Dr. Fehrman's Friday Follow-Up
October 7, 2022
Click this link https://www.smore.com/pznaf for the mobile-friendly version of this newsletter.
In this newsletter:
Strategic Plan Update
National Principals Month
Shout-outs: Graduation Rate, SAT Scores, Golden Radish Award, Top Dog Winners
CSD announcements and updates about DVA Interest, National School Lunch Week, and Dyslexia Awareness Month
Community partner announcements and updates from the Taylor Ware Project, Season of Giving, City of Decatur, Decatur Education Foundation, and Madison Soapbox Derby
Strategic Plan Planning Team Invitation
The next step in our process is for the Planning Team to review a wide range of data including student achievement and financial data along with the information gathered from the community engagement meeting and survey to develop the framework for the new five-year strategic plan. The outcome of this meeting will be a refinement of the CSD Vision, Mission, Beliefs, and the development of the major strategic goal areas and performance objectives to achieve in the next five years.
The Planning Team will consist of about 50 individuals, half of which are district and school employees and the other half are students and community members. We have already invited community leaders and partners, such as the chief of police, the executive director of DHA, a representative from DEF, and Beacon Hill Black Alliance, to be a part of this team. We also invited parents who serve as leaders on SLTs or PTA to join the team as well. Now that we have those team members confirmed, we are extending an open invitation to the community to fill out the rest of the team. Once the team is finalized, we will post the members on the strategic planning website coming soon.
If you would like to be considered as a member of the planning team, please complete this form by October 14.
National Principals Month
October is National Principals Month, and I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude for our outstanding principals. These individuals do a tremendous job of supporting their staff and have a significant impact on the success and well-being of their students. I hope you and your children will take a moment this month to let your principals know how much you appreciate them for their incredible work. So let's all #thankaprincipal this month!
We will highlight our principals in the Follow-Up and on Facebook so you can get to know them better and share gratitude and love. First up, we are getting to know Sarah Garland, Dr. Curtis Armour, Greg Wiseman, and Rochelle Lofstrand.
Congratulations! Great job! Way to go!
Graduation Rate
Congratulations to our staff on achieving an outstanding graduation rate of 96.6%! The Class of 2022 was among the largest graduating classes in Decatur High School history. The Georgia Department of Education announced graduation rates yesterday, and the state’s rate for 2022 is 84.1%. Click here to read the press release from the GaDOE. Way to go, CSD!
SAT Scores
Congratulations to our DHS students for once again helping CSD lead the state for SAT scores. Overall, CSD ranked #1 as a district on the SAT, and out of 490 schools, DHS ranked #13 with a score of 1196! Congratulations, students, on your hard work!
Golden Radish Award
Congratulations to School Nutrition Director Tiffany Lawrence and the entire school nutrition team for winning the Golden Radish Award. This award from the Georgia Department of Education’s School Nutrition Department recognizes excellence in farm-to-school. Way to go, CSD Nutrition Team!
Top Dog Award Winners
This year's Top Dog nominations will highlight an attribute of the IB Learner Profile. The attribute for October is Thinker. IB describes this attribute as, “We use critical and creative thinking skills to analyze and take responsible action on complex problems. We exercise initiative in making reasoned, ethical decisions.”
This week I am highlighting a few staff members that received nominations from students. Their nominations are below.
Kristen Tavel, first-grade teacher at Winnona Park Elementary
“Ms. Tavel is knowledgeable about addition problems, and she also knows all about us (her students). Ms. Tavel always knows when we're being truthful, she's very nice, and she knows the nice things that we need to hear to make us feel good.”
Natalie Bundschu, third-grade teacher at Talley Street Elementary
“Ms. Bundschu is so nice!”
Dr. Rachina Heron, school counselor at Fifth Avenue Elementary
“She is very helpful and thinks well and has a good mindset. She is always on the right track.”
Tyler Mangascle, second-grade teacher at Clairemont Elementary
“Mr. M. because he is verrry kind.”
Congratulations, Kristen, Natalie, Rachina, and Tyler! You are all amazing, and I am thrilled that your students took the time to recognize you.
Do you know someone who deserves Top Dog recognition? Nominate them here.
CSD Announcements and Updates
Decatur Virtual Academy Interest
Are you interested in Decatur Virtual Academy?
The window is now open for students to transfer to Decatur Virtual Academy (DVA) for the Spring 2023 semester.
To allow adequate time to complete online courses, the registration deadline for Spring semester enrollment is December 20, 2022. From October 7 until December 20, families may request a transfer to online learning for the Spring Semester by completing this form.
Space is limited. Once we are full, families will be on a waitlist. This form can only be completed by a parent or guardian who has educational rights for a CSD student. Once the form is completed, Ms. Whatley will schedule a time to discuss courses, the attendance policy, and let you know if there is space for your student.
Please review the Decatur Virtual Academy Handbook prior to speaking with Ms. Whatley.
