CSD Weekly: December 18, 2025

• Did You Know? CSD K-12 Schools are Closed December 22-January 5 for the Semester Break.

• Around CSD: BHMS Students Earn REACH Scholarships, Talley St. Fifth-Graders Travel to Lands Beyond with Reading, DHS Sends Over 30 Students to Final Auditions for 2026 Georgia All-State Band

• Information & Resources: Before 2025 Ends: Take GaDOE's Annual School Climate Survey

• Community Partner News: Help DEF Lighten the Load for Decatur Families with DEF

Find out what's happening in CSD schools by clicking on your school's newsletter name.

College Heights Connection

Clairemont Bulldog

Glennwood Eagle Edition

Oakhurst Weekly

Westchester Weekly

Winnona Park Wildcat Weekly

F.Ave Falcon Flyer

Talley Street Update

BHMS Weekly Update

DHS Weekly Update

• Friday, December 19 is last day of school for the semester break, and an early release day. Please see below for each school's early release times.
• Pre-K through 12 CSD schools are closed December 22-January 5 for the semester break.
• College Heights ECLC closes December 24 and reopens January 5 for ages 0-3.
• Pre-K through 12 students and Frasier Center students will return to school on Tuesday, January 6. Enjoy your break!

Well done to DHS teacher Mario Moore, who was recognized as the Drafting Teacher of the Year by Construction Ready at their 2025 Champions Awards Breakfast. This event honors outstanding individuals who have demonstrated excellence in education, leadership, and workforce development in the construction industry. He is truly a leader in his field.

Congratulations to the CSD 2025 REACH Scholars from Beacon Hill Middle School. The scholars signed their commitment letters during a ceremony held at BHMS. A special thanks to the Decatur Education Foundation (DEF) for sponsoring these awards.

CSD 2025 REACH Scholars

Tsion Amede

Erykah Bryant

Ari Cohen

Madison Jackson

The REACH Georgia Scholarship Program provides academic and social support for rising eighth-grade students with financial needs who have demonstrated positive academic, attendance, and behavioral efforts. REACH Scholars are paired with a mentor to support them through high school graduation and receive a $10,000 scholarship when they enroll in a Georgia college or university.

Last Friday, students from F.Ave and BHMS choruses, accompanied by directors Davis Mann and Dr. David Hirschorn, performed at the Capitol, under the gold dome. This partnership has become a tradition between the two chorus groups. Job well done to these students and teachers!

Congratulations to the 32 DHS students who advanced to the final round of auditions for the 2026 Georgia All-State Band auditions. DHS has the most students who advanced to the final audition round of any high school in its cohort, which includes all schools in DeKalb, Rockdale, Newton, Morgan, Jasper, and Butts counties. Final auditions will be held on Saturday, January 10, for consideration for the 2026 Georgia All-State Band. Best of luck to these talented students.

DHS Students Participating in Final Round Auditions for 2026 Georgia All-State Band

Joshua Black, Maxwell Bower, Cole Buckley, Noah Bumgarner, Anaiah Calhoun, Tyson Cook, Evie Custer, Evelyn Flint, Sho Furuta, Finley Gallagher, Lydia Girard, Isaac Guessous (bassoon and tuba), Ben Gurch, Wyatt Harris, Tobias Hylen, Ian Kang, Parker Kloth, Caroline LeMon, Albert Li, Maggie McClung, Charlie Marlini, Lucinda Painter, Beatrice Prinkey, Oliver Sapiano, Jack Shaeffer, Sylvie Sherman, Josie Threlkeld, Nathan Wakefield, Carmella Werner, Ben Winget, Gabriel Younis, and Jason Zgonc

The Georgia Department of Education featured Talley St. STEM teacher Alicia Reno as one of its exceptional science teachers across the state in its December 2025 "Science Updates." Congratulations, Alicia!

College Heights students and staff participated in a weeklong celebration of festive activities, including Festive Sweater or Headgear Day, Twinkle Toes Day, and Candy Cane Lane Day.

Talley St.'s fifth-grade teachers put on a fantastic celebration of learning to culminate Talley St.'s fifth-grade study of the book The Phantom Tollbooth. Each class chose to create a different land that the main character, Milo, travels to in the book, allowing students to inhabit the fantastical "Lands Beyond" of Milo's quest.

In partnership with the DHS PTA, Rreal Tacos recognized DHS Professional Employee of the Year, Ms. Wanda Goodman, and DHS Teacher of the Year, Ms. Katrina Walker, on Monday by surprising each of them with $1000 as part of their "25 Days of Giving" initiative.

To further support this season of giving, Tell Realty matched the awards by donating $2,000 to the DHS PTSA. In total, this event raised $ 4,000 in gifts and donations to honor DHS's outstanding staff members and support the DHS PTSA. Thank you to Rreal Tacos and the DHS PTA for supporting these exceptional members of the DHS community!

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.

(Note: GaDOE administers climate surveys for K-12 schools. College Heights ECLC is not eligible.)

Clairemont Elementary School Family Survey

Glennwood Elementary School Family Survey

Oakhurst Elementary School Family Survey

Westchester Elementary School Family Survey

Winnona Park Elementary School Family Survey

Fifth Avenue Upper Elementary School Family Survey

Talley Street Upper Elementary School Family Survey

Beacon Hill Middle School Family Survey

Decatur High School Family Survey

The Bulldog Boosters have holiday gifts for your Bulldog, future Bulldog or Bulldog supporter. Check the Bulldog Booster store today.

• National Read a New Book Month, December 1-31

• Early Release Day, December 19

• Semester Break, December 22-January 5
• Teacher Work Day, January 5
• First Day of School for Students, January 6
• Board of Education Meeting, January 13
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, January 19
• Dr. Whitaker's Winter Listening Session (virtual), January 20
• Board of Education Community Meeting, January 21, 6:30 p.m., Talley St.
• Dr. Whitaker's Winter Listening Session, February 5, DHA Community Resource Center

Help DEF Lighten the Load for Decatur Families

Decatur Education Foundation provides food assistance to families in Decatur. Schools across CSD have donation bins where you can donate shelf-stable food. You can also order directly from their Amazon wish list, or click here to donate funds that they will use to purchase grocery gift cards. If you have any questions, please email info@decatureducationfoundation.org.

City of Decatur Parks and Recreation commits to providing exceptional experiences that foster healthy living and meaningful community connections. Please visit the DPRD programs website for information about after-school programs, school holiday programs, and summer camps. Follow Decatur Parks and Recreation on Facebook and Instagram or sign up for their monthly newsletter here.

CSD families and staff are invited to take advantage of a special ticket offer for select upcoming Atlanta Hawks' games. A portion of each ticket purchased through this offer will benefit City Schools of Decatur. Purchase tickets here.

Atlanta Hawks' CSD Special Ticket Price Games

ATL Hawks vs. SAS Spurs Friday, December 19, 7:30 p.m.

ATL Hawks vs. CHI Bulls, Sunday, December 21, 3:30 p.m.

ATL Hawks vs. CHI Bulls, Tuesday, December 23, 7:30 p.m.

ATL Hawks vs. MIA Heat, Friday, December 26, 7:00 p.m.

ATL Hawks vs. NYK Knicks, Saturday, December 27, 8:00 p.m.

ATL Hawks vs. MIN Timberwolves, Wednesday, December 31, 3:00 p.m.

For groups of 10 or more, or for tickets to a different game, please contact Ryan Coller at ryan.coller@hawks.com or at 404-878-3714. Ticket prices and availability are subject to change, so order your tickets today. Tickets will sell out! Tickets are mobile only.

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