CSD Weekly: March 19, 2026
March 19, 2026
Celebrate "Youth Art Month" at Annual K-12 Art Exhibition
In celebration of March as Youth Art Month, some of our incredibly talented CSD teachers and students are exhibiting their artwork each evening from 4-7 p.m. on March 31-April 2 at The Solarium for the annual K-12 Art Exhibition. This year's theme, "The World Needs Art," by the Council for Art Education, reminds us of the vital role art plays in our lives. Special thanks to the Decatur Education Foundation, Decatur Arts Alliance, and The Solarium for their funding and support.
Join Decatur Bulldog Boosters and Support CSD Student-Athletes
Want to help make game days fun, exciting, and memorable while supporting our student-athletes? Join the Decatur Bulldog Boosters (DBB). From mascot races, toy tosses, and concessions to Friday night lights, alumni relations, and community events, DBB helps bring the Bulldog community together while raising funds and providing support for student-athletes and athletic programs at BHMS and DHS. Come to an upcoming meeting to learn more about DBB. No experience needed, just Bulldog spirit.
Upcoming DBB Meetings:
April 13, 6:30 p.m., Hospitality Suite, DHS PAC
May 11 at 6:30 p.m., Hospitality Suite, DHS PAC
High School Physical Science Coming to Eighth Grade; Families Invited to View Curriculum
To provide our students with a competitive edge and a head start on graduation requirements, CSD will offer high school physical science to all eighth graders starting in the 2026-27 school year.
To ensure our students are supported in this accelerated coursework, CSD's science faculty has spent the last few months vetting high-quality instructional resources. After evaluation, the team has recommended the adoption of Savvas: Concepts in High School Physical Science for its:
- Alignment with state standards
- Labs that support conceptual understanding of challenging scientific concepts
- Strong focus on foundational chemistry and physics concepts
Community partnership is a cornerstone of our curriculum adoption process. We invite parents, guardians, and community members to visit BHMS to preview the materials and share their perspectives. Your feedback ensures that we select tools that best serve our students and families.
The curriculum will be available to view in the BHMS media center. Please check in at the front office to receive a visitor badge; staff will then direct you to the review station in the media center.
AP U.S. Government and Politics Coming to DHS
To foster deep civic engagement and provide students with college-level rigor, DHS will begin offering Advanced Placement (AP) U.S. Government and Politics in the 2026-27 school year. This course gives students a sophisticated understanding of American government and politics while providing an opportunity to earn college credit and satisfy graduation requirements.
CSD has recommended adopting the AMSCO® Advanced Placement® United States Government & Politics, 3rd Edition as the course textbook. This resource is College Board-endorsed and aligned with the AP course and exam. The AMSCO textbook format has also proven successful with our AP US History course.
As part of the textbook adoption process, CSD invites parents, guardians, and community members to visit the front desk at the Wilson Center to preview the textbook and share feedback from March 23-April 17. The building will be closed during Spring Break. Your insight ensures that we select tools that best serve our students’ academic journeys and our community’s values.
Feedback Requested: Annual Code of Conduct Review
CSD's Code of Conduct helps guide how we support students and maintain safe, respectful school environments. Families, students, staff, and community members are invited to complete the Code of Conduct Review Survey as part of our review process to help ensure our practices are fair, thoughtful, and responsive to the needs of our students. By listening to diverse perspectives, we can strengthen our Code of Conduct and ensure it reflects shared values and equitable practices for all. The survey closes Tuesday, March 31. Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback and help us continue improving our schools.
Community Invited to CSD Special Olympics, April 2
CSD invites the community to join a day of inspiration and athleticism at this year's Special Olympics event on Thursday, April 2, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on the DHS field. Special Olympics is a celebration of determination, community spirit, and the extraordinary achievements of our athletes. The whole community is invited to attend.
Important Guidelines for Student Medications at School
Keeping students healthy and safe at school is a shared responsibility of families and the school. Whenever possible, prescription and over-the-counter medications should be administered to students at home, either before or after school. Students should take the first dose of a newly prescribed medication at home to monitor for side effects and adverse reactions. When medications must be administered to students during school hours, on field trips, or at school-sponsored events, parents and guardians must adhere to the following guidelines.
School clinic staff will not accept medication without the proper medical documentation.
1. Authorization for Medication Administration Form
- A parent or legal guardian must complete and sign the Authorization for Medication Administration Form for all medications. For prescription medications, a healthcare provider must also complete and sign the form.
- The prescription label on the bottle must exactly match the details on the Authorization for Medication Administration Form.
- A separate Authorization for Medication Administration Form is required for each medication and must be renewed each school year, or sooner if there are changes to the medication procedures.
