The Bulldog, September 4, 2025

Note from Mrs. Lockwood:

Another great week of teaching and learning at Clairemont Elementary! It was great to see everyone on Tuesday after a nice, long weekend.

Our kiddos looked so cute for picture day! I will send the link for you to view your child's proof. Be on the lookout.

Please join me on Friday, September 19, for my first coffee chat of the school year. I am excited to share the good work we’re doing and plan to do throughout this school year. The coffee chat will be immediately after our School-wide crew at 8:45 in the cafeteria.

Parent-teacher conferences are coming up soon! Conferences are a structure and tradition that support student success. Everyone at the table is a partner. Be on the lookout for sign-up information from your child's teacher. Our conference window is Monday, September 29, through Friday, October 10. Be sure to record the time and date of your child's conference in your calendar, and plan to arrive 5 minutes early.

During the conference, your child's teacher will share information regarding how your child adapts to classroom routines and results from beginning-of-year universal screeners. Teachers will also provide time for you to share about your child’s strengths and your hopes and dreams for this school year. Thank you for collaborating with us! We look forward to your child's continued growth and success.

Events at a glance:

• Wednesday, September 3 - Friday, September 5: CogAT (1st grade only)
• Thursday, September 4: Author Visit
• Saturday, September 13: Fall Community Day
• Saturday, September 13: DEF Battle of the Bands
• Monday, September 15: Musical Auditions (Last names A-L)
• Tuesday, September 16: Musical Auditions (Last names M-Z)
• Wednesday, September 17: PTA Meeting; 5:30
• Friday, September 19: Principal's Coffee Chat; 8:45
• Monday, September 22 - Friday, September 26: Fall Break

Each fall semester the gifted review team looks at existing student data to discuss students’ needs and determine if further evaluation for gifted identification is needed. If you are interested in having the team discuss your child’s needs, you may complete a Recommendation for Review Form (found at the website below) and turn it into the Gifted & Talented Specialist at your child’s school before Wednesday, October 1. No additional information is needed. The Gifted & Talented Specialist for Clairemont Elementary is Tom Seetoo. For more detailed information about the review process and to obtain a copy of the Recommendation for Review Form, please contact the Gifted & Talented Specialist for your school at tseetoo@csdecatur.net or visit the following website: https://www.csdecatur.net/our-district-5f/departments/teaching-and-learning/gifted-and-talented-services

At Clairemont, we believe it’s never too early to help children build healthy habits for their minds and hearts. This month, we are joining in with the national effort to bring awareness to mental health with the theme: “Be Kind to Your Mind – You Matter.”

Did you know that research shows children who learn positive coping skills early are more likely to thrive academically and socially? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 1 in 6 children ages 2–8 has a diagnosed mental, behavioral, or developmental disorder. That’s why it’s so important to nurture mental wellness from the start.

Throughout September, our students will learn age-appropriate strategies to care for their mental health—like identifying feelings, practicing kindness, and using calming tools when life feels hard. Together, we can remind every child that they are valued, cared for, and that their well-being matters.

Camp MAGIK, a healing camp for bereaved children and adolescents, is announcing its Fall 2025 camp session. Camp MAGIK is well suited to all youth ages 6 through 18 who have experienced the death of a parent, sibling or other close loved one, especially youth who have experienced a traumatic loss. Camp sessions are FREE OF CHARGE to all participating children, adolescents and parents/guardians. Sessions will be held at the North Georgia Christian Camp October 3-5, 2025. Applications need to be postmarked or emailed to Camp MAGIK no later than September 22, 2025. Free transportation to camp and back can be arranged based on need. Please click on the links below for additional information.

English: https://tinyurl.com/hdtn8zhe

Spanish: https://tinyurl.com/ykh4b4e9

Did you know that students who miss just 2 days of school each month (18 days a year) are much more likely to fall behind in reading and math? Every day matters—and we want to partner with YOU to help your child thrive!

Join us for a fun and informative virtual parent workshop on the impact of school attendance on 9/16/25 at Noon. You’ll learn how consistent attendance builds success, discover helpful tips, and connect with other families who are working toward the same goal.

Special Raffle! Every parent who attends will be entered to WIN 1 of 2 FAMILY PASSES to cheer on our Decatur High School football team.

Date: 9/16/25
Time: 12 p.m.
Location: Virtual (Google Meet)

Workshop registration link: https://forms.gle/DwKHP9cgCbXVqvM97

Don’t miss this chance to support your child’s success and your chance to score some family fun!

Popsicle party!! All students who turned in a summer reading form were invited to a popsicle party in the library on Friday. Even better, they also get to check out THREE books at a time all year! If your student missed the summer reading notice, they'll have another chance to join the "Three Book Club" next semester.

