Eagle Edition
September 1, 2022
Glennwood Elementary ~ Where Learning Takes Flight
Holly Brookins, PhD, Principal ~ Summer Clayton, Assistant Principal ~ Jill Tolsma, Instructional Coach
Email: hbrookins@csdecatur.net
Website: https://www.csdecatur.net/glennwood
Location: 440 East Ponce de Leon Avenue, Decatur, GA, USA
Phone: 404.370.4435
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gleagles/?modal=admin_todo_tour
Calendar of Events
TODAY, September 1
PTA Meeting and Curriculum Night in GL Auditorium
5:30 pm
Friday, September 2
First Walk and Roll to School
Outdoor Community Circle at 8:30 am- Ms. Marion's Class Hosting (Families Invited)
Birthdays to be Announced at CC: July, August and birthdays through Sept. 6
Monday, September 5
Labor Day Holiday (No School)
Monday, September 12
Kindergarten Pictures
Tuesday, September 13
First Grade Pictures
Wednesday, September 14
Second Grade Pictures
Thursday, September 15
Early Release Day
12:00 pm
Friday, September 16
Community Circle at 8:30 am - Ms. Marquez's Class Hosting
Early Release Day
12:00 pm
September 19-23
Fall Break
Where Learning Takes Flight
September Design Principle: Success and Failure
"Winners never quit and quitters never win."
~Vince Lombardi
Hello Glennwood Families,
We have had another great week at Glennwood! Our first Walk and Roll to School is tomorrow morning. Please see more details below.
After Walk and Roll, I hope you will plan to stay and join us at Community Circle at 8:30 am on the basketball court behind the parking lot. We are excited to see everyone, and I would like to extend a warm welcome to our new families to Glennwood. Community Circle is an EL Education program designed to join together and build community. You will not want to miss it!
Directions for Families for Outdoor CC: We ask that parents walk to Glennwood if possible for Community Circle on Friday. There will be a few guest parking spaces available in the school parking lot and any overflow parking is being offered by Holy Trinity Church across the street.
Parents will have a designated area to stand on the basketball court. Families and younger siblings are asked not to stand/sit with their child’s class. Also, just a reminder that City Schools of Decatur has a no-dog policy for school campuses (with the exception of service animals). Although I love dogs (I have three:), please do not bring dogs to Community Circle.
CC will end promptly at 8:50 am or earlier. We will ask parents to dismiss first so that students may quickly transition back to their classrooms. Some classes have specials beginning at 8:50 am. Please exit as quickly and safely as possible. If it is raining CC will be postponed to the following Friday. We will send a text if it is canceled.
Lastly, I am looking forward to seeing everyone at Curriculum Night tonight. We will begin promptly at 5:30 pm in the GL auditorium (located just inside the carpool doors by the entrance nearest to the parking lot). PTA will have a general meeting, and I will introduce our GL staff.
Warmest regards,
Holly Brookins, Ph.D.
Principal
Curriculum Night Schedule
5:30-6:00 pm - Introductions & PTA presentation in the auditorium (All families will gather here first before going to classroom sessions.)
6:05-6:35 pm - 1st classroom session
6:45-7:15 pm - 2nd classroom session
Other Details
Grade level teams will present together
Classroom sessions 1 and 2 will be the same presentation to accommodate parents with more than one child at Glennwood in different grade levels
Curriculum Night is designed for parents/caregivers only so that they gain more insight into what their child is learning this year. While childcare is not provided, students may attend with their parents/caregivers if there is no other alternative.
Walk and Roll to School is BACK on Sept. 2!
It’s Walk & Roll time again, and we are bringing back our Walking School Buses this year!!! After a LONG break, we can finally get back into celebrating as we walk with our community! Our first Walk & Roll of the school year will take place next Friday, September 2! So, let’s hit the sidewalks with our feet, bikes, and scooters (don’t forget those helmets) and have some FUN! We will continue to use grade level specific entrances for our students on Walk & Roll days, and the door monitor teachers will be helping out students with their marbles and will be handing out incentives. Don’t forget that every marble counts towards students earning school-wide extra recess, and announcements will be made at our first parent-invited Community Circle of the school year! Let’s have a strong first Walk & Roll back, and show everyone how Eagles SOAR!!
