College Heights Connection
November 30, 2023
Principal's Message
I hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving break and were able to spend the days with family and friends. December is a short but busy month. The teachers are looking forward to connecting with our classroom families during parent/teacher conferences. There will be a PTA meet and greet Wednesday, December 6th on the front porch from 7:30-8:00 am. Please be sure to swing by to meet our Board members and hear about upcoming volunteer opportunities.
Have a great weekend,
Principal Garland
School News and Announcements
Parent/Teacher Conferences
Parent/Teacher conferences will be held December 4-15th. Conferences may be held virtually or in person. We encourage all parents to sign up. Conferences are a wonderful way to learn about your student's academic progress, talk about student goals, and collaborate with the teacher on how to be a part of your student's learning at College Heights.
2024-2025 PTA Board Members Needed
The PTA is in need of all Board members for next school year. We'd like to identify new 2024-25 Board members so that the current Board can support them with the transition. The PTA is a vital part of our school's success. It is with the support of our parents that the PTA can be effective in that success. The PTA Board meets each month (mostly virtually but transitioning to meeting in person for some meetings). The time commitment is minimal. Please free to email Sarah Wade or Sarah Garland with any questions about duties and responsibilities.
This is a wonderful way to be a part of our school family. The staff would be super grateful for anyone able to step up to support the school.
School to Heart to Home - December Virtual Parent Workshop
Each month we will be educating parents on the Seven Skills of Discipline. The seven skills empower you to respond to conflict in a way that teaches children the social-emotional and communication skills necessary to manage themselves, resolve conflict, and develop pro-social behaviors. What is really wonderful is that it is an inside-out program – it teaches adults to manage their own upset, sadness, happiness, anger. Then, in turn, it teaches us how we can teach children the same thing. Then they too can manage their own upset when triggered and understand their own feelings.
Please join us for our second session when we will be discussing the skill of assertiveness.
December 7th from Noon-1:00 pm (virtually).
Google Meet joining info
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/ypz-vhyw-dfa
Or dial: (US) +1 724-624-8357 PIN: 529 967 244#
Media Center news
This week we welcomed students back with funny and engaging books, including Escargot by Dashka Slater, illustrated by Sydney Hanson (Pre-K and three year olds), I Made These Ants Some Underpants by Derick Wilder, illustrated by K-Fai Steele (three year olds), Who Hops? by Katie Davis (Older Ones, Young Ones, and Toddlers), Some of These Are Snails by Carter Higgins (Toddlers), Color the Sky by David Elliott (Older Ones), illustrated by Evan Turk, and Toy Boat by Randall de Seve, illustrated by Loren Long (Toddlers).
Next week, Pre-K students will check out books for the first time. For the first few weeks, these books will remain in their classrooms. Students will begin bringing books home in January. Look for more information on this after the first of the year.
Remember that all parents and guardians can set up family library accounts at any time and can check out up to five books at a time and keep them for up to two weeks. And don't forget about the Bunny Bags, which are full of books and activities for young children to enjoy. Make plans to grab some books for the holiday break next month! See Leslie in the Media Center for more information.
CSD News and Announcements
Pizza with the Principals
Please join the principals from Beacon Hill Middle School and Decatur High School for Pizza with the Principals on Tuesday, December 5, 2023 at 5:00 PM at the Decatur Housing Authority Community Resource Center located at 431 Electric Ave. Decatur, Georgia. School leaders from across the district will provide literacy strategies and resources for parents of ALL CSD students from Preschool-12th Grade. At the conclusion of the event, we invite you to join us for Pizza with the Principals.
CSD calendar input wanted
CSD is currently soliciting stakeholder input for the 2025-2026 academic calendar. Your feedback is important and appreciated. To access the survey, please click on the link: https://tinyurl.com/CSDCalendar25-26. The survey will remain open through November 30, 2023.
IEP 101: Decoding the IEP Process
The CSD Special Education team will give an in-depth look at key sections of the IEP document. The Special Education team members will give clear examples to help families with understanding the IEP. This is a great way for families new to this process to learn about the IEP or for families who may need more clarity.
