CSD Weekly: April 30, 2026

1. GMAS testing continues through May 1 for grades 3-8, and through May 15 for grades 9-12
2. Share feedback here on new ECLC Phase 3 designs, the FY27 budget, and the FY27 BMOP
3. Superintendent's Spring Listening Session, May 5, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Westchester
4. Cheer on the DHS boys' soccer team at its playoff game, May 6, 7 p.m., DHS Stadium
5. DHS graduation is Saturday, May 16, 2-4 p.m.
6. Attend the Mental Health Open House, May 13, from 4:30-6:30 p.m., DHA Community Center
7. Nominate a staff member here for the CSD "Extra Mile" Award by May 21
8. Reserve yard signs for graduating seniors from DEF
9. Fill out the football interest form for students in grades 4-8
10. Countdown begins to Commencement on May 16 for the DHS Class of 2026

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

CSD is very proud of Talley St.'s third-grade CML (Continental Math League) team, which placed first in the country for the second year in a row. Special congratulations to Anishka Rayshan and Ellis Anthony, who earned National Medals for achieving perfect scores in all three competitions.

Talley St. fifth-graders Isaac Brandt, Louis Hepburn and Alexander Fischer also received National Medals for their perfect scores. An extra shoutout to Isaac Brandt, who has earned this prestigious recognition every single year since third grade, with perfect scores on every CML competition throughout his journey. Way to go to Talley St.'s CML teams and thank you to teachers Lindsey Combs, Nicole Fiber and Ashley Forman for guiding these teams to victory.

Kudos to the DHS ninth-graders, who proved they have a serious knack for finance by becoming overall state champions in the Stock Market Game. Out of over 4,300 teams across Georgia, the team made up of Isaac Hall, Ethan Kolesky, Lucas Kwong, and Samuel Master (left photo) turned a virtual $100,000 into an incredible $169,670 in just ten weeks.

Additionally, Maxwell Breidenthal, Quinn Gillespie, Ezra Hsu and Ari Sanchez (right photo) placed seventh in the state and won the 5th Congressional District Championship. Both teams will attend the official Winners Luncheon at the Fox Theatre on May 7.

Way to Go, DHS varsity boys' soccer! The team continues to sail after advancing to the Sweet Sixteen on Wednesday night with a victory over Milton. After taking a 2-0 lead, DHS began overtime tied 2-2. At the end of two extra 10-minute periods, the game moved to penalty kicks. Goalkeeper Bryson Bacon made a huge save on the first penalty kick, and the Bulldogs took advantage, scoring all five penalties. The team plays next Wednesday, May 6, at 7 p.m. at DHS Stadium against Jackson County. Let's show up loud and proud, Bulldog Nation!

DHS soccer also racked up at the All-Region Awards

Boys Coach of the Year: Coach Derrick Burgess

Boys Player of the Year: Tyler Seim

Girls 1st Team All-Region: Kirkland Kinney and Sophie Burby

Boys 1st Team All-Region: Stefano Porcelli, Tyler Seim, TJ Smith and Eli Beard

Girls 2nd Team All-Region: Avery Gervin

Boys 2nd Team All-Region: Aiden Hovatter

After winning a DEF Student Innovation grant for their project, "Fanning Curiosity," DHS freshmen Sonoma Oster and Andrea Roytershteyn led a group of 40 DHS students to Glennwood to help their second-graders learn about electricity and renewable energy. The students built and tested solar-powered fans, and the second-graders even got to take their projects home to further their learning outside of school and share them with their families. Thank you to DEF for making this incredible opportunity possible, and thank you to the DHS students for leading the project.

A huge round of applause to DHS assistant principal Kevin Champion, who appeared on the Fox game show "The 1% Club" this week. During a 10-hour day of filming for the show back in December, Kevin finished in a three-way tie for first place, taking home $33,000. While the day involved plenty of funny banter with the host and interactions with nearly 70 other contestants, Kevin says the hardest part was the months of silence required to keep his exciting win a secret.

CSD celebrated the success of students in DHS CTAE with two signing days. The district's second annual Future Educators Signing Day honored current DHS high school students, CSD student teachers, and CSD paraprofessionals as they took significant steps towards entering the teaching profession through CTAE's "Classified to Classroom" pathway.

