Dr. Fehrman's Friday Follow-Up
January 21, 2022
Click this link https://www.smore.com/r68my for the mobile-friendly version of this newsletter.
Stronger Together Shout Out
I want to recognize our amazing CSD staff for their continued dedication to the students in our community. When we started this semester in the midst of the Omicron wave, we knew that managing a higher number of staff absences would be challenging, but we were unsure how long these challenges would last. I am pleased to share that our staff attendance rates have been in the upper nineties all week. When I met with TAC this week, they shared that many of their co-workers have stepped up during this time of need and postponed personal and non-emergency medical appointments to ensure we have fewer staff out of the buildings during this critical time. We are also grateful for the substitute teachers. With fewer staff absent and more substitutes choosing to sub in CSD classrooms, our unfilled sub rate has dropped significantly. Thank you CSD staff, administrators, substitutes, and families for all you do to support our students! We are definitely Stronger Together!
Top Dog Awards
Congratulations to our Top Dogs this week: Sophia Wilder, Gloria Ann Alexander, Christie Chalberg, and Brittany Stewart. Thank you to everyone who nominated these outstanding CSD staff members. You can read excerpts from their nominations below.
Sophia Wilder, paraprofessional at Oakhurst
“Ms. Wilder brings joy to everyone in our building. She is kind, thoughtful, and always around to help anyone (student or staff) who needs it. Her respect and caring for students is an example to us all!”
Gloria Ann Alexander, custodian at Clairemont
“My daughter often talks about Ms. Gloria at home. She says she is friendly and kind to all of the kids as they go through the lunch line and that if she is having a bad day, Ms. Gloria always makes her feel better because of her kindness. When my daughter brainstormed a list of her "trusted grownups" at school, Ms. Gloria was one of the first names she listed!”
Christie Chalberg, Adventure Quest teacher at Renfroe
“Christie Chalberg has created an Adventure Quest curriculum that has made her class one of the most sought-after classes at RMS. Having to pivot in the time of Covid, Christie has tirelessly worked to create new and meaningful experiences under all of the constraints that Covid has given. She added archery this year, and it was a hit for both students and teachers. In fact, there was an increase in archery equipment being requested for gifts over the holidays by many of our students!”
Brittany Stewart, fourth-grade teacher at Fifth Avenue
“She was the best teacher, kind, put students first, and was always fun to be around. For the past 2 years, I haven’t been in her class, but she always checks in on her students and says hello.”
If you know a CSD staff member who has demonstrated leadership and dedication to the CSD Pack by going above and beyond the call of duty, please nominate them for Dr. Fehrman's Top Dog Award!
Congratulations! Way to Go! Go Bulldogs!
DHS Student Max Bee-Lindgren
CSD is so proud of Max Bee-Lindgren, who was recognized as a Regeneron Science Talent Search Scholar! Regeneron STS is the nation’s oldest and most prestigious science and math competition for high school seniors. Max is a finalist in the competition, and according to records from the Regeneron Science Talent Search, Max is both the first semi-finalist and the first finalist ever from Decatur High in the 82-year history of the nationwide competition. Max is also the only finalist from Georgia.
As a finalist, Max has won $25,000 in scholarship money. In addition, he will compete for up to $250,000 more in the finals in Washington, DC, in March, with his project titled “Calculating Transition Amplitudes of an Observable Using the Rodeo Algorithm for Quantum Computing.” Way to go Max! Click here to learn more about the competition and Max’s project.
RMS and DHS Band Students
Congratulations to the DHS and RMS Band students accepted into the Georgia All-State Bands. Additionally, the Decatur Band had the fifth-highest representation of any school in the state. This speaks highly to the dedication and artistry of our young musicians. Bravo all!
RMS and DHS Orchestra Students
Please join me in congratulating the following RMS and DHS orchestra students on their acceptance into the All-State Orchestra! We are so proud of their hard work and dedication!
COVID Updates
Weekly School-Based Testing is Resuming
Schools will resume weekly COVID-19 testing with our new provider, Mako Medical. You will receive information from your child’s school about your intent to participate and the consent process. You will need to register again even if you consented previously for school-based weekly testing.
Your school will provide a link that is specific to your child’s school. You will need to register via the school-specific Mako link even if you previously registered for testing at the Wilson Center.
Students will be administered a rapid antigen test. If they test positive, they will return to the testing location for a PCR test. You will receive results via text/email. If your child tests positive, you will also be contacted by the school. All students testing positive for COVID-19 will need to isolate following the CSD isolation procedures.
You will receive information about the start date and testing day and time from your child’s school. If you have any questions, contact your school nurse or principal.
Daily testing will also continue for staff and students at the Wilson Center from 6:30 am - 8:30 am. Please use this link to register for testing at the Wilson Center. Reminder- this link is only for testing at the Wilson Center. Please use your school-specific link to sign up for testing at your child’s school.
Vaccination Opportunity
The Dekalb County Board of Health will be returning to CSD to provide COVID-19 vaccines on Wednesday, January 26, at the Wilson Center. No appointment is necessary.
This is free to everyone in the community. This is a 12 and older event.
Vaccines will be available from 2:30 pm - 5:30 pm.
All 3 COVID vaccine options will be available.
COVID boosters are now available for everyone 12 and over.
Any child between the ages of 12-17 receiving the COVID-19 vaccine must have a parent/guardian.
Location -125 Electric Avenue (Board Room Entrance), Decatur, GA 30030. This will be an indoor event. Masks are required.
Questions? Please contact District Health Coordinator Shonda Moore at smoore1@csdecatur.net.
Wilson Center Updates and Announcements
CSD Programs Virtual Roundtable
Want to learn more about the programs available in CSD to support students? Join us for the CSD Programs Virtual Roundtable and learn more about:
ESOL & Federal Programs
MTSS
Special Education
Equity & Student Services
Thursday, January 27, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Submit questions here
(Question submission is still open)