Eagle Edition
Glennwood Elementary ~ Where Learning Takes Flight
Bill Howard, Principal ~ Jill Tolsma, Instructional Coach ~ Michelle Reynolds, School Manager
Email: bill.howard@csdecatur.net
Location: 440 East Ponce de Leon Avenue, Decatur, GA, USA
Phone: 404.370.4435 * Website * Facebook
Calendar of Events
Monday, January 12
- SLT Meeting - In person in GL Media Center, 4:00-5:00 pm
- PTA Board Meeting - 6:00 pm
January 13-23, 2026
GL PTA Read-a-Thon
Friday, January 16
Community Circle at 8:30 am - First Grade Hosting/Winter Performance
(January Birthdays Recognized)
Monday, January 19
MLK Holiday (No School)
Thursday, January 22
Spirit Night for Read-a-Thon - Milk and Cookies
GL Auditorium from 6:00-8:00 pm
Wednesday, January 28
- Early Release Day at 12:50 pm
- PTA Spirit Night at Chick-fil-A North Decatur from 5:00-7:00 pm
Where Learning Takes Flight
Three Dimensions of Student Achievement
- Mastery of Knowledge and Skills
- Character Building
- High-Quality Work
Hello Glennwood Families,
Happy New Year! It has been such a joy to welcome our Eagles back to the building this week. While the semester break was a wonderful time to rest and recharge, there is truly nothing like the energy of a school in session.
Seeing all those smiling faces walk through the doors on Tuesday morning was the perfect start to 2026. The hallways and classrooms feel alive again with the hum of curiosity and the wonderful sounds of learning taking flight. We are energized and ready for an incredible second semester!
Important: GaDOE School Climate Survey Update
As we look toward making 2026 our best year yet, I want to give a quick update on our GaDOE School Climate Survey. We have seen some progress and are currently at 29.94% participation.
While we are moving in the right direction, we are still a bit of a climb away from our 80% goal. If you haven't had a chance to share your perspective yet, please take a few moments to do so. Your feedback is the compass we use to guide important decisions and ensure Glennwood remains a place where every student thrives. You can access the survey link here: https://survey.gadoe.org/FM?sid=8DC50E7A.
Celebrating Semester 1 Progress
We’re also excited to share that your child’s report card for the first semester will be available for review today through the Parent Portal.
This is a valuable opportunity to sit down with your student, celebrate their hard work and accomplishments from the first half of the year, and identify areas where they can continue to grow. Our teachers put a great deal of care into these evaluations, and we encourage you to use this as a conversation starter at home. If you have any questions or concerns about your child's progress, please feel free to reach out to their teacher.
Thank you for your continued support in your child’s education and for being such a vital part of the Glennwood Crew. Let’s make this a fantastic first full week back!
In partnership,
Bill HowardProud Principal, Glennwood Elementary
Hello GL Families!
I want to make sure that you’re aware of a letter that came home in your child’s Thursday folder today. This letter details the child safety lessons counselors will be delivering across the district, as mandated by state law. CSD has chosen the A21 curriculum (we formerly used the Child Lures curriculum). Please see the letter in the communication folder (or linked above) for details. In the lessons I’ll teach with your students, I will be covering the Rights and Responsibilities, Character Development, and Relationship Boundaries standards. Students will be exposed to Digital Safety content in media center classes respectively.
If you would prefer your child not participate in these safety lessons, please email me, as directed by the letter linked above. These lessons will begin for students the week of February 2nd.
Thank you,
Jonathan Blase, Ed. S.
School Counselor
District News
Take GaDOE's Annual School Climate Survey
Please take a moment this week to make your voice heard and participate in the Georgia Department of Education climate survey for your school! Your participation and feedback are greatly appreciated. The data collected will help determine the School Climate Star Ratings for the 2026-27 school year, which will enable schools to improve or build upon their successes.
Registration Open for Glennwood Elementary PTA’s Annual Read-a-Thon
Get excited about reading while supporting Glennwood through one of our biggest PTA fundraisers! Funds raised directly benefit teachers, staff, and students by providing supplies, books for the media center, innovation grants, school improvements, and more. Last year, our students read for a total of 31,692 minutes! Register now!
Prizes For:
Top readers in each grade
Super Readers (550+ minutes read)
Class with the most minutes per grade
Winners will be announced at Community Circle on January 30th.
How It Works:
Register your child here: https://go.rallyup.com/soarintoreading
Comment endGather sponsors (General flat donations encouraged)
Set a reading goal
Read and log minutes (January 13-23)
All reading counts—independent or with an adult!
Thank you for supporting Glennwood!
Questions? Email Karen Pearl at readathon@glennwoodespta.com
January Staff Appreciation Table – Calling all 2nd Grade Families!
For January, we're asking second grade families to help kick-start the new year and show appreciation to our staff on Thursday, January 22nd. We will be providing a yogurt parfait bar and other snacks. Please review the available slots and sign up below! Items can be dropped off with Ms. Reynolds at the front office January 20-21 during school hours. PTA will assemble the snack table for our staff to enjoy on Jan. 22nd.
If you are unable to purchase items for the table, but would like to donate funds towards the event or to restock snacks in the teacher lounge, the PTA is also collecting monetary donations. Donations can be made here with a note that it is for the January Snack Table and we'll take care of it for you. If you have any questions, please reach out to Staff Appreciation Co-Chairs: Emily McDowell or Kate Myers (staffappreciation@glennwoodespta.com). Thank you!
Glennwood Elementary Culture Night -- Sunday, March 22 from 3-5pm
Culture Night is a Glennwood community event where our families can come together to share their culture with others. There will be activities and tables representing various cultures.
Sign up to lead a table here. Want to learn more? Check out these pics from last year.
Please sign up by Monday, March 16th.
If you have any questions, please email Eugene Strawn at dei@glennwoodespta.com.
Sign Up Links
Garden Gnomies - Every other Friday
Eagle Bucks School Store - 3x a month
Yearbook Tribute Ads
Yearbook Tribute Ads are now open until Feb. 14th.
(Note: Yearbook sales have not yet started so don’t worry — you didn’t miss out!)
Honor your child with a Tribute Ad in this year’s yearbook. This is a great way to celebrate your child’s growth as a Glennwood student. Follow this link (https://yearbookordercenter.com/jobSearch/displayHome) and enter school code 24818 to design and purchase your ad.
Interested in contributing to the silent auction items, but not sure what to donate? Donate funds here (add note for Silent Auction contributions) and the PTA will put something together on your behalf.
Give PTA a FOLLOW on Social!
Stay up-to-date with all things Glennwood and tag us! Our PTA Facebook Page on IG and FB, as well as our parents' page: Glennwood Parents' Page
Join GL PTA Facebook
Join GL PTA Instagram
Join GL Parent Facebook
Community News
Speaker Series: Talking to Kids About Dangerous Substances
An ongoing speaker series from DEF, Decatur Prevention Initiative and the Decatur Parents Network returns Thursday, January 22, with a documentary viewing and panel discussion on "Navigating the Changing Drug Landscape: Talking to our Kids About Dangerous Substances." This event is free and open to any adult. Find more information and register in advance here.
Thursday, January 22, 6:30-8 p.m., DHS Learning Commons (Library/Media Center). Enter the bus drop-off area off of Commerce Drive.