Counselors Newsletter

https://app.smore.com/n/d0391

I am pleased to invite high school students in your state to participate in the Presidential 1776 Award, a national civics competition to celebrate America’s Semiquincentennial. As America’s 250th birthday approaches, the Department is working to reignite students’ understanding of civics and the principles that shaped the United States. After two rounds of local and regional finals, the top four students from each region move on to the national final, held in Washington, D.C. in June 2026, where three winners will receive scholarships totaling $250,000.

This nationwide scholarship competition challenges students to demonstrate their knowledge of the Constitution, the American founding, and the principles that define our nation. From February to June 2026, students will compete in three rounds of multiple-choice and short answer verbal examinations, independently developed by the James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation. Through this competitive process, students will showcase their exceptional knowledge of America’s founding principles.

The award offers students the opportunity to demonstrate their strong understanding of our founding principles—individual liberty, self-governance, and equality—and earn a significant scholarship reward. When young Americans understand our history, they are better equipped to uphold these core values—and this program is built on that principle.

As state leaders, I know you are all dedicated to maximizing opportunities for our students. I urge you to do two things: first, publicly encourage students in your state to take part in this competition, and second, share this information with high school leaders and school counselors in your state. This opportunity offers students the unique opportunity to chart a path toward a bright, promising, American future.

I look forward to collaborating with you as we launch this exciting new initiative for our nation’s students. For more information, read the full press release here and see the test rules here. Students may register for the test here.

Together, let’s inspire the next generation of leaders who will carry forward the principles that have made our Nation great.

Respectfully,

Kirsten Baesler, Assistant Secretary

Office of Elementary & Secondary Education

U.S. Department of Education

Parents of teens are invited to participate in this free webinar hosted by Skyland Trail. Hear from mental health experts about how to support your teen. What you’ll learn:

• Navigating social media, substance use, and peer pressure

• Proven strategies to support teens who are struggling emotionally

• Warning signs: know when to ask for professional help

To register: https://www.skylandtrail.org/parents

Hello,

I hope you’re having a wonderful day! My name is Miranda Shealy and I run the Fernbank Youth Interpreters (FYI) Volunteer Program for teens at Fernbank Museum. The FYI Program is an opportunity for youth to be directly involved in public events and education at Fernbank. FYI volunteers run discovery carts, sharing information about biology, archaeology, paleontology, and more with visitors of all ages. They also help with educational programming, activities on family event days, and have opportunities to tour and work behind the scenes with museum staff.

Applications have opened for the 2026-2027 volunteer season. If you know any students who would be interested in interacting with the public and sharing their knowledge of science and natural history, please pass this opportunity along to them. We provide training to help the students learn about natural history topics and how to interact with museum guests of all ages. Applications are due by March 1 and can be found here: https://www.fernbankmuseum.org/support/volunteer/fyi-volunteers/ Please pass this email along to any other teachers or counselors that may have interested students.

The FYI Program is a one-year commitment (June – May) , and teens are required to volunteer at least 45 hours per year. Volunteer ages range from 12 years old (must be 13 before September 1 of this year) to 17 years old. Volunteers age out of the program when they graduate from high school or when they are 18 years old at the start of the next FYI year (June). The FYI program is very competitive, accepting applications once a year and interviewing and accepting only a select number of applicants.

Please let me know if you have any questions. Thank you for your help passing this on and have a great week!

Miranda Shealy | Volunteer Manager

Fernbank | 767 Clifton Rd. NE | Atlanta, GA 30307

P: 404.929.6341 | FernbankMuseum.org

1 - A device that they have made sure can be used for the test. There are no devices to be loaned from the test center.
2 - An Admission ticket. You must have a paper/printed admission ticket for the ACT. A printed or an electronic ticket may be used for the SAT.
3 - A hard plastic ID card, passport, or completed ACT or SAT ID form (completed = everything filled out and it is signed/notarized). School ID must show the current year. State federal ID must be valid on the test date.

ACT requires device readiness checks on all testing devices 2 to 4 weeks prior to testing. Examinees will be responsible for performing device readiness on their laptops. ACT describes the readiness process and current Device Readiness Cutoff Date at https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/test-changes/gateway-test-center-resources.html.

February 10, 2026

The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga (TN)

February 25, 2026

Liberty University

March 4, 2026

California State University, San Marcos (CA)

March 9, 2026

University of North Carolina Wilmington (NC)

March 10, 2026

Xavier University (OH)

March 11, 2026

Grand Valley State University (MI)

March 31, 2026

Appalachian State University (NC)

Below are the details of the 6 week SAT Prep courses starting Jan & Apr 2026.

Call us at 404-351-4955 if you have further questions.

Location: Decatur High School | 1510 Commerce Dr. Decatur, GA 30030

Class Option 1 : Jan 31 Feb 7, 14, 21, 28 Mar 7 | 2026 for SAT Test March 14th 2026
Payment Deadline : Jan 16th

Class Option 2 : Apr 25 May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 | 2026 for SAT Test June 6th 2026
Payment Deadline : Apr 11th

Schedule: Saturdays : 9 - 1 pm on each day (6 sessions | 4 hrs each)
Room: Inside New Library @ Decatur High School

Register Online for SAT Prep Class:

https://successprep.com/SAT-prep-atlanta-ga-decatur-high-school

Textbook you need to buy:

The Official SAT Study Guide, 2nd Edition by The College Board

Don't forget to register for the SAT Test! - http://sat.collegeboard.org/home

*Prep class fee is non-refundable after class starts, we do not offer partial refunds for class sessions a student misses. Any cancellation for refund of a prep class fee must occur 5 days before the start of that prep class, to allow for the seat to be offered to another student.

Please click on the appropriate link below to address your concern/need:

I Need A New ID

Certificate Of Enrollments (complete this form at least 1 week prior going to the DDS. Form expires 30 days after issuance)

ADAP Card Information

Portal Access Requests

Request for Google Password (email)

College Visit Form

Work Permit Process (only needed for students ages < 15)

NEW Guide to PTSA Community Service Hours

Order A Transcript (If you need a transcript mailed, please email micheal.ackley@csdecatur with student name as it appears in the portal, college/university name, college/university address)

Students when you graduate your DHS email account will be deactivated. Please use your personal email address so you will have access beyond high school.

College Admissions Accommodation Form

(Consent Form for College Admission Tests Accommodation Requests - If you have a 504 or IEP with testing accommodations, a consent form must be completed and turned in to your/your student's counselor in order for the school to request accommodations for the College Board (PSAT/AP/SAT) and ACT. Testing agencies take up to 8 weeks to process requests.)

Summer & PreCollege Programs Google Classroom - CLASS CODE: fkrkuep

Scholarships Google Classroom - CLASS CODE: 43xlcav

https://docs.google.com/document/d/10c5TZ7RZ3DjuRLXalarKAdAOKQStk5wnQNJEYxyBYN0/edit?usp=sharing

Email: rjones1@csdecatur.net
Website: https://www.csdecatur.net/dhs
Location: 310 North McDonough Street, Decatur, GA, USA
Phone: 404-370-4170