Dr. Fehrman's Friday Follow-Up
August 6, 2021
Click this link https://www.smore.com/382man for the mobile-friendly version of this newsletter.
#StrongerTogether Shout Out
We held our annual Opening Day Celebration on August 2nd. Opening Day is the day all CSD employees gather to kick off the school year and, although we held the event virtually, it was so fun to celebrate the start of a new school year with our staff. One of my favorite parts of the event is when the schools show off their school spirit. Click here to see the winning video selected by the DHS cheerleaders. Congratulations to the F.AVE staff on winning the 2021-2021 spirit stick!
Each year at this event, we also recognize employees for their dedication to City Schools of Decatur. Click here to see the employees that received pins for their years of service in CSD.
Check out the Jobs Well Done section below for some more recognition from the celebration! Thank you to our amazing partners at The Decatur Education Foundation for helping us recognize our excellent staff.
Amazing 1st week of school
I have had so much fun visiting our schools this week. Our schools look great, the kids were engaged, and our employees were excited to have students in our buildings.
Decatur Student Center
The Decatur Student Center is excited to provide support for students, families, and staff through wrap-around services, including individual counseling and group counseling sessions, education, and training. Although our physical space is set up at Decatur High School, we are a PreK-12 program with mental health counselors, play therapists, social workers, and more! For more information about the services we provide and how to get connected, please visit our website at https://www.csdecatur.net/decaturstudentcenter.
August 10th Board Meeting
The August Board meeting will be held next Tuesday, August 10, at 6:30 p.m. You can view the agenda here.
Advisory Teams
As previously mentioned, I am forming two committees to advise the district as we make decisions on procedures to keep our students and staff healthy and safe. These two groups will be the Parent COVID Advisory Team and the Healthcare, Medical, and Science Advisory Team. If you would like to be considered for participation on one of these two committees, please complete the linked forms.
Healthcare, Medical, and Science COVID Advisory Team
Art
The artwork is starting to pour in! This week two of my favorite submissions were from Bella in Glennwood Estates and Violet in Oakhurst! So come on Lenox Place, Winnona Park, Great Lakes, Westchester Hills, College Heights, Beacon Hill, and MAC neighborhoods. I can’t wait to see the wonderful art from all of our neighborhoods.
Please share this information with your children to submit their artwork to be displayed in the Superintendent’s Office Suite! I am looking for art that reflects the neighborhoods in the City of Decatur, either the name of the neighborhood, a quintessential place in a neighborhood, a historical figure from our neighborhood, or the neighborhood school. We will frame the students' work and hang it in our office suite.
Job(s) Well Done
Congratulations to our colleagues who were nominated by students and families and recognized by The Decatur Education Foundation at our Opening Day celebration for their outstanding work supporting our learners.
Extra Mile Award Winners
- Jeanne Renaux, Westchester Teacher
- Susanna Shewan, Glennwood Teacher
- Vivian Dawson, Fifth Avenue Media Clerk and Debate Coach at RMS
- Sally Girard, Talley Street Teacher
- Nick Thompson, Talley Street Teacher
- Artesha Chaney, Fifth Avenue Intervention Paraprofessional
- Nailah Carty, Fifth Avenue Teacher
- Nicole Blakemore, Renfroe Middle Teacher
- Erin Crockett, Renfroe Middle Teacher
- Johnnie Stroy, Renfroe Middle Teacher
- Jessica Sturm, DHS Assistant Principal
- Matt Unwin, DHS Teacher
- Paul Johnson, DHS Teacher
- Cassandra Black, DHS Teacher
Watch the video below of the students reading their nominations for these outstanding staff members.
Look for Kind Winners
- Danielle Edwards, Fifth Avenue Teacher
- Kara Morrison, Talley Teacher
- Heston McCranie, Renfroe Teacher
Miles Above Award
- Laura Pitts, Winnona Park Teacher
Decatur Bulldog Boosters Wants you to Show Your Decatur Spirit!
Let’s kick off the new school year in a big way by proudly flying a Decatur Bulldog flag and letting everyone know what Bulldog Nation is made of. Measuring 3’x 5’, these durable flags can be attached to a flagpole, hung in a window, or displayed on a wall.
Decatur Bulldog Boosters (DBB) is selling Bulldog flags for $40. Or, you can get a flag for FREE by becoming a DBB sponsor or family pass member (or above). All proceeds will go to support our athletes at DHS and RMS! Flags can be purchased on the DBB website (www.decaturbulldogboosters.org) or at Kelly's Market or Intown Ace Hardware.