Dr. Fehrman
DHS Creative Writing Students Publish 2023 Literary Magazine
This year, DHS had 85 students contribute their writing, artwork, and production process skills to the 185-page literary magazine, The Language of Flowers. The students did a phenomenal job turning in submissions, designing the layout, copying and editing, and creating artwork for the magazine. Special thanks to Mira Donsky and Soph Davis for putting the final layout together. Click here to view the full lists of student contributors. Way to go students and Creative Writing teacher Frances Wilson!
Top Dog Award Winners
Our Top Dog Award Winner this week is Jeanne Renaux!
Jeanne Renaux, Kindergarten Teacher at Westchester Elementary, received this nomination from a parent:
Ms. Renaux hosted the Stories Alive! event at Westchester Elementary that taught all children in the school about the art of storytelling. She spearheaded a wonderful live event for the students and parents that went above and beyond! The staff and teachers at Westchester brought several students' stories to life, with shadow puppets, costumes, live music, and singing. It was an absolute blast - so creative, the students were incredibly engaged and excited. Ms. Renaux clearly spent a lot of 'off hours' building puppets and putting together the show, and then hosting it. This is all outside of her normal job as a Kindergarten teacher, in which she could deserve another nomination!
Way to go, Jeanne!
Do you know someone who deserves Top Dog recognition? Nominate them here.
Budget Survey Results
Thanks to all who participated in the parent-led, anonymous survey a few weeks ago. As promised, we are sharing the results of the survey. These results were also shared with the CSD school board and Dr. Fehrman on March 28th.
It has been our pleasure gathering this vital community feedback. Click here to view the results from the survey. Click here to view the survey comments.
Kristin Ebersold, India Epps, Patricia Liscio, Richard Malerba, Samantha McMahan, Kunle Oguneye, Weonhee Shin, Natalie Jo Williams, Sara Weathersby, and David Custer
Math Chats
If you missed this week’s Part 2: What is mathematical modeling? of the three-part Math
Chats series, please watch the video recording linked here.
The next session, Part 3: How to help my child with the new standards? will be held on May 18 at 9:30 or 5:30. Both sessions will present the same information. All sessions will be virtual. To learn more about math in CSD, please visit our webpage at https://www.csdecatur.net/site/Default.aspx?PageID=4833.
Survey for Feedback of the K-12 English Language Arts Standards
The Georgia Department of Education welcomes your feedback and comments regarding the proposed K-12 English Language Arts Standards. Upon adoption by the state board, these English Language Arts standards will be implemented in the 2025-2026 school year after a year to train teachers, communicate with parents, and update assessments in line with the new standards.
After you have reviewed the K-12 English Language Arts standards, please click on this link to access a survey to provide your feedback. Thank you to the parents and community members who have already provided their input.
Decatur Education Foundation
It's time to Step Up for Teachers! The yard signs are being ordered and will be available for pickup soon! www.stepupforteachers.com is live and ready for your tributes to CSD teachers, paraprofessionals and staff. For a small donation,
you leave a message of appreciation, we'll notify the honored person and post it on our website. For a gift of $50 or more, you
can select between a "We Step Up" or a "Class of 2023" yard sign. If you would like a sign but cannot contribute, please email drew@decatureducationfoundation.org with your tribute and your sign preference. Together we make a difference for our teachers,
our schools and our kids.
Nominate a Hero
Do you know a CSD teacher, paraprofessional or employee who has shown extreme care and compassion for a student at a time of great need or crisis? We are currently accepting nominations for the Clarence Strickland Make A Difference Award HERE. Nominations are due by April 20th and the recipient will be recognized at our scholarship event on May 15th.
Care to help Decatur students and combat food insecurity? You can donate to our Lighten the Load Weekend Backpack program which provides supplemental food to Decatur families who need it. The snack pantry ensures that no one at the middle school goes hungry during the school day. Here are the wish lists for both programs:
Beacon Hill Middle Snack Program: /a.co/d0HJHTr
Weekend Backpack Program: https://a.co/6Etc74W
Tickets now on sale! Amplify Decatur is hosting their Spring Concert in the Square on Saturday, April 29th and DEF is so pleased to be one of the beneficiaries. The line-up is chock full of some amazing musicians – check them out and purchase tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/amplify-decatur-music-festival-tickets-527859721637.
If you’d like to enjoy live music for FREE, consider volunteering at the concert! There are spots at every time of day available. Click here to sign up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/904084caba628abff2-amplify1#/ Your evening of live music will support DEF, Decatur Cooperative Ministry and Giving Kitchen.
Come see some of our talented Decatur High musicians perform at No Ordinary Joe! Benefitting DEF’s behavioral health initiative, Joe’s Fund, No Ordinary Joe will feature Decatur High School’s Exploring Music Club members for an evening of live music at Waller’s Coffee Shop on Thursday, May 4th starting at 7pm. Tickets are now on sale at www.decatureducationfoundation.org/noordinaryjoe: $25 for adults/$10 for students. Big thanks to Waller’s for donating their space!
