Dr. Ferhman
November 18, 2022
Click this link https://www.smore.com/gr2x9 for the mobile-friendly version of this newsletter.
In this newsletter:
- Thank you!
- National Parent and Caregiver Involvement Day
- Shout-outs: F.AVE Student Council Elections, World Language Food Drive, BHMS Clarinet Honors Ensemble, Students Design Sneakers, DHS Seniors in Training as CNAs, DHS FCCLA Fall Leadership Conference, and Top Dog Award Winners
- CSD announcements and updates about National Parent Engagement Day, DHS Rake & Run 2022, DHS Presents the Sound of Music, and Connection Sessions
- Community partner announcements and updates from the CSD DEI Committee, Decatur Education Foundation, City of Decatur, and Run With the Dogs
Thank you!
As I reflect on my personal reasons to be thankful, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the privilege to work alongside such a caring, dedicated, supportive staff and community. Thank you to all of our amazing educators, support staff, community members, and families for your tremendous work in supporting our kids and staff.
I hope all our students, staff, and their families have a wonderful holiday!
National Parent and Caregiver Involvement Day
Happy National Parent and Caregiver Involvement Day!
Special thanks to all CSD parents, caregivers, and families. We appreciate you for being engaged in your child's education!
Thank you to DHS Career Academy Student Intern Alan Maharg for designing the graphic!
Congratulations! Great job! Way to go!
F.AVE Student Council Elections
World Language Thanksgiving Food Drive!
BHMS Clarinet Honors Ensemble
The Beacon Hill Middle School Clarinet Honors ensemble has been selected to perform as a lobby group during the Georgia Music Educators State Conference in January. This is a tremendous honor because small ensembles across the state on the Middle School, High School, and Collegiate levels apply for these performances each year.
Please congratulate these hard-working clarinet players in the Beacon Hill Middle School Band:
Christopher Chilik
Luna Fernandez
Albert Li
Sophia Prybylski
Alex Beran
Jack Busch
Finley Gallagher
Cara Holecek
Moyaby Kone
Cassie Kreitel
Atlas McClung
Julia Painter
Quinn Yedvarb
DHS Students Design Sneakers
The Career Academy Graphic Design team attended a 7-hour, 2-day workshop on November 3-5 with Sole Play. As a part of the High School Sneaker Design Lab, students received a pair of Air Force Ones free to design. Their designs showcased their style and creativity. Thank you, Sole Play, and way to go, Bulldogs!
DHS Seniors in Training as CNAs
DHS Career Academy, in partnership with Drew Charter School, teamed up to establish D Squared, a program in collaboration with Emory University’s Nursing Learning Center that provides students with real-life experience to prepare them for entering the nursing industry. As a result, when they graduate from high school next spring, all will be qualified to enter the workforce as certified nursing assistants (CNAs) and attend college. Way to go, Seniors!
DHS FCCLA Fall Leadership Conference
On Thursday, November 10, the DHS FCCLA (Family Career Community Leaders of America) took 15 students to attend their Fall Leadership Conference. Students attended leadership sessions and competed in various competitions.
Congratulations to our Knowledge Bowl Team, Alycia Jones, Malena Clavijo, Kierra Johnson, and Patricia Robinson, for placing in the Elite 8 and moving on to the next round in March! Congratulations to Maeve Gallentine for placing 3rd in the Fashion Stylist Competition! Congratulations to Izzy Mellars for winning the Statesman Award! Way to go, DHS FCCLA!
Top Dog Award Winners
Our Top Dog Award Winner this week is bus driver Danyelle Knox.
Ms. Knox received this nomination from a parent:
“Our family had an issue recently with a delayed bus, and I would like to share my experience and give kudos to our bus driver Ms. Knox. I shared my concerns with the transportation department, and Ms. Knox reached out immediately via email and provided me with her cell phone number. Unfortunately, I missed the email until the following day, but she wanted to address my concerns, and she was right on time this morning! I told her this but wanted to share with the team that this is my kids' first time utilizing the bus, and it's been a truly wonderful experience. They speak very highly of Ms. Knox and have indicated that she runs a tight ship (in a good way!) and that they feel safe and cared for while en route. They truly look forward to the experience every day.
