College Heights Connection

Dear Families,

What a week! Thank you for your patience and understanding as we continue to navigate Mother Nature and all the things she is bringing with her in 2025. Most importantly, I hope you and your family are staying safe and warm. CSD is returning to normal operations tomorrow. The district's facilities and operational staff are completing a checklist to ensure all schools are safe and secure. The parking lot is being cleared and salt is being distributed to ensure safe pathways for our students and staff. Thank you again for your understanding.

Sincerely,

Principal Garland

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!

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.

As we create more opportunities for dialogue around CSD, families are invited to attend an upcoming winter listening session where CSD Superintendent Dr. Gyimah Whitaker will hear directly from our community about the issues that matter to them. We hope you can join us. This event is open to the general public and anyone with children in any school at CSD.

Date: Monday, February 3

Time: 5:30 to 6:30 pm

Location: College Heights Media Center

Registration for 2025-2026 for returning families is coming to a close. Please refer any questions to Caretha Hall. Please refer to the cover letter enclosed in your packet for required documents and fees. Many families are submitting incomplete registration packets.

Current 0-2 families:

All packets have been sent home with families. Please note: current residency must be submitted to secure your spot. If you have updated immunizations please submit the GA 3231 form with your packet. All enrollment documents and fees must be submitted by 3:00 p.m. TOMORROW, January 24.

Current Preschool/Rising Pre-K families:

Preschool enrollment and Pre-K enrollment/afterschool enrollment packets have been sent home. Please note parents must submit all required documents. Bright from the Start will not allow us to use documents currently on file. Therefore, all documents must be re-submitted. All enrollment documents and fees must be submitted by 3:00 p.m. on February 7.

Current Pre-K/Rising Kindergarten families:

Your Pre-K student will be automatically enrolled in your neighborhood school for Kindergarten. There is nothing families need to do at this time. We encourage you to reach out to your home school if you will need aftercare services for your student.

Families, you are our best ambassadors! Do you know other Decatur families who might be interested in getting to know College Heights? We are offering tours for new families on Wednesday, March 19 and Thursday, April 3 at 8:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. Prospective families should contact Caretha Hall to reserve their spots.

We are excited to partner with Little Shop of Stories to bring amazing books for all ages to College Heights.

Dates and Times

March 24-28, 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

March 24 College Heights Family Night, 6-7 p.m. (more information coming soon!)

Pre-K students will browse the book fair with their classes on Monday, March 24. We need parent (or grandparent) volunteers on this day from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. You don't have to be the parent of a Pre-K student.

Can you help? Please email Leslie Joiner or come by the Media Center. Thanks!

Registration for Winter Break Camp is open. As of Thursday, January 23, there are just a few spaces remaining. Please see Caretha for a registration form. Payment is due at the time of registration. Scholarships are available for this camp; details are below.

We will be offering Summer Camp for any currently enrolled Pre-K student during the month of June. Registration for Summer Camp opens February 24 at 8:00 a.m.

Camp details:

• Camp dates: June 2-27
• Camp is available for the first 40 students registered.
• Camp hours will be 7:30-4:00 p.m. with aftercare services available from 4:00-5:00 p.m. at an additional cost.
• Camp tuition is $250/week without aftercare and $300/week with aftercare
• Tuition must be paid at the time of registration
• Fees are non-refundable

Registration packets will be available at the front desk and on our website beginning February 1. All completed packets must be submitted to the front desk on February 24. Packets will not be accepted prior to this date. No email packets will be accepted.

Questions? Please contact Elecia Fulton.

Date: Friday, February 7

Time: 8:30 a.m.

Location: College Heights Library

SAVE THE DATE to join Ilene Zeff, Media Specialist at Winnona Park Elementary School, and other families from our school community as we start a conversation about digital wellness. After sharing information about digital wellness and the impact of screen use on young children’s brains, we will reflect on screen use within our own families and discuss strategies to begin to better manage the technology in our lives. If you have any questions, please email Ms. Zeff at izeff@csdecatur.net.

We’re just a few weeks away from our highly anticipated auction, happening on Saturday, February 8, 2025!

BUY your tickets now.

VOLUNTEER at the event.

Whether it’s your first time attending or you’re a seasoned bidder, we’ve put together this quick FAQ to answer all your questions and help you prepare for an unforgettable night.

• When is the auction?
  The auction is on Saturday, February 8, 2025, starting at 7:00 PM. The silent auction will begin online on January 27.
  
  

• Where is it?
  The event will be held at the Chapel on Sycamore located at 318 Sycamore Street, Decatur, GA 30030.
  
  

• Where can you park?
  We strongly recommend using rideshare services (Uber/Lyft). There is a small lot on-site behind the chapel, street parking on Sycamore or N. Candler, and a few spaces across the street in a gravel lot at the historic High House (309 Sycamore Street).
  
  

• Where to go when you arrive?
  Come to the arches between the Chapel and the Sycamore Building. Look for the red carpet!
  
  

• What’s the dress code?
  Cocktail attire is recommended, but feel free to come as you’re comfortable. Either way, we promise a great time!
  
  

• How much does it cost to attend?
  Tickets are $50 per person and include access to the event, food, and entertainment. You can still buy tickets!
  
  

• Why should I go to the auction?
  

• Support the College Heights community with funds that benefit staff professional development; instructional resources and materials; student enrichment programs including garden, music, Spanish, and Zumba; camp scholarships; staff emergency fund, and more!
  

• Have a parents night out, catch up with friends, and enjoy a chance to make new connections in the community.
  
  

• Will there be food and drinks?
  Yes, we will have food from Glide Pizza, delicious hors d'oeuvres, and desserts on a buffet style spread. Drinks are included; we will have wine, beer, seltzers, and a specialty cocktail.

• Can I still donate or volunteer?
  Absolutely! We’re looking for donations and volunteers to make the night a success.

• Volunteers can sign up here.

• If you want to donate items please email CollegeHeightsAuction@gmail.com

• If you can’t attend the event and want to donate towards the fundraising, you can do so here.

There’s still time to BUY your tickets and start spreading the word!

If you have any other questions, feel free to reach out CollegeHeightsAuction@gmail.com.

We can’t wait to see you on the red carpet!

All issues of the College Heights Connection are available on our website. Click here!

Older issues of CSD Weekly may be found on CSD's district newsletter webpage.

College Heights Early Childhood Learning Center cultivates an atmosphere where children take their first steps in building an authentic love of learning through developmentally appropriate practices in an environment that fosters family and community involvement.

February 3 - Dr. Whitaker's Community Listening Session (5:30 p.m., CHECLC Media Center)

February 8 - Hollywood Nights! College Heights PTO Auction

February 17-21 - Winter Break (Pre-K and Preschool Special Education students)

February 24 - Summer Camp registration opens (current Pre-K students only)