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

What an incredible week we had wrapping things up before the Thanksgiving break!

I want to start by giving a huge thank you to everyone who joined us for our annual Thanksgiving Lunch last Friday. It was an honor to see such a fantastic turnout! Seeing so many family and friends at the school, sharing a meal, and celebrating together was a powerful reminder of what makes our Glennwood community so special. Your presence and support truly help us build and strengthen the connections that make our school shine.

As we head into the holiday, we wish all of our families a wonderful and relaxing Thanksgiving break! We sincerely hope you are able to enjoy quality time connecting with family and friends. We are deeply thankful for the incredible support, cooperation, and energy that our entire school community brings to Glennwood every day. Please enjoy this time away, recharge fully, and come back ready to soar!

Important: Get Ready to Shine on STAR Testing!

We would love to see 100% of our Eagles return on December 1, 2025. Let’s aim for perfect attendance that day! When we return refreshed from the break, our students will dive right back into demonstrating all the amazing learning they've accomplished!

We will be kicking off our next round of STAR testing on Tuesday, December 2. We encourage all of our Eagles to make sure they rest up over the break, come back to school on Monday, December 1 ready to learn, and come back on Tuesday, December 2 prepared to show what you know and do your absolute best on the test. We can't wait to see the incredible evidence of how much smarter our Eagles have gotten since our first round of testing back in August!

Wishing you a safe, happy, and restful holiday!

In partnership,

Bill Howard
Proud Principal, Glennwood Elementary

bill.howard@csdecatur.net

Come join us for our second grade fall music performance during Community Circle next week (Nov. 21)

Autumn is a time for giving thanks and singing together and we love to share that with our community! Second grade students will lead us in songs with themes of gratitude, the harvest, and fun in a performance titled "I Am Grateful."

Over the past two weeks, students have been diving into our tennis unit in P.E.! Kindergarteners built foundational hand–eye coordination and racket skills using balloons, while first graders progressed from balloons to bean bags to practice tossing and catching independently and with a partner. Second graders continued the progression by starting with bean bags and moving on to rallying with a partner using low-compression tennis balls. Everyone had a blast learning and building confidence in this lifetime sport!

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.

For December, we're asking Kindergarten families to host a trail mix bar and snack table for our staff on Thursday, December 11th: SIGN UP HERE. Please drop off your items with Ms. Reynolds at the front office December 9-10th anytime during school hours and the PTA will assemble the snack table for our staff to enjoy.

If you are unable to purchase items for the table, but would like to donate funds towards the event, donations can be made here with a note that it is for the December Snack Table and we'll take care of it for you. If you have any questions, please reach out to Staff Appreciation Co-Chairs: Emily McDowell and Kate Myers (staffappreciation@glennwoodespta.com). Thank you!

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

This holiday season, our Decatur Bulldogs are teaming up to support Toys for Tots, and we need your help to make our First Annual Toy Toss a huge success!

Join us at the Basketball Game on December 5 and bring a new plush toy to donate. Every CSD Elementary student who brings a toy will receive FREE admission with a paying adult!

Then get ready for the highlight of the night: In between games, fans will toss their donated toys onto the court, where our players and cheerleaders will collect them and prepare them for delivery to Toys for Tots. It’s a fun, festive way to give back and show what Bulldog spirit is all about!

Let’s pack the stands, support our teams, and spread holiday cheer across our community. Go Bulldogs!

The Holiday Season is just around the corner. Now is the time to reserve your spot at Wylde Center’s annual Wylde Wreaths event!

This beloved tradition offers you the chance to create a beautiful wreath, perfect for adding a personal touch to your seasonal decor. Whether you’re gathering with friends or family, enjoying a solo creative evening, or picking up supplies to craft at home, Wylde Wreaths is a joyful way to kick off the holiday season.

This year's event will take place from Nov. 25- Dec. 13 in the newly renovated Oakhurst Garden building with a robust offering of over 40 unique adornments available for your wreath creation!

Private Parties for Groups of 10+

In addition to our public events, this year we are offering private parties for groups of 10+ during weekday business hours. This option is a perfect opportunity for a festive staff party or celebration of your favorite clients. For more information regarding private parties, contact kristy@wyldecenter.org

Wylde Holiday Market

Wylde Center will also be hosting a Wylde Holiday Market from Nov. 25- Dec. 13 as part of our Wylde Wreaths fundraiser. The market will be at Oakhurst Garden and feature an assortment of locally crafted gifts. You do not need to participate in Wylde Wreaths to enjoy the market. The market will be open during Wylde Wreath sessions as well weekdays from 9 AM- 6 PM, so please stop by at your convenience!

Contact Kristy@wyldecenter.org for any questions you have for this event.