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Weekly Update
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WEEKLY UPDATE - December 7, 2023
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Hello,
I had the opportunity to attend the Decatur Prevention Initiative (DPI) holiday party last night. I have been a part of the Decatur community since December 2007 and can attest to DPI's role in the City Schools of Decatur. DPI is committed to working with our students to make good decisions related to drugs and alcohol. DPI was named one of 15 coalitions out of 743 funded by the United States Executive Office of the President's Office of National Drug Policy to receive the Blue Ribbon Coalition Award. The award signifies high-performing coalitions that are exceptional at developing a foundation for their work. The recognition requires that the coalition has a role with all stakeholders in the community. Last night, there were committed members of the DPI team that includes Decatur Parent Network, Decatur High School, the Youth Action Team (YAT), the Decatur Fire Department, the Decatur Police Department, the Decatur YMCA, Decatur Housing Authority (Community Mobilization Action Team) staff and residents, and Student Integrity and Community Standards Department and Peer Health Ambassadors at Agnes Scott College. These members meet monthly throughout the year to receive updates and develop programming to support students and the community. In particular, I want to acknowledge a new family in Decatur that I will not name, but both parents have joined the team. They expressed their new connections to the Decatur community and desire to continue their role with DPI. This displays how the phrase All Means All is demonstrated in our community.
Sincerely,
Duane Sprull
Go Bulldogs!
Once Upon a Mattress Tickets on Sale!
Early Release Reminder!
CSD's upcoming Early Release Day is Wednesday, December 20.
High School Release: 1:35 PM
DHS NEWS
🎉Congratulations to the DHS Debate Team! 🎉
Decatur Debate takes 2nd Sweepstakes at Midtown 12/2!
Congratulations to these DHS Debaters!!
Policy and Student Congress
Ida Chapman - 4th congressional debate overall
Anushruti Ram - 2nd novice speaker, 2nd place Policy team, and 10th in Congressional Debate
Charley Mayer and Braden Howell - Semifinalists in Policy Debate, and 4th and 5th overall novice speakers
Novice policy coach: Maggie Stearns!
Hazel Brady - Extemporaneous Speaking Quarterfinalist /congressional debate
Caroline Siler - Impromptu Speaking Semifinalist
Arden Aczel - Impromptu Speaking CHAMPION!!
DHS STEM Fair Jan 29th, 2024
The DHS STEM fair will happen on Monday, January 29th from 6-8 pm in the cafeteria and courtyard. All competitors will need to arrive at least 30 minutes early to set up their stations.
In order to compete, CLICK HERE to for the Google Form. The form must be submitted before Wednesday, December 20th and all areas must be filled out.
Good luck!!
FCCLA Community Service Project
At Family Career Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), November 30th meeting students volunteered their time to make no-sew tied fleece blankets to donate to the Sycamore House as their November Community Service Project.
❄️ DHS Culinary Arts ❄️
This week, our Culinary Arts class has been on a mission to make the most epically creative gingerbread houses ever! Our students became mini-architects, whipping up their own custom templates, mixing and baking their dough, and finally assembling and decorating their cozy cookie homes. Great job!
đź’» Chromebook Announcements đź’»
Replace your lost or broken Chromebook charger today!
If your student has misplaced/lost/broken their charger:
Chromebook charger replacements can be purchased HERE. Proof of a replacement order should be sent to Ms. Jules Shelkoff (jshelkoff@csdecatur.net) or dropped off in the DHS Learning Commons.
Replacement chargers should be delivered to the following address:
Student Name/Student Number (Ex. Julie Jones/#12345)
Decatur High School
310 N. McDonough Street
Decatur, GA 30030
Attn: Learning Commons
If you have any questions, please reach out to Ms. Shelkoff (jshelkoff@csecatur.net)!
đź“š Library Learning Commons đź“š
The Learning Commons has undergone some changes this fall, thanks in part to a grant from the Decatur Education Foundation and furniture donation from the PTSA. The changes include:
- a new book display stand to show off our fabulous books
- installing lighting and faux plants near the entrance to make it more welcoming
- putting up a bulletin board at the entrance to welcome everyone
- buying a work table for the learning common's workroom so there is a place for teacher's equipment
- creating a teacher's lounge for teachers to use during their planning
In addition, all the bookshelves were consolidated to one area and the area was expanded so that it is easier to browse for books. Book display shelves were added as end caps at the end of each row.
Some of our activities include:
- Banned Book Week activities like making mini banned books, writing letters to authors of banned books, guessing the banned book, and blind date with a banned book
- DHS alumna and newly published author Sierra Isley '18 came and presented to many of the ELA classes about her new book
- Creating a relaxing area around the collaboration stations for end of semester studying
- Weekly story time for the Frasier Center two and three year olds
- Starting a Reading Bowl team for the first time in several years
Come visit the Learning Commons and enjoy the space!
