CSD Weekly: February 12, 2026

• Did You Know? Decatur Career Academy Establishes First Firefighter Cohort Program
• Around CSD: DHS Swimmer Wins First in State, CSD Applauds Winning Student Authors, DHS Wrestler Megene Chibuyu Continues to Make History, Seventeen DHS Students Nominated for Georgia Governor's Honors Program
• All In Around CSD: Due Today: Applications for MLK/CSK Awards

• Information & Resources: CSD Families Invited to Take Survey to Guide CTAE Offerings

• Community Partner News: Speaker Series on Supporting Student Mental Health, February 25

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

DHS Career Academy has established its first Firefighter Cohort Program, which will start in the fall of 2026. With this program, students will have the opportunity to earn their Fire Safety Technical Certificate through a program collaboration between CSD, Atlanta Technical College, and the Decatur Fire Department. The program was inspired by a conversation between the late Decatur Fire Captain Gary Menard and Superintendent Dr. Gyimah Whitaker during the 2025 National Night Out event. Students in the firefighting program will be in a cohort, working and learning as a team to support one another throughout the coursework. For more information, email Elizabeth Lewis at elewis@csdecatur.net.

DHS lapped the competition at the GHSA State Championship Swim Meet from this past weekend with 19 competitors, one of the largest groups of DHS swimmers to ever compete at this level. Individual swimmers set a whopping eight new school records, and DHS senior Isaiah Lewis (pictured top, rightmost) finished first in the state in the Boys 100 Free, setting a school record in the process. A big congratulations to the boys' team, which finished fourth in the state, and to the girls' team, which finished sixth. Thank you to the swim team coaches, Molly Randall (head coach), Kimberly Anderson, Kim Buckley, Beth Lewis, and Ani Painter.

Individual finishes

Isaiah Lewis: #1 in boys 100 Free (new school record), #2 in boys 50 Free (new school record)

Tobias Hylen, Isaiah Lewis, Will Sauer, William Sollie: #2 in boys 200 Free Relay (new school record), #2 in boys 400 Free Relay (new school record)

Sidney Cape, Laura Durbin, Melanie Joyner, Calla Lockwood: #2 in girls 200 Free Relay (new school record)

Sidney Cape, Emily Deeb, Melanie Joyner, Calla Lockwood: #6 in girls 200 Medley Relay (new school record)

William Sollie: #4 in boys 500 Free (new school record), #8 in boys 200 IM

Melanie Joyner: #8 in girls 100 Breast (new school record), #10 in girls 100 Free

Will Sauer: #9 in boys 200 Free, #11 in boys 100 Free

Sidney Cape: #9 in girls 100 Fly, #14 in girls 100 Breast

Emily Deeb: #11 in girls 200 IM, #13 in girls 100 Back

Calla Lockwood: #11 in girls 50 Free, #11 in girls 100 Free

Sidney Cape: #14 in girls 100 Breast

Aysen Altun, Emily Deeb, Aarushi El, Charlotte Hoppin: #14 in girls 400 Free Relay

Liza Tell: #20 in girls 100 Breast

CSD is thrilled to celebrate the exceptional talent of our student winners of the 2025-2026 Young Georgia Authors (YGA) writing competition. One winning entry per grade level was selected to represent CSD at the RESA District 4 competition, which concludes in March. We are incredibly proud of our authors for their dedication and artistry as they represent our district in this next phase of the competition.

YGA District Winners

Kindergarten: Noa Hagigi, Westchester

First grade: Cora Haas, Oakhurst (pictured, bottom left)

Second grade: Zayn Sankar, Glennwood (pictured, bottom right)

Third grade: Cora Yunker, Talley St.

Fourth grade: Lu Starrchan, Talley St.

Fifth grade: Charlie D'Avis, Talley St.

