February Newsletter

WE DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY!

Math Corner

In Enhanced Algebra, students have been looking at exponents and their properties. They compared an exponential equation (curved graph) to a linear equation (straight line). We then focused on exponential functions and the importance of each term/variable in the equation. The students looked at exponential growth versus decay, compound interest, as well as a concept from science in half-life of elements.

We took a couple of days to have a bit of fun with our Population (M&M) growth/decay project. We had some students who ended up with a population upwards of 240+.

English Corner

February has been all about arguments! Students have been crafting their argumentative essays, researching topics that they chose. Ask your student to show you theirs and see how they have been backing up with opinions with evidence. We have also been continuing our reading of To Kill a Mockingbird, which we will be finishing in the next week.

Looking ahead, next week will be our Unit 3 CBA, and then we will be moving into our final nine week period of the year, in which we will explore poetic techniques and begin to read the dystopian novel Fahrenheit 451 (get your student their own copy here!). We will also be brushing up on grammatical concepts like syntax, verbals, and active/passive voice, which brings great joy to the hearts of all of us grammar nerds out there!

Ga. Studies Corner

This month we studied the role of Georgia after the Great Depression, and its role during World War II and the evolution of its economy. Students created projects highlighting a New Deal program introduced by Franklin Delano Roosevelt, covering both the successes and the failures of their chosen program.

We then discussed how Georgia evolved both economically and politically thanks to the contributions of important figures like Senators Carl Vinson and Richard Russell, and famously progressive Atlanta mayors William Hartsfield and Ivan Allen Jr. Agricultural technology, economic migrations, professional sports leagues, desegregated public spaces, integrated schools, and so much more accompanied this period of Georgia's history.

HS Physical Science Corner

February is now at a close. It was a short month, but a busy one! Several snow and ice days had the month starting off to an interesting and exciting start! We finished up the Periodic Table and radioactivity with a half-life lab, Socratic Discussion on the pros and cons of nuclear energy as an alternative energy source and our Unit #6 test. They then enriched their learning doing an element project and learning more about a specific transition metal of their choosing and presenting it to the class this week. We then dove right into Unit #7 on Bonding and Chemical Reactions!

How you can currently be helping your students at home - talk to them about the different types of chemical compounds in their household items (food, drink, hygiene products, cleaning products, medicine, etc.). Next week they are working on an assignment where they have to take pictures of labels and then fill out a Google doc with the information and do some calculations. By helping them find the best labels and having these conversations with them, they will see that chemical bonding and chemical reactions isn't just rearranging letters and numbers - they are real-life substances that effect our lives everyday!

We started our new enrichments with 7th grade! In Coach Greene's class, we are doing engineering and students designed, built, tested and redesigned their catapults!

Enrichment

Shakespeare's Tavern

Our kids took a trip to visit Shakespeare's Tavern in Atlanta to see a live production of "Romeo and Juliet". A fully immersive experience, students had the opportunity to view the most famous romance story of all time just as its author intended.

Upon returning to the school, they completed a reflective writing connecting what they saw at the play to what they read and discussed in class. Feel free to ask your students for their favorite part of the show!

Yearbook

The link to order a yearbook online is https://www.yearbookordercenter.com/index.cfm/job/15243 and the same link can be used to order an 8th grade ad.

TODAY IS THE LAST DAY!!

Savannah

We will be heading to Savannah in less than 1 month!! Our parent information meeting will be Monday March 9 at 5 pm. Below is the Last minute details sheet and itinerary. These things as well as medication forms and other important information will be dicussed and papers handed out.

2026 DVA_Final Letter_Packing List.pdf

2026 DVA Itinerary_schoolcopy.pdf

doctor.pdf

parent.pdf

These 2 forms are from our nurse: Here are the Parent Form and the Physician form. The physician form only needs to be filled for doctor prescribed medicine.

Career Fair Field Trip

Brenau career fair on Thursday March 12. The counseling office is organizing this field trip and it's FREE. The purpose of the Career Fair is to expose students to different types of jobs and career pathways. Students will be transported by bus at 8:30 and return to school around 1:45. If your student is going on the trip and you would like to chaperone, the counseling office is still accepting parent chaperones! Please reach out to LeAnn Owens: leann.owens@hallco.org

Q3 Unit Celebration: Catalyst for Change

On Friday February 13, the DVA 8th graders got the opportunity to experience the Quarter 3 Unit Celebration: Catalyst for Change! In the science station, students got to conduct different fun stations to understand the difference between physical and chemical change. And discuss what the catalysts were for these chemical change! In Mr. Miller's station they made cards for Northeast Georgia Medical Center, in order to be the change they wanted to see in the world. At the end of the day, students chose well-known stories and implemented a "change" in the story and acted it out!

8th Grade Graduation

Save the Date!! 8th grade DVA graduation: Monday May 11 at the South Hall gym at 6 pm. Students need to arrive to be seated at 5:30 pm.

Upcoming Dates

Exciting things will be coming up as we wind down the school year! Some dates to have handy on your calendar:

Teacher Workday/Student holiday: March 20
Savannah Field Trip: March 23-25
Spring Break: April 4-12
Testing Dates:
- Science Final Exam: Mon April 27 (20% of your grade in HSPS)
- Algebra EOC: Wed April 29 (20% of your grade in Algebra)
- 8th Math EOG: Thurs-Fri April 30 - May 1
- 8th ELA EOG: Mon-Wed May 4-6
- High School Physical Science EOG: Thurs May 7
- Georgia Studies EOG: Fri May 8
8th grade graduation ceremony: Monday May 11 - 6:00 pm at the SHMS gym
DVA Field Day Tuesday May 19 in the morning - likely at Cherokee Bluffs Park.

Knights of Honor

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