CSD Supe Scoop, April 2026

Greetings, CSD:

At the end of March, I had the pleasure of participating in the induction ceremony of our new Junior Beta Club Society students at Beacon Hill Middle School. Celebrating these students reminded me of my days in the Beta Club and my lifetime adherence to the four pillars of achievement, character, leadership, and service.

The ceremony also reinforced the alignment of my core values with the Beta Club's including honesty, truthfulness and integrity, while embodying principles like justice, working with my head and hands to create what is right for children, and humility in my service. Then, there are also the values of cooperation and responsibility for where we are as a district and where we are going, and charity in my desire to give to others. My late grandfather lived by two simple but powerful tenets that I continue to abide by: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you," and "Never look down on anyone, because that could be you."

Our collective commitment to these ideals, in partnership as a school community, will be increasingly important to ensure our students finish the school year strong. As we welcome the warmth of spring, our students will take assessments to measure the knowledge they have gained throughout the year, while eagerly anticipating upcoming celebrations. These include honoring the invaluable contributions of all staff, notably the 2027 Teachers of the Year and celebrating the achievements of all students, whether in the classroom, in competitions, or on stage. Highlights are available throughout this issue.

Thank you for continuing to be All In for the students, staff, and families of CSD. I wish everyone a wonderful and safe Spring Break, and I look forward to welcoming you back on April 13 for a strong finish to the school year.

Sincerely,

Dr. Gyimah Whitaker

Superintendent

A round of applause to DHS senior and CSD student Board of Education representative Nia Batra, who was named DHS's 2026 STAR Student at the Rotary Club of Decatur's annual Student Teacher Achievement Recognition (STAR) event in collaboration with the Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE). Nia chose her former IB Language and Literature DHS teacher, Erika Leach, as her STAR Teacher.

To obtain the STAR nomination, high school seniors must have the highest score on any single test date of the SAT taken through the November test date of their senior year and be in the top 10 percent or top 10 students of their class based on grade point average. STAR students then select a teacher who has significantly contributed to their academic growth to be named a STAR Teacher.

Congratulations to Christie Chalberg, CSD's 2027 Teacher of the Year! Chalberg has taught at Beacon Hill for eleven years and has 30 years of teaching experience. She pioneered and evolved the Adventure Quest course to provide students with meaningful alternatives to traditional physical education and creatively brought other academic disciplines into the outdoor classroom. Chalberg is also certified in archery instruction, cycling education, wilderness first aid, and outdoor leadership, expanding opportunities for students and strengthening experiential learning.

Congratulations to all of our 2026-2027 CSD School Teachers of the Year! These educators and school staff are among the most committed and enthusiastic members of the CSD community. We sincerely appreciate everything you do to make a lasting impact on our students' lives.

2026-2027 CSD Teachers of the Year
Mary McMahon, Pre-K Special Education Teacher, College Heights ECLC
Stacey Labouchere, Title I Intervention Teacher, Clairemont
Lily Ronco, Kindergarten Teacher, Glennwood
Kendria Paden, Kindergarten Teacher, Oakhurst
Tiffany Ryce, Music Teacher, Westchester
Matthew Hicks, Second Grade Teacher, Winnona Park
Anita Robinson, Fourth Grade Teacher, F.Ave
Jara Childs, Fourth Grade Teacher, Talley Street
Christie Chalberg, Adventure Quest Teacher, BHMS
Kristen Embry, Social Studies Teacher, DHS

CSD has appointed Meagan Ferguson as the new principal of Winnona Park Elementary School for the 2026-2027 academic year. Most recently, Ms. Ferguson served as the assistant principal of Fifth Avenue Upper Elementary (F.Ave). She joined CSD in 2018 as a fifth-grade teacher and later became the MTSS Administrator.

With over 20 years of experience, Ms. Ferguson is dedicated to fostering community and collaboration. She is a native of Detroit, MI, and has taught at nearly every grade level from K-12 to the graduate level in a variety of educational environments in Florida, Connecticut, New York, Washington, D.C., and Georgia. As a school leader and Decatur resident, Ms. Ferguson looks forward to building robust relationships, honoring the great work already underway, and further strengthening the school's vibrant community.

