CSD Weekly: March 12, 2026

• Did You Know?
• Around CSD: DHS Announces 2026 Valedictorian and Salutatorian, College Heights Celebrates Holi, School Counselors Level Up AP Guidance Skills for Student Readiness
• All In Around CSD: Celebrate "Youth Art Month" at Annual K-12 Art Exhibition
• Mark Your Calendars: Second Annual Elizabeth Wilson Lecture Features Patti Garrett
• Information & Resources: Families Invited to Provide Input on FY26 CLIP
• Community Partner News: Pre-Register for Tour deCatur

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

College Heights welcomed spring by celebrating Holi with a fun festival of color. Students, families, and teachers had fun getting messy and colorful at this vibrant event. Holi is a vibrant, ancient Hindu "festival of colors" celebrated primarily in India and Nepal in March to mark the arrival of spring, the end of winter, and the triumph of good.

Congratulations to the DHS boys' and girls' fencing teams on their performance at the 2026 Georgia High School Fencing League (GHSFL) Team Championships. The girls' team made DHS history by finishing fourth overall in the championship and earning Decatur's first fencing team championship medals and trophy. The girls' team came from behind in the final leg of the 9-leg relay to advance to the semi-finals, and the boys' team finished the season by improving their overall league ranking to tenth.

Throughout the championship events, CSD fencers demonstrated the very best in competition, teamwork, and sportsmanship, and the families and fans showed their Decatur spirit. The team looks forward to the DHS Fencing Club's upcoming fifth year. 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

The DHS HOSA club recently returned from the HOSA State Leadership Conference, where students participated in competitions that included mastering anatomy and researching local public health. Their outstanding efforts resulted in several Recognition Awards and top-ten finishes at the state level, showcasing their commitment to the future of healthcare. The Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) is an organization designed for students pursuing careers in health professions.

Beyond the medals, some students engaged in public health experiences outside of the competition, such as Charlotte Kemper, who observed labor and deliveries during clinical rotations, and Juniper Lake, who researched access to dental care for the unhoused population via the Grady TELLP Program. Congratulations to all the exceptional DHS HOSA students.

HOSA State Leadership Conference Recognition Awards:

• Leona Ran, ATC Anatomy & Physiology
• Anna Charen, ATC Anatomy & Physiology
• Leighton Cohen, ATC Biology
• Sophia Jiang, ATC Leadership
• Juniper Lake, Barbara James Service Award (Bronze)
• Diana Pollidore, Healthcare Literacy Ambassador (Level 2)

Competitive Event Awards:

• Annika Moberg and Kimiko Ito, fifth in Forensic Science
• Maia Rasnik-Stryker, fifth in Medical Reading
• Remie Bourque, sixth in Medical Reading:
• Nuha Muneer, seventh in Extemporaneous Writing, Health Policy
• Sophia Jiang and Sophie Clark, tenth in Public Health Emergency Preparedness

This week, the Department of Special Education, in partnership with Waterford.org, presented K-2 families with an engaging lesson focused on sharing family customs and traditions while exploring how social awareness skills can help promote understanding of others and relationship-building.

Attendees had the wonderful opportunity to meet new families and discuss their similarities and differences. Through activities such as a gallery walk, a read-aloud, and photo frame designing, the event gave everyone a chance to bond with their families while building connections with others.

Congratulations to CSD's school counselors on completing the Advanced Placement (AP) Counseling Credential, which equips counselors with specialized knowledge to guide students and families through the AP experience and strengthen college and career readiness across our schools. CSD is fortunate to be part of this unique pilot experience, helping to set the standard for the future and serving as an example of excellence in preparing counselors to better support students.

As the weather warms up, outdoor spaces at schools across CSD are getting an environmentally-friendly upgrade with B Buckets, following a successful pilot program at F.Ave Elementary. B Buckets are kid- and dog-proof buckets filled with non-toxic, naturally occurring bacteria (Bti) that prevent mosquito larvae from hatching. The buckets reduce local mosquito populations and are safe for kids, pollinators, and other wildlife, contributing to the City of Decatur's commitment as a Bee City and a Bird City.

B Buckets will be installed on school properties and maintained from mid-March until early November. Learn more about B Buckets here, including ways they can help protect your home, or contact bbucketsconnect@gmail.com.

In celebration of Women's History Month, the City Schools of Decatur is excited to announce the second annual Elizabeth Wilson Lecture Series featuring the Honorable Patti Garrett. This annual event, named in honor of the City of Decatur's first Black mayor and city commissioner, seeks to enhance civic engagement among Decatur High School students by offering them an opportunity to engage with Ms. Wilson and her esteemed guests of pioneers in leadership and service. We invite the community to attend this lecture series at the Performing Arts Center of Decatur High School on Thursday, March 19, from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m.

In celebration of March as Youth Art Month, some of our incredibly talented CSD teachers and students are exhibiting their artwork each evening from 4-7 p.m. on March 31-April 2 at The Solarium for the annual K-12 Art Exhibition. This year's theme, "The World Needs Art," by the Council for Art Education, reminds us of the vital role art plays in our lives. Special thanks to the Decatur Education Foundation, Decatur Arts Alliance, and The Solarium for their funding and support.

