CSD Supe Scoop, December 2025

Greetings, CSD:

As our first semester and the year draw to a close, we have many reasons to celebrate, reflect, and be grateful. We have worked diligently over the past two years in implementing the focus strategic accelerators of CSD's five-year All In Decatur Strategic Plan. Realizing that change can often be complex and uncomfortable, we are grateful to our students and the incredible teachers, administrators, and support staff who have been All In as we move at a pace that indicates our understanding of the urgency to ensure that every student in CSD achieves at their highest potential, regardless of learning exceptionality, socioeconomic status, English language proficiency, or any other indicator, without regression to the mean.

CCRPI

In reflection, we have remained focused on our core mission of educating children, amidst an enormous amount of uncertainty and in an ever-changing local, national, and global landscape. As a result, we are able to celebrate growth in Student Success in All Areas as most recently evidenced by the Georgia Department of Education's 2025 College & Career Readiness Index (CCRPI). This year's CCRPI results reveal that every tested grade 3-12 in CSD achieved a perfect score of 100 in the Closing Gaps category, marking the highest attainable score for student progress toward performance targets. While we cannot compare last year's Closing Gaps score due to the implementation of new math standards, this accomplishment signifies an improvement of nearly 30 points compared to the past two years.

In 2023, DHS recorded a score of 48.2% in the Closing Gaps category, which increased to a perfect 100% this year. The middle school improved its score, while upper elementary schools maintained their score of 100 from the previous year. Additionally, CSD's Content Mastery score has consistently increased over the last two years for all grades, demonstrating steady progress across all grade levels, with a nearly five-point rise at the high school level. Learn more here.

Student Support Services

We are celebrating progress in Building and Sustaining an Engaging and Inclusive Culture in creating physical and emotional safe learning environments, the removal of state scrutiny and intervention for disproportionate identification of Black students for Specific Learning Disabilities and in implementing a Future Readiness Framework that expands and diversifies student offerings in every area, from cradle to career, with a focus on cultivating all students to be future-driven leaders prepared to lead a better world.

Human Resources

Because of our strides in Cultivating and Retaining High-Quality Professionals, we are also celebrating our current CSD retention rate of 90%, a 6% increase from 84% last year. This achievement is a result of continuous increases in compensation for the first time in over a decade, professional development offerings, and partnerships with like-minded organizations for the first time in over a decade. In addition to a high retention rate, we can attribute the positive and direct impact of our efforts to high-quality, standards-based instruction and relevant assessments, which are helping to close the achievement gaps for all students.

On the business side, we are celebrating our gains in Organizational Effectiveness and Excellence, specifically building the capacity of staff in executive processes and creating internal systems to enhance our evaluation of student data, operations, finances, and facilities to ensure that we can sustain future-ready classrooms, equitable access to and within all facilities, and financial transparency and sustainability. In addition to the growth in student achievement, we have seen an increase in our credit rating by S&P to AA+ and Moody's to Aa1, the highest level a school system our size can achieve, with an opinion stating that it is due to healthy reserve levels and prudent budget management. We also have a two-time award-winning budget book from national accrediting ages in its first two years, and progress on a five-year capital improvement plan to prepare all students to be success from cradle to career.

As we celebrate, I must thank our Board of Education for their leadership and accountability in ensuring that 'All' really means 'All' in CSD. To our families, partners, and the entire CSD community, with whom we share in this work, thank you for your continued support of our students, schools and CSD.

I wish everyone a safe and enjoyable semester break and a happy new year!

Sincerely,

Dr. Gyimah Whitaker

Superintendent

City Schools of Decatur is celebrating board member at-large Dr. Jana L. Johnson-Davis as she retires from the board, recognizing her leadership and service to students, staff, and the community.

Dr. Jana Johnson-Davis has been an unwavering champion for equity in education throughout her tenure, leaving behind a powerful legacy at CSD. As she steps down from the board, we celebrate her steadfast commitment to advocating for high-quality education, fairness, and a sense of belonging for all students, particularly those who have traditionally been underserved. This month's "CSD Words with Dr. Whitaker Podcast" highlights Board Member Dr. Jana Johnson-Davis and includes her insights and contributions to CSD. Check out the podcast here.

The entire CSD community thanks you, Dr. Jana Johnson-Davis, and wishes you all the best in your next chapter!

This year's CCRPI results reveal that every tested grade 3-12 in CSD achieved a perfect score of 100 in the Closing Gaps category, marking the highest attainable score for student progress toward performance targets. While we cannot compare last year's Closing Gaps score due to the implementation of new math standards, this accomplishment signifies an improvement of nearly 30 points compared to the past two years.

In 2023, DHS recorded a score of 48.2% in the Closing Gaps category, which increased to a perfect 100% this year. The middle school improved its score, while upper elementary schools maintained their score of 100 from the previous year.

Additionally, CSD's Content Mastery score has consistently increased over the last two years for all grades, demonstrating steady progress across all grade levels, with a nearly five-point rise at the high school level. Learn more here.

