Decatur Community Schools

Spanish Club started its Pulsera sales last week. All Pulseras, which are hand-made bracelets, are $5.00 each. Sales will end Monday, Nov. 25. Spanish Club sponsor Carol Brown said that she likes the club to sell pulseras to help people in Central America. 

Club members encourage everyone to buy at least one because this benefits families in a third- world country. Anna Carter, Vice President of Spanish Club said, “The pulsera project is a good way to help families in need, while also providing them with a creative outlet.”

The Spanish Club’s pulsera sales will help families in Nicaragua and Guatemala. The pulseras are handwoven by nearly 200 artists. The project provides a market for their products in the United States. Pulsera sales spread art and stories with American students across the country.

Proceeds are returned to the Pulsera Project. In addition to sustaining jobs for almost 200 Central American artists, the proceeds from pulsera sales will support educational programs, scholarships, workers' rights, community development, housing, and a wide range of other projects that empower artists, their families, and their communities. 

For more information, go to https://www.pulseraproject.org

Oberlin’s art students have started a new adventure in making pottery on the school’s new pottery wheels, which they got with a grant. They have also been trying new firing techniques with the help of world-famous ceramic artist Linda Ganstrom, Fort Hays State ceramics professor and former teacher of Oberlin’s art instructor, Jillian Springer.

On Thursday, Nov. 7, Professor Ganstrom came to Decatur Community High School and spent the morning with all of the art students.

The students got to learn about the amazing works of art and accomplishments that Professor Ganstrom is known for around the world. The students then got to try out a new firing method where they wrapped the pots they made in organic material, salt, chemicals, and aluminum foil.

They then placed them in trash cans and let them burn until the next morning. Finally, the students got to watch as the artist showed them techniques they can use on the pottery wheel. She demonstrated how to make a bowl, plate, and a vase with a face on it.

“Watching Professor Ganstrom do a demonstration on the pottery wheel was really fun. It helped show me what I need to do better in my own work,” said senior art student Anna Carter. “It was a wonderful experience.”

“She taught us new techniques that we have never seen before,” said Eryn Freeman, senior art student.

Art teacher Jillian Springer said, “I thought this was a good way to open the kids up to a different style of art. We learned a new firing method with the trash can, and the kids had a lot of fun watching her work. It was good to see one of my past professors again and have her interact with my own students. It was a fun and educational day.”

“Alice In Wonderland” was performed at Decatur Community High School on November 15 and 16.

This year’s musical featured the characters we all know – Alice, played by Skyler Brown, the White Rabbit (Lily Hendrickson), Mad Hatter (Emma Anderson), Cheshire Cat/Dinah (Erin May), the Queen of Hearts (Olivia Williby) and Tweedle Dee (Josh Juenemann) and Tweedle Dum (Gage Scott) – in addition to some twists we might not be familiar with – including the musical being set in the 1980s.

Other students in the musical were Melody Koerperich as Dormouse, Bryant Addleman as Marche Hare and Dodo, Braden Ketterl as King of Hearts and Duck, Sarah Abernathy as the Caterpillar, Avery Witt as Rode and the Ace of Clubs.

Ellie Anderson played the role of Daisy and the Two of Clubs, Courtlyn Waterman as Cornflower and Three of Clubs, Jenna Juenemann as Violet, Adriona Black as Daffodil, and Landen Ketterl was Eaglet. 

Kathryn Tremblay was the director, and the ccompanist was Jenny Tally. Also playing keyboard were Rayne Erickson, Addison Mathews, Cheyanna Hale, and Weston Barnes.

Click on images to see more pictures.

Veteran slides with the last name beginning with the letters A-L can be viewed by clicking here.   

Veterans Program 2019 A-L

Veteran slides with the last name beginning with the letters M-Z can be viewed by clicking here.  

Veterans Program 2019 M-Z.

Halloween Clean-Up is a time-honored tradition at Decatur Community High School. This year marked the 95th annual Halloween Clean-up.

Students from grades 5-12 gathered at the grade school at 5:00 on Tuesday, Nov. 5 to kick off Halloween Clean-Up. The clean-up ended at 7:00 at the high school with hot dogs and apples served by the Lions Club and provided by the City of Oberlin. Cleanup was supposed to be on Wednesday, Oct. 30, but was postponed due to weather and a broken-down truck. 

The Halloween Clean-up General was Colton Ketterl. The captains were Anna Carter, Erin May, Bryson Metcalf and Kalen Townsend. Each captain was in charge of a specific group: seniors with 8th graders, juniors with 7th graders, sophomores with 6th graders, and freshmen with 5th graders.

One hundred twenty students from grades 5-12 attended. The eighth graders had 100 percent participation for the second year in a row.

Captain Erin May said, “I think it is a great tradition with volunteer service that benefits the community.”

Helping the classes were Kyle Breth, Tim Breth, Mark Bricker, Tanner Jackson, Jason Ketterl, Trevor Williams, Roger May, and Monte Moore.

“I think it’s a good way to help our town and the people that don't have time to rake their yards," said sixth-grader Myleigh Hayes. "It shows that we care about our town and we keep it nice.” There were 28 total yards raked. 

“I thought there was a good turnout," said General Colton Ketterl. "It’s a great way to give back to the community. I loved seeing so many kids show up to help out.” 

Twenty 5th graders enjoyed their first Halloween Clean-Up. "It was a lot of fun," said Cowen Anderson. "I want to do it next year too."

"I liked it a lot," said Skylar Hawkins, "and I think it's one of the funnest things we do in our school district."

"On behalf of the high school, we would like to thank the City of Oberlin, Lions Club members Jack Benton, Frank Black, Gaylen Huntley, and Brad Marcuson, as well as Jay Ketterl, Roger May, and Monte Moore for the use of their trucks," said Principal Brenda Breth.

If your elementary child has brought home his/her school pictures, you may be wondering where your junior high or high school student’s photos are.

While Oberlin Elementary students have received their school pictures from LIfeTouch, the high school students are still waiting.

“We’ve gotten a few phone calls from parents wondering if their high school students have just left their pictures in their lockers,” said Principal Brenda Breth.

Actually, there has been an issue with our pictures at the processing plant in Minnesota, according to Mrs. Breth.

“This has never happened to us before,” said Mrs. Breth.  “I have received the digital photos used in PowerSchool, and the students have received their sports’ pictures, but the picture packages have not yet come in. It could be mid-November before they arrive.”

Picture retakes for Oberlin Elementary School are Friday, Nov. 8.  Retakes for the junior/senior high school have been moved to Tuesday, Nov. 26.