Eagle Edition

Holly Brookins, PhD, Principal ~ Summer Clayton, Assistant Principal ~ Jill Tolsma, Instructional Coach

Email: hbrookins@csdecatur.net
Location: 440 East Ponce de Leon Avenue, Decatur, GA, USA
Phone: 404.370.4435 * Website * Facebook

CSD will host five hearings in January for the public to learn more about the district's plans to exercise the one-time option for local governments to opt out of Georgia House Bill 581, which establishes a statewide floating homestead exemption and cap on property taxes.

The schedule for the remaining public hearing is:

Thursday, January 30, 6:45 p.m. (virtual only, access the meeting here)

Passed during the 2024 Legislative Session, HB 581 impacts property taxes for cities, counties and school districts by capping the annual increase in property values for tax purposes, effective January 1, 2025. The bill aims to provide property tax relief for local residents, using the Consumer Price Index as an inflationary index. Since school districts rely heavily on property taxes for funding, this cap could impact the availability of CSD schools' resources and programs.

The Board of Education will follow the legal procedures to opt out of the exemption, including holding the three virtual public hearings. Following the hearings, the board will vote to adopt an opt-out resolution at the February Board of Education meeting and file the resolution with the Secretary of State by March 1, 2025.

As we create more opportunities for dialogue around CSD, families are invited to attend an upcoming winter listening session where Dr. Whitaker will hear directly from our community about the issues that matter to them.

• Monday, February 3, 5:30-6:30 p.m., College Heights ECLC Media Center

• Monday, February 10, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (virtual)

On Friday, February 7 at 9:15 a.m. (following Community Circle) please join school counselor, Jonathan Blase, for part one of a two-part presentation on "Becoming a More Resilient Parent."

Resilience is often thought of as the ability to bounce back from a tough time. In this training, we’re going to look at resilience as bouncing forward. Parents frequently model resilience for their children. Our actions – no matter how small – can have a big impact on our children, and ultimately, our communities.

This training will discuss:

• Our responses to stress

• The impacts stress can have

• Ways we can promote positive childhood experiences and create resilience through connection

What: BECOMING A MORE RESILIENT PARENT: HELPING FAMILIES THRIVE

When: Friday, February 7th 9:15-10 a.m.

Where: Room 214 (Jones)

Why: To learn about stress and promoting positive childhood experiences as well as connect with other parents.

Part two of this training will be on March 14th. If you are unable to attend part one, we will do a short review of covered materials in the beginning of part two.

Now that the weather is warming up, we are getting ready to begin our iRun unit in P.E. This is to prepare for Tour deCatur, an optional 5K/Fun Run at Decatur High School on Saturday, March 15. We are selling Glennwood t-shirts (short and long-sleeve) and sweatshirts to raise money for DEF and Glennwood. The online store is open now and will close February 16. The website is https://pswear.com/Glennwood

The shirts are featured below and the prices are on the website. Please let me know if you have any questions at minscoe@csdecatur.net. Thanks!

On Wednesday during Crew, Decatur High School student athletes came over to present to the classes a program on good sportsmanship, teamwork, and balancing high school sports with the demands of maintaining high academic standards. The high school students engaged in different scenarios with the classes, led cheers, and answered any questions that the students had. This visit coincided with lessons on good sportsmanship and teamwork that were done in all the classes.

For February, we're asking First Grade Families to help our staff be festive on Thursday, February 13th. Please review the available slots and sign up HERE! Items can be dropped off with Ms. Reynolds at the front office Feb 10th-12th during school hours. PTA will assemble the snack table for our staff to enjoy on Feb. 13th. We are also requesting clean up volunteers, so please sign up if you can to help clean up.

If you are unable to purchase items for the table, but would like to donate funds towards the event or to restock snacks in the teacher lounge, the PTA is also collecting monetary donations. Donations can be made here with a note that it is for the January Snack Table and we'll take care of it for you. If you have any questions, please reach out to Staff Appreciation Co-Chairs: Samantha Bryan or Hui-Chuan Hodges (staffappreciation@glennwoodespta.com). Thank you!

Culture Night is a Glennwood community event where our families can come together to share their culture with others. There will be tables representing various cultures, a book reading, and other activities. We’re still looking for additional tables so if you’re interested in participating, see here for more info. PLEASE SIGN UP BY MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3!

Honor your child with a Tribute Ad in this year’s yearbook. This is a great way to celebrate your child’s growth as a Glennwood student. Follow this link and enter school code 24818 to design and purchase your ad. ADS ARE DUE BY FEBRUARY 14TH.

Please take our school’s climate survey and make your opinion count! This survey expires March 31, 2025. Survey participation is critical because the data will be used to calculate School Climate Star Ratings for the 2025-26 school year. City Schools of Decatur appreciates the contributions of parents, students, and staff!

Glennwood Family Climate Survey

Plans are underway for another amazing event to raise money for Decatur Athletics – The Bulldog Bash! Save the date for this year's event on Saturday, March 22, at Independent Distilling Company. The event will feature a live online auction that includes everything from artwork and experiences to trips, restaurant gift cards, sporting event tickets, self-care, and more.

Do you have a connection, talent, vacation home or something unique that can help us raise money for our student-athletes? If so, please fill out this form! More information to come!