Dr. Whitaker and Board of Education Chair Dr. Carmen Sulton and Vice Chair Hans Utz visited the Frasier Center and College Heights this month. They spoke with staff and students, observed classrooms and even happened upon a petting zoo outside Frasier Center.

Student-athletes and teachers from across CSD schools processed into the DHS Stadium for CSD's second annual accredited Special Olympics to cheers, smiles, and upbeat music from the DHS drumline and cheerleaders, school and district staff, Superintendent Dr. Gyimah Whitaker, as well as Board of Education Chair and Vice-Chair, Dr. Carmen Sulton and Hans Utz. Spirts remained high as the DHS JROTC opened the ceremony, with athletes competing in the 50-yard dash, soccer, tug-of-war, parachute and more and enthusiastic family and friends looking on.

Volunteers from CSD Best Buddies and Fast Friends clubs also accompanied athletes throughout the morning. A huge thank you to the clubs, CSD Student Services and all the teachers, staff, students and parents for making this event successful for the athletes and their families.

"Special Olympics is a really joyful opportunity for our students to show off their skills and for our community to be there to encourage and celebrate them," said Michelle Lowe, CSD's director of Special Education. "These kinds of community events are a big part of the Special Education department's commitment to building and sustaining an engaging and inclusive culture."

This year's GSBA Day at the Capitol was a productive one for CSD board chair Dr. Carmen Sulton, board member Lorraine Irier, Superintendent Dr. Gyimah Whitaker, student board representative Nia Batra, and student board apprentice Zoe Smith. During the day, they attended briefings on education legislation and discussed education policy with state legislators and policy experts. The event also included networking opportunities with other school board members and meetings with legislators from across Georgia, including Decatur legislators Sen. Elena Parent, Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver, and Rep. Omari Crawford, to discuss the future of education in our state. Student representatives from Robotics, JROTC, HOSA, FCCLA, and Culinary Arts were also under the Gold Dome for the 2026 College and Career Technical Student Organization Day.

This week, Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05) visited DHS to applaud the work of Communities In Schools (CIS) of Atlanta and their partnerships with metro Atlanta school districts, including CSD's partnership, which began in 2023.

During her visit, Congresswoman Williams presented a check for $401,000 to Frank Brown Esq., CEO of CIS of Atlanta. This funding, which is the first approved as part of an appropriation request in the organization's 54-year history, will support the Violence Prevention & Mental Health Initiative at Communities In Schools in metro Atlanta schools. The initiative aims to implement an integrated, school-based strategy that combines violence-prevention training and mental health support for students to reduce violence and foster student success.

DHS students Breanna Caldwell and Justin Patton shared their insights on how the partnership between CSD and CIS of Atlanta has impacted them personally. DHS hosted the event, and Superintendent Dr. Gyimah Whitaker, DHS assistant principal Wes Hatfield, and Student Support Coordinator Dr. Terescah Lemon offered greetings. Board Member Hans Utz and Student Board Representative Nia Batra also attended. Thank you to CIS for their work with students, to Congresswoman Nikema Williams for her generosity, and to all the CSD staff and students who made this event possible.

Beacon Hill News show featured Dr. Whitaker's visit to the school to host "Soup with the Supe" to connect with BHMS teachers and staff. The excellent student broadcasters talked with Dr. Whitaker about highlights from the semester and her excitement about being a CSD Bulldog. Watch the full show here.

During Dr. Whitaker's regular meeting with her Student Advisory Council, she gave the group a tour of the Wilson Center, where they met some of the staff who help plan what students learn throughout the year and visited the Board of Education meeting room.

CSD eighth-graders significantly outperformed state and national benchmarks on the PSAT 8/9 with a district mean score of 948, which is 131 points higher than the Georgia average and 122 points higher than the national average. This year, all eighth-grade students had the opportunity to take the PSAT 8/9, which provides an early indicator of college and career readiness.