Later in the week, DHS juniors Karsyn Baker, Joshua Black, and Audra Zaemisch, who were honored with a signing ceremony this week to mark their Work-Based Learning (WBL) real estate internships with Olivia J. Price Real Estate, where they will take their real estate licensing exam and gain hands-on industry experience. CSD is proud to support these students as they grow in their careers.

Future Educators Honorees:

Program Completion Offered signees who have been offered positions at CSD: Artesha Chaney, Kennesaw State University; Tracey Lynn, Kennesaw State University; Andrew Johnson, Metro RESA TAPP Program; Lauren Thompson, Metro RESA TAPP Program

Program Completion Priority: collegiates who will have priority for hiring at CSD upon graduation: Kelly Jackson, Georgia State University; Lauren Rondone, Kennesaw State University; Victoria Schwimmer, Kennesaw State University

DHS CTAE Teaching as a Profession Pathway Students: William Baggenstoss, TBD; Shavonne Carter, TBD; Noel Ford, Georgia State University Honors College; Wyatt "Calypso" Shepard, TBD; Alex Tchernis, Mississippi State University

DHS Early Childhood Education Major Students: Maggie Baca, University of Georgia; Noel Ford, Georgia State University Honors College; Sam Ragland, East Carolina University; Talia Schmoll, University of North Carolina; Leo Walker, TBD

DHS Intermediate Acting and Culinary Arts class present "How To Get Away With A Murder Mystery," a one-night-only dinner theater experience of mystery and dining al fresco. You will feel like part of the action as events unfold around you, while enjoying the students’ culinary creations. Thursday, April 30, 6:30 p.m., DHS Cafeteria Courtyard. Buy tickets here.

The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood is a frantically funny, Monty Pythonesque retelling of the classic. This BHMS Acting production is recommended for all ages. Playing May 1-3 at BHMS. Buy tickets here.

CSD's Student Support Services division is hosting a Mental Health Awareness Community Open House. Families can enjoy food, games, learn practical strategies to support mental wellness, reduce stigma and build awareness, connect with trusted community partners, and access resources.

Wednesday, May 13, 2026, 4:30-6:30 p.m., Decatur Housing Authority Community Center

Current CSD students: Do you know a teacher or CSD employee who has gone the "extra mile" this year? Nominate them for the CSD Extra Mile Award. The Extra Mile Award is an annual recognition that allows students to show appreciation to teachers or staff who go above and beyond what is expected of them.

Students at any grade level can write an essay describing how their teacher (or staff member) goes the extra mile. Parents may help younger children write the essay or submit it on behalf of a student who is unable to write the nomination. The essays should be detailed and describe how the employee goes above and beyond. Submit a nomination here by Thursday, May 21, 2026.

• School Library Month, April 1-30

• Occupational Therapy Month, April 1-30

• Arab American Heritage Month, April 1-30

• National Autism Acceptance Month, April 1-30

• National Child Abuse Prevention Month, April 1-30

• School Principals' Day, May 1

• College Decision Day: Wear your Favorite School's Gear, May 1

• National Teacher Appreciation Day, May 5

• Superintendent Spring Listening Session, May 5, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Westchester Elementary

• BOE Regular Meeting, May 12

• Superintendent Spring Listening Session, May 14, 11:30-12:30 p.m., Virtual, https://csdecatur.zoom.us/j/92376058628

• DHS Graduation, May 16, 2-4 p.m.

Georgia Milestones Assessment System (GMAS) testing is ongoing through May 1 for grades 3-8, and through May 15 for grades 9-12. Please encourage your child to get plenty of rest, eat a good breakfast and show up to school on time, ready to do their best.

Recap: Special-Called Board of Education Meeting, April 27, 2026

Please read a special edition of the Bulletin Board Newsletter sent after the special-called BOE meeting on April 27, 2026. The approved letter to the governor discussed during the meeting is available here. Additionally, the community may visit the Stakeholder Engagement link to provide feedback on the New ECLC Phase 3 Designs, FY27 Budget Feedback and FY27 Board Management Oversight Plan (BMOP).

Policy Feedback

The following policies are also currently pending and available for public comment using the form at the bottom of the policy webpage in Simbli.

