Monthly Update #1

Dear Decatur Career Academy & DHS Families,

Welcome to our November edition of the DCA Director’s Newsletter! As your CEO, CTAE, and Program Director, I’m excited to share updates, successes, and the many opportunities unfolding within our Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education programs. This publication marks the launch of our monthly newsletter, designed to highlight the incredible work our students and teachers are doing across all pathways.

Each month, you can expect snapshots of classroom innovation, celebrations of student achievement, and important information to keep our community connected and informed. From hands-on projects to leadership experiences, our Bulldogs continue to demonstrate curiosity, creativity, and commitment in every corner of DCA.

Thank you for your continued support, trust, and collaboration as we guide our Bulldogs toward a bright and promising future.

Warm regards,

Terra Smiley

Students should now consider whether they plan to continue with TAP next year. Early decisions help us plan schedules and place students in the right courses.

If you have questions or need guidance, please reach out to Ms. Elizabeth Lewis or your school counselor.

Our Early Childhood Education I students have been hard at work preparing their very own puppet shows for the little ones at the Frasier Center! Each group is designing a full set and writing an original script that teaches an important life lesson—such as sharing, kindness, or trying new things. This project gives students hands-on experience with instructional planning, creative storytelling, and child engagement. We can’t wait to see these thoughtful and imaginative performances come to life!

Beacon Hill Middle School’s own Ms. Char Miller-King was recently honored with the CSD Outstanding Contribution Award — a well-deserved recognition of her impact both in and beyond the engineering classroom. Her creativity and compassion continue to shine through her students as well. Inspired by her example, they’ve begun spreading kindness throughout BHMS by crafting heartfelt messages on wood scraps and delivering them to teachers across the building.

Ms. Miller-King’s work reminds us how powerful small gestures — and great educators — can be.

Ms. Krysta Johnson’s Family & Consumer Sciences students have been busy this season. Through the King Arthur Flour Bake For Good Program, they’re baking fresh bread for BHMS Thanksgiving baskets. They also recently completed international cooking labs using produce from the school garden, creating dishes like spring rolls, tortillas with chimichurri, pesto pasta, and roasted vegetables with gremolata.

Next up, students are baking cookies from around the world for the annual fundraiser supporting the school garden. Ms. Johnson continues to offer meaningful, hands-on experiences that connect food, culture, and community.

Students in Ms. Voshonda Bolton’s Computer Science class have launched an impressive collection of original games crafted during Semester 1. Designed and coded entirely by BHMS 8th graders, this game pack showcases their ability to build unique multi-level challenges while using real programming tools—including variables, conditionals, and broadcasting—to power interactive gameplay. Each project highlights strong game-design instincts, creative problem-solving, and the persistence needed to debug and refine their work.

YOU are invited to try out the Bow Wow Arcade below!

Our JROTC students have been busy demonstrating leadership, teamwork, and school pride! This month’s photos highlight some of the impressive activities and experiences they’ve taken part in—from skill-building exercises to community engagement and campus events. Take a look at what these dedicated cadets have been up to!

Our Graphic Design students have been experimenting with motion graphics and visual storytelling, and the results are seriously impressive. This project challenged them to create their own title sequences—complete with custom typography, animation, and atmospheric design. Each video reflects their creativity, technical skill, and eye for cinematic style. Check out the featured sequences below to see the exciting work they’ve brought to life!

Our TAP Year 2-3-4 students recently spent the day at Kennesaw State University for Aspiring Educator Day, where they had the chance to explore what a future in teaching could look like. In the photos below, you’ll see students participating in campus tours, interactive education workshops, and sessions led by KSU faculty and current education majors. It was an exciting opportunity for them to learn more about teacher preparation programs, classroom leadership, and the many pathways available in the field of education.

Take a look at the moments we captured during this inspiring visit!

Mr. Damon Peebles’ Business & Communications class at Beacon Hill Middle School is turning journalism into a hands-on, high-energy experience. Each week, his students produce the Beacon Hill Morning Show—a student-curated broadcast that dives into topics that matter to BHMS, from the new block schedule and metal detectors to trending music, campus updates, lunch menus, and even the weather.

Through researching, scripting, filming, and editing, students are building real-world communication skills and mastering the essentials of storytelling, including the 5 W’s: who, what, when, where, and why. Along the way, they’ve created public service announcements, movie trailers, and news features that bring their perspectives to life.

Check out one of their latest videos below!

Classes to be held Tuesday and Thursday evenings 6pm-9pm January 6th-February 6th with optional Saturday and Sunday shop time January 17th, 18th and January 31st and February 1st. Make up day February 7th if needed.

Payment by cash or check at your first class.

REGISTER HERE

• Mr Messer & Ms Garcia & Ms Benson - all helping put together the NCAA National Signing Day for my son Isaiah who is committing to swim for U of Georgia on Nov 12th. ~ B. Lewis

CTAE is proud to celebrate one of our own. Carhartt selected Ms. Char Miller-King as a Carhartt Hero and spent a day at Beacon Hill Middle School capturing the impact she makes in her engineering classroom.

In this feature, she takes viewers on a workshop tour.

Congratulations, Ms. Miller-King — and thank you for representing CTAE excellence.