Dr. Fehrman's Friday Follow-Up
October 1, 2021
Click here for the mobile-friendly link: https://www.smore.com/c5wv9
Stronger Together Shout Out
Early Release Days
Before Fall Break, we held our first system-wide early release days. I want to thank all the members of Team CSD who made these days successful: our transportation department and bus drivers who navigated new time schedules, our school nutrition team who had to feed our students on a short time schedule, all the City employees, including crossing guards and afterschool staff, who altered their schedules, teachers who scheduled conferences and spent extra time preparing for a meaningful conference, all the other school support staff who helped organize and manage the days, and our parents who altered their schedules to accommodate the early dismissal times.
I invite parents/guardians, staff, and students to complete this survey to provide feedback on the early release days and teacher conferences. The next early release days are scheduled for February 10 and 11, the Thursday and Friday before the weeklong winter break.
DHS 5K
This past Saturday, while most were still snuggled in bed, Mary Souther and her track support team was hosting the 1st DHS 5K at Legacy Park. Over 80 runners participated and helped raise funds to the track team. I stopped by for the 8:30 am race and I was so impressed with how well organized and smoothly the event ran. Great job Mary and the DHS track team!
Job(s) Well Done
Oakhurst Named a Blue Ribbon School
Congratulations to Oakhurst staff, students, and parents on being named a 2021 National Blue Ribbon School! This is a tremendous honor and I am so proud of all of our Oakhurst Owls.
Oakhurst is one of 325 schools named a 2021 National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. This announcement was made last week while our schools were on fall break. The recognition is based on a school’s overall academic performance or progress in closing the achievement gaps among student subgroups.
According to the press release issued by the U.S. Department of Education, “The coveted National Blue Ribbon Schools award affirms the hard work of educators, families, and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging and engaging content.”
The Department recognizes all schools in one of two performance categories, based on all student scores, subgroup student scores, and graduation rates:
Exemplary High-Performing Schools are among their state’s highest performing schools as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests.
Exemplary Achievement Gap-Closing Schools are among their state’s highest performing schools in closing achievement gaps between a school’s student groups and all students.
Oakhurst was recognized in the Exemplary High-Performing Schools category.
Ms. Frazier and Ms. Aldridge will travel to D.C. in November for the official ceremony.
Way to go Oakhurst!
Student Advisory Team
DHS and RMS 8th-grade students! You still have time to apply for my student advisory team. Applications are due by October 8. Click this link to fill out the application.
About the Student Advisory Team:
The S2AT will provide Dr. Fehrman with an opportunity to hear directly from students regarding their experience in CSD. This group will also provide valuable input on how the district can ensure the needs of all students are met. S2AT meetings will take place in your school during the school day.
Students need to use their CSD email account to access the application. If you have questions about this group or the application process, please contact Courtney Burnett at cburnett@csdecatur.net.
COVID-19 Information
Weekly Testing Update
We are looking forward to launching our weekly COVID-19 testing program. We met with the logistics team today and they are still experiencing significant delays in obtaining the necessary supplies to conduct testing. They anticipate that all materials will be available next week and we will be able to kick off our weekly testing the week of October 11th.
Avoid the Flu Event
FLU season is fast approaching and it is time to get your flu shot! The CDC recommends that people get a flu vaccine by the end of October.
The City Schools of Decatur Nurses, along with the DeKalb Board of Health, have organized Flu Clinics throughout the district so everyone will have plenty of opportunities to get vaccinated. The clinics are open to staff, students, and families and are open from September 29th through October 27th!
See the complete list of dates here:
Community Information
Educational Empowerment Series Hosted by Beacon Hill Black Alliance for Human Rights
The Beacon Hill Black Alliance for Human Rights will host the first session of its Educational Empowerment Series THIS SUNDAY, October 3, from 3:00-4:00.
Session 1: Advocacy 101 is an interactive webinar that will allow participants to share challenges and experiences in the school setting, discuss the characteristics of an effective advocate, learn who to contact at the schools, and when and how to engage with CSD leadership, and what to say.
This virtual event is FREE and open to the entire community. Scan the QR code or visit tinyurl.com/3v8w7cbk to register. Registration is required.
Art for the People Event hosted by Black Beacon Hill Black Alliance for Human Rights
This Saturday is the second workshop for Art for the People. "What Sonia Said" is alive in the City of Decatur. Let's take the next step together. Don't miss this powerful opportunity to engage and learn in this 4-week webinar.
When: Saturday, October 2nd at 5 p.m.
Join the webinar here: https://tinyurl.com/zjadpn6z
Passcode: 852411
Georgia Student Wellness-Supporting the Whole Child October Edition
Please see the attached October edition of the Georgia Student Wellness-Supporting the Whole Child monthly newsletter. Click here to view the full article.