CSD Weekly: October 1, 2026

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

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

CSD has designated two districtwide Teacher Work Days for the 2026-2027 school year. The first is scheduled for Monday, October 12, 2026. Schools will be closed, and there will be no virtual classes. CSD offices, the Frasier Center, and College Heights will remain open. However, there will be no Pre-K and preschool special education programs.

The second and final districtwide Teacher Work Day will take place on Monday, January 4, 2027.

Since returning from fall break, the CSD facilities team has been focused on restoring reliable elevator access at DHS while continuing planned facility improvements across the district.

DHS Elevator

Elevator #2 at DHS remains out of service. The elevator contractor has identified a power issue affecting the controller and is working with technical support to determine the necessary repair. We understand the impact on students who rely on the elevator, and restoring dependable access remains our top facilities priority. An update will be shared as soon as service is restored.

BHMS Plumbing

The recent plumbing repair at BHMS is complete. The work also confirmed aging plumbing infrastructure, which we are adding to the capital planning, so we can address needs proactively before another failure occurs.

Around the District

The Glennwood elevator repair is complete, and the elevator is back in service. We are also coordinating the next phase of the DHS solar connection.

During fall break, HVAC units were replaced at Oakhurst and Glennwood, with one additional unit at Glennwood still scheduled for replacement. Three rooftop HVAC units at Westchester are scheduled for completion on October 12, 2026. Work also continues on preparation for BHMS flooring work, BHMS gym floor maintenance, and a planned sound system upgrade at Clairemont. The DHS gym-floor work is complete.

Our goal is to be transparent about issues, respond quickly when they arise, and continue improving the systems that support safe, reliable learning environments for our students and staff.

CSD is proud to announce that Decatur High School's four-year graduation rate increased to 96.6% in 2026. This represents a 0.56 percent increase from 2025 and more than a 2.5% increase over the previous four years. The five-year graduation rate is 96.7%.

CSD's graduation rate ranks second among districts in the Metro RESA region, and the district continues to graduate its seniors at one of the highest rates in the state, outpacing the 2026 state average of 88.5% and ranking 39th among the 178 public school districts statewide that reported results. The 2026 DHS graduates also made up the largest class in the school's history, with nearly 500 seniors contributing to the 96.6% graduation rate.

The 2026 College Board Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) exam results show students at DHS are making major gains in academic performance and program accessibility, including:

• 98% pass rate on the 2026 Higher-Level Biology IB exams
• 91% AP pass rate, up from 48% in 2022
• IB arts and humanities scores surpassed the world average.
• AP test-takers grew from 433 to 552 over the past five years, with total exams administered rising from 556 to 878.
• IB Career-related Programme enrollment reached an all-time high.
• All student demographic subgroups saw increases in AP participation and average scores.
  
  

Thank you to CSD's wonderful teachers and staff who work to prepare students for challenging coursework that sets them up for college, career, and beyond.

Find out about all team standings and athletics news on the CSD Athletics website.

The CSD School Health Team is partnering with DeKalb Public Health to offer flu vaccines to our school community. CSD students, staff, and families are invited to participate. Parents/guardians interested in their student(s) receiving the flu vaccine must be present at the time of service. Please bring your ID and insurance card for billing. Private and Medicaid insurance plans are accepted, except Kaiser, TRICARE, and Oscar.

CSD Flu Vaccination Events

October 7: Fifth Avenue, 3-5 p.m.

October 9: Clairemont, 10 a.m.-noon

October 14: Glennwood, 10 a.m.-noon

October 15: College Heights, 3-5 p.m.

October 20: Talley Street, 10 a.m.-noon

October 29: Oakhurst, 3-5 p.m.

CSD Reads Week is in full swing! The lineup of literacy and dyslexia awareness celebrations continues with the Decatur Book Festival this weekend, guest readers in schools next week and Go Red for Dyslexia Day on Thursday, October 8, 2026, when all of CSD is invited to wear red to promote dyslexia awareness.

CSD invites all parents to "Tea with Tech" on Tuesday, October 6, at 9 a.m at the Decatur High School media center. This event marks the beginning of a new quarterly meeting series designed to help families learn about and better understand the technology their children use every day. In this first session, CSD's instructional coaches and the executive director of curriculum & instruction will cover student data privacy safeguards and introduce Knowt, an innovative study tool currently being piloted in our schools. Enjoy a cup of tea, bring your questions, and learn how we can work together to keep our students safe and supported in the digital age.

