CSD Weekly: February 5, 2026

• Did You Know? CSD Offers Range of Student Support Services for Student Wellbeing
• Around CSD: Second Safety & Security Summit Focuses on Physical and Psychological Safety, Girls' and Boys' Varsity Basketball Teams Advance to Region 4-5A Tournament, Continental Math League is No Problem for F.Ave, DHS Culinary Arts Earns Industry Certification
• All In Around CSD: It's National School Counseling Week, CSD K-12 Registration Now Open

• Information & Resources: Employers Needed for DHS Career Academy College & Hiring Expo, CSD Summer School Offered for Eligible Students

• Community Partner News: DEF Mardi Gras Party, February 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

CSD offers a variety of student support services aimed at promoting students' well-being and ensuring their academic success. These services encompass:

• Individual and group counseling
  
• Referrals to community therapists or social workers
  
• Collaboration with community agencies
  
• Academic, behavioral, and emotional support
  
• Assistance with family stability and food access
  
• Crisis intervention
  

Learn more on CSD's Student Services Support webpage.

Kudos to DHS wrestler Megene Chibuyu for being crowned area champion at the GHSA Area Tournament this week, marking a first in DHS girls wrestling history. She will now go on to compete in the GHSA Sectional Meet. Wrestlers Milly Garcia Parra placed fifth and Mariyamo Abshiro finished sixth in the Area Tournament.

Congratulations to F.AVE's Continental Math League team members, who had great success in last week's CML math meet. Third-graders competed in the first of three meets this school year, and several students in grades 3-5 achieved perfect scores. CML is a math problem-solving competition that requires above-average reading comprehension and analytical reasoning skills. Thank you to F.Ave gifted specialist Edwin Ellis for her guidance of the CML team. We eagerly anticipate our students' performances in the remaining two meets of the year.

F.Ave Continental Math League team members

Third Grade: Ella Bacher, Patrick Brenner, Chloe Driver, Teddy Elrod, Thomas Hatton, Nora Kiebler, Josiah Kim, Jackson Lee, Viraaj Mishra, Charlie Morris, Rollo Nagle, Artemy Osadchiy, Neelam Patel, Theo Perumbeti, Leo Sutandi, and Eli Tolentino
Fourth Grade: Beatrix Davenport, Anna Li, and Violet McNulty

Fifth Grade: Nicky Abularach, Luna Ambabo, Austin Buckner, Ethan Fang, Ethan Jiang, Keira McPherson, Audrey Pietryka, Alan Qadri, Jaiden Samtani, and Oliver Schwin

On Wednesday, February 4, CSD and the City of Decatur (COD) co-hosted the second annual School Safety & Security Summit, with students, staff, and families in attendance.

DHS student Gerald Winkler kicked off the event with a welcome, followed by greetings from Superintendent Dr. Gyimah Whitaker, who provided an overview of the event and answered attendees' pre-submitted safety-related questions, all of which were about the district's preparedness for possible immigration enforcement at schools. Eston Melton, Chief of Safety and Technology Services, followed with a safety and security update. Members of CSD's Student Support Services Team then highlighted the many programs and services CSD offers to help students succeed by supporting their psychological safety and wellbeing.

There was also a panel discussion featuring COD Chief of Police Scott Richards, Fire Chief Toni Washington, CSD's Safety and Security director James Brown and DHS principal Dr. Duane Sprull. The discussion included Q&A on the district's response to legislation mandating school updates, including mobile panic alert systems, and on how the district and the city collaborate on safety planning and response. Thank you to the presenters and to CSD's community partners, who were in attendance to share about their work with the district. Please visit CSD's Safety & Security webpage for more information.

DHS Girls' and Boys' Varsity Basketball Teams Advance to Region 4-5A Tournament

A big round of applause for the DHS Varsity boys and girls basketball teams, which will both advance to the Region 4-5A tournament after a hard-fought regular season. The boys' team finished the regular season with an impressive 21-4 record and a #2 seed heading into their first tournament matchup on Tuesday. The girls' team will take the court on Monday as the #5 seed, and the top four finishing teams will advance to the GHSA State Playoffs. FOX5 News interviewed DHS senior Eli Beard as part of their coverage of the teams. Good luck, Bulldogs, and thank you to coaches Rory Welsh and Nick DeLoach for their leadership.

BHMS Girls' Basketball Advances to DeKalb County Tournament Semifinals

Congratulations to the BHMS girls' basketball team, who advanced to the semifinals of the DeKalb County Middle School Basketball Tournament! Beacon Hill defeated McNair on Wednesday and will face off this evening on the road against Druid Hills Middle School. The BHMS boys' team played a good game and ended their season this week in the quarterfinals.

Bravo to Decatur Career Academy's Culinary Arts program which earned industry certification through the American Culinary Federation and the Georgia Department of Education, the highest GaDOE honor possible for a high school culinary arts program. The culinary arts program at DHS, led by Chef Sarah Catherine Fowler and Chef Scot Blair, underwent rigorous reviews by industry professionals to earn industry certification and ensure that the program is a recipe for outstanding opportunities for students, schools and employers. Fewer than 20 culinary arts programs statewide have earned this honor.

