From the Director’s Chair
Greetings, DECATS Families!
The first week of DECATS was a great success, and we are having a blast! We are so grateful you said ‘Yes!’ to DECATS this summer.
Mr. Ferrugia, Mr. House and some graduate assistants led us “With Great Power” each day in our morning and afternoon assemblies. The energy level is through the roof! It is exciting to have our parents join us once again for our assemblies each day. Scholars are actively engaged in singing, dancing, and celebrating all things DECATS. We’re sure that you’ve heard some of the songs on your way home each afternoon!
In Manners to Morals and Perspectives — our first two periods — your Scholars participated in activities that promote character and explore what it means to be gifted. Executive Functioning Scholars practiced the skills of impulse control and shifting between tasks smoothly. Wellness Scholars investigated the importance of nutrition, exercise and stress management. Values and Morals Scholars explored morality and ethics and began brainstorming ideas for a service project to support the larger community. In Perspectives, we introduced our core philosophy — that “better at” does not mean “better than” — and began cultivation of the skills of self-awareness, leadership and creative thinking.
Highlights from our wide variety of courses include: Scholars engaging in exploration and excursions in “Adventure Awaits,” rehearsing music and learning lines in “Give My Regards to Broadway” and putting their culinary talents and entrepreneurial skills to the test to create Houston’s newest food truck in “Food Truck Showdown!” We’ve seen Scholars flex critical thinking skills and creativity in creating their own game show in “Game On”, and exploring their artistic talents as they work on their masterpieces in “Watercolor World.”
It’s wonderful to see so much progress in such a short amount of time. Scholars from across Houston have formed friendships that will last well beyond the program.
Let us know what your Scholars are saying about their DECATS experience. If we may use your comments online and in other projects, let us know that as well. We are on a mission to provide a qualitatively differentiated learning experience in the realm of education, boldly devoted to excellence in mentoring, learning and developing young leaders to use their gifts for the betterment of the world around them. Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to work with your children.
We look forward to continuing our adventure “With Great Power” with your Scholars next week!
With gratitude,
Tonya Dixon
Program Director, Corpus Christi
