Falcon Flyer

Principal's Corner

• Message from the Principal

F.AVE News

• Cybersecurity Poster Contest
• Young Georgia Authors Writing Competition
• Continental Math League
• Red Ribbon Week
• National School Principals Month
• Mark Your Calendars

• Read-a-Thon
• Walk & Roll
• Adult Recess
• Spirit Wear
• Yearbook
• DEI
• Staff Wellness
• Follow us on socials!

CSD News

• CSD Weekly

Scroll down to learn more!

Pink Out Day

October is recognized as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness and supporting those impacted by breast cancer. To show our support, Fifth Avenue will host our very own Pink-Out Day on Friday, October 24, 2025. We encourage all students to wear pink to help spread awareness for this important cause.

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

The Young Georgia Authors Writing Competition is a yearly state-wide writing competition open to any student enrolled in a Georgia public school, grades K-12. Participation is completely voluntary for students, but we hope to get many quality entries! Please contact jbroman-fulks@csdecatur.net with any questions. Happy writing!

Here are a few guidelines to help you through the process:

• any genre is allowed (short story, poetry, essay/literary criticism/analysis, journalism, academic/research reports, personal narratives, any other original student writing)

• writing piece must be created by the student without the help of others

• entries do not have to be work completed for a class assignment

• 1900-word maximum length

• individuals only, no group entries

• can be typed or legibly hand-written on only one side of the paper

• writing pieces should be turned in to homeroom teachers or shared with jbroman-fulks@csdecatur.net by Wednesday, November 12 - be sure student's name and homeroom teacher are clearly written or typed on writing piece

• one winner will be chosen per grade level by a team of scorers to represent FAVE in the district competition

• District winners will represent CSD in the regional competition

Calling All Mathematicians!!!

It’s time, once again, for Continental Math League at FAVE! Are you interested in solving challenging problems? Do you like participating in competitions? If you answered yes to either of these questions, keep reading!

If you choose to participate, you will practice independently solving math problems in a packet provided by your teacher (we suggest 5-10 practice problems per week). Then, all students who have practiced will be invited to participate in the Meet! These Meets happen during the school day at FAVE. The Math League will meet five times this school year and independently solve six math problems.

Any students in grades 3-5 are invited to participate. Fourth and fifth grade students will begin competing in November, and will receive practice packets soon. Third grade students will compete beginning in January, and will receive practice packets in December. This is a great opportunity for you to build your problem solving math skills.

If you’re interested, please fill out the application in the Media Center Google Classroom. The application closes Tuesday, October 21, 2025. Contact Stephanie Tolentino with any questions (stolentino@csdecatur.net)

During October 27-31, 2025, we’re celebrating Red Ribbon Week — a special time to promote healthy lifestyles and encourage students to make positive choices! The national theme this year is “Life Is A Puzzle, Solve It Drug Free."

Each day, we’ll have fun activities and spirit days to show our commitment to staying drug-free and making safe, healthy choices. Together, we can make a difference by showing that we care about ourselves, our friends, and our community. Let’s celebrate making smart, healthy choices every day!

Read the October 16, 2025, issue of CSD Weekly, the district-wide newsletter.

Today, Superintendent Dr. Gyimah Whitaker sent a letter to all families via email to inform the City Schools of Decatur community that the CSD Board of Education has initiated a comprehensive review of K-2 school utilization. This review will assess how CSD's K-2 schools are currently being utilized to ensure that space, staffing, and resources align with student needs while also maintaining operational efficiency and fiscal responsibility.

The Board of Education work session on October 14, 2025, served as a preliminary discussion to review various options, including the potential closure of a K-2 school. The consulting firm Education Planners has been engaged to facilitate this process and presented a timeline for the first time at the work session, along with a detailed overview of the school closure and redistricting process. The board has not yet decided which school, if any, will be closed. There will be opportunities for families to share their input in the upcoming weeks.

