CSD Weekly: November 13, 2025

• CSD Celebrates City of Decatur Crossing Guard Appreciation Week
• Did You Know?: The Board of Education has decided to reassess and revise the K-2 School Consolidation and Redistricting Process, including renaming it to the K-2 Utilization Process.
• Mark Your Calendars: Tonight: Public Forum on K-2 School Utilization Process, November 13, 6:30-8 p.m., BHMS Cafeteria (Replaces the previously scheduled public hearing).
• K-2 School Utilization Process Update
• Around CSD: CSD Celebrates Growth in 2025 CCRPI Scores, DHS Girls and Boys Cross Country Teams Finish in Top Seven in State, BHMS Students Dazzle in "Anastasia," Clairemont Second-Graders Create and Host "Bulldog News" Show
• Information and Resources: Applications Remain Open for Free/Reduced-Price Meal Benefits
• Community Partner News: Wylde Center Wreaths and Holiday Market

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

The Board of Education has decided to reassess and revise the K-2 School Consolidation and Redistricting Process, including renaming it to the K-2 Utilization Process. Learn more in this issue.

This year's CCRPI results reveal that every tested grade 3-12 in CSD achieved a perfect score of 100 in the Closing Gaps category, marking the highest attainable score for student progress toward performance targets. This accomplishment signifies an improvement of nearly 30 points compared to the past two years.

In 2023, DHS recorded a score of 48.2% in the Closing Gaps category, which increased to 93.2% in 2024 before reaching a perfect 100% this year. The middle school improved its score by almost five points from 2024 to 2025, while upper elementary schools maintained their score of 100 from the previous year.

Additionally, CSD's Content Mastery score has consistently increased over the last two years for all grades, demonstrating steady progress across all grade levels, with a nearly five-point rise at the high school level. Learn more here.

During the Board of Education meeting held on November 11, 2025, the board decided to reassess and revise the K-2 School Consolidation and Redistricting Process. The process has been renamed the K-2 Utilization Process, and the timeline will be modified to allow for more public feedback.

BOE consultant Education Planners will host a public forum on Thursday, November 13, 2025, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Beacon Hill Middle School. The community is invited to provide input and offer considerations to Education Planners regarding the K-2 School Utilization Process. The meeting will replace the previously advertised second public hearing on the K-2 School Consolidation and Redistricting Process.

The meeting format will be as follows:

• General Information Session: Information Presented

• Committee Work Sessions: Public Input

Education Planners recommended the creation of four committees to guide the next phase of planning. The proposed committees are:

• Facilities & Finance Committee: enrollment, costs, and capital planning

• Student Experience Committee: instructional programs, transitions, and early-learning access

• Safety & Operations Committee: traffic, walkability, and daily operations

• Culture & Communication Committee: transparency and ongoing engagement

Community members are invited to sign up for one of the committees here. More information about the K-2 School Utilization Process is available on the CSD website.

• City of Decatur Crossing Guard Appreciation Week, November 10-14

• Special Needs Trusts Presentation, November 13, 6 p.m., Virtual, RSVP here

• Public Forum on K-2 School Utilization Process, November 13, 6:30-8 p.m., BHMS Cafeteria
• Board of Education Retreat, November 18
• Thanksgiving Break, November 24-28

CSD is fortunate to have outstanding crossing guards dedicated to ensuring the safety of our students. Join us in celebrating our crossing guards during Crossing Guard Appreciation Week.

Nominated and voted on by their peers, the daily contributions of this year's dedicated, non-teaching Professional Employees of the Year play a vital role in the success of our students and staff.

This award recognizes outstanding individuals who:

1. Demonstrate leadership within the school or school system.
2. Works effectively as a collaborative team member within the school or department, demonstrating strong communication skills and a positive attitude towards staff, parents, and administrators.
3. Provides evidence of student achievement or exceptional job performance.

The recognition encompasses employees across all schools as well as transportation, maintenance, and Wilson Center staff.

2025-26 Professional Employees of the Year

College Heights ECLC - Aneesah Edwards, Childcare Provider Assistant

Clairemont Elementary School - Carlos Williams, Custodian

Glennwood Elementary School - Michael Calanan, Paraprofessional

Oakhurst Elementary School - Celeste Baitey, Custodian

Westchester Elementary School - Cynthia Howe, Custodian

Winnona Park Elementary School - Valencia Johnson, Paraprofessional

Fifth Avenue Upper Elementary - Shronda Edwards, Bookkeeper

Talley Street Upper Elementary School - Jennifer SanAngelo, School Manager

Beacon Hill Middle School - Nambi Kamanga, Paraprofessional

Decatur High School - Wanda Goodman, Food Nutrition Manager

Maintenance - Ahmad Brackens, Maintenance Technician

Transportation - Bryan Groves, Bus Driver

Wilson Center - Kiet Le, Enterprise Applications Coordinator

Congratulations to the BHMS boys' soccer team, which emerged as the champions of the Atlanta Metro Middle School Soccer League, after defeating Sutton MS in a penalty kick shootout after the match went to two overtime periods. Thank you to everyone who showed up to Ebster Field to cheer on our bulldogs, and thank you to Coach Jeff Lange, Derrick Burgess, and Joel Easley.

