Eagle Edition

Bill Howard, Principal ~ Jill Tolsma, Instructional Coach ~ Michelle Reynolds, School Manager

Email: bill.howard@csdecatur.net
Location: 440 East Ponce de Leon Avenue, Decatur, GA, USA
Phone: 404.370.4435 * Website * Facebook

We are truly feeling the spirit of the Glennwood Crew this week! As the school year winds down, it is incredible to see how our community continues to lift each other up. From big academic achievements to heartfelt celebrations, there is so much to be proud of.

I am thrilled to share some incredible news regarding our school’s academic standing. Glennwood Elementary has been named a Gold Award winner in the Highest Performing Schools category by the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement (GOSA)!

This recognition is based on CCRPI data from the three most recent school years (2022-23, 2023-24, and 2024-25). This award is a testament to the hard work of our students, the dedication of our educators, and the unwavering support of our families. Thank you for being such vital partners in making Glennwood one of Georgia's highest-performing schools!

"Thank you" doesn't quite seem big enough! We have been absolutely blown away by the outpouring of appreciation we’ve felt this week from our parents and the PTA. Our teachers and staff are feeling so loved and encouraged. Please know that your support - not just this week, but on a regular basis - is what fuels our team. We are so grateful to serve in a community that values its educators so deeply.

Our students have been hard at work this week "showing what they know" during STAR testing. I want to thank our parents for your partnership in making sure our Eagles got plenty of rest and arrived at school on time and ready to go. We are seeing some wonderful growth! Please look for your student’s STAR reports to be sent home in the coming weeks.

As the school year quickly comes to a close, we will be ending our morning Learning Lab this week. There will be no Learning Lab next week. To our students: please take those extra minutes in the morning to sleep in a little longer! Think of it as a reward for all your hard work and dedication to growing your brains so early in the morning these past few months. To our parents: thank you for the commitment it took to get them here early; we truly appreciate your support of this initiative.

We look forward to seeing everyone at Community Circle tomorrow with 2nd grade hosting. We will also celebrate all May/June birthdays. Java Joy will be in the school parking lot selling coffee for Teacher Appreciation Week. Please be aware that the Java Joy truck may block off your typical parking spot in the morning.

Thank you for making this such a memorable and successful week at Glennwood. Let's finish the year strong!

In partnership,

Bill Howard
Proud Principal, Glennwood Elementary

Transitions can be hard for adults and children alike. Whether it’s starting a new school, moving to a new home, or welcoming a new sibling, children often struggle to process the big emotions that come with change. And as a parent or caregiver, it’s tough to know exactly how to provide the best support when everything seems to be shifting around you.

The good news is that with the right strategies, you can help children not only cope with these transitions, but also thrive. By understanding their needs and offering the proper care, you can turn moments of uncertainty into opportunities for growth. This Coffee Chat will explore how life transitions affect children, provide practical tools for emotional support, and explain how tuning into a child's emotional and physiological needs can make all the difference.

FINAL Walk & Roll is THIS Friday, May 8th! Let’s wrap the school year strong!

See you on the front steps Glennwood

We will wrap up our One Crew, One Book Reading Campaign next Friday, May 15 and celebrate with a viewing of the movie version of the book, The One and Only Ivan (Rated PG.) This is also a celebration of all students meeting their Freckle/LaLilo goals for the school year.

We will gather as a school to watch the movie in the auditorium. Students are invited to wear PJs to school next Friday and to bring a beach towel or a small blanket if they would like to use it for a more comfy seat while watching the movie.

Thank you to all the families who participated in our reading initiative. This has been such a big success! We will send certificates of participation home to registered families before the end of the school year.

Did you know that by recycling your old, unused cell phones you could help save gorillas in the wild? That’s right! Cell phones and other small electronics contain a mineral called coltan, which is being mined all over the world, including from the areas in Africa that gorillas call home. When we recycle our small electronic devices, we reduce the demand for coltan and the destruction of gorilla habitat.

Glennwood will be participating in Zoo Atlanta's Gorillas on the Line....Answer the Call conservation effort now through September 1. If you have any old devices you'd like to recycle to help this campaign, please drop them off in the front office now through September 1, 2026.

Accepted items include: cell phones, smartphones, tablets, smart watches, GPS units, MP3 players, e-readers, digital cameras, handheld gaming systems, headphones, and accessories. Laptops cannot be accepted. Before recycling your devices, we suggest backing up your devices and saving any data you might want to keep. Reset the device back to factory settings and remove any cases and screen protectors.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Dee Anna Rittenhouse at drittenhouse@csdecatur.net.

Read the May 7, 2026, issue of CSD Weekly, the district-wide newsletter.

Join with Google Meet: https://meet.google.com/kdk-geqd-kpt?authuser=0&hs=122

In search of additional members for the 2026-2027 Board & Committees – contact president@glennwoodespta.com if you are interested or want to learn more.

Stay up-to-date with all things Glennwood and tag us! Our PTA Facebook Page on IG and FB, as well as our parents' page: Glennwood Parents' Page

Skip the store lines and order your child’s pre-packed school supplies now for next year at Talley! Online ordering is open through 5/21 at

http://www.EducationalProducts.com/shoppacks using school code TAL345.

Paper order forms (for cash/checks) are available to print here: [www.talleypto.org/key-events/its-time-to-order-school-supplies] and will also come home in folders next week. Supplies are delivered directly to your child’s classroom before the first day of school. Questions? President@talleypto.org”

Decatur Soccer invites youth ages 5-13 (rising K-8th grade) to register for its 3v3 Soccer Tournament, powered by Decatur WatchFest 26, a fun, flexible, and community-focused event led by DHS soccer players and coaches. Join us Saturday, June 20, 8:30-noon at the Decatur High School Stadium with plenty of parking and just a short walk from the Decatur MARTA Station and Decatur WatchFest.

Kids can form a team of up to five players and sign up at the link below for just $75 per team (payable separately via GoFan). With no uniforms required (pennies provided) and small-sided 3v3 match play run by our DHS players, this format keeps things simple while maximizing touches, engagement, and fun for every player.

The tournament is open to girls, boys, and co-ed teams (co-ed teams will play in the boys bracket), with divisions based on rising school year: K-1, 2-3, 4-5, and 6-8. This is a great way to celebrate Decatur WatchFest and FIFA World Cup 26™ while supporting the Decatur Soccer program, and giving your child a fun soccer experience without a big time commitment. Just gather a group, register here, and show up ready to play!