DHS Weekly Update
Hello,
It has been a smooth start to the school year, and our students have been focused while continuously demonstrating that they are part of the P.A.C.K. (Purposeful, Accountable, Connected, Kind). I have truly enjoyed the parent meetings I’ve been a part of so far and appreciate the opportunity to connect with our community. We are here to support your student, so don’t hesitate to reach out to our faculty or staff if you are in need of assistance, because we are here to support you and your student’s success.
We also encourage you to get involved in our school community by joining the PTSA. Each week, the PTSA provides information on upcoming meetings and events in this newsletter. Please take a minute to visit their website. Our participation in the PTSA helps strengthen the connection between families, staff, and students, and ensures that all voices are represented in shaping our school’s future. Next week, in a separate message, we will be sharing information about the upcoming School Leadership Team (SLT) election, which is another great way to provide input at DHS. On Tuesday, August 19, we invite you to attend the SLT meeting at 5:15 p.m., followed by the PTSA meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the Learning Commons. Both meetings are open to the public and can also be accessed online via the link on the school calendar. We look forward to seeing you there or virtually!
Duane Sprull, Ed.D.
📸 Picture Day – Friday, August 22
Underclassmen (grades 9–11), smile bright! Picture Day is this Friday, August 22 during science classes. These photos will be used for Infinite Campus, school IDs, and the yearbook, so come photo-ready! Digital proofs will be emailed to parents after picture day.
Did you lose something? Be sure to check the Lost and Found, located in the Student Center in the Career Academy.
We've already collected several items. Click here to see what has been found so far: Lost & Found Items
If you see something that's yours, stop by and let us know!
Swim Team Interest Meeting
The Swim Team Interest Meeting will take place in the Beacon Hill cafeteria on Tuesday, September 2 at 6pm. All athletes and families who are interested in joining the middle or high school teams should plan to attend. If you have any questions, please reach out to Coach Molly (mrandall@csdecatur.net)
National Honor Society
By September 15th, NHS applications will be emailed to juniors and seniors with a weighted 3.7 GPA or above. A message will also be sent through eBlast noting that those applications have been sent. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Katrina M. Walker at kwalker@csdecatur.net.
DHS Student Government Association (SGA) Elections
The DHS SGA is looking for budding student leaders to run for office. Scan the QR code or go to https://tinyurl.com/6a6p93tb for a video about SGA and upcoming elections. Students have been emailed candidacy forms, which are due on Friday, August 8th.
Wrestling Info Meeting!
The DHS wrestling team will be holding an information meeting after school on August 18th. If you can not make the meeting, reach out to Coach Salvador.
Best Buddies 1st Meeting
Best Buddies 1st meeting is on August 21st! We are thrilled that an organization called Paint Love has agreed to help Best Buddies create a mural at our school. We have our first meeting with them Thursday August 21st. We are so excited for this opportunity!
CFCI Teen Leadership Team!
🔬 Join the Science National Honor Society! 🔭
The Science National Honor Society (SNHS) is looking for curious, creative, and committed science lovers like YOU! SNHS celebrates high school students who excel in science and are passionate about STEM. As a member, you’ll:
✨ Dive into hands-on science activities
🌍 Make an impact with community service projects
🧪 Take on leadership roles
🔍 Explore and share your love of scientific discovery
Who can apply?
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Sophomores, juniors, and seniors
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Minimum unweighted GPA of 3.5 in science classes
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Active participation in at least one science-related activity (like Science Olympiad, a Science Internship, or STEM Club)
📅 Apply by Friday, September 5th at 4:00 p.m. (No late submissions—science waits for no one!)
📝 Application link
❓ Questions? Email Dr. Smith at csmith@csdecatur.net
Come share your passion, make new friends, and build a future in STEM that’s out of this world! 🚀
NEW! Community Service Hours Now Tracked in MobileServe
Decatur High School has moved to MobileServe for tracking student community service hours for the PTSA Community Service Graduation Cord and other service requirements. This will provide a more streamlined and student-friendly experience!
There are two paths for getting started:
If community service hours have already been logged on the PTSA website: Students were sent an invitation to join MobileServe on Tuesday, August 5th, and previously logged hours have been preloaded into their account.
If NO community service hours have been logged on the PTSA website AND for students new to DHS: Students should use this guide to set up an account and begin logging their hours. Accounts should be created by the students and use their CSD email.
Important: Students who have submitted verification forms via email but the hours were not logged on the PTSA website will need to manually enter those hours in MobileServe.
MobileServe will also be used to track other volunteer and service learning requirements at DHS. For those, more details will be shared directly by faculty sponsors soon.
Questions? Email the PTSA Community Service Team at cs@decaturhighptsa.org
Families Invited to Webinar about CSD’s Balanced Assessment System
Families are invited to join a webinar on Wednesday, August 20 at 6 p.m. to discuss ELA standards, curriculum, and the CSD Balanced Assessment System, hosted by CSD's Teaching and Learning department.
We will share examples of how the standards have changed, information on cursive writing, and the new curriculum. We will also review how our Balanced Assessment System works, featuring interim assessments, STAR, and student reports. This is a great opportunity to learn more about what your child will be learning this year and how you can support them at home. Join webinar here.
Students Invited to Apply for Superintendent's Student Advisory Council
Superintendent Dr. Whitaker invites student leaders and interested students to apply for the Superintendent's Student Advisory Council. Councils are divided into age groups and invite student members to share their perspectives and experiences with the Superintendent on a variety of issues, offering a two-way system of communication between students and the Office of the Superintendent.
Students are also asked to attend each meeting (see dates below) at the Wilson Center after school in the Superintendent's Office. The deadline to apply is Friday, August 22, at 5 p.m. Selected students will be notified by Friday, August 29, 2025. Apply for the Superintendent's Student Advisory Council here.
