Dr. Fehrman's Friday Follow-Up
July 23, 2021
Greetings!
I hope you are as excited about the start of the school year as I am! Over the past two weeks, I have been meeting with our district and building leaders to set the stage for an amazing school year. I visited each school over the past two weeks and I can proudly say that our schools are ready for our students to return.
CSD Masking and Quarantine Updates
Just this week, the American Academy of Pediatrics released their recommendations for a safe return to school. Similar to the guidance from the CDC, AAP prioritizes a return to in-person learning, vaccinations, and additional multi-layered mitigation strategies to minimize the spread of COVID-19 in schools. The main difference between the recommendations from AAP and the CDC is that AAP recommends universal masking for all staff and students.
Each day I review the COVID daily status update and the Level of Community Transmission posted by the Georgia Department of Public Health. Currently, DeKalb County is in the Moderate Transmission range.
I have shared in the past that as data and guidance change, the mitigation plans for CSD must be reviewed and adjusted accordingly. I reviewed the transmission scale provided by the CDC and developed a masking protocol for each level of community transmission.
Transmission Levels as Defined by the CDC.
If DeKalb County moves to the High Transmission level, I will require universal masking in all schools regardless of vaccination status and continue universal masking until the transmission level has returned to substantial or lower.
CSD will also continue to offer two options for quarantine when an individual has been in close contact with a COVID-positive individual in the school setting. I have reviewed this protocol with our school health team and determined that this is still appropriate. As previously mentioned, I will be tracking and sharing the number of students and staff in isolation and quarantine throughout the school year. I also have set a metric to determine if the 2nd quarantine option remains appropriate. As I track the data, if there is one case of in-school transmission, I will stop the 2nd quarantine option.
#StrongerTogether Shout Out
WSB-TV Channel 2 Action News Interview with CSD
Parent Checklist for 2021-2022 School Year
With just a little over 1 week until the first day of school, CSD would like to share important information with our parents regarding the required items that need to be completed prior to the first day of school. Completing your 2021-2022 school year registration is as easy as 1, 2, 3!
1 - Complete the CSD Annual Update on Infinite Campus
2 - Review and Complete any School Level Forms - Schools will be sharing information in their weekly communications.
3 - Complete the CSD Transportation and Nutrition Forms
July Reflections
Click here to read my updated racial awareness reflections.
Communication from CSD
In an effort to streamline communication for families, all schools will now send their regular communication and newsletters on Thursdays. We hope this consistent communication day across all schools will help families stay connected and informed. I will continue to send a weekly district update in the Follow-Up each Friday.
I am also available to directly answer any questions from our parents, staff, and students. You can email me directly at mfehrman@csdecatur.net, you can follow the CSD Facebook page, and you can schedule a meeting with Dr. Fehrman via my Google Calendar (look for the “Open Space Discussion” appointment slots). If you don't have a personal Google account and can't sign-up, please contact Ashaki Stinson (astinson@csdecatur.net) directly to schedule a time.
CSD Student Center Survey
Calling all students, parents, and CSD community members...
1. The Decatur Student Center needs your input. Please complete this short, anonymous survey to help us plan programming for the upcoming year.
2. Decatur Teens Speak out about Mental Health
Tuesday, July 27, 2-3 pm on Zoom open to anyone 12-18 in the City of Decatur.
Teens must register at bit.ly/decaturMH; those who register will receive the Zoom link. Those who participate will receive $25! (Flyer also attached)
3. VOX ATL Teen Survey - open until Sept. 1
This anonymous, mobile-friendly survey takes less than 10 min to complete, and teens can win up to $100 for participating and promoting it.
Click here to take the 2021 Teen Survey. Share this link to promote it: bit.ly/voxsurvey21.
The organization/group that gets the most teens to take the survey will also win a prize!
4. The Decatur Prevention Initiative needs your help to plan programming for the upcoming year.
The Decatur Prevention Initiative (DPI) wants to learn more about your beliefs and perceptions regarding underage drinking and substance misuse among Decatur youth (including vaping, marijuana, prescription drugs, and opioids).
Can you take a moment to complete a DPI Survey? This survey helps drive our strategic planning and our programming. A summary of the results will be shared with the community and will be available at www.decaturpi.org.
5. Community Resources
The Dekalb County Board of Health is providing free COVID-19 vaccines for individuals 12 and over. Families can also receive schools supplies and other resources. See the flyers below for more information.
Family Summer Safety Event - July 24th
Back to School Drive-Thru - July 31st