CSD Weekly: March 5, 2026

• Did You Know?
• Around CSD: DHS SkillsUSA Wins Three State Medals, Oakhurst Sewing Club Makes Bags and Stuffies, CSD Schools Share Creativity, Courage, and Inspiration for Black History Month
• All In Around CSD: "Alice by Heart" Showing March 5-8 and March 12-15
• Mark Your Calendars: National School Social Work Week, March 1-7
• Information & Resources: CSD Special Olympics is April 2
• Surveys and Feedback Opportunities: Families Invited to Provide Input on FY26 CLIP
• Community Partner News: Community Forestry Day, March 7

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

Friday, March 13, is the deadline for employers and community partners to register to present at the Decatur Career Academy College, Career & Hiring Expo on Wednesday, March 25, 9 a.m.-noon at Ebster Recreation Center. This event allows employers to connect with motivated students to share real-world opportunities, career options, and post-secondary pathways. Register here to present at the Decatur Career Academy College, Career & Hiring Expo.

Fourteen students in the DHS SkillsUSA chapter competed in the SkillsUSA Georgia State Leadership Conference, with three students placing in the top three statewide in their respective skills. The conference allowed DHS SkillsUSA members to showcase skills in their various areas of career interest, including architecture, construction, graphic design, healthcare, and AV tech and film. Congratulations to all of the competitors who represented the DHS chapter.

DHS SkillsUSA Medalists

Jihoon Park: second in Medical Math

Sophie DiCristina: third in Promotional Poster

Quinn Murphy: third in Architectural Drafting

DHS's three Mock Trial teams have been busy at the bench this semester. One of the teams competed in Atlanta last weekend and used its skills and determination to earn second place and advance to the State Competition on March 13. Two of the other teams competed in Marietta and McDonough, battling through challenging rounds and earning awards, though they did not advance to the next level. Courtroom artist Molly White won the regional competition for her courtroom sketch and will also advance to the state competition for courtroom artists. Well done to all teams and to the individual award winners from the competitions.

Student Award Winners

Outstanding Attorney Award: Veronica Voetsch

Outstanding Witness Awards: Carolyn Devereaux, Tafesse Jenks, Iakov Osin, Elisabeth Robinson, and Margaret Waltemath Lewicki

Thank you to the teams' teacher coaches Erika Leach, Marlene Salgado, and Catherine Thibadeau, as well as attorney coaches Cinque Axam, Tennielle Bailey, Jeanne Canavan, and Paola Torselli.

Put the right sides together! Oakhurst's first-ever afterschool Sewing Club concluded earlier this week, with a family gallery walk of the students' completed bags, stuffies, and book pillows. Sixteen first- and second-grade students spent several weeks learning the basics of hand-sewing and sewing machines under the guidance of first-grade teacher Cindy Aldridge, assisted by kindergarten teacher Yolanda Kemp. Special thanks to the Decatur Education Foundation Teacher Innovation Grant for making this opportunity possible, and job well done to the Oakhurst Sewing Club.

The 5th Annual Mentorship Career Symposium at BHMS was a resounding success, bringing together over 40 professionals from industries ranging from aerospace engineering, filmmaking, law, medicine and cybersecurity to inspire students in the YLOE & GENTS Mentorship Program. The event featured a powerful full-circle moment as two former YLOE/GENTS participants returned as presenters: one a chiropractor and the other a third-year medical student at Emory. An exciting addition to this year's event was a letter from Georgia's U.S. Senator, Reverend Raphael Warnock, with a message of inspiration to the YLOE and GENTS as they explored career options.

Many thanks to the professionals who participated and to the CSD staff mentors, Dr. Charlie McAdoo and Dr. Ella Harley, for making this a great event!

Last weekend, the DHS Fencing Club competed in the Georgia High School Fencing League's Individual Championships Tournament. DHS competitors were on point, including Diana Pollidore, who finished seventh in the state in the women's competition. The club has grown from one fencer in its first season in 2021 to 23 members this year, and the excitement is building. The season comes to a close with the Team Championships Tournament this Saturday, and the club looks forward to more fans in the stands next season. 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

Schools across CSD held performances, shared inspiration, and created works of art to celebrate Black History Month. At Clairemont, the Manga African Dance Company taught about the African diaspora, inviting students and teachers onto the auditorium stage to dance in rhythm. Glennwood hosted children's author Dr. Breanna McDaniel, who shared her book, "Go Forth and Tell: The Life of Augusta Baker, Librarian and Master Storyteller."