These results provide valuable insights for students, families, and educators, helping guide course selection, identify areas for instructional support, and establish a baseline for tracking student growth toward future PSAT and SAT milestones.

The Georgia Department of Education's recently released CCRPI results indicate CSD has a Governor's Office of Student Achievement (GOSA) overall district accountability score of 94.4, the highest in the state, and CSD's highest score ever. The accountability score for CSD was 85 when the state started measuring CCRPI in 2018.

The College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) is the state's assessment and accountability system, measuring schools' performances across GaDOE's standards for content mastery, student progress, closing achievement gaps, and college and career readiness.

CSD is thrilled to celebrate and announce the remarkable achievements of the Decatur High School class of 2026 valedictorian and salutatorian. These outstanding students consistently exemplify academic excellence and dedication and demonstrate qualities of the PACK (Purposeful, Accountable, Connected, and Kind). Congratulations to these well-deserving students.

Neve Marston is the valedictorian of the 2026 graduating class. Neve is an IB Diploma candidate. She is a member of the DHS Cross Country team, the founder of the DHS Healthcare Club, and has served on the City of Decatur’s Child-Friendly Cities Initiative. She plans to attend Georgia Tech to study electrical engineering.

Liora Yustein is the salutatorian of the class of 2026. Liora is a candidate in the IB Diploma program. She participates in the Gardening Club and is a leader in the Ivy League. Liora has served as co-captain of the Speech & Debate Team at DHS. She plans to attend Barnard College to study chemistry.

Congratulations to the DHS students who have advanced to become finalists in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship program, which recognizes students who earned some of the highest scores on the 2024 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. Finalists will advance to compete for a National Merit Scholarship, given to students with high potential for success in rigorous college studies, as determined by their academic record, participation in school and community activities, leadership, honors, and awards.

National Merit Scholarship Finalists (pictured left to right)

Liora Yustein, Jack Shannin, Ellen Kolesnikova, Shoichiroh Furuta, and Isadora Rasnik-Stryker.

Not pictured: Anushruti Ram and Zain Sidor.

At CSD's second annual Elizabeth Wilson Lecture Series on Tuesday, March 19, former Decatur mayor, the Honorable Patti Garrett, shared the story of her journey into public service, including many of her sacrifices and triumphs along the way.

The audience, including DHS students, Mayor Emerita Elizabeth Wilson and her son, renowned CSD alumnus and retired athletic director Carter Wilson, Commissioner Cheryl Kortemeier, and Superintendent Dr. Gyimah Whitaker, learned about Ms. Wilson, for whom the lecture series is named, and her key role in shaping the City of Decatur. Ms. Garrett spoke about Ms. Wilson's influence on her career and the importance of taking the opportunity to serve when called upon, in any capacity.

The DHS JROTC Color Guard opened the event with a presentation of colors, and DHS chorus members sang the national anthem. Junior Luna Fernandez and seniors Victor Agolory and Ellison Belew provided greetings and introductions and facilitated a Q&A with Ms. Garrett. Thank you to everyone who supported and performed at this event.

The Decatur Career Academy is celebrating the success of this year's College and Career Expo, which connected over 200 DHS students with more than 40 representatives from businesses, community partners, and colleges and universities. Students introduced themselves to representatives and gained a better understanding of the many opportunities and pathways available to them, leading to the workforce, college, or both. A career panel discussion also allowed students to hear directly from industry professionals and connect with postsecondary representatives about postsecondary majors aligned to their CTAE pathways.

Kudos to the Decatur Career Academy, and thank you to the many partners who participated in the Career Expo.

Last weekend, the DHS Fencing Club competed in the Georgia High School Fencing League's Individual Championships Tournament. DHS competitors were on point, including Diana Pollidore, who finished seventh in the state in the women's competition. The club has grown from one fencer in its first season in 2021 to 23 members this year, and the excitement is building. The season comes to a close with the Team Championships Tournament this Saturday, and the club looks forward to more fans in the stands next season. Thank you to the fencing club coaches, David and Lynn Scharf.

