College Heights Connection
December 7, 2023
Principal's Message
It's been a busy week full of parent/teacher conferences. Thank you for your engagement and collaboration. The PTA is searching for a volunteer who can step in as PTA President for the remainder of the school year. The time commitment is minimal. All remaining PTA events have been planned. The President would support the organization and execution of the events and work with board members on PTA budget and initiatives for the 2024-2025 school year. Please reach out to me if you are interested.
Have a great weekend,
Principal Garland
School News and Announcements
Early Release Day reminder (Pre-K)
City Schools of Decatur's upcoming Early Release Day is Wednesday, December 20.
Pre-K - 12:15 PM
Lower Elementary - 12:50 PM
Upper Elementary - 12:15 PM
Middle School - 1:45 PM
High School - 1:35 PM
College Heights' infant through preschool program will remain on its normal schedule.
Pre-K breakfast alert
We stop serving Pre-K breakfast at 7:50 am so that our cafeteria staff can prepare for our preschool classes to eat. Thank you for your cooperation.
For any parent wanting to register their student as a breakfast eater registration is open through December 22nd for the next semester. Please email Principal Garland to register. If your student is currently registered you do NOT need to register again.
Parent/Teacher Conferences
Parent/Teacher conferences will be held December 4-15th. Conferences may be held virtually or in person. We encourage all parents to sign up. Conferences are a wonderful way to learn about your student's academic progress, talk about student goals, and collaborate with the teacher on how to be a part of your student's learning at College Heights.
2024-2025 PTA Board Members Needed
The PTA is in need of all Board members for next school year. We'd like to identify new 2024-25 Board members so that the current Board can support them with the transition. The PTA is a vital part of our school's success. It is with the support of our parents that the PTA can be effective in that success. The PTA Board meets each month (mostly virtually but transitioning to meeting in person for some meetings). The time commitment is minimal. Please free to email Sarah Garland with any questions about duties and responsibilities.
This is a wonderful way to be a part of our school family. The staff would be grateful for anyone able to step up to support the school.
Media Center news
Pre-K and three year old students met our new library "pet" this week, Hank the cactus, named after the main character in the picture book Nobody Hugs a Cactus by Carter Goodrich. This sweet tale reminds us that even the most prickly individuals can have a change of heart. The one year old and two year old classes also enjoyed dancing along to the song/story The Parrot Tico Tango by Anna Witte and Llama Llama Time to Share by Anna Dewdney.
CSD News and Announcements
Holiday Marketplace + Café
Spread cheer with Clairemont Elementary at the Decatur Holiday Marketplace + Café! Doors open Friday, December 8th at 5:30 p.m. and close at 9 p.m. The Marketplace will reopen on Saturday, December 9th, at 10 a.m. and will wrap up for the season at 5 p.m. This historic two-day event will feature 80+ vendors, plus live music and food! ❄
CSD Participation in City of Decatur Bicentennial Parade
CSD will join the City of Decatur in celebrating its Bicentennial on Saturday, December 9. All schools and district offices are invited to join schools in participating in the parade.
Staff, students, and families will wear their CSD and school shirts and bring pom poms and noise makers. The Parade line-up begins at 2:00 p.m. at the Decatur Post Office located on Ponce de Leon Avenue.
The parade begins promptly at 3 p.m. The route is approximately one mile long. It turns right out of the Post Office parking lot onto W. Ponce de Leon Avenue. The parade will continue down Ponce right onto Church Street, right onto W. Trinity Place, ending at N. McDonough Street.
Hope you will join us!
PTA News and Announcements
College Heights Annual Auction is February 24 - buy your tickets today!
Secure your tickets and preview our silent and live auction items on the 2024 Auction Site linked here. Auction event tickets are $65 each, and include food from local Decatur restaurants and adult beverages.
If you have any questions, want to donate or get involved, please email Laura Bollman, Auction Chair.
Community Partner News and Announcements
Create Something AWESOME with DEF's Student Challenge Series!
Educators & Parents — The Decatur Education Foundation challenges YOUR ARTISTIC SUPERSTARS to design the next iconic sticker that screams Decatur pride! Introducing DEF’s Student Challenge Series, kicking off in December with our first Sticker Design Contest. Here's what your brilliant students should do:
Capture the essence of Decatur schools' uniqueness.
Splash it with color! Make it eye-catching and crazy fun!
Squeeze your masterpiece into a 3" by 5" space (the size of an index card).
Don't forget to incorporate "Decatur Education Foundation" into your design!
Submit your artistic brilliance in PDF or JPG form to meg@decatureducationfoundation.org before Friday, December 15. Winners will snag professionally printed stickers, a local arts & crafts store gift card, and the spotlight on DEF's social media platforms. For full contest details, please visit DecaturEducationFoundation.org/DEFstickercontest. Let’s showcase what makes Decatur schools extraordinary! #DEFStudentChallenge #DecaturCreativityUnleashed #ForOurKids
Atlanta Hawks’ City Schools of Decatur Night
Start the new year off at the Atlanta Hawks' City Schools of Decatur Night at State Farm Arena on Saturday, January 13, 2024! As a bonus, you can support the BHMS Chorus, which will perform the national anthem. The City Schools of Decatur ticket offer includes a $10 food and beverage credit and through this offer, a portion of each ticket purchased will benefit City Schools of Decatur. Click here to purchase tickets.
Save the Date
December 20 - Early Release Day (Pre-K only)
December 21-January 3 - Semester Break for Pre-K students (school resumes Thursday, January 4)
December 25-January 3 - Semester Break for 0-3 students (school resumes Thursday, January 4)
February 24 - PTA Auction