The Bulldog, November 6, 2025

Note from Mrs. Lockwood:

The leaves are turning, and the weather is slightly cooler; fall is here to stay! This has been a wonderful week of teaching and learning as we begin National Family Engagement Month. In honor of this month, we have several exciting opportunities to open Clairemont's doors in the spirit of school-family engagement. Next Thursday is our annual Thanksgiving luncheon.

Next week, we have an onsite field trip experience. The petting zoo is coming to Clairemont! A cold front is scheduled next week. Please make sure to dress the kiddos warmly. Our petting experience will be outdoors. Please send back your child's permission slip so they will be able to participate in this wonderful experience.

Clairemont will be highlighted at the beginning of the monthly Board meeting. The Board meeting is on Tuesday, November 11. I'm honored to share some student achievements from this school year. If you can come out to support, please plan to arrive by 4:45. I hope to see you there!

Events at a glance:

• Friday, November 7: Community Crew
• Tuesday, November 11: Petting Zoo visit
• Tuesday, November 11: Board Meeting
• Thursday, November 13: Thanksgiving Luncheon, see below for class times
• Friday, November 14: Walk & Roll
• Friday, November 14: School Crew (students and staff only)
• Tuesday, November 18: Willy Wonka KIDS musical; 1:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, November 18: PTA Meeting; 5:30-7:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, November 19: Willy Wonka KIDS musical; 6:00 p.m.
• Thursday, November 20: CSD All in Dinner; 5:00-6:30
• Friday, November 21: Community Crew
• Monday, November 24 - Friday, November 28: Thanksgiving Break NO SCHOOL

We welcome you to join us for our annual Thanksgiving Luncheon on Thursday, November 13, 2025. We've made plans for lunch for all guests who paid by Sunday, November 9, 2025. (See below for instructions on how to pay through Infinite Campus.)

Parents/Guardians, you are welcome to join your child(ren) for lunch at their designated time, even if you did not request lunch. Due to limited parking, you may park along the street. However, please be sure not to block our neighbors' driveways. On the day of the luncheon, please enter the building through the cafeteria doors located directly across from our playground field. You will see signage and Clairemont staff members directing you to the entrance. From there, you will enter the cafeteria and join the line with your child if you purchased lunch. Once you and your child(ren) have received lunch, please enjoy your time in the cafeteria at any available table.

Please see the schedule below for specific lunchtimes by homeroom. You will notice a designated break between classes and grade levels to allow for cleanup and setup for the next group. To ensure an enjoyable experience for all and a smooth transition between classes, please plan to arrive several minutes early. Also, please plan to conclude your meal at the designated time to avoid backup for other eager students and their families. Your support in this area is greatly appreciated. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out. We look forward to your visit!

Thanksgiving Luncheon Schedule

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13

• 10:15-10:45 BIGHAM
• 10:25-10:55 FOWLER

• 11:05-11:35 SCHMIDT
• 11:15-11:45 SMILEY

• 12:00-12:30 BERMUDEZ
• 12:15-12:45 GILBERT

Registration for the Thanksgiving lunch is open until Sunday, November 9th in the Parent Portal. Students are limited to two guests. The cost is $5 per person. Please present a printed or digital receipt upon arrival to serve as your ticket.

Payment Instructions in Parent Portal:

1. Shop: Select “School Store,” then select "Nutrition" and then "Products."
2. Choose item: Click on the Thanksgiving icon, then select the parent's name and the number of guests. (Only two tickets per household). Add the item to your cart.
3. Review and pay: Confirm the quantity, add any payment options if needed, and enter your email address for the receipt. Click "My cart" and then "Submit payment" to complete the transaction.
4. Remember: Your receipt will be your ticket, so make sure to provide a valid email address.

You're invited to the annual CSD ESOL and Federal Program All in Dinner Thursday, November 20th at 5:30 at the Wilson Center. Please RSVP by CLICKING THIS LINK or the photo above.

If your family is in need of assistance during this holiday season, you can submit an application to a Season of Giving.

Submit an application here: https://aseasonofgiving.org/child-application/

(Click on any of the images below to make them bigger.)

