DHS teacher Chris Billingsley reports in…

More than 25 DHS students and Close Up Club members volunteered to help at the Decatur Education Foundation “Tour Decatur”. Former principal Bill Funk was there, still supervising students. DHS grad and CoD police officer Antwain Acker kept the crowd under control. He was assisted by master maintenance supervisor Clarence Strickland, another DHS grad. I saw two more DHS grads running the race, Intown Hardware owner Tony Powers and his beautiful wife. Jason Carter and family were there. So were AJC writers Bo Emerson and Maureen Downey. A great time was had by all.

DHS teacher Chris Billingsley writes in…

Attached are some pics of students using your blogs. …Students were suppose to post comments using my email address. All found interesting stories on all three blogsites. I hope to have all comments posted by Wednesday.

Many students replied to your recent comments on their trip to the Capitol.  You can read through them HERE and HERE.

DHS teacher Chris Billingsley reports in…

Today was the last day for Georgia Close Up.  The students spent the morning meeting major players at the capital.

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Chris Billingsley writes in…

In spite of the recent heavy rains, Glenlake Park is drying out and the renovation is showing great progress. The head of SportsTurf told me Friday evening that they will soon start the irrigation system for the lower part of the park. Once in, SprotsTurf can begin laying sod. All three bridges are now up. I am looking forward to using the park again for exercise, dogs walks (always on leash of course), and walking to the Glendale neighborhood. Mud dries out, negative attitudes improve, curmudgeons smile, jonquils bloom, and spring, and the opening of the park, will be here soon.

Thanks Chris!

Looks like much of the city’s who’s who were on hand for Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle’s visit this morning!

DHS teacher Chris Billingsley reports…

Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle toured the new fine arts and gym facility at DHS today. He later met with students from the vocational program. Lieutentant Governor spoke to Decatur officials, board members, CSD administrators, students and teachers about Georgia’s charter school movement and improving vocational education. Mr. Cagle reviewed the plans for the renovation of the vocational building (designed by DHS students from Mr. Jim “Big Jim” Streeter’s drafting class) and ate a delicious meal prepared by Ms. Dana Kinney’s culinary arts students. Congratulations to Mr. Duane Spurell, Ms. Kinney, Mr. Streeter, and all others that helped make this renovation possible.

Chris Billingsley sends in this great compilation of photos as students at Decatur High School were released early due to the snow…mer.   (I know, I know, it doesn’t quite work)

DHS teacher Chris Billingsley writes in (with pics!)…

More than twenty five DHS students from the 9th grade and the Close Up Club participated in the City of Decatur MLK service day. I was a little concerned that only four students had arrived by 8:20 but we had a full team by 8:45. Close Up parents Stan and Laura Metz not only acted as chaperons but worked as hard as the students. We worked for Ms. A.J. on Olympia Place. The students worked very hard from 9:30 to 12:30. We were able to clean the entire property- front, both sides, and back yard. I think the students made a difference in the life of Ms. A.J. When we were finished, she spoke from the heart about how thankful she was that students would give up their holiday for her. I am very proud of all the DHS students who participated in today’s effort. I still find it hard to believe that so much stuff was moved to the curb.

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DHS teacher Chris Billingsley writes in…

The Decatur High School Close Up Club had its first meeting of the new year Thursday evening. Students and parents are very excited that this year’s trip will include a day trip to visit the Gettysburg National Battlefield. Through the fund raising efforts of students and the generous support of many citizens in the City of Decatur, the Gettysburg trip will be free! The Decatur Craft Beer Festival has also awarded us $1,500 to help pay for the trip. Thank You Decatur!

Club members will be participating in the City of Decatur MLK Service Day on Monday. If you would like to sponsor the service work of one of the DHS Close Up members, or make a contribution to help pay for our trip, please contact Mr. Chris Billingsley (cbillingsley@csdecatur.net) for more information.

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DHS teacher Chris Billingsley writes in…

The DHS Close Up club was asked to volunteer at the Winnona Christmas tree sale (or maybe it was a “Winter Festival/Holiday Tree sale”). Seven students showed up at 7:00, in spite of the threat of rain and snow. The students helped to unload more than 150 trees and later helped with the bake sale. Once the sun came out, the trees sold very quickly. Commissioner Jim Baskett and his wife bought a beautiful tree. When we left, less than 30 trees remained. One of the organizers of the sale, DHS teacher and Winnona Park parent, Ms. Courtney Perrin, made a generous donation the the Close Up club for our spring Washington, D.C./Gettysburg battlefield trip. It was a great day for the CU students and the Winnona Elementary PTA.

A pic of Commissioner Baskett – wearing two hats – and other pics of the action can be found after the jump.

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UPDATE: Ha!  Apparently I should have checked the Atlanta Business Chronicle and the AJC before posting this.  They both have whole darn articles about the $3 million being given to create a “career academy” at the high school.  It will be one of four in the state of Georgia.

DHS teacher Chris Billingsley reports in…

Great News!

Mr. Duane Sprull, DHS assistant principal in charge of vocational education, stopped by the Close Up meeting yesterday to announce that Decatur High just won a $3 million plus grant to upgrade the technology in our vocational building. Mr. Sprull gave most of the credit to DHS teacher Mr. Brent Eickhoff for leading this effort but I suspect that Mr. Sprull and longtime vocational teacher Mr. James “Big Jim” Streeter had a lot to do with this success.

Congratulations Mr. Sprull, Mr. Eickhoff, Mr. Streeter, and all the vocational teachers who helped to win this grant.

I’m going to follow up and see if I can get a few more details on this impressive grant. Stay tuned.