CSD Weekly

Starting this week, delivery of CSD Weekly will come from the City Schools of Decatur email. Enhancements will be made to CSD Weekly, including new sections and updates, ensuring this centralized source continues to provide valuable school and district news and resources.

To access this week's school newsletters, click on the school logos below.

Continue to scroll for essential district updates, such as:

• Updates on teacher literacy training
• Information about the STAR assessment webinar
• Early Childhood Needs Survey details
• Upcoming events

Find out what's happening in CSD schools by clicking on the school's logo.

#BeThe1To is the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline’s message for National Suicide Prevention Month and beyond, which helps spread the word about actions we can all take to prevent suicide. Be the one to:

1. Ask 2. Be There 3. Keep Them Safe 4. Help Them Stay Connected 5. Follow Up 6. Learn More

• Attendance Awareness Month, through September 30
• Suicide Awareness Month, through September 30
• Programs Overview Virtual Meeting, September 5
• DEF Battle of the Bands, September 6
  

• National Arts in Education Week, September 8-14

• Board of Education Meeting, September 10

• Patriot Day, September 11
• DHS Homecoming Parade and Game, September 13
• Super Saturday, September 14
• National Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15-October 15

• National IT Professional Day, September 17

• STAR Assessment Webinar, September 17
  
• Board of Education Fall Community Meeting, September 18
  
• Early Release Day, September 20
• Fall Break, September 23-27

• National HR Professional Day, September 26

• National Night Out, October 1
• Dr. Whitaker's Fall Listening Sessions:
• October 14 (Virtual)
• October 23 (Talley Street)
• October 29 (DHA)

Join the CSD Programs Overview Zoom meeting tonight, September 5, from 6-7 p.m. to learn more about the following support programs and services available to CSD students:

• Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS)

• Gifted and Talented Services

• ESOL and Federal Programs

• 504 and Psychological Services

• Professional School Counseling

• Behavior Support

• School Social Work

• Special Education

Tomorrow is GAME DAY! Radio station 92.9 The Game and a sideline reporter from WSB-TV will be taping live on the sidelines during the DHS football game vs. Stephenson on Friday, September 6, at 7:30 p.m.

Purchase tickets at https://gofan.co.

The Teaching and Learning Department will host an informational webinar to provide an overview of STAR and discuss score reports on Tuesday, September 17, at 6 p.m. Join the webinar here.

Additional resources:

• Learn more about STAR
• Frequently asked questions about STAR
• STAR vs. MAP: research study on score correlations

Beginning September 17-October 24, the CSD School Health Team will offer flu vaccines to CSD students, staff, and families in partnership with DeKalb Public Health.

Parents/guardians must be present for their student(s) to receive the flu vaccine at the time of service. Please bring your ID and insurance card for billing. The accepted insurances are United Healthcare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna, Humana, Medicare, and Georgia Medicaid. We do not accept Oscar, Kaiser Permanente, or Tricare.

Scheduled flu vaccine events:

September 17, 3-5 p.m. at College Heights ECLC

September 19, 5-7 p.m., Oakhurst Elementary

October 7, 3-5 p.m., F.AVE

October 21, 3-5 p.m., Wilson Center, second-floor board room

October 24, 3-5 p.m., Decatur High School

Thank you to the over 200 people who installed the City Schools of Decatur app! Use the City Schools of Decatur app to see updates from your children’s schools, quickly access frequently used links, and see your schools’ events in one calendar! You can also provide non-urgent feedback, check sports scores, and contact school administrators.

Instructions for downloading and installing the app:
Step 1: Go to the Apple App Store or Google Play.
Step 2: Type City Schools of Decatur in the search bar and download.
Step 3: Configure the settings after downloading the app.

• Click the settings icon to follow specific schools and select the language preference.
• Find all communication from your child’s schools and the district by clicking the notifications icon. Communication is also delivered through a push notification to the app.
• The tip line serves as a way for parents, students, and community members to provide feedback. This is not a mechanism to notify the district about emergency tips.
• The waffle icon (More) takes users to the embedded apps and websites.
  

Email communications@csdecatur.net with questions.

Overview

In accordance with Georgia’s new Science of Reading professional learning requirements and in alignment with our core commitment that all students will learn to read by grade three, CSD is happy to announce its expanded approach to literacy professional development.

Training requirements

All K-5, 6-12 reading Remedial Education Program (REP), ESOL, and reading and adaptive special education teachers must complete an approved Science of Reading course. CSD offers:

• LETRS3
• Orton-Gillingham (OG)
• Georgia Literacy Academy (GLA)

CSD Support

• Four early release days for training all K-12 teachers on new ELA standards
• Quarterly full-day training sessions for all K-2 teachers on instructional routines supported by the Science of Reading
• Instructional guidance for grades 3-8 teachers in International Baccalaureate (IB) and Units of Inquiry (UoI) through quarterly school-based PLC meetings
• Two-day post-planning training sessions for K-8 teachers on new curriculum
• Weekly support provided by the 6-12 ELA/SS Coordinator through school-based PLCs for teachers of American Literature

Assessment

CSD uses STAR Early Literacy, STAR Reading, and the dyslexia screeners Rapid Automatic Color Naming (RAN) and Encoding to guide instructional decisions.