We had so much fun having book character dress up day last Friday! Students got to parade across the stage and show off their costumes for the whole school. Even teachers got in on the fun!

Our second graders were treated to a visit from one of the travel trunks from the Atlanta History Center. With this trunk, they learned about food cultivated by the Native Americans, tribal territories from early America and today, and how Native American stories were passed down to future generations, with key objects of this trunk including a toy canoe and artifacts like arrowheads.

VOLUNTEER HERE: https://decaturholidaymarketplace.com/volunteer/

BAKE SALE SIGN UP HERE: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090F49A8AB23A2F58-59137213-bake

Click the image above to sign up for the bake sale!

Hey Clairemont Crew!

We invite you and your family to join us here at the school for this wonderful community tradition. All proceeds from the event support learning initiatives for Clairemont students & teachers. Follow us on Facebook or Instagram for the latest updates. This year's Marketplace will be held at Clairemont Elementary School on Friday, December 12th from 5:30pm-9pm and Saturday, December 13th, from 10am-5pm.

VOLUNTEER HERE

Want to help with the Marketplace? We rely on all of our Clairemont parent volunteers and our Clairemont Bulldogs to put this fundraiser on its feet. It takes the whole CREW to pull off this wonderful tradition! Please email Marketplace Chairperson Melissa Godbee at decaturholidaymarketplace@gmail.com for more information or if you would like to be more involved with any of the preparations such as decorating transformation, soup service, booking live music, social media or sponsorships.

Read the November 6, 2025, issue of CSD Weekly, the district-wide newsletter.

On October 30, Education Planners sent an update about the K-2 School Consolidation and Redistricting Process to the community. The letter is copied below:

"Based on the input received, Education Planners recommends that the City Schools of Decatur proceed with a community-based process to explore additional solutions before the Board of Education makes a final decision. This updated approach will be presented to the school board at the November 11 meeting.

Our recommendation is that four committees guide this next phase:

• Facilities & Finance – enrollment, costs, and capital planning
• Student Experience – instructional programs, transitions, and early-learning access
• Safety & Operations – traffic, walkability, and daily operations
• Culture & Communication – transparency and ongoing engagement

Community members are invited to participate in one of the committees by clicking this link: K-2 School Consolidation Committee Sign Up."

Upcoming Board Meeting and Public Hearing:

• The next Board of Education Meeting is Tuesday, November 11, at the Wilson Center. Here is the BOE meeting schedule: Pre-work Session: 2:40-3:05 p.m., Work Session: 3:05-4:40 p.m.,
• Regular Meeting: 4:50-6:30 p.m., and Public Comment: 6:30 p.m.
• The next public hearing will be Thursday, November 13, 6:30-8:00 p.m. in the Beacon Hill Middle School Cafeteria. The community is invited to provide input and offer considerations to Education Planners regarding a potential school consolidation.

Please continue to visit the City Schools of Decatur website at csdecatur.net for the latest information.

Signing up as a member allows you to fully access our website and add your bulldog to the directory along with classes and groups/clubs. This membership supports our school and the National and State PTA by paying annual dues that help us operate. We use PTA funds to support teacher grants and school events. A portion of the $10 serves as dues paid to the National and State Parent Teacher Association which is our governing organization.

Decatur Education Foundation provides food assistance to families in Decatur. We have a bin in front of the school to collect items listed on the flyer above. Other ways you can help: click on the image above to order directly from their Amazon wish list, or click THIS LINK to donate funds they will use to purchase grocery gift cards. If you have any questions, please email info@decatureducationfoundation.org.

DEF's most important fundraiser, Supper & Sips, is next Thursday, and tickets are still available! The funds we raise at this event are critical to our ability to support the students, teachers, and schools in our community.

When: Thursday, Nov. 6th from 6-10pm

Where: The Chapel on Sycamore

What: Delicious eats and drinks, live music by Polly Holliday, one-of-a-kind auction items (like a private Emily Saliers concert, a bourbon tasting in your home, a week on 30A, tickets to sporting events, and much more!)

Why: DEF is committed to providing opportunities and removing obstacles for ALL Decatur students. Grab some friends and help support DEF's work in our schools and in our community!

Tickets and info can be found here.

Want to volunteer? Sign up here.