CSD Weekly: July 31, 2025

Today marked a great beginning to the 2025–2026 school year at City Schools of Decatur. Throughout our schools, staff greeted students with school spirit, warm smiles, and enthusiastic welcomes from teachers, staff, and administrators. The excitement was evident from our Early Childhood Learning Center to Decatur High School as approximately 5,500 students returned to their classrooms, eager to learn and grow.

Families, your support is invaluable, and we truly appreciate your partnership. A special thank you to CSD's bus drivers, cafeteria workers, facilities staff, administrative personnel, and custodians, whose hard work behind the scenes is the backbone of our daily operations.

We appreciate everyone's contributions to fostering a safe and welcoming learning environment for the 2025–2026 school year!

• Welcome back to school!
• School Newsletters
• Mark Your Calendars
• Around CSD: First Day of School, Four CSD Students Serving on Georgia Best Buddies Board, DHS Student Earns Honorable Mention at National Woodworking Competition
• Back-to-School Resources: Enrollment Information, Back-to-School Checklist, Health Requirements
• District News: New CSD Leaders Named, Extra Mile and DEF Award Winners, Safety and Security Enhancements
• Events: Decatur Robotics Hosts FIRST Lego League Interest Event, CSD Mascot Run
• News You Can Use: Infinite Campus Credit Card Processing Fee Update,
• Community Partner News: Decatur Parks and Rec Events, Decatur Makers Launching Kids Club

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 First Day of School, July 31
• DHS Mascot Run, August 8
• Board of Education Meeting, August 12
• Board of Education Retreat, August 19
• Early Release Day, August 27
• Board of Education Meeting, September 9
• Board of Education Community Meeting, September 15
• Fall Break, September 22-26

The 2025-26 CSD Back-to-School Bash was a great success, with over 600 families attending. Generous co-sponsors and CSD partners, Decatur Education Foundation, Decatur Housing Authority and Communities in Schools of Atlanta, and vendors provided backpacks, school supplies, and various health services and school resources to jump-start the new school year. Students and families left the event well-prepared and informed about all things back-to-school.

CSD appreciates all the CSD students, families, staff, and community members who participated and volunteered at the event and who donated to DEF to purchase school supplies. Thank you, CSD, for being "All In" for our students' success and helping us start the new school year.

Special Thanks to Our Sponsors and Vendors

Difference Makers

R.B. Communications

Achievers

Davis Bozeman Law Firm

Believers

Quest Orthodontics

Barbers Heart

Claratel Behavioral Health

DeKalb Public Health

Delta Community Credit Union

Walmart

Supporters

Beacon Hill Black Alliance for Human Rights

City of Decatur

City of Decatur Fire Rescue

City of Decatur Police Department

Daylenville, Inc.

Decatur Bulldog Boosters

Decatur Family YMCA

Decatur Makers

Decatur Prevention Initiative

DeKalb Watershed

Emory Healthcare

Green Orthodontics

Playa Bowls

Pinnacle Fitness

Quest Diagnostics

Sprouts Farmers Market

Utility Associates

Walmart

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. (Iota Eta Zeta Chapter)

We are thrilled to announce that four DHS students have been chosen to join the 2025 Best Buddies Georgia Student Advisory Board (SAB): Evelyn Custer, Kieva Morrison, Gray Nichols, and Nadia Shrager. This esteemed board comprises 11 student leaders from across Georgia. With four out of the 11 members of the 2025 SAB hailing from DHS, our district stands out as the only one in the state with multiple representatives on the board.

These students were chosen for their remarkable leadership, creativity, and dedication to inclusion. As SAB members, they will work closely with their peers on statewide initiatives, participate in focused committees, and spearhead projects to enhance the Best Buddies community throughout Georgia. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to these students for embracing this important statewide responsibility.

Best Buddies is a non-profit organization committed to fostering one-on-one friendships, promoting employment opportunities, developing leadership skills, and encouraging inclusive living for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

DHS student Junebug Brown earned an honorable mention at the National Association of Woodworking & Furnishings Suppliers (AWFS) 2025 Fresh Wood student woodworking competition in Las Vegas this summer. Junebug carved her table as part of her classes in the DHS Career Academy. Congratulations to Junebug, and special thanks to DHS furniture design and cabinetry teacher, Randall Archer.

CSD hosted the annual Opening Day celebration on July 29, welcoming all staff back for the new school year. A highlight was the recognition of teachers across CSD whom students nominated for the Extra Mile Award. Many students were present to show appreciation for the teachers or staff they nominated for going above and beyond to make them feel safe, seen, and successful. Special thanks to the Decatur Education Foundation for sponsoring plaques for our Extra Mile Award winners and lunch for all CSD staff!

Congratulations to the 2025 Extra Mile Award and DEF winners!

