College Heights Connection
October 12, 2023
Principal's Message
We have had another busy week at College Heights. A special shout out to the families in Ms. Bauer and Ms. McMahon's classroom for a lovely staff lunch last Friday. We kick off Literacy Week on October 23rd with a Family Literacy Night from 6:00-7:00 pm. We hope you can join us for a variety of literacy stations and activities facilitated by the College Heights teachers. We will wrap up our Literacy Week on October 27th with our annual Book Parade at 9:00 am in the front parking lot.
Have a great and restful weekend,
Principal Garland
School News and Announcements
November 7th - School Closed
Just a reminder College Heights is closed to all students on Tuesday, November 7th for a teacher workday. Click here for more information about the purpose of this day and what it will look like for College Heights students.
Literacy Week - October 23rd-27th
The annual College Heights Literacy Week is coming soon! Make plans to join us for a full week of celebrating early literacy, including: Scholastic Book Fair, family literacy night held at the school with fun activities for all ages, a virtual family literacy workshop, guest/mystery readers, and PTA Read-to-Me-a-Thon (see details below in the PTA section) and we will cap off the week with our annual Book Parade at 9:00 am on Friday, October 27th. More details to come next week; teachers will also be sending information to families.
School to Heart to Home - Virtual Parent Workshop
Please join staff from College Heights as we introduce our parent workshop series on Conscious Discipline titled School to Heart to Home. Each month we will be educating parents on the Seven Skills of Discipline. The seven skills empower you to respond to conflict in a way that teaches children the social-emotional and communication skills necessary to manage themselves, resolve conflict, and develop pro-social behaviors. What is really wonderful is that it is an inside-out program – it teaches adults to manage their own upset, sadness, happiness, anger. Then, in turn, it teaches us how we can teach children the same thing. Then they too can manage their own upset when triggered and understand their own feelings.
Our first session will be held virtually on Thursday, October 19th at noon. The first skill we will discuss is composure.
Google Meet joining info
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/unq-yihn-ujq
Or dial: (US) +1 216-930-9702 PIN: 399 514 128#
Spirit Week begins MONDAY, OCTOBER 16!
College Heights Chicks have spirit, yes we do!
College Heights Chicks have spirit, how 'bout you?
Join the fun as we celebrate our school during a week of spirit activities. If you need a College Heights T-shirt or onesie for your student, please click here to order from the PTA website.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
The College Heights staff is honoring breast cancer awareness during the Month of October. There are several opportunities for parents to support our efforts:
- Purchase a raffle ticket for $5 for your child's teacher(s) or any other College Heights staff. With each ticket the staff will receive a raffle ticket to win a fitness tracker. Just check in at the front desk and purchase a ticket starting Monday, October 2nd. All funds raised will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Greater Atlanta Chapter.
- Hat and scarf/head wrap drive: Many chemo patients are in need of hats and scarves/head wraps for the winter months. We are asking families and staff to consider donating new hats and head wraps/scarves to be donated directly to the Winship Cancer Institute of Emory. A donation box will be located in the front lobby.
- Pink Tree: Our "pink tree" will be set up in the front lobby for staff and families to tie a pink ribbon in honor of a loved one who has been impacted by breast cancer. You will also receive a ribbon to wear yourself.
- Highlight and Support: Pink out! Wear all pink on Monday, October 30th.
Media Center news
Media Center this week
Pre-K students were delighted to meet author/illustrator Sophie Blackall on Monday when she visited College Heights to talk about her new book, If I Was a Horse. She talked about her inspiration for writing and illustrating books and even drew a horse picture for us to keep. Students asked great questions and teachers agreed that it was one of the best author visits we've had here at College Heights. Families are invited to visit our display of Sophie Blackall books and check some out to share with your children. Event photos are below.
Here are some of the books we read this week (Pre-K had the author visit instead of library time this week):
Stumpkin by Lucy Ruth Cummins (Preschool)
Pete the Cat - Falling for Autumn by Kimberly and James Dean (Preschool, Toddler)
Clap Your Hands by Lorinda Bryan Cauley (Preschool, Toddler)
In the Middle of Fall by Kevin Henkes (Ones, Toddler)
What's Your Sound, Hound the Hound? by Mo Willems (Ones)
CSD News and Announcements
CSD Community Diwali Celebration - October 28
City Schools of Decatur is hosting a Diwali celebration at Oakhurst Elementary, and would love for everyone in the community to join!
