CSD Weekly: May 21, 2026

1. Pick up medication from your school clinic by Friday, May 22.
2. Save the Date for Back-to-School Bash, July 16
3. Nominate teachers and staff for DEF Extra Mile Awards.

4. See the Decatur WatchFest 26 Schedule of Watch Parties, Performances, and kids' activities

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

Last Saturday marked the pinnacle of the 2025-26 school year with the CSD school community's gathering at the Georgia State Convocation Center to celebrate the DHS Class of 2026's transition from high school seniors to high school graduates.

The graduates were honored by the Board of Education, Superintendent Dr. Gyimah Whitaker, numerous CSD staff members, and family and friends from near and far. Special appreciation goes to the inspiring student speakers whose words energized and motivated their fellow graduates to seize the opportunities that await them.

Members of the class of 2026 also participated in the tradition of Senior Walks, returning to walk the halls of their elementary school one final time as CSD students. Seniors and their families reminisced about how far they've come, teachers and staff witnessed the fruits of their hard work, and current K-2 students saw their future in CSD. Congratulations again, class of 2026!

Schools across CSD held ceremonies, parades and performances to celebrate students moving to a new CSD school next year. Pre-K students from College Heights ECLC paraded outside to let their families know they are ready for kindergarten. Second-graders from Clairemont, Oakhurst, Glennwood, Westchester, and Winnona Park wowed their families with performances at Moving On and Moving Up ceremonies as they prepare to transition to F.Ave or Talley St. Fifth-graders at F.Ave showed they are ready for middle school at the Moving On ceremony, and Talley St. will have their Moving Forth ceremony on Friday, May 22. Eighth-graders marked the end of their time at BHMS with a Capstone Ceremony in the DHS gym, taking one more step on their way to becoming part of the class of 2030.

Thank you to all the teachers, staff, student performers and families who made these celebrations so meaningful. We are so proud of our diligent students and are excited to see them succeed in their new school next year.

CSD celebrated 11 DHS students who earned their Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) credentials from Georgia Piedmont Technical College with a pinning ceremony. To complete their CNA through the DHS Career Technical and Agriculture Education department, these students had to be accepted to Georgia Piedmont Technical College, interview for a competitive spot in the CNA program, and complete all academic coursework. Thank you to nursing instructor, Dr. Shelia Payton, CTAE teacher Elizabeth Lewis, GPTC professor Nurse Yolanda Hamilton, CTAE director Terra Smiley, and DHS principal Dr. Duane Sprull for their support of this program. We can't wait to see how these DHS grads impact the future of healthcare.

Honorees:

Tiniya Adams, Elenanor Adkins, Aidan Bent, Khaliyah Benton, Amelia Broadfoot, Kaya Clark, Eshaan Dhanini, Abi Franco, Ester Lee, Cadence Moyston and Julia Nichols

Job well done to DHS junior Molly White, who won third in the nation at the Courtroom Artist Contest at the National High School Mock Trial Competition. After winning the State competition in Georgia, she traveled to Des Moines, Iowa, for Nationals from May 7-9, 2026. Thank you to the Mock Trial teacher sponsors Erika Leach, Marlene Salgado and Catherine Thibadeau.

Want tips on how to "work the room"? Just ask Talley Street's rising fifth-graders, who were among the top finalists to participate in the Talley Street 2026 Amazing Shake competition. Students wowed the adult judges with their show of soft skills, including handshakes, eye contact, conversations and poise, as they interviewed to serve as the next group of House leaders. The judges included a range of local elected officials, CSD leaders and community members, including Decatur Mayor Tony Powers, members of the CSD Board of Education, Superintendent Dr. Gyimah Whitaker, executive cabinet members, and a variety of community partners. Students enjoyed the opportunity and left well-equipped to lead and present themselves exceptionally well for future opportunities.

Kudos to the 2026 Talley Street House Leaders: Lu Starrchan (Altruismo), Kate Schoeman (Amistad), Austin Sims (Isibindi), Hailey Richardson (Nukumori), Ian Ramon (Onraka), Evie Kelly (Rêveur), and Talley Street's Heads of House Staff, Jillian Farley, Alicia Reno, Jessica Young, Lindsey Combs, Ashley Forman, and Lyndsei Pacini.