During Community Circle, Oakhurst Owls sang songs of inspiration by Sly and the Family Stone. Westchester students learned about Philip B. Downing, the inventor of the mailbox, and designed mailboxes for every teacher in the school, each filled with quotes from famous Black people. F.Ave's Color & Culture Committee hosted its annual Black History Program, which included student performances. Winnona Park and Talley Street held their annual Black History Month Living Museum, where students became "wax figures" and shared information about African-American trailblazers, both past and present. Thank you to all the teachers, staff, students and parents who participated in their school's Black History Month celebrations.

BHMS recently hosted the prestigious Leadership DeKalb class of 2026 for an immersive day of learning and community partnership. Leadership DeKalb is a professional development program that connects regional leaders with the inner workings of our community. Participants visit schools across the country, including CSD, to gain a firsthand look at K-12 innovations and challenges.

The cohort's visit to BHMS included a showcase of student talent and leadership. Guests enjoyed a delicious lunch catered by DHS Culinary Arts students and a steel drum performance from BHMS orchestra students. Student leaders from BHMS clubs and organizations engaged the cohort in conversations about student life and what makes BHMS a unique place to learn.

BHMS principal Alexis Glenn reinforced the school's core belief that every student should be seen, supported, and successful. CSD's student board representative, Nia Batra, spoke about the impact of student voice and representation on the school board, while Superintendent Dr. Gyimah Whitaker delivered a powerful keynote, offering insight into the importance of collaborative leadership in our schools and of putting students first. Thank you to Leadership DeKalb for their partnership and to all staff and students who made this visit possible.

Fall down the rabbit hole with Decatur Performs and DHS Theatre's "Alice by Heart, " a powerful and imaginative musical inspired by Alice in Wonderland and set during the London Blitz of World War II. Through soaring music and heartfelt storytelling, this moving production explores love, loss, and the courage to grow up. Buy tickets to "Alice by Heart," performing March 5-8 and March 12-15 at the DHS Performing Arts Center.

As part of National Social Work Month in March, CSD celebrates National School Social Work Week, March 1-7, 2026, which highlights the vital role of school social workers in enhancing student mental health, school climate, and well-being. CSD's school social workers connect students and families to essential services and help to create supportive learning environments.

Thank you to the members of CSD's social work team for their dedication and impact (pictured left to right): Dr. Melvin Ratcliff, Rhea Kavina, Raven Aderibigbe, Nicole Jefferson, and John Howarth.

• Youth Art 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

• National School Social Work Week, March 1-7

• Georgia School Board Appreciation Week, March 8-14

• BOE Meeting, March 10

• 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

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.

K-2 families are invited to an event hosted by CSD's Department of Special Education to share family customs and traditions and explore how social awareness skills can help promote understanding. Hands-on activities and helpful resources will be available to foster your student's understanding of other cultures and the different ways we celebrate, make memories, and build meaningful relationships. Snacks will be provided, and attendees will be entered into a drawing for a gift card.

Monday, March 9, 2026, at 4:30-6 p.m., Oakhurst Elementary School

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.

To provide our students with a competitive edge and a head start on graduation requirements, CSD will offer high school physical science to all eighth graders starting in the 2026-27 school year.

To ensure our students are supported in this accelerated coursework, CSD's science faculty has spent the last few months vetting high-quality instructional resources. After evaluation, the team has recommended the adoption of Savvas: Concepts in High School Physical Science for its:

• Alignment with state standards
• Labs that support conceptual understanding of challenging scientific concepts
• Strong focus on foundational chemistry and physics concepts

Community partnership is a cornerstone of our curriculum adoption process. We invite parents, guardians, and community members to visit BHMS to preview the materials and share their perspectives. Your feedback ensures that we select tools that best serve our students and families.

The curriculum will be available to view in the BHMS media center from February 23-March 6. Please check in at the front office to receive a visitor badge; staff will then direct you to the review station in the media center.

Last chance to sign up for the Tour deCatur, Saturday, March 14!

Options for registering include a Peachtree-qualifying 5k, the 1-Mile Fun Run, the adorable Tot Trot for the 4 and under crowd, and the “None Run” for supporters who want the t-shirt but not the sore muscles, and a Bulldog Jog that allows runners to include their dogs in the 1-Mile Fun Run.

Register at www.tourdecatur.com and choose the CSD school you’d like to represent. The school with the highest percentage of participation will receive a DEF grant and the Tour team trophy!

Registering for Tour DeCatur helps to support:

• Teacher and student innovation grants
• Student mental health
• Essential needs for families
• Arts programming
• The DHS Closeup trip to D.C.
• Early childhood education
• Post-high school planning
• Resources for parents, kids, schools, and the community

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.

Community Forestry Day, Saturday, March 7, 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Isom Cottage at Legacy Park

Local experts will talk about how to create healthy yards that support urban forestry. Learn about yard trees at 10 a.m., native trees and invasive plant identification at 11 a.m., pruning principles for strong trees at noon, and creating bird and wildlife habitat at 1 p.m.

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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