Dr. Ferhman
December 9, 2022
In this newsletter:
- Learn4Life
- Superintendent’s Student Advisory Team
- Shout-outs: DHS Rake & Run with the Mayor and Top Dog Award Winners
- CSD announcements and updates about the Vision and Mission Development Support, GA Parent Survey, Good Troublemaker Award, Connection Sessions, Upcoming Title I and ESOL Parent Meeting, BHMS Family Movie Night, Decatur Holiday Marketplace + Cafe
- Community partner announcements and updates from the Decatur Farm to School and Run With the Dogs
Learn4Life
Last week, I had the honor of sitting on a superintendent panel at the Learn4Life State of Education Event with Dr. Lisa Herring, superintendent of Atlanta Public Schools, and Dr. Morcease Beasley, superintendent of Clayton County Schools. Annually, Learn4Life share The State of Education in Metro Atlanta Report. During the panel, we were asked about several major challenges impacting public education today, including teacher recruitment and retention, student mental health, addressing learning post-pandemic, and equity of resources. While our three districts are very different, it was inspiring to hear and share about the great work in our metro districts. The common thread we all discussed was the necessity of strong community partnerships to tap into the deep resources our communities have to officer. While I Look forward to continuing the partnership with Learn4Life and collaborating with the metro area superintendents as we all work on addressing these critical issues facing public schools, I am even more excited to further tap into the immense resources in our community that we can leverage to continually improve our school system.
Superintendent’s Student Advisory Team
This week, I met with the Superintendent's Student Advisory Council to gather input from our students regarding their perspective about City Schools of Decatur. We will be using their input in the development of our strategic plan. We asked the students to share their perspective on four areas:
Is learning meaningful, challenging, and tailored to your needs?
Do you have control over what, how, and where you learn?
How does the school help you develop a positive sense of self and prepare you to take meaningful action against inequity?
To what degree is your school a relationship-rich environment nurturing the totality of factors that impact learning?
The student perspective was eye-opening! I will be summarizing the information provided by our students and sharing that at the upcoming Board meeting. At the next advisory meeting, the students will be sharing their feedback on the solutions being drafted for the strategic plan.
Congratulations! Great job! Way to go!
DHS Rake & Run with the Mayor!
This weekend, DHS Close Up students served our community in their Rake and Run fundraiser.
Thank you to our community members for your generous donations!
Top Dog Award Winners
Our Top Dog Award Winners this week are Callie Sanders, Tangie Irons, and the BHMS Custodial Crew!
Callie Sanders, Teacher at Talley Street Upper Elementary School, received this nomination from a student:
“Ms. Sander's is sweet and funny, and she always makes sure we have a fun time. She's one of the best teachers I've had throughout all of my years of learning, and she is just naturally amazing.”
Tangie Irons, Teacher at Talley Street Upper Elementary School, received this nomination from a colleague:
“Tangie is our Teacher Advisory Council representative and she always clearly communicates information from the TAC meetings to our staff. She goes above and beyond to make sure all voices are heard and helps us all see the ‘big picture’ of how teachers are feeling and what they need. Above that, Tangie takes care to communicate clearly to her students. The high expectations she has for them in her classroom are clear and enforced lovingly. She is also playful and uses her perhaps favorite communication style, corny jokes, to make connections with her students. She is just a rock star!”
Beacon Hill Custodial Crew at Beacon Hill Middle School, received this nomination from the BHMS administrative team:
Our custodial crew goes above and beyond on a daily basis. This building has really shined all year. Every member of the team is committed, responsive and communicative. Their work communicates the sense of pride we feel in this space. Beacon Hill Middle School is really a shining beacon because of the great work our custodial staff does!
Congratulations Callie, Tangie, and the BHMS Custodial Crew!
Do you know someone who deserves Top Dog recognition? Nominate them here.