In honor of World Read Aloud Day (February 4), Oakhurst Owls celebrated with a mystery reader in each class. While students listened actively to engaging stories, the adults basked in the excitement of delivering a fun surprise and fostering connection. Thank you to Principal Jennifer Triplett and all of the adult volunteers who made today's event memorable!

Many thanks to a wonderful group of student-athletes from Emory University for visiting the DHS Student-Athlete Leadership Team (SALT) to discuss their experiences balancing the demands of collegiate-level athletics with pursuing academic excellence. DHS students in SALT asked questions and listened with great interest as many contemplate their post-secondary and athletic plans over the next several years. Thank you to Corey Spraggins, DHS alum and founder of Leaders By Nurture, for facilitating the conversation and to CSD assistant director of activities and athletics, David Harbin, for organizing the visit.

CSD is proud to celebrate National School Counselor Week, Feb. 2-6. School counselors guide students through personal and academic challenges, advocate for students and ensure they feel seen, heard, and supported. Thank you to all CSD school counselors for their empathy, patience, and dedication to helping students reach their highest potential.

CSD School Counselors

Precious King (Oakhurst), Lindsey Hicks (Winnona Park), Qushon Taylor-Bertram (BHMS), Kimberly Weaver (Talley St.), Christen Anglin (F.Ave), Latonya Taylor (DHS), and Charmaine Pratt (Clairemont), Ragan Hudson (BHMS), and Kate Passin (BHMS), Dr. Rachina Heron (F.Ave), Jordan Muse (BHMS), Dr. Ken Jackson (DHS), Alan Pendrick (Talley St.), Jonathan Blase (Glennwood), and Dr. Kimberly Jones (District Lead Counselor and DVA)

Not pictured: Dr. Jazzmon Parham (DHS), Rebecca Peacock (Westchester), Shadiqa White Points (DHS), and Kiana Wills (DHS)

Registration is now open for students who will be new to CSD for the 2026-2027 school year, including rising Pre-K and Kindergarten students and those interested in nonresident tuition. March 2 is the registration deadline for K-12 students new to the district and interested in nonresident tuition. February 27 is the deadline to register for Pre-K. Register K-12 students here and Pre-K here.

City Schools of Decatur has a long history of honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King by celebrating many of our students who embody the values of freedom, justice, democracy and service. This year, the MLK/CSK award will be presented to two students from each upper elementary school, three students from the middle school, and four students from the high school. Applications are due February 12, 2026. The awards ceremony will take place on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, 6-7:30 p.m. Please see the award submission guidelines for more information.

The annual Bulldog Bash will be held on March 21, 7-10 p.m., at The Lost Druid in Avondale Estates. Attendees can enjoy silent and live auctions, DJ Julien and food & drink. Proceeds benefit all programs within CSD athletics. Buy tickets here.

• Black History Month, February 1-28

• Love the Bus Month, February 1-28

• Career Technical Agricultural Education (CTAE) Month, February 1-28

• National School Counseling Week, February 2-6

• Georgia Severe Weather Preparedness Week, February 2-6

• Board of Education Meeting, February 10
• MLK/CSK Application Deadline, February 12
• Winter Break, February 16-20
• Board of Education Retreat, February 24
• MLK/CSK Awards Ceremony, February 25

• 2026-2027 Pre-K Registration Deadline, February 27, 3 p.m.

• 2026-2027 New K-12 Student Registration Deadline, March 2

Decatur Career Academy College, Career & Hiring Expo: Wednesday, March 25, 9 a.m.-noon, Ebster Recreation Center

DHS and the Decatur Career Academy invite employers, colleges, military representatives, and community partners to attend the Decatur Career Academy College, Career & Hiring Expo, an event designed to connect students with real-world opportunities and post-secondary pathways. This expo provides a space for organizations to engage directly with students, share insight into career options, and support students as they prepare for what’s next after high school. Employer attendees will have the opportunity to connect with motivated students, promote their organization or institution, and actively support college, career, military, and workforce exploration. Register here by March 13.

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.

This spring, CSD will continue its commitment to supporting the whole child through the Spring administration of the BASC-3 Behavior and Emotional Screening System (BESS). The BASC-3 BESS is a universal screener used to help schools understand students’ social, emotional, and behavioral wellbeing and to ensure appropriate supports are available when needed.

Students in grades 3–12 will complete a brief, age-appropriate self-report screener at school between March 2 and March 27, 2026. No action is required if you agree with your child’s participation. Families who prefer their student not participate must submit the opt-out form by Friday, February 13, 2026.

Additional information can be found on the district's website and in the parent letter. If you are interested in opting out, please see the link in the parent letter.