Briana Bauer

Pre-K Teacher, College Heights ECLC

Nominated by Wilder Erikson

Amelia Copp

Early Intervention Program Teacher, Glennwood

Nominated by Sam Long

Dee Anna Rittenhouse

Library Media and Instructional Technology Specialist, Glennwood

Nominated by Logan Holdsworth

Michael Holliday

Fourth-Grade Teacher, Talley Street

Nominated by Bennett Reno

Shannon Brewton

Special Education Teacher, Talley Street

Nominated by Faith Hamilton

Larika Frazier

Seventh-Grade Math Teacher, BHMS

Nominated by Rachel Villavasso

Jason Franklin

Seventh-Grade Math Teacher, BHMS

Nominated by Carter Eggleton

Kimberly Evans

Counselor, DHS

Nominated by Laurel Ebersold

Dr. Ira Jenkins

Band Director, DHS

Nominated by Jackson Jeffrey

The Decatur Education Fund recognizes two CSD employees with the Clarence Strickland Make-A-Difference Award and the Miles Above Award. The "Clarence Strickland Award" is given to a CSD employee who has shown exceptional caring and compassion to ensure the well-being and safety of a student in need.

Created in 2021 by Sam and Leah Jenness in memory of their son, Miles, the "DEF Miles Above Award" recognizes a CSD employee, specifically in pre-K through 3rd grade, who shows extraordinary kindness to a child or family during difficult circumstances - inside or outside of the classroom.

Ronald Hull

Paraprofessional, DHS

Clarence Strickland Award

Ariel Wise

Fifth-Grade Teacher, F.Ave

Miles Above Award

CSD will continue prioritizing students, staff, and visitor safety this school year. Important reminders and news for families include:

• CSD will continue to use the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) as our basis for responding to an emergency. Schools discuss SRP with students as part of their emergency preparedness, and we encourage families to discuss the SRP at home. CSD's SRP webpage includes parent handouts about the SRP in English, Somali, Spanish, and Portuguese.
• Visitors will be required to present a state-issued ID when entering CSD buildings for an instant background check against our Centegix visitor management system. Please see CSD's visitor management webpage for more information.
• The BOE unanimously approved a safety measure policy, which includes updated plans for emergency preparedness, school closures, and school safety. More information is available on Simbli.
• The BOE approved a School Resource Officer memorandum of understanding to place City of Decatur school resource officers at BHMS and DHS, with regular visits to all schools. The BOE also approved hiring three additional Safety & Security Associates to enhance the district's safety staffing. These three additions will primarily support the middle and high school, but they will be present in and get to know students and staff at all school campuses.
• The middle school, high school, and Wilson Center will have a weapons detection system at the main and bus entrances as an additional layer of protection against dangerous or inappropriate items being brought into the building. Families attending the respective schools will receive a school newsletter with further information.

Does your student love to build with Legos? Lego robotics teams are forming soon and Decatur Robotics is hosting holding FIRST Lego League (FLL) info night for parents of students in grade 2-8 on Thursday, August 7, 6-7 p.m. at DHS. This event will share information about how to to start FLL teams and is open to families within and outside of CSD. Find more information and register for the event here.

Last year, Claire the Bulldog dove across the finish line to win the first-ever CSD Mascot Run for Clairemont Elementary. Who will break the tape and take home the trophy this year?

Come out to cheer for your school mascot on Friday, August 8, during the first DHS home game of the season. The game starts at 7 p.m., and the race will occur during halftime. Decatur Bulldog Booster sponsor Keller Knapp Realty is giving away cowbells for fans, so get ready to make some noise for your school and your Decatur Bulldogs.

CSD is pleased to continue offering credit card payments as a convenient payment method for school-related fees. In line with standard industry practices, CSD imposes a transaction fee to cover the processing costs charged by credit card companies for accepting these payments. During the 2024-25 school year, CSD capitalized on the increase in electronic check transactions ($0.35 per transaction) to reduce the Infinite Campus credit card processing fee from a flat rate of $4.00 to $2.50 per transaction.

However, credit card companies impose a fee of 3.5% or more on the total transaction amount for credit card payments rather than a flat fee. The difference has created a gap between the fees charged by CSD and the actual credit card processing costs incurred by the district, leaving the district to cover the additional expenses for each credit card transaction.

Effective July 1, CSD will shift to a retail merchant model for credit card processing. This change will involve moving from a $2.50 flat fee to a 3.5% percentage-based fee for all CSD credit card transactions. The transition means there will be a charge of $3.50 for every $100 credit card transaction. We encourage electronic checks, as these fees will remain $0.35.

The transition to a percentage-based fee supports the district's financial sustainability and aligns the fee structure with actual processing costs. It also allows CSD to maintain credit card payment options without diverting funds from other educational priorities.

As school starts, CSD reminds the community that the City of Decatur Police Department are resuming operation of the automated photo speed enforcement program in school zones near BHMS, Clairemont, Westchester, and Winnona Park. Motorists exceeding the speed limit by 10+ MPH will receive a citation with a $100 fine for the first violation and $150 for subsequent violations. Photo speed cameras will be active during school zone hours.