Submissions are now open for the fourth annual GaDOE Cybersecurity Poster Contest, presented in partnership with Georgia Leaders of Educational Technology (GLET). CSD students are invited to submit original artwork inspired by this year's theme of "Building a Cyber Strong America." Winners will be recognized at the February 2027 State Board of Education meeting. See eligibility and instructions on the GaDOE Cybersecurity webpage and apply by October 31.

The community is invited to a listening session hosted by Superintendent Dr. Gyimah Whitaker on Wednesday, October 7, at 5:30 p.m. at the DHS Media Center. Dr. Whitaker and district staff will hear and learn from students, staff, families, and the community, with a focus on gathering and reviewing information to envision a path forward while maintaining community engagement. Attendees may also complete a feedback form.

• National Night Out: Decatur Housing Initiative, October 6, 4-7 p.m., 105 Electric Avenue
• Superintendent Listening Session, October 7, 5:30 p.m., DHS Media Center

• Wear Red for Dyslexia Awareness, October 8

• Teacher Work Day (No School), October 12
• Board of Education Regular Meeting, October 13
• Superintendent Listening Session, October 19, 11:30 a.m., Virtual
• Homecoming, October 23

• Early Release Day, October 28

• Digital Learning Day, November 3

• National Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15-October 15

• Learning Disabilities and Dyslexia Awareness Month, October 1-31

• Breast Cancer Awareness Month, October 1-31

• National Bullying Prevention Month, October 1-31

• National Principals Month, October 1-31

• LGBTQ+ History Month, October 1-31

• National Custodians Appreciation Day, October 2

• National Coaches Day, October 6

• International Walk to School Day, October 7

• World Mental Health Day, October 10

• National School Bus Safety Week, October 19-23

• Red Ribbon Week, October 23-31

Decatur FC hosts Friday Night Lights, a free, beginner-friendly soccer program for girls ages 6-14. Fun and welcoming girls' clinics offer a supportive environment to learn basic soccer skills, build confidence, and fall in love with the game. Participants can get active, make new friends, and enjoy the thrill of playing soccer right here in Decatur. Free cleats are provided for participants who need a pair, generously donated by Community Cleats. Register here or email Francisco Stenger at francisco@soccerstreets.org with questions.

Clinic details:

• Clinic dates: October 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 at East Lake Marta Station
• Girls ages 6-9: 6-7 p.m.
• Girls ages 10-14: 7-8 p.m.

Don’t miss your chance to race! The deadline to register as a driver for the Madison Avenue Derby is Saturday, October 3. Everyone else, mark your calendars for Saturday, October 24, to cheer on the drivers and enjoy a fun day with the community. The Derby benefits the Decatur Education Foundation’s Lighten the Load initiative. Register and learn more here.

Join the Decatur Parents Network and Decatur Education Foundation, Thursday, October 15, 6:30-8 p.m., DHS Media Center, for their next Speaker Series, "'Gas Station' Drugs: What You Don't Know CAN Hurt Them," featuring Dr. Merrill Norton, pharmacologist and addiction specialist. Dr. Norton will talk about substances like kratom, Delta-8, phenibut, 7-OH, and tianeptine, including what they are, where young people may encounter them, and the potential risks. Register here.

Parks and Recreation

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 afterschool programs, school holiday programs, and summer camps or sign up for their monthly newsletter.

CSD residents are eligible to apply for A Season of Giving, which provides gifts and essentials to children from birth through 12th grade around the holidays. Apply here by October 31.

Residents may also participate by:

• Sponsoring: Choose a wish list and shop for a child or senior.
• Donating: Let us do the shopping with your contribution.
• Volunteering: Lend a hand and help spread the joy!

Please visit the website or email Jane Lomas at jane.lomas@decaturga.com with questions.

CSD Weekly is the district's weekly newsletter, delivering the latest news and updates from the district and all schools in one place. Newsletters are sent each Thursday to all CSD parents, as well as students in grades 6-12. The community can subscribe to the CSD Weekly here.