Falcon Flyer

Principal's Corner

• Message from the Principal
• Mark Your Calendars

F.Ave News

• World Cup Night @ DHS
• Legacy Park Festival
• Georgia Milestones End-of-Grade (GMAS EOG)
• Eating Disorders Event
• Spring Picture Day
• Overdue/lost books
• CML Congrats

• Spring Family Picnic
• Gardening Committee
• 26-27 PTO Interest
• Yearbook
• Teacher Appreciation Week
• Follow us on socials!

CSD News

• CSD Weekly

Scroll down to learn more!

Principal’s Coffee Chat

We are so excited to host our next coffee chat on Friday, April 17, at 8:00 a.m. The topic will focus on upcoming Spring testing. Additionally, if you'd like to add a topic, please email Mrs. Malik Morrow at mmorrow@csdecatur.net to add it to the agenda.

Georgia Milestones Begins Monday

We want our students to feel their best for the upcoming GMAS! Please help them prepare by making sure they get plenty of rest, arrive at school on time, and start their day with a healthy breakfast. More details are below.

Best regards,

Derrick L. Thomas

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

• Principal’s Coffee Chat - April 17, 2026

• Board of Education Community Meeting - DHS April 22, 2026

• PTO Spring Picnic - April 23, 2026

• Dr. Whitaker's Spring Listening Session - April 28, 2026

• Math Night - April 30, 2026

• Dr. Whitaker's Spring Listening Session - May 5, 2026

• CSD Board of Education Meeting - May 12, 2026

• 5th Grade Moving On Ceremony - May 21, 2026

• Last Day of School - May 22, 2026

On Saturday, April 18 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Legacy Park will host Community Day, a gathering designed to bring neighbors together while spotlighting the many local organizations working to build a greener, more connected Decatur.

Presented by Legacy Decatur, the nonprofit stewards of Legacy Park, the event will feature the Decatur Environmental Sustainability Board’s annual Earth Day Festival, along with exhibits, demonstrations, and opportunities for residents to learn practical ways to reduce their environmental footprint and get involved locally.

Community Day reflects the broader role Legacy Park has grown to play in Decatur — not just as a preserved green space, but as a campus where nonprofits, educators, and community builders collaborate on environmental stewardship, social connection, and neighborhood wellbeing.

Dear FAVE Families,

It is that time of year again for the Georgia Milestones End-of-Grade (GMAS EOG) Assessment for students in grades 3–5.

The Georgia Milestones is a statewide summative assessment given toward the end of the school year. It measures student mastery of the Georgia Standards of Excellence and helps schools and districts evaluate instructional practices, curriculum alignment, and academic programming to best support student learning.

This is an important assessment administered across every district in the state of Georgia, and we want to ensure our students are prepared and able to do their best. As we prepare for testing, we ask for your partnership in the following ways:

How Families Can Support Students

• Ensure your child gets a good night’s rest each evening during the testing window.

• Provide a well-balanced breakfast. Breakfast is also served at school daily from 7:20–7:40 AM.

• Talk with your child about doing their best. We encourage students to see this as a celebration of their learning, not something to feel stressed about.

• Please make sure your child arrives at school on time. School begins promptly at 7:45 AM. Once testing has started, students cannot enter the testing session and will need to complete the assessment during the make-up window.

• Testing will happen from 8-11 am. If possible, please try to refrain from scheduling appointments during the testing window.

Testing will take place April 20 – April 27 according to the following schedule:

Testing Schedule

Monday, April 20 – ELA Section 1 (Grades 3–5)
Tuesday, April 21 – ELA Section 2 (Grades 3–5)
Wednesday, April 22 – ELA Section 3 (Grades 3–5)
Thursday, April 23 – Math Section 1 (Grades 3–5)
Friday, April 24 – Math Section 2 (Grades 3–5)
Monday, April 27 – Science Sections 1–2 (Grade 5 only)

Make-up testing will occur April 27 – May 1, and the state testing window closes on Friday, May 1.

Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting our students. With preparation, encouragement, and a calm mindset, our students will be ready to show all they have learned this year.

