Dr. Ferhman
January 6, 2023
In this newsletter:
Winnona Park
Shout-outs: Glennwood Author Visit, CSD Shares Successes with Google Workspace and Chromebooks and Top Dog Award Winners
CSD announcements and updates about the Georgia Parent Survey and Good Equity Troublemaker Award
Community partner announcements and updates from the Decatur Education Foundation, Decatur Farm to School and Run With the Dogs
Winnona Park
I would like to give a special shout-out and thank you to the Winnona Park Crew, the CSD Operations Department, and the Decatur Fire Department.
On December 24, two sprinkler heads burst in the school, damaging rooms on the south side of the building (the part of the building closest to the trailer). Fortunately, the change in water pressure activated the fire alarm, which signaled the Decatur Fire Department. When they responded, they quickly shut off the water. However, the school still experienced significant damage.
CSD Chief Operating Officer Sergio Perez was notified immediately. He quickly hired a recovery company, which was on site by December 25, and immediately began the work of assessing the damage and recovering materials. By the next day, dozens of fans and blowers were already drying parts of the building, and damaged materials (after being inventoried) were already being removed.
Mr. Wiseman, Mr. Johnson, and Ms. Stopp came in over the break to assist the recovery team in assessing the damage and they immediately started planning how to ensure the students and staff could return to a safe and clean learning environment. I want to thank Mr. Wiseman, Mr. Johnson, Ms. Stopp, and all of the WP Crew, who have done an excellent job of being creative and flexible in finding space to house the affected classrooms and offices. I visited Winnona Park yesterday and saw many happy, smiling student faces, which is a tribute to the amazing staff at the school.
Thank you, Winnona Park staff, CSD Operations, and Decatur Fire Department!
Here are a few pictures of the damage:
Congratulations! Great job! Way to go!
Glennwood Author Visit
I had the pleasure of visiting Glennwood today for their Read-a-Thon Kick-Off, Discover the Magic, with special guest author Malcolm Mitchell, former Georgia Bulldog and New England Patriot. Malcolm Mitchell, with the help of his team and the fantastic Glennwood audience, put on an engaging magic show to get students excited about reading and learning. Job well done!
CSD Shares Successes with Google Workspace and Chromebooks
CSD's successes in implementing and supporting Google Workspace and Chromebooks over the last few years is being captured in a video case study for consideration by other school districts. DHS Computer Science teacher Deirdre Pierce (photographed), Enterprise Applications Coordinator Kiet Le, and Chief Information Officer Eston Melton this week spoke to our successes with these tools for the case study. Way to go!
Top Dog Award Winners
Our Top Dog Award Winners this week are Christen Gibbons, Angela Spencer, and Lily Ronco!
Christen Gibbons, Director of Instructional Programs, received this nomination from a colleague:
“Christen models the IB attribute of being Principled. She tackles problems head-on and always acts with integrity, honesty, and fairness. She encourages our crew to look at new and innovative ways to tackle instruction while making sure to provide any support needed along the way. She is the only employee at the central office level who services the gifted population of hundreds of students in CSD. She supports employees, students, as well as parents. Being a former school psychologist, she is also a wealth of information when we evaluate students with multiple needs. How she gets it all done, we will never know!”
Angela Spencer, Food Service Manager at Clairemont Elementary, received this nomination from a colleague:
“Ms. Angela Spencer is a true gem at Clairemont Elementary. She is one of the first people that many see each day at work. She speaks to every child and staff member every morning, greeting all who meet her with a smile and sincere warmth. Ms. Angela is highly principled and recognizes the goodness of everyone she comes in contact with, shining her light. She recognizes what is fair and just and works to make each child feel loved and special. Thank you, Ms. Spencer, for all that you do for our students and our staff. Your kind and loving actions boost the morale of your peers and make us all want to give our best each day, no matter the season.”
Lily Ronco, Kindergarten Teacher at Glennwood Elementary School, received this nomination from a parent:
Ms. Ronco is nothing less than amazing, seriously. I am amazed how she gets it all done! If I could give her every award listed personally, I would! She’s patient, helpful, and understanding. Ms. Ronco, she keeps going no matter how challenging things can be sometimes with our precious kindergartens! She doesn’t miss a beat. I couldn’t have asked for a better school. Glennwood has the best staff!
Way to go, Christen, Angela, and Lily!!
Do you know someone who deserves Top Dog recognition? Nominate them here.
CSD Announcements and Updates
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 remain open through Friday, January 27.
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.
Community Partner Announcements and Updates
Decatur Education Foundation
Happy New Year! As we begin the second half of the 2022-23 school year, we are excited for what’s ahead! Mark your calendars: There’s Mead Road Mardi Gras Parade coming up very soon on Saturday, February 4, 2023, which is a FUN family event that raises money for music grants for City Schools of Decatur. Your family can march with your school in the parade, or you can organize a community krewe. Details at meadrdmardigras.org. Then on Saturday, March 11, 2023, there’s the Tour deCatur 5K and one-mile fun run, which is DEF’s biggest fundraiser. Registration begins soon, stay tuned.
At the beginning of each month, our BHMS snack pantry and weekend backpack lists are depleted and need to be replenished. You can help by donating directly to them using these links:
Beacon Hill Middle Snack Program: https://a.co/d0HJHTr
Weekend Backpack Program: https://a.co/6Etc74W
Together, we make a difference for our kids!
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
Join us on Saturday, January 28, for Run With the Dogs, a Decatur tradition now in its 19th year.
The race is back at Beacon Hill Middle School for the 5K and Pup Trot, and the 5K race is an official qualifying event for the Peachtree Road Race! Register by January 15 to make sure you receive the coveted long-sleeved race T-shirt featuring Tuck the Pug.
Run With the Dogs is an annual fundraiser of the Decatur Bulldog Boosters to support the athletic programs at Decatur High School and Beacon Hill Middle School.
For more information and to register for the race, click here.