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Dear Decaturish,
In response to the absurd and audacious assertion that the newly renamed Dekalb Arts Academy (formerly Dekalb Elementary School of the Arts, established 2002), be moved to an alternate location, parent advocates respectfully ask the district leadership, as well as the community, to leave our school out of anything having to do the the future of Druid Hills High School.
The PTA Advocacy Committee of Dekalb Arts Academy was in the process of creating a “New Principal Wish List”, on November 20th, when we were quite literally called out of our name, by a seemingly entitled history teacher (and coach), who could use a few lessons, himself. We paused briefly, to address this disrespectful and dismissive notion that Druid HIlls High School (DHHS) should commandeer our creative and quirky space, simply to accommodate their students, who will need to be displaced while their building is under repair, and perhaps permanently. Considering a few upset neighborhoods around DHHS, during the analysis, but never once addressing the impact of the “swap” on over a thousand other families between the two performing arts schools is completely short-sided… and we could say more.
For historical perspective, this is not the first time that the attempt to move “DESA” has been made. In fact, parents had to fight years ago, to be in the space where the DAA students are now, as they waited for Fernbank Elementary to complete their modernization. For a school that shines so brightly in the county, we are certainly treated like 2nd class citizens, when big decisions are being made to accommodate other families. Meanwhile, our students work hard in the classroom, in between their time on professional set productions at Tyler Perry Studios, The Alliance Theatre, Cobb Energy Center, in Hollywood, on Broadway, and featured at some of your favorite charity and holiday events.
In 2024, Dekalb Arts Academy (DAA) saw an unprecedented increase in enrollment, bringing the total number of students to more than 730- well over the 550 students who were the cornerstone of the history teacher’s argument. This unexpected burst in enrollment speaks loudly regarding the number of Dekalb County families who wish to be a part of the Dekalb Arts Academy family. However, the school was grossly unprepared for the rapid growth, and is facing a multitude of challenges today, as a result. We are hoping that county leadership takes the next few enrollment cycles to course correct, or provide additional recourses, while we stay put, and stabilize.
Our school is a jewel tucked in Avondale Estates, where K-3 students are admitted by school choice lottery, and rising 4th-8th graders must meet academic and behavioral criteria, before auditioning for 2 of our 6 creative and performing arts disciplines (band, orchestra, drama, vocal music, dance, and visual arts). And while our building could use some upgrades, especially in the areas that would support the arts, we enjoy and utilize our indoor and outdoor amenities, which are adequately suited for our diversely active student population.
Our 41 homerooms are FULL of expressive students who traverse to school from all over the county, with not only their books and computers, but their instruments, dance attire, and yes, even shoes for their state-mandated physical education classes, held daily, in our well-equipped gymnasium. Additional space is required for dressing, rehearsing, and holding, in preparation of productions, as well as, in-house storage of music, theater, dance, and art supplies. We even have spaces dedicated to our growing STEAM program.
With the increased enrollment, classes have become a little more cozy, hallways a little more crowded, lunch time a little more chaotic, and state mandated K-5 recess on our 2 playgrounds, a little more necessary for our singing, dancing, and dramatic students. These students use our track and field to create games, rehearse made up musicals, hold concerts for each other, and also, run, jump, play, and flip. Believe it or not, many of our students are not only gifted in the smarts and the arts, but are athletically gifted, as well. Physical education, practice, and expression are not lost on our students. In fact, our brand new track team had an amazing debut this year, and our soccer teams were full, but lacked a full coaching staff- that’s a long overdue DAA teacher after-school stipend discussion that we will have on another day. Suffice it to say, we need and appreciate our outdoor space. Sorry, Coach. A smaller and less equipped space is not ideal for us either.
As for our indoor facilities, we are not simply sitting in a building that used to be occupied by another group, and is more accurately known by another name. Our talented students have literally made their marks all over that building, with artistic expression everywhere, from the 8th grade murals that line the main halls, to the affirmations stenciled on the bathroom walls, to the theatrical play bills and the forthcoming DESA/ DAA alumni hall of fame.
Our DAA (and extended DSA) family denounces the dehumanization of our students and staff, by regarding them as properties of transfer or lucky guests who have overstayed their welcome in spaces in which they are not invested. We are Dekalb Arts Academy. We are Dekalb School of the Arts. When the county is ready to make good on a new and innovative performing arts K-12 CAMPUS, as previously discussed, we will absolutely be present for that conversation, and can do well to speak on our own behalf. In the meantime, we are traumatized, in transition, and exhausted. Please leave us alone.
This DHHS fiasco has been in the making and ignored for decades, and has already claimed the jobs of district leadership. How many more casualties will their degraded infrastructure and poor maintenance cause? How many more disruptions will the county have to endure in order to ameliorate the DHHS community? Whatever the number, and whatever the method, please leave DAA out of it. We have had a tumultuous year and a half, with more uncertain changes on the horizon. Our children deserve the opportunity to be safe, settled, and welcomed in their space, while their families deserve to be heard and consulted on changes that impact them directly.
We will not end Native American Heritage Month as the victims of Eminent domain, as the Muskogee, Creek and Cherokee tribal groups who took care of this land, before any of our ancestors knew that it existed, did. Our students will not be shipped and shuffled around the county at the whim of county dwellers who have no qualms about colonizing currently inhabited spaces. Our families deserve more than building, pouring into, maintaining, and making beautiful these facilities, while being expected to vacate the premises, and move on to another property that has already been deemed unfit for some. History will not be repeated.
— Ferlisa Ebron, Dekalb Arts Academy PTA President and Jada Nichols, Dekalb Arts Academy PTA Vice President
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