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Principal's Corner

• Message from the Principal
• Mark Your Calendars

F.Ave News

• Art Exhibition
• Georgia Milestones End of Grade (GMAS EOG)
• World of Asian Heritage (WOAH)
• CML Congrats
• Spring Into 6th Grade
• Eating Disorders Event
• World Cup Night @DHS

• Yearbook Information
• Spring Family Picnic
• Gardening Committee
• Save the Date
• 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 17th at 8:00. 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.

Best regards,

Derrick L. Thomas

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

• Spring Break - April 6-10, 2026

• CSD Board of Education Meeting - April 14, 2026

• Principal’s Coffee Chat - April 17, 2026

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

• PTO Spring Picnic - April 23, 2026

• Math Night - April 30, 2026

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

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.

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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

Dear F.Ave Families,

World of Asian Heritage (WOAH) is hosting a school-wide community donations drive starting March 16, 2026. We are asking for your support to donate hygiene products and grooming essentials to create care kits for children and families in need in Decatur and the surrounding area. This is a wonderful opportunity for students and families to support our community, practice empathy, and make a meaningful difference together. We invite all students, staff, and families to participate by donating items and helping us spread care, kindness, and school spirit beyond F.Ave’s campus. Thank you for your support!

• Deodorant

• Shampoo

• Conditioner

• Small soap

• Toothbrush and toothpaste

• Hand wipes, baby wipes and/or a washcloth

• Chapstick or lip balm

• Disposable razor

• Feminine hygiene products (preferably pads).

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!

5th Grade Parents/Guardians:

Thank you to those of you who were able to join us for our Rising 6th Grade Parent Night on 3/4. Please see THESE slides if you were unable to attend and mark your calendars for our BHMS PTA Spring Into 6th Grade Event coming up on Friday, April 24th from 4:30-6:00 pm. Join us for some food, fun, and music to learn more about Beacon Hill!

As a reminder, your 5th graders will be visiting BHMS in just two short weeks. There will also be an opportunity for parents to join their new 6th graders at our 6th grade Meet and Greet event prior to the first day of school (be on the lookout for the exact date to be announced by the district).

Still have questions? Reach out to Ms. Hudson or Mr. Jordon, BHMS Counselors (rhudson@csdecatur.net or jordon.muse@csdecatur.net) and/or our 6th grade Assistant Principal, Sarah Coleman (scoleman@csdecatur.net).

We look forward to welcoming you,

BHMS Bulldogs

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.

Read the April 2, 2026, issue of CSD Weekly, the district-wide newsletter.

LAST CHANCE Fifth Grade Dedications

*********DEADLINE EXTENDED TO APRIL 3rd AT MIDNIGHT**********

Attention fifth grader families! To honor our fifth grade students who are moving on from F.AVE, the PTO is offering a FREE tribute in the 2025-26 yearbook for all fifth grade students. Use the online form below by TOMORROW MIDNIGHT to submit a photo and personal message for your fifth grader! Please email us at yearbook@favepto.org with questions. Thank you! Click HERE

(If you do not have a Google account, you may email your submission to yearbook@favepto.org)

The FAVE Yearbook Committee wants to see all you've been doing in school this year! Please email your photos of FAVE Falcons in action to yearbook@favepto.org. We love photos of school events, field trips, student groups, and school work! Important: Please include student names and teacher/grade in your email if known.

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 F.Ave garden beds and then help in maintaining them. If this is something you might be interested in, please email president@favepto.org

• Teacher Appreciation Week (Movie Star Theme🎬🌟): May 4th - May 8th

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.