College Heights Connection
October 26, 2023
Principal's Message
What a fun week we have been having. Thank you to all the families who attended our Family Literacy Night and to all the mystery readers who attended the reading flash mobs on Tuesday. We are capping off the week with the Book Parade beginning at 9:00 am tomorrow. The parade route will begin near the cottages with the children and staff walking down the top parking lot . We ask parents to please reserve the sidewalk in front of the school for the students. The PTA will be announcing the Read-To-Me-A-Thon winners immediately following the parade.
Have a great weekend,
Principal Garland
School News and Announcements
Literacy Week updates
Families, thank you for making this week so special. We hope you've enjoyed all the activities so far and we look forward to seeing you at the book parade tomorrow morning.
Click here for the photo booth pictures and see below for some highlights from Literacy Week.
Click here to access the virtual parent presentation on early literacy by Erynn Mathews-Davis.
November 7th - School Closed (Teacher Professional Learning Day)
As a reminder, College Heights will be closed to ALL students (Pre-K and 0-3 students) on Tuesday, November 7th.
College Heights Pre-K families will be provided with a Pre-K Learning Choice Board with age-appropriate, easy to implement, active learning ideas to support your child's remote learning day. Pre-K teachers will send home the learning choice board in your child's communication folder no later than Friday, November 3rd. If you have any questions, please reach out directly to your child's teacher.
Click here for more information about the purpose of this day and what it will look like for College Heights students.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
The College Heights staff is honoring breast cancer awareness during the Month of October. There are several opportunities for parents to support our efforts:
- Purchase a raffle ticket for $5 for your child's teacher(s) or any other College Heights staff. With each ticket the staff will receive a raffle ticket to win a fitness tracker. Just check in at the front desk and purchase a ticket starting Monday, October 2nd. All funds raised will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Greater Atlanta Chapter.
- Hat and scarf/head wrap drive: Many chemo patients are in need of hats and scarves/head wraps for the winter months. We are asking families and staff to consider donating new hats and head wraps/scarves to be donated directly to the Winship Cancer Institute of Emory. A donation box will be located in the front lobby.
- Pink Tree: Our "pink tree" will be set up in the front lobby for staff and families to tie a pink ribbon in honor of a loved one who has been impacted by breast cancer. You will also receive a ribbon to wear yourself.
- Highlight and Support: Pink out! Wear all pink on Monday, October 30th.
Media Center news
Thank you to all the families who have visited the book fair this week. It's been so fun to see our students get so excited about books! Remember that a portion of book fair proceeds comes back to our school. If you haven't been able to stop by yet, the fair will be open from 7:30 am to 3:30 pm on Friday and again Friday evening from 6:00-7:00 pm during the PTA Trunk or Treat event.
Can't make it to the fair? Click here to shop online through November 5 and you'll have access to all the books we have at the fair plus many more.
Library classes for 0-3 and Pre-K will resume next week.
DEI Book Cart
Did you have a chance to visit our DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) book cart on Family Literacy Night? It's right across from Ms. Caretha's desk and it's filled with wonderful books for all ages. This cart is for self-checkout but please see Leslie if you have any questions.
Also, if you have any DEI Book Cart books at home that might be overdue, please bring them back as soon as possible so that other families may enjoy them. Thank you!
PTA News and Announcements
Trunk or Treat is TOMORROW NIGHT!
See you at 6:00 pm tomorrow for Trunk or Treat and movie night!
We encourage children AND adults to come dressed for the occasion! Prizes will be awarded for the best costumes.
Be sure to bring lawn chairs/blankets for the movie. We will have Chick-fil-A for sale, so save room for dinner!
CSD News and Announcements
City Schools of Decatur Teacher of the Year
Congratulations to our 2023-24 City Schools of Decatur Teacher of the Year, Ms. Alicia Reno!
CSD Community Diwali Celebration - October 28
Please join CSD to celebrate Diwali, the Indian festival of lights, at Oakhurst Elementary on Oct. 28, 5-7 p.m. (rain date Oct. 29)! Food, drinks, holiday crafts, books, music, performances, fireworks, and more. This is a great opportunity for older students to volunteer for a fun community event. Brought to you by the CSD PTA DEI committees.
Last Day Flu Vaccine Event Thursday, November 2!
The CSD School Health Team is partnering with the DeKalb County Board of Health to offer flu vaccines to our school community. Students, staff, and families are invited to participate. Parents/Guardians interested in their student(s) receiving the flu vaccine must be present at the time of service. Please bring your ID and insurance card for billing. Private and Medicaid Insurance is accepted, with the exception of Kaiser and TriCare Insurance plans.
Wear it Pink Day
CSD schools and staff will observe Wear It Pink Day in observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Wear It Pink is typically observed on the last Friday of October. In 2023, this colorful event will take place on October 27th, allowing individuals and organizations to wear pink and participate in related activities to support the cause.
Community Partner News and Announcements
Mead Road Mardi Gras Inspires Sweet Music in Decatur
Don’t store those Halloween costumes after the 31st — Keep them handy for the return of the Mead Road Mardi Gras Parade & Party on February 3, 2024! Students can march with their schools in the parade through Oakhurst to celebrate Mardi Gras and raise funds for the Decatur Education Foundation’s music education grants. More details to come at MeadRdMardiGras.org.
Mead Road Mardi Gras has donated over $35,000 to DEF to fund music and arts grants in the City Schools of Decatur. Over the years, these grants have furnished the Beacon Hill Middle School band with new instruments, infused FAVE with the rhythmic pulse of African drums, and enriched Decatur High School with a new piano, harmonious choral arrangements, and vibrant theatre costumes. In 2023-2024, DEF’s music grants will support a bucket Taiko drum ensemble at Oakhurst Elementary and a diverse collection of music-centric literature for every elementary school in CSD. With your generous contributions, we can make sure that the music never stops for Decatur students! Read more impact stories at DecaturEducationFoundation.org.
A Season of Giving
A Season of Giving is a neighbor-led organization that helps purchase gifts directly for local children and seniors in need!
To apply for assistance, please complete an online application at https://aseasonofgiving.org/child-application/ by November 4th.
**NEW** Applications may be submitted for any child ages infant through 12th grade!
If you are not in need of assistance, please consider supporting our efforts. To become a donor for A Season of Giving, complete the form at https://aseasonofgiving.org/sponsor/. To volunteer, complete the form at https://aseasonofgiving.org/volunteer/.
Save the Date
October 23-27 - Literacy Week and Scholastic Book Fair
October 27 - Trunk or Treat and Movie Night sponsored by the College Heights PTA
November 7 - School Closed (teacher workday)
November 14 - PTA Spirit Night at Bad Daddy's Burger Bar
November 16 - School to Heart to Home virtual parent session
November 20-24 - School Closed for Pre-K (Thanksgiving break)
November 22 - School Closed at noon for 0-3 Program (Thanksgiving break)
November 23-24 - School Closed for 0-3 Program (Thanksgiving break)