Back to school, drive safe! [Aug 11]

Just a reminder that DeKalb schools will welcome back students on August 11, and that applies to our Laurel Hill Elementary,  International Community School, Druid Hills Middle School and Druid Hills High. Please be extra vigilant for kids who will be walking or riding to school.

ICS has adjusted its hours. Instruction now starts 9:10am and classes dismissed at 4:10pm. Early arrivals start at 7:30am, and the after-school program runs from 4-6pm.

A devilishly convenient way to root for Druid Hills High varsity football

Support the Druid Hills Red Devils and local businesses while saving some cash --what's not to like about this discount card?!

Like magic and through July 2015, your $10 investment turns into 10-20% off at nearby restaurants such as Mediterranean Grill, Willy's, Los Loros, Seven Hens and Suno, among others. You can also get discounts at UPS and Jiffy Lube. See image below for applicable locations.

Don't fumble! Get yours today by contacting Coach Adams mark_s_adams@fc.dekalb.k12.ga.us

Charter cluster maneuver

In his AJC article "Druid Hills parents may use charter law to gain control over school cluster", Ty Tagami updates us on on how some parents are trying to improve local schools by taking more direct control over decisions that affect their schools:

The parents are empowered by a 2010 law that allows schools autonomy if they commit to improved performance. It was aimed at larger, mainly urban school districts, since many rural systems have only one high school. DeKalb is Georgia’s third largest system, with 21 high schools and 99,000 students. 

“It allows for decisions about education to be made closer to the student,” said Dan Weber, a former state senator who co-sponsored the law. “They know what their needs are, and the needs vary dramatically across a county as large as DeKalb.” 

The proposal for the Druid Hills cluster would make an International Baccalaureate program the centerpiece of the high school and at Druid Hills Middle. Five elementary schools are included: Avondale, Briar Vista, Fernbank, Laurel Ridge and McClendon.

As to the actual process...

The parents and staff at the affected schools must write a charter, then hold a vote with at least 60 percent approval. It’s up to those affected to determine how much autonomy they want. The cluster, which would not get any additional taxpayer money, can manage some services on its own while looking to the district for others, such as busing, food service and human resources administration. 

Read the whole thing @ AJC!

Annual Christmas tree sale benefits North Druid Hills High School

The Druid Hills High School PTSA benefits from holiday tree sales at the Suburban Plaza lot at the corner of N. Decatur Rd. and Scott Blvd.  

This annual event continues to be a significant source of funding, providing instructional technology, books and digital media for classrooms at DHHS. 

Please encourage your family, friends and neighbors who buy live trees for the holidays to buy trees at Suburban Plaza and to make your checks payable to Druid Hills High School.  For visuals, check out their video.