DHS Fencing Club Members

Ben Adams, Remie Bourque, Julien Bowers, Anna Cronin, Eva Cronin, Enrique Fiallos, Cori Grant, Isabella Gonzales-Rouse, Athena Joyce, Owen Jones, Lexington Kennerly (co-captain), Opal Lehman, Frederick Lewis, Carter Loegel, Bennett Occhialini, Aidan Oldham (co-captain), Hudson Pollack, Diana Pollidore, Charlie Quick, Ben Ragland, Noemie Saintil, Bodhi Snider, Ben Taylor, and Blythe Wilson

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.

Dr. Whitaker and Board of Education member Tracey Anderson, along with many members of the CSD community, ran, walked and cheered each other on at the annual Tour deCatur to benefit the Decatur Education Foundation.

Superintendent Dr. Whitaker and Dr. Dana Rickman, president and CEO of the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education, were recently guests of PBS's Ashley Mengwasser (center), host of the podcast "Classroom Conversations." Topics discussed included factors that contribute to teacher quality, such as support from principals, increased teacher compensation, and strengthening the DHS Teaching as a Profession pathway so Decatur graduates can become Decatur teachers. The episode will be released soon here.

Superintendent Dr. Gyimah Whitaker presented at the recent ILO Group AI Conference, alongside Chief of Safety & Technology Services Eston Melton and Executive Director of Curriculum & Instruction Jennifer Dunn. They shared about how City Schools of Decatur is amplifying student voice to guide the Board of Education in adopting policies for artificial intelligence. The ILO Group invited CSD to join its first national cohort of district leaders and state education agencies that are leading the development and maturation of how school systems approach artificial intelligence.

BHMS recently hosted the prestigious Leadership DeKalb class of 2026 for an immersive day of learning and community partnership. Leadership DeKalb is a professional development program that connects regional leaders with the inner workings of our community. Participants visit schools across the country, including CSD, to gain a firsthand look at K-12 innovations and challenges.

The cohort's visit to BHMS included a showcase of student talent and leadership. Guests enjoyed a delicious lunch catered by DHS Culinary Arts students and a steel drum performance from BHMS orchestra students. Student leaders from BHMS clubs and organizations engaged the cohort in conversations about student life and what makes BHMS a unique place to learn.

BHMS principal Alexis Glenn reinforced the school's core belief that every student should be seen, supported, and successful. CSD's student board representative, Nia Batra, spoke about the impact of student voice and representation on the school board, while Superintendent Dr. Gyimah Whitaker delivered a powerful keynote, offering insight into the importance of collaborative leadership in our schools and of putting students first. Thank you to Leadership DeKalb for their partnership and to all staff and students who made this visit possible.

The website District Administration featured the superintendent in an article "How Gyimah Whitaker ensures students catch a rising academic tide." District Administration print and digital media serve the top K12 leaders at virtually every school district in the U.S. with strategic information about how to most effectively manage their school districts. In the article, Dr. Whitaker speaks about how since taking the helm in 2023, she has implemented data-driven literacy reforms and student-centered leadership, successfully closing achievement gaps and elevating the district to top-tier performance in Georgia.

• School Library Month, April 1-30

• Math Awareness 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 School Librarian Day, April 4

• Spring Break, April 6-10

• BOE Meeting, April 14

• K-Day, April 16

• Volunteer Recognition Day, April 20

• Earth Day, April 22

• BOE Community Meeting, April 22, 6:30-8 p.m., DHS

• Superintendent Spring Listening Session, April 28, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Decatur Housing Authority Community Resource Center

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

• DHS Graduation, May 16, 2-4 p.m.

Check out the latest CSD Words with Dr. Whitaker podcast episode, featuring BHMS principal Ms. Alexis Glenn. In celebration of Middle Level Education Month, they discuss student success and building and sustaining an engaging and inclusive culture in Beacon Hill Middle School.

The CSD Words with Dr. Whitaker podcast highlights news and information with a variety of stakeholders who are All In for City Schools of Decatur. See previous episodes.

Be “All In” for CSD and stay connected with us by subscribing to receive the latest school and district news and information, and following City Schools of Decatur on social media.