CSD Weekly: March 26, 2026
March 26, 2026
CSD Announces Meagan Ferguson, New Principal of Winnona Park Lower Elementary School for 2026-27
CSD has appointed Meagan Ferguson as the new principal of Winnona Park Elementary School for the 2026-2027 academic year. Most recently, Ms. Ferguson served as the assistant principal of Fifth Avenue Upper Elementary (F.Ave). She joined CSD in 2018 as a fifth-grade teacher and later became the MTSS Administrator.
With over 20 years of experience, Ms. Ferguson is dedicated to fostering community and collaboration. She is a native of Detroit, MI, and has taught at nearly every grade level from K-12 to the graduate level in a variety of educational environments in Florida, Connecticut, New York, Washington, D.C., and Georgia. As a school leader and Decatur resident, Ms. Ferguson looks forward to building robust relationships, honoring the great work already underway, and further strengthening the school's vibrant community.
Winnona Park families can meet her at the Community Circle on March 27, 2026, with additional engagement opportunities planned.
"Alice by Heart" Well Represented at GA High School Musical Theater Awards
Bravo to the production, cast, and crew of "Alice by Heart," who were honored with multiple nominations and honorable mentions at the 2026 Georgia High School Musical Theater Awards (Shuler Awards), including being named a semifinalist for best overall musical production. A job well done to the members of the DHS Advanced Musical Theatre for their hard work and outstanding talents. Award winners will be announced at the Georgia High School Musical Theatre Awards (Shuler Awards) ceremony on Thursday, April 16.
Shuler Award Nominations
Best Ensemble
Will Bartlett: Best Leading Performer, Male
Tafesse Jenks: Best Featured Performer
Sophie Levine-Tsang: Best Costumes Nominee
Wiley Perreault: Best Lighting Design Nominee
Nora Casariego and Mr. Chris Davis: Best Scenic Design Nominees
Dr. Elise Eskew Sparks: Best Music Direction Nominee
Shuler Award Semifinalists
Overall Production Semifinalist (Best Musical)
Sofia Satterfield: Best Leading Performer, Female
Shuler Award Honorable Mentions
Raven Owen-Beyer: Best Direction
Devon Scott-Van Dyck: Best Sound
Nathan Green: Best Supporting Performer
DHS Participants in the Shuler Ensemble
Elise Robinson and Tae Scalese
Celebrate "Youth Art Month" at Annual K-12 Art Exhibition
In celebration of March as Youth Art Month, some of our incredibly talented CSD teachers and students are exhibiting their artwork each evening from 4-7 p.m. on March 31 and April 2 at The Solarium for the annual K-12 Art Exhibition. This year's theme, "The World Needs Art," by the Council for Art Education, reminds us of the vital role art plays in our lives. Special thanks to the Decatur Education Foundation, Decatur Arts Alliance, and The Solarium for their funding and support.
Mark Your Calendars: CSD Special Olympics, April 2
Community members are invited to CSD's second annual Special Olympics competition on Thursday, April 2, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., at the DHS football field. Spectators will be able to cheer on the determination, community spirit, and the extraordinary achievements of our athletes from the stands of the DHS stadium.
High School Physical Science Coming to Eighth Grade; Families Invited to View Curriculum
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. 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.
AP U.S. Government and Politics Coming to DHS
To foster deep civic engagement and provide students with college-level rigor, DHS will begin offering Advanced Placement (AP) U.S. Government and Politics in the 2026-27 school year. This course gives students a sophisticated understanding of American government and politics while providing an opportunity to earn college credit and satisfy graduation requirements.
CSD has recommended adopting the AMSCO® Advanced Placement® United States Government & Politics, 3rd Edition as the course textbook. This resource is College Board-endorsed and aligned with the AP course and exam. The AMSCO textbook format has also proven successful with our AP US History course.
As part of the textbook adoption process, CSD invites parents, guardians, and community members to visit the front desk at the Wilson Center to preview the textbook and share feedback from March 23-April 17. The building will be closed during Spring Break. Your insight ensures that we select tools that best serve our students’ academic journeys and our community’s values.
Feedback Requested: Annual Code of Conduct Review
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. The survey closes Tuesday, March 31. Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback and help us continue improving our schools.
Important Guidelines for Student Medications at School
Keeping students healthy and safe at school is a shared responsibility of families and the school. Whenever possible, prescription and over-the-counter medications should be administered to students at home, either before or after school. Students should take the first dose of a newly prescribed medication at home to monitor for side effects and adverse reactions. When medications must be administered to students during school hours, on field trips, or at school-sponsored events, parents and guardians must adhere to the following guidelines.
School clinic staff will not accept medication without the proper medical documentation.
1. Authorization for Medication Administration Form
- A parent or legal guardian must complete and sign the Authorization for Medication Administration Form for all medications. For prescription medications, a healthcare provider must also complete and sign the form.
