CSD Weekly: December 11, 2025

• Did You Know?

• Around CSD: CSD Congratulates DHS December 2025 Graduates, Pre-K Students Share in Holiday Cheer at the Alliance Theater, BHMS and Winnona Park Collect Food Donations

• All In Around CSD: Decatur Basketball Parks & Rec Night, Decatur Holiday Marketplace + Café

• Information & Resources: Check out Bulldog Gear from the Bulldog Boosters

• Community Partner News: Breakfast with Santa and Parents’ Night Out at Decatur Rec

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

City Schools of Decatur is celebrating board member at-large Dr. Jana L. Johnson-Davis as she retires from the board, recognizing her leadership and service to students, staff, and the community.

Dr. Jana Johnson-Davis has been an unwavering champion for equity in education throughout her tenure, leaving behind a powerful legacy at CSD. As she steps down from the board, we celebrate her steadfast commitment to advocating for high-quality education, fairness, and a sense of belonging for all students, particularly those who have traditionally been underserved. This month's "CSD Words with Dr. Whitaker Podcast" highlights Board Member Dr. Jana Johnson-Davis and includes her insights and contributions to CSD. Check out the podcast here.

The entire CSD community thanks you, Dr. Jana Johnson-Davis, and wishes you all the best in your next chapter!

For the past eight years, the CSD Board of Education has explored options for utilizing the property purchased at the corner of Electric Avenue and West Trinity Place, including an early learning center, since the land was explicitly deeded for educational purposes.

In October 2024, the current Board of Education publicly announced a final decision to utilize the property for a project that aligns with the All In Decatur five-year strategic plan, addressing the current and future educational needs of all CSD students from cradle to career by:

• Beginning to alleviate barriers to accessing quality early learning in the City of Decatur for all residents, while implementing a strategy to address the achievement gap for families who need it most
  
• Expanding the learning lab for the current Decatur High School CTAE teaching pathway, creating confidential spaces for the administration of critical student services, and providing the customary school spaces for teacher collaboration and planning.
  

While other locations have been recommended,

• City Schools of Decatur does not own them. Fiscally speaking, the use of existing land that has already been purchased offers equity, stability, and more control over use than leasing, which may provide lower upfront costs but, in the long term, will cost the same, or more, than a new build without the previously mentioned benefits of ownership, and
  
• Parrish Construction's role as the CMAR of the project is to ensure that building costs for the ECLC do not exceed the guaranteed maximum price and that the project is completed according to schedule.
  

Members of the Board of Education are elected by ballot to make decisions on behalf of their constituents to govern the school district, including determining the scope and financing of capital improvements.

The new ECLC is a capital improvement project. Like prior capital improvement projects, it will be funded by SPLOST, not the general fund, which is derived from taxpayer dollars.

UPDATED: The new year will bring new opportunities for six CSD high school December graduates! Congratulations to the following winter DHS graduates, who have completed their diploma requirements for early graduation or through the Decatur Virtual Academy. We wish them all the very best in their postsecondary pursuits!

• Khari Baker plans to study logistics and contribute to the high-demand field of supply chain management.
• Andrea Vaughan will begin a trade program with the National Automotive Parts Association (NAPA) to become an automotive technician.
• Amaiyah McCalep is pursuing a career as a registered nurse and plans to attend one of three colleges where she has been accepted.
• Trinity Moment will complete a four-year degree plan and begin a professional career dedicated to patient care.
• Taniya Smith plans to gain hands-on experience in a clinical setting to become a licensed healthcare professional.
• Sierra Shields will use her CNA certification to work in a hospital setting before attending a four-year university to major in nursing.

Last week, Ms. Ballard's College Heights Pre-K Chicks came in from the cold to visit The Apartment Building at the Alliance Theater for an interactive, floor-to-floor adventure called "Knock, Knock." Students visited each door in the show, meeting and celebrating with the residents of the Apartment Building (Alliance Center cast members) who were preparing for the holidays in different ways and trying to stay warm. The Pre-K class ended their trip by making a snow craft.

Sixth-graders in the BHMS Gifted Resource class recently completed a "Service as Action" initiative by collaborating with Winnona Park students to address community needs. The students worked together to collect 490 lbs of donations and provide 136 prepared lunch bags for the DEAM lunch service program, which supports community members experiencing homelessness.

The BHMS students further demonstrated the IB Learner Profile attribute of caring when they developed and delivered educational lessons for the Winnona Park students about nutrition and food scarcity.

Thank you to Ms. Gary and Ms. Nicks for facilitating this impactful project, and thank you to those who donated.