Clairemont and its second graders hosted their first-ever Clairemont Cafe, which focused on the final Wit & Wisdom unit, "Healthy Choices." Throughout the unit, students engaged with rich text and learned how food fuels our bodies. In partnership with the DHS Culinary Program, second-graders created a healthy menu, and culinary students cooked a beautiful meal from it, creating a memorable dining experience for students, families, and the second-grade instructional team. During the event, students engaged their families in a full discussion about their learning throughout the year during student-led conferences, resulting in a truly great experience for all.

Save the date for CSD's 2026 Back-to-School Bash on July 16, 2026, from 4-7 p.m. This event will provide free giveaways, food, on-site health services, games, and school resources for CSD parents and families while supplies last. The event will be held at the DHS gym. More information will be available closer to the date. Click here for registration instructions.

• Jewish American Heritage Month, May 1-31

• Mental Health Awareness Month, May 1-31

• National Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month, May 1-31

• Last Day of School, May 22

• FY27 Budget Hearing, May 27, 11 a.m., Wilson Center

• BOE Regular Meeting, June 2, Wilson Center

• BOE Millage Rate Hearing, June 11, 11 a.m. and 6 p.m., Wilson Center

• BOE Millage Rate Hearing, June 22, 5 p.m., Wilson Center

• Back-to-School Bash, July 16, 4-7 p.m., DHS Gym
• First Day of School, August 3

BOE Policies Open for Public Comment

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.

• AFC: Emergency Closings
• EEE: Wellness Program
• FDC: Naming Facilities

New Early Childhood Learning Center Financing

The regular meeting agenda was amended to remove this item. It was deferred to a future work session for additional review and discussion.

FY27 Budget

The board approved the tentative Fiscal Year 2027 budget. All budget discussions, presentations, and actions are outlined in the annual Board Management Oversight Plan (BMOP).

Tentative Fiscal Year 2027 Millage Rate Approval

The board approved the tentative Fiscal Year 2027 millage rate of 20.30 presented by Dr. Lonita Broome, Chief Financial Officer. The proposed FY2027 millage rate is the same as the current FY26 millage rate. Before the adoption of the final millage rate on June 22, 2026, the district will hold three in-person public millage rate hearings in the boardroom of the Wilson Center on:

• June 11, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
• June 22, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.

Be sure to check out this month's issue of Bulletin Board.

Attention 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 expectations.

Students at any grade level can write an essay describing how their teacher (or staff member) goes the extra mile (parents can 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.

City Schools of Decatur has reopened the nonresident tuition application window for a limited number of K-5 nonresident tuition seats at select CSD grades and schools for the 2026-2027 school year. Families who live outside the City of Decatur attendance zone with children entering grades K-5 are eligible to apply. Applications are available on the CSD website and will close on June 5. Learn more and apply here.

The CSD Title I department will be requesting an EdFlex Waiver for the 2026-2027 school year for Title I, Part A, to remove the regulatory requirement requiring a 15% carryover threshold. Please provide any public comments on this waiver request to Tiffany Lundy at tlundy@csdecatur.net by June 15, 2026.

Please pick up your child's medication from the school clinic by the last day of school, Friday, May 22. To adhere to safety guidelines, schools are unable to store any medications during the summer break. Therefore, any medication left behind will be discarded. Kindly remember that students are not permitted to carry their own medication home.

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.

The community is invited to nominate a CSD employee who has gone above and beyond in service to students. Recipients of the Miles Above Award and the Clarence Strickland Make a Difference Award are recognized at CSD’s annual Opening Day Celebration. Learn more and submit nominations here by July 10.

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.

This summer, the City of Decatur presents Decatur WatchFest 26, a celebration of FIFA World Cup 2026™, which runs from June 11 through July 19, 2026. Decatur WatchFest 26 will offer 34 days of free music, games, activities, food and beverages on and around the newly renovated Decatur Square as fans watch the world’s top soccer matches. With matches every day and a concert every night, there is something for everyone at Decatur WatchFest!

• Every day of FIFA World Cup 26™ matches will be celebrated in Decatur during WatchFest 26.
• All matches will be shown in Decatur’s Official WatchFest soccer pubs and restaurants (WatchSpots) and select matches each day will be shown on three big screens on the Decatur Square.
• Pre- and post-match concerts will feature national and local acts (link to details), including major acts Big Boi, The War And Treaty, and Indigo Girls.
• For kids and adults: soccer activities with our partners Atlanta United, a new playground area on the square, misters and more!

Check out the full schedule on our website at DecaturWatchFest26.com or our socials: @decaturwatchfest26

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