College Heights Connection

Dear Families,

As we prepare for the Thanksgiving holiday, I want to take the time to thank the College Heights community. It is a joy to watch the children learn, grow, and discover all their wonderful new skills. I am so thankful for all the smiles, hugs, beautiful friendships forming, and the big learning moments happening every day in the classrooms.

Thank you for trusting our staff with your most precious treasure. Your partnership, your notes, and your encouragement mean the world to us. We couldn't do this without your belief in College Heights.

I wish you a safe and restful holiday filled with family, warmth, and fun (and maybe some quiet!).

Warmly and with great gratitude,

Principal Garland

November 24-28 - Thanksgiving Break (Pre-K and preschool special education)

November 26 - School Closes at Noon (0-3)

November 27-28 - Thanksgiving Break (0-3)

December 1-12 - Parent Conference Window

December 19 - Early Release Day (Pre-K)

December 22-January 5 - Semester Break (Pre-K)

December 24-January 2 - Winter Break (0-3)

Families, please click the image below to access the conference signup Google doc. You will need to click your teacher's individual link to sign up for a conference. Links to conference agendas are also below.

Peek inside room 128 to see exciting learning and fun in action. The busy two-year-olds in this classroom are so lucky to have the great teaching team of Peyton Hall, Billie Broughton, and London Jones. Let's get to know them a little better.

Peyton hails from Decatur, and when he's not wrangling young children, he enjoys running, gaming, and photography. Did you know he's the proud "dad" to six pets? His love of teaching definitely runs in the family; his mom, Bridgette, teaches the one-year-olds in room 118!

Billie is originally from right here in the ATL, and in her spare time, she enjoys painting and bowling. A fun fact about Billie: she likes to cook!

London is the newest member of the 128 team, and every afternoon, she works right next door to her mom, Daviya, in room 126. London is from Decatur and right now, she is studying for the ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) because she is hoping to join the Navy. She loves building Legos.

Stop by room 128 and say hi to this teaching team!

In celebration of Native American Heritage Month, Pre-K storytime featured the beautiful story Biindigen! Amik Says Welcome by Nancy Cooper, illustrated by Joshua Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley. We learned some Anishinaabe words and phrases: biindigen (welcome), miigwech (thank you) and baa maa pii (goodbye).

Preschool classes were the first to hear the new book Broken by X. Fang, a hugely relatable story about the big feelings associated with hiding a secret about an innocent mistake. Other books we read this week:

Go and Get with Rex by David LaRochelle, illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka

All Year Round by Susan B. Katz, pictures by Eiko Ojala

Grumpy Monkey by Suzanne Lang, illustrated by Max Lang

Orange Pear Apple Bear by Emily Gravett

If You're Happy and You Know It! adapted by Anna McQuinn, illustrated by Sophie Fatus, sung by Susan Reed

Pre-K students have enjoyed walking around the Oakhurst neighborhood to learn more about their community. They have visited the fire station and Mojo Pizza.

Thank you to all the College Heights students, families, teachers, and staff for making Angela Grisham, our wonderful crossing guard, feel so loved during Crossing Guard Appreciation Week. We are grateful to Ms. Angela for keeping us safe every day!

Ballet fun with the parachute!

Read the November 20, 2025, issue of CSD Weekly, the district-wide newsletter.

Following two public meetings and community feedback regarding the timeline and public engagement, the Board of Education has decided to reassess and amend the K-2 School Consolidation and Redistricting Process. This revision was discussed during the work session of the board meeting on November 11, leading to a new name: the K-2 School Utilization Process.

During a board retreat on Tuesday, November 18, the board agreed to proceed with the administration's recommendation that any decisions regarding the K-2 School Utilization Process will not impact the 2026-2027 school year. At the community's request, the board emphasized that the central need is to balance K-2 schools by evaluating total enrollment figures, building usage, and staffing resources, all while ensuring fiscal responsibility and honoring the unique culture of Decatur's small, neighborhood schools. Furthermore, the board emphasized that there is no connection between the K-2 Utilization Process and the new Early Childhood Learning Center (ECLC).

Starting in January, four previously proposed community-led committees will convene to explore the next phase and collaboratively create thoughtful, community-centered solutions for our K–2 schools. During their meeting on December 9, the board will continue discussions regarding the scope of work, criteria, and parameters that will guide the committees’ efforts. This clarity will enable all committees and working groups to embark on the next phase with a unified foundation.

All board meeting recordings are available on the CSD website. Community members can view these recordings at their convenience and may focus specifically on sections related to K-2 School Utilization to hear the complete board discussion.

Thank you again for your partnership, commitment, and engagement as we strive to support every child and strengthen every school within City Schools of Decatur. We look forward to continuing this collaborative effort to co-create solutions that are student-centered, fiscally responsible, and aligned with our community's values.

All recent issues of the College Heights Connection are available here.

Older issues of CSD Weekly may be found on CSD's district newsletter webpage.

College Heights Early Childhood Learning Center cultivates an atmosphere where children take their first steps in building an authentic love of learning through developmentally appropriate practices in an environment that fosters family and community involvement.