DHS teacher Chris Billingsley writes in…

The Decatur High School Close Up Club had a successful “Rake&Run” over the weekend. More that thirty students and ten parents began the service project early Saturday morning. Four teams of students went to the Glenndale, Vidal/Lamont/Garden, Great Lakes, Adair, and the Candler/Midway neighborhoods to rake and bags leaves. Almost 500 bags of leaves were collected, 37 at one Glenndale home and 29 at a Garden Lane home. More than $1,700 was donated by the very generous Decatur homeowners. One of my favorite stops was on Midway Road, where two young parents, their beautiful children, and friendly black labrador retriever supervised the raking. Another was a young married couple and new homeowners in Decatur who provided drinks and snacks for the kids, as well as a very generous contribution for the spring trip to Washington, D.C. Finally I want to mention a Decatur homeowner who has supported our efforts over the past four years with contributions totaling $1,200. A homeowner with no kids in the system but one who sees the value of teenagers working together to raise money for a good cause and provide a valuable service for homeowners.

Thanks to all who helped to make that year’s R&R one of the best. Happy Thanksgiving!

DHS teacher Chris Billingsley writes in and sends these pics…

Two DHS Close Up teams competed at the fourth Dearborn Park/Renewal cleanup on Saturday, November 12. Twenty six students and several brave parents spent the morning removing privit ivy during the three hour competion. DHS Super Close Up came in second place and won $500 to be used to provide travel grants for CU sstudents to attend the 2012 Washington, D.C. trip. It was a great day for Dearborn Park, Renewal Construction (sponsor of the competition) but most of all the DHS students, who learned something about “service over self” (the motto of the Decatur Rotary Club which had a team at the competition.)

DHS teacher Chris Billingsley writes in…

The DHS Close Up Club will have our annual “Rake&Run” service project on Saturday, November 19, from 8:00 until 4:00. A team of DHS students and adult chaperons will come to your home to rake and bag leaves, clean gutters (adults handle this), and other types of yardwork. This is a free service but donations will be accepted. The club will use all donations to help pay for the spring trip to Washington, D.C. This is the sixth service project of the school year for CU students- two at Glenn Creek, Decatur Cemetery Cleanup, Cemetery Flags for Veterans, and the Dearborn Park/Renewal Competition (tomorrow morning). Please contact Mr. Chris Billingsley (cbillingsley@csdecatur.net) for a spot. As of 11/11, we have nine more spots to fill. Thank you for supporting DHS Close Up!

Chris Billingsley sends in this great little report and some excellent pics from the Decatur Cemetery…

The bridges across the Decatur Cemetery creek are almost finished. For those of us who have walked through this rather wild part of Decatur east of the cemetery, the bridges and path will probably bring more walkers and improved safety but change the area to a more park-like setting. Somewhat sad but I’m glad that the unusual rock outcropping just south of one of the bridges will remain. In a small way, it makes me think of the waterfalls in the Druid Hills area that I enjoyed exploring so much as a boy (follow the Westchester neighborhood creek a few hundred yards outside the city boundary).

More pics after the jump!

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DHS teacher Chris Billingsley writes in…

Thirty-five DHS students had the opportunity to meet and listen to former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright this morning at the Carter Center. The only invited guests were DHS students and the state winners of the Georgia Humanities Council National History Day contest. Dr. Albright spoke briefly about her career as a diplomat and her new exhibit at the Carter Center called “Read My Pins” and then answered questions from students. Her advice to young ladies trying to achieve greatness, “You must learn how to interrupt”. The students had a great experience.

Photo credit: Tony Clark of the Carter Center

DHS Teacher Chris Billingsley writes in…

Your readers may be interested in knowing that detention hall, a DHS tradition for many years, has returned after a brief hiatus. The rules are pretty simple: Sign in, sit down, be quiet, act properly, do something constructive and you will be dismissed after 30 minutes. [Above] is what one of our students did to be released early.

I guess some things never change. Enjoy!

DHS teacher Chris Billingsley was good enough to take a few shots inside CSD’s Opening Day 2011 at the High School today.  Here’s his accompanying note…

Attached are a few pictures of opening day activities for the high school and CSD. Ms. McKain told us that both the state school superintendent and the Lieutenant Governor, as well as local dignitaries will be here later on this week for the official opening of the DHS Career Academy. I think everyone had a great time meeting as a system and reflecting on some of the changes that have taken place in CSD over the past 50 years. And the food from Skips was terrific, of course! All are excited about the new school year.

And speaking of Mr. Billingsley, you gotta watch Patch’s video of the awards ceremony (after the jump and HERE) when he and Pat Cooper go up to receive recognition for 35 years of service.  It gave me chills.  Really cool stuff.

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Chris Billingsley sends in this amusing photo and writes…

Mr. Wild E. Squirrel and family figured out the trap beneath the feeder until the neighborhood cat decided to take a nap inside. Hadn’t seen a squirrel since. I never thought I would say it but whatever neighbor allows their cat to roam and poop in my yard, thank you.

DHS teacher Chris Billingsley writes in…

Former DHS football coach Warren Vicknair died Tuesday from complications due to organ failure. His obituary is featured today in the AJC. Although not mentioned in the article, Coach Vicknair led DHS football several years in the late 1970s. In his first year (1976), Redan came to play us in the old stadium. Both teams were undefeated and ranked in the top ten. I remember future NFL great Kevin Butler kicking a 50-yard plus field goal during the game for Redan. The game was a Redan blowout but for a time that season, Decatur football returned to a level that reminded many of the glory years of the 50s and 60s. I know Coach Vicknair was proud of that season.

My own relationship with Coach Vicknair began at Saint Pius. I was in his 10th grade math class but more memorable was his coaching my junior varsity basketball team in 1969. During a game at Greater Atlanta Christian school, one of their players (Tindal Chatman) scored 57 points. This was quite afeat as there were no three-point baskets (if so, he would have scored 60). After the game, Coach Vicknair sat stunned in the locker room and asked me, “Chris, how do we let a player score 57 points?” More than 40 years later, I still wonder about how he did it.

The last time I saw Coach Vicknair was at a DHS football game maybe 10 years ago. He was the clock referee. 70 years old and he was walking up all those stadium steps to work the clock. I remember him saying that he still loved being a referee. “Great seeing you Chris. Tell your mama (who worked with Warren at Pi Hi for many years) I said hello.”

Very few in Decatur will remember Warren but there are thousands of former students, players, coaches, and referees who remember him for his dedication to education and athletics. God Speed.

Forget the Emory Village roundabout!  Did you know they’re putting one in the Decatur cemetery?

Chris Billingsley sends in a few pics of the ongoing construction at the Decatur Cemetery. Two more a new path and drainage after the jump!

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