CSD Weekly: February 26, 2026
February 26, 2026
DHS Basketball Coach Rory Welsh Named 2026 Region Coach of the Year
After an exciting overtime win from the DHS boys basketball team in the first round of the state basketball tournament yesterday, a double-dose of congratulations is in order for DHS Varsity Basketball Coach Rory Welsh for being named the 2026 Region 4-5A Boys Basketball Coach of the Year. This recognition is a testament to Coach Welsh's strategic acumen, dedication, and unwavering commitment to the DHS basketball team. His ability to motivate and inspire the players is evident in every game, and his tactical decisions have been crucial to their successful season. Go Bulldogs!
CSD Budget Earns Two National Awards
CSD’s Department of Finance earned two national budget awards for FY25-26. The prestigious Meritorious Budget Award is from the Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO), which sets the standard for excellence in school budget development and communication. This national recognition is awarded for presenting a clear, transparent, and high-quality budget, as well as demonstrating responsible financial stewardship.
To earn the Meritorious Budget Award, CSD submitted its budget documents for a rigorous peer review process conducted by experienced school finance professionals. Each submitter receives feedback to refine and strengthen their budget presentations. CSD also received this award for fiscal year 2024-2025.
CSD also earned the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA). This award is the highest form of recognition in governmental budgeting. Its attainment represents a significant achievement by the district.
Decatur Performs and DHS Present "Alice by Heart"
Public Schools Week, February 23-27
During Public Schools Week, February 23-27, 2026, we honor the essential role public schools play in shaping future generations and strengthening communities. Let's celebrate the educators, students, and families who make a positive impact every day.
Community Invited to CSD Special Olympics, April 2
CSD invites the community to join a day of inspiration and athleticism at this year's Special Olympics event on Thursday, April 2, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and the DHS field. Special Olympics is a celebration of determination, community spirit, and the extraordinary achievements. The whole community is invited to attend and support our athletes.
DSE Hosts Cultural Awareness Event
K-2 families are invited to an event hosted by CSD's Department of Special Education focused on sharing family customs and traditions and discovering how social awareness skills can help promote understanding. Hands-on activities and helpful resources will be available to foster your student's understanding of other cultures and the different ways we celebrate, make memories, and build meaningful relationships. Snacks will be provided and attendees will be entered into a drawing for a gift card.
Monday, March 9, 2026, at 4:30-6 p.m., Oakhurst Elementary School
GaDOE Offering Free SAT Prep Classes and Webinars for Students and Families
Free SAT Prep Classes
GaDOE is offering free, live, virtual SAT prep classes this spring in partnership with Tutored by Teachers. Students will strengthen foundational math, reading, and writing skills; build confidence with SAT questions; and learn effective test-taking strategies. This accessible virtual series is designed to support students as they prepare for the SAT. The next sessions are March 2-5, 2026. Register and find more information here.
Free Webinar for Students and Families: Reading Smarter: Strategies for Focus and Retention
This February 10 session introduces high-impact reading strategies students can apply across subjects, along with tips for parents to reinforce them at home. The webinar will cover annotation techniques, navigating texts using structural language, reading with purpose, and managing unfamiliar vocabulary without losing momentum. Register and find more information here.
New CSD Partnership Offers No-Cost Mental Health Services for Grades 6-12
CSD's new partnership with Preventive Measures expands access to high-quality student mental health services across the district. Through this partnership, students in grades 6-12 now have access to comprehensive mental health services, including therapy, psychiatric care, and medication management at no cost to their families, regardless of insurance status. Services are available both during the school day and at home, reducing common barriers such as transportation challenges, limited insurance coverage, and scheduling conflicts.
Preventive Measures is a multi-state behavioral health provider with over 15 years of experience delivering school-based and telehealth mental health services to children, adolescents, and families. Services are provided by licensed, culturally responsive clinicians and delivered through a secure, HIPAA-compliant telehealth platform, ensuring confidentiality, flexibility, and ease of access for students and families.
Preventive Measures works in close collaboration with school teams and families to ensure care is consent-driven, coordinated, and aligned with students’ academic, social, and emotional needs. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to supporting the whole child by strengthening student wellness, increasing access to mental health supports, and fostering a safe, supportive, and responsive school environment where all students can thrive.
CSD Summer School Offered for Eligible Students
Closing February 27: CSD Families Invited to Take Survey on CTAE Offerings
The Decatur Career Academy invites parents and guardians of students in grades K-12 to complete a brief CTAE Parent/Guardian Survey to share their perspectives on how well CSD's CTAE programs are preparing students for life after high school. The important input and feedback will help guide:
CTAE program improvement and expansion
Career pathway offerings and course planning
Alignment with college and workforce opportunities
Investments in equipment, technology, and resources
Thank you for supporting CSD's commitment to meaningful, future-focused learning experiences for students. Take the survey here by Friday, February 27.
CSD Invited to Share Feedback about Code of Conduct
CSD's Code of Conduct helps guide how we support students and maintain safe, respectful school environments. Families, students, staff, and community members are invited to complete the Code of Conduct Review Survey as part of our review process to help ensure our practices are fair, thoughtful, and responsive to the needs of our students. By listening to diverse perspectives, we can strengthen our Code of Conduct and ensure it reflects shared values and equitable practices for all. The survey closes Tuesday, March 31. Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback and help us continue improving our schools.
High School Physical Science Coming to Eighth Grade; Families Invited to View Curriculum
To provide our students with a competitive edge and a head start on graduation requirements, CSD will offer high school physical science to all eighth graders starting in the 2026-27 school year.
