The DHAA has a lot of fun things coming up this month. We just started our school wide Rube Goldberg project this past Wednesday. Students are working with peers from different grade levels to learn patience, communication skills, effective collaboration methods, and problem solving techniques to build this 100+ step machine! It will cover two floors of our building and use a variety of materials from our HUB in order to complete the simple task of watering a plant. Keep a watch on our Facebook page for a video of our results in the upcoming weeks.

Other events will include our first Popcorn Friday and the amazing FALL FESTIVAL AND HAUNTED HOUSE! Not only are these opportunities to have some fun, but they are also great ways for us to raise money for field trips, projects, and other student/teacher needs throughout the year. Check out the announcements below for more information or a chance to help make them possible.

We also reached the midpoint of our first quarter last week. Families should see midterm reports being sent home at some point next week, but please be reminded that Skyward has the most up-to-date information whenever you need it.

As a final reminder, there is NO SCHOOL on Monday 9/4 due to the Labor Day holiday. We hope all of our families enjoy this additional day off and time together. We cannot wait to see what more this quarter holds!

Sincerely,

Mr. Apollos & Mrs. Nesbit

DHAA Coordinators

Our Decatur High Ability Academy front office is now officially open and operational! It is located on the second floor in the brand new Hub and staffed by Mrs. Juli McFarland.

317-856-2109

What does this mean for DHAA families?

• Late arrivals:
• Doors lock at 7:30am.
• Students who arrive at school late will no longer be picked up at door #3!
• Parents must walk their child to door 3 and ring the doorbell to allow their student in the building.
• Students will check-in with Mrs. McFarland in the office before being sent to class.
• Student Pick-up/Early Dismissal:
• Parents will need to come in the building to pick-up their student.
• Use the doorbell at door #3 when you arrive.
• Have your ID ready BEFORE you enter the building (you will be asked to show it to the camera before being let in).
• Proceed to the 2nd floor to sign your student out & pick them up.
• Lunch Visits or School Volunteers: Parents who wish to enter DHAA for any reason will need to follow the procedures below:
1. Have your ID ready when you arrive at door #3! You will be required to show your ID to the camera before allowed entry.
2. Ring the Doorbell to the right of door #3 and wait for clearance to enter.
3. Check in with the secretary in the 2nd floor HUB.
• Door #1 will ONLY be used for Nurse access or to pick-up a sick child.
• No More Google Voice!
• Please call our front office with any needs throughout the day (317-856-2109).
• Use ParentSquare to communicate non-emergency questions/needs with your teacher or coordinators.

Are you interested in having lunch with your child?

Do you like to help your student's teacher with class activities & jobs?

See the information below!

Parents may begin visiting the DHAA for lunch & class volunteers on Tuesday, September 5th. Follow the steps below to participate:

Lunch with your student:

1. Have your ID ready when you arrive at door #3! You will be required to show your ID to the camera before allowed entry.
   
2. Ring the Doorbell to the right of door #3.
3. After checking in with the secretary in the 2nd floor HUB, you may proceed downstairs to the cafeteria.

Lunch Reminders:

Lunch starts at 10:40am for grades 3 & 4

Lunch starts at 11:10 am for grades 5 & 6

You may only sit with YOUR child during lunch.

You must exit the building as soon as your child's lunch has ended.

Class Volunteers - Procedures:

We love having parent volunteers at the DHAA! Please see the following reminders if you are interested in helping your student's class:

• All parent volunteers MUST have a valid background check on file before being allowed to enter the building.
• CLICK HERE to complete the District Volunteer Form (This must be done each year)
• All volunteer opportunities need to be planned with your student's teacher at least 24 hours in advance.

Thank you in advance!

At the DHAA we LOVE to do projects, build things, and experiment with the world around us. This requires us to have a large amount of consumable items on hand for each project we participate in. Many of these items are common materials found stored around a home, garage, or workplace. As you work, complete spring cleaning, or notice some materials you just need taken off your hands, we hope you would consider making a donation to the DHAA MakerSpace. Please feel free to share this list with your family & friends if you think they could benefit from it as well!

The list below offers just a SAMPLE of items that our students could use for the various projects & problems they work to solve. Some items we are in need of at the present time include:

• Legos
• Scrap wood
• Wood working tools
• PVC pipe
• Plastic Containers
• Props/Decoration/Costumes (used in video productions)

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS A LINK TO OUR DONATIONS LIST

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

Here are some questions you can ask your child about things happening at school:

• What was your favorite part about attending the DHAA this week?
• What are you most excited about for this school year?
• Is there anything you are nervous for this school year?
• Whats something you learned about your teachers or coordinators so far?
• Which of your specials do you think is going to be your favorite?
• Have you met any new friends? Why are they a good friend?
• What is something that made you smile or laugh this week?
• How have you followed the OWLS expectations?

Email: rnesbit@decaturproud.org
Website: https://www.decaturproud.org/decatur-high-ability-academy
Location: 5106 South High School Road, Indianapolis, IN, USA
Phone: 317-426-8226
Twitter: @DecaturHAA

Facebook: Decatur High Ability Academy