CSD Weekly: April 23, 2026

• Did You Know?
• Around CSD: State Superintendent Woods Visits CSD to Present Instructional Awards, CSD Named Best Music Community Fifth Year in a Row, Second Graders Shine in Alliance Theatre Collaboration
• All In Around CSD: "Strength in Numbers" Musical Theatre Revue
• Mark Your Calendars: Board of Education Special-Called Meeting, April 27

• Information & Resources: BOE Policies and Plans Open for Comment
• Community Partner News: DHS-Student Hosted Sport Stacking Workshop

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

Coming in June, Infinite Campus is switching payment processors from Payrix to Stripe for all online payment functions in the Campus Portal. The new system will provide a more secure and easy-to-use payment system, including the convenience of tap and pay options at school events. CSD will be making this transition for the district during the month of June.

Important Notes:

• The online payment system will be unavailable June 8-19, 2026. If you need to make a payment during this time, please visit your student's school to pay via cash or check.

• Banking and card information must be set up again in the new Stripe portal after June 19. Stored payment methods and recurring payments will not be transferred between vendors.

• There are no changes to our fee structures. Processing fees remain at 2.5% for credit cards and $0.35 for e-checks.

• Please log in to Infinite Campus and click "Fees" to check for any balances. Any balance on the accounts will carry over.

DHS seniors had a blast at Senior Fun Day, a morning of field games, treats, and celebrating the amazing accomplishments of the class of 2026. Thank you to all the DHS staff who made this day possible for our seniors, who have worked hard to get to the end of their high school career.

Bravo to DHS student Tafesse Jenks, who won the Shuler Award for Best Featured Performer for his role as Dodgy/Duchess in the musical "Alice by Heart." This is Georgia's highest award for high school musical theater. Job well done to all the nominees from DHS.

Georgia State Superintendent Richard Woods visited CSD this week to present banners to the principals of Beacon Hill Middle School (BHMS), honored as a 2024-2025 Math Leader School, Talley Street Upper Elementary School, recognized with a 2024-2025 John Hancock Award Banner and Proficiency Ribbon for excellence in cursive writing instruction, and Fifth Avenue Upper Elementary School (F.Ave), recognized with both the John Hancock Award, and as a 2024-2025 Literacy Leader School, based on the 2024-2025 Georgia Milestones Assessments. Congratulations to these schools, and thank you to the teachers and staff for their incredible work.

Cheers to DHS students Charlotte Kemper and Charles Kennedy for their selection as finalists for the Georgia Governor's Honors Program (GHP), a highly selective summer program for gifted and talented rising juniors and seniors. They will attend the four-week residential program to immerse themselves in courses from their selected area of concentration and choose an elective course to explore new interests. Charlotte Kemper will focus on German, and Charles Kennedy will study engineering.

CSD's K-2 schools invited rising kindergarteners and their families to explore their new elementary schools during the 2026 K-Day last week. Registered incoming kindergartners toured their classrooms, met their teachers, and participated in brief skills assessments to get a feel for the life of a kindergartener before the 2026-2027 school year officially begins. We can't wait to see these newest kindergarteners back in our K-2 schools in August.

Students at Westchester showed their families what they've been up to this year in student-led conferences. These conferences are a wonderful way for students to take ownership of and be proud of their excellent work. Great job, Wolves!

Congratulations to DHS's Architectural Drafting & Design program for earning a five-year Industry Certification, the highest designation possible for a Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE) program. Construction Ready awarded this designation to the program, led by DHS teachers Mario Moore and David Messer, for providing a professional-grade education that meets the rigorous standards of the modern Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) workforce. This top-tier program equips students with the critical thinking skills, industry-aligned credentials, high-level technical training, and access to real-world opportunities.

Music to our ears! For the fifth consecutive year, CSD has won the Best Communities for Music Education Recognition from the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM). This award recognizes and celebrates schools and districts for their support and commitment to music education for all students. Special thanks to District Performing Arts Lead Cindy Clark, who works behind the scenes to ensure we maintain this designation and congratulations to the staff of the music departments across CSD.

CSD Music Staff

Cindy Clark, District Performing Arts Lead, Winnona Park

Monica Nelson, Clairemont

Joe Crabb, Glennwood

Lauren King, Oakhurst

Tiffany Ryce, Westchester, Elementary Orchestra

Davis Mann, F.Ave

Tanya Jessup, Talley St.

Dr. David Hirschorn, BHMS

Christine Kraemer, BHMS

Bobby Crosby, BHMS

Ira Jenkins, DHS

Russ Thompson, DHS

Dr. Elise Eskew Sparks, DHS Chorus

Rosie Riquelme, DHS Orchestra

"Strength in Numbers" is a musical theatre revue featuring DHS musical theatre students performing songs of resilience, resistance and rebellion, presented for free in the DHS Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, April 29, at 7 p.m.

Decatur Robotics is hosting its annual showcase, featuring teams from Talley St., F.Ave, BHMS and DHS, Saturday, April 25, from 2-4 p.m. at the DHS Cafeteria. Drop in anytime to see the students' robots and projects.

Current CSD students: Do you know a teacher or CSD employee who has gone the "extra mile" this year? Nominate them for the CSD Extra Mile Award. The Extra Mile Award is an annual recognition that allows students to show appreciation to teachers or staff who go above and beyond what is expected of them.

Students at any grade level can write an essay describing how their teacher (or staff member) goes the extra mile. Parents may help younger children write the essay or submit it on behalf of a student who is unable to write the nomination. The essays should be detailed and describe how the employee goes above and beyond. Submit a nomination here by Thursday, May 21, 2026.

