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Friday Follow-Up

Friday Follow-Up

May 12, 2023

In this newsletter:
  • Shout-outs: BHMS 8th Graders Adopt-A-Stream, BHMS FAB LAB Test 12 ft. Tall Paper Roller Coasters, DHS Senior Nick Galenkamp Receives Recognition from President Biden, and Top Dog Award Winners
  • CSD announcements and updates about the Decatur Student Center, Code of Conduct and Restorative Practices, Teacher Appreciation Spotlights, Extra Mile Awards, Math Chats, Bus Registration Open, CSD Summer School Registration for Grades K-8, and Launchpad for Learning
  • Community partner announcements and updates from Decatur Education Foundation

CSD Charter Application Update

CSD’s Charter Application was approved by the State Board of Education yesterday! Our charter application was passed unanimously by the Charter Review Commission last month and was presented at the State Board committee meeting yesterday. Dr. Fehrman and Ms. Burnett attended the committee meeting to speak on behalf of CSD and answer any questions about our charter application. The five-year renewal includes maximum flexibility of State regulations that allow CSD to design a unique learning experience that meets the needs of all students. CSD’s charter specifically included three innovative practices to address reading instruction, staffing, and personalized, student-centered learning.


Thank you to all who contributed to writing the application, providing input on the application, and meeting with the GaDOE Charter Review Team. A special thank you to Chief of Staff, Ms. Courtney Burnett, for her deep knowledge, project-management skills, and attention to detail. All of which were essential to the successful approval of the charter.

Congratulations! Great job! Way to go!

BHMS 8th Graders Adopt-A-Stream

BHMS 8th grade science students participated in a week-long adopt-a-stream training program this past week. Georgia Adopt-a-Stream is a citizen science program geared towards protecting local waterways and teaching community members about environmental science and water quality issues in Georgia. The students were able to utilize their physics and chemistry skills to support community and environmental health.

BHMS FAB LAB Test 12 FT. Tall Paper Roller Coasters

This week, as a culminating activity for this term, FAB LAB students tested their paper roller coasters. They applied their thinking and learning to create an amazing collection of coasters. Each group worked collaboratively to name and design a visual representation of their learning through this experiment. They were given the opportunity to make their coasters more advanced by including halfpipes, zig-zags, and tipping switches. The “Confidence Booster” set a school record, measuring as high as almost 12 feet and lasting over one-minute from start to end. Way to go, FAB LAB students!

Also, this month's FAB LAB laser workshop had nearly 40 student participants! All the FAB LAB Makerspace workshops are run by the BHMS Design Engineering instructor, Mr. Matt Heuser. If you have any questions, reach out to Mr. Matt Heuser at mheuser@csdecatur.net to learn about the FAB LAB program and Makerspace workshops.

DHS Senior, Nick Galenkamp Receives Recognition from President Biden

DHS Senior, Nick Galenkam was given the President’s Gold Volunteer Service Award and pin! The highest level next to the 4,000 hour lifetime award. Nick has completed nearly 800 total lifetime volunteer hours. Great job, Nick!
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Top Dog Award Winners

Our Top Dog Award Winners this week are Rita Mangual and Asia Sylvest!


Rita Mangual, Spanish Teacher at FAVE, received this nomination from a colleague:

“Mrs. Rita Mangual is a loving and caring Spanish teacher who does everything in her power to make Spanish enjoyable. She teaches from her heart and is an asset to the community. Learning a second language is not an easy task but she does it with a sense of pride and ease. Her students are able to communicate and understand not only the Spanish language but the culture, an aspect sometimes overlooked in school curriculums. It’s a pleasure having an opportunity to work with her.”


Asia Sylvest, Toddler Lead Teacher at College Heights ECLC, received this nomination from a colleague:

“Asia Sylvest has created a classroom community here at College Heights where every child feels safe, loved, and valued. It is clear that Asia's students are delighted to be at school. They come in each morning with big smiles, often hurrying down the hall to reach the classroom. Asia ensures that her students are comfortable with the routines of their day and that they practice kindness and patience with each other. Her instruction encourages students to discover and wonder. She is intentional with her calm and positive presence, her praise, and her gentle redirection. Asia recently led a virtual learning opportunity for parents, Baby Doll Circle Time, a key practice in our Conscious Discipline social emotional curriculum. Parents were able to see how Baby Doll Circle Time supports children's development, attachment, and attunement skills in the classroom every day. Though Asia's young students may not remember her as the years go on, they will always carry with them the feelings of love and security they developed in her Toddler class.”


Way to go, Rita and Asia!


Do you know someone who deserves Top Dog recognition? Nominate them here.

CSD Announcements and Updates

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Decatur Student Center

Don’t forget the BHMS and DHS Decatur High School Student Centers are open to students who are in need of help. Please

check out the DSC Resource page by clicking the link below to

access a variety of mental health resources, including a list of questions and considerations when seeking therapeutic services.


Decatur High School Student Center Website


Services are available through the end of the school year. Decatur Student Center services do not extend through the summer.