Following two public meetings and community feedback regarding the timeline and public engagement, the Board of Education has decided to reassess and amend the K-2 School Consolidation and Redistricting Process. This revision was discussed during the board's work session on November 11, leading to the adoption of a new name: the K-2 School Utilization Process.

Community-led committees have been established to explore the next phase of the K-2 School Utilization Process and to collaboratively create thoughtful, community-centered solutions for our K–2 schools. At the request of the committees, the board initiated the development of criteria for the process at their November 18 board retreat and agreed to proceed with the administration's recommendation that any decisions regarding the K-2 School Utilization Process will not impact the 2026-2027 school year.

During the work session of the Board of Education meeting on December 9, the board continued its discussion on K-2 School Utilization, providing additional clarity on a mission statement for the committees and defining success criteria. The board plans to continue the discussion in January to finalize the criteria and refine the scope of work for the committees.

Nia Batra, a DHS senior and student representative on the Board of Education, was elected as the Southeast Regional Vice President of the National Student Board Member Association (NSBMA), a student-led organization for high school students serving on school boards nationwide.

"As CSD is the first in the state to create this role, I'm really excited to share the power of my role across the nation, especially in the South," Batra said. "I hope to collaborate with NSBMA in advancing legislation in the state of Georgia to allow for the addition of a student board member to Georgia school boards, as well as provide NSBMA with the lessons I've learned serving the district."

The DHS Teaching as a Profession program recently partnered with Kennesaw State University’s Bagwell College of Education to host Georgia’s first-ever Avatar Lab on a high school campus. Aspiring educators were delighted to interact with the Avatars and engage in simulated classroom scenarios, offering a unique, hands-on teaching experience. This program is a continuation of DHS's partnership with KSU, which has welcomed DHS students to KSU's Aspiring Educators of Tomorrow annual conference and sent faculty to speak with students.

• Khari Baker plans to study logistics and contribute to the high-demand field of supply chain management.
• Andrea Vaughan will begin a trade program with the National Automotive Parts Association (NAPA) to become an automotive technician.
• Amaiyah McCalep is pursuing a career as a registered nurse and plans to attend one of three colleges where she has been accepted.
• Trinity Moment will complete a four-year degree plan and begin a professional career dedicated to patient care.
• Taniya Smith plans to gain hands-on experience in a clinical setting to become a licensed healthcare professional.
• Sierra Shields will use her CNA certification to work in a hospital setting before attending a four-year university to major in nursing.

Congratulations to the CSD 2024 REACH Scholars from Beacon Hill Middle School: Tsion Amede, Erykah Bryant, Ari Cohen, and Madison Jackson!

CSD's REACH scholars signed their commitment letters during a ceremony held at BHMS. A special thanks to the Decatur Education Foundation (DEF) for sponsoring these awards!

The REACH Georgia Scholarship Program provides academic and social support for rising eighth-grade students with financial needs who have demonstrated positive academic, attendance, and behavioral efforts. REACH Scholars are paired with a mentor to support them through high school graduation and receive a $10,000 scholarship when they enroll in a Georgia college or university.

Glennwood kindergarten students explored community careers through an engaging walking field trip to the Decatur Fire Department. Additionally, they had the opportunity to meet officers from the Decatur Police Department who visited their school. This hands-on experience allowed students to discover the tools used by these community helpers and understand their vital roles. A heartfelt thank you to the Decatur Police and Fire Departments for sharing their knowledge with our students.

Nominated and voted on by their peers, the daily contributions of this year's dedicated, non-teaching Professional Employees of the Year play a vital role in the success of our students and staff. The recognition encompasses employees across all schools as well as transportation, maintenance, and Wilson Center staff, recognizing outstanding individuals who:

1. Demonstrate leadership within the school or school system.
2. Works effectively as a collaborative team member within the school or department, demonstrating strong communication skills and a positive attitude towards staff, parents, and administrators.
3. Provides evidence of student achievement or exceptional job performance.

2025-26 Professional Employees of the Year

College Heights ECLC - Aneesah Edwards, Childcare Provider Assistant

Clairemont Elementary School - Carlos Williams, Custodian

Glennwood Elementary School - Michael Calanan, Paraprofessional

Oakhurst Elementary School - Celeste Baitey, Custodian

Westchester Elementary School - Cynthia Howe, Custodian

Winnona Park Elementary School - Valencia Johnson, Paraprofessional

Fifth Avenue Upper Elementary - Shronda Edwards, Bookkeeper

Talley Street Upper Elementary School - Jennifer SanAngelo, School Manager

Beacon Hill Middle School - Nambi Kamanga, Paraprofessional

Decatur High School - Wanda Goodman, Food Nutrition Manager

Maintenance - Ahmad Brackens, Maintenance Technician

Transportation - Bryan Groves, Bus Driver

Wilson Center - Kiet Le, Enterprise Applications Coordinator

Georgia State Representative Omari Crawford and Emory University Athletics Mental Health Coordinator Kalyn Wilson visited with members of the DHS Student-Athlete Leadership Team (SALT) for a special panel on mental health and student-athletes. The speakers shared positive strategies for maintaining strong mental health while excelling as a student-athlete at the high school and collegiate levels. Students in SALT asked questions, shared their challenges, and left feeling seen and supported, as the guest speakers gained a deeper understanding of how they can support our student-athletes. Thank you to our speakers for sharing their time, care, and expertise with these students.

