CSD Weekly: August 6, 2026

With smiles, hugs, and a few jitters, students, families, teachers and staff welcomed each other back to school for the 2026-2027 year. Our students, teachers, and staff patiently worked together to adjust to their routines. Thank you to everyone who contributed to making these first few days go smoothly and set the stage for a wonderful year.

This is CSD Weekly, your district-wide newsletter that includes links to all weekly school newsletters, as well as the latest district news, resources and opportunities, allowing families to access information from one convenient source. Parents automatically receive CSD Weekly, and community members may update their CSD news subscription preferences here.

Please click on the school newsletters below, and keep scrolling for important district news.

In case you missed them, check out the special Back-to-School editions of CSD Weekly.

CSD Weekly Back-to-School First Edition: Back-to-School checklist and school health updates

CSD Weekly Back-to-School Second Edition: Technology and security updates

CSD Weekly Back-to-School Final Edition: Nutrition and Infinite Campus updates

If you still have questions, please contact your school or the below district contacts:

Registration: Patrice Moore, pmoore@csdecatur.net

Infinite Campus: Contact your school administration.

Nutrition: Tiiloni Beavers, tiiloni.beavers@csdecatur.net

School Health: Chanell Huff-Cox, chuff-cox@csdecatur.net

Athletics and Activities: Rodney Thomas, rthomas@csdecatur.net

ESOL and Federal Programs: Tiffany Lundy, tlundy@csdecatur.net

Transportation: busservice@csdecatur.net or stopfinder@csdecatur.net

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 was well represented by Student Board of Education representative Zoe Smith, rising DHS senior Tristen Lewis, and Superintendent Dr. Gyimah Whitaker, who were selected to represent Georgia at America's Youth AI Festival, held at MIT in Boston/Cambridge this July. They collaborated with district and student leaders from 49 other states, emulating Congress as they crafted a groundbreaking national AI policy for public K-12 classrooms.

The policies drafted include guidelines on:

• Defining appropriate uses for AI in the classroom
• Education on data collection
• Establishing age cutoffs for any AI use.

Thanks to CSD's teacher of the year, Ms. Christie Chalberg, for representing our district as the guest meteorologist on WSB-TV News on the first day of school. Ms. Chalberg teaches Adventure Quest at BHMS, so the weather is an important factor in her day. Watch the full video on the CSD Facebook page.

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.

The Decatur Education Fund recognized 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 care and compassion in ensuring the well-being and safety of a student in need. The "DEF Miles Above Award" was created by Sam and Leah Jenness in memory of their son, Miles, to recognize a CSD employee, specifically in pre-K through 3rd grade, who shows extraordinary kindness to a child or family during difficult circumstances.

Special thanks to the Decatur Education Foundation for sponsoring plaques for our Extra Mile Award winners and lunch for all CSD staff, and congratulations to the 2026 Extra Mile Award and DEF winners!

Extra Mile Award Winners

Briana Dams, Art Teacher, Oakhurst, nominated by Arlo Bradley

Marnie Kaplan, First-Grade Teacher, Glennwood, nominated by Theo Block

Elizabeth Karp, Art Teacher, Glennwood, nominated by Caden Holdsworth

Kate Lesser, Paraprofessional, DHS, nominated by Eloise Weaver

Alan Pendrick, School Counselor, Talley Street, nominated by Henry Menendez

John O’Keefe, Seventh-Grade I&S Teacher, BHMS, nominated by Dylan Neil

Jennifer Peterman, Sixth-Grade Science Teacher, BHMS, nominated by Ellen Muhlhausen

Shani Vickery, Eighth-Grade Math Teacher, BHMS, nominated by Salat Kambeni

Beth McMahon, Tenth-Grade ELA Teacher, DHS, nominated by Cam Guerrieri

Marca Tigner, Transition Specialist, Career and Technical Instruction, and Volleyball Coach, DHS, nominated by Mikayla Sanders

DEF Clarence Strickland Award

Lola Thomas, Nurse, College Heights for 2025-2026, BHMS for 2026-2027

DEF Miles Above Award

Cooper Miller, Fifth-grade teacher at F.Ave

CSD's 2026 All-In Decatur Back-to-School Bash at the DHS gym was packed with energy, giveaways, and the CSD community of students, families, staff, and partners, all ready to kick off the school year in style. The DHS band and Colorguard delivered electrifying performances, while a range of vendors offered access to valuable resources, health screenings, free haircuts, and fun activities to build excitement for the new year. Backpacks, school supplies and surprise giveaways made their way into the eager hands of hundreds of participants. Just outside the gym, food and ice cream trucks also served up smiles and delicious treats. Our CSD school principals, PTAs, and mascots helped to round out the day.

A huge thank you to everyone who turned out and contributed to the success of this annual event, including our Title Difference Maker sponsor, R.B. Communications, and Believer Level Sponsors, Quest Orthodontics and Mechanical Solutions. We also appreciate our community partners: Decatur Education Foundation, Decatur Housing Authority, Communities In Schools of Atlanta, and the City of Decatur.

