DTSE Trailblazer Report
February Edition
Principal's Corner
February is approaching, which means we're working hard to ensure our students have all the support they need to be successful and that ASVAB is in just a few days! Please be on the lookout for our weekly productivity updates sent to parents via parent square, and encourage your child to do the work to stay on target and meet their goals!
We have a few important dates coming up detailed below, including ASVAB logistics. Please take a few minutes to look over newsletter for details and other information regarding resources and opportunities in Decatur.
Upcoming Events:
February 2nd: ASVAB testing starting promptly at 9AM. Please make sure your child arrives to school on time. Student's arriving after testing has started will not be able to participate, and we are not able to schedule make up dates for this opportunity
February 20th: President's Day - No School
School Vaccination Clinics
Decatur Township Families,
In coordination with the Indiana Immunization Coalition, we will offer school vaccination clinics in February at the following locations:
February 15th: Decatur Central High School 9:00 AM-3:00 PM
February 16th: Blue/Gold Academies and Valley Mills Elementary Schools 9:00 AM-3:00 PM
Transportation will be provided to one of the three locations during the school day for any MSD Decatur Township student who registers and completes the transportation permission slip.
Registration Link: patients.vaxcare.com/registration
Enrollment Code: IN65942
*Registration Deadline is February 8th.
*Please contact your school's nurse if you have any questions about required vaccinations.
ASVAB Resources and Preparation
https://asvabpracticetestonline.com/asvab-test-sections/
Sophomores - 10th graders are not required to take the ASVAB test, but we highly recommend they do as passing this test can help meet graduation requirements and potentially alter the courses they'll need to take in future school years. Sophomores will have an opportunity to sign up to take the test by completing a google form in their CCR class in the next few weeks.
FAFSA for Class of 23 and Junior Early Grads
Now is the time to complete the FAFSA, The Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Filling out the online form allows you to apply for both federal and state financial aid to help pay for 4 year colleges, 2 year colleges/community colleges, trade school & technical schools and some proprietary schools. The form is available online here and must be submitted no later than April 15, 2023.
Need help with this process? Contact our local partner INvestEd by visiting their website at https://www.investedindiana.org/ or calling 317-715-9007.
School Info
8:10AM: Door 2 unlocks for Breakfast
8:40AM: 1st Period Begins
3:45PM: Dismissal
Block Scheduling:
DTSE will be running a block schedule this year that mirrors DCHS. Students will have a 25 minute CCR period to start each day, then they will have 4 classes that will alternate each day.
CTE Courses at DCHS:
Most of our students are attending 1 class period at DCHS every other day in order to help them meet graduation requirements for work based learning skills. It is vital students are following protocols and guidelines for moving between buildings. Failure to appear for the class at DCHS or return to DTSE after may result in removal from the course.
Testing:
ASVAB - February 2nd, 2023 starting at 9:00AM
Dress Code Notifications:
Blankets are not permitted at school. Please make sure your child has warm clothes to wear as the weather continues to cool down.
Clothing advertising or displaying images related to alcohol, drugs, or tobacco should not be worn to school. Students who come to school wearing these items will be required to cover them up or change clothes.
If you need assistance with clothing, please feel free to reach out to DTSE staff, and we will work to find and provide support for our families!
Vape Policy
Decatur Township School Police Department, (DTSPD), in collaboration with the Drug Free Coalition, is excited to offer a new diversion program for students found to be in possession of tobacco products, e-cigarettes, and or vaping devices. DTSPD has also partnered with our local courts in an effort to minimize the use of these products and devices on our campuses. Our students, if found with the aforementioned items, would be in violation of Indiana Code 35-46-1-10.5, Minor in Possession of a Tobacco Product or an Electronic Cigarette or 7.1-5-12-8 Smoking in a Prohibited Area. Each of these would be met with an Indiana citation, also known as a “Uniform Traffic Ticket,” (UTT). When submitted to the courts, the cost of the ticket for this violation is $170.50. This is an actual ticket and will affect your license or the ability to obtain one if left unpaid.
Our objective however, is not to create financial hardship, but to have an opportunity to educate students and families on the dangers of vaping and tobacco products. Twice per month, DTSPD officers will present a 1-hour class for students who have opted to accept the terms of the diversion program. The cost of the class for a student attending alone is $75.00. If a student attends the class with a parent or guardian, the class is discounted at a cost of $25.00. Upon the completion of the class, the UTT, or citation, will not be referred to the courts, and there will be no record of the violation. A student may only participate in the program once per school year, and only twice throughout their entire school career.
BLUE and GOLD Day Rotation for Block Schedule
22/23 DTSE Supports and Clubs
Tutoring Opportunity
When: Monday's from 4-5PM
Location: DTSE Room 213
Gamers Guild
When: After school on Friday's 3:50-5PM
Where: DTSE Room 206
Coordinator: Mr. Vetter
Art Club
When: every Tuesday after school. Ends at 5pm
Where: Ms. Cochran's room (room 113 next to the cafeteria)
Music Club
Interested students should talk to Mrs. Farris about the opportunity
When: Thursdays from 4-5PM
Where: Room 211
Opportunities for Decatur Families!
P-EBT Card Information
MSD of Decatur Township and the Child Nutrition Department do not have access to P-EBT information or funds.
All calls and questions need to be directed to The Family and Social Services Administration.
Social/Emotional Resources and Links
24 Hour Suicide Hotline
- Dial 988 or text IN to 741741
LGBTQ+ National Hotline
- 888-843-4564
- email: help@LGBThotline.org
Mental Health Support & Referrals
- Mental Health America
- 800-969-6642
- http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/
Physical Abuse
- National Domestic Violence Hotline
- 800-799-7233
- http://www.thehotline.org/
- Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline
- 800-422-4453
- http://www.childhelp.org/ \
Substance Abuse Support
- National Drug & Alcohol Treatment Hotline
- 800-662-4357
- http://www.addictioncareoptions.com/
Eating Disorders
- National Eating Disorders Assoc. Helpline
- 800-931-2237
- http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/
Teen Health Questions
- 888-711-TEEN (confidential)
Boys Town National Hotline: struggling youth & families
800-448-300
GLEANERS FOOD BANK
HOURS OF OPERATION:
OFFICE:
Monday – Friday, 8 AM – 4:30 PM
FOOD PANTRY:
Gleaners Community Cupboard
- In-person shopping:
- Tuesdays: 10 AM to 3 PM
- Wednesdays: 10 AM to 3 PM
- Drive-thru distribution:
- Thursdays: 2 PM to 7 PM
- Saturdays: 9 AM to 12 PM
GOODWIN CENTER
Food Pantry – is available to help families in the Mars Hill / Decatur Township area.Pantry is held every other Monday.
Hours for pantry:
Afternoon: 12pm – 2pm
Evenings: 4pm-6pm
DCHS Pantry is under Gleaners and has a drive through 2 times a month, through DCHS. Watch PARENTSQUARE for more information.
Find Additional Support for Specific Needs
Search and connect to support. Financial assistance, food pantries, medical care, and other free or reduced-cost help starts here: https://www.findhelp.org