From the Director’s Chair
Dear DECATS Families:
The final week of DECATS has been incredible as we wrapped up our “Exploration Awaits” journey together marking 30 years of DECATS. I want to sincerely thank you for trusting us with your children’s care and well-being this summer. It has been a true joy to witness their learning and growth. We are confident that our Scholars will take all they have learned and make a difference in the world.
This week, our Scholars were actively engaged in completing their culminating activities. Our Manners Scholars demonstrated their dining etiquette and social skills at the DECATS Café luncheon. Executive Functioning Scholars applied their skills in a range of engaging activities, while Wellness Scholars showcased their understanding of physical and mental wellness through various tasks. Additionally, Values and Morals Scholars completed their give-back project and served the Manners Scholars during the luncheon.
Our Closing Celebration was filled with excitement, enthusiasm, and joy as we concluded another successful summer at DECATS! The stone jars, symbolizing acts of kindness, creative and critical thinking, and leadership, were overflowing. Our Scholars wholeheartedly embraced the Works of Mercy by supporting the Values and Morals give-back project through a food drive for St. Vincent de Paul. Together, we collected almost 1000 items to support this ministry.
We would love for you to share with us your feedback and evaluation of this year’s program via our Scholar and Parent Evaluations. We ask that you take the time to reflect and work with your Scholar to complete this together. We are so very grateful for your reflections, suggestions and ideas as they are crucial to our continued growth and success. Our Executive Team reads each one and considers changes accordingly. It makes us better each year. Both the Parent Evaluation and Scholar Evaluation are available to you on the checklist in your myStatus portal.
Has DECATS been a positive, meaningful experience for your child? We encourage parents and Scholars to send thank you letters to DeBusk Foundation, as its team enjoys hearing about the experiences your Scholars had during DECATS. You may send your correspondences electronically via the form on the homepage in your myStatus portal.
You can help us continue to make a difference by contributing to the DECATS Scholarship Fund. Our program in Houston began 30 years ago with its first gift from Mr. Manuel DeBusk and his foundation’s ongoing commitment to fund programming for gifted children in Texas. We humbly ask you to prayerfully consider helping continue Mr. DeBusk’s legacy with a tax-deductible donation. Corporate matching gifts are a great way to maximize a personal contribution to our tuition assistance program.
It’s a bittersweet moment as we say goodbye, but we take comfort in knowing that lifelong friendships and cherished memories have been made. As our Scholars move forward, we hope they carry the lessons and joy from this summer with them. This experience has not only enriched their minds but also their hearts, fostering a sense of community and personal growth. Wishing all of you a blessed and fulfilling summer, filled with new adventures and continued learning. We eagerly anticipate seeing you again next year and hearing about the incredible ways our Scholars are making a difference in the world!
Sincerely in Christ,
Dr. Kendall Shamas
Program Director, St. Anne
