College Heights Connection

Dear Families,

Welcome back to our Pre-K students and families. I hope you had a restful break.

The PTO Auction is this Saturday. It's not too late to buy your tickets for this fun event, which is our school's biggest fundraiser of the year. See the link below in the Important Dates section. Please make sure to check this section frequently, as there are many exciting school events coming up. These are great opportunities to engage with your student and their class and get to know other families.

Have a great weekend,

Principal Garland

February 28 - Art from the Heart PTO Auction (purchase tickets HERE)

March 4 - Holi party

March 11 - Spring School Tour (contact Caretha Hall to register)

March 16 - Family Night

March 16-20 - Spring Book Fair with Little Shop of Stories (volunteers needed - click HERE)

March 25 - Early Release Day (Pre-K)

April 1 - Spring School Tour (contact Caretha Hall to register)

April 6-10 - Spring Break (school closed for all students)

April 16 - K-Day (Pre-K)

April 24 - Preschool Art Show

April 30 - Pre-K field trip to K-2 schools

May 8 - Field Day (rain date May 12)

May 19 - Pre-K parade

May 22 - Last day of school (Pre-K)

Mary McMahon was named College Heights' Teacher of the Year on February 13, just before the Pre-K winter break. Ms. McMahon joined the City Schools of Decatur in 2007 as a special education teacher. Throughout her 19 years, Ms. McMahon has held many leadership roles, including the district's Teacher of the Year in 2014. Most recently, Ms. McMahon went back to school to get her certification to become a teacher of the visually impaired.

As our teacher of the year, Ms. McMahon consistently goes above and beyond. A natural educator with a kind heart, she creates a sense of belonging among her students. She understands that a student's journey is as much about "heart" as "head," fostering a warm, loving classroom community where every milestone is celebrated. Her commitment goes far beyond the school day; she builds long-lasting partnerships with families, guiding them through their child’s journey with empathy and expertise. Whether she is tailoring a lesson to meet a unique sensory need or stepping up to support district needs, her belief in her students' capabilities is unwavering. She represents the very best of College Heights.

Thank you, Ms. McMahon, for all you do for our students every day!

Join us for our spring Family Night on Monday, March 16, from 6:00-7:00 p.m.!

Engage in a fun and informative classroom experience for the whole family. Each teacher is planning an activity that is unique and meaningful to their classroom community and provides a glimpse into a day in the life of a College Heights student. The Little Shop of Stories book fair will also be open on this night and all week. Look for more details soon!

Celebrating Community and Color!

This month, classrooms will be exploring Holi, a vibrant cultural festival known as the "Festival of Colors." While it has traditional roots in India, it is celebrated globally as a joyful welcome to the spring season. At College Heights, we use this celebration as a shared cultural experience to focus on themes of seasonal changes, hope, friendship, and new beginnings. We look forward to a day filled with laughter, color, and community!

Please look for information from your child's teacher on how their class plans to participate in the Holi celebration.

This spring, Pre-K students will have two opportunities to visit the schools where they will be attending kindergarten.

K-Day is a CSD-sponsored event on Thursday, April 16. Parents can choose to bring their Pre-K student to their K-2 school to attend one of two sessions: 9:00-10:30 a.m. or 4:00-5:30 p.m. This is an optional event and it is an excused absence for students who attend the morning session. Visit the CSD website for more details on K-Day activities.

On the morning of Thursday, April 30, all College Heights Pre-K students will take a field trip to visit their K-2 schools. This is for College Heights students and teachers only; parents do not accompany students on this visit.

Students are encouraged to attend BOTH K-Day and the field trip. Please reach out to your child's teacher with any questions.

SAVE THE DATE for the Spring Book Fair: March 16-20. Our partner this spring is Little Shop of Stories, which returns a portion of book fair sales to College Heights to support early literacy programs.

We need volunteers on Monday, March 16 to help with Pre-K wish lists; please sign up here if you are able.

Pre-K will bring books home for the first time on Monday, March 2. Sorry for any confusion; I had to be out unexpectedly on Monday and Tuesday.

In March, we celebrate Women's History Month. Come visit the library starting next week to check out books that commemorate the important contributions of women throughout history. We will also feature books by women authors and books with strong female characters.

Read the February 26, 2026, issue of CSD Weekly, the district-wide newsletter.

We can’t wait to see you this Saturday at Art from the Heart, our annual auction benefiting College Heights!

Get ready—this year’s silent and live auction items are some of our best yet. You’ll find:

• A spot in every week of College Heights summer camp
• Additional summer camp options perfect for planning ahead
• Live auction highlights like 4 tickets to Yacht Rock's April concert at Ameris Amphitheatre
• And the ever‑popular front row parking spot at College Heights—for an entire year!

There’s truly something for everyone, and every bid supports our school and teachers.

A Special Moment: Fund the Need

During the event, we’ll also come together to fund the need—a direct way to support the teachers, programs, and experiences that make College Heights extraordinary. Every gift, at every level, has a meaningful impact. We hope you’ll join us in lifting your paddle for our community.

Need childcare? We’ve got that covered.
Oodazu is hosting a Parents Night Out from 5:30–9:30 p.m. for Pre-K students and their older siblings. Kids will enjoy pizza, playtime, and a cozy movie, giving you a worry‑free night to relax and enjoy the event.

We can’t wait to celebrate our community with you—see you Saturday!

Keep the Holi fun going at this event, which is free and open to the community.

All recent issues of the College Heights Connection are available here.

Older issues of CSD Weekly may be found on CSD's district newsletter webpage.

College Heights Early Childhood Learning Center cultivates an atmosphere where children take their first steps in building an authentic love of learning through developmentally appropriate practices in an environment that fosters family and community involvement.