Staff Chat

I hope you are having a great weekend. Parent/Teacher conferences begin this week. Teachers should not be holding conferences during instructional time. Just a reminder to please turn in your sign in sheet after you have completed all of the conferences. I need a record of which parents actually attended (not just signed up). Please put a hard copy in my mailbox.

A special thanks to Leslie! if you are getting this Staff Chat that means Leslie has fixed our email list in Blackboard so you will be getting more timely communications from the system.

Thank you for everything you do,

Sarah

• If you would like to participate in the Social Committee's Secret Snowflake please stop by the front desk and pick up a snowflake form.
• Support Staff of the Year nominations are live. Please use this form to nominate and view the nomination criteria. Deadline to nominate is December 16th.
• Black out days- Just a reminder a day before and after a break is a black out day. All staff should be in attendance.

The district would like to schedule Beyond Diversity for all CSD employees who have not had the opportunity to take it.

Because Beyond Diversity lasts two days, it will be scheduled for either Feb 13th and 14th or 15th and 16th during winter break at the district office. The time will be roughly 9am - 4pm. You must attend both full days to complete the course.

If you are off contract the district will pay attendees a stipend for both days. If you are on contract then you would get a sub to cover your days out of the building. If there are enough registrants, they will hold the training. If not, they will have to postpone until an unspecified later date.

It's a wonderful training which supports the district and school equity missions. The last day to do so is Friday, Dec 9th. https://forms.gle/LEb3KKXgEj8dJECdA

The 2022-2023 Good Equity Troublemaker Award process is now open!

The late Congressman John Lewis was known for his famous plea to all humans fighting for social justice: “Speak up, speak out, get in the way. Get in good trouble, necessary trouble, and help redeem the soul of America.” Who in this district, or in your building, has actions that speak louder than their words when it comes to being a good troublemaker for equity? Honor them for this prestigious award by telling us more about their actions to ensure equitable educational outcomes in CSD.

Any CSD faculty, staff member, or administrator is eligible for nomination. Nominate someone (or yourself) for the Good Equity Troublemaker Award here by Sunday, January 8, 2023, at 11:59 PM.

Contact Anthony Downer at adowner@csdecatur.net with any questions or for more info.

A big thanks to the social committee for organizing some fun holiday happenings!

Monday December 12 - PJ Day

Cozy up in your PJs and warm up with yummy hot cocoa

Tuesday December 13- Cookie Swap and Candy Cane Stripe Day

Wear red and white and join us for a cookie swap. Everyone please bring 3-4 dozen holiday cookies or treats (homemade or store bought) and the social committee will provide bags so everyone can take a variety of cookies home.

Wednesday December 14- Winter Wonderland Day

Wear blue and white and enjoy hot apple cider from the Social Committee.

Thursday December 15 - Holiday Socks and Headgear Day

Wear your craziest holiday socks and/or headgear and check your mailbox for a small treat from the Social Committee.

Friday December 16- Ugly or Festive Sweater Day

Wear your fun holiday sweater and show your holiday spirit!

Don't forget about the Secret Snowflake gift exchange from December 12-16! We hope everyone will participate. Here's how it works:

1. First, get a Secret Snowflake form from Caretha, fill it out, and return it to Caretha.

2. Elecia will tell you your Secret Snowflake (shhh - it's a secret!) and give you his/her form so you'll know what they like.

3. From Monday, December 12 through Thursday, December 15, you'll give your Secret Snowflake a small gift ($1 value) each day. You'll get a gift each day from someone too!

4. On Friday, December 16, you'll give your Secret Snowflake his/her gift ($20-25) and receive your gift!

Also happening this week - the Social Committee will put all staff members' names in a drawing for a daily "white elephant" gift and we will have a snow globe photo booth in the lobby for staff and families.

It's going to be a fun week! Thanks so much.

I am seeing an increase in staff using cell phones during instructional time. Please review our school's cell phone policy.Cell phones may not be used for personal reasons during instructional time or while supervising students. If children are awake during naptime you may not be on your phone.

The use of cell phones during these times will result in the following actions:

1. First offense: a verbal warning

2. Second offense: warning letter will be given to staff member

3. Third offense: warning letter, phone will be taken and left at the front desk, and staff member will be placed on a Counseling Form

December

2- Rashad Russell

14- Brenda Griggs

23- Nekesha Fraizer

30- Stephanie Collins