Counselors Newsletter

A FREE, virtual program specifically designed for rising college-bound African American high school juniors and seniors.

Click here for more information

Ron Brown Scholar Program

This free competition invites students aged 14-18 to submit a 60-second video responding to this question: “Imagine everyone in the world is listening to you for one minute. What message or idea would you share, and why?” The focus is on student ideas, confidence, and early expression, rather than polished public speaking.

Outstanding entries will be eligible for full or partial scholarships to attend the new TED Summer School. The deadline for submission is 26th February, 2026. For more information, or to register interest in the competition, please find the competition website here!

DHS is now using MobileServe to track student service hours, including those for the PTSA Graduation Cord and other programs.

To ensure your hours are counted, please create a MobileServe account and log your hours there. Be sure to use your CSD email address when signing up.

>>> Here’s the step-by-step guide to get started

For hours forms already emailed to this account, read below:

• If those hours have been logged on the PTSA website by you or a parent, you will receive an invitation to join MobileServe by August 6. Hours that have been logged will appear on your account.
• If those hours have NOT been logged on the PTSA website by you or a parent, you will need to manually enter those hours in MobileServe.

If you have questions, email us back here at cs@decaturhighptsa.org.

Thanks for giving back to your school and community!
DHS PTSA Community Service Team

GaDOE is offering free, live, virtual SAT Prep Classes this spring in partnership with Tutored by Teachers. Students will strengthen foundational math, reading, and writing skills; build confidence with SAT questions; and learn effective test-taking strategies. This accessible virtual series is designed to support students across the state as they prepare for the SAT. The next sessions are March 2-5, 2026.

Additional Information: Registration Link

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 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)

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.

Summer & PreCollege Programs Google Classroom - CLASS CODE: fkrkuep

Scholarships Google Classroom - CLASS CODE: 43xlcav

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