CSD Weekly: January 29, 2026

• Did You Know? Important Events Coming in the First Week of February
• Around CSD: DHS Earns First State Title in Impromptu Speaking, Swim and Wrestling Teams Compete in County Championships, Glennwood Learns About Sportsmanship from SALT
• All In Around CSD: MLK/CSK Awards Application Open to Grades 3-12

• Information & Resources: No-Cost Mental Health Services for Grades 6-12

• Community Partner News: Parent's Night Out: Valentine's Day Edition, February 6

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 is carefully monitoring the weather forecast amid Winter Storm and Extreme Cold Watches. We are in constant communication with state and local emergency management agencies and will remain in contact with them throughout the week. The safety of students and staff remains our top priority. Please check your email and the district website for the latest updates.

The following CSD events and activities are coming up in the first week of February?

Join us and learn how CSD and the City of Decatur are proactively responding to the unprecedented and ever-changing shift in the school safety landscape at the second annual School Safety & Security Summit on Wednesday, February 4, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center of Decatur High School (310 N McDonough Street). Register or submit questions in advance here.

Registration 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, opens on February 2. Register K-12 students here and Pre-K here.

Well done to Cam Guerrieri for a first-place winning performance at the Georgia Forensic Coaches' Association state tournament. Cam earned first place in the state in "Second Year Impromptu Speaking," marking DHS's first state title in Impromptu Speaking. Cam also finished as State Runner-Up in Extemporaneous Speaking.

Congratulations to the DHS Boys Swim team for placing first in the 2025-2026 DeKalb County Championships! The DHS Girls Swim team came in second, and both teams competed swimmingly. Swim team members who finished on the podium include Emily Deeb, Sidney Cape, Charlotte Hoppin, Tobias Hylen, Melanie Joyner, Isaiah Lewis, Albert Li, Calla Lockwood, Will Sauer and William Sollie. Shout out to Senior Liza Tell on earning her State Meet cut in the 100 breaststroke! The team will compete next at the GHSA State Swim Meet on February 6 and 7. Thank you to the swim team coaches, Molly Randall (head coach), Kimberly Anderson, Kim Buckley, Beth Lewis, and Ani Painter.

Fifteen members of the DHS Student-Athlete Leadership Team (SALT) took a trip to Glennwood this week for its annual Sportsmanship Visit. SALT students shared with Glennwood Eagles about what it means to be a student-athlete, led conversations about good sportsmanship, and helped students think through how to handle winning, losing, frustration, and teamwork in positive ways. Thank you to DHS Athletics for organizing this trip.

Both the BHMS and DHS wrestling teams gave outstanding performances at the recent DeKalb County Championships. The BHMS boys team, in its inaugural season, finished fourth overall and had several champions and placed first in their respective weight classes, including Henry Hamilton, Anderson Kim, and Frank Waterson. DHS wrestling saw Nasir Braxton, Lucian Brock, and Ashton Glasgow each win first place in their weight classes. Thank you to Coach Salvador, Coach Zisook, and all of our wrestling staff for their dedication throughout the season.

DHS and the CSD Wraparound Services have launched the DHS Student Ambassador Program, which creates student liaisons between the Decatur Student Centers and CSD students, faculty, staff, and community members. These student leaders will play a vital role in strengthening connections, increasing awareness, and promoting a culture of wellness across our schools.

With the guidance of Dr. Terescah Lemon, Coordinator of Wraparound Services, Student Center Ambassadors will facilitate student wellness workshops focused on peer relationships, substance use awareness, and academic stress management.

Student Center Ambassadors will:

• Work to foster a healthy, safe, and supportive school environment where all students feel seen, supported, and empowered to thrive,
• Participate in mental health and leadership training designed to build their capacity to support peers and promote the purpose of the Student Centers
• Design and install self-care stations at DHS and BHMS, providing accessible resources that encourage self-care and help-seeking behaviors
• Lead a student-driven marketing and communication campaign to promote the Decatur Student Centers to students.

Student Ambassadors and Staff (left to right)

Student Ambassador Said Abdikadir, Student Center Counselor William Holley, Student Ambassador Ian Cobb, Student Ambassador Jihoon Park, Student Ambassador Carmen Arias Rodriguez, Student Ambassador Karma Solomon, Coordinator of Wraparound Services Dr. Terescah Lemon, and Executive Director of Whole Child Supports and School Climate Dr. Kia Harris

There will be an MLK/CSK Award Virtual Information Session held on Monday, February 2, from 5-5:30 p.m.

• Video call link: https://meet.google.com/pfk-pvzi-fro
• Or dial: ‪(US) +1 218-301-2122‬ PIN: ‪546 823 570‬#

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.

• 2026-2027 New K-12 Student Registration Opens, February 2

• CSD Safety Summit, February 4, 5:30-7:30 p.m., DHS Performing Arts Center
• Dr. Whitaker's Winter Listening Session, February 5, 5:30-6:30 p.m., DHA Community Resource Center
• Board of Education Meeting, February 10
• Board of Education Retreat, February 24
• MLK/CSK Awards Ceremony, February 25

We're in the final weeks of voting for Dr. McAdoo for the 2025 NFL Fan of the Year! 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! Vote as many times as you want, and let's get Dr. McAdoo and Atlanta some well-deserved national recognition!

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

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 well-being 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.

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.

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.

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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