DTSE Trailblazer Report

As DTSE continues to prepare our students to be “Tomorrow Ready”, please take a moment and read the E + R = O factor. Each day, DTSE reminds students that there will always be events in their life, but the way in which they respond, will predict the outcome.

As always, please be on the lookout for our weekly productivity updates sent to parents via parent square, and encourage your child to do the work, stay on target and continue to meet their goals!

Lastly, we have a few important dates coming up detailed below. Please take a few minutes to look over the newsletter for details and other information regarding resources and opportunities in Decatur.

Thank you,

Kate Andrews

PSAT Testing will take place on Thursday, October 5th.

Testing is for all 10th and 11th graders.

Please be to school on time, get plenty of rest and eat a good breakfast.

Good Luck!

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.

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.

Boys pants need to be pulled up and girls are not allowed to wear "crop tops".

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!

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.

Parking Pass Applications

Students are required to apply for and display a parking pass when driving a vehicle to school. Vehicles that are parked on campus are subject to removal by being towed at the owners expense. Parking applications and money are due at the time student applies for the parking pass. As students begin driving during the school year students will have one week to apply for their permit and display it. This allows us to monitor who is parking on campus

E HallPass

We have begun using E-Hallpass. This app is on the iPad so students need to make sure they have a fully charged iPad each day. Use of E-Hallpass allows us to monitor who is in our hallways and when, thus making our building more secure and functioning in an environment conducive to learning.

Cap & Gown Information Session: October 3rd

On Tuesday, October 3rd, the DTSE Seniors will have a presentation at 10:45 a.m. from Herff Jones to learn about graduation gear ordering. Students will come home with a packet of information on how to order in person or the preferred method, online through their website.

DTSE & DCHS Families that prefer to order in person can do so on the November 1st at the following times/locations
DTSE - 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
DCHS - During Parent University & Mandatory Senior Meeting starting at 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Students that qualify to graduate and want to participate in graduation ceremonies must order a cap, gown and tassel. All other graduation gear products are optional.

1. How did the tree get a new job? She had the right qua-leaf-ications.

Where: Ms Buchanan's room 101

When: every Tuesday after school. Ends at 5pm

Where: Ms. Cochran's room (room 113 next to the cafeteria)

When: After school on Friday's 3:50-5PM

Where: DTSE Room

Coordinator: Mr. Vetter, room 202

Student Attendance at High School Events

We will continue our policy of requiring high school and middle school students to have their ID on them when they attend evening events. Students will present their ID upon entrance to each event. Students K-8 must be under the supervision of a responsible adult to attend high school events.

Students may only use clear backpacks for the 2023-24 school year. All students were provided a backpack the first day of school in CCR. The district provides the first clear backpack for the student. If the student needs a replacement, we ask the parent/guardian to provide one for them. You can find clear backpacks on Amazon. Thank you.

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

http://www.boystown.org/hotline

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

Pantry is held every other Monday.

Hours for pantry:

Afternoon: 12pm – 2pm

Evenings: 4pm-6pm

Dry and fresh food items will be available for drive thru pick up for any families with children enrolled in MSD of Decatur Township Schools!

When: Select Thursdays 11:30AM – 12:50PM (dates listed below)
Where: Decatur Central High School, Door 10
How to apply: Complete the intake form below and submit! (required for each distribution date). The form must be completed by the Tuesday before the pick up date.

Food Pantry Intake Form

Pantry Pick-Up Dates:
August 17th
August 31st
September 7th
September 21st
October 6th (Note: this is a Friday)
November 2nd
November 9th
November 30th
December 14th

Search and connect to support. Financial assistance, food pantries, medical care, and other free or reduced-cost help starts here: https://www.findhelp.org

Please follow these instructions:
1. Download the Zonar MyView app from the App Store or Google Play.
2. Enter the School Access Code: 530049
3. Enter your child's unique student ID. (Found in Skyward; instructions below)
4. Create alert zones around drop-off and pick-up points. When your child's bus enters an alert zone, you will receive notification by email or text.

Your student's ID can be found in Skyward Family Access. It is called "Other ID" and begins with your child's graduation year:
1. Log in to Skyward Family Access.
2. Click the 3 dashes at the top right corner.
3. Select Student Information.
4. You will see "Other ID" listed in the information that appears.

The Zonar MyView Parent User Guide is attached to this message for more detailed instructions.

Thank you,
MSD Decatur Township Transportation