Decatur High School Referral Link https://forms.gle/1qNFp3GmDv63nv9C7


Beacon Hill Middle School Referral Link https://forms.gle/1SzTt8JT7FNFukfb6


Elementary Referral Link https://forms.gle/NSMS4EGhbZL1tUjJ7

Code of Conduct and Restorative Practices

It’s time to review/revise the Code of Conduct and Restorative Practices. If you are interested in providing input you can attend the virtual input session May 22nd at 5pm or submit feedback using this form by Friday May 19th. If you are interested in attending the session, please email Cynthia Brown (cbrown@csdecatur.net).

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Teacher Appreciation Spotlights

Our teachers make a difference in the lives of our students everyday. Their dedication and hard work does not go unnoticed. Has your teacher made a positive impact on your education? Has your child’s teacher shown dedication and compassion for your child? Click here to share how a teacher has made a positive difference. Teacher appreciation posts will be posted on our social media channels throughout the month of May.

Extra Mile Awards

Students: Do you know a teacher or CSD employee who has gone “the extra mile” this year? Nominate them for the CSD Extra Mile Award! The Extra Mile Award is an annual award that allows students to show appreciation for the teachers or staff they feel go above and beyond what is expected of them.


Students (not parents) at any grade level can write an essay describing how their teacher (or staff member) goes the extra mile (parents can help younger children write the essay). The essays should be detailed and describe how the employee goes above and beyond.


Click here to submit a nomination. The deadline is May 31.


These awards will be presented at the CSD Opening Day Celebration in July.


Questions? Contact cburnett@csdecatur.net or 404-371-3601

Math Chats

If you missed Part 1: What are the new math standards? OR Part 2: What is mathematical modeling? of the three-part Math Chats series, please watch the video recordings linked below.

Part 1: What are the new math standards? Link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dto_UROTIko5k4kUpwyagQiH-H9H_XZM/view?usp=sharing

Part 2: What is mathematical modeling? https://drive.google.com/file/d/19g4nlt-Xh-zOHgDvlxvKjxB4CP1hIHd5/view?usp=sharing


The next session, Part 3: How to help my child with the new standards? will be held on May 18 at 9:30 or 5:30. Both sessions will present the same information. All sessions will be virtual. To learn more about math in CSD, please visit our webpage at https://www.csdecatur.net/site/Default.aspx?PageID=4833.

Bus Registration Open

2023-2024 Bus Registration is open!

Here is the link to for bus transportation https://csd.mybusplanner.com/


Flyer designed by DHS student intern: Alan Maharg

CSD Summer School for Grades K-8

Registration for summer school for grades K-8 ends on May 19, 2023. Participation is by letter of invitation only.

Launchpad for Learning Summer Camp

It’s time to register for Launchpad for Learning Summer Camp hosted by CSD! Registration ends July 3 at midnight. Spaces will fill up quickly, so register soon.

Launchpad for Learning is an exciting, 1-week summer camp hosted by the City Schools of Decatur for students in grades K-8 in the 2023-24 school year. The Launchpad for Learning Summer Camp will be held July 10-13. Launchpad for Learning Summer Camp is a great opportunity for students to be introduced to upcoming grade-level standards with hands-on activities and fun experiences. This year our activities will have a S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Music) focus for $225 per student.


Linked is a Registration Help Form that will guide you through the registration process, and there is a video showing how to register posted here. We are excited about Launchpad and the possibility of helping our students transition into the new school year! If you have any questions, please feel free to email Maury Gusta, District Launchpad for Learning Coordinator, at mgusta@csdecatur.net.

Decatur Education Foundation

It's time to Step Up for Teachers! www.stepupforteachers.com is live and ready for your tributes to CSD teachers, paraprofessionals and staff. For a $25 donation, you leave a message of appreciation, we'll notify the honored person and post it on our website. For a gift of $50 or more, you can select between a "We Step Up" or a “Congratulations Class of 2023" yard sign. Please note that we cannot deliver signs this year. If you would like a sign but cannot contribute, please email drew@decatureducationfoundation.org with your tribute and your sign preference. Proceeds from the Step Up campaign help fund Teacher Innovation Grants that are awarded every fall. Together we make a difference for our teachers, our schools and our kids.


A Big THANK YOU to ColorWheel Art Studio for choosing DEF as their recipient of their Empty Bowl fundraiser to address food insecurity! They raised $3,000 that will go towards our Lighten the Load program that assists Decatur families with meeting basic needs. Together, we make a difference for our kids!


Don’t Cook, Take a Break, It's May-hem! Dine out with NaanStop for DEF next Thursday, May 18th! To place your order in advance, click here: https://naanstop-decatur.square.site/. Order by 7:00am that morning and pick up between 5:00 pm and 5:45 pm on Thursday at Avery/Bucher in Winnona Park. 20% of proceeds will be donated to DEF, thanks to Naan Stop and Greg Kodesh Realty.

City Schools of Decatur