If you have any questions about the Georgia Milestones End of Grade Assessment, please feel free to contact Mrs. Stewart, Testing Coordinator, at sstewart@csdecatur.net.

With appreciation,
Shannon Stewart
Assistant Principal & Testing Coordinator

The Decatur Parents Network and the Decatur Education Foundation are hosting another event on Monday, April 27th, for Decatur parents to learn more about Eating Disorders and Disordered Eating. As always, this topic was chosen in direct response to parent concerns.

This event will take place at BHMS Media Center on April 27th, from 6:30 to 8:00. This event is for adults only. The Decatur Parents Network and the Decatur Education Foundation are collaborating this year on the Speaker Series. The Decatur Prevention Initiative offers additional funding and support for these events.

As we approach the finish line, we are beginning our end of year process. Please encourage scholars to check around the house and at school for any books currently marked as lost and/or overdue. All books/payments are due by May 15, 2026.

Please email Dr. Macon with any questions (erica.macon@csdecatur.net).

FAVE Field Day is Friday, May 15, 2026. FAVE parents are cordially invited to join us again this year for a great day filled with fun games & laughter! Coach Hallman is looking for volunteers to help run stations. You can view the list of volunteer positions using this Sign-Up Genius link:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0D4BAEA72FAA8-63157403-2026#/

It is a long-standing tradition for FAVE students to design their own Field Day t-shirts. Please send a plain white t-shirt to school with your child beginning next week. If you are able to donate extra t-shirts for students in need, 3-packs of Hanes white undershirts can be purchased rather inexpensively and the extras will be distributed. *Donations of fabric paint or permanent markers are also greatly appreciated! Room parents can arrange this with homeroom teachers or drop off at the front desk for Coach Hallman to distribute.

Please check Coach Hallman’s website for up to the minute details and additional information including FAQs: https://hallmanfavepe.weebly.com/field-day.html

The LINKS team would like to extend CONGRATULATIONS to two third grade students who ranked nationally in the Continental Math League competition. Eli Tolentino and Charlie Morris each scored a perfect 6/6 score at every CML meet. These boys practiced CML problems at home, checked their work twice for errors and showed up with a positive "I can" attitude for each meet. Their hard work paid off and now they are National Champions! We are so proud of you two!

Read the April 16, 2026, issue of CSD Weekly, the district-wide newsletter.

Y'all know the drill by now! Come out before Jazz Night for food trucks, staff market place and FAVE Family Fun!! Last one for our 5th Graders! April 23rd 5:30-7:30

Have a green thumb? Then we need you! We are looking for parents who would like to be involved in re-hauling the FAVE garden beds and then help in maintaining them. If this is something you might be interested in, please email president@favepto.org!

Want to get more involved at FAVE next year? We're looking for volunteers, committee chairs, and Board members for the 2026–27 school year — and there's truly a role for everyone. Whether you have an hour a month or a whole lot of enthusiasm, we'd love to have you. Come as you are; we'll find your fit.

INTEREST FORM: https://go.shopmy.us/p-48799499

It's Yearbook Time!!! Click HERE to order your yearbook!!

Special pricing through May 9th!

*The PTO will purchase a yearbook for any student who has not ordered one*

MOVIE STAR THEME:

May 4th - May 8th

Please be on the lookout for more information coming from your room parents.

Instagram: IG link

Facebook: FB link

Website: WS link

Principal

Derrick Thomas

dthomas@csdecatur.net

Assistant Principal

Meagan Ferguson

mferguson@csdecatur.net

Assistant Principal

Shannon Stewart

sstewart@csdecatur.net

School Manager

Malik Morrow

mmorrow@csdecatur.net

Bookkeeper

Shronda Edwards

sedwards@csdecatur.net

Who Do I Contact?

Email: fave@csdecatur.net
Website: https://fave.csdecatur.net/
Location: 101 5th Avenue, Decatur, GA, USA
Phone: (404) 371-6680

Please do not reply to this newsletter. See the Who Do I Contact link above and direct your inquiries to the correct individual.