CSD Supe Scoop

Greetings, CSD:

As the semester break approaches, I continue to be inspired by the collective engagement of our staff, school-community, and partners to positive student achievement and lifelong success. My work to enhance these efforts began with the implementation of my three-step G.E.M. Entry Plan, which is helping me to refine my work as your new superintendent. Work that is informed by the district's All In Decatur Strategic Plan and directed by the CSD Board of Education.

90-Day Review Findings

In synthesizing the data and responses of the G.E.M. Entry Plan, key findings emerged across each of the strategic focus areas. I invite you to learn more in my 90-Day Review . The review includes the areas the board asked me to prioritize, an overview of the G.E.M. Entry Plan and its timeline, along with key findings and recommendations. The review also encompasses your invaluable feedback on CSD successes and opportunities for growth. This input has helped shape my initial priorities. Specifically, grading, literacy, teacher pay increases, student support services, and communications.

Creating Coherence to Achieve Priorities

At the November Board of Education meeting, I presented a throughline between my 90-Day Entry Plan, the All In Decatur Strategic Plan, and the CSD System Charter that was adopted last spring. The aim is to create a clear understanding of why we do what we do, how we do it, and what we are doing to improve outcomes for our students. Strategically allocating and realigning the district's budget will be essential to our work. An immediate example is the relationship between the budget and master schedules. The board was recently presented options for increasing pay for teachers, including increasing funding from the state by adjusting master schedules. The adjustments will ensure students are in state-funded classes on state reporting days (Tuesday and Thursday), which will increase funding allotments for the district. Please note WIN classes will remain a part of the schedule. However, they will be moved to a non-reporting day. I also want to reemphasize that there will be opportunities for input from all stakeholders, including students, teachers, and families before any options are submitted for final board approval.

Navigating Difficulty and Uncertainty

I understand change can be difficult. As educators, we continue to learn how to teach and lead while navigating the complexities of an ever-changing and uncertain global society. Existing challenges in our school district along with the local impact of the conflict in Israel and Gaza have caused us to refocus on what it means to be All In for every student. While true change will take time, City Schools of Decatur is resolute in our commitment to creating an even higher achieving school community that fosters respect, love, and inclusion where all truly means all.

Thank you for entrusting CSD with your gems and enjoy the semester break!

With mixed emotions CSD announces the departure of Dr. Lillie Huddleston, associate superintendent of Equity and Student Services, who is leaving to work in the private sector after seven years of dedicated service. Dr. Huddleston has agreed to continue as a consultant for the district, providing continuity in services and ongoing support. Dr. Huddleston's resignation will be effective December 31, 2023.

In addition to her current role, Dr. Huddleston has worked for CSD as executive director of Equity and Student Support and equity director. During her tenure, Huddleston has had primary oversight over student psychological evaluations and analyses, counseling and school social work, and student activities. Her accomplishments include leading the school health team through the challenges of the pandemic during a time of unparalleled mental health needs.

Dr. Huddleston oversaw the expansion of CSD’s mental health services and supports including the addition of a second location of the Decatur Student Center. She also has partnered with school teams and district administrators to create positive, inclusive school environments as the district leader in implementing Positive Behavior Supports and Interventions and the Code of Conduct and Restorative Practices.

We want to sincerely thank Dr. Huddleston for her compassionate leadership and groundbreaking work in equity and student services for the students, staff, and families of CSD. She has truly been All In.

The Superintendent Advisory Councils are well underway! The councils meet with Dr. Whitaker monthly to inform decisions about shaping the direction and policies of our students' educational journeys, enhancing our teaching and learning environments, and creating deeper understandings of challenges and opportunities. We are especially pleased about our K-12 student advisors, particularly their creative ideas and feedback on various topics to improve their learning experiences.

Calendar development is crucial to organizational effectiveness and excellence. CSD started discussions around the 2025-2026 district calendar in October. Calendars for the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 school years were approved in September 2022, after receiving staff and community feedback on several drafts. These calendars included monthly early release days, one digital learning day per year, and two staff-dedicated workdays.

As we plan for the future, we are proposing that we develop and adopt one calendar annually, meaning calendars will be adopted approximately one and a half years before they go into effect. Our current focus is on the 2025-2026 school year. The process began at the October Board of Education meeting, where board members had an opportunity to share their priorities. Next, we gathered stakeholder feedback through a survey from November 9, 2023 - November 30, 2023. There were a total of 1,980 survey respondents. The Superintendent Advisory Councils also provided feedback.