You can check out the Walk & Roll website here: https://www.csdecatur.net/Page/585 for all of the details including our Walk & Roll schedule for the year, other important dates, details and routes for our three Walking School Buses, how to keep our kids safe as we walk and roll, and links to our safe routes to school partners.
*Still looking for parent volunteers to help lead the Walking School Buses along our three main walking routes!*
Please reach out with any questions to Glennwood Walk & Roll Chair, Amanda McMillan (almcmil@gmail.com).
Calling All Music Lovers!
As an EL school, one of our goals is "to foster crew so that all students feel a sense of deep belonging," and making music as a school community is a powerful way to do this. It's also just fun.
If you're ready to join or would like more information, please email Ms. Pierce at kpierce@csdecatur.net. See you at Community Circle!
Immunizations: If your child is currently up-to-date on their childhood vaccines, you do not have to send in any forms to me. If your child is not currently up to date on vaccines, is on a delayed schedule or has an out-of-state immunization record, please reach out to me and I can assist you. Students are required to have current immunization records or notarized immunization exemptions(GA form 2208) to be enrolled in GA public schools. Of note, COVID vaccines are not considered required childhood vaccines for school enrollment.
Vision, hearing and Dental Forms (3300): Any student that is new to the school district in the state of Georgia must have a 3300 form on record. This form assesses vision, hearing, dental and nutrition. This can be done at the pediatrician’s office or the health department. If you need any assistance with this, please let me know.
COVID-19 Information: Please notify us if your child tests positive for COVID-19. An email to ebarrington@csdecatur.net is the quickest way to reach me and I will respond with isolation dates and what is needed to return. In general, students will isolate for five full days after the first day of symptoms, and can return to school on day 6, provided their symptoms are improving and they wear a mask at school for a full ten days after symptoms began. A negative COVID-19 test is not required for return to school, but students must be fever-free with symptoms improving. At this time, we are NOT offering concurrent learning for student absences due to COVID-19. For information on CSD’s current COVID-19 mitigations, please click here.
For any health-related questions or concerns, please contact Nurse Beth at 404-370-4435 or ebarrington@csdecatur.net.
Important Information About Gifted Review
Fall Picture Day Coming Soon!
Deana Kingsbury Photography (www.deanakingsbury.com) will be on campus the week of September 12th to photograph Glennwood students! Photos will be taken outside on the playground. Images are candid, playful and offered in black/white. Individual photos will also be taken in color for yearbook photo and for purchase. Proofs will be available via an online gallery within a few weeks of the shoot and all prints ordered will be delivered to school. Purchased JPG files will be available for download via email provided. Questions? Email Deana at deana@deanakingsbury.com.
The schedule will be as follows:
Monday, 9/12
Kindergarten
9:00am - Kaplan
9:40am - Ronco
10:10am - Rose
Tuesday, 9/13
First Grade
9:00am - Jones
9:40am - Turnipseed
10:10am - VanDuzer
Wednesday, 9/14
Second Grade
10:00am - Bennett
10:40am - Marion
11:10am - Marquez
Thursday, 9/15
Make up for absent kids
PTA Community Members
All of the PTA efforts and accomplishments for the benefit of Glennwood Elementary and our community are because of our members and volunteers. We couldn’t do this without your support!
We would like to introduce our 2022-2023 PTA Community Memberships Options
- The Eagle Membership: $10
The Eagle entitles you to attend PTA General Meetings throughout the year.
- The Eagles Nest Membership: $99
The Eagles Nest entitles to two Eagle Memberships, access to PTA General Meetings throughout the year, two (2) Glennwood Elementary coffee mugs, two (2) Chili Cook Off tickets.
