College Heights Connection

Dear Families,

Thank you for your continued support. The new year has brought with it snow and water main breaks which have caused some operational challenges. Thank you to the parents who jumped right in to shovel snow, put down salt, and donate bottled water. Our school family culture has never been more evident than it has been the past two weeks.

Have a wonderful weekend,

Principal Garland

CSD continues to monitor the weather due to the potential of severe weather conditions next week. The safety of our staff and students is always our top priority. Staff and families should check email, the CSD website, and social media channels for updates.

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:

Tuesday, January 21, 6:45 p.m. (virtual only, access the meeting here)

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.

Now that it's January, registration for 2025-2026 is in full swing here at College Heights. Please refer any questions to Caretha Hall. Please refer to the cover letter enclosed in your packet for required documents and fees. Many parents 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. on 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.

Registration for Winter Break Camp opened last week. As of Thursday, January 16, there are 8 spaces available. 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 thrilled to give you a sneak peek at some of the amazing items that will be up for grabs at

our Hollywood Nights for College Heights Auction on February 8. From exclusive experiences

to must-have items, there’s something for everyone:

• 4 nights in mountain home with incredible views close to Cashiers, NC
• Private sushi night with Chef Doni
• Ultimate Georgia sports fan experience: Hawks, Atlanta United, and UGA tickets up for grabs

Stay tuned as we reveal even more fantastic items in the weeks ahead. Don’t miss your chance to bid and support our school.

CSD has shared new Standard Response Protocols (SRP) posters and documents with schools to educate students, families and staff about best practices for responding to a crisis. Schools will display posters in highly visible areas, handouts will be sent home for families, and students will receive small reference cards to keep with them. English and Spanish versions are available for these documents.

What is SRP?

Developed in collaboration with law enforcement and the I Love U Guys Foundation, SRP is a set of terms and actions that students, CSD staff and first responders can incorporate into a school safety plan to train school communities to respond more effectively to emergencies.

SRP Terms and Actions:

• Lockdown: Secures a room and keeps people quiet and in place

• Evacuate: Moves people from one location to another

• Shelter: States the hazard and safety strategy

• Hold: Students stay in their classroom or area until the "All Clear" is announced

• Secure: Students get inside and lock outside doors

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.

January 20 - NO SCHOOL (MLK Day)

January 22 - Early Release Day (Pre-K)

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)

CSD has shared new Standard Response Protocols (SRP) posters and documents with schools to educate students, families and staff about best practices for responding to a crisis. Schools will display posters in highly visible areas, handouts will be sent home for families, and students will receive small reference cards to keep with them. English and Spanish versions are available for these documents.

What is SRP?

Developed in collaboration with law enforcement and the I Love U Guys Foundation, SRP is a set of terms and actions that students, CSD staff and first responders can incorporate into a school safety plan to train school communities to respond more effectively to emergencies.

SRP Terms and Actions:

• Lockdown: Secures a room and keeps people quiet and in place

• Evacuate: Moves people from one location to another

• Shelter: States the hazard and safety strategy

• Hold: Students stay in their classroom or area until the "All Clear" is announced

• Secure: Students get inside and lock outside doors