DHS Weekly Update

• DHS News: Chromebook Return Information; DHS Symphony Orchestra; French Exchange Program; Ultimate Frisbee Senior Night; Winter Guard Success; Senior (2027) Senior Portraits

• Activities around DHS: STEM Fair; EMBODI CTAE Career Day; Future Health Leaders Opportunity; Summer Drone Academy
• Community News: DPI Workshop and New Woodworking Workshops
• PTSA Updates
• Quick Links

Please ensure your student has their device and all accessories ready for return according to the schedule below.

The Details:

• Seniors: Return devices May 4 – May 8 (Drop off in the foyer throughout the day; IB/AP students return after their last exam).

• Underclassmen (Grades 9-11): Collection will take place May 18 – May 19 during Science classes.

• Location: Foyers outside the Learning Commons.

• Required Items: Chromebook, Charger, and Cover.

Important Note on Fees:

To avoid replacement costs, please ensure all items are turned in by their due dates. Missing items will result in the following fees being placed on your Infinite Campus account:

• Chromebook: $250

• Charger: $30

• Case/Cover: $30

We are bursting with pride to announce a major milestone for our performing arts department! For the first time in Decatur High School history, our band and orchestra students joined forces to form the DHS Symphony Orchestra—and their debut was nothing short of legendary.

On March 26, these talented musicians performed at the Large Group Performance Evaluation (LGPE), where they earned perfect scores from all four judges! This goes beyond "straight superiors"; it is a record-breaking testament to the hard work and harmony of our incredible students. Our community was treated to stunning renditions of Elgar’s Nimrod and Beethoven’s Egmont Overture, marking a truly historic achievement for Dr. Jenkins, Rosie Riquelme, and our entire music program.

Thank you for your unwavering support of these fabulous musicians!

Watch our historic performances here:
Beethoven's Egmont Overture

Elgar's Enigma Variations, Nimrod

Our halls felt a little more international recently as we hosted 13 students from Meaux, France! This incredible exchange kicked off with our 12 DHS students acting as ambassadors, showing their partners the best of Atlanta—from the Beltline to the King Historic Site. After two weeks of local tours and moving farewell parties at the Fantz and Santivasci homes, it’s finally our turn to travel. Next week, our students head to a suburb of Paris to reunite with their partners, attend French classes, and explore historic sites.

Come out and support the class of 2026 as our DHS Varsity Ultimate teams take the field for one of the most exciting nights of the season! Our student-athletes have been grinding all year, and now it’s time to pack the stands, make some noise, and honor their dedication to the sport.

• Who: DHS Varsity vs. Woodward Academy (Girls) & Maynard Jackson (Boys)

• When: Tuesday, April 14 @ 7:30 PM

• Where: DHS Stadium

• Special Feature: Both boys and girls games will be played side-by-side!

Let’s show up for our people and give our seniors the home-field advantage they deserve. See you in the stands!

Our Winter Guard teams brought their "A-game" to the SAPA State Championships in Chattanooga this past weekend, and we couldn’t be prouder of their hard work and artistry! These students have dedicated countless hours to perfecting their routines, and it truly showed on the floor.

• JV Winter Guard: Secured a fantastic 4th place finish at State!

• Varsity Winter Guard: Placed 9th while competing against some of the top nationally ranked teams in the country.

• Special Shoutout: Congratulations to Rowan Jones for being awarded a well-deserved scholarship during the championships!

What’s Next? Wish our Varsity team luck as they prepare to take their talents to the WGI World Championships during Spring Break!

Go Bulldogs! 🐾

Class of 2027 families, it’s time to celebrate! Senior year is right around the corner, and we want to ensure every student’s unique story is captured in this year’s "magazine-worthy" yearbook.

We’ve partnered with CADY to provide an elevated portrait experience that goes far beyond the traditional school photo. To make sure you don't miss any deadlines or styling tips, please register your contact information today.

• Who: All rising Seniors (Class of 2027)

• What: Professional Senior Portraits (Studio-style)

• Why: To ensure your student is represented in the yearbook and to receive important scheduling updates.

• Action: Submit your info to get started!

Register with CADY Here

We are calling all DHS thinkers, makers, and creators to showcase their brilliance at this year’s STEM Fair! Whether it’s a coding project, a scientific experiment, or an engineering marvel, this is the perfect stage to share their passion, and potentially walk away with some serious cash.

The Details:

• When: April 20 | 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

• Where: DHS Cafeteria

• Prizes: Top projects win $500, $200, or $100!

Sign Up HERE or scan the QR code on posters around the school.

Calling all young men in the Decatur community! Join the Decatur Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. for an inspiring morning dedicated to discovering future possibilities. This event is a fantastic opportunity for male students to dive into Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE), explore entrepreneurship, and build leadership skills that will shape their future.

• Who: Open to males ages 11–18

• When: Saturday, April 11, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM

• Highlights: Interactive breakout sessions, hands-on activities, and engaging career conversations.

• Perks: Continental breakfast and lunch will be served!

Registration is required! Secure your spot today by visiting bit.ly/embodicareerfair2026 or scanning the QR code on the flyer. We can't wait to see our students there!