Award-winning journalists Laura J. Downey and Katja Ridderbusch visited BHMS students in Ms. Gary's journalism classes last week about the critical role of editing and attention to detail, the power of field reporting, and the art of the interview. Ms. Downey is the executive editor of WebMD's point-of-care print products, and Ms. Ridderbusch is a multimedia freelance journalist focusing on healthcare, social issues, and policing. Students showcased their growing skills at asking interview questions and their knowledge of the SPJ Code of Ethics.

Congratulations to Superintendent Dr. Gyimah Whitaker, who earned a certificate in education finance from the Georgetown University McCourt School of Public Policy on November 5, 2025. The certificate program equips participants with practical skills for strategic fiscal management, finance policy analysis, and financial leadership, enabling them to deploy resources in ways that yield the greatest benefit for students.

CSD uses robocalls and emergency messaging sparingly to update families in emergency, time-sensitive situations. Here are more details. If you are not receiving emergency messaging, you may check your messaging preferences in the following ways:

• Emergency messages will come directly to the CSD app. Download the app in the App Store or Google Play.
• If you did not receive robocalls from CSD on Monday regarding the water main break, you may have a robocall blocker on your phone. Please save CSD's phone number to your contact list to receive these calls in the future: (404) 371-3601.
• CSD SMS text messages now come from the number (404) 328-7953. Messages will no longer come from the previous number, 54968. This change was made to improve the reliability and speed of our text message delivery. Please save this new number to your contacts for immediate recognition.

Vote now! CSD's own Dr. Charlie McAdoo, One Goal program director at DHS and former CTAE teacher, was named the Atlanta Falcons Fan of the Year for 2025! Now he's heading to Super Bowl LX and is competing for the NFL Fan of the Year award!

CSD vote here for Dr. McAdoo for the 2025 NFL Fan of the Year! Vote as many times as you want, and let's get Dr. McAdoo and Atlanta some well-deserved national recognition! Dr. McAdoo has been an educator for over 20 years and has been with CSD for 15 years, mentoring and coaching students and working to make a positive impact in the community.

Watch Dr. McAdoo on FOX 5 Atlanta.

The DHS National Honor Society collected 62 pints of blood at its Red Cross blood drive. Fifty student workers helped 95 students, staff, and community members donate blood to support those with critical and chronic conditions. Many thanks to those who took time out of their day to donate, and thank you to teacher advisor Katrina Walker for her guidance of the DHS NHS chapter.

Sixth-graders in the BHMS Gifted Resource class recently completed a "Service as Action" initiative by collaborating with Winnona Park students to address community needs. The students worked together to collect 490 lbs of donations and provide 136 prepared lunch bags for the DEAM lunch service program, which supports community members experiencing homelessness.

Dr. Whitaker visited Winnona Park and Oakhurst Elementary Schools for Soup with the Supe, an event that lets her connect with teachers and staff over warm soup. This event takes place at every school throughout the year.

CJ Batlle’s fourth-grade class at F.Ave worked together for over a month to raise $588 to benefit the World Wildlife Fund, an amount that surpassed their initial goal. They hosted bake sales, a booth at Porchfest and requested donations. Well done to these students and thank you to Mr. Batlle for helping to organize this and to everyone who donated to this cause.

• National Read a New Book Month, December 1-31

• Early Release Day, December 19

• Semester Break, December 22-January 5
• Teacher Work Day, January 5
• First Day of School for Students, January 6
• Board of Education Meeting, January 13
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, January 19
• Dr. Whitaker's Winter Listening Session (Virtual), January 20
• Board of Education Community Meeting, January 21, 6:30 p.m., Talley St.
• Dr. Whitaker's Winter Listening Session, February 5, DHA Community Resource Center

Help DEF Lighten the Load for Decatur Families

Decatur Education Foundation provides food assistance to families in Decatur. Schools across CSD have donation bins where you can donate shelf-stable food. You can also order directly from their Amazon wish list, or click here to donate funds that they will use to purchase grocery gift cards. If you have any questions, please email info@decatureducationfoundation.org.

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.

Bright @ Night Holiday Lights Walk: Wednesday, December 17, 7–8 p.m., Meet at 254 East Parkwood, Decatur. Join the Active Transportation Committee for a festive neighborhood walk to enjoy holiday lights and learn Bright @ Night safety tips for walking and biking after dark. RSVP to gael.doyle@decaturga.com

Breakfast with Santa: Friday, December 19, 10 a.m.–12 p.m., Decatur Recreation Center

Register here for a festive morning with Santa and Rec the Bulldog. Share your wish list, enjoy breakfast, and snap a photo with our favorite holiday guests.

Check out the latest CSD Words with Dr. Whitaker podcast episode, featuring outgoing Board of Education member Dr. Jana Johnson-Davis. This episode highlights Dr. Johnson-Davis' service to CSD, her contributions to the BOE, and her impact on the direction of the district.

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.