Sixth grade: Seva Arora, BHMS

Seventh grade: Kathryn D'avis, BHMS

Eighth grade: Katrina Kolesnikova, BHMS

Ninth grade: Adeline Pendley, DHS (pictured, top left)

Tenth grade: Milla OConnell, DHS (pictured, bottom top from left)

Eleventh grade: Cam Guerrieri, DHS (pictured, top, second from right)

Twelfth grade: Victoria Hutchinson, DHS (pictured, top right)

Cheers to DHS senior and girls wrestling team member Megene Chibuyu who made school history again over the weekend. After previously being crowned the school's first female wrestler area champion, Chibuyu can now claim the title of first female wrestler in DHS history to win the GHSA Girls Traditional Wrestling Sectionals and qualify for the State Wrestling Championship since GHSA sanctioned girls' wrestling as an official sport.

In qualifying for the state championship, Chibuyu became the first DHS female wrestler to take home first individual place at the 2026 GHSA Traditional Wrestling Sectionals over the weekend, directly after becoming the first DHS female wrestler to win the Area Championship at the GHSA Area Tournament several days earlier.

At sectionals, Chibuyu was the lone Decatur wrestler in the tournament held at Carver High School in Columbus. While down 10-9 in the sectionals championship match, Chibuyu secured a three-point takedown in the final moments to win the gold with only five seconds remaining. Best of luck to Megene as she competes in the state competition on Friday, February 13, and Saturday, February 14, at the Clayton County Convocation Center.

Way to go to the seventeen DHS students who were nominated for the 2026 Georgia Governor's Honors Program (GHP), a highly selective summer program for gifted and talented rising juniors and seniors.

Students are nominated in areas of high skill and expertise and compete in semifinalist and finalist rounds with peers from around the state to earn a spot in the four-week residential summer program held on the campus of Georgia Southern University. Students who are identified as semifinalists later this month will continue to the state competition with hopes of being selected.

2026 DHS GHP Nominees

Top row (left to right): Charles Kennedy (Engineering), Albert Li (Chemistry), Sofia Satterfield (Theatre), Lilah Didier-Sober (Social Studies), Aida Pereira (Music/Voice), Ellie Green (Music/Voice)

Bottom row (left to right): Anna Charen (Biology/Environmental Science), Merisol Rinehart (Communicative Arts), Nicolai D'Elena (Engineering), Sylvia Medina (Communicative Arts), Kieva Morrison (Spanish), Benjamin Gurch (Physics), Zoe Zisook (Communicative Arts), Elizabeth Copeland (Computer Science)

Not pictured: Nathaniel Abcug (Computer Science), Anika Kailasam (Engineering), Charlotte Kemper (German)

Bravo to the eight students from DHS who were selected for the Georgia All-State Orchestra, an incredibly high number of representatives from one school. The Georgia All-State Orchestra is one of the most prestigious youth orchestras in the state, and these students passed several rigorous auditions to be chosen. Thank you to DHS Orchestra Director Rosie Riquelme for her guidance.

DHS Members of Georgia All-State Orchestra

Violet Frediani (violin), Ezra Hsu (violin), Anika Kailasam (viola), Annabel Kim (viola), Ellen Kolesnikova (violin), Anton LeBlanc (viola), Preston LeBlanc (violin), and Khalil Snow (violin)

"Fractions, division, desserts, oh my!" Fifth-graders at Talley St. put their math and baking skills to the test after completing their unit on mastering fraction operations. They worked individually and collaboratively to bake recipes that required them to convert fractions by doubling and halving ingredients for the perfect mix. Students in Ms. Farley's class served coconut caramel flan, chocolate brownies, lemon poundcake, banana bread, and more, then spent the afternoon munching on math.

On Saturday, the Bulldogs took on undefeated Champion MS in the DeKalb County Championship. For four quarters, both teams battled back and forth with smothering defense and hard-to-come-by baskets. In the end, the Bulldogs came up just short of victory. Our county runners-up ended the season with a 14-2 record, an average of 40 points per game, and two all-county players, Lydia Robillard and Stella Rucker. The team received a well-deserved standing ovation from the many Bulldog fans who made the trip to support them. Great job to all of our Bulldogs, and thank you to coaches Chance Hood, Kamari Edwards, and Jarrod Lindsay for guiding our students through an unforgettable season.