- Any changes to the dosage, route of administration, or timing require a new Authorization for Medication Administration Form and a new pharmacy-labeled container to replace the outdated pharmacy label.
- Students who need to carry and self-administer emergency medication (e.g., EpiPen, Inhaler, Insulin) must complete both the Authorization for Medication Administration Form and the Authorization for Student to Carry Medication form.
2. Medication Requirements
All medications must be unexpired and provided in their original pharmacy or store containers.
- Prescription medication must be stored and transported to school in its original, pharmacy-labeled container that indicates the most recent fill date, including refills.
- Envelopes, zip-lock bags, foil, or brown paper bags are not accepted.
- Over-the-Counter/Non-Prescription medication must be in the original manufacturer’s container and unopened. Small containers are requested due to limited storage space.
- Prescription medication must match the description on the pharmacy-labeled container (e.g., a round, yellow tablet with the imprint "A 2"). The clinic staff will not accept discrepancies.
- Clinic staff are not permitted to transfer medication from one bottle to another.
- Provide only a 30-day supply for controlled substances (e.g., ADHD medication).
- Do not pre-cut tablets. The school nurse will split tablets as needed to ensure accurate dosing.
3. Medication Delivery
- Parent or Legal Guardian Drop-Off Only: Parents or legal guardians must deliver medications and forms directly to the school clinic or office. Do not send medication to school with the student.
4. Labeling Requirements
- Both prescription and non-prescription medications must have current, accurate labeling.
- Medications with expired labeling will not be administered.
- The prescription label on the bottle must exactly match the details on the Authorization for Medication Administration form.
5. Scheduled Medication Times at School
To ensure medications are given safely and on schedule, students must report to the clinic at their designated medication time.
- Medication administration at school is a shared responsibility among families, the school health team, and students.
- As developmentally appropriate, students are expected to remember their scheduled medication times and report to the clinic promptly.
- Students who do not report for medication administration will be called to the clinic. If a student consistently fails to report for medication at the scheduled time, a reminder plan will be instituted.
6. Field Trips
- For field trips, the same medication policies and procedures apply to administering medication as during the regular school day, even if the medication is not typically needed during school hours.
- To ensure the safe storage and handling of medications, provide only the necessary doses for the length of the trip.
- Unless an Authorization for Student to Carry Medication form and an Authorization for Medication Administration form are on file, medication will be transported and administered by the designated trained staff member in accordance with field trip procedures.
7. Medication Retrieval and Disposal
- Discontinued medications should be picked up from the school clinic by the parent or legal guardian within one week of discontinuation.
- For safety and compliance, any unused medication must be retrieved by the end of the school year. All medications remaining at the clinic after the school year ends will be discarded.
If you have questions or need assistance, please contact your school clinic staff. Thank you for your cooperation and partnership in keeping our students healthy, safe, and ready to learn.
Decatur Education Foundation
DEF Accepting Scholarship Applications
Attention graduating DHS seniors and parents/guardians of graduating seniors! As part of Decatur Education Foundation's commitment to fostering academic excellence, DEF proudly awards 20 prestigious scholarships to exceptional DHS students at DEF's Celebration of Excellence each May. Apply for Decatur Education Foundation's scholarships here before April 1.
DEF Accepting Special Education Summer Grant Applications
The Special Education Summer Grant Program provides funding for CSD students who have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and are seeking summer enrichment that meets their unique learning needs. Apply here by April 10.
City of Decatur Parks and Recreation
Fair off the Square, Saturday, March 21, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
The Decatur Youth Council and the Child Friendly Cities Initiative's Teen Leadership Team, along with help from other high-school leadership teams and city staff members, are hosting the Fair off the Square, a carnival-themed festival that will be fun for the whole family. The event will be on E. Ponce de Leon Avenue between Clairemont Avenue and Church Street. Entry to the festival is free and attendees will enjoy the live music, games and food. A portion of the event's proceeds will benefit Joe's Fund.
Shotokan Karate
Beginning/continuing pre-karate class is designed to hold children’s attention for 45 minutes of interactive learning, physical activity, and fun! Basic class concepts and techniques are covered. Sessions are Tuesdays, March 24-May 26. Register on Community Pass and search for Shokotan karate.
Beginner & Continuer (ages 5-7): 4-4:45 p.m.
Pre & Novice (ages 7-13): 4:50-5:50 p.m.
Youth, Parent-Child (ages 8+): 5:50-6:50 p.m.
Summer Camp Registration Is Open
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.
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 afterschool programs, school holiday programs, and summer camps. Follow Decatur Parks and Recreation on Facebook and Instagram or sign up for their monthly newsletter.