CSD Weekly, October 10, 2024

Please scroll to learn about:

• District News: Student Achievements, Sportsmanship Award and Photos
  
• Math Standards Explainer Videos and STAR Webinar Recording
• All-In School Events
• Community Partner News: Agnes Scott Pick-A-Sweet, Decatur Safe Streets, and more

Find out what's happening in CSD schools by clicking on the school's logo.

Pictured: FAVE, Winnona Park, and Beacon Hill students walked and rolled to school this week to celebrate National Walk & Roll to School Day! Many thanks to our Georgia Safe Routes to School volunteers. We are increasing physical activity while improving air quality and engaging as a community! Photos from the City of Decatur Police Department.

• CSD State of the Schools, October 11
• Board of Education and City of Decatur Commission Retreat, October 15
• Dr. Whitaker's Fall Listening Sessions
• October 14, 11:30 a.m., join virtually here
• October 23, 5:30 p.m., Talley St. Media Center
• October 29, 5:30 p.m., DHA Community Resource Center, 481 Electric Ave.
• Early Release Day, October 30
• Digital Learning Day, November 5

The CSD School Health Team is offering flu vaccines to CSD students, staff, and families in partnership with DeKalb Public Health. Get your flu shot at one of the remaining scheduled flu vaccine events:

Flu vaccine events:

October 16, 1-3 p.m., Talley Upper Elementary

October 21, 3-5 p.m., Wilson Center, second-floor board room

October 24, 3:30-5:30 p.m., BHMS and Decatur High School combined, DHS Hospitality Suite

October 28, 1-3 p.m., Glennwood Elementary

Parents/guardians must be present for their student(s) to receive the flu vaccine at the time of service. Please bring your ID and insurance card for billing. The accepted insurances are United Healthcare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna, Humana, Medicare, and Georgia Medicaid. We do not accept Oscar, Kaiser Permanente, or Tricare.

CSD schools and staff will observe Wear It Pink Day in observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Wear It Pink is typically observed on the last Friday of October. In 2024, this colorful event will take place on October 18, allowing individuals and organizations to wear pink and participate in related activities to support the cause.

CSD K-5 students: Join Super Saturdays for a morning of fun and educational STEAM-inspired lessons and activities led by CSD teachers and staff! These events are completely free and include hands-on instruction, all necessary supplies and materials, and plenty of engaging learning opportunities in a supportive and creative environment. Super Saturdays take place from 9 a.m.-noon at Fifth Avenue ES, 101 5th Avenue, Decatur, GA 30030. Register here for Super Saturdays!

Next Super Saturday date:

October 19, 2024

Remaining Super Saturday dates:

November 16, 2024

December 14, 2024

January 11, 2025

February 8, 2025

March 15, 2025

April 19, 2025

May 10, 2025

The CSD student support services team invites parents to "Empowering Parents for Drug-Free Futures!": A Drug Awareness Panel for Parents, on Wednesday, October 30, 5:30-7 p.m., at the Wilson Support Center. Register for this event here.

Students are invited to participate in a statewide cybersecurity awareness poster contest! The theme is "Secure Our Schools. Find specific ideas and requirements here. Submissions are due via this form by November 1, and entries must include the student's work and a completed parent verification form. If you need a printed verification form or require technical assistance submitting the work, please let your media specialist or (at BHMS and DHS) your instructional technology coach know.

On Tuesday, October 8, DHS students Timothy Britt, Jr., Ramah Elmahdi, and William Smiley were presented with scholarships at the Metro Atlanta Black Male Initiative hosted by Clark Atlanta University (CAU). A group of DHS students traveled to CAU for this initiative to motivate, support, and encourage minority males to build self-confidence, believe in themselves, and pursue higher education. After meeting the dean, coaches, and several male student leaders, students had lunch before touring the campus.

Nine DHS students (above) and two BHMS students (below) are part of selective metro-area music ensembles for the 2024-2025 year.

Nine students from Decatur High School and two Beacon Hill Middle School students have been selected for prestigious Atlanta-area music ensembles for the 2024-2025 year.

The Emory Youth Symphony Orchestra accepted DHS students Jordan Archer, who plays double bass, Shay Hendrickson (viola), Anika Kailasam (viola), Ellen Kolesnikova (violin), Hazel Patty (double bass) and Ezekiel Werner (violin and percussion).

Patty and Werner were also invited to join the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra (ASYO), as were DHS students Ava DeFilippo, Jackson Jeffrey, and Nathan Wakefield, who all play the French horn. Additionally, Beacon Hill Middle School students Caleb Black, who plays alto saxophone, and Tyson Cook, who plays French horn, were selected for the Atlanta Youth Wind Symphony Young Artist Clinic.