BHMS Girls Basketball Team

Charlotte Andreason, Zoe Epps, Gretta Godbee, Eleanor Gross, Caroline Grubb, Bellamy Guerrieri, Emi Muller, Mallorie Norman, Audrey Redman, Lydia Robillard, Stella Rucker, Lilla Tumsa, Riley Yeager, Thana Young, Eleanor Vander Els, and manager Lena Miller

College Heights pre-K artists in Ms. Bauer's class recently visited the Michael C. Carlos Museum for a field trip titled "Artful Stories." Students took part in this special program that integrates art, literacy, and world cultures. The Carlos Museum provided sensory tools such as headphones, fidget tools, and 3D printed copies of sculptures and scented paint, creating an accessible and fun experience for Ms. Bauer's entire class.

City Schools of Decatur has a long history of honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King by celebrating many of our students who embody the values of freedom, justice, democracy and service. This year, the MLK/CSK award will be presented to two students from each upper elementary school, three students from the middle school, and four students from the high school. Applications are due February 12, 2026. The awards ceremony will take place on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, 6-7:30 p.m. Please see the award submission guidelines for more information.

Registration is now open 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. March 2 is the registration deadline for K-5 students interested in nonresident tuition. February 27 is the deadline to register for Pre-K. Register K-12 students here and Pre-K here.

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.

• Black History Month, February 1-28

• Love the Bus Month, February 1-28

• Career Technical Agricultural Education (CTAE) Month, February 1-28

• MLK/CSK Application Deadline, February 12

• Winter Break, February 16-20
• Board of Education Retreat, February 24
• MLK/CSK Awards Ceremony, February 25

• 2026-2027 Pre-K Registration Deadline, February 27, 3 p.m.

• 2026-2027 K-5 Nonresident Student Registration Deadline, March 2

• BOE Meeting, March 10

• CSD Special Olympics, April 2

• K-Day, April 16

Decatur Career Academy College, Career & Hiring Expo: Wednesday, March 25, 9 a.m.-noon, Ebster Recreation Center

DHS and the Decatur Career Academy invite employers, colleges, military representatives, and community partners to attend the Decatur Career Academy College, Career & Hiring Expo, an event designed to connect students with real-world opportunities and post-secondary pathways. This expo provides a space for organizations to engage directly with students, share insight into career options, and support students as they prepare for what’s next after high school. Employer attendees will have the opportunity to connect with motivated students, promote their organization or institution, and actively support college, career, military, and workforce exploration. Register here by March 13.

The Decatur Career Academy invites parents and guardians of students in grades K-12 to complete a brief CTAE Parent/Guardian Survey to share their perspectives on how well CSD's CTAE programs are preparing students for life after high school. The important input and feedback will help guide:

• CTAE program improvement and expansion

• Career pathway offerings and course planning

• Alignment with college and workforce opportunities

• Investments in equipment, technology, and resources

Thank you for supporting CSD's commitment to meaningful, future-focused learning experiences for students. Take the survey here.

Free SAT Prep Classes

GaDOE is offering free, live, virtual SAT prep classes this spring in partnership with Tutored by Teachers. Students will strengthen foundational math, reading, and writing skills; build confidence with SAT questions; and learn effective test-taking strategies. This accessible virtual series is designed to support students as they prepare for the SAT. The next sessions are March 2-5, 2026. Register and find more information here.

Free Webinar for Students and Families: Reading Smarter: Strategies for Focus and Retention

This February 10 session introduces high-impact reading strategies students can apply across subjects, along with tips for parents to reinforce them at home. The webinar will cover annotation techniques, navigating texts using structural language, reading with purpose, and managing unfamiliar vocabulary without losing momentum. Register and find more information here.

CSD offers summer school to students who may benefit from additional educational support. The summer program is broken down into three options: math and/or ELA assistance for grades 3-8, preliminary instruction for students who will take 8th-grade Enhanced Algebra or Algebra Concepts and Connections, and course credit recovery for high school students. Summer school eligibility is based on specific criteria; eligible students will be notified in March. Summer school sessions will take place from May 29 to June 18 at Decatur High School. Contact Arlethea Williams with questions at awilliams@csdecatur.net.

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 from February 23-March 6. 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.

