College Heights Connection
December 14, 2023
Principal's Message
Many thanks to the classroom parents in Ms. Phillips and Ms. Stapleton's Pre-K classroom for a wonderful staff breakfast. We appreciate you! Our students in our Pre-K and special education program have a short week next week. Please be sure to review the school's holiday break schedule:
December 20th - Pre-K- Early Release
December 21st-January 3rd - Holiday Break for students in our Pre-K and special ed programs
December 25th-January 3rd - Holiday Break for all students in our 0-3 program
January 4th - All students return
Have a great weekend,
Principal Garland
School News and Announcements
Early Release Day reminder
City Schools of Decatur's upcoming Early Release Day is Wednesday, December 20.
Pre-K - 12:15 PM
Lower Elementary - 12:50 PM
Upper Elementary - 12:15 PM
Middle School - 1:45 PM
High School - 1:35 PM
College Heights' infant through preschool program will remain on its normal schedule.
The remaining schedule of Early Release Days includes the following dates:
Wednesday, December 20
Wednesday, January 31
Wednesday, February 28
Wednesday, March 27
Wednesday, April 24
Schools will communicate more specific details related to the schedule for the day, dismissal, and extracurricular activities.
College Heights Spirit Week next week
We hope students will join teachers and staff for a little pre-holiday break spirit week fun. See below for theme days.
Fast Friends and Best Buddies clubs visit College Heights
Ms. Bauer's Pre-K class collaborated with the Fast Friends and Best Buddies clubs at Decatur High School. During their fall study of communities, the class had conversations about ableism and students explored inequity through that lens. For their class service project, Ms. Bauer's class collected items needed by the Fast Friends and Best Buddies clubs. Today, students from the clubs came to Ms. Bauer's classroom to share about their club experiences of being kind to everyone even if they are different from you. High school and Pre-K students worked together to make gingerbread people that all looked different, just like us, and everyone made some wonderful new friends. Thanks to Fast Friends and Best Buddies for coming to visit Ms. Bauer's students today!
Pre-K Winter Break Camp
Registration for our Pre-K winter break camp opens on January 8th at 8:00 am. Parents may secure registration forms at the front desk on January 8th. Registration is limited to the first 35 students enrolled. Deadline to register is February 2nd.
Camp details:
Camp dates- February 12th-16th
Camp hours- 7:30 am-5:00 pm
Camp tuition- $210/week (to be paid at the time of registration)
For additional details please contact Elecia Fulton.
Thank you for supporting people in need in our community
Many thanks to all the families who helped College Heights students collect items for people in need. Each grade level collected different items. Pre-K collected approximately 50 new or gently used coats. The coats will go to students in the building that need them first, and the remaining ones will be split between DHA and Our House. The three year old classes collected 19 blankets for the unhoused. The 0-2 team asked for donations of stuffed animals, coloring books, drawing pads, markers, crayons, pencils, and stickers for patients at CHOA. Special thanks to Ashley Larson, mom of Brooks in Ms. Erika's class and Macy in Ms. Amaryst's class. Ashley works at CHOA and was kind enough to drop off the items. Families in Ms. Erika's class also made encouragement posters (see photos below) for cancer patients at Emory's Winship Center.
Thanks to all for helping our students make this holiday season warmer and brighter for others!
School to Heart to Home - January
We regret that we had to cancel the December School to Heart to Home virtual parent session due to unforeseen circumstances. The next session will be Thursday, January 18 at noon. We will send the Google Meet link after the first of the year.
Save the date for Family Night at College Heights
On Monday, February 5, families are invited to an evening event here at College Heights from 6:00-7:00 pm. Families will participate in fun and engaging activities in their child's classroom. These activities are designed to provide a glimpse of the learning that happens during the school day. This evening will also feature our winter book fair featuring diverse and inclusive books from Charis Books & More. Dinner will be provided by PTA. Look for more details in January!
Prospective parent tour - February 8
Do you have friends or neighbors who are considering College Heights for their children? We are hosting an in-person school tour for prospective parents. Thank you for sharing this information with them. Current families are the best ambassadors for our great little school!
Date: Thursday, February 8, 2024
Time: two 50 minute sessions (8:30-9:20 am and 9:30-10:20 am)
RSVP: Call Caretha Hall at 404-370-4480 or email cahall@csdecatur.net
No children please; this tour is for adults only.
Pre-K breakfast alert
We stop serving Pre-K breakfast at 7:50 am so that our cafeteria staff can prepare for our preschool classes to eat. Thank you for your cooperation.
For any parent wanting to register their student as a breakfast eater registration is open through December 22nd for the next semester. Please email Principal Garland to register. If your student is currently registered you do NOT need to register again.
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 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 grateful for anyone able to step up to support the school.
Media Center news
This week, the Pre-K and Preschool (3 year old) classes heard the story The Ninth Night of Hanukkah (written by Erica S. Perl, illustrated by Shahar Kober) and learned about some Hanukkah traditions and customs. This story also includes some great messages: how to cope when things don't go the way we expect, the importance of asking for help, and the rewards of living in community with others. One and two year old classes read The Loud Book by Deborah Underwood and heard some different (and sometimes humorous) loud sounds. Ones, twos, and threes also read I am Dog! by Peter Bently, illustrated by Chris Chatterton.
The library will be open next week from 7:55 to 8:30 Monday through Wednesday (and other times by appointment) for families that wish to check out books or Bunny Bags for the holiday break.
PTA News and Announcements
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
Create Something AWESOME 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 in December with our first Sticker Design Contest. Here's what your brilliant students should do:
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 DEF's social media platforms. For full contest details, please visit DecaturEducationFoundation.org/DEFstickercontest. Let’s showcase what makes Decatur schools extraordinary! #DEFStudentChallenge #DecaturCreativityUnleashed #ForOurKids
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 20 - Early Release Day (Pre-K only)
December 21-January 3 - Semester Break for Pre-K and special ed students (school resumes Thursday, January 4)
December 25-January 3 - Semester Break for 0-3 students (school resumes Thursday, January 4)
January 18 - School to Heart to Home virtual parent session
February 24 - PTA Auction