Flu Vaccine Event
The CSD School Health Team is partnering with the DeKalb County Board of Health to offer flu vaccines to the City Schools of Decatur school community. Students, staff, and families are welcome to attend. Parents/Guardians interested in their student receiving the flu vaccine must be present at time of service. Please bring your ID and insurance card for billing. Accepting private and Medicaid Insurance, with the exception of Kaiser and TriCare Insurance plans.
PTA News and Announcements
Read-To-Me-A-Thon starts next week!
Help College Heights shoot for the moon with NEW and UPDATED library books by participating in our Read-To-Me-A-Thon from October 18-25!
Readers with the highest number of logged minutes will receive prizes and classrooms and age groups with the highest participation will be celebrated after the Book Parade on Friday, October 27th.
To register your reader, click here, and for more information, check out the flyer (which is also coming home in your child's backpack) below!
Trunk or Treat - Save the Date!
The College Heights PTA will be hosting a trunk-or-treat at 6 pm on October 27th outside of the school, followed by a screening of "Mickey and Friends Trick or Treats" at 6:45 on the lawn.
We encourage children AND adults to come dressed for the occasion! Prizes will be awarded for the best costumes.
Be sure to bring lawn chairs/blankets for the movie. We will have Chick-fil-A for sale, so save room for dinner!
Please RSVP by October 20 here.
PTA Thanks Chando's Tacos
A big THANK YOU to Chando’s Tacos for giving a discount for last Friday’s staff lunch hosted by Ms. Bauer’s class! The tacos and pico were delicious and greatly enjoyed by all! Be sure to check them out. Their Decatur restaurant is now open at 254 W. Ponce de Leon Avenue. Click here for their website.
Community Partner News and Announcements
Support Positive Behavioral Health with the Decatur Education Foundation
At the Decatur Education Foundation, we're passionately committed to transforming the lives of our students and creating an environment where they can truly thrive. We understand that there are significant challenges that our students face every day — Last year, we provided over $28,000 in behavioral health grants through Joe’s Fund and empowered 60 CSD employees and community members with vital suicide intervention skills through the ASIST training.
But here's the truth: We can't do it alone. We need your help. By supporting the Decatur Education Foundation, you're investing in the future of our community. You're ensuring that our students have the support they need to overcome challenges and thrive. Join our Step Up Circle, a circle of dedicated families and local businesses who make an annual commitment to #ourkids. Discover how you can be a catalyst for change by visiting www.decatureducationfoundation.org. Together, we can make a difference.
MAD AVE DERBY: FINAL DAYS TO REGISTER!
Register to race as a driver or save the date to cheer on your favorite cars during a day of family-friendly fun at the 12th Annual Madison Avenue Derby on Saturday, October 21st, 2023! This year’s event benefits Urban Recipe, an organization that addresses food insecurity in metro Atlanta. Driver registration open thru 10/5 or until spots sell out. T-shirts available by pre-order thru 10/4 - all proceeds benefit Urban Recipe! www.madavederby.org
A Season of Giving
A Season of Giving is a neighbor led organization which helps purchase gifts directly for local children and seniors! To apply for assistance, please complete an online application at https://aseasonofgiving.org/child-application/ by November 4th.
**NEW** Applications may be submitted for any child ages infant through 12th grade!
If you are not in need of assistance, please consider supporting our efforts. To become a donor for A Season of Giving, complete the form at https://aseasonofgiving.org/sponsor/. To volunteer, complete the form at https://aseasonofgiving.org/volunteer/.
Save the Date
October 16-20 - College Heights Spirit Week
October 18-25 - Read-To-Me-A-Thon sponsored by the College Heights PTA
October 19 - School to Heart to Home Virtual Parent Workshop
October 23-27 - Literacy Week and Scholastic Book Fair
October 27 - Trunk or Treat and Movie Night sponsored by the College Heights PTA
November 7 - School Closed (teacher workday)