• Policy IBB: Charter Schools
• Policy LEBA: Parental Involvement in Education

BHMS and Decatur Parks & Recreation are gauging interest for the upcoming fall football seasons. Families with a student in grades 4-8, please provide feedback on this interest form to helps us determine team sizes, coaching needs, and how to best serve our student-athletes. Filling out this form isn't a registration; it’s a "pulse check" to help us make the best decisions for the program.

Coming in June, Infinite Campus is switching payment processors from Payrix to Stripe for all online payment functions in the Campus Portal. The new system will provide a more secure and easy-to-use payment system, including the convenience of tap and pay options at school events. CSD will be making this transition for the district during the month of June.

Important Notes:

• The online payment system will be unavailable June 8-19, 2026. If you need to make a payment during this time, please visit your student's school to pay via cash or check.

• Banking and card information must be set up again in the new Stripe portal after June 19. Stored payment methods and recurring payments will not be transferred between vendors.

• There are 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. Any balance on the accounts will carry over.

Reserve Yard Signs for Graduating Seniors from DEF

Show your appreciation for CSD teachers/staff and show your pride in your graduating seniors by having a yard sign in their honor. DEF volunteers will deliver your Step Up Teachers or your Congrats Grad sign to your home when you take advantage of this opportunity to donate. Donate $35 for a yard sign and 5 teacher/staff/senior tributes. Donate $40 for a yard sign and 10 teacher/staff/senior tributes. Enter your tributes on the donation page. Tributes will be shared publicly on our website, with staff, and on DEF social media. Visit stepupforteachers.com to read our tribute wall and to make your own!

Proceeds from DEF’s Step Up Campaign fund Teacher and Student Innovation Grants in all CSD Schools. Let’s cover Decatur with support for our teachers, staff and students! If you’d like to make a tribute but cost is a barrier, please just email info@decatureducationfoundation.org.

Buy Tickets to DEF's "No Ordinary Joe" Fundraiser

Tickets for the 2026 No Ordinary Joe fundraiser, Thursday, April 30, 6 p.m., at Waller's Coffee Shop, are on sale here! This annual fundraiser for Joe’s Fund features some of DHS's most talented singers and musicians performing live music in a coffeehouse-style concert. This year, the event will have an opening act of BHMS students at 6 p.m.

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.

DHS-Student Hosted Workshop

DHS junior Sam Epstein will host a free Sport Stacking workshop on Sunday, May 3, at Decatur Recreation Center from 1-3 p.m. for ages K-8. Sam is a member of Team USA Sport Stacking organization. Find more info and register here.

Mother and I Paint, Saturday, May 9, noon-2 p.m., Oakhurst Recreation Center

Moms and their kids are invited to enjoy guided painting, light bites, and quality time creating side by side. Connect through creativity and make lasting memories. Register here.

Parents' Night Out - Superhero Night, Friday, May 29, 5:30-9 p.m., Oakhurst Recreation Center

Parents, treat yourselves to a night out! Your superheroes (ages 5-12) will embark on action-packed adventures filled with games, crafts, and nonstop fun. Kids can wear costumes if they’d like! Dinner and snacks are included, along with discounts for siblings. Register here.

Decatur Soccer invites youth ages 5-13 (rising K-8th grade) to register for its 3v3 Soccer Tournament, powered by Decatur WatchFest 26, a fun, flexible, and community-focused event led by DHS soccer players and coaches. Join us Saturday, June 20, 8:30-noon at the Decatur High School Stadium with plenty of parking and just a short walk from the Decatur MARTA Station and Decatur WatchFest.

Kids can form a team of up to five players and sign up at the link below for just $75 per team (payable separately via GoFan). With no uniforms required (pennies provided) and small-sided 3v3 match play run by our DHS players, this format keeps things simple while maximizing touches, engagement, and fun for every player.

The tournament is open to girls, boys, and co-ed teams (co-ed teams will play in the boys bracket), with divisions based on rising school year: K-1, 2-3, 4-5, and 6-8. This is a great way to celebrate Decatur WatchFest and FIFA World Cup 26™ while supporting the Decatur Soccer program, and giving your child a fun soccer experience without a big time commitment. Just gather a group, register here, and show up ready to play!

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