To ensure our students are supported in this accelerated coursework, CSD's science faculty has spent the last few months vetting high-quality instructional resources. After evaluation, the team has recommended the adoption of Savvas: Concepts in High School Physical Science for its:
- Alignment with state standards
- Labs that support conceptual understanding of challenging scientific concepts
- Strong focus on foundational chemistry and physics concepts
Community partnership is a cornerstone of our curriculum adoption process. We invite parents, guardians, and community members to visit BHMS to preview the materials and share their perspectives. Your feedback ensures that we select tools that best serve our students and families.
The curriculum will be available to view in the BHMS media center from February 23-March 6. Please check in at the front office to receive a visitor badge; staff will then direct you to the review station in the media center.
Take GaDOE's Annual School Climate Survey
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
Families Invited to Provide Input on FY26 CLIP
As CSD drafts the FY27 Comprehensive LEA Improvement Plan (CLIP), families and community members are invited to provide feedback on our current FY26 CLIP. We invite you to review the CLIP documents and provide feedback on CLIP. Hearing from a variety of stakeholders is essential as we work to ensure our plan reflects current needs and priorities across the district.
Decatur Education Foundation
DEF Coffee Community Gathering
All are welcome to gather with DEF for coffee to listen to and share with each other to continue the work of building a community rooted in care, resilience and hope. The topic of the next gathering is transition planning for parents/guardians with students in the special education program. Sunday, March 1, noon-2 p.m. at Waller's Coffee Shop.
Sign up for the Tour deCatur, Saturday, March 14
Tour deCatur is back on Saturday, March 14, for its 24th year! This year, in addition to the Peachtree-qualifying 5k, the 1-Mile Fun Run, the adorable Tot Trot for the 4 and under crowd, and the “None Run” for supporters who want the t-shirt but not the sore muscles, we're partnering with the Decatur Bulldog Boosters and are offering a Bulldog Jog that allows runners to include their dogs in the 1-Mile Fun Run!
Also new this year are teams! When you register, choose the CSD school you’d like to represent, and the school with the highest percentage of participation will receive a DEF grant and the Tour team trophy! Family divided? Just register separately.
Funds raised from the Tour deCatur support Decatur Education Foundation’s many programs and initiatives supporting students, teachers, and the Decatur community. Go to www.tourdecatur.com to register.
Sing with Polly Holliday to Benefit Decatur Educators
DEF is excited to invite community members to take the stage to be part of the incredible new experience Polly Holliday has put together: Sing with the Band: Live Karaoke at Eddie's Attic!
Mark your calendars for March 21 and get your tickets to cheer on these karaoke winners as they belt out their favorite songs on stage at Decatur's most iconic music venue — all to support DEF’s mission to help Decatur students and families reach their full potential. Come listen to these singers as they brave the stage for a fun night of fundraising! Tickets are on sale now through Eddie’s Attic.
City of Decatur
In partnership with Georgia Department of Transportation, speed limits are being lowered by 5MPH on all state routes throughout the City of Decatur to help prevent severe and fatal crashes and create safer conditions for everyone traveling through our city.
Updated speed limits will apply on:
- College Avenue (State Route 10): From 35 to 30 MPH
- Scott Boulevard (State Route 8): From 40 to 35 MPH
- South Candler Street (State Route 155): From 35 to 30 MPH
- Clairemont Avenue (State Route 155): From 35 to 30 MPH
- Commerce Drive (State Route 155): From 35 to 30 MPH
As new signage is installed, please look out for updated speed‑limit signs along these routes and begin following the reduced limits now. Learn more at decaturga.com/speedreduction.
Parks and Recreation
Legacy Park is hosting a family-friendly Community Forestry Day on Saturday, March 7, 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at Isom Cottage at Legacy Park. Local experts will talk about how to create healthy yards that support urban forestry. Learn about yard trees at 10 a.m., native trees and invasive plant identification at 11 a.m., pruning principles for strong trees at noon, and creating bird and wildlife habitat at 1 p.m.
Shotokan Karate
Beginning/continuing pre-karate class is designed to hold children’s attention for 45 minutes of interactive learning, physical activity, and fun! Basic class concepts and techniques are covered. Sessions are Tuesdays, March 24-May 26. Register on Community Pass and search for Shokotan karate.
Beginner & Continuer (ages 5-7): 4-4:45 p.m.
Pre & Novice (ages 7-13): 4:50-5:50 p.m.
Youth, Parent-Child (ages 8+): 5:50-6:50 p.m.
Summer Camp Registration Is Open
Looking for an unforgettable summer experience? Legacy Park Adventure Day Camp is perfect for outdoor-loving kids, focusing on adventure, teamwork, and leadership through active play and exploration. Prefer variety and creativity? iDiscover Camp invites campers to explore weekly themes through hands-on activities, arts, science, movement, and more. Both camps run 8 a.m.-4 p.m., June 1-July 3. Register on CommunityPass.
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.
Special Hawks' Ticket Prices for CSD Community
The City Schools of Decatur community is invited to take advantage of a special ticket offer to watch the Atlanta Hawks take on the Portland Trail Blazers at State Farm Arena on Sunday, March 1, 6 p.m. Each ticket includes $10 worth of food and beverage credit. A portion of each ticket purchased through this offer will benefit City Schools of Decatur. Purchase your tickets here. Email ryan.coller@hawks.com for questions.