• School Library Month, April 1-30

• Occupational Therapy Month, April 1-30

• Arab American Heritage Month, April 1-30

• National Autism Acceptance Month, April 1-30

• National Child Abuse Prevention Month, April 1-30

• National Youth Violence Prevention Week, April 20–24

• BOE Special-Called Meeting, April 27, 12-2 p.m., Wilson Center

• Superintendent Spring Listening Session, April 28, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Decatur Housing Authority Community Resource Center

• College Decision Day: Wear your Favorite School's Gear, May 1

• Superintendent Spring Listening Session, May 5, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Westchester Elementary

• Superintendent Spring Listening Session, May 14, 11:30-12:30 p.m., Virtual, https://csdecatur.zoom.us/j/92376058628

• DHS Graduation, May 16, 2-4 p.m.

Policies

The following policies are currently pending and available for public comment. The community is invited to provide feedback on the policies using the form at the bottom of the policy webpage in Simbli.

• Policy IBB: Charter Schools
• Policy LEBA: Parental Involvement in Education

FY27 Budget

CSD is in the process of building the FY27 Budget. Please review the FY27 Budget Draft #2 and use the FY27 Budget Feedback Survey to offer feedback.

Board Management Oversight Plan (BMOP)

The Board Management Oversight Plan (BMOP) outlines what content is planned for each Board Meeting. This includes presentations, student data, budget, and policy items. The 25-26 and 24-25 BMOP are on the CSD website. Stakeholders are invited to share recommendations for input to the 2026-2027 BMOP in the 26-27 BMOP Feedback Form by May 14. Considerations will be discussed at the Board of Education's May retreat.

Celebrate National College Decision Day on Friday, May 1, by wearing your favorite college or university gear. This is an exciting day for our DHS graduating seniors, so let's show them our support while representing your alma mater or favorite school.

Georgia Milestones Assessment System (GMAS) testing is ongoing through May 1 for grades 3-8, and through May 15 for grades 9-12. Please encourage your child to get plenty of rest, eat a good breakfast and show up to school on time, ready to do their best.

DEF/DPN Speaker Series: Eating Disorders/Disordered Eating: What Parents Need to Know

Monday, April 27, 2026, 6:30-8 p.m., Beacon Hill Middle School-Library/Media Center. Please register here.

Eating Disorders and disordered eating are showing up earlier than many parents realize. Our youth are growing up in a culture shaped by social media, constant body comparison, and increasing attention on extreme weight loss trends. For parents, it can be difficult to know what's normal, what's concerning, and how to respond in a way that truly helps. This parent education event will help you better understand the pressures today's adolescents face around food, body image, and appearance. Experienced adolescent therapists and treatment professionals will discuss the role social media plays in shaping body image, how current cultural trends influence kids' perceptions of weight and health, and the difference between normal developmental changes and early warning signs of a potential problem. The event will be followed by a Q&A session for participants' questions and concerns.

Buy Tickets to DEF's "No Ordinary Joe" Fundraiser

Tickets for the 2026 No Ordinary Joe fundraiser, Thursday, April 30, 6 p.m., at Waller's Coffee Shop, are on sale here! This annual fundraiser for Joe’s Fund features some of DHS's most talented singers and musicians performing live music in a coffeehouse-style concert. This year, the event will have an opening act of BHMS students at 6 p.m.

Grants from Joe’s Fund provide vital student behavioral health resources to CSD and to local organizations working to:

• address substance use and addiction
• strengthen student mental health
• create safe, supportive spaces for students’ well-being
• install inclusive outdoor play spaces
• implement adaptable seating and learning supports for neurodivergent students
• include mindfulness practices in all CDS schools

DEF Volunteer Appreciation

Every day we are inspired by the many volunteers who work both behind the scenes and in public roles to support the work of DEF. National Volunteer Week gives us an opportunity to recognize the power of volunteers to strengthen communities. DEF relies on volunteers year-round to help make our programs and events possible - from mentoring and food packing to community celebrations and fundraisers. We keep one rolling volunteer signup page that’s updated throughout the year. You can check back here often to see what’s new and sign up whenever your schedule allows.

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.

DHS junior Sam Epstein will host a free Sport Stacking workshop on Sunday, May 3 at Decatur Recreation Center from 1:00-3:00 for ages K-8. Sam is a member of Team USA Sport Stacking organization. Find more info and register here.

Decatur Soccer invites youth ages 5-13 (rising K-8th grade) to register for its 3v3 Soccer Tournament, powered by Decatur WatchFest 26, a fun, flexible, and community-focused event led by DHS soccer players and coaches. Join us Saturday, June 20, 8:30-noon at the Decatur High School Stadium with plenty of parking and just a short walk from the Decatur MARTA Station and Decatur WatchFest.

Kids can form a team of up to five players and sign up at the link below for just $75 per team (payable separately via GoFan). With no uniforms required (pennies provided) and small-sided 3v3 match play run by our DHS players, this format keeps things simple while maximizing touches, engagement, and fun for every player.

The tournament is open to girls, boys, and co-ed teams (co-ed teams will play in the boys bracket), with divisions based on rising school year: K-1, 2-3, 4-5, and 6-8. This is a great way to celebrate Decatur WatchFest and FIFA World Cup 26™ while supporting the Decatur Soccer program, and giving your child a fun soccer experience without a big time commitment. Just gather a group, register here, and show up ready to play!

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Check out the latest CSD Words with Dr. Whitaker podcast episode, featuring CSD's Board of Education student board representative Nia Batra and student board apprentice Zoe Smith, in celebration of National Student Leadership Week.

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.