- The Soaring Membership: $199
The Soaring entitles you to all Eagles Nest benefits. All the proceeds of this donation will help the purchase of a big item needed at school. Your family will get recognition on PTA website and social media. (*opt-out option available)
Staff Appreciation Committee
Help Us Restock and Clean out the Glennwood Staff Breakroom!
The Glennwood staff breakroom is a place for staff to take a break, enjoy a refreshment, or just generally relax. We would like it to be as welcoming as possible for our amazing staff!
As part of our PTA's Staff Appreciation efforts, we are sponsoring a restock and clean out of the Glennwood Staff Breakroom on Wednesday, September 14th.
We are asking for assistance from the entire school to help us with this task. Please sign up HERE to bring in supplies to help us restock the breakroom or consider volunteering an hour to help us clean and restock the room. We ask that you purchase and drop off items to Ms. Reynolds at the front office by September 12-13. Thank you for your support Glennwood!
Glennwood Annual Chili & Stew Cook Off
Mark your calendars! Sunday October 23rd, afternoon. If you are interested in cooking or organizing, please email James Herndon at: Jamesherndon3@gmail.com
DHS Cheerleading Minicamp Fundraiser
The DHS Cheerleaders are hosting a minicamp to help promote Bulldog Spirit while raising funds to support the DHS cheer program.
If your child is between the ages of 4-12 and wants to experience cheering in the Homecoming parade and before the Homecoming Football game, sign up today for the minicamp!
Camp dates: September 12 - 14 Minicamp 4:30 - 6:00 pm
September 29 Practice and Mini Camp Swag Pick-Up 4:30 - 6:00 pm
Parade and Game date: September 30
Cost: $50
Click here to sign up. If you have any questions, please contact Ashaki Stinson (astinson@csdecatur.net) or Saadia Foy (sfoy@csdecatur.net).
DHS Colorguard Experience
The DHS Colorguard is hosting a youth night on Friday, September 9, for kindergarten through 8th-grade students who would like to participate with the Marching Band Color Guard for a gameday experience.
CSD Strategic Plan Input Session and Survey
Please make plans to join us for the Strategic Plan Community Input Session on September 6th at 6:30 pm in the Beacon Hill Middle School cafeteria. This meeting is open to all staff, students, parents, and community partners. This session will be the primary input gathering meeting for stakeholders to share their vision for what CSD can become in the next five years. We look forward to seeing you there!
If you are unable to attend this session, click here to participate in the survey.
Parent Literacy Event
The Teaching and Learning Department is excited to host several parent-focused literacy events this school year. The September session is listed below. Stay tuned for information about additional programs scheduled for the remainder of the school year.
September 15 at 4:00 pm: American Reading Company (ARC) Virtual Parent Education: Comprehensive Literacy for Turbulent Times - The Power Behind a Knowledge Building Curricula
If you have any questions about these events, please contact the Teaching and Learning Department at csimon@csdecatur.net.
Connection Sessions
Connection Sessions are conversations between CSD's Equity Director, various invited guests, and the CSD POGM* community. During each session, community members are introduced to a person who is integral to supporting the school system while we discuss thoughts, interests, and concerns regarding City Schools of Decatur. Each session uses a racial equity lens - always asking the question - "What does race have to do with this?"
These sessions may not always have the answers, but they provide an opportunity for members of Decatur's POGM community (as well as all others) to explore perspectives, pose questions, and share thoughts.
Each meeting starts at 6 pm. Access it by using the following link: https://tinyurl.com/2yuj2tbs.
