Building Information

The last class ends at 3:35 PM.  At the end of the day, students should exit the building through the front doors (near the attendance office), learning commons doors, or breezeway doors (Decatur Career Academy) leading to the faculty/student parking lots. Students are not to remain after school unless they are participating in an activity supervised by a faculty/staff member. Students not participating in school-supervised activities must be picked up or leave the campus by 3:50 PM daily.

LOST & FOUND

Students who find lost articles are asked to take them to the Decatur Student Center located in the Decatur Career Academy room C207. If you have lost an item, report to the Student Center.

LOCKERS & BOOKBAGS

Book bag definition:  Any bag that contains books/notebooks or is large enough to contain those items. One exception to this definition is a container designed specifically for a laptop (or other personal technology) that is only used to carry personal technology. Small opaque bags for storing personal items, such as purses and fanny packs, are allowed.  Please see these examples for approved small opaque bags.

Students may carry any kind of book bag to school. Students can carry clear book bags during the school day. Opaque book bags must be stored in lockers and may not be transported around the school.  

If a student needs/wants a locker, they will be assigned a locker with permanent combinations at no cost to the student. The sharing of a locker by two or more students is not permitted, as students are responsible for all of the contents in the lockers assigned to them.  The school is not responsible for lost or stolen items stored in lockers.  The procedure for reserving lockers will be communicated in the first week of school.

Lockers are the property of the school system and can be searched at the discretion of the school personnel. Lockers containing personal locks may be cut, if necessary, during a search, in which case the school will not be held liable for replacement of the personal lock.

If a student is having trouble with their locker, they should come to the main office and ask for a custodian to clear the jam. If a student is in need of a new locker please contact the assistant principal in charge lockers in the administration duties section of the handbook. 

LIBRARY LEARNING COMMONS (MEDIA CENTER)

Beliefs

1. The school library is a unique and essential part of a learning community

2. Qualified school librarians lead effective school libraries.

3. Learners should be prepared for college, career, and life.

4. Reading is the core of personal and academic competency.

5. Intellectual freedom is every learner’s right.

6.  Information technologies must be appropriately integrated and equitably available.

7. A school library is a place where students can explore their own story, gaining awareness, and celebrating who they are. 

8. School librarians nurture global citizens beyond the classroom and help develop objective and compassionate thinkers who take lessons learned into the larger community. 

“Common Beliefs - National School Library Standards.” National School Library Standards, 2017, standards.aasl.org/beliefs/.

“Building an Inclusive Learning Environment.” Publishers Weekly. Volume 267, No. 11 | pages 36-40

Services

The Library Learning Commons operates on a flexible schedule to meet the varying needs of the DHS School-Wide community.  The school librarian collaborates with teachers, instructional support staff, and community partners to enhance and reinforce school-wide equity, reading, and research goals. The DHS Library Learning Commons offers a number of literacy-based programs, reading activities, and celebrations throughout the year. Please visit the DHS Library Learning Commons for more information. 

Hours of Operation

The Library Learning Commons is staffed by a full-time media specialist and a full-time media clerk. The Library Learning Commons operates on a flexible schedule in order to accommodate cooperative planning and learning. The Library Learning Commons hours are 8:05 am - 4:00 PM Monday - Friday.

Circulation Policies

Students are allowed to check out books for a period of three weeks. Teachers may check out books for up to 45 days. Students are responsible for the care of these books and will lose the privilege of checking out books if they do not pay for damaged and/or lost books. However, students will never lose the privilege of using the resources and materials in the Learning Commons or online due to the nonpayment of lost or damaged media materials. 

Library/Media Skills

In order to prepare students to become lifelong learners, the School Librarian/Instructional Technologist places a strong emphasis on teaching students how to become proficient in the use of the Library Learning Commons. Collaborative planning with teachers enables the integration of research skills and literature appreciation into the learning experience in the classroom and in the Learning Commons. Please contact Ms. Hill to plan collaborative instructional activities. 

Library Collection

The Learning Commons collection supports reading for pleasure and information. The collection includes fiction, non-fiction, reference books, magazines, and periodicals both in print and online.  The DHS Library Learning Commons contains links to the online catalog (Destiny), online learning tools, and library programs. 

Visit the Library Learning Commons or email the library staff at dhslibrary@csdecatur.net  for more information.

DeKalb County Public Library

Decatur High School is partnered with the Decatur branch of the DeKalb County Public Library to ensure that every DHS student has a public library card and access to DCPL's extensive ebook holdings and online resources.

