What is DECATS?
DeBusk Enrichment Center for Academically Talented Scholars is a three-week summer program for academically gifted third to sixth-grade students from Houston and Galveston-area schools.
How do students enroll in the DECATS program?
Students who are in third, fourth, fifth, or sixth grade and who score at or above the 95th-percentile on a nationally-normed standardized test are nominated by their school's principal to participate in the DECATS program. After being nominated, students who are interested in attending complete an online application for the program.
Is there homework at DECATS?
In general, there is no homework. Occasionally a mentor may give Scholars the option to complete work at home.
Can the program be extended beyond the sixth grade?
No. Research indicates that the optimum time for influence in the lives of gifted students is between third and sixth grade. The guidelines of DeBusk Foundation, which provides the grant for DECATS, specifically targets third through sixth graders. However, Scholars who have graduated from DECATS often return to serve as Graduate Assistants for the program.
Are Scholars required to attend the entire program?
Yes, Scholars are required to attend the entire three-week program, including the Family Orientation and Open House, held the Saturday before DECATS begins. Nominees may only apply if they are committed to attending the entire three weeks.
What do Scholars wear to DECATS?
Dress is summer casual: t-shirt, shorts, and sneakers, with designated DECATS t-shirt days on Monday and Friday of each week, especially important for the DECATS Photo on the first Monday of the program.
What is the actual cost of the program for each Scholar?
The cost of this innovative program is well over $700. However, DeBusk Foundation provides a scholarship to each Scholar for half of that cost. Thus, each Scholar's remaining tuition is $400 per year. Additional financial aid is available for those who qualify.
Do Scholars have to buy school supplies?
No. All supplies are provided. Scholars may be offered the option to bring in items to be used in their courses, and this is always optional.
Do parents get an opportunity to evaluate the program?
Absolutely. Parents will be provided with an opportunity to complete an evaluation towards the end of the summer session. Scholars also get to fill out an evaluation, and both are very helpful in future planning. These evaluations are conducted online. We also welcome any feedback you have during the program, so please feel free to contact us any time.
Is there refrigeration for lunches or cafeteria catering?
No on both accounts. Scholars bring a lunch from home for every day of DECATS. Please send lunches that do not require refrigeration or heating (refrigerators and microwaves are not available). If you do need something to remain cold, please send it in a lunchbox.
Can Scholars bring items like a CD / MP3 player, cell phones, a deck of cards, books, etc?
Scholars may not bring cell phones, iPods, MP3 players, CD players, Walkman radios, handheld video game consoles, or any other electronic devices. Scholars are encouraged to bring books for reading or small strategy games (like card games). These items may only be used during Entertaining Enigmas and lunch / recess.
Does DECATS provide extended day care? How much does this cost?
Entertaining Enigmas - the name of our extended day program - begins at 7:00 a.m. and ends at 5:00 p.m. No extended care is provided on the last day of DECATS, as Scholars are dismissed at about 10:30 a.m.
Families register for Entertaining Enigmas as part of the registration and course selection process. A fee is collected in addition to tuition, according to the following cost schedule:
Morning & Afternoon Care: $100
Only Morning Care: $50
Only Afternoon Care: $50
Costs cover care for the entire three weeks (meaning the number of days / times a Scholar utilizes extended day is irrelevant).
Scholars who do not register for Entertaining Enigmas and that utilize extended day will be charged the corresponding fee.
Where and when do I bring and pick up my Scholar each day?
Scholars should be dropped off in the parking lot in front of the main entrance of the West Hall. Mentors will be outside to facilitate. Afternoon carpool is held in the same lot beginning at 3:40. Carpool numbers should be hung on the rearview mirror (or prominently displayed if there are multiple tags). Any car not displaying an official DECATS carpool tag will be asked to park and come in to facilitate Scholar pick up.
Scholars attending Entertaining Enigmas must be escorted into West Hall beginning at 7:00 a.m. and should be picked up no later than 5:00 PM. Under no circumstances should a Scholar be dropped off unless a DECATS faculty member is there to receive him or her.
What if my child takes medication?
An archdiocesan medical form is available for you to fill out via myStatus. Medication should be brought to the DECATS office with the completed form on the first day of DECATS. All medication will be administered by the DECATS Office Manager. This includes non-prescription items like aspirin, cough drops, etc. Over-the-counter medications cannot be administered without a medication form on file.
Can I visit DECATS?
Certainly! Please join us for Morning Assembly, which includes prayer and fellowship, from 8:30 until 8:50 a.m. and Afternoon Assembly, which includes course presentations, song, and prayer, from 3:10 until 3:40 p.m. Both assemblies are held in West Hall. You are also invited to join us for the DECATS Grand Closing Celebration on the final Friday of DECATS, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.
Can I obtain a list of Scholars attending St. Rose of Lima or coming from my school so that I can arrange a carpool?
For confidentiality reasons, we do not make or distribute directories. However, all families are invited to participate in our "Campaign to Carpool," a protected area of the DECATS website where families can share information and form carpools. Families will also have time to form carpools at the Family Orientation and Open House, held the Saturday before DECATS begins.
What if my child has special needs? Can DECATS accommodate those needs?
Absolutely. DECATS at St. Rose of Lima is committed to serving the needs of all students. Parents can communicate those needs during application to the program, and DECATS faculty are notified and provided with modifications to accommodate Scholars. Modifications include special seating, ability to take unscheduled breaks, assistance with movement around campus, and modification of curriculum to address learning differences.
Where can I review the program policies outlined in the Scholar application?
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