- The prescription label on the bottle must exactly match the details on the Authorization for Medication Administration Form.
- A separate Authorization for Medication Administration Form is required for each medication and must be renewed each school year, or sooner if there are changes to the medication procedures.
- Any changes to the dosage, route of administration, or timing require a new Authorization for Medication Administration Form and a new pharmacy-labeled container to replace the outdated pharmacy label.
- Students who need to carry and self-administer emergency medication (e.g., EpiPen, Inhaler, Insulin) must complete both the Authorization for Medication Administration Form and the Authorization for Student to Carry Medication form.
2. Medication Requirements
All medications must be unexpired and provided in their original pharmacy or store containers.
- Prescription medication must be stored and transported to school in its original, pharmacy-labeled container that indicates the most recent fill date, including refills.
- Envelopes, zip-lock bags, foil, or brown paper bags are not accepted.
- Over-the-Counter/Non-Prescription medication must be in the original manufacturer’s container and unopened. Small containers are requested due to limited storage space.
- Prescription medication must match the description on the pharmacy-labeled container (e.g., a round, yellow tablet with the imprint "A 2"). The clinic staff will not accept discrepancies.
- Clinic staff are not permitted to transfer medication from one bottle to another.
- Provide only a 30-day supply for controlled substances (e.g., ADHD medication).
- Do not pre-cut tablets. The school nurse will split tablets as needed to ensure accurate dosing.
3. Medication Delivery
- Parent or Legal Guardian Drop-Off Only: Parents or legal guardians must deliver medications and forms directly to the school clinic or office. Do not send medication to school with the student.
4. Labeling Requirements
- Both prescription and non-prescription medications must have current, accurate labeling.
- Medications with expired labeling will not be administered.
- The prescription label on the bottle must exactly match the details on the Authorization for Medication Administration form.
5. Scheduled Medication Times at School
To ensure medications are given safely and on schedule, students must report to the clinic at their designated medication time.
- Medication administration at school is a shared responsibility among families, the school health team, and students.
- As developmentally appropriate, students are expected to remember their scheduled medication times and report to the clinic promptly.
- Students who do not report for medication administration will be called to the clinic. If a student consistently fails to report for medication at the scheduled time, a reminder plan will be instituted.
6. Field Trips
- For field trips, the same medication policies and procedures apply to administering medication as during the regular school day, even if the medication is not typically needed during school hours.
- To ensure the safe storage and handling of medications, provide only the necessary doses for the length of the trip.
- Unless an Authorization for Student to Carry Medication form and an Authorization for Medication Administration form are on file, medication will be transported and administered by the designated trained staff member in accordance with field trip procedures.
7. Medication Retrieval and Disposal
- Discontinued medications should be picked up from the school clinic by the parent or legal guardian within one week of discontinuation.
- For safety and compliance, any unused medication must be retrieved by the end of the school year. All medications remaining at the clinic after the school year ends will be discarded.
If you have questions or need assistance, please contact your school clinic staff. Thank you for your cooperation and partnership in keeping our students healthy, safe, and ready to learn.
Decatur Education Foundation
DEF Accepting Scholarship Applications
Attention graduating DHS seniors and parents/guardians of graduating seniors! As part of Decatur Education Foundation's commitment to fostering academic excellence, DEF proudly awards 20 prestigious scholarships to exceptional DHS students at DEF's Celebration of Excellence each May. Apply for Decatur Education Foundation's scholarships here before April 1.
"Mascots Of Decatur" Shirts Feature CSD Student Art
Support the arts in CSD with this "Mascots Of Decatur" t-shirt, on sale at the annual CSD Art Exhibition, March 31-April 2, from 4-7 p.m. at The Solarium. Students from every CSD school submitted their original artwork for a chance to be featured on a t-shirt. Proceeds from the shirts benefit Zara’s Fund, DEF’s arts fund!
DEF Accepting Special Education Summer Grant Applications
The Special Education Summer Grant Program provides funding for CSD students who have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and are seeking summer enrichment that meets their unique learning needs. Apply here by April 10.
Buy Tickets to DEF's "No Ordinary Joe" Fundraiser
Tickets for the 2026 No Ordinary Joe fundraiser, Thursday, April 30, 6 p.m., at Waller's Coffee Shop, are on sale here! This annual fundraiser for Joe’s Fund features some of DHS's most talented singers and musicians performing live music in a coffeehouse-style concert. This year, the event will have an opening act of BHMS students at 6 p.m.
Grants from Joe’s Fund provide vital student behavioral health resources to CSD and to local organizations working to:
- address substance use and addiction
- strengthen student mental health
- create safe, supportive spaces for students’ well-being
- install inclusive outdoor play spaces
- implement adaptable seating and learning supports for neurodivergent students
- include mindfulness practices in all CDS schools
City of Decatur Parks and Recreation
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.