“It is quite an honor for CSD to have so many students in these groups, especially considering the size of our schools and the number of stellar student musicians from around the area,” said Ira Jenkins, director of bands at Decatur High School.

These music ensembles accept only a small percentage of the metro-area students who audition. Student members will have exclusive opportunities for continued mastery of their instruments as they rehearse for a series of concerts and performances throughout the year.

Congratulations to Decatur High for winning the regional winner of the 2023-2024 Cooperative Spirit Sportsmanship Award! This award from Georgia Electric Membership Corporation recognizes exemplary sportsmanship by athletes, fellow students, parents, coaches, and spectators during competitive events in the 2023-2024 school year, making the award a tribute to the entire school community! DHS joined 64 other Georgia High School Association (GHSA) schools throughout the state as 2023-2024 winners.

Wearing red helps to spread awareness for dyslexia, which is one of the seven disabilities that we are highlighting for National Learning Disabilities Awareness Month.

Thank you to everyone who worked hard to make CSD Reads Week a success! Students and staff participated in fun reading activities, such as virtual readings from UGA and NFL football champion Malcom Mitchell and CSD Mystery Readers, Go Red for Dyslexia, and donating books to Children Read Atlanta via their schools to promote literacy districtwide. Members of the Teaching and Learning team also showed up for the Decatur Book Festival for additional literacy events featuring Joyce Carol Oates, the Hon. Stacey Abrams, from NBA All-Star Joe Barry Carroll, and more.

BOE Board Chair James Herndon, Vice Chair Dr. Carmen Sulton , Superintendent Dr. Gyimah Whitaker joined Wilson Center Staff in reading to students in elementary schools across CSD. Pictured, clockwise from top left: Nikki Jackson, Pk-5 ELA & Social Studies coordinator, Malcom Mitchell, Iris Im, MTSS director, Superintendent Dr. Gyimah Whitaker, Mikkal Hart Murunga, chief of communications, and Eston Melton, chief information officer.

• National Hispanic Heritage Month, September-October 15

• World Mental Health Day, October 10
  

• National Bullying Prevention Month, October 1-31
• Breast Cancer Awareness Month, October 1-31
• Crime Prevention Month, October 1-31
• Domestic Violence Month, October 1-31
• Learning Disabilities and Dyslexia Awareness Month, October 1-31
• LGBTQ+ History Month, October 1-31
• Fire Safety Week, October 6-12
• Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples' Day, October 14
• Digital Citizenship Week, October 14-18
• National School Lunch Week, October 14-18
• Wear It Pink, October 18
• Red Ribbon Week, October 23-31

The Georgia Department of Education has shared videos explaining each grade level's math standards. Videos correspond to the curriculum from each quarter, so parents and the community can follow along and help their students if needed.

See the DOE math standards explainer videos by grade level here.

A recording of the STAR Assessment informational webinar hosted by CSD's Department of Teaching and Learning on September 17 is available here.

Additional resources:

• Learn more about STAR
• Frequently asked questions about STAR
• STAR vs. MAP: research study on score correlations

CSD has launched CSD Constituent Services, which provides resources for stakeholders to address their issues and concerns. Part of Constituent Services is ResolveCSD, CSD's new process for elevating concerns that cannot be resolved at a school or department level. CSD believes that concerns are best handled as close to their origin as possible, starting with the school staff or principal. Learn more at the CSD Constituent Services website.

CSD's finance department has published the 2025 budget calendar for drafting, reviewing, and finalizing the CSD's 2026 budget. The calendar is also on the CSD finance webpage.

Search for "City Schools of Decatur" in the Apple App Store or Google Play today!

Spectators are invited to the 13th annual Madison Avenue Derby & Food Drive on Saturday, October 12 at noon! This family-friendly event features creatively-themed, gravity-powered soapbox derby cars racing down Madison Avenue. Spectators enjoy the fun for free! Bring a chair or picnic blanket, and watch over fifty fun themed cars race down Madison Avenue. Food and drink vendors are available.

The Madison Avenue Derby is more than just a thrilling race — it's a way to support local nonprofits dedicated to children's needs. This year, funds raised support Remerge's Giving Grace program. Remerge is committed to fostering community and belonging in Metro Atlanta. The Giving Grace program addresses hunger and assists with rent and utilities for needy families, particularly in the Decatur area.

To support Remerge, the Derby is holding a non-perishable item food drive. Bring donated items to the Remerge tent at the Derby and receive a Mad Ave Derby sticker as a thank you. Visit madavederby.org for a schedule, volunteer on race day, or sign up for updates at madavederby.org/email-signup. Follow us on social via @MadAveDerby.