1st grade girl when she saw her teacher writing a note in cursive: That looks like scribble scrabble but I know it's not because my mom writes the same way.

Kindergarten boy checking out a book about football:

Me: Oh, you like football! What's your favorite team?

Boy: America!

😂😂😂

This year, the Clairemont Players will present the musical Willy Wonka KIDS! Many students are familiar with the beloved book, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory or movie Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory, and now they will get to take part in bringing it to life! Mark your calendars for this exciting musical event which will happen on Wednesday, November 19th at 6:00pm in the Clairemont Auditorium!

Auditions will take place on Monday and Tuesday, September 15th and 16th. They will be held in the auditorium after school from 2:45-4:00 p.m. on both days. We ask that students with last names beginning with A-L plan to audition on Monday, and last names beginning with M-Z audition on Tuesday. If you have a conflict with your assigned day, please let Mrs. Nelson or Ms. DeRosa know.

Audition Procedures and Information

Our actors will have a number of roles to fill in our upcoming musical, however they will only audition for the part of Wonka (Candy Man) and Veruca (I Want it Now). During the audition, students may tell us which role they are interested in by choosing from the character list below. The musical committee will place students into various roles. To prepare for the audition, please review the musical scores provided in their Thursday folder today. Ms. Nelson will review the songs "I Want it Now" and “Candy Man” in music class next week. You can also access the scores and songs digitally by going to the Musical Theater International website.

Online Access to Score and Audio

1. Go to this link: https://www.mtishows.com/roald-dahls-willy-wonka-kids

2. Scroll down and click on Audition Central on the right side of the screen to find the list of characters, examples of their script, character breakdown, and song score.

3. Click on Veruca Salt or Willy Wonka/Candy Man.

4. Click on Songs to review Candy Man or I Want it Now.

The full cast list (leads and ensemble) will be announced by Friday the 19th. Rehearsals will take place on Mondays and Tuesdays from 2:45 pm – 4:00 pm starting September 29th. You will receive a more detailed rehearsal schedule after casting is complete because all students may not be required to be at all rehearsals. This year there will be a one time $20 payment for each cast member to facilitate the distribution of t-shirts, costume (accessories), and snacks. If you are unable to provide this amount, please contact a member of the musical committee.

Please emphasize to your child that every role in this musical is essential for the production to be a success! Leads and ensemble members work together to make the magic happen!

Characters

Grandma Josephina, Grandma Georgina, Grandpa George, The Candy Man Kids, Oompa-Loompa Chorus ,Willy Wonka/Candy Man, Phineous Trout, Mrs. Gloop, Violet Beauregarde, Matilda, Mr. Bucket, Mike Teavee, Squirrels, Charlie Bucket, Mrs. Bucket, Augustus Gloop, Augustus Gloop, Ms. Teavee, Veruca Salt, Mr. Salt, James, Mrs. Beauregarde, Grandpa Joe, Chorus Of Cooks

Decatur Holiday Marketplace is our PTA's largest fundraiser in its 34th year! Our school will transform into a magical artist market, including paintings, glass art, jewelry, pottery, gourmet food items and much more. We will have professional food vendors and food trucks to keep you fueled for shopping and music! We had over 80 vendors last year!

We invite you and your family to join us here at the school for this wonderful community tradition. All proceeds from the event support learning initiatives for Clairemont students & teachers. Follow us on Facebook or Instagram for the latest updates. This year's Marketplace will be held at Clairemont Elementary School on Friday, December 12th from 5:30-9 p.m. and Saturday, December 13th, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Want to help with the Marketplace? We rely on all of our Clairemont parent volunteers and our Clairemont Bulldogs to put this fundraiser on its feet. It takes the whole CREW to pull off this wonderful tradition! Please email Marketplace Chairperson Melissa Godbee at decaturholidaymarketplace@gmail.com for more information or if you would like to be more involved with any of the preparations such as artists, food trucks, bands, transformation, social media, raffle and sponsorships!

High Priority Needs:

A CPA (Certified Public Accountant) to hold the raffle!

A committee member to spearhead the bake sale!

Do you want to be a vendor?

Applications are open on decaturholidaymarketplace.com through September 30, 2025.

Read the September 4, 2025, issue of the district-wide newsletter, CSD Weekly here.

Signing up as a member allows you to fully access our website and add your bulldog to the directory along with classes and groups/clubs. This membership supports our school and the National and State PTA by paying annual dues that help us operate. We use PTA funds to support teacher grants and school events. A portion of the $10 serves as dues paid to the National and State Parent Teacher Association which is our governing organization.

Click the image to register!