 6 absences that can be excused by a parent. All other absences must be excused by a doctor. Absences that are accompanied with a doctor's note do not count toward the 6 absences that students can have excused by a parent. Parents should call the school on the morning that they know their student is not going to be in attendance, regardless of why their student is not going to be there. Only a doctor’s note or special administrative approval can excuse a student beyond 6 absences per semester.
5. Once a student has 6 full excused absences per semester, any additional absences that are not accompanied with a doctor's note will be considered unexcused and be treated according to school and state truancy policies. Administration has the discretion/flexibility to excuse an absence if deemed necessary due to extenuating circumstances. Examples could be accidents, extended illnesses, or surgeries that require the student to miss more than the days allowed.
TRUANCY POLICY
Students accumulating three consecutive unexcused absences, five unexcused absences in a semester, or seven unexcused absences in a year will be identified as truant. In accordance with the Kansas Compulsory Attendance Law (K.S.A. 72-1113), students under the age of 18 will be referred to the county attorney. Students 18 years of age or older can be dismissed from DCHS. Re-admission will be determined by a hearing with the student and parents/guardians.
Something special is brewing, Oberlin. The lights are back, football is back, everything is lining up for this year to be an exciting one. Make sure that you don't miss it.
Right now, I am about to sit down and watch my Denver Broncos open their season. I know there are a few of you out there that are with me, but I don't have the luxury of being a Chiefs fan and the expectation of winning every week.
Those days are in my past.
Until next week,
Jeremy Holloway
Go Big Red!
Decatur County Community Junior/Senior High School
Email: jholloway@usd294.org
Website: https://www.usd294.org/vnews/display.v/SEC/DCHS
Location: 605 East Commercial Street, Oberlin, KS, USA
Phone: 785-475-2231
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Decatur-Community-JrSr-High/372347636275932
Twitter: @DCHSREDDEVILS