All CSD staff and students are eligible to receive a DCPL library card. If you are NOT a DeKalb County resident, please visit or contact the Library Learning Commons for information on receiving a DCPL card (free of charge). Click here for a library card application. 

If you do not have a DeKalb County Public Library Card, please go to the DeKalb County Public Library “online card application” webpage and sign up for a DCPL library card.

*The first screen will ask what branch you would like to be assigned as your home branch.  Please choose the Decatur Branch Library.

P.S.  DCPL also offers free movies, music, and more via Hoopla :)

Collaborative Spaces

We have several collaborative spaces in the Learning Commons for use by teachers, staff, and students. Teachers and staff, please see the staff handbook for space reservation procedures. Students may email the Learning Commons at dhslibrary@csdecatur.net to request spaces for collaborative work,  quiet study, and school events. 

*Students are required to honor the City Schools of Decatur Student Code of Conduct while using library learning commons spaces.  Any student violating these terms will have their library learning commons privileges revoked.*    

Printing

Limited black-and-white printing is available free of charge in the Library Learning Commons.

Library Media Technology Committee

The Library Media Technology Committee meets regularly throughout the year to discuss a variety of issues that affect the Library Learning Commons program. They include, but are not limited to:

• Input for new materials

• Media goals and objectives

• Addressing challenged books

• Copyright issues

• Technology needs

• Fundraising and special events

This committee consists of representatives from the staff, students, and community. Please email Ms. Roohi at nicole.roohi@csdecatur.net If you are interested in serving on the LMTC.

Reconsideration of Materials (Challenged Materials)

In the event that print or non-print learning materials are challenged, the parent will submit a written complaint detailing the source of the complaint, and the challenged materials will then be reviewed by the Library Media Technology committee, and a recommendation will be presented to the DHS SLT for a final decision/resolution.

*If you have any questions or concerns, please email Nicole Roohi, School Librarian Media Specialist at nicole.roohi@csdecatur.net*

Breakfast

Breakfast is served from  8:05 AM – 8:30 AM each day. If there are circumstances in which a student will be late to class due to breakfast, a student will arrive with a pass from the staff member on duty at breakfast.

Lunch

Students eat lunch during their fourth-period classes on 7-period and even days and with their fifth-period classes on odd days. Students are encouraged to eat outdoors in designated areas. Students will be assigned a lunch period based on their schedule, with a student’s 4th and 5th-period class determining which lunch they will have. A NOTE: Although infrequent, lunch periods may shift at various points during the year (e.g., Testing). In the event of a building-wide deviation from the standard lunch schedule, such changes to the lunch schedule will be communicated to students and, as needed, will be posted around the building as a reminder. 

Students must report to either the lunchroom or the Learning Commons (Media Center) within 5 minutes of the start of the lunch period. Students must eat in approved spaces. After students have finished eating, they should remain in the cafeteria until the bell rings to report to class.  If there are circumstances in which a student will be late to class due to lunch, the student will arrive with a pass from the staff member on duty at lunch.

Students are not permitted to go to their cars during the lunch period. Decatur High School is a closed-campus school. Students are not permitted to leave campus for lunch.

Parents are notified of current school meal prices at the beginning of each school year. Students may pay for meals at the register, or parents can log into the Parent Portal at Parent Portal / Parent Portal and submit funds electronically. Charging for meals is discouraged. Students can add funds to their accounts at the register; however, there is limited change so large bills are discouraged if change is expected. 

Free and reduced meal applications are in the Infinite Campus Parent Portal. Parents are asked to fill out applications and return them to the main office. Only one application needs to be filled out for all members of a family. Applications must be turned in each year. The school system nutrition office approves applications based on need and guidelines set by the federal government.

No student may cut or allow others to cut in cafeteria lines. In order to efficiently serve those buying lunches, students not purchasing food should wait for their friends at a table and not stand in or in front of the serving lines. Students are expected to be respectful to all cafeteria personnel and must adhere to any and all posted instructions. Students are reminded that they must pay for any items that they take. 

Food Delivery

Food delivery companies are to refrain from bringing food into the building during school hours for consumption by students. Any parents delivering or dropping off items for students (e.g., lunches, textbooks, gym bags, etc.) must sign in at the security desk and place the items labeled with the student’s full name and leave them at the door as instructed by the DHS School Safety Associates. Parents should inform their students via text that the item is at the attendance office door. If the student does not have a cell phone, please let the attendance clerk know to make contact with your student. 

