Every day, the schools of the DeKalb County School District are bursting with activities that supports college and career readiness. Twice a month, we’ll share that news in TRUST in the Schoolhouse. Below are some examples of that work.  Got an idea? Please share it here.

Austin Elementary
Thanks to the Austin Elementary Student Council, many people will stay warm for the remainder of the winter season. The council collected new socks, scarves, coats and hats and donated them to students in need at Peachtree Charter Middle School, Kingsley Elementary and Cary Reynolds Elementary.

Dunwoody Elementary
Congratulations to Dunwoody Elementary student Ashna Joshi, who will display her artwork in the DeKalb County Watershed annual calendar.

In addition, as part of the school’s “No Place for Hate” initiative, students are also peer reading and partner reading across grade levels to promote respect.

Parent and student volunteers involved in Dunwoody Elementary’s All Pro Dad campaign also gathered to make 200 peanut butter sandwiches, which were delivered to those in need.

Dunwoody High
Congratulations to Dunwoody High DECA president, Will Hooper, who won two tickets to an Atlanta Hawks versus Cleveland Cavaliers game. Hooper won the tickets after beating 40 other high school students in a DECA competition.

Congratulations to Ariel Lawrence, who was recognized at the DeKalb County Tip-Off banquet at Columbia High School on Jan. 21. Lawrence was recognized as one of the top basketball players in the county for November and December.

Congratulations to student Lauren Davis set a new DeKalb County record for diving—beating her old record—on Jan. 20. Davis beat the old record by more than 23 points.

A “good job and good luck” is in order for some of Dunwoody High’s talented singers. Students Jan Estrada, Robert Freedman, Luke Freedman, Alex Haertel, Samuel Wingert and Anna Wilkinson advanced to All-State Chorus after two tough audition rounds. As such, the students will travel to Athens, Georgia on Feb. 15-17.

Dunwoody High School’s Speech Team claimed victory at the Alpharetta High Speech and Debate Tournament on Jan. 20 and the Jackson High Speech and Debate Tournament. Congratulations to Millie Kitchin for placing first in the Humorous Interpretation category, and to Paris Ruiz for placing first in the Dramatic Interpretation category on Jan. 20. At the Jackson High debate, John Spalding placed first in the Dramatic Interpretation category, and Jacob Rogers placed first in the Humorous Interpretation category.

John Lewis Elementary
Congratulations to 46 hardworking students who made the most progress on their winter MAP scores. Those students were awarded concert tickets to the DeKalb County Symphony.

DeKalb School of the Arts (DSA)
Congratulations to DSA’s Mock Trial team for placing first at a regional competition on Jan. 27. Students garnered five or eight awards for best lawyers and witnesses.

Representatives from DSA were chosen to attend AP Advocacy Day at the Georgia State Capitol on Jan. 25. Tequila Morgan, Sondra Williams and Dahlia Pottinger represented the district, along with 24 other schools from across the state, to speak on the impact of AP programs in schools

Clarkston High School
Clarkston High’s “Cook It Angoras” culinary arts team served the superintendent and others on Jan. 20 as part of a special luncheon held for grandparents.

The school’s International Club participated at a city-sponsored event, Taste of Clarkston, and received an overwhelmingly positive response.

Clarkston’s FBLA chapter competed and placed well at a competition on Jan. 26. Students Kristy Nguyen and Nhutien Ho qualified for state competition in Business Communication and Word Processing. Josianne Ngandu also qualified for state competition by placing first in the Public Speaking category.

DeKalb Early College Academy (DECA)
DECA’s Mock Trial team was selected as one of two teams to compete at a regional final after doing well at a competition held at the DeKalb County courthouse. The team placed second—a program best—with individual awards going to 12 students. Seniors Richard Charles, Nina Grant and Madison Curry won two awards each.

Wynebrook Elementary
Congratulations to Wynebrook’s Junior Beta Club team, who claimed four first-place finishes at a recent state competition held in Savannah. Nadia Embry claimed first place in the Essay category, Asad Mensah claimed first place in Social Studies, Ryann May claimed first place in Speech, and the school won the Songfest portion for their song, “Beta on My Mind.”

Arabia Mountain High
Congratulations to Arabia Mountain High’s varsity girls basketball team for being named Team of the Month by the DeKalb County High Basketball Tip Off Club.

For the fourth time in four years, Arabia Mountain High took first place at the Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl, held on Jan. 27. The team will compete with five other DCSD schools at the regional round at Clayton State University.

Lithonia Middle
Congratulations to eighth grade student Adeyemi Attobra for being selected for the 2018 All-State Chorus. Attobra will travel to Athens, Georgia to perform.

Cedar Grove High
Congratulations to sophomore Jaree Swanson for advancing to the HOSA State Leadership Conference. Swanson will be competing in the field of Home Health Aide, earning her place after besting 40 students from across Georgia.

Columbia High
Congratulations to the Columbia High School varsity basketball team. On Jan. 24 through Jan. 26, the team traveled to Anchorage, Alaska to compete in the Alaskan Airlines Basketball Tournament, where the team claimed first place.