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College Heights Connection
April 11, 2024
Principal's Message
Dear Families,
I hope you had a wonderful spring break. We have a busy next few weeks. Please be sure to save the dates:
- Pre-K field trip to K-2 schools (staff/student only field trip) on May 2nd
- Parent/Teacher conferences begin May 6th.
- Field Day May 9th @ 8:30-12:00 pm
- Pre-K Parade May 16th @ 9:00 am
- Last day of school for Pre-K and preschool special education programs May 22nd
- Memorial Day May 27th - School closed for 0-3 program
Have a great weekend,
Principal Garland
School News and Announcements
Pre-K Families - Parent Coffee Chat on May 3
Pre-K families, please save the date of May 3 at 8:30 am for an informative parent coffee chat on making the transition from Pre-K to Kindergarten. More details will be available after Spring Break. We hope you will join us.
*Editor's note: last week's newsletter had an incorrect date. We apologize for the error.
Media Center News
Spring Book Fair is Next Week!
College Heights is partnering with Little Shop of Stories for the first time for next week's spring book fair. Our spring theme is "Books Grow Readers." The books just arrived yesterday and they look GREAT! There's something for everyone, and lots of amazing books your student can enjoy now and for years to come.
Pre-K students will browse the book fair with their classes on Monday and will make wish lists which will come home that same day. For our 0-3 families, we hope you will stop by during morning drop off next week.
Book fair shopping hours:
Monday, April 15 - 7:30-8:30 am and 1:00-3:30 pm (closed from 8:30 am-1:00 pm for Pre-K classes)
Tuesday, April 16 - 7:30 am-3:30 pm
Wednesday, April 17 - 7:30 am-6:00 pm (EXTENDED HOURS TODAY!)
Thursday, April 18 - 7:30 am-3:30 pm
Friday, April 19 - 7:30 am-2:00 pm (LAST DAY)
Book fair volunteers are needed on April 15 from 8:30 am-1 pm, and daily from 7:30-8:30 am. Please click here to sign up for a volunteer slot. This is a great chance to come to the library during your Pre-K student's library time on Monday. Thanks in advance for your help!
Media Center This Week
In honor of Monday's solar eclipse, Pre-K students enjoyed the book Eclipse by Andy Rash, which details the author's experience viewing the 2017 eclipse with his son.
Other books we read this week:
Warning: Do Not Open This Book! by Adam Lehrhaupt, illustrated by Matthew Forsythe
White is for Blueberry by George Shannon, illustrated by Laura Dronzek
Like a Windy Day by Frank Asch and Devin Asch
Bee by Charlotte Voake
Moose, Goose, & Mouse by Mordecai Gerstein and Jeff Mack
Seen around College Heights
Let's play goalball!
Before Spring Break, Ms. Bauer's Pre-K class learned about the sport of goalball. Goalball is a paralympic sport designed for athletes who have a vision impairment. See a quick video explanation of the game here. Students in Ms. Bauer's class played goalball in their classroom on a court custom made by Ms. Bauer herself. Everyone had an opportunity to play and parents were invited to be spectators - but silently, because that's an important rule of goalball! There's a bell inside the ball that allows athletes to track the ball and block it from entering the goal. Thank you, Ms. Bauer, for introducing us to this exciting sport!CSD News and Announcements
CSD K-Day is coming soon
Please see the flyer below for more information.
Pre-K families: this is a separate and optional event for you to visit your zoned K-2 school as a family. College Heights Pre-K students will visit their K-2 schools with their teachers on May 2.
Arab American Heritage Month
April is Arab American Heritage Month. This month, we celebrate the rich history, culture, achievements, and contributions of Arab Americans to our Nation.
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
As a CSD stakeholder, your input and feedback is a critical component to ensuring academic achievement and overall success for all students. Please use the link below to access important feedback forms.
Curriculum & Cuisine
Join ESOL & Federal Programs and Teaching and Learning for an evening of curriculum updates and international cuisine! RSVP here.
National Mental Health Awareness Month
In honor of National Mental Health Awareness Month (May), the Division of Student Support Services is excited to host a parent workshop to empower parents and guardians with tools to increase their awareness of mental health, and support student wellness. The workshop will take place May 7, 2024 at 5:30 p.m. at the Wilson Center (125 Electric Avenue). Parent registration will be required for attendance. Please click the link here to register.
Community Partner News and Announcements
PTA/PTO/PTSA/Bulldog Boosters Upcoming Events
April 21: Community Eid Celebration at Glennwood Elementary
Decatur Education Foundation News
It's Time to Step Up for Teachers and Staff!
Looking for a way to show your CSD teachers and staff some extra appreciation as the school year comes to an end? DEF provides students and parents with an easy way to do this! Through the month of May, we will be running the Step Up campaign. Anyone who would like to express appreciation for a CSD teacher, administrator, or school support member can go to www.stepupforteachers.com, give a small donation, and leave a short note of gratitude. Tributes will be posted on the DEF website, and notifications will be sent to the individuals being honored.
DEF volunteers will deliver your sign to your home for you! Have a graduating senior? Choose the "Congratulations!" sign instead! Let’s cover Decatur in signs of support for our CSD teachers, staff, and graduates! * If you would like to make a tribute but donation is a barrier, please email Drew@DecaturEducationFoundation.org
Support Student Musicians AND Student Behavioral Health!
DEF's No Ordinary Joe Coffee House Music Series returns on Thursday, May 2nd at Waller’s! This event features talented DHS singers, songwriters, and bands and supports Joe's Fund, DEF’s behavioral health initiatives. To get your tickets and learn more about Joe’s Fund, use the QR code or go here: www.decatureducationfoundation.org/noordinaryjoe/
Save the Date
April 18 - School to Heart to Home virtual parent session
April 24 - Final Early Release Day for 2024-25 school year (Pre-K)
May 3 - Parent Coffee Chat: Making the Transition from Pre-K to Kindergarten
May 9 - Field Day
May 16 - Pre-K Parade