The Bulldog, August 28, 2025
8.28.25
Note from Mrs. Lockwood:
Everyone is settling into our daily school routines. As a reminder, Curriculum Night is tonight! I look forward to seeing you there; we have some good information to share.
Reminder that Monday, September 1, is Labor Day. School is closed. We will reopen on Tuesday, September 2. Enjoy your long weekend!
Mark your calendars for our first Picture Day of the school year! Individual pictures will be on Wednesday, September 3. Families will be provided with a link a week after picture day to view the proofs.
1st Grade CogAT Testing Starts September 3
From September 3-5, all 1st-grade students will be taking the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT). Unlike traditional achievement tests, which measure how well a student has learned the curriculum, the CogAT assesses a child’s ability to reason abstractly and recognize patterns and relationships in the world around them. Teachers can use CogAT scores to better understand a child’s pattern of cognitive strengths and weaknesses. Our school district also uses CogAT scores to screen for cognitively gifted students.
Important Information about Gifted Review
Each fall semester the gifted review team looks at existing student data to discuss students’ needs and determine if further evaluation for gifted identification is needed. If you are interested in having the team discuss your child’s needs, you may complete a Recommendation for Review Form (found at the website below) and turn it into the Gifted & Talented Specialist at your child’s school before Wednesday, October 1. No additional information is needed. The Gifted & Talented Specialist for Clairemont Elementary is Tom Seetoo. For more detailed information about the review process and to obtain a copy of the Recommendation for Review Form, please contact the Gifted & Talented Specialist for your school at tseetoo@csdecatur.net or visit the following website: https://www.csdecatur.net/our-district-5f/departments/teaching-and-learning/gifted-and-talented-services
K-5 Students Invited to Submit Art for 25-26 Fire Safety Calendar Contest
The Georgia Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire and the Georgia Fire Sprinkler Association invite students in grades K-5 to submit a poster of original artwork related to fire safety to be featured in the 2025-2026 Fire Safety School Year Calendar.
Posters must be 17" x 11" and in landscape format. Please include the following information on the back of the submission: student name/grade, school name, teacher name/phone/email, and principal name/email. Mail posters by Friday, September 19, to Amanda Jones, 2 MLK Jr. Drive, West Tower, Suite 707, Atlanta, Ga 30334. After mailing, email safetyed@oci.ga.gov with your name, school name, number of submissions, and the date you mailed them. Email safetyed@oci.ga.gov with questions.
What does success look like for K-2 students?
Parents and schools work together to achieve the same primary goal. We all want our students to be successful. In the early years of school, “success” is not only about learning letters and numbers. The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) reminds us that “Social and emotional development is just as important to children's learning as their academic development.” For Kindergarten through 2nd grade students, success often looks like:
Making friends and learning how to share and take turns.
Asking questions and showing excitement about learning.
Practicing skills like following directions, solving small problems, and calming down when upset.
Feeling proud of trying, even when things are hard.
Here are a few simple ways families can support these important steps toward success:
For friendships and sharing: Encourage your child to play simple board games or team up on chores at home—this gives them practice in turn-taking and cooperation.
For curiosity and excitement about learning: Take time to wonder together—ask questions like, “Why do you think the moon looks different tonight?” to spark your child’s natural curiosity.
For problem-solving and self-control: When challenges come up, guide your child with calm prompts such as, “What could we try first?” instead of giving the answer right away.
For pride in effort: Celebrate small steps, like finishing an intricate drawing or reading a new word, by saying, “I love how you worked hard and didn’t give up!”
Success looks different for every child, and growth happens at their own pace. Every effort we make to nurture a child’s learning and well-being helps build the strong foundation they need for the years ahead.
