DHS Weekly Update
Hello,
I want to thank everyone for the early birthday wishes. The chorus students, led by Dr. Eskew, surprised me with a unique and amazing happy birthday rendition during the Decatur Boosters Coaches luncheon on Wednesday. I will say that I do have a birthday wish. I wish that parents would take a minute today to sign up for the Decatur High PTSA. There would be no greater gift than to see 100 families sign up as members over the next several days.
Our parade route was modified slightly due to the Decatur Book Festival. I want to thank the Decatur Police Department for leading us on our route. I have special thanks to Ms. Moore with the City of Decatur, who helped facilitate and get the parade route approved. I ran into Ms. Moore at the National Night Out on Tuesday and was able to personally thank her for working with us on the parade. The homecoming week was a success as the Class of 2005 celebrated its 20th reunion. I saw so many Bulldogs from the past who have transitioned to become outstanding citizens near and far from Decatur.
Finally, Ms. Shelkoff and our student intern have worked diligently to update our Instagram page on a regular basis. Students and families can find the latest happenings on our page as well as upcoming DHS events. We are trying to get the followers above the 2000 mark. Currently, there are 1945 followers. Please help us get to our goal.
Please join the PTSA and follow csddecaturhigh on Instagram; these will be great birthday gifts that can support the school as well.
Duane Sprull, Ed.D.
Principal
We were thrilled to host James Ferrell, the dynamic Founder and COO of Sprayground, for an inspiring presentation to nearly 200 students today.
Mr. Ferrell shared his incredible journey, detailing his diverse business ventures and offering a candid look at the dedication, creativity, and hustle required to build a global brand like Sprayground. His message resonated strongly, providing a real-world perspective on entrepreneurship and innovation.
The presentation was followed by an extensive and engaging Q&A session, giving students a direct opportunity to ask Mr. Ferrell about everything from design and marketing to scaling a business. The excitement culminated when seven lucky students were chosen to win their very own iconic Sprayground backpacks!
This visit marks the beginning of an exciting new partnership. We are delighted that Mr. Ferrell has committed to returning in the spring for another presentation, allowing more students to benefit from his invaluable experience and mentorship.
A huge thank you to James Ferrell for taking the time to invest in our students and for sharing his inspiring success story!
On October 3, Decatur High School proudly celebrated the launch of a groundbreaking new program for our students with disabilities: the CTAE Enterprise Workforce Readiness Program! 🚀
This initiative, led by CSD Student Support Services, is designed to give students real-world learning experiences in business, marketing, and essential career skills, setting the stage for their future success. 🌟
The program is made possible through exciting partnerships with two community businesses: Joyful Jarra (natural skincare products 🧴) and Red Velvet Catering & Events, LLC (delicious catering 🍽️).
We are thrilled to offer this collaborative opportunity that provides valuable, hands-on training for our students! 🤝
On Monday, 10/6, DHS hosted a fantastic Author Visit with the highly acclaimed and New York Times best-selling author, Tiffany D. Jackson!
During 7th period, Dr. Jackson spoke to students and teachers about her impressive collection of novels, including her current book, The Scammer. She shared insights into her writing process and the stories behind her books, captivating the audience. Students and teachers who ordered books also had the exciting opportunity to meet Dr. Jackson and get their copies signed! 🖋️
A huge thank you to everyone who made this inspiring visit a success! 👏
🧪STEM Fair🔬
Decatur High Schools will host our Science and Engineering Fair in the beginning of December. Winners will be eligible to compete in the DeKalb County Science and Engineering Fair 2026.
Students can compete individually or in teams of up to three students.
Students can compete in the following categories:
ANIMAL SCIENCES, BEHAVIORAL AND SOCIAL SCIENCES, BIOCHEMISTRY, BIOMEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES, BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING, CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY, CHEMISTRY, COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGY AND BIOINFORMATICS, EARTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES, EMBEDDED SYSTEMS, ENERGY: SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS AND DESIGN, ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY: STATICS AND DYNAMICS, ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING, MATERIALS SCIENCE, MATHEMATICS, MICROBIOLOGY, PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY, PLANT SCIENCES, ROBOTICS AND INTELLIGENT MACHINES, SYSTEMS SOFTWARE, TECHNOLOGY ENHANCES THE ARTS, TRANSLATIONAL MEDICAL SCIENCES
Every project must have the following forms completed and turned in to Dr. Smith (room 2008) by October 10th:
Checklist for Adult Sponsor (1)
Student Checklist (1A)
Research Plan/Project Summary
Approval Form (1B)
Projects involving human participants, vertebrate animals, potentially hazardous biological agents, hazardous chemicals or devices need additional paperwork or approvals. See this document for more details.
Full details about the fair are here. If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Cassy Smith at csmith@csdecatur.net.
Community Events
Diwali Festival – Everyone is welcome to celebrate this wonderful Hindu festival of lights Saturday, October 18, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM at BHMS. See flyer to RSVP.