Falcon Flyer

In this Issue

Principal's Corner

Message from the Principal
Mark Your Calendars

F.Ave News

F.Ave Attendance Competition
Kilometer Kids
BHMS Save the Date

F.Ave PTO News

Yearbook Photos
Save the Date
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CSD News

CSD Weekly

Scroll down to learn more!

This is a picture of Mr. Derrick Thomas, Principal of Fifth Avenue Upper Elementary.

Dear Families,

City Schools of Decatur has a long history of honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King by celebrating many of our students who embody the values of freedom, justice, democracy and service. This year, the MLK/CSK award will be presented to two students from each upper elementary school, three students from the middle school, and four students from the high school. Please click on the link for more information: MLK/CSK Award Information

Best regards,
Derrick L. Thomas

One Flock, One Flight: F.Ave Falcons Unite!!!

Mark Your Calendars 📅

Early Release Day (January 28, 2026)
CSD Safety and Security Summit (February 4, 2026 at 5:30pm)
CSD Board Meeting (February 10, 2026)
Winter Break (February 16-20, 2026)

We are hosting another event on January 22 for Decatur parents to have a community conversation: Navigating the Changing Drug Landscape: Talking to Our Kids about Dangerous Substances. This is in direct response to parent concerns about Fentanyl and other dangerous illicit substances.

F.Ave Attendance Competition

Get ready, students! We’re kicking off a friendly attendance competition between grades to highlight the importance of being at school every day. Each day that you attend school will contribute to your grade’s overall attendance rate. The grade with the highest attendance rate at the end of the month will win a reward. Show up, do your best, and help your grade win bragging rights and a fun reward! The attendance rankings from December are pictured, as an example for you. Which grade will win the top spot now that we have officially started the competition?!

Kilometer Kids-Fifth Avenue Kilometer Kids

Open to all students: F.Ave Kilometer Kids is for students who want to develop a love of running and live an active life. There are limited spaces, so we will hold a lottery to choose 30 students to participate this spring. The form to enter the lottery is now open and will close on Thursday, January 22nd. The results of the lottery will be sent out by email on Thursday, January 29th. Kilometer Kids will practice every other Thursday from 2:30 to 3:15 pm. The first practice will be on Thursday, February 5th. If you have any questions about Kilometer Kids, please direct them to Ms. Finch by emailing hannah.finch@csdecatur.net

Please read and acknowledge the Kilometer Kids Participation Contract before signing up for the lottery.

Fill out this form to enter the Kilometer Kids lottery: Kilometer Kids Lottery Form

BHMS-📆 Save the Date

5th Grade Parents/Guardians: SAVE THE DATE!

Join us on Wednesday, March 4th from 6:30-8:00 pm for our Rising 6th Grade Parent Night at Beacon Hill Middle School.

*Look for more information in your February e-blasts!*

We look forward to welcoming you,

BHMS Bulldogs

Questions: contact Ragan Hudson @ rhudson@csdecatur.net

Read the January 22, 2026, issue of CSD Weekly, the district-wide newsletter.

Take GaDOE's Annual School Climate Survey

Please take a moment this week to make your voice heard and participate in the Georgia Department of Education climate survey for your school! Your participation and feedback are greatly appreciated. The data collected will help determine the School Climate Star Ratings for the 2026-27 school year, which will enable schools to improve or build upon their successes.

Fifth Avenue Upper Elementary School Family Survey

FAVE Yearbook: Candid Photos 📘📸📕

The FAVE Yearbook Committee wants to see all you've been doing in school this year! Please email your photos of FAVE Falcons in action to yearbook@favepto.org. We love photos of school events, field trips, student groups, and school work! Important: Please include student names and teacher/grade in your email if known.