I imagine that early morning delays happen, and I know that Ms. Knox had to manage changing buses several times over the past few weeks. I appreciate everyone's willingness to hear my concerns and act on them. I feel heard and appreciate the remediation efforts.
I spoke with Ms. Knox on the phone, and I'm just bowled over by her. She helped me understand the logistics, so I have better expectations for my family, she was enthusiastic and knew my kids by name, and she expressed just how much she cares about all her kids. It's evident to me that Ms. Knox goes above and beyond in all she does, and she absolutely should be recognized as a Top Dog!”
Congratulations, Danyelle!
Do you know someone who deserves Top Dog recognition? Nominate them here.
CSD Announcements and Updates
National Parent Engagement Day
Thursday, November 17, was National Parent Engagement Day. The CSD ESOL & Federal Programs Department shared special treat bags with parents on Thursday, thanking them for their Involve”Mint” in helping to ensure their student’s success every day.
The department also helped the students create a special thank you tribute video.
Please watch the students' dedication video by clicking the link here.
DHS Rake & Run 2022
The DHS Close Up Club will be hosting its annual DHS Rake & Run event - a student-run volunteer-based service project that helps our students raise money for their trip to Washington D.C. There is no financial obligation to participate, although our club gladly accepts donations in order to make the trip possible for more students. This year, the Decatur High School Close Up Club will hold its Rake & Run service project on Saturday, December 3, from 8:00-4:00 pm.
Register today at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdWuAaatnpLcxzDdyVj3Xx-7DYtqFZOoSQLq0fzPOvaUR9_Tw/viewform. To find out more about our club and trip check out our website!
DHS Presents The Sound of Music
The talented students at DHS always put on a great show. Tickets are selling fast for their production of The Sound of Music. Go to https://decaturperforms.org/ to purchase tickets.
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.
Community Partner Announcements and Updates
Native American Heritage Month
Thank you to the CSD DEI Committee for providing this information about Native American Heritage Month.
Decatur Education Foundation
Giving Tuesday is coming up on Tuesday, November 29, 2022, and is a global day of generosity – a day to support the causes that are meaningful to you and your community. With a donation to DEF, you are helping us support Decatur’s kids. It’s our mission to help EVERY student in Decatur learn and thrive. Every kid learns differently; every kid has different needs. We help students through our programs that address racial and economic inequity, opportunity gaps, food insecurity, and behavioral health needs.
Please consider making a donation of any amount (every dollar counts) at www.decatureducationfoundation.org/donate. Together we make a difference for our kids.
Are you great at math, science, or languages? Your skills could help a Decatur student in just one hour per week as a Virtual Pal Tutor! We pair 2nd-8th grade students with upper high school or adult tutors to help with homework, organization, and motivation. It’s an easy way to give back to your community in a meaningful way (and for high school students to earn volunteer hours).
Click here to apply: https://forms.gle/VJuyncb7qce6R7Jq5
Can’t volunteer but want to help out? You can donate to our Lighten the Load program, which keeps the snack pantry stocked at Beacon Hill Middle School. For those families in our community experiencing food insecurity, we also have a weekend backpack program. Both have unique Amazon wish lists that are updated monthly.
You can donate directly to them using these links:
Beacon Hill Middle Snack Program: https://a.co/d0HJHTr
Weekend Backpack Program: https://a.co/6Etc74W
City of Decatur
Decatur Town Center Plan 2.0 Community Meeting 1
Wednesday, November 30 | 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM
Decatur Recreation Center | 231 Sycamore Street
To RSVP, please click here.
This meeting will feature activities to help us identify downtown’s assets, issues, and opportunities. Everyone is encouraged to bring their neighbors, friends and families to have one-on-one conversations with representatives from the planning team. We look forward to seeing you at this event!
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.