CSD Announcements and Updates
Vision and Mission Development Support
As mentioned in the Follow-Up last week, one key component of updating our strategic plan is a refresh of our vision and mission. We will be convening a group of stakeholders to help draft our new vision and mission statements. Part of this work will also be to develop the “Portrait of a City Schools of Decatur Graduate.” A portrait of a graduate is an aspirational statement that describes what students graduating from CSD exemplify and it will support the work of our strategic plan. If you are interested in supporting this work, please complete this form by December 16.
Georgia Parent Survey
The 2022-2023 Georgia Parent Survey is now open. Survey participation is voluntary, but we strongly encourage participation in the surveys to provide schools with critically important data to help guide prevention and intervention strategies. This school data is included in our school's College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) score. It is recommended that your school has at least a 75% participation rate. The surveys will open on Monday, November 7, 2022, and remain open through Friday, January 27, 2023.
Here is the link to the survey. Thank you to the parents that have already provided their input.
Good Troublemaker Award
The late Congressman John Lewis was known for his famous plea to all humans fighting for social justice. “Speak up, speak out, get in the way. Get in good trouble, necessary trouble, and help redeem the soul of America.” Who in this district, or in your building, has actions that speak louder than their words when it comes to being a good troublemaker for equity? Honor them by telling us more about their actions as champions for equitable educational outcomes in CSD.
Nominate someone else or yourself for the Good Equity Troublemaker Award here by Sunday, January 8, 2023, at 11:59 PM. Contact Anthony Downer at adowner@csdecatur.net with any questions or for more info.
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.
December 19th, 2022 - Karen Newton-Scott, Chief of School Performance
* 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.
Upcoming Title I and ESOL Parent Meeting
ATTN: Clairemont and Talley Street Title I and ESOL Parents!
You are invited to attend the upcoming parent meeting on Thursday, December 15, at 6:00
p.m. as we discuss the topic: Resources and Tips for Supporting Your Child at Home
Please view the flyers for additional information.
BHMS Family Movie Night
We are hosting our inaugural Family Movie Night at Beacon Hill! On Friday, December 16 at 6:00pm we will be offering a variety of movies to choose from for families to come and enjoy together.
Tickets are $10 each and concessions such as drinks and snacks will be available.
Click here to reserve your tickets, there is a limited quantity available.
Please note that all students must be chaperoned by an adult or have a safe way to get home. We are looking forward to sharing a night at the movies with our Beacon Hill community!
Proceeds from this event will support PBIS incentives for students at Beacon Hill.
Decatur Holiday Marketplace + Cafe
We're calling families, friends, and community members to shop and enjoy live music and yummy food at the Decatur Holiday Marketplace. Doors open Friday, December 9, from 5:30-9:00 p.m. and Saturday, December 10, from 10-5:00 p.m.
Community Partner Announcements and Updates
Decatur Farm to School
Are you interested in growing your school garden program or improving student access to fresh fruits and vegetables? The Decatur Farm to School Committee is accepting new members for the remainder of the 2022-2023 school year. In addition to general volunteers, the committee is specifically looking for "School Garden Liaisons" from each CSD school. If this sounds like you or someone you know, learn more and sign-up here.
Run With the Dogs
Register TODAY for Run With the Dogs (RWTD) 2023!
Join us on Saturday, January 28, 2023, for Run With the Dogs, a Decatur tradition now in its 19th year.
We’re back at Beacon Hill Middle School for the 5K and Pup Trot, and we are pleased to announce that this year’s race is an official qualifying event for the Peachtree Road Race!
The nomination period for the Face of the Race has closed, and the race committee will narrow down the adorable candidates to four finalists. Make sure to check our website (rwtd5K.com) beginning on November 11 to cast your vote for this year's winner. One vote per email address will be accepted during the voting window, which ends at 11:59 pm on November 16. The 2023 Face of the Race winner will be announced on the race website and social media on November 18.
Run With the Dogs is an annual fundraiser of the Decatur Bulldog Boosters and supports the athletic programs at Decatur High School and Beacon Hill Middle School. All race participants will receive the coveted long-sleeved T-shirt designed by local artist Adam Pinsley.
Click here to register. For more information, visit rwtd5K.com.