
Falcon Flyer
Important Events & Dates from F.AVE

January 23, 2025
In this Issue
Ms. Hanson's Notes
- 5th grade reminders and events
- Upcoming Events Calendar
CSD News
- CSD Hosts Public Hearings for Homestead Exemption Opt Out
- School Safety & Security Summit
F.AVE News
- 5th Grade Wahsega Field Trip Information
- Coffee Chat - February 7, 2025 - Positive Learning Environments
- Specials Spotlight - P.E.
- Yearbook - Candid Photos & 5th Grade Dedications
Helpful Info & Resources
- School Climate Survey
CSD Community Partners News
- Bulldog Bash Auction Donations Needed
- Decatur Prevention Initiative
- Run with the Dogs 5K
Scroll down to learn more!
Ms. Hanson's Notes
I want to thank everyone for your patience and understanding this week. I am excited to see everyone in person tomorrow.
We have rescheduled our 5th grade field trips to next week. Additionally, 5th graders will be making course selections for Beacon Hill over the next week. Please keep an eye out for that information when it is sent home. Please also remember that 5th grade Wahsega forms are due to teachers tomorrow, Friday, January 24.
I hope that your family is safe and warm and I look forward to being back on the AVE.
CSD News
CSD will Resume Normal Operations on Friday, January 24. Expect Bus Delays.
City Schools of Decatur recognizes the challenges this week's virtual learning days have caused to families and the disruption to education. However, the safety of our students and staff remains our highest priority. Essential personnel were on-site today to warm up buses, inspect routes, clear ice and snow, and evaluate all facilities. These actions are part of our standard operating procedures for recovery after a winter storm.
DeKalb County has lifted the state of emergency. CSD looks forward to welcoming students and staff back tomorrow, Friday, January 24, 2025, as we will resume normal operations. However, bus riders please be patient, as some buses will experience delays due to icy conditions at Hillcrest Dr., Mt. Vernon at Glendale, Missionary at Inman, North Decatur Rd. going East, and Clairemont at Maediris. These bus routes will be adjusted to ensure they can safely transport students. Families should use the Stopfinder app for updated pick-up and drop-off times and information. Late bus riders will have the chance to eat school breakfast.
Walkers should be cautious on sidewalks and dress warmly. Car riders are encouraged to drive slowly. Athletics and after-school activities will resume as scheduled.
As a reminder, elementary students should return to school with the Chromebooks and chargers that schools provided last Friday.
Be safe and stay warm, CSD!
School Safety & Security Summit
Have You Registered for the School Safety & Security Summit, Jan. 27?
HB 581 Public Hearings
CSD Hosts Public Hearings for Homestead Exemption Opt-Out (Georgia HB-581)
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 hearings is:
- Thursday, January 30, 10 a.m. (virtual only, access the meeting here)
- 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.
Upcoming Events At a Glance
January
January 28: 5th Grade Field Trip to Fernbank
February
Monday, February 3: School Counselor Day
Wednesday, February 5: Walk & Roll to School
Friday, February 7, 7:45-8:30 a.m.: F.AVE Coffee Chat
Saturday, February 8: Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl Metro Competition
Monday, February 10: 4th Grade Field Trip to State Capitol - Gilley/Oesch, Batlle, Finch/Bell, Olson
Wednesday, February 12: 4th Grade Field Trip to State Capitol - Robinson, Williams/Robillard, Beckwith, Weaver/Livermore
February 17 - 21: February Break
February 25 - 27: Night of Expressions - Details to Come
Wednesday, February 26: Early Release Day, dismissal at 12:15
F.AVE News
5th Grade Wahsega Field Trip
5th Grade Parents,
Your child's teacher is sending home the information and forms for our overnight 5th grade field trip to Wahsega. Please return your forms and payment to your child's teacher by Friday, January 24.
- TRIP A: MARCH 5-6: Vickery, Wise, Terry, R. Stewart
- TRIP B: MARCH 6-7: H. Stewart, C. Williams, DiGiacomo, Miller
Coffee Chat - Friday, February 7
Join Ms. Ferguson and explore the ways in which we create and maintain postitive learning environments. Coffee and chat from 7:45-8 a.m. then listen to the presentation from 8-8:30 a.m.
Spotlight on P.E.
In PE, 3rd graders are expressing their beliefs about sportsmanship by creating skits depicting the importance of good sportsmanship.
In PE, 4th graders are working together to express how their values influence their choices to exercise by creating fun fitness videos.
In PE, 5th graders are collaborating to influence others to be active by creating unique workout routines incorporating dance, exercise & yoga.
F.AVE PTO News
FAVE Yearbook: Candid Photos & 5th Grade Dedications
The FAVE Yearbook Committee wants to see all you've been doing in school this year! Please email your photos of FAVE Falcons in action to yearbook@favepto.org. We love photos of school events, field trips, student groups, and school work! Important: Please include student names and teacher/grade in your email if known.
More info on 5th grade dedications coming soon! If you are a 5th grade parent who would like to help in editing this section, please email yearbook@favepto.org
Helpful Info & Resources
School Climate Survey
F.AVE will take the new Georgia School Climate Survey this year. Each parent or guardian is invited to take the family version to answer questions about the current school or schools you have a child or children attending. If two or more children attend the same school, please only complete one survey for that school.
The survey measures what you think about how the school engages with families. Answers are not linked to names in any way. When typing answers, please do not give names or information that you don’t want to share with this school. Data will be shared with school leaders to help improve the school and will be published on the GaDOE website.
Please help by sharing your honest opinion on this 22-question survey. To take the survey, please click this link.
For more information about the surveys, please review this presentation from the Georgia Department of Education.
CSD Community Partners News
Call for Auction Donations
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!
Decatur Prevention Initiative
The Decatur Prevention Initiative (DPI) seeks the community's help in learning more about community perceptions and concerns regarding underage drinking and substance misuse among Decatur's youth. Please take this anonymous survey to help DPI plan, implement, evaluate and sustain programming.
Register to Run While Supporting Decatur Athletics
Did you know that Run With the Dogs 5K is one of Decatur Bulldog Booster's biggest fundraisers? In addition to being a Peachtree Road Race qualifier and a great community event, all proceeds go to support team play needs for 1,100+ athletes on 57 teams, representing 19 sports at DHS and BHMS. Register today and get an amazing t-shirt designed by Decatur's Adam Pinsley! Mark your calendar for Saturday, January 25 – you won't want to miss it!
2025 Run With the Dogs Sponsors:
Event Sponsors
Decatur FC
Green Orthodontics
Presenting Sponsors
Amy Widener, Realtor
Body 20 Decatur
Associate Sponsors
Fleet Feet Decatur
Gracie Jiu Jitsu Decatur
M. Cary and Daughters Plumbing
The Law Office of Ken Lanier
Previous Issues of CSD & F.AVE Communication
Read older issues of the Falcon Flyer here. Older issues of CSD Weekly may be found on CSD's district newsletter webpage.
About Us
Principal
Lynn Hanson
Assistant Principal
Meagan Ferguson
Assistant Principal
Shannon Stewart
School Manager
Malik Morrow
Bookkeeper
Shronda Edwards
Email: fave@csdecatur.net
Website: https://www.csdecatur.net/FAVE
Location: 101 5th Avenue, Decatur, GA, USA
Phone: (404) 371-6680
Please do not reply to this newsletter. See the Who Do I Contact link above and direct your inquiries to the correct individual.