Decatur High School

Make the Class of 2027 yearbook unforgettable by honoring your senior with these classic traditions!

• Baby Pictures: Email a high-res photo (JPEG/PNG, labeled First_Last) to indecatur@csdecatur.net by Oct. 16 (Free).

• Senior Quotes: Submit a 130-maximum-character quote via the official Google Form by Oct. 16.

• Senior Ads: Create and purchase personalized ads at jostensadservices.com by Nov. 2 (Prices range from $85 to $350).

Design your ad online at Jostens today, or email indecatur@csdecatur.net with questions. Seniors, check your email for full details and submission links!

Families are being asked to pay for their student’s AP & IB exams at $126.50 per IB exam and $99 per AP exam. Fees for your student’s AP & IB exams are now added to the Infinite Campus parent portal and are due no later than October 23, 2026. Students will be assessed a late fee for payments submitted after November 1, 2026. The late fee is $40 per test for AP & IB. We strongly encourage you to pay these fees online through the parent portal, but if you need to pay by check, please see Ms. Karina Green at DHS. LATE AP & IB EXAM REGISTRATIONS/PAYMENTS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED AFTER DECEMBER 15, 2026. CSD strongly desires that the fees not dissuade any student who wants to pursue AP & IB coursework and assessment and opportunities for scholarships for families demonstrating financial need will be available. Please complete the linked form for assistance with AP/IB exam fees.

All AP students must sign up for the AP Classroom whether they are taking the test or not. Students must self-register for their exams, the coordinator or course teacher cannot register students for exams. Students will need to contact their individual teachers for their join code(s), see Joining Your AP Class Section (Student). Students must register themselves. For technical support for students: AP College Board Support for Students. DHS will administer all AP exams digitally or in hybrid form.

Bulldogs take care of Bulldogs, and your simple gift ensures every student feels comfortable, confident, and cared for during unexpected school-day accidents or emergencies!

Items Needed (New in Various Sizes):

• 👕 T-shirts & 🧥 Sweatshirts

• 👖 Sweatpants & 🩳 Leggings

• 🩲 Male & female underwear

• 📍 Drop-Off Locations: DHS Attendance Office or Nurses’ Station

Call to Action: Drop off your donations at school to help us keep our closet fully stocked for our students!

Upgrade your family's game-day gear and show off your Decatur High spirit with brand-new apparel and accessories!

• What: T-shirts, cozy hoodies, drinkware, hats, and spirit items for all ages

• Where: Conveniently online at the official DHS spirit wear store

• Perks: Quick-to-ship items get your student and family ready for the next big event in no time!

To keep our campus safe and ensure accurate attendance records, please review these mid-day check-in and check-out guidelines for DHS students!

• General Rule: Any student entering or exiting during the school day (including passing periods) must physically check in or out at the Attendance Office. Turning in an excuse note does not automatically update arrival times.

• Dual Enrollment, WBL, & Interns: Students may enter and exit per approved schedules, but must check in or out if arriving late for campus classes or leaving early.

Thank you for helping us keep our school community safe and organized! Please reach out to Attendance Clerk Sabrina Benson at sabrina.benson@csdecatur.net with any questions.

Get ready to travel the world and show your Bulldog pride as Decatur High School kicks off an action-packed Homecoming Spirit Week!

• Monday, Oct 19 – Jet Lag Monday (PJ Day): Kick off the trip in school-appropriate pajamas, comfy clothes, or travel-ready sleepwear to earn your class’s first participation points.

• Tuesday, Oct 20 – Going Viral Around the World (Meme Day): Channel your favorite school-appropriate meme, viral moment, or internet character. Make it recognizable enough to clear customs!

• Wednesday, Oct 21 – Airport Fit Day (Adam Sandler Day): Travel in ultimate comfort with oversized shirts, basketball shorts, sneakers, and hoodies for that signature laid-back airport look.

