CSD Weekly: Back-to-School

• The first Back-to-School edition was sent last week. Read it here if you missed it!
• Expect Special Back-to-School CSD Weekly editions through August 6. Regular CSD Weekly and school newsletter issues will resume the first week of school.
• Check out this seek's Community Partner news from the City of Decatur.
• We look forward to welcoming you back to school on Monday, August 3!

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

1. More of What's New in CSD for 2026-2027 includes additional details about the Knowt pilot, safety updates, new cafeteria sustainability initiatives, and communications updates.
2. Information about school supplies will be available in school newsletters or on school websites. High school courses may not send supply lists.
3. School newsletters feature school-based information. Some schools have updates this week.
4. The Annual Data Update must be completed before the start of each school year with current contact, medical, and other information. From the Infinite Campus Portal home screen, select More ⇒ Annual Data Update. Find more details on the annual data update lower in the newsletter. Contact your school for username and password help.
5. School zone cameras will resume operation during school hours in school zones near BHMS, Clairemont, Westchester, and Winnona Park. Motorists exceeding the speed limit by 10+ MPH will receive a citation with a $100 fine for the first violation and $150 for subsequent violations.
   
   

   First Edition: Top Five Things to Know

◽Schedules ◽ Grades ◽ Lunch Money ◽ Contact Information◽ Test Scores ◽ And More!

The CSD Parent Portal provides important information to assist families in supporting students. For assistance with the Portal, visit this webpage or contact your school's front office. Information about attendance, grades, or schedules is not yet available in Infinite Campus. Contact your school for Infinite Campus username and password help.

At the beginning of every school year, it is critical for families to use the Parent Portal for back-to-school readiness. Please take a moment to:

• Complete the Annual Data Update before each school year starts, providing current contact, medical, and other information. From the Portal home screen, select More ⇒ Annual Data Update. Find more details on the annual data update here.
• Register for 2026-2027 bus transportation by indicating your intent for your student (s) to ride the bus while completing the Annual Data Update. The student's primary contact listed in Infinite Campus will receive an invitation from the Transportation Department to log into the Stopfinder Bus Tracking App. More information is further down in this newsletter.

• Infinite Campus is now using Stripe for all online payment functions in the Campus Portal. Banking and card information must be set up again in the new Stripe portal. Stored payment methods and recurring payments were not transferred between vendors.

  • Processing fees remain at 2.5% for credit cards and $0.35 for e-checks.

  • Please log in to Infinite Campus and click "Fees" to check for any balances.

• Apply for free/reduced-price meal benefits: We encourage all families to apply. Families that previously received benefits must reapply every year. Select More ⇒ Meal Benefits.
• Add money to meal accounts, and set up balance alerts and auto-payments. In the Portal, select Food Service.
• Look up teacher contact information. Select More ⇒ Contact List.
• Review CSD's student handbook and Code of Conduct. Additional information is available on the website.
• Submit updated health forms found on the health forms webpage. Please note any medical needs of which school nurses need to be made aware. Click the immunization requirements link for additional information.

Every day of instruction matters, and students who attend school regularly are more likely to succeed academically and build positive relationships and habits. Use the final weeks of summer to establish routines that support excellent attendance and a successful school year. Please review the attendance policy in the Parent and Student Handbook, and make an attendance plan with your student for the upcoming year. Here are some tips to help your student succeed:

Establish school-year routines.

Help your child transition back to school by gradually returning to a school schedule. Consider starting now by:

• Moving bedtime and wake-up times closer to the school schedule
• Encouraging daily reading and writing activities to keep academic skills sharp
• Limiting screen time in the evening to promote healthy sleep habits
• Talking positively about the upcoming school year and setting goals together

Get organized before the first day.

A little preparation can reduce first-day stress and help students feel confident. Take time to:

• Organize your child's bedroom and study space
• Lay out and organize school clothes
• Review the school supply list and prepare supplies before the year starts, where possible.

Check your K-8 school newsletter or website for updates about school supplies. High school classes may not send supply lists, or may send lists after the school year begins.

The safety of our students and staff is our top priority.

Background checks will now be conducted at the Wilson Center and an online payment option is now available. Annual background checks are required for parents and families who wish to volunteer or participate in activities involving direct interaction with students during which a school employee may not be present at all times. Please contact your school to schedule a background check.

As a reminder, visitors will be required to present a state-issued ID when entering CSD buildings for an instant background check against our Centegix visitor management system. Please see CSD's visitor management webpage for more information.

