The Bulldog, February 5, 2026

Note from Mrs. Lockwood:

Another great week at Clairemont. Happy Black History Month. This week kicked off Black History Month with some fun trivia during our Adult Crew time!

This week, our school-wide attendance for last Friday through today is 97.4%. Today is a super special day because we have 100% attendance school-wide!!! Families, thank you for your commitment and support in getting our students to school every day. Let's keep this momentum going and finish the week strong with 100% attendance tomorrow, too!

I see the progress, let's keep going! Currently, 33% (47 families) have completed the family survey. This year's goal is 75%; we're getting closer. Clairemont's family perspective is important. Please take 5-10 minutes to complete the survey. Georgia School Climate Survey.

Events at a glance:

• Friday, February 6: School Crew (students and staff only)
• Friday, February 6: 1st Grade field trip to Fernbank
• Friday, February 13: Community Crew with special guests Manga African Dance!
• Monday, February 16 - Friday, February 20: Winter Break - No School
• Monday, February 23 - Tuesday, February 24: Talent Show auditions (see below for details)
• Wednesday, February 25: PTA Meeting; 5:30-7:00
• Friday, February 27: Community Crew
• Friday, February 27: Principal's Coffee Chat following Community Crew

Yearbook pre-orders are now open! Pre-order to guarantee that your student receives a yearbook in May. Families are also invited to place an 1/8 or 1/4 page ad to celebrate their student for all their hard work this year. It is a tradition for second grade parents to recognize their students who are finishing their time at Clairemont and moving up to third grade!

Yearbooks: $15 each

1/8 page ad: $15

1/4 page ad: $25

Yearbook purchase deadline: 5/15

Ad purchase deadline: 3/30

link: yearbookordercenter.com

Order number: 17410

Clairemont is excited to present Manga African Dance Company in a Black History Month performance! Having over 30 years of experience in the Atlanta area, Manga African Dance brings African and diasporic movement, music, and culture to life and inspires communities through education, performance, and shared experience. The performance will take place February 13th, 2026 at 8:15am during our regular Community Crew time. We look forward to seeing you there!

Students will meet in the music room on Wednesdays after school from 2:45pm to 3:45pm.

Rehearsals will begin February 11th and last until March 18th. Come see the drum ensemble perform at our Talent Show on March 20th at 1:15pm!

Please email Mrs. Nelson at mnelson@csdecatur.net or send a note if you would like your child to participate in this ensemble.

Mr. Perry is a senior Music Education major at Albany State University, and will be graduating in May of this year. He is a percussionist, music producer, and educator born into a family of African diasporic drummers and musicians. He was featured in the “Welcome to Atlanta” Super Bowl LIII commercial and is known for blending traditional African rhythms with contemporary sounds to create a distinctive musical identity.

Immersed in the cultural and musical arts of the African diaspora from birth, Mr. Perry has studied and performed under master percussionists including Ayanbisi Adeleke, Bata Osun of Africa, Los Muñequitos de Matanzas, Sekou Alaje, Michelito Herrera, and Yuba Ire, among others. Based in Atlanta, he performs with ensembles such as Giwayen Mata, Ras Kofi, and Sons of Light, while collaborating with artists across disciplines.

As an educator, Mr. Perry serves as the lead instructor and violence-prevention mentor for the Atlanta chapter of the Drums Up Guns Down nonprofit. He is frequently invited by high schools and local music programs to teach percussive methods and culturally responsive music practices, further solidifying his role as a dedicated mentor and impactful music educator. His work bridges cultural tradition and modern expression, positioning him as a dynamic and influential voice in music education today.

One way our students are celebrating Black History Month is by writing responses about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's dream for the world.

Clairemont's annual talent show will be on Friday, March 20, during the school day. We look forward to celebrating our talented students! Auditions will be held after school from 3-4 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday, February 23-24, divided by last names. Monday, February 23 is for students with last names beginning with A-L. Tuesday, February 24 is for students with last names M-Z. If you need to switch days, or cannot make it after school, please let Ms. DeRosa know and we can make accommodations. Students should come prepared with about one minute of their act to show off at auditions. If you have a music file for your act, please send it to Ms. D at whitney.derosa@csdecatur.net.

Talent show rehearsals will take place from 3-4 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday, March 2-3 and 9-10. (With possible rehearsals as needed March 16-17.) The talent show will be during the day on Friday, March 20.

If you have any questions, please direct them to Ms. Nelson or Ms. DeRosa. We can't wait to see your talented students!

Read the February 5, 2026, issue of CSD Weekly, the district-wide newsletter.

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.

Clairemont Elementary School Family Survey

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.