BHMS Boys' Soccer Team:

Elias Gonzalez-Rouse

Devin Irier

Bodhan Dunworth

Asher Naik

Max Pevzner

Theodore "TJ" Rasmasson

Jackson Fernandez

Rowan Rhodes

Sawyer Gray

Maddox Guerrieri

James (Porter) Johnson

Everett Stinson

Michael Philipsborn

Grant Florence

Michael Echols

Ari Cohen

lan Dicristina

Stefan Ferguson

Luke Pope

Jackson "Ford" DeLoach

Max Serwitz

Grayson Ryan

Dillon Stevens

Daniel Alvarez

Austin Hackett

William Rosenthal

The DHS Cross Country Bulldogs added to their wins last week at the State Meet, with the girls' team finishing 4th in 5A and the boys' team finishing 8th. Way to go, cross country! Thank you to cross country coaches Mary Souther, Paul Johnson, Carrie Beauchamp, Casey Todd, James Pinson, Jack Amick, and Deanna Kashdan.

Varsity girls cross country team:

Ellie Adams, Sage Chatham-Stephens, Cate Durbin, Laura Durbin, Katelyn Frank, Ily Herman, Tatum Herman, Charlotte Kemper, Anna Lothridge, Sydney Powers, Monserrat Romberg, Olivia Sawyer, Amelia Stoner, and Summer Swierenga

Varsity boys cross country team:

Will Bartlett, Eli Chalberg, Alex Clement, Victor Dahlquist, Ian Kang, Grady Lothridge, Walker Madsen, Busayo Oguneye, Jihoon Park, Munawar Sharif, James Henry Sharp, Alex Short, Jay Stanley, and Orrin Trulock

Vote now! CSD's own Dr. Charlie McAdoo, One Goal program director at DHS and former CTAE teacher, was named the Atlanta Falcons Fan of the Year for 2025! Now he's heading to Super Bowl LX and is competing for the NFL Fan of the Year award!

CSD vote here for Dr. McAdoo for the 2025 NFL Fan of the Year! Vote as many times as you want, and let's get Dr. McAdoo and Atlanta some well-deserved national recognition! Dr. McAdoo has been an educator for over 20 years and has been with CSD for 15 years, mentoring and coaching students and working to make a positive impact in the community.

Watch Dr. McAdoo on FOX 5 Atlanta.

Second-graders at Clairemont are serving as news anchors for the school's new Bulldog News broadcast. Created by students, for students, each episode of the show airs during the school's crew meeting twice a month, highlighting what happens across the school. Through this project, students develop confidence, teamwork, and communication skills while keeping their community informed and inspired.

Watch a recent episode of Bulldog News in this video of the Board of Education meeting, starting at 3:08:47.

DHS's chapter of HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) had the exciting opportunity to visit Emory University’s School of Nursing. During the visit, students learned all about the admissions process and what it takes to be a strong candidate for nursing school.

Two Emory nursing students led a tour of the facilities, sharing their personal experiences and insights about life as nursing students. They discussed clinicals, lab work, and how they balance the demands of school and work. This trip gave DHS HOSA members a closer look at what it means to pursue a career in nursing and the opportunities that lie ahead in the healthcare field. Thank you to Dr. Cassy Smith for leading the DHS chapter of HOSA.

City Schools of Decatur recognizes that many families within our school community may be facing changes or a loss of household income. We're here to help. CSD is dedicated to ensuring that every child has access to nutritious meals every day.

If a family's financial situation changes for any reason, we encourage them to apply or reapply for free and reduced meal benefits throughout the school year. Applications are accepted year-round through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), and the application and approval process remains confidential.

For instructions on how to apply or reapply, please visit this link. Currently, CSD has not received any notifications regarding delays or disruptions to the NSLP. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide timely updates as needed.

CSD's Special Education Department will host a workshop for families of K-2 students on "Sounding Success: Phonological Awareness and Phonics Made Easy" on November 19, 2025, from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. at the Glennwood Elementary Gym. K-2 families and kids are invited to learn about the development of phonological awareness and phonics through hands-on activities, resources, and games that support the development of these skills. Register here for this session.

Waterford is a research-based early learning platform designed to build strong foundational skills in phonics, reading, and language for young learners. Waterford will engage in a phonics curriculum lesson, facilitated by trained facilitators and guided by a classroom teacher, which is targeted to support CSD goals for early literacy, equitable access, and data-driven outcomes for all learners.

Families interested in enrolling their student in the Decatur Virtual Academy (DVA) by choice for the Spring 2026 semester are encouraged to complete the DVA Online Interest and Contract Form by December 5, 2025. Please note that this contract is either for students new to DVA or for those who did not enroll by choice for the Fall 2025 semester, but wish to continue in DVA.

DVA will schedule an intake meeting upon receipt of the completed form. For more information, please review these frequently asked questions and/or email Ms. Arlethea Williams, Director of Decatur Virtual Academy, at awilliams@csdecatur.net.

• National Native American Heritage Month

• National Homeless Youth Awareness Month

• National Parent/Guardian Involvement Day, November 16

• Education Support Professionals Day, November 19

• Thanksgiving, November 23

DEF and Decatur Prevention Initiative Speaker Series

The next installment of DEF's monthly speaker series with Decatur Prevention Initiative, "Social Media: Our Kids and the Impact on Mental Health," will be Monday, November 17, 6:30-8 p.m. in the BHMS media center. This presentation will cover the link between online use and mental health, cyberbullying, and online safety tips. Parents and caregivers will hear from Dr. Jessica McCain, a local subject matter expert. Find more information and register here.

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 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.

Thanksgiving Camps

• Backyard Sports Camp
• Kids Yoga & Mindful Art Camp
• Small Fry Sports Clinic

Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day, November 14

This event celebrates the courage of Ruby Bridges, who made history as one of the first Black students to integrate an elementary school in the south. As part of Decatur’s Safe Routes to School program, the event promotes walking and biking to school while honoring the fight for equity in education.

Santa on the Square, Saturday, November 29, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

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.

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