Fundraisers
PTSA NEWS
Parents and Guardians of DHS Students - The holiday season is upon us! The Teacher and Staff Appreciation Committee is asking for monetary donations. The funds raised will be used for the Annual DHS Staff Holiday Party and gifts for teachers and staff. Any amount will be greatly appreciated. We have a new easy-to-access link -> Teacher and Staff Appreciation Fund that does not make you login first.
The next general PTSA meeting will be on Dec. 13th, 6:30pm - 8pm in the DHS Learning Commons, enter through the bus loop doors on Commerce Dr. This will replace the meetings that were previously scheduled for Nov. 28 and Dec. 19
**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. a. Sign in to your digital account. b. Search for your organization here. c. Enter the name (Decatur HS PTSA) or NPO number of the organization (EH991) you wish to support. d. Select the appropriate organization from the list and click “Save”.
Consider adding your name to our "As needed" volunteer list so we can reach out to you when needs arise. If you are interested in volunteering on an ongoing basis with membership, fundraising, or as a volunteer coordinator for "Moment of Your Time" asks, please email president@decaturhighptsa.org
CSD & Community Partners News!
🎸Amplify Presents Battle of the Bands 🎸
Poster Designed by DHS student Elise Robinson
Contact: drobinson@amplifymycommunity.org by December 15 to secure your band's spot!!
Holiday Marketplace + Café
Spread cheer with Clairemont Elementary at the Decatur Holiday Marketplace + Café! Doors open Friday, December 8th at 5:30 p.m. and close at 9 p.m. The Marketplace will reopen on Saturday, December 9th, at 10 a.m. and will wrap up for the season at 5 p.m. This historic two-day event will feature 80+ vendors, plus live music and food! ❄
CSD Participation in City of Decatur Bicentennial Parade
CSD will join the City of Decatur in celebrating its Bicentennial on Saturday, December 9. All schools and district offices are invited to join schools in participating in the parade.
Staff, students, and families will wear their CSD and school shirts and bring pom poms and noise makers. The Parade line-up begins at 2:00 p.m. at the Decatur Post Office located on Ponce de Leon Avenue.
The parade begins promptly at 3 p.m. The route is approximately one mile long. It turns right out of the Post Office parking lot onto W. Ponce de Leon Avenue. The parade will continue down Ponce right onto Church Street, right onto W. Trinity Place, ending at N. McDonough Street.
Hope you will join us!
Create Something AWESOME with DEF's Student Challenge Series!
Educators & Parents — The Decatur Education Foundation challenges YOUR ARTISTIC SUPERSTARS to design the next iconic sticker that screams Decatur pride! Introducing DEF’s Student Challenge Series, kicking off in December with our first Sticker Design Contest. Here's what your brilliant students should do:
Capture the essence of Decatur schools' uniqueness.
Splash it with color! Make it eye-catching and crazy fun!
Squeeze your masterpiece into a 3" by 5" space (the size of an index card).
Don't forget to incorporate "Decatur Education Foundation" into your design!
Submit your artistic brilliance in PDF or JPG form to meg@decatureducationfoundation.org before Friday, December 15. Winners will snag professionally printed stickers, a local arts & crafts store gift card, and the spotlight on DEF's social media platforms. For full contest details, please visit DecaturEducationFoundation.org/DEFstickercontest. Let’s showcase what makes Decatur schools extraordinary! #DEFStudentChallenge #DecaturCreativityUnleashed #ForOurKids
Run With the Dogs
The Decatur Bulldog Boosters are pleased to announce that registration for the 20th Annual Run With The Dogs 5K is now open! The race is scheduled for Saturday, January 27, and includes a one-mile "Pup Trot" beginning at 8:30 a.m. and a 5K race at 9:00 a.m. Runners of all ages are invited to participate, and dogs are also welcome on the course. All runners who register before January 15 will receive a coveted Run With the Dogs 5K long-sleeved t-shirt featuring original "Face of the Race" artwork by Decatur Artist Adam Pinsley.
Speaking of the Face of the Race– Don't forget to vote for this year’s Face of the Race! Please vote for one dog you would like to see represented on the 2024 Run With the Dogs 5K t-shirts, posters, and outreach. Voting closes at Noon on Wednesday, December 6.
The Run With the Dogs 5K is a Peachtree Road Race qualifier. Race proceeds benefit the Decatur Bulldog Boosters, supporting youth athletics at Decatur High School and Beacon High Middle School. Register today at http://www.rwtd5k.com. Woof!
Atlanta Hawks’ City Schools of Decatur Night
Start the new year off at the Atlanta Hawks' City Schools of Decatur Night at State Farm Arena on Saturday, January 13, 2024! As a bonus, you can support the BHMS Chorus, which will perform the national anthem. The City Schools of Decatur ticket offer includes a $10 food and beverage credit and through this offer, a portion of each ticket purchased will benefit City Schools of Decatur. Click here to purchase tickets.
BONUS! BHMS Chorus will perform the National Anthem