CSD will continue to use the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) as the basis for responding to emergencies. Schools discuss SRP with students as part of their emergency preparedness, and we encourage families to discuss the SRP at home. CSD's SRP webpage includes parent handouts in English, Somali, Spanish, and Portuguese.

CSD uses the Sandy Hook “Say Something” Anonymous Reporting System (ARS), ensuring compliance with the safety requirements established by Georgia House Bill 268.

• The premier, nationally recognized Sandy Hook ARS program is trusted by over 1,200 school districts nationwide to keep students safe.
• Sandy Hook ARS is monitored by a 24/7/365 crisis center, meaning that tips are triaged and managed by professionals around the clock.
• By empowering students to recognize warning signs and safely "say something" to a trusted adult, this program provides a vital layer of support to build a more proactive and secure environment.

An AI chatbot helper will be added to the district and school websites. On school sites, the chatbot will be specific to each school's mascot and will have more detailed information about each school. After the launch, please pardon our progress as we refine these tools for your convenience.

Save CSD's Text Message Number

Please save this number in your phone as CSD Communications: (404) 328-7953. This number will send text messages with emergency information, pertinent school updates and a link to the weekly newsletters.

Download the CSD Mobile App Today

All your school information and apps are accessible in the convenient CSD app, such as bus routes, calendars, Pick Up Patrol, Parent Portal and more. Configure the app to receive crisis alerts & push notifications in your preferred language.

Step 1: Go to the App store or Google Play.

Step 2: Type City Schools of Decatur in the search bar and download.

Step 3: Configure the settings after downloading the app.

• Click the settings icon to follow specific schools and select the language preference.
• Find all communication from your child’s schools and the district by clicking the notifications icon.
• The waffle icon (More) takes users to the embedded apps and websites.

CSD is working toward more sustainable food service, thanks to the partnership of students, teachers, and the district's operations team.

• Most K-2 schools will fully implement the use of reusable/washable trays by the end of 2026.
• Compostable paper trays will now be available at F.Ave, Talley St., BHMS, and DHS.
• CompostNow pilots at Talley St. and DHS are reducing CSD's reliance on plastic and our impact on the landfill by composting food and using compostable trays and flatware. Compost receptacles will replace trash cans in the cafeteria during breakfast and lunch.

Thank you to the CSD community for contributing to these efforts!

CSD is currently piloting Knowt in secondary schools during the first semester of the 2026-2027 school year. Knowt is an interactive digital study tool designed to turn notes, slides, and study guides into flashcards and practice tests. Here is what families should know about this new tool and why CSD is exploring it:

What It Means for Students

• Optional Study Aid: Using Knowt is optional; it is not a required part of the curriculum. Students can choose to use it on their own to create study resources or access materials sent directly by their teachers.

• Advanced Course Support: Knowt offers tailored study support for high school students in AP and IB DP courses, making it a valuable tool across our secondary levels.

Why We're Piloting Managed Accounts

• Safety & Oversight: Our data showed that a significant number of our 6th–12th graders were already using Knowt independently, outside the safety and oversight of a school-managed account.

• Equity & Guardrails: Moving to a school-managed account ensures equal access for every student without requiring a paid private subscription. Most importantly, it provides us with critical guardrails, including detailed interaction insights and automated safety alerts.

• Real-Time Reflection: This pilot lets us closely monitor tool usage, gather real-time feedback, and evaluate how Knowt can best enhance student learning in a safe, structured environment.

As school starts, CSD reminds the community that the City of Decatur Police Department will resume operation of the automated photo speed enforcement program in school zones near BHMS, Clairemont, Westchester, and Winnona Park. Motorists exceeding the speed limit by 10+ MPH will receive a citation with a $100 fine for the first violation and $150 for subsequent violations. Photo speed cameras will be active during school zone hours.

Students in grades K-8 will not be allowed to use cell phones, smartwatches or other personal electronic devices during school starting this school year. Devices brought to school must be kept in backpacks for grades K-5 and in lockboxes for grades 6-8. Students in grades 9-12 who bring cell phones must silence and store them in designated classroom holders during all instructional periods, and students will be permitted to use their phones only during class changes and lunch. See the personal electronics protocol for grades 9-12.

Infinite Campus is now using the online payment system Stripe for all online payment functions in the Campus Portal. Stripe is a more secure, easier-to-use payment system that will offer tap-and-pay options at school events.

All banking and card information must be set up again in the new Stripe portal. Stored payment methods and recurring payments were not transferred between vendors.

There will be no changes to our fee structures. Processing fees remain at 2.5% for credit cards and $0.35 for e-checks. Please log in to Infinite Campus and click "Fees" to check for any balances.