Want to help make game days fun, exciting, and memorable while supporting our student-athletes? Join the Decatur Bulldog Boosters (DBB). From mascot races, toy tosses, and concessions to Friday night lights, alumni relations, and community events, DBB helps bring the Bulldog community together while raising funds and providing support for student-athletes and athletic programs at BHMS and DHS. Come to an upcoming meeting to learn more about DBB. No experience needed, just Bulldog spirit.

Upcoming DBB Meetings:

April 13, 6:30 p.m., Hospitality Suite, DHS PAC

May 11 at 6:30 p.m., Hospitality Suite, DHS PAC

• Youth Art Month, March 1-31

• Gifted Education Month, March 1-31

• Women's History Month, March 1-31

• National Music in Our Schools Month, March 1-31

• National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, March 1-31

• Georgia School Board Appreciation Week, March 8-14

• Second Annual Elizabeth Wilson Lecture Series, March 19

• Early Release Day, March 25

• BOE Community Meeting, March 25, 6:30-8 p.m., Oakhurst Elementary

• CSD Special Olympics, April 2

• Spring Break, April 6-10

• BOE Meeting, April 14

• K-Day, April 16

• 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

BHMS will hold scoliosis screenings for sixth- and eighth-grade students. Your child's health and well-being are of utmost importance to us, and we appreciate your cooperation in this matter.

Scoliosis screening is a requirement for all students in the sixth and eighth grades who attend public school in Georgia. Scoliosis is a sideways curve of the spine. The Adams Forward Bend Test is a short, noninvasive test screening for scoliosis. The screening includes an examination of the unclothed spine (cervical, thoracic, lumbar and sacral vertebral segments) from the front, back and sides under adequate illumination while a student is both standing and bending forward at the waist, with observations of the range of motion of the spine in all directions.

Students will need to remove their tops and shoes for the screening. Tank tops, full leotards or bathing suits do not permit examiners to observe spines unclothed. However, a bra or bikini top is acceptable. See this video for a Scoliosis demonstration: Scoliosis Screening Video

Parents may choose one of the following Screening Options:

1. CSD School Health Team provides screening: No further action is required.

2. Private Health Care: Provider completes DPH Form #4400. Parent/guardian submits it to BHMS

3. Local Health Department: Provider completes DPH Form #4400. Parent/guardian submits it to BHMS

4. OPT-OUT: Parents complete the OPT-OUT portion of DPH #4400 and submit it to BHMS, or opt out at the time of screening

For the CSD School Health Team screening option, a DPH Form #4400 is available on the CSD website and posted in the school newsletter. Hard copies will be accessible at the BHMS front desk. Please ensure that forms are submitted before the screening dates listed below:

Screening Schedule:

• 6th-grade screening: Friday, March 27, 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

• 8th-grade screening: Friday, April 3, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Should you have any questions or require clarification on any aspect of the upcoming scoliosis screenings, please do not hesitate to contact BHMS Health Staff: Haniyyah Jackson, School Nurse, hjackson@csdecatur.net, (404) 370- 4440 x 5021 or Chanell Huff-Cox, District School Health Coordinator, chuff-cox@csdecatur.net, (770) 901-1018.

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. on the DHS field. Special Olympics is a celebration of determination, community spirit, and the extraordinary achievements of our athletes. The whole community is invited to attend.

CSD offers summer school to students who may benefit from additional educational support. The summer program is broken down into three options: math and/or ELA assistance for grades 3-8, preliminary instruction for students who will take 8th-grade Enhanced Algebra or Algebra Concepts and Connections, and course credit recovery for high school students. Summer school eligibility is based on specific criteria; eligible students will be notified in March. Summer school sessions will take place from May 29 to June 18 at Decatur High School. Contact Arlethea Williams with questions at awilliams@csdecatur.net.

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.

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.

Check CSD's Stakeholder Feedback & Surveys webpage for a complete list of feedback opportunities.

We want to see you running, walking, jogging or trotting on Saturday March 14, not waiting in lines. Register now and take advantage of our early packet pickup times on Thursday, noon-1 p.m., 4-6 p.m. or Friday, 4-6 p.m.

Funds raised from the Tour deCatur support Decatur Education Foundation’s many programs and initiatives supporting students and teachers at every CSD school.

Make sure to buy your tickets to Sing with the Band Karaoke Night March 21 benefiting DEF live at Eddie's Attic! This high-energy event features live karaoke with Decatur’s own Polly Holliday as the backing band. Expect a fun, spirited evening that blends the excitement of a live concert with the spontaneity of karaoke, all for a great cause.

Join DEF and Decatur Parents Network for a speaker series event on "AI and Critical Thinking for You and Your Kids" on Monday, March 16, 6:30-8:00 p.m. at the DHS Learning Commons (Library/Media Center). This session is for adults only. Register for this event here.

Artificial intelligence expert Dr. Tyler Cook from Emory University will share information on current AI tools and discuss AI's impact on education, safety, and mental health, so parents and kids can identify dos and don'ts. A Q&A session will follow for participants' questions and concerns.

Fair off the Square, Saturday, March 21, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

The Decatur Youth Council and the Child Friendly Cities Initiative's Teen Leadership Team, along with help from other high-school leadership teams and city staff members, are hosting the Fair off the Square, a carnival-themed festival that will be fun for the whole family. The event will be on E. Ponce de Leon Avenue between Clairemont Avenue and Church Street. Entry to the festival is free and attendees will enjoy the live music, games and food. A portion of the event's proceeds will benefit Joe's Fund.

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.

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