The City of Decatur Police Department is implementing an automated photo speed enforcement program following a study that identified speeding as a significant issue in school zones. Cameras will be placed near Beacon Hill Middle School, Clairemont Elementary School, Westchester Elementary School, and Winnona Park Elementary School to deter speeding motorists.

Beginning Monday, October 14, 2024, a warning period will begin for school zone speed limit violations. Violators will receive a warning in the mail marked in red. The live enforcement will start on Wednesday, November 13, 2024. Motorists exceeding the speed limit by 10+ MPH will receive a citation with a $100 fine for the first violation and $150 for subsequent violations. Photo speed cameras will be active on school days during school zone hours.

Many teens misjudge the risks of marijuana and are confused about new hemp-derived products due to changing legal landscapes. It's crucial for parents to be informed to discuss these issues effectively. An upcoming speaker series will cover the impact of these substances on teens' health, including early use effects, communication strategies about risks, and the rising prevalence of Delta 8, Delta 10, THC-0, and other accessible mood-altering substances. This speaker series is essential for parents concerned about their child's safety in today's complex environment.

Join us for a Speaker Series session below:

• Thursday, October 24, 2024, 6:30-8 p.m. at Decatur High School - Learning Commons
• Friday, October 25, 2024, 9:30-10:30 a.m. at Beacon Hill Middle School - Media Center

Additional support provided by Decatur Prevention Initiative.

Supper & Sips Returns!

Grab your friends and neighbors and help us celebrate the return of Decatur Education Foundation's highly-anticipated fall FUNdraiser - Supper & Sips! Join us on Thursday, Nov. 14th, from 6-10 pm at The Chapel on Sycamore for an evening of food, fun, and fellowship - all for a good cause. The Supper provides crucial support for DEF, allowing us to continue our work addressing unmet needs, providing enriching opportunities, and supporting our educators. Get your tickets today! Interested in sponsorship opportunities? Email Meagan@DecaturEducationFoundation.org.

STEP UP for Decatur Youth!

DEF was founded more than 20 years ago by a group of residents who wanted to ensure that EVERY student in CSD had what they needed to learn and thrive. Today, DEF's mission remains focused on Decatur's kids and educators, and we are still 100% reliant on the support of the Decatur community. DEF puts the community's contributions where they will have the biggest impact on our students, and DEF's Step Up Circle is a special group of supporters that allows us to operate programs like Lighten the Load, Teacher Innovation Grants, behavioral health support, arts programming, and so much more. There are also benefits - for both businesses and individuals - to joining DEF's Step Up Circle (beyond the warm and fuzzy feeling you get from supporting Decatur's kids!). Visit https://decatureducationfoundation.org/step-up-circle/ to learn more about the different giving levels.

Agnes Scott College is hosting its annual Pick-A-Sweet event on Thursday, October 31, 2024, from 5-7 p.m. on campus. This event is free and open to the community!

In honor of the DHS fall musical, Hadestown: Teen Edition, Decatur Performs is sponsoring a student poetry competition! Hadestown: Teen Edition is a jazzy musical that retells the myth of Orpheus' quest to overcome Hades and save his true love, Eurydice. Students are invited to share poetry about Greek mythology themes, fate, the changing weather and seasons, the dream world, and trying even if you fail.

The contest is open to all CSD students in grades three and up, and one winner each will be chosen from Talley Street, FAVE, BHMS, and DHS. Each winner will receive two tickets to Hadestown for November 13 or 14. Winning poems will be displayed in the lobby of the DHS Performing Arts Center throughout the run of the show, November 13-17. Buy tickets for the show here.

Students: Please submit your poem here by November 4.

Decatur Safe Streets

The Decatur Safe Streets Safety Action Plan, a City initiative housed in Decatur’s Public Works Department, is partnering with Decatur Safe Routes to School this October and November to collect input from parents and kids at various CSD Walk & Roll to School events.

The Safety Action Plan is an important City planning process that will help Decatur address safety needs for all roadway users, with the goal of eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries in Decatur. To learn more and provide input to the plan, visit decaturga.com/ss4a

City of Decatur Parks and Recreation

Upcoming DPR events include boxing Club (Decatur), game night (Ebster), and PorchFest Kid's Zone (Oakhurst). To learn more about upcoming events and programs, access the Playbook or visit their webpages:

• Decatur Recreation Center
• Ebster Recreation Center
• Oakhurst Recreation Center

Visit their one-stop-shop website for information about after-school programs, school holiday programs, and summer camps. To stay updated on all things Decatur Parks and Recreation, follow them on Facebook and Instagram or sign up for their monthly newsletter here!