September TBD, 2022 - Adena Walker, Chief of Human Resources, CSD
October 17th, 2022 - Billy Heaton, Principal, Talley Street
November 14th, 2022 - Courtney Burnett, Chief of Staff, CSD
December 19th, 2022 - Karen Newton-Scott, Principal, FAVE
* People of color, despite being minoritized in the US, are a global majority. Thus, previously entitled BIPOC Connection Sessions, the name of this event is now Connection Sessions for POGM (People of the Global Majority). There is conflict regarding the use of the term BIPOC and this article details many relevant concerns. In short, the term BIPOC, which stands for Black, Indigenous, and Other People of Color, elevates some cultures over others in a way that does not reflect the respect each culture deserves.
Special Education Parent Engagement
September Meeting: disAbility Link - Empowering Youth
Mr. William Thomas, Youth & Diversity Supervisor for disAbility Link, will give an overview of the services and supports offered through the Empowering Youth program for youths ages 14-29. disAbility link provides but is not limited to employment support, self-advocacy, social activities, and peer support.
Target Audience: Parents of students with disabilities ages 14-22 years old
Date: September 15
Time: 6-7pm
Location: Virtual
To RSVP, click this Link or email Cheryl Grant at cgrant@csdecatur.net.
For more information, please see the August Welcome Back Flyer.
School Nutrition Updates
1) Parents of students with special diets or allergy concerns should submit a new medical statement each year. Please contact Monique Breedlove at mbreedlove@csdecatur.net or (470) 237-0368 ext. 7608 to update your student’s records or for additional information.
2) CSD School Nutrition continues to experience supply chain issues that may influence menu changes. Menu changes may not be updated online as they occur. However, we will work to substitute a like item to the best of our ability.
3) September 6-9, eat a rainbow at lunch! See the picture for information.
Superintendent Search Community Conversation
The City Schools of Decatur Board of Education values input and feedback. The community is invited to engage in a facilitated conversation to share feedback for consideration as the Board prepares to develop the leadership profile for the Superintendent position. The Board is excited to offer two in-person opportunities for the community to engage and share their thoughts. You may attend either September 14, 2022, or September 28, 2022. A survey will be available for those unable to participate in one of the in-person events.
Although it is not required to attend, we are asking for anyone wishing to attend one of the in-person sessions to please register via this form.
Registering ahead of time will help us better plan the events and breakout sessions. Event Details Session One: Wednesday, September 14, from 6-7:30 pm in the Decatur High School cafeteria.
News from the Decatur Education Foundation
Live music at an afternoon picnic in a beautiful park – what a lovely way to celebrate our 20th Anniversary with us! Saturday, September 10th from 4-8pm at Legacy Park with live music from The Sundogs and JohnBoy & Surround Sound, and opening acts from two DHS senior musicians, Payton Kashdan and Nate Helfrich! This free community concert is presented by our sponsor, Bark Technologies. Who is Bark? Bark Technologies provides a monitoring service across many digital platforms to detect risk signs of bullying, suicidal ideation, threats of violence and sexual predation. They have partnered with City Schools of Decatur to pilot their monitoring system at Talley Street Upper Elementary in the spring with effective results, and it will be fully implemented for the 3rd-12th grade schools beginning September 6th. Bark also offers an app specifically for parents that not only monitors for safety issues, but also allows parents to manage screen time and filter websites to help set healthy boundaries.
Can you volunteer to tutor, mentor, or coach a Decatur student? We’ve got spots available for all those types of rewarding positions! Make a big impact in as little as 1-4 hours per month, depending on the role you choose. Go to www.decatureducationfoundation.org/mentoring to learn more and sign up.
Madison Soap Box Derby
Driver Registration Now Open: Madison Avenue Derby on Oct. 15th
Don't miss your chance to be a part of one of Decatur's most iconic neighborhood events! Driver registration is now open for the 11th Annual Madison Avenue Derby, the non-motorized racing event where amateur racers of all ages design and build human-powered soapbox cars to compete against the clock in a downhill race!
Join the excitement as a racer or spectator on October 15, 2022, for a day of family-friendly fun - proceeds from the event this year go to support the Friends of Refugees! REGISTER TO RACE NOW