Georgia State Representative Omari Crawford and Emory University Athletics Mental Health Coordinator Kalyn Wilson visited with members of the DHS Student-Athlete Leadership Team (SALT) this morning for a special panel on mental health and student-athletes. The speakers shared positive strategies for maintaining strong mental health while excelling as a student-athlete at the high school and collegiate levels. Students in SALT asked questions, shared their challenges, and left feeling seen and supported, as the guest speakers gained a deeper understanding of how they can support our student-athletes. Thank you to our speakers for sharing their time, care, and expertise with these students.

Owlgebra! This week we spotted Oakhurst Owls, Westchester Wolves, and F.AVE Falcons engaging in math activities, including identifying one-to-one correspondence, comparing three-digit numbers, using a variety of strategies to add and subtract up to 10,000, and even completing a virtual sixth-grade statistics lesson. Way to go, mathematicians!

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

The Bulldog Boosters have holiday gifts for your Bulldog, future Bulldog or Bulldog supporter. Check the Bulldog Booster store today.

• National Read a New Book Month, December 1-31

• Early Release Day, December 19

• Semester Break, December 22-January 5
• Teacher Work Day, January 5
• First Day of School for Students, January 6
• Board of Education Meeting, January 13
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, January 19
• Dr. Whitaker's Winter Listening Session (virtual), January 20
• Board of Education Community Meeting, January 21, 6:30 p.m., Talley St.
• Dr. Whitaker's Winter Listening Session, February 5, DHA Community Resource Center

Help DEF Lighten the Load for Decatur Families

Decatur Education Foundation provides food assistance to families in Decatur. Schools across CSD have donation bins where you can donate shelf-stable food. You can also order directly from their Amazon wish list, or click here to donate funds that they will use to purchase grocery gift cards. If you have any questions, please email info@decatureducationfoundation.org.

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.

Parents’ Night Out – Holiday Pajama Jam: Friday, December 12, 5:30–9:30 p.m., Oakhurst Recreation Center, ages 5-12. Enjoy a night out while your kids have fun in their favorite holiday pajamas. Register here. Dinner and a snack are included.

Bright @ Night Holiday Lights Walk: Wednesday, December 17, 7–8 p.m., Meet at 254 East Parkwood, Decatur. Join the Active Transportation Committee for a festive neighborhood walk to enjoy holiday lights and learn Bright @ Night safety tips for walking and biking after dark. RSVP to gael.doyle@decaturga.com

Breakfast with Santa: Friday, December 19, 10 a.m.–12 p.m., Decatur Recreation Center

Register here for a festive morning with Santa and Rec the Bulldog. Share your wish list, enjoy breakfast, and snap a photo with our favorite holiday guests.

Wylde Center Wylde Wreaths

Reserve your spot at Wylde Center’s annual Wylde Wreaths event! Groups, individuals, or private parties for groups of 10+ can create a beautiful wreath to kick off the holiday season from November 25-December 13 in the newly renovated Oakhurst Garden building. Choose from over 40 unique adornments for your wreath creation! For more information, contact kristy@wyldecenter.org

Wylde Holiday Market

Stop by the Wylde Center Holiday Market weekdays 9 a.m.-6 p.m., November 25-December 13 in Oakhurst Garden, featuring an assortment of locally crafted gifts. Contact Kristy@wyldecenter.org for any questions.

CSD families and staff are invited to take advantage of a special ticket offer for select upcoming Atlanta Hawks' games. A portion of each ticket purchased through this offer will benefit City Schools of Decatur. Purchase tickets here.

Atlanta Hawks' CSD Special Ticket Price Games

ATL Hawks vs. SAS Spurs Friday, December 19, 7:30 p.m.

ATL Hawks vs. CHI Bulls, Sunday, December 21, 3:30 p.m.

ATL Hawks vs. CHI Bulls, Tuesday, December 23, 7:30 p.m.

ATL Hawks vs. MIA Heat, Friday, December 26, 7:00 p.m.

ATL Hawks vs. NYK Knicks, Saturday, December 27, 8:00 p.m.

ATL Hawks vs. MIN Timberwolves, Wednesday, December 31, 3:00 p.m.

For groups of 10 or more, or for tickets to a different game, please contact Ryan Coller at ryan.coller@hawks.com or at 404-878-3714. Ticket prices and availability are subject to change, so order your tickets today. Tickets will sell out! Tickets are mobile only.

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Check out the latest CSD Words with Dr. Whitaker podcast episode, featuring outgoing Board of Education member at-large Dr. Jana Johnson-Davis. This episode highlights Dr. Johnson-Davis' service to CSD, her contributions to the BOE, and her impact on the direction of the district.

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.