Understanding the diversity of the CSD school community, there has been intention around ensuring that All truly means All in developing the 2025-2026 calendar. Dr. Whitaker hosted an Interfaith Council Meeting with the purpose of gaining feedback from diverse faiths on the calendar. Representatives from the Baha'i, Catholic, Episcopal, Jewish, Muslim, and Presbyterian faiths helped identify significant holidays in their respective faiths. With their support, we are co-creating a calendar companion to provide guidance and considerations for the district, school, and teacher levels. This companion will include when students might be absent for religious reasons, dates to avoid scheduling major events, and insights into when students might engage in religious rituals such as fasting.

Options were given for discussion at the December Board of Education meeting to inform a final 2025-2026 calendar for presentation at the January Board Meeting. Learn more about the latest in the Calendar Development Process.

CSD is excited to announce our two-year literacy plan, Literacy for All. The plan includes the adoption of high-quality instructional materials for K-8 ELA classes, the move to a coherent universal screener for grades K-12, and increased professional learning in the Science of Reading for K-5 teachers and school leaders. We believe reading is a fundamental right, and we must align our instructional practices and resources to ensure this is a right for all students. Learn more about CSD's Literacy Two-Year Plan.

School districts have flexibility in choosing universal screeners to inform instructional plans. STAR and MAP are on the state's approved listing of vendors. Both include suites of tests used to get a thorough view of a student's progress, achievement, and growth throughout the year. CSD currently uses STAR in grades 9-12 and MAP in K-8. STAR will be implemented across all grade levels in the 2024-2025 school year to provide coherence in assessing and supporting Math and ELA instruction.

Additionally, the transition to STAR will assist the district in proactively addressing reading difficulties. CSD has used different vendors such as Acadience for grades K-1 and MAP Fluency grades 2-3 for the dyslexia screener. Unlike MAP, STAR has a dyslexia screener for grades K-3 and adaptive software K-12, providing uniformity for students, teachers, and families. All teachers will receive training in the second semester to ensure a seamless transition in the 2024-2025 school year.

In response to continuing questions, please see the following for clarity on grading for the 2023-24 school year.

• All students are graded on 1-7 scale

• Grades are visible through parent portal of Infinite Campus

• Grades will be averaged to determine Semesters I and II course grades

• No student GPA was recalculated to reflect any changes for this school year. Their Spring ‘23 GPA is reflected as their starting Fall ‘23 GPA

• General coursework GPAs will be calculated on a 4.0 scale.

• AP, IB and Dual Enrollment course GPAs will be calculated on a 5.0 scale

• Teachers will offer an opportunity to retake parts of the assessment that a student did not show mastery

• Families will receive mid-semester progress reports and semester report cards

• Running GPA will be on report cards

• No additional changes to grading will be made this school year

The Board of Education adopted Grading Policy IHA at its December 12 meeting that outlines grading scales for grades K-5 and 6-12. The grading policy also provides definitions for assigning each grade for the four-point scale. CSD did not previously have a formal grading policy, making it a consistently discussed area of growth during Dr. Whitaker's G.E.M. listening sessions. The new policy is available here.

CSD also announced Honors courses for sixth through tenth graders beginning in the 2024-2025 school year. Handbooks will be made available to families with descriptions of the offerings to assist in selections.

Teacher trainings and ongoing family engagement meetings will occur to ensure clarity and transparency in grading practices and Honors course offerings as parents plan for next school year.

To all of the professional staff, educators, and administrators in the City Schools of Decatur:

On behalf of the Decatur Education Foundation family, we would like to thank you for your tireless efforts for our students in the sprint from August to December. As we approach the Winter Break, we encourage you to take this opportunity to focus on yourself. May your winter holidays be filled with rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation so we can come back strong in 2024!

With gratitude,

The Decatur Education Foundation

• Semester Break, December 21 - January 3
• Professional Learning Day, January 3
• Second Semester Begin, January 4
• January Board Meeting, January 9
• CSD Night at Atlanta Hawks, January 13
• Winter Listening Sessions:
• Wednesday, February 21 - Oakhurst in Gym at 5:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, February 27 - Beacon Hill in Media Center at 5:30 p.m.
• Thursday, February 29 - Virtual at 11:30 a.m. https://csdecatur.zoom.us/j/91210511997

• Board Retreat, February 24

Click here to purchase tickets.

Check out the newly launched CSD Words with Dr. Whitaker, where she highlights news and information with a variety of stakeholders who are All In for City Schools of Decatur.

• Episode 1 - BOE Vice Chair, Dr. Carmen Sulton
• Episode 2 - Decatur Education Foundation Executive Director, Ricky Hyde
• Episode 3 - CSD Superintendent's Office