Our special education staff members look forward to connecting with you and guiding families through the document.
IEP 101: Decoding the IEP Process
Date: November 30, 2023
Time: 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Location: 125 Electric Avenue, Decatur, GA 30030
RSVP here. If you have any questions, please contact Cheryl Grant cgrant@csdecatur.net.
PTA News and Announcements
Wednesday, Dec. 6th from 7:30-8:00 am
PTA coffee and donuts in front of school
Stop by and say hello!
We are looking for volunteers to help the night of the auction and for cleanup the morning after. We’ll have sign up sheets and details!
Wednesday, Dec. 6th from 8:00-9:00 am
PTA Monthly Board Meeting in the Media Center
All are welcome! Hope to see you there!
College Heights Annual Auction is February 24 - buy your tickets today!
Secure your tickets and preview our silent and live auction items on the 2024 Auction Site linked here. Auction event tickets are $65 each, and include food from local Decatur restaurants and adult beverages.
If you have any questions, want to donate or get involved, please email Laura Bollman, Auction Chair.
Community Partner News and Announcements
Unleash Your Creativity with DEF's Student Challenge Series!
Unleash Your Creativity with DEF's Student Challenge Series!
Educators & Parents — The Decatur Education Foundation challenges YOUR ARTISTIC SUPERSTARS to design the next iconic sticker that screams Decatur pride! Introducing DEF’s Student Challenge Series, kicking off this month with our first Sticker Design Contest. Your mission, should you choose to accept it:
Capture the essence of Decatur schools' uniqueness.
Splash it with color! Make it eye-catching and crazy fun!
Squeeze your masterpiece into a 3" by 5" space (the size of an index card).
Don't forget to incorporate "Decatur Education Foundation" into your design!
Submit your artistic brilliance in PDF or JPG form to meg@decatureducationfoundation.org before Friday, December 15. Winners will snag professionally printed stickers, a local arts & crafts store gift card, and the spotlight on our social media platforms. For full contest details, please visit DecaturEducationFoundation.org/DEFstickercontest. Let’s showcase what makes Decatur schools extraordinary! #DEFStudentChallenge #DecaturCreativityUnleashed #ForOurKids
Run With the Dogs
The Decatur Bulldog Boosters are pleased to announce that registration for the 20th Annual Run With The Dogs 5K is now open! The race is scheduled for Saturday, January 27, and includes a one-mile "Pup Trot" beginning at 8:30 a.m. and a 5K race at 9:00 a.m. Runners of all ages are invited to participate, and dogs are also welcome on the course. All runners who register before January 15 will receive a coveted Run With the Dogs 5K long-sleeved t-shirt featuring original "Face of the Race" artwork by Decatur Artist Adam Pinsley.
Don't forget to vote for this year’s Face of the Race! Please vote for one dog you would like to see represented on the 2024 Run With the Dogs 5K t-shirts, posters, and outreach. Voting closes at Noon on Wednesday, December 6.
The Run With the Dogs 5K is a Peachtree Road Race qualifier. Race proceeds benefit the Decatur Bulldog Boosters, supporting youth athletics at Decatur High School and Beacon High Middle School. Register today at http://www.rwtd5k.com. Woof!
Atlanta Hawks’ City Schools of Decatur Night
Start the new year off at the Atlanta Hawks' City Schools of Decatur Night at State Farm Arena on Saturday, January 13, 2024! As a bonus, you can support the BHMS Chorus, which will perform the national anthem. The City Schools of Decatur ticket offer includes a $10 food and beverage credit and through this offer, a portion of each ticket purchased will benefit City Schools of Decatur. Click here to purchase tickets.
Save the Date
December 6 - PTA Meet and Greet and Board meeting (7:30-9:00 am)
December 7 - Virtual Parent Session - School to Heart to Home 12:00 pm
December 20 - Early Release Day (Pre-K only)
December 21-January 3 - Semester Break for Pre-K students (school resumes Thursday, January 4)
December 25-January 3 - Semester Break for 0-3 students (school resumes Thursday, January 4)
February 24 - PTA Auction