Help your community while building a standout resume! We are looking for motivated students in 10th–12th grade to join the High School & Young Adult (HSYA) Community Health Worker Training Program. This is a unique chance to gain real-world health skills, earn professional certifications, and receive ongoing mentorship from the Fulton-DeKalb Hospital Authority.

Why Join?

• Earn Certifications: Receive a CHW Completion Certificate from Morehouse School of Medicine, plus First Aid/CPR and Mental Health First Aid certifications.

• Build Your Career: Gain core leadership and teamwork skills while working with organizations focused on community and mental health.

• Make an Impact: Create health projects that directly benefit your school and community.

  
  

Program Details:

• Start Date: June 2026.

• Eligibility: Minimum 2.0 GPA.

• Requirements: A professional reference and a short essay on your interest in the health workforce.

• Application Deadline: April 12th, 2026.

  
  

Ready to lead? Scan the QR code on the flyer or email chwinitiative@thefdha.org to apply today!

Decatur Career Academy is partnering with AI Nautics to offer a five-day Drone Academy Summer Camp, June 22–26 (9 AM–5 PM) for rising juniors and seniors (ages 16+).

Students will receive hands-on drone training and complete their assessment at Peachtree DeKalb Airport, an official FAA testing site.

• Cost: $500
• Four $250 scholarships available
• Only 15 seats
• Deadline: May 1

https://forms.gle/A2StqAK2uzJqA9mW9

Read the April 2, 2026, issue of the district-wide newsletter, CSD Weekly here.

In response to direct feedback from our community, the Decatur Parents Network and Decatur Education Foundation are hosting a vital conversation on Monday, April 27th. Navigating the pressures of social media and body image is a modern challenge for our kids; this session offers a supportive space for parents to learn what's normal, what's concerning, and—most importantly—how to help. We’ll be joined by experienced therapists Mosammat Alam and Kendra Marcus to dive into the "why" behind disordered eating and how we can best show up for our adolescents.

Join us at the Beacon Hill Middle School Media Center:

• When: Monday, April 27, 2026, from 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM

• Who: This event is designed for adults only.

• Where: BHMS Media Center

Ready to join the conversation? Register here to save your spot or scan the QR code on the flyer. We hope to see you there!

Trade your screen time for shop time and discover the satisfaction of building a custom piece of furniture with your own two hands! Our Decatur Career Academy is back with a new round of community woodworking classes. Whether you want to build a shaker bench or a custom tool chest, this flexible program allows you to learn at your own pace in a professional shop environment. Best of all, you can choose the sessions that fit your busy family calendar!

The Details:

• Evening Sessions: Tuesday & Thursday, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM (April 14 – May 14)

• Weekend Sessions: April 24 & 25 and May 8 & 9

• Flexibility: You do not need to attend all classes—just come on the days that work for you!

• Included: Expert instruction, all tools, and premium materials.

Ready to start your project? Register here or email Randy Archer at rarcher@csdecatur.net with any questions. See you in the shop! ✨

Tuesday, April 21st at 6:30 PM

We hope you'll join us for the final PTSA meeting of the school year!

📆 Thursday, May 14
⏰ 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
📍Decatur Recreation Center

As graduation approaches, the DHS PTSA invites families and community members to PACKalaureate, a student‑led program honoring the Class of 2026. Senior speakers and performers will share personal reflections on what has sustained them, how community has shaped their journey, and the lessons they are carrying forward as they step into their next chapter.

Through their words and performances, students will explore ideas of gratitude, hope, and unity—offering classmates a moment to pause, reflect, and take something meaningful with them as they prepare to graduate. All families and community members are encouraged to attend in support of our graduates. PACKalaureate is free for all to attend, but requires a ticket. Please register here.

Chorus seniors and families: Please note the new 6pm start time which will allow chorus students and their families to attend PACKalaureate prior to the Spring Chorus Concert which now begins at 7:30pm.

Please be sure to select "Student (Chorus)" when registering.

Questions? Contact: utoia_mims@yahoo.com

The deadline for seniors to submit community service hours toward the PTSA Community Service Graduation Cord is Thursday, April 30. To receive the cord, students must complete 60 hours of approved community service during their high school years and all hours must be entered and approved in MobileServe.

To check progress, students can log in to MobileServe and view the progress bar in the Activity tab, which shows approved hours toward the 60-hour goal.

If you have approved hours that are not showing toward your goal, email cs@decaturhighptsa.org.

If you have completed service hours but haven’t created a MobileServe account or logged your hours yet, there is still time. Visit the Guide to Community Service Hours for instructions on setting up your account and logging hours.

Questions? Email cs@decaturhighptsa.org

Show your DHS Class of 2026 spirit with a custom blanket. These throws make a great gift and have been a tradition for many years for graduating DHS students and their families. Blankets are $45 and can be purchased via this link or the QR code on the attached flyer.

Blankets are 50" x 70". For your reference, a photo is included on the flyer.

Financial assistance is available. Please email Dr. Sprull at dsprull@csdecatur.net and write "Honor Roll Blanket Assistance" in the subject line.

The deadline to order your blanket is Friday, April 17th. Blankets will be distributed the week of May 11th. Questions? Contact: kjdegrammont@gmail.com

1. Decatur High School Website
2. Decatur High School PTSA
3. Bell Schedule
4. Personal Electronics Protocol (Updated)
5. School Bus Registration
6. Annual Update
7. Student and Family Handbook