CSD values input from our students, staff, and school community stakeholders. We recognize that our district has accomplishments worth celebrating, as well as concerns that may need support from system leaders to be addressed and resolved. In most instances, your local school is the best place to raise any inquiries or concerns. We also encourage stakeholders to visit CSD's Constituent Services webpage to learn about our centralized process to connect you to the correct information, department, or person to help answer your questions, share your good news, or resolve concerns.

Join Decatur Education Foundation — A Community of Problem-Solvers!

Welcome back, CSD families! At Decatur Education Foundation, we’re proud to be your local nonprofit working year-round to help remove the barriers that stand in the way of our students’ success. From supporting unmet needs to uplifting educators and creating new opportunities, our work reaches every school in the district.

But we can’t do it alone. Whether you volunteer, donate, or attend one of our events, you’re part of the solution. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and visit decatureducationfoundation.org to learn how you can get involved. Our community. Our kids. Together, we make a difference.

Save These Dates:

The school year fills up fast—add these DEF events to your calendar now:

Saturday, Sept. 13 – Battle of the Bands | Legacy Park Lawn

CSD bands rock the stage in this family-friendly day of live music and community! Bring your school spirit—whichever school brings the biggest crowd wins a music grant (plus bragging rights and a trophy). Picnic on the lawn and/or enjoy eats from local food vendors. Come find out if Glennwood will defend their crown!

Thursday, Nov. 6 – Supper & Sips | The Chapel on Sycamore

Our biggest FUNdraiser of the year! Adults-only evening with dinner, drinks, live music, and an auction full of one-of-a-kind experiences you won’t find anywhere else.

Saturday, March 14 – Tour deCatur | DHS Stadium

Decatur’s largest 5K (and Peachtree qualifier) returns—plus a 1-Mile Fun Run, the Tot Trot (ages 4 and under), and the “None-Run” for fans of cheering, not sweating. K-2 schools will train for the Fun Run through our iRun fitness program.

Thursday, April 30 – No Ordinary Joe | Waller’s Coffee Shop

Enjoy an evening of student talent featuring DHS singers, songwriters, and bands at our coffeehouse concert supporting Joe’s Fund, which powers DEF’s student behavioral health initiatives. Learn more: decatureducationfoundation.org/noordinaryjoe

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 after-school programs, school holiday programs, and summer camps. Follow Decatur Parks and Recreation on Facebook and Instagram or sign up for their monthly newsletter here.

Decatur Rec Center

Youth Theater Classes, ages 5-14, Saturdays, Aug. 30-Dec. 13, 10-11:30 a.m.

Awaken the creative spirit and imagination through acting, musical theater, movement and music in a safe, non-competitive environment. Register here.

CreARTtive Kids Art Club, ages 6-12, Mondays, Aug. 4-Sept. 15, 3:30-5 p.m.

A fun and engaging after-school art program where students will explore a variety of materials and techniques while learning about artists, color theory, and creative self-expression. Register here.

Ebster Rec Center

Game Night, grades 6-8, Friday, August 8, 6:30-9 p.m.

Esports Ultimate Team, grades 6-12, Fridays, July-October, 4:30-8:30 p.m.

Lil Sports (Lil Flaggers, Kickers, & Dribblers), ages 3-5, M/W or T/TH, July-Sept., 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Ebster Back-to-School Bash, grades 3-5, Friday, August 1, 6:30-9 p.m.

Early Release Zone, grades 3-12, Wednesday, August 27, 12-3:30 p.m.

Ebster Tailgate, grades 6-12, Friday, August 29, 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Oakhurst Recreation Center:

Summer Volleyball Clinic, grades 5-8, Tu/W/Th, 10-11 a.m. or 11 a.m.-noon. Register for:

Session I, 10-11 a.m.

Session I, 11 a.m.-noon.

Session II, 10-11 a.m.

Session II, 11 a.m.-noon

Parent's Night Out, ages 5-12, Friday, August 22, 5:30-9:30 p.m. Register first attendee here, and register sibling here.

Forward Sk8 School (Beginner/Intermediate), ages 5-12, Thursdays, Sept. 11-Oct. 16, 4-5 p.m., McKoy Skate Park. Register here.

Decatur Makers is launching a new club for elementary-age kids, plus a fresh new format for high school students. If you’ve got a curious kid or a hands-on teen, these free programs are a great way to learn, build, and have fun in a supportive maker community.

Young Makers Club (ages 8-11, grades 3-5)
A playful, project-based space where kids explore science, technology, engineering, and art through creative builds and teamwork.
Note: Parents/guardians must stay onsite during the club.

High School Build Club (grades 9-12)
Now offered quarterly. Each one-hour session features a collaborative engineering challenge and a chance to meet real-world makers working in STEM careers.

Email info@decaturmakers.org to join the youth programs email list and stay up to date on monthly youth program announcements and registration reminders. Registration opens on the first of each month. These programs are completely free, but space is limited and seats fill up fast.

Limited Time Discount

Playa Bowls - Decatur will offer 20% off one purchase every Friday in August to CSD students and staff. Mention the CSD back-to-school discount at checkout.

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

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