• Thursday, Oct 22 – Pack Your Bags (Dress Your Destination Day): Dress for your class theme or dream vacation spot, whether that’s a tropical beach, ski trip, jungle adventure, Paris, or NYC!

Seniors: Tropical Beaches, Juniors: Skiing, Sophomores: Jungle, Freshmen: Big City

• Friday, Oct 23 – There’s No Place Like Home (Blue Out Day & Pep Rally): Deck out tip-to-tail in BLUE for our morning Pep Rally and Class Wars, followed by the 5:30 PM Homecoming Parade and 7:00 PM football game against Dunwoody.

• Saturday, Oct 24- Homecoming Dance! 7:30-10 in the DHS gymnasium. Tickets are available at GoFan. Guest tickets can be purchased from Ms. Lockhart in 2109 by Oct 20.

Clear out your closets this Halloween season and treat Decatur High School by recycling your unwanted items!

• What: Unwanted clothing and shoes.

• Where: Green Clothes & Shoes Recycling Bin

• When: Now through Halloween

• Why: Keep clothing out of local landfills while supporting our school!

Clean out those spooky closets and drop off your wearable treats today!

DHS Acting and Decatur Performs invite you to an imaginative stage adaptation about love, loss, friendship, and finding your way home!

• What: A magical, family-friendly play based on Kate DiCamillo’s beloved book

• When: October 15–18

• Where: Decatur High School Performing Arts Center

• Special Discount: Use promo code SAVE5 at checkout for $5 off up to two tickets for the Saturday, October 17th matinee at 2:00 PM!

Bring the whole family and discover why sometimes the greatest journeys are the ones that change us. Get your tickets now at DecaturPerforms.org!

Have a big question you want to investigate or an idea for a new design? The Decatur High School Science & Engineering Fair is your student's chance to turn curiosity into real-world discovery!

• Who: All DHS students (compete individually or in teams of up to 3). IB Science students can adapt their IA research!

• School Fair Date: First week of December 2026 at DHS

• Next Level: Top projects advance to the DeKalb Regional Fair on January 23, 2027, with opportunities to reach state and international competitions.

• Explore Topics: Projects can cover Physics, Engineering, Robotics, Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Science, Computer Science, Biomedical Science, Math, and more!

• Required Forms: Download the Project & Safety Forms and check the full list of categories.

Submit all completed forms to Dr. Smith in Room 2008 by October 2nd. Have questions? Email Dr. Smith at csmith@csdecatur.net to get started today!

Read this week's CSD Weekly for district-wide news and information.

Our students are packing their bags for Rio, and we need a flight crew! No passport required. Grab a shift and help make Homecoming a trip to remember:

• Parade, Friday, October 23: 4:30 to 6:30 PM (1 to 2 volunteers per grade).

• Dance, Saturday, October 24:

• Setup: 5:00 to 7:00 PM. T

• Setup and dance: 7:00 to 9:00 PM.

• Dance and clean up: 9:00 to 11:00 PM.

Sign up here now!

The Homecoming Dance, sponsored by the PTSA and SGA, is Saturday, October 24. Tickets cost $22 and went on sale Wednesday, October 7 at 7 p.m. through GoFan.co. Tickets tend to sell out quickly, so be ready when sales open! A limited number of tickets for guests can be obtained through the school by contacting Ms. Lockhart.

DeKalb County’s Office of Youth Services is offering DHS juniors and seniors a free two-day workshop series to build skills for career success. Students will work on resume writing, professional communication, workplace etiquette, and interview skills.

• Day 1, Tuesday, October 20 (60 minutes): Discover your strengths, practice introductions and workplace communication, and leave with a resume draft and revision list.

• Day 2, Thursday, October 22 (60 minutes): Learn the STAR response method, practice interview questions at rotating stations, and receive feedback on strengths and areas to grow.

Sessions will take place between 4:30-6:30 at DHS. Space is limited to 25 to 30 students. Register here.