CSD's new partnership with Preventive Measures expands access to high-quality student mental health services across the district. Through this partnership, students in grades 6-12 now have access to comprehensive mental health services, including therapy, psychiatric care, and medication management at no cost to their families, regardless of insurance status. Services are available both during the school day and at home, reducing common barriers such as transportation challenges, limited insurance coverage, and scheduling conflicts.

Preventive Measures is a multi-state behavioral health provider with over 15 years of experience delivering school-based and telehealth mental health services to children, adolescents, and families. Services are provided by licensed, culturally responsive clinicians and delivered through a secure, HIPAA-compliant telehealth platform, ensuring confidentiality, flexibility, and ease of access for students and families.

Preventive Measures works in close collaboration with school teams and families to ensure care is consent-driven, coordinated, and aligned with students’ academic, social, and emotional needs. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to supporting the whole child by strengthening student wellness, increasing access to mental health supports, and fostering a safe, supportive, and responsive school environment where all students can thrive.

Please take a moment this week to make your voice heard and participate in the Georgia Department of Education climate survey for your school! Your participation and feedback are greatly appreciated. The data collected will help determine the School Climate Star Ratings for the 2026-27 school year, which will enable schools to improve or build upon their successes.

(Note: GaDOE administers climate surveys for K-12 schools. College Heights ECLC is not eligible.)

Clairemont Elementary School Family Survey

Glennwood Elementary School Family Survey

Oakhurst Elementary School Family Survey

Westchester Elementary School Family Survey

Winnona Park Elementary School Family Survey

Fifth Avenue Upper Elementary School Family Survey

Talley Street Upper Elementary School Family Survey

Beacon Hill Middle School Family Survey

Decatur High School Family Survey

DEF is Calling All Aspiring Artists!

Any CSD is invited to submit a design of their school's mascot and win a chance to have the design featured on a t-shirt to be sold at the end of the school year! One submission will be chosen from each CSD school as part of this fundraiser for Zara's Fund, Decatur Education Foundation's arts fund. Art must be submitted physically (not digitally) on 8.5x11 white paper to your school's art teacher by February 6! For questions, email lori@decatureducationfoundation.org.

DEF Mardi Gras Party, February 7

Let the good times roll! Join us for some Mardi Gras merriment at The Imperial on Saturday, February 7, 1-5 p.m. We will have music, masks, and mighty good vibes. The Imperial is donating a portion of the proceeds to the Decatur Education Foundation. Please note there is no DEF Mardi Gras parade this year.

DEF Coffee Community Gathering

All are welcome to gather with DEF for coffee to listen to and share with each other to continue the work of building a community rooted in care, resilience and hope. Sunday, Feb. 8, noon-2 p.m. at Waller's Coffee Shop.

Sign up for the Tour deCatur, Saturday, March 14

Tour deCatur is back on Saturday, March 14 for its 24th year! This year, in addition to the 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, we're partnering with the Decatur Bulldog Boosters and are offering a Bulldog Jog that allows runners to include their dogs in the 1-Mile Fun Run!

Also new this year are teams! When you register, choose the CSD school you’d like to represent, and the school with the highest percentage of participation will receive a DEF grant and the Tour team trophy! Family divided? Just register separately.

Funds raised from the Tour deCatur support Decatur Education Foundation’s many programs and initiatives supporting students, teachers, and the Decatur community. Go to www.tourdecatur.com to register! Register by February 25 to be guaranteed a t-shirt.

Sing with Polly Holliday to Benefit Decatur Educators

DEF is excited to invite community members to take the stage to be part of the incredible new experience Polly Holliday has put together: Sing with the Band: Live Karaoke at Eddie's Attic!

Mark your calendars for March 21 and get your tickets to cheer on these karaoke winners as they belt out their favorite songs on stage at Decatur's most iconic music venue — all to support DEF’s mission to help Decatur students and families reach their full potential. Come listen to these singers as they brave the stage for a fun night of fundraising! Tickets are on sale now through Eddie’s Attic.

The City Schools of Decatur community is invited to take advantage of a special ticket offer to watch the Atlanta Hawks take on the Portland Trail Blazers at State Farm Arena on Sunday, March 1, 6 p.m. Each ticket includes $10 worth of food and beverage credit. A portion of each ticket purchased through this offer will benefit City Schools of Decatur. Purchase your tickets here. Email ryan.coller@hawks.com for questions.

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.

Parent's Night Out – Valentine's Day Edition!

Valentine’s Day crafts and treats, games, indoor and outdoor activities, and fun for kids ages 5-12 years old. Dinner and a snack are included and discount are available for siblings. Friday, February 6, 5:30-9 p.m., Oakhurst Recreation Center. Register first child here and register siblings here.

Summer Camp Registration Is Open — Spots Still Available!
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.

Spring Athletics Registration Is Now Open!
Get in the game this spring with Decatur Parks & Recreation! Youth athletes can build skills and confidence in boys' flag football, coed soccer, and more. New this season is girls' flag football and girls' volleyball, perfect for beginner to intermediate players. Register on CommunityPass

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