Parents are invited to learn more by joining the STAR Webinar on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 6 p.m.

Overview

City Schools of Decatur is committed to creating a culture that supports the needs of the whole student. As part of this work, CSD is preparing for the fall administration of the universal screening for social, emotional, and behavioral challenges, which works to identify student strengths and areas for growth relative to social, emotional, and behavioral well-being.

Background

During the 2023-2024 school year, CSD adopted the BASC-3 BESS as the universal screener for behavior. Schools are teaching and creating contexts that promote social and emotional skills and wellness for all students, which can positively impact learning and long-term success. Across all content areas, educators use assessments to determine each student's strengths and areas of growth so they can plan how to teach best and support them. The social, emotional, and behavior (SEB) screening provides an indicator of whether a student’s SEB health is on track and works to ensure help is provided before little problems become big problems.

Details

This year, the SEB screener will be administered to students in grades 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, and 10. The fall administration of the BASC-3 BESS is open Monday, October 7-Friday, November 1.

Parents of students in these grades who do NOT wish for their students to participate in the screener should complete and submit the SEB screening opt-out form by Monday, September 30, 2024. If you submitted an opt-out form for your student(s) during the 2023-2024 school year, you must submit another opt-out form for this school year.

More information

Please read the frequently asked questions (FAQs), follow up with your student’s school counselor, or email sebscreenerquestions@csdecatur.net with questions.

Parents are invited to attend one of the 30-minute virtual parent information sessions to inspect the screener and submit questions about the screener here.

• Wednesday, September 11, 1 p.m., on Zoom
• Friday, September 13, 3 p.m., on Zoom
• Tuesday, September 17, 9 a.m., on Zoom

As part of your child’s physical education program, your child will participate in the Fit Georgia assessment. Fit Georgia is a five-part fitness assessment designed to measure cardiovascular fitness, muscular strength and endurance, flexibility, and body composition. The official Code of Georgia 20-2-777 requires by law that each local school district conduct an annual fitness assessment for all students in grades 1-12.

City Schools of Decatur is committed to preparing students to be physically active and healthy for life. For more details about this assessment, frequently asked questions, and the option to self-report or opt out of the height and weight portion of the assessment, please read this parent letter.

CSD K-5 students: Join Super Saturdays for a morning of fun and educational STEAM-inspired lessons and activities led by CSD teachers and staff! These events are completely free and include hands-on instruction, all necessary supplies and materials, and plenty of engaging learning opportunities in a supportive and creative environment. Super Saturdays take place from 9 a.m.-noon at Fifth Avenue ES, 101 5th Avenue, Decatur, GA 30030. Register here for Super Saturdays!

Super Saturday dates:

September 14, 2024

October 19, 2024

November 16, 2024

December 14, 2024

January 11, 2025

February 8, 2025

March 15, 2025

April 19, 2025

May 10, 2025

CSD is dedicated to giving every student a strong start from birth by building a best-in-class early learning center. This initiative focuses on expanding access to high-quality early learning opportunities for traditionally marginalized families within our community. This survey will gather information about the care, programming, and support needed for early childhood development in the Decatur area.

Parents of children ages 0-5 in the CSD community: Your insights about your experience as a parent or caregiver are crucial in helping us better understand and meet the early childhood needs of our families. Thank you for your valuable input, which will play a vital role in shaping the future of our community's early childhood care and education.

Take the CSD early childhood needs survey here.

If you have a concern about yourself or someone else, please complete the General K-12 Referral Form (24-25). The School Counselors will review the form and connect the person with the appropriate resources. You may share information about yourself or remain anonymous.

Students can refer themselves for services or be referred by a friend, teacher, parent, or concerned community member. Referrals are anonymous unless the person chooses to identify themselves. School Counselors review referrals and connect the student with the appropriate resource(s).

Help Your School Win a $1000 Music Grant!

Attend DEF's Battle of the Bands, a family-friendly community concert, and you could help your school win a $1000 music grant! Head to the Legacy Park lawn on Friday, Sept. 6 from 5-9 p.m. for a fun evening of live music, yummy food, and community! Four CSD bands will be bringing the tunes – you BYOB (bring your own blanket) and your school spirit! The school with the largest percentage of representation will win the music grant for their school... along with a trophy and bragging rights, of course! We’ll have food vendors and sweet treats to supplement your picnic. Adults are $10 and KIDS ARE FREE! If cost is an issue, please email Drew@DecaturEducationFoundation.org.

Buy tickets here for Battle of the Bands, Friday, Sept. 6 from 5-9 p.m., Legacy Park lawn.

City of Decatur Parks and Recreation commits to providing exceptional experiences that foster healthy living and meaningful community connections. Please visit their one-stop-shop website for information about after-school programs, school holiday programs, and summer camps. To stay updated on all things Decatur Parks and Recreation, follow them on Facebook and Instagram or sign up for their monthly newsletter here!

Fall Break is September 23-27. The organizations listed here offer after school programs and/or camps during school breaks. Please contact the organization for more information. Please note that the listed providers are not formally associated with City Schools of Decatur, rather, we are providing information as a resource for our families.