Dear Decatur Virtual Family,

Dear Parents/Guardians,

In our continuing efforts to support the well-being of all students, City Schools of Decatur (CSD)

will administer a universal screener of social, emotional and behavioral health. CSD adopted the

The Behavior Assessment for Children, third edition Behavior and Emotional Screening System

(BASC-3 BESS) as the universal screener for behavior.

For the 2024-25 school year, students in grades (3, 4, 6, 7, 9, and 10) will take the student self-

report of the screener at their school during the fall and spring administration dates. The Fall

administration of the BASC-3 BESS opened on October 7 and closed on November 1. The

Spring administration of the BASC-3 BESS opens on March 3 and will remain open through

March 28.

Please access the Universal Social Emotional Behavior Screener Frequently Asked Questions

(FAQ) on the CSD website to learn more.

What are your next steps?

No action is required if you agree with your student’s participation in the screening. If you

would prefer that your student NOT participate in the universal screening, please

complete the opt-out form by clicking here or by visiting the district’s MTSS website. The deadline to opt your child out of completing the BESS is Sunday, March 2, 2025. If you submitted an opt-out form for your student(s) prior to the Fall 2024 administration, you do not need to submit another opt-out form.

If you would like more information, have any questions regarding the screener or screening process, or would like to inspect the screener, please plan to attend one of the following virtual information sessions and submit questions here:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeEyBzX2RYb1Hlvkfz32ehzJjGIbChbrtP0jew-xhYaofaQ-w/viewform

Tuesday, February 11, 2025, 9-9:30 a.m.

Friday, February 14, 2025, 2-2:30 p.m.

Zoom link: https://csdecatur.zoom.us/j/8181881752

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, 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 Dr. Whitaker will hear directly from our community about the issues that matter to them.

• Monday, February 3, 5:30-6:30 p.m., College Heights ECLC Media Center

• Monday, February 10, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (virtual)

DVA has meet ups each month on early release days, except for March where we are looking to identify an alternate date. There will not be check ins or student sessions on the early release days. We hope all students will take advantage of these opportunities to meet up and interact with peers and adults each month. Please mark your calendars:

February 26, 2 p.m., Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams, 545 North McDonough St.

March date and location TBD

April 30, 1 p.m., location TBD

Tuesday's WIN class (Middle School) and Wednesday's Tools for Success (High School) class focused on completing mandatory grade level B.R.I.D.G.E. Bill activities in YouScience.

If you did not make it to class, you were marked absent. You still must complete your grade level tasks by Friday. Not completing these activities will jeopardize your ability to receive a passing grade in this class. YES, IT IS THAT IMPORTANT! The slides linked here will show you step by step what you need to do in each grade.

What To Do:
9th graders - do the 9th grade tasks
10th grades - do the 9th and 10th grade tasks
11th graders - do the 9th, 10th, and 11th grade tasks
12th graders - do all the tasks: 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th

If any rising ninth grade DVA student plans to earn their Personal Fitness credit by participating in Marching Band including Color Guard/Winter Guard, a Sport (as recognized by GHSA), or JRTOC; please fill out this form - DVA ONLY: Personal Fitness Alternative Plan Intent

Dr. Jones’ Virtual Office - Dr. Jones's Virtual Office 2024-2025

College Admissions Test Dates:

ACT - February 8

SAT - March 8

SAT - May 3

SAT - June 7

ACT - June 14

ACT - July 12

Do you have a question, concern, or need to set up an appointment with your DVA school counselor? To schedule an appointment with Dr. Jones, use this easy booking link: https://drkimberlyrjones.youcanbook.me/

January 30: Last day to register for AP courses

February 3, Last day to begin AP courses

February 13: Last date to register for Spring '25

February 13: End of CSD add/drop period

February 14: GAVS Student Holiday: students have check-in

February 17: GAVS Student Holiday

February 18-21: Classes are in session

February 18, 19: Students have check-in

February 18: Last date to begin Spring courses

March 15: Registration opens for Fall '26

March 31-April 4: GAVS Spring Break: CSD Students still have check-in and need to work ahead so that they may take CSD Spring Break

April 7-11: CSD Spring Break

April 21 - May 2: Milestones EOG testing

April 21 - May 9: Milestones EOC testing

May 3-9: Final Exams Week

May 5-16: STAR Testing

May 15: Final Grades Released

Decatur Virtual Academy Handbook 2024-25

DVA Brochure

Honor Contract

Please see your school newsletter for important news from your home school and CSD.