K-2 families are invited to an event hosted by CSD's Department of Special Education focused on sharing family customs and traditions and discovering how social awareness skills can help promote understanding. Hands-on activities and helpful resources will be available to foster your student's understanding of other cultures and the different ways we celebrate, make memories, and build meaningful relationships. Snacks will be provided and attendees will be entered into a drawing for a gift card.

Monday, March 9, 2026, at 4:30-6 p.m., Oakhurst Elementary School

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.

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. Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback and help us continue improving our schools.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency and Ready.gov have named February as National Canned Food Month. In this time of inclement weather, families are encouraged to stock up on shelf-stable provisions. Families who require assistance can contact the counselor at their child's school. The community may contribute to the support of vulnerable CSD families by contacting Decatur Education Foundation or by donating to local food banks. Find more information about local food pantries and food centers.

As CSD drafts the FY27 Comprehensive LEA Improvement Plan (CLIP), families and community members are invited to provide feedback on our current FY26 CLIP. We invite you to review the CLIP documents and provide feedback on CLIP. Hearing from a variety of stakeholders is essential as we work to ensure our plan reflects current needs and priorities across the district.

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

Glennwood Elementary School Family Survey

Oakhurst Elementary School Family Survey

Westchester Elementary School Family Survey

Winnona Park Elementary School Family Survey

Fifth Avenue Upper Elementary School Family Survey

Talley Street Upper Elementary School Family Survey

Beacon Hill Middle School Family Survey

Decatur High School Family Survey

As part of an ongoing speaker series The Decatur Parents Network and the Decatur Education Foundation are hosting an event on February 25 for Decatur parents to have a community conversation: "Anxiety, Depression and Suicidal Thoughts: Supporting Your Child's Mental Health," on Wednesday, February 25, 6:30-8 p.m. in the DHS Learning Commons. This is in direct response to parent concerns about mental health. This event is for adults only. Register for the event here.

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.

Sing with Polly Holliday to Benefit Decatur Educators

DEF is excited to invite community members to take the stage to be part of the incredible new experience Polly Holliday has put together: Sing with the Band: Live Karaoke at Eddie's Attic!

Mark your calendars for March 21 and get your tickets to cheer on these karaoke winners as they belt out their favorite songs on stage at Decatur's most iconic music venue — all to support DEF’s mission to help Decatur students and families reach their full potential. Come listen to these singers as they brave the stage for a fun night of fundraising! Tickets are on sale now through Eddie’s Attic.

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 afterschool programs, school holiday programs, and summer camps. Follow Decatur Parks and Recreation on Facebook and Instagram or sign up for their monthly newsletter here.

2026-2027 OST Afterschool Lottery Registration

Lottery registration for the City of Decatur's 2026-27 afterschool programs for K-5 kids will open February 20, 10 a.m. and close April 17, 6 p.m. The lottery will be held April 24, and families will be notified of enrollment status by email no later than May 11. Children not selected in the lottery will be automatically placed on the program waitlist. Please download the PDF outlining the afterschool lottery process. Email registration@decaturga.com with questions.

Decatur Flag Football

Experience safe, fun fitness, and friendly competition with Decatur Parks & Recreation's Fall flag football programs, Practices will start the week of August 10, with games beginning the week of August 25.

Lil Flaggers (Ages 3-5): Monday /Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday

Flag Football - Coed, 6U, 8U, 10U, middle school, high school

7v7 games on Sundays (except 8/31 and 9/21), with one weekly practice at local fields. Practice schedules will be set after registration closes.

Volunteer Coaches Needed! Want to share your love of sports and flag football with our future Bulldogs? We want you! Volunteer coaches must complete an application and certification as well as pass a background check. For more information, reach out to Raymond Rollins.

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.

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Check out the latest CSD Words with Dr. Whitaker podcast episode, featuring DHS Career Academy CEO and CTAE Director Terra Smiley. In celebration of CTAE Month, they discuss career and college readiness in CSD, and the innovations in the Career Academy that prepare graduates to be productive citizens.

The CSD Words with Dr. Whitaker podcast highlights news and information with a variety of stakeholders who are All In for City Schools of Decatur. See previous episodes.