Decatur Robotics is hosting a Robotics Info Night on Tuesday, August 11, from 6-7 p.m. at the Decatur High School Library, for parents of students in grades 2-8. Learn about FIRST LEGO League (FLL) and how you can get involved. You do not need to be affiliated with CSD to attend. Visit the Decatur Robotics site for more info.

Last year, Soarin’ the Eagle flew across the finish line to win the second annual CSD Mascot Run for Glennwood Elementary. Who will break the tape and take home the trophy this year?

Come out to cheer on your school mascot on Friday, August 14 during the first DHS home game of the season. The game starts at 7 p.m., and the run will take place during half-time. Plus, long-time 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!

Lower and upper elementary students get free admission with a paying adult. Please note that DHS has a clear bag policy.

For the first time ever, the DHS football has been invited to participate in the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic, the premier kickoff event of the season that showcases the state's most elite programs. Decatur will be playing at Blessed Trinity High School on Thursday, August 20 at 7:30 p.m., with the game televised on Atlanta News First.

We are looking for a sea of blue and gold to travel with us and show the state what the CSD community is all about. Purchase presale tickets here before the day of the game to ensure all proceeds go to Decatur Athletics. Let’s show up loud and proud for Bulldogs!

CSD continues to demonstrate significant achievement, surpassing both Metro RESA and state averages in every content area. This is highlighted in the recent release of statewide results from the Georgia Department of Education's 2025-26 Georgia Milestones Assessment System (GMAS). Read more here.

Students will be taking their STAR Assessments between August 3 and August 14. STAR Assessments are brief, computer-adaptive tests in reading and math that help our teachers measure academic growth, pinpoint learning levels, and tailor instruction to meet every child's needs. STAR reports will be sent home with students for grades K-8 during the week of August 17, while high school parents will receive their students' reports electronically. If you have specific questions about STAR, please reach out to your school.

Don't miss your invitation! Your Stopfinder app invitation expires 30 days after it is sent. If you have not activated your invitation or need a new one, please email stopfinder@csdecatur.net. We will be happy to send you a new invitation so you can access your student's transportation information and receive important bus notifications throughout the school year.

CSD is excited to partner with HealthMPowers during the 2026-27 school year to help support the health and well-being of our students and families. HealthMPowers is a nonprofit organization that provides engaging resources focused on healthy eating, physical activity, and mental wellness to help children thrive both in and out of the classroom.

As part of this partnership, students and families will have access to free HealthMPowers resources, activities, and tools that encourage healthy habits at home and at school. We look forward to working together to support the whole child and help every student succeed.

• Board of Education Meeting, August 11
• Board of Education Retreat, August 18
• Early Release Day, August 26
• Labor Day, September 7: CSD schools and offices closed
• Board of Education Meeting, September 8
• Fall Break, September 21-25

Parks and Recreation

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.

Decatur Rec Fall Lacrosse signups for the 4/5 and 6-8 boys’ teams are currently open through Community Pass. Free clinics for grades 1-3. Rec league games for grades 4/5 and 6-8. Season starts in mid-August. Beginners welcome.

Apply for Child Friendly Cities Initiative (CFCI) Teen Leadership Team

High school students who live in the City of Decatur are invited to apply for the Child Friendly Cities Initiative (CFCI) Teen Leadership Team. Participants will work alongside City staff, community partners, and fellow teens to help shape decisions that impact children and youth while building leadership skills, completing community projects, and earning community service hours.

The City of Decatur is one of only three communities in the nation recognized as a UNICEF Child Friendly City. The Teen Leadership Team helps ensure young people have a voice in local decision-making. Learn more and apply by August 12 at decaturga.com/cfci.

Welcome back and happy start of school to all CSD families! Decatur Education Foundation (DEF) will host three major community events this year: Supper & Sips in November, Tour deCatur in March, and No Ordinary Joe in April. More details about each event are to come.

We encourage you to follow DEF's Facebook and Instagram for more news, events and program initiatives that impact students, teachers and schools throughout CSD. To learn more about who we are and what we do, check out the DEF website.

DEF is not only rooting for you, but we work every day to help ensure all students have the resources and experiences they need to foster growth and academic success.

Please consider taking this brief, anonymous survey to help Decatur Prevention Initiative learn more about community perceptions and concerns regarding underage drinking and substance misuse among Decatur youth.

A summary of the survey results will be posted on the DPI website. Your experience provides valuable information to help DPI and its partners better address youth alcohol and substance misuse in Decatur.

CSD Weekly is the district's weekly newsletter, delivering the latest news and updates from the district and all schools in one place. Newsletters are sent each Thursday to all CSD parents, as well as students in grades 6-12. The community can subscribe to the CSD Weekly here.