Dr. Fehrman's Friday Follow-Up
January 14, 2022
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Stronger Together Shout Out
This week two new Board members, Dr. Carmen Sulton and Mr. Hans Utz, along with returning Board member Mrs. Jana Johnson-Davis, were sworn in as CSD Board members. I am honored to serve alongside these dedicated and highly qualified members of our community. In just the short amount of time I have seen the new Board in action, I can assure you that they are united in doing what is best for our students while continuing to support our teachers and staff. I also want to thank Jana Johnson-Davis for serving as our new Board Chair and James Herndon for serving as Vice-Chair! Congratulations to both of them!
I would also like to thank our outgoing Chair, Tasha White. Her support and guidance were invaluable as I successfully navigated our school system through the past 8 months.
Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Top Dog Awards
Congratulations to our Top Dogs this week: Heidi Whatley, Russell Stewart, Erika Leach, Tanisha Frazier, and Shannon Staton. Thank you to everyone who nominated these amazing CSD staff members. You can read excerpts from their nominations below.
Heidi Whatley, Director of Research and Analytics
"Heidi has jumped into picking up the work to support DVA, unquestionably and with the dedication that sets a really high bar for everyone. The work ethic and professionalism Heidi demonstrates are unsurpassed. She exemplifies what it means to be 'student-centered.' Her hands-on, go-get-em determination has completely transformed the feel and experience of the upper grades DVA experience. She has shown what it takes to challenge students to work hard and show their best."
Russell Stewart, 5th-grade Fifth Avenue teacher
"Not a day goes by without my daughter coming home to tell me how 'fun' her day at school was, she continues with all of these amazing facts that she learned. Mr. Stewart goes above and beyond to make learning fun. He has engaging ways to teach the kids and keep them interested in the important topics they are learning."
Erika Leach, DHS teacher
"Erika is not only a Dedicated, Concerned, Involved Teacher / Mentor to her Current Students but she has proven to go Above and Beyond in her Awareness, Concern, Empathy, and Selflessness to her past students. Many people would watch as a student/child struggles thinking 'they will get over this.' Many people would think 'it's not my place.' Huge thank you goes to Erika for stepping in and reaching out to help a student at an extremely dire moment in their life."
Tanisha Frazier, Oakhurst Principal, and Shannon Staton, Oakhurst enrichment teacher
"Tanisha and Shannon put together one of the tightest and most focused, engaging, and compelling Board spotlight presentations I've ever seen. They set a new high bar for the rest of our colleagues."
If you know a CSD staff member who has demonstrated true leadership and dedication to the CSD Pack by going above and beyond the call of duty, please nominate them for Dr. Fehrman's Top Dog Award!
COVID Updates
At the Board meeting this week, I shared CSD’s position on learning during the COVID pandemic.
Operating schools in the midst of COVID continues to be a dynamic situation. The Board and I also know that there are various perspectives on how schools should provide instruction throughout this pandemic. We realize that while one solution works for some families, it does not work for others.
The Board and I, as the superintendent, agree that CSD must prioritize in-person learning during the COVID pandemic. We have made this decision not only based on the recommendations and guidance from the CDC, APA, President Biden, and US Secretary of Education, Dr. Cardona but also supported by our CSD COVID Advisory Teams.
CSD will provide virtual learning opportunities under the following circumstances:
- Students are mandated to isolate or quarantine as prescribed by CDC guidelines. Students who are mandated to isolate or quarantine will be offered concurrent learning while staying at home during their isolation/quarantine period. Concurrent learning means that the teacher will broadcast their lesson from the classroom while the isolated/quarantined student participates through Google Meet at home.
- Students whose parents have elected them to participate in extended virtual learning based on personal preference or due to medical necessity. Parents who elect to participate in virtual learning due to personal preference or due to medical necessity will be provided instruction through Decatur’s Virtual Academy (DVA). Parents wishing to participate in DVA should contact Ms. Heidi Whatley to initiate registration. CSD has made several changes to improve our DVA learning program based on feedback from parents, students, and staff during the first semester.
Additional Information Regarding Concurrent Learning
CSD believes that extended concurrent learning is not a viable long-term solution for parents seeking a virtual learning option. While teachers are able to provide short-term concurrent learning opportunities for isolated/quarantined students, providing long-term concurrent learning adds a significant amount of work and preparation to our teachers’ already busy schedules. Long-term concurrent learning also diminishes the effectiveness of instruction for the students at home and those attending school in-person to a point that the learning on both sides of the screen does not meet the standards CSD has for providing a high-quality learning experience.
Principals have communicated with their staff regarding the use of concurrent learning in the event that a student must isolate or quarantine. Parents, as you are notified of the need for your child to isolate or quarantine, you should first contact your child’s classroom teachers to receive instructions on how to proceed with concurrent learning. If you need any assistance with technology such as a Chromebook or hotspot, please also let the classroom teacher know. The classroom teacher will coordinate with the principal on getting the necessary equipment to you.
If you have additional questions about COVID testing, Test to Stay, isolation/quarantine, who you should communicate with regarding a positive COVID test, or anything else, you can find more information here.
Click here for the pdf version of the picture below.
Wilson Center Updates
Decatur Virtual Academy Update
Food Allergen Information from the Nutrition Department
We are excited to welcome back all of our students in 2022! There is a new document on the "Special Diets" tab of the Nutrition webpage called "Allergens by Recipe" where we have created a chart for parents and students to quickly check for possible food allergens. Note: the allergens identified are the "big 8” allergens: wheat, milk, eggs, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish. There are more allergens, but these are the critical ones identified in school nutrition.
https://www.csdecatur.net/Page/1403
If your student has a food allergy, we encourage you to check out the list and speak with them about the importance of advocating for themself in any situation where food is being served to them.
Don't forget that meals are still at no cost to our students until the end of this school year!
Sign Up to be a Substitute Teacher!
If you or someone you know is interested in joining the CSD team as a substitute, click here to apply. Please reach out to Britney Terrell in HR at 404-371-3601 Ext 1014 or bterrell@csdecatur.net if you have any questions.
Community News
Run With the Dogs 5K to benefit Decatur Bulldog Boosters
Register TODAY for Run With the Dogs 2022!
The race is Saturday, January 29, with a new course in MAK and Oakhurst that starts and finishes at Renfroe Middle School. This year's 5K race will be chip-timed for the first time and everyone who registers by January 15 is guaranteed to receive the coveted long-sleeved T-shirt with original artwork by Adam Pinsley. Run with the Dogs is an annual fundraiser of the Decatur Bulldog Boosters and supports student-athletes on 45 teams at Decatur High School and Renfroe Middle School. For more information and to register for Run With the Dogs, click here!