Red Devil Ready: Weekly Message

Week #17: AI

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Decatur County Community High School

605 E Commercial St, Oberlin, KS 67749

December 10, 2023 (Schedule at the bottom, Skip What You Want)

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Decatur Community,

This past week I participated in one of the more intriguing PD (Professional Development) inservices that I have ever been a part of. We had an extra early release and a big portion of what we discussed was AI (Artificial Intelligence). AI has been around for a long time, but, like so many other technological devices, it continues to get more and more advanced.

Our presenter was Ronnie Williams, the Greenbush guru that runs EdTech Academy and talks to schools for a living. I was amazed by the information that he was sharing, information that he says within the next 3 years will amaze us all over again.

AI is divisive in schools, because it can be used to cheat very easily, though that was an original fear of the internet when it came out.

Plato once said of written work, "If men learn this, it will plant forgetfulness in their souls; they will cease to exercise memory because they rely on that which is written, calling things to remembrance no longer from within themselves, but by means of external marks."

Can you imagine what school would be like without books, if everything had to be remembered?

Much like written books, computers, internet, and phones, AI is not going anywhere, and it will be something that our students will be dealing with their whole lives. That's why, like the other items on this list, we are embracing and learning about this technology that will only evolve.

SHOUTOUTS

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Shoutout to all of our KMEA music participants. As a youth, I was never in choir or band, and it is very possibly my biggest academic regret. Choir was a major part of my daughter's life, and band important for my son. I have genuinely loved being able to enjoy it through them, and I wish I could have participated and been involved with their passion more as a parent. I am very proud of each and every one of the group that participated this past Saturday in Hays, and I know they will be able to encourage future generations.

Shoutout to seniors Addison Mathews and Cheyanna Hale. The two girls were awarded medals for participating in KMEA all four years of high school. Addison was also featured in a solo/soli during one of the songs performed. Congrats and thank you to the both of you for your love, passion, and commitment to music.

Shoutout Math teacher Wendy Scott and Counselor Jillian Springer. These two have been planning for our last day of the semester on Wednesday the 20th. We will be sticking with our traditional Hobbies/Passion Day and Winter Olympics. This tradition is loaded with teachers that share their personal interests with students that have signed up. Here are just a few of the dozens of choices students have to sign up for: archery, XBOX, chess, astronomy, Pitch, cornhole. ping pong, cookie making, escape rooms, and more. It should be a great time.

Shoutout to our music department and to all of the JH students that made it to the Winter Music Concert last Monday. This past week was a challenge for many students, as illness hit us hard. I haven't looked back to see what the worst day was, but we had over 30 students gone last Friday alone. The concert may have been missing several performers, but those that were there did very well.

Shoutout to our basketball teams. The girls went up to the McCook Tournament and went 2-1, losing to a Southwest team that they had lost to last summer by a much bigger margin. The girls continue to show tremendous teamwork and a deep bench. They are a smart, exciting, and well coached team to watch.

The boys went 1-2 in the tournament, losing an absolute heartbreaking buzzer beater on the last shot of the game. This team is young, but there is so much hope and potential on that court. This team is only going to get better, and I anxiously await what they will do. I also have to give a shoutout to freshman Brycen Ketterl. Ketterl had a game with over 20 points as a freshman, a commendable accomplishment. I watched Brycen shoot baskets over the summer and throughout the fall, and he is a shining example of hard work and commitment paying off. I know that I will use his name in the future when talking to students.

Shoutout to AD Brandon Gehring and some upcoming high-stakes home venues. This past week we were informed of two big events that we have been chosen to host. It should be noted that hosting is something that schools have to seek and be chosen for, not possible if your AD doesn't put in for it.

This year we will be hosting Substate basketball. It's a great feeling to know that when post season rolls around, we will be at home if we qualify. It will be an exciting week when the time rolls around.

We have also been chosen to host Regional Scholars Bowl. Scholars Bowl always brings 8 teams to a regional, so they often require quite a bit of travel to get to a contest. It will be another great opportunity for our students and staff to be able to host an important event.

Shoutout to these wrestlers for placing at the Ellis Railer Invitational last Friday. Each of our wrestlers one at least 1 match. These 3 placed in the top 4.

138: Sr. Lukas Zodrow - 2nd Place (4-1)

157: Fr. Josiah Pattangall - 3rd (4-1)

165: Theo Butterfield - 2nd (4-1)

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Lukas Zodrow Takes 2nd in the 138 Division

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Josiah Pattangal Takes 3rd in the 157 Division

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Theo Butterfield Takes 2nd In the 165 Division

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW

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Band Concert Monday

On Monday night at 7:30, the DCHS Band will have their annual winter concert. Mr. Persinger deserves his own shoutout for the amount of passion and love he has for his profession. I have been in the class and heard the songs in the hall, and I am always impressed.

The concerts are always great, and Monday is the band's turn. Come on out and see it for yourself.

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JH Basketball NWKL League Tournaments this Week

On Monday, the JH boys Basketball team will travel to Dighton to kick off the NWKL League Tournament. The A team will matchup with St. Francis in the first round, looking to move on to Saturday. The B team is the top seed in the tournament and will have a bye until Saturday.

The girls will play their first round matches on Thursday. Both the A and B teams are in the exact same spot on their respective brackets and match up against hosting Dighton.

Check out the brackets below.

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Scholars Bowl Team Takes 2nd at Colby

Last year our Scholars Bowl team had a memorable season that led to a trip to State. Their first meet wasn't really that great, but it was at the Colby Invitational where they turned their season around with a big first place win. This year was very similar, as the team had a strong showing once again at Colby with a second place finish.

This year's team members at the meet were, Ana Freeman, Shakira Cook, Allyson Simpson, Cheyanna Hale, Keely Huff, and Jack Holloway.

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Finals

At DCHS, all students have Finals. High school students take classes for credits, are shooting for a diploma, and are getting ready for the potential of college and/or careers.

Below is the schedule:

Monday 12-18 A Day (ODDS)

HOUR 1: 8:10- 9:45

HOUR 3: 9:50-11:25

HOMEROOM: 11:30-12:20

1ST LUNCH: 11:25-11:50 (Grades 7,8,9)

2ND LUNCH: 11:55-12:20 (Grades 10,11,12)

HOUR 5: 12:25-2:00

HOUR 7: 2:05-3:40

Tuesday 12-19 B Day (EVENS)

HOUR 2: 8:10- 9:45

HOUR 4: 9:50-11:25

HOMEROOM: 11:30-12:20

1ST LUNCH: 11:25-11:50 (Grades 7,8,9)

2ND LUNCH: 11:55-12:20 (Grades 10,11,12)

HOUR 6: 12:25-2:00

HOUR 8: 2:05-3:40

If you know that you are going to be gone before Finals for any reason, here are your options:

At the teacher’s discretion, a student may stay after school in the afternoon on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday of Finals’ week to take early finals or finals that they that they may have missed on Monday or Tuesday.
Any Final that you do not complete during Finals’ week will be a zero unless you make it up on Tuesday, January 2nd. The Finals will be taken with the teacher or in a supervised testing room.

Any Final that is not completed will result in a zero and will count toward the final semester grade for that class.

Red Devil Ready

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That's going to do it for this week. There are only eight days of school left, and next week is Finals.

I didn't mention any movies this week, because most of the AI movies, like The Terminator, or Megan, don't exactly send the most encouraging outlook for AI, but, there's always Disney's Wall-E.

I'm sure there will be a Christmas AI movie soon enough.

Until next week,

Jeremy Holloway

Go Big Red!