Questions? Contact Eleven Burdine at kburdine@dekalbcountyga.gov.

The DHS PTSA funds and supports classroom resources, student recognition, wellness programming, and community events that the school budget cannot cover. Please give to the PTSA. Give your time by volunteering. Give your financial support at any amount. Support today: Visit dhs.ptboard.com →

Do you shop at Kroger? Another way to support the PTSA is by linking your Kroger card to the DHS PTSA. Kroger donates annually to participating organizations based on your spending. In 4 simple steps you can help raise money for the PTSA at no extra cost to you: 1) sign into your digital account; 2) select Community Rewards (under Payments & Resources on the Kroger app); 3) search Decatur HS PTSA or enter the code EH991; 4) click enroll.

Our October meeting will be shorter than usual to allow parents to make it to the Fall Orchestra concert! At the PTSA meeting you can get updates straight from Principal Sprull, learn about PTSA happenings, plus how you can get involved. Join us in person at the DHS Learning Commons/Library (enter through the Bus Loop doors). Can’t make it in person? Join us virtually using this link.

The fall is full of exciting activities, like football games, festivals, and Homecoming. To help keep your teen and their friends safe and in compliance with school rules on and off campus, talk with them about preventing alcohol use and the dangers of vaping, and other substances. Small conversations make big impressions.

Resources and tools for parents and caregivers to navigate these conversations are available at Talk. They hear you.

Emergency services and poison control are reporting a surge in hospital visits due to unregulated, psychoactive "gas station" substances like Kratom, Delta 8, and Tianeptine. Join us for an important talk with renowned pharmacologist and addiction specialist Dr. Merrill Norton to learn how to spot these substances and protect our youth.

• When: Thursday, October 15, 2026 from 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM

• Where: DHS Media Center

• Speaker: Dr. Merrill Norton (Clinical Professor Emeritus, UGA College of Pharmacy)

• Hosted By: Decatur Parents Network & Decatur Education Foundation

Protecting our students starts with staying informed. Register today to reserve your spot!

Give your student a life-changing chance to experience another culture, master a new language, and stand out on college applications for the 2027-28 school year!

• Scholarship: Includes room, board, tuition, and a stipend

• Eligibility: Open to students ages 14 to 17 at time of application

• Deadlines: Applications close October 15, 2026

• DHS Pride: Spot DHS's own Riley Pare (Class of '26) featured in the center photo!

Interested students must attend a virtual info session in September. Email Robert at robert@ryese.org or Kelly at kelly.caudle@gmail.com to register, or click HERE to read student journals and apply!

Calling all movie lovers and future filmmakers—come support young creators and enjoy a day of incredible student-made short films!

• When: Saturday, October 17, 2026

• Where: Microsoft Campus (Atlantic Station)

• Cost: FREE!

• Details: Open to all students to attend on their own or with friends (come and go as you please). MARTA transit support may be available for pickup/drop-off at Atlantic Station.

Space is first-come, first-served, so reserve your free spot today!

A Season of Giving is a neighbor led effort bringing holiday joy to our local children and seniors through personalized gifts.

Want to Give Back?

🪵 Build Something Great: Community Woodworking at DCA!

Whether you want to pick up a fun hands-on hobby or refine your craft, Decatur Career Academy invites community members of all experience levels to create beautiful, custom wooden pieces using hand and power tools!

• Projects: Choose from 9 unique projects, including a Cherry Tote, Dovetail Jewelry Box, Bench Top Bench, and more!

• Fall Sessions 2026 and Winter/Spring Sessions 2027

• Cost: $300–$950 depending on your project selection (all materials and tools are provided!)

1. Decatur High School
2. Decatur High School PTSA
3. Bell Schedule
4. Personal Electronics Protocol
5. School Bus Registration
6. Annual Update
   
7. 2026–2027 CSD Student & Family Handbook