Students are not permitted to leave the building, wait outside, or stay in the foyer to pick up items, including during their lunch period. Parents are not allowed to eat lunch with their students in the DHS cafeteria.

Lunch Passes 

To ensure student safety and campus security, students are not permitted in any other areas of the campus from the time lunch begins until the bell rings to return to class without a signed pass from a staff member. Students may leave the cafeteria to visit the nurse’s clinic for emergencies or to take prescribed medications. In the event that a student needs to leave the cafeteria for any reason, the student must obtain permission from an administrator on duty. 

Cleanliness 

Students are reminded that everyone is expected to pick up his or her own trash in the cafeteria and courtyard (this includes the floor and/or the ground). There are no personnel available to “bus” tables! Failure to fulfill this responsibility is considered a disciplinary infraction. Students seated at tables that are continually found to be left with trash on or below them will be asked to remain in the cafeteria to assist with cleaning, and those student groups may also be split up. 

Students are reminded that everyone is expected to:

• Pick up and throw away all trash in your area

• Use your inside voice to communicate

• Be respectful of the cafeteria staff

• Not cut the line 

• Move in an orderly fashion

• Remain in the cafeteria until dismissal unless approved by an administrator

SCHOOL HEALTH PROGRAM

Clinic Student Information 

For the safety and well-being of students, it is imperative that every student has updated information online. Please make sure the following information is up-to-date, current address and phone number, medical conditions, emergency numbers, and a parent contact information. If changes occur during the year, parents should notify the clinic at 404-370-4170, ext. 2156

Clinic Policy

The school nurse is present in Decatur High School to act as a liaison between home and school regarding health concerns. Prompt arrival of the parent/legal guardian upon notification of your child’s illness is extremely important. By working together and keeping contagious illnesses contained at home, we can strive to ensure the health and well-being of every student so that they can benefit from the educational program. Please remember to make sure the school knows how to reach you during the day. Parents of students who visit the nurse on a regular basis without prior notice will be asked to come in for a face-to-face conference.

The School Health Program supports the belief that healthy children are successful learners. The school nurse has a multi-faceted role in the school setting, a role that supports the physical, mental, emotional, and social health of students and their success in the learning process. Registered nurses provide health-related services for the students at each school. 

Each student should have an updated health information form on file with the nurse in the clinic every school year. The health form will be received with the summer mailing from the school or will come home with your student during the first week of school.

For significant conditions (ex: asthma, diabetes, life-threatening allergies, seizures, etc.), please contact the nurse immediately to discuss your child’s health needs at school. Your child will also need a specific medical care plan filled out and signed by a physician, and co-signed by parent/guardian. The medical care plan will detail the day-to-day care your student requires at school. The health information form as well as the medical care plans can be downloaded and printed from the district website: Forms and Handbooks / Handbooks, Code of Conduct, and Opt-out Forms. Throughout the school year contact your child’s school nurse to report any new medication or changes in your child’s health.

Medications

Medications, including over-the-counter medications, can be administered to students only if the parents/guardians have submitted a signed Medication Authorization form, signed by the prescribing physician/healthcare provider. A. All medication should be taken directly to the office/clinic by the parent. Prescription medications must be brought to school by a parent or guardian, in the original container labeled with the student’s name, date, name of the medication, the name of the prescribing physician, dosage, time(s) the medication is to be given, and name of pharmacy filling the prescription. OTC medications must be brought to school by a parent or guardian in a new, original, sealed manufacturer’s container. The manufacturer’s label must include the name of the medication (brand or generic), the strength of the medication, instructions for use, and the name of the student written legibly. The parental permission form can be downloaded and printed from the School Health webpage: Forms and Handbooks / Handbooks, Code of Conduct, and Opt-out Forms under Medical Forms - Medication Authorization Form. 

A student who has asthma or a severe allergy may possess and use the indicated medications. The parent/legal guardian should submit a Medication Authorization Form permitting the student to self-administer asthma (inhaler)/allergy (epi-pen) medication. 

Emergency medications noted above can be carried and self-administered by the student:

1. while in school;

2. at a school-sponsored activity;

3. while under the supervision of school personnel; or

4. while in before-school or after-school care on school-operated property.

Decatur High School Health Program Personnel

Nurse Supervisor - Chanell Huff-Cox chuff-cox@csdecatur.net

Medical Assistant - Dom Gipson dominie.gipson@csdecatur.net

404-370-4170, ext. 2157