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've made it to the middle of November, and I’m feeling incredibly grateful for the amazing community spirit you all bring to Glennwood every single day!

Our biggest highlight this week is, without a doubt, our annual Thanksgiving Lunch on Friday! We are so excited to welcome so many of you—parents, family, and friends—into our building to share this cherished tradition. It is a wonderful way to pause, give thanks, and celebrate our community right here at the school.

If you are joining us, please plan to arrive at the school's front door a few minutes before your designated time. You will show your meal receipts to the CSD School Nutrition staff at the front door before being called back to the lunchroom or auditorium to join your child's class.

Here is a quick look at the approximate schedule for the day so you can plan your arrival:

• Kindergarten: Ronco (10:30–11:00, Cafeteria), Rose (10:45–11:15, Cafeteria), and Siegel (11:00–11:30, Auditorium)

• First Grade: Bennett (11:30–12:00, Cafeteria), Kaplan (11:45–12:15, Auditorium), Turnipseed (12:00–12:30, Cafeteria), and Childs (12:15–12:40, Class or Cafe)

• Second Grade: Jones (12:15–12:45, Cafeteria), Marquez (12:30–1:00, Cafeteria), and VanDuzer (12:45–1:15, Auditorium)

In addition to celebrating our upcoming lunch, I want to give a huge, enthusiastic shout-out and sincere thank you regarding our daily routines! Over the past week, we have been incredibly impressed with the positive changes and cooperation we've seen during morning and afternoon carpool. The smooth flow, the extra patience at the top of the drive, and the careful adherence to the new cone lines have made an immediate and noticeable difference in keeping all of our Eagles safe and ensuring a great start to the day. We truly appreciate your commitment to the safety of our entire campus.

We are so fortunate to have such a supportive and cooperative community here at Glennwood, and I look forward to seeing many of you on Friday.

In partnership,

Bill Howard
Proud Principal, Glennwood Elementary

bill.howard@csdecatur.net

We look forward to welcoming everyone to our annual Thanksgiving Luncheon on Friday, November 14. You are invited to join your child's class for lunch at the scheduled time below. (This is the revised and final schedule.) Please note that we strive to stay on schedule, so we appreciate your patience in the event of any delays.

Please remember that there is no list of guests who purchased tickets online. Your receipt will be the email that was sent to you from campus@csdecatur.org. Please ensure you have this available on Friday. If you missed the ticket purchasing window, you may still join your child without eating a school lunch.

Kindergarten:

Ronco: 10:30-11:00- Cafeteria

Rose: 10:45--11:15-Cafeteria

Siegel: 11:00-11:30-Auditorium

First Grade:

Bennett: 11:30-12:00-Cafeteria

Kaplan: 11:45-12:15-Auditorium

Turnipseed: 12:00-12:30-Cafeteria

Childs: 12:15-12:40-Class or Cafe (1st table by water fountain)

Second Grade:

Jones:12:15-12:45-Cafeteria

Marquez:12:30-1:00-Cafeteria

VanDuzer:12:45-1:15-Auditorium

*The weather will be nice, so picnic tables under the tent in the back are an option if parents would like to go outside with their child.

Check-in: Please bring your email receipt to the front of the school. We will check parents in at the front door and call you by class to go down to the cafeteria to meet your child. After lunch, please exit the building from the ground floor, either at the carpool doors or the doors by the blue picnic tables. We look forward to seeing you on November 14!

Let’s show our amazing Glennwood Crossing Guards how much we appreciate them! We are so lucky to have Ms. Joyce (E. Ponce at Sycamore Pl), Ms. Etta (Commerce at Sycamore Pl), Ms. Carla and Ms. V (E. Ponce at Sycamore Dr) serving our community and keeping us all safe!!

You still have a chance to make a homemade thank you card for your crossing guard(s) and deliver it personally this week. If you have any questions, feel free to email Amanda at srts@glennwoodespta.com.

Thank you for helping us celebrate the people who keep our students safe every day!

Calling all storytellers, writers, and authors! Do you have a story to tell? A poem to share? Some fascinating facts about something you've learned? Here's your chance to share it with the world! Announcing the 2025-2026 annual Young GA Authors Writing Competition. Please see the flyer attached for further details! The deadline for writing submissions is Friday, November 14th by 9:00AM. Writing submissions will not be accepted after this date.

If you have any questions, please reach out to the Instructional Coach, Jill Tolsma, jtolsma@csdecatur.net

It's time for clay in art! All students, K-2, are learning about clay and how to create their own Glennwood Eagle.

Students are learning:

• What clay is, where it comes from, and what makes it special
• How to create a pinch pot
• How to model clay to form a beak
• How to attach clay wings using score-slip-bond
• How to glaze evenly

Be on the lookout for these sweet baby eagles to fly home just before winter break.

This week, we began the first formal lessons for Naviance Elementary, our new College, Career, and Life Readiness (CCLR) skills program. A growing body of research shows the significant benefits of starting career-connected learning experiences much earlier. Introducing these concepts now helps sustain student engagement by exposing all children to a wide range of career paths they might not otherwise encounter.

In Kindergarten, students did a lesson called Pharmacist Assist, where they learned about doctors, nurses, and pharmacists. They began the lesson discussing what they know about jobs. Then they created a KWL chart to discuss what they know, want to know, and what they learned about these careers.

In 1st grade, the emphasis was on the differences and similarities between interests (things we like) and skills (things we're good at doing). We discussed how interests now can turn into skills later on. We also discussed how often where interests and skills meet, we are more successful in what we do.

In 2nd grade, we did a lesson called Teamwork Makes the Dream Work where students learned important skills to be a good team member. Students played a fun game where they had to line up in class silently based upon different characteristics (e.g., birth month or favorite color). Then students processed what would have made group cooperation work better.

Each grade will receive an additional 2 Naviance for Elementary lessons in the upcoming weeks.

Come join us for our 2nd 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! 2nd grade students will lead us in songs with themes of gratitude, the harvest, and fun in a performance titled "I Am Grateful."

Read the November 13, 2025, issue of CSD Weekly, the district-wide newsletter.

During the Board of Education meeting held on November 11, 2025, the board decided to reassess and revise the K-2 School Consolidation and Redistricting Process. The process has been renamed the K-2 Utilization Process, and the timeline will be modified to allow for more public feedback.

BOE consultant Education Planners will host a public forum on Thursday, November 13, 2025, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Beacon Hill Middle School. The community is invited to provide input and offer considerations to Education Planners regarding the K-2 School Utilization Process. The meeting will replace the previously advertised second public hearing on the K-2 School Consolidation and Redistricting Process.

The meeting format will be as follows:

• General Information Session: Information Presented

• Committee Work Sessions: Public Input

Education Planners recommended the creation of four committees to guide the next phase of planning. The proposed committees are:

• Facilities & Finance Committee: enrollment, costs, and capital planning

• Student Experience Committee: instructional programs, transitions, and early-learning access

• Safety & Operations Committee: traffic, walkability, and daily operations

• Culture & Communication Committee: transparency and ongoing engagement

Community members are invited to sign up for one of the committees here. More information about the K-2 School Utilization Process is available on the CSD website.

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

The Decatur Parents Network and the Decatur Education Foundation are collaborating to host an event titled "Social Media: Our Kids and the Impact on Mental Health" on November 17 for Decatur parents to have a community conversation on social media and its impact on our kids and their mental health. Parents and caregivers will hear from Dr. Jessica McCain, a local subject matter expert. This event will take place on November 17 at the BHMS Media Center from 6:30 to 8:00. This event is for adults only. Click here for more information.

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.