Introducing Transportation 2.0: Starting this year, families who would like their student to ride the school bus must request transportation by completing the Annual Data Update (ADU) in the Infinite Campus Portal. Please allow 24–48 hours for transportation requests to be processed.

After your transportation request in the Annual Data Update has been processed, you will receive an email invitation to register for the Stopfinder Bus Tracking App. Once your account is activated, you will be able to:

• View your student’s assigned bus route
  
• View bus stop locations
  
• View scheduled pickup and drop-off times
  
• Receive important transportation notifications and service updates

How to Access Your Student’s Bus Information

1. Stopfinder Bus Tracking App — Primary Source
Stopfinder is the Transportation Department’s primary source for bus route information, service updates, and notifications. All families are strongly encouraged to download the app and complete the registration process.

2. Transportation Website
Bus routes are also posted on the district website. Visit the Transportation Department webpage and select Routes to review available route information.

3. InfoFinder
Families may use InfoFinder to determine whether their address qualifies for transportation services. Enter your home address, and if transportation is available, the system will display the assigned route number, bus stop location, and scheduled pickup and drop-off times.

Note About the Parent Portal
Some families may also see a Transportation tab in the Parent Portal after completing the ADU. If route information is not displayed or appears incomplete, please use Stopfinder, the Transportation website, or InfoFinder for the most current transportation information. Stopfinder is the recommended source for ongoing bus information and transportation notifications throughout the school year.

Email routefinder@csdecatur.net with questions.

CSD is excited to introduce its updated K-12 Curriculum Hub, a central resource designed to keep our families, educators, and community connected to what students are learning every day.

This page includes curriculum maps and pacing guides, which outline the full scope of our core subjects, the order in which skills are taught, and key unit focuses (with flexibility for schools to adapt based on student progress). Families can also access 6-12 syllabi to review secondary course expectations and grading policies. If you have specific questions about classroom instruction, your child’s teacher is always your first point of contact, followed by your school principal.

Please note that high school course syllabi are currently under development and will be updated as soon as they are finalized.

Thank you to everyone who attended CSD's Annual Back-to-School Bash! Please take a few moments to complete this brief 2026 CSD Back-to-School Bash Participant Feedback Survey as we strive to make future CSD events even better.

• Pre-Planning: July 23-31
• Grades K-2 Meet & Greet, July 30, 9-11 a.m.
• Grades 3-5 Meet & Greet, July 30, 1-3 p.m.
• Grades 6-8 Meet & Greet, July 30, 3-5 p.m.
• College Heights PreK Meet & Greet, July 31, 9 a.m.-noon
• College Heights 0-3 Meet & Greet, July 31, 1-3 p.m.
• Grades 9-12 Meet & Greet, July 31, 2-4 p.m.
• All-Staff Opening Day Event, July 29
  
• CSD First Day of School, August 3
• Board of Education Meeting, August 11
• Board of Education Retreat, August 18
• Early Release Day, August 26

The 2026-2027 Academic Calendar can be found on the CSD website by clicking "District and School Calendars," then under PreK-12 Calendars" on the right.

Plan Ahead for Early Release Days! CSD's 2026-2026 early release days are August 26, October 28, December 18, January 27, March 17 and May 27.

Digital Learning Day is Tuesday, November 3, to allow teachers and staff time to vote. Teachers will provide schoolwork for an at-home learning day.

Schools will be closed for teacher work days on Monday, October 12, and Monday, January 4.

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. Follow Decatur Parks and Recreation on Facebook and Instagram or sign up for their monthly newsletter.

Decatur Rec Fall Lacrosse signups for the 4/5 and 6-8 boys’ teams are currently open through Community Pass. Free clinics for grades 1-3. Rec league games for grades 4/5 and 6-8. Season starts in mid-August. Beginners welcome.

Apply for Child Friendly Cities Initiative (CFCI) Teen Leadership Team

High school students who live in the City of Decatur are invited to apply for the Child Friendly Cities Initiative (CFCI) Teen Leadership Team. Participants will work alongside City staff, community partners, and fellow teens to help shape decisions that impact children and youth while building leadership skills, completing community projects, and earning community service hours.

The City of Decatur is one of only three communities in the nation recognized as a UNICEF Child Friendly City. The Teen Leadership Team helps ensure young people have a voice in local decision-making. Learn more and apply by August 12 at decaturga.com/cfci.

As CSD gears up for another successful school year, take a moment to review milestones from the 2025-26 school year.

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.