National School Lunch Week
October 10 - 14 is National School Lunch Week. We invite your children to celebrate with us by participating in School Lunch Spirit Week (see graphic), eating a CSD lunch, and enjoying some fun menu items. Check out this fun video about using purple cabbage to make a tie-dyed t-shirt! Also, don’t forget to let the school nutrition staff at your school know how much you appreciate their hard work and dedication to serving nutritious and delicious lunch and breakfast every day!
Dyslexia Awareness Month
October is Dyslexia Awareness Month! Please see the graphics below created by a DHS student graphic design intern Alan Maharg.
Mark your calendars for these meetings:
October 13, from 6:00-7:30 pm in the CSD Boardroom at the Wilson Center:
CSD Parent Dyslexia Education Meeting
Ellen Hill, Schenck School, Understanding Dyslexia and How to Empower Your Child’s Academic Success
October 20, from 6:30 - 7:30 pm Virtual Meeting:
GADOE/CSD Virtual Dyslexia Q&A Meeting
CSD will provide an overview of our participation thus far in the Georgia Dyslexia Pilot Program. Followed by Dr. Jennifer Lindstrom, Statewide Dyslexia Coordinator for the Georgia Department of Education, leading a GADOE/CSD Virtual Dyslexia Q&A Parent Informational Session. Questions must be provided in advance using the form below.
Click here to register for this meeting.
Click here to submit questions for the Q&A.
Resources from the Georgia Department of Education:
Georgia Department of Education Dyslexia Information and Video Links
Community Partner Announcements and Updates
I Choose Empowerment Summit
An Invitation for Young Ladies aged 16-21 from the Taylor Ware Project:
Season of Giving
A Season of Giving/Christmas Decatur is back to its traditional method of neighbors purchasing gifts directly for local children and seniors!
T
o apply for assistance, please complete an online application at https://aseasonofgiving.org/application/ by October 28th.
If you have any trouble with the form, questions, or concerns, please email us at aseasonofgiving@decaturga.com or leave a message on our voicemail (404.378.8068).
If you do not need assistance, we would love your help!
Donors will purchase gifts from an individual wish list specific to a child (through 8th grade) or senior citizen. If you would like to be a donor, please complete our online form.
If you would like us to do the shopping for you, please donate directly at https://legacydecatur.org/give/ and select A Season of Giving!
City of Decatur
Attention!! All teachers and instructors who are Artists, Actors, Chefs, Scientists, Engineers, and Designers! If you are looking for a Summer opportunity that engages kids and aids in the exploration of kids' interests, look no further. E Camps Summer program will offer a variety of interests each week. Camps are presented in four categories: Cooking, Theater, STEAM, and Explorations.
If you would like to share your expertise and talents with our participants by facilitating an enrichment camp, please use the link below to apply.
Here is the link for the 2022-2023 E-Camp Summer Application: https://decaturga.seamlessdocs.com/f/ECamp2023.
Decatur Education Foundation
Miles Above Award -- As Mr. Rogers used to say, "Look for the helpers." We honor 'the helpers' through our Miles Above Award, which was established by Sam and Leah Jenness to recognize their son's teacher, Laura Pitts, who acted with extraordinary kindness and bravery in the face of tragedy. Mile's young life was taken too early when he was involved in a fatal car accident in 2018. The Miles Above Award seeks to honor his life and recognize a pre-K-3rd grade teacher, paraprofessional, or CSD staff who exhibits extraordinary kindness and compassion toward young students in challenging circumstances. If you would like to nominate someone, please click here: https://forms.gle/pgrLV5zyXGevqkD67.
Soiree in the City is coming soon! Are you ready for an occasion to dress up and go out on the town? Come celebrate our 20th Anniversary with us on Saturday, November 12th, at one of the hottest new event venues in Atlanta, 42West. We’ll enjoy a seated harvest dinner, live music from Maxwell Street, and a full array of cocktails and mocktails. Tickets are now on sale at www.decatureducationfoundation.org/soiree. Business sponsorships are still available! Contact leah@decatureducationfoundation.org for more information.
Meaningful volunteer opportunities available! DEF is seeking volunteers to be tutors and mentors! Tutors are needed to help students from 2nd – 8th grades one hour per week. We are also gearing up to re-launch our AIM Scholars mentoring program in January for which we need 20-30 adult volunteers. If you would like to learn more about these programs and sign up, please visit www.decatureducationfoundation.org/mentoring.
Madison Avenue Soapbox Derby
DRIVER REGISTRATION DEADLINE
Don’t miss your chance to be a part of one of Decatur's most iconic neighborhood events! The deadline to register to race is October 12th at 5 pm. Limited spots are available to race in the Derby - register now!
COME WATCH ON RACE DAY!
Join us as a spectator on Saturday, October 15th, for a day of family-friendly fun watching the race! Check out the full schedule here. Food and beverages will be available for purchase - all proceeds from this year’s event go to support the Friends of Refugees family literacy program!