Please read the full letter in English here. More information and additional language translations of the letter are available on the K-2 School Consolidation & Redistricting Process webpage.

CSD families are invited to upcoming public hearings for feedback on the K-2 School Consolidation and Redistricting Process:

• Wednesday, October 29, 6:30-8:00 p.m., Beacon Hill Middle School, Cafeteria
• Thursday, November 13, 6:30-8:00 p.m., Beacon Hill Middle School, Cafeteria

While we encourage everyone to attend the public input hearings, please also consider submitting your feedback via this feedback form.

Dear F.AVE Falcons and Families,

Wow — our Read-A-Thon is going strong! So far, our Falcons have logged an incredible 26,318 minutes of reading!

Minutes were counted today for our mid-week tally, and we can only have one class per grade level leading the pack. Each of these classes earned a red leader cape:

• 3rd Grade: Mrs. Hancock’s Class

• 4th Grade: Mrs. Gilley’s Class

• 5th Grade: Mrs. Miller / Mr. O’Keefe’s Class

Encourage your Falcon to keep reading daily and filling out their reading log!
All reading logs must be returned this Friday, October 17th, for the final tally and to determine our grade-level winners.

Many grades are very close, so there’s still time for your class to rise to the top!

Thank you for your partnership and support — and for helping make reading fun at F.AVE!
Rise Up, Falcons!

Warmly,
Molly Riccardi
Read-A-Thon Volunteer
865-742-9337
molly.a.riccardi@gmail.com

Our PTO Read-A-Thon ends TOMORROW, Friday, October 17th!

Please make sure your child returns their completed reading logs back to school. Logs will be tallied, and grade-level winners announced tomorrow. The Grade LEVEL Winners will be awarded a Trophy on Friday and a popsicle party NEXT WEEK!

All Read-A-Thon pledges can be submitted via the PTO PayPal link or scanning the QR code below — please write “Read-A-Thon” in the comments.

paypal.me/FavePTODecatur

You may also send a check made payable to F.AVE PTO or cash in a labeled envelope to your child’s teacher. SUBMIT YOUR PLEDGES/DONATIONS OCTOBER 17th-24th.

Thank you for supporting our Falcons and helping foster a love of reading.
Rise Up, Falcons!

Next month, prepare to join us as we celebrate Crossing Guard Appreciation Week from November 10-14 with Walk & Roll on November 12.

Mark your calendars! Adult Recess is back on Friday, December 5th at The Marlay House from 6:30–10:30 PM. Join fellow parents and staff for a fun evening of food, drinks, and community.

Tickets are on sale now—scan the QR code or visit the PTO website to grab yours. To sweeten the deal, all tickets purchased by October 31st will be entered into a raffle for a chance for your child to be Principal for a Day!

Don’t wait—let’s make this our best Adult Recess yet!

Show your F.Ave pride with our brand-new Fall Spirit Wear Collection—available now through the PTO website or by scanning the QR code below. Don’t forget to include your child’s name and classroom when ordering so items can be delivered directly. Sizes are limited, so don’t wait—order today before they’re gone!

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.

DEI ❤️🧡💛💚💙🩵💜🤎🖤

Where/When: Beacon Hill Middle School, October 18, 5-7PM

RSVP: https://forms.gle/QUpN42B9FJTuc2U98

Help Us Create a Zen Space at FAVE!
We are working on creating a relaxing “Zen Space” at FAVE for staff to unwind, reset, and recharge. We are seeking donations of calming items such as massage chairs, tabletop fountains, aromatherapy diffusers, soft lighting, cozy seating, and other items that promote relaxation.

If you have something to donate or would like to contribute, please contact Erica Bacher at ecarlin31@gmail.com. Together, we can create a peaceful space for our school community!

The Staff Wellness Committee is also looking to offer yoga for our teachers and would love for a parent volunteer! If you have experience teaching yoga or know of a teacher who is available, please reach out to Erica Bacher at ecarlin31@gmail.com.

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.