Dr. Fehrman's Friday Follow-Up
May 13, 2022
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Stronger Together Shout Out
Good Equity Troublemaker Awards
At the Board meeting this week, we recognized some amazing people in our school district with the Good Equity Troublemaker Awards. The award honors those in CSD who get in "good trouble" - people who, like John Lewis, never hesitate to speak up, speak out, and contribute to the District through their work, risk-taking, and sacrifice in the name of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI).
The individuals selected at the building level for the Good Equity Troublemaker Awards were recognized by the Board for their tremendous work. The building level winners also competed for the Good Equity Troublemaker of the Year Award. Congratulations to Karen Newton-Scott, Chanell Huff-Cox, and Candace Jones-Boynton for being named the first Good Equity Troublemakers of the Year!
I am so proud to work in a school district that not only encourages staff never to hesitate to speak up and speak out in the name of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion but celebrates our staff for doing so. Congratulations to the Good Equity Troublemakers of the Year!
Reading
Over the past few months, questions have been raised about the reading instruction in City Schools of Decatur. I am thankful that CSD has a passionate parent community that is curious about our instructional programs. I 100% agree that teaching reading is the most essential component of providing our students with a world-class education. When I was a social studies teacher, I embedded reading and writing into every lesson and saw it pay off in dividends with my students far beyond my social studies classroom.
I want to be sure that every member of our community has a clear understanding of the scientifically based world-class reading instruction happening in our schools every day. At the work session in April, three of our top-notch elementary teachers shared a small glimpse into their classrooms with the Board. But there is so much more to share. The Teaching and Learning Team has put together an FAQ for our community to provide parents with more information about CSD’s reading program.
Also, I hope you can join us for the presentation next week from reading expert Ellen Hill, Director of Community Engagement from the Schenck School. See details below. This presentation will help parents learn what they need to know about reading instruction.
Reading Event for Parents
Please join us on Wednesday, May 18th, from 6:30-7:30 pm
in the Wilson Center PLC (125 Electric Avenue) for an event to discuss “What parents need to know about Reading.” Please see the picture below for more information.
AANHPI Heritage Month Spotlight
May is Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and I would like to highlight some of the fantastic work and people in our district. This week I am highlighting the Renfroe Middle School Asian Culture Club.
Renfroe Middle School Asian Culture Club
We are a new student-run and student-led club founded in September of 2021. Our club started off small, but it has grown to 18 members, including the 3 founders.
Our purpose for founding ACC was to create a safe space where Asian American/Pacific Islander students could share their experiences and connect with one another. We thought it was important for Renfroe’s scattered Asian population to be able to have a community where they can belong and connect. We meet biweekly to gather, laugh, play games, and talk about culture, identity, and belonging.
More information about AANHPI Heritage Month can be found under the community partner section of this newsletter.
Top Dog Awards
Since May 11 was National School Nurse Day, I am recognizing all of our nurses as Top Dogs this week.
Beth Barrington, Dawn Durham, Jen Eagle, Holly Fletcher, Nancy Garrison, Sandra Gunn, Chanell Huff-Cox, Shonda Moore, Lola Poindexter, Greg Prather, and Tammara Sinkfield.
Our nurses have gone above and beyond the call of duty these past two years (and before), implementing COVID procedures, contact tracing, testing, vaccinating, and so much more. They have been the trusted source of information for our families and staff and always exhibit compassion and patience. Thank you, nurses! You are appreciated for all that you do.
Here is a nomination for one of our nurses that I received, and this could be said about all of our nurses:
“Nurse Greg is phenomenal! I've talked with him several times since the pandemic started, and he is always so kind and patient and caring. He takes time to explain the facts of what's going on and what to do and answers my questions. Superb interactions every single time, even when it's a difficult topic like a temporary shutdown of my son's class due to an outbreak. CSD is lucky to have Nurse Greg. He is working incredibly hard to keep our community and our kids safe in these weird ongoing pandemic times, and is always positive and responsive and handles things with grace. He is a consummate professional and a compassionate person every single time I speak with him.”
Congratulations! Great job! Way to go!
EL Education's Better World Day
In celebration of EL Education's Better World Day, Clairemont Elementary School students addressed food deserts as both equity and community health issues. Students set up a farmer's market to give the community access to healthy, affordable produce. The proceeds went to their school’s garden committee to enable a flourishing future. Thank you to Monica Nelson, Clairemont Music Teacher, for taking the lead in creating and implementing an EL Education Better World Day initiative with Clairemont students. Way to go, Clairemont!
Congratulations CSD Teachers
Congratulations to the City Schools of Decatur teacher cohorts who completed the summer of 2021 and the year-long 2021-22 70-hour Orton Gillingham training.
Thank you, teachers, for participating in a professional learning opportunity that engages in a deeper study of explicit phonic instruction.
July 2021 Cohort
Susan Albright - Oakhurst Elementary School
Brenda Bennett - Winnona Park Elementary School
Lori Bigham - Westchester Elementary School
Courtney Bishop - Fifth Avenue Upper Elementary School
Kasey Burkhalter - Glennwood Elementary School
Dionne Cannon - Oakhurst Elementary School
Taylor Hammond - Winnona Park Elementary School
Michael Holliday - Fifth Avenue Upper Elementary School
Valencia Johnson - Winnona Park Elementary School
Jamie Montgomery - Westchester Elementary School
Kara Morrison -Talley Street Upper Elementary School
Alex Powers - Oakhurst Elementary School
Michelle Reynolds - Glennwood Elementary School
Lilly Ronco - Glennwood Elementary School
Jordan Rooks - Talley Street Upper Elementary School
Heather Thaker - Glennwood Elementary School
Dana Wright - Talley Street Upper Elementary School
August 2021 - May 2022 Cohort
Natasha Cain - Fifth Avenue Upper Elementary School
Sarah Guest - Fifth Avenue Upper Elementary School
Vera Jemison - Talley Street Upper Elementary School
Corinne Jolley - Glennwood Elementary School
Sara Jones - Glennwood Elementary School
Natalie Marchetti - Talley Street Upper Elementary School
Siri Olson - Westchester Elementary School
Kathryn Pierce - Glennwood Elementary School
Nora Poling - Decatur High School
Angie Prophet - Fifth Avenue Upper Elementary School
Brooke Reynolds - Talley Street Upper Elementary School
Amanda Rogers - Talley Street Upper Elementary School
Alexandra Sabo - Talley Street Upper Elementary School
Nancy Turnipseed - Glennwood Elementary School
Benjamin Wagner - Westchester Elementary School
Classroom Educator Certificate
Ashleigh Marion - Glennwood Elementary School
Jaunice Troutman - Glennwood Elementary School
DHS Baseball in the Final Four!
The DHS Baseball team defeated Starrs Mill to make it to the final four! The team will face Loganville High at Loganville this Saturday at 1:00. The second game will take place 30 minutes after the end of the first. If necessary, Game 3 will take place on Monday, May 16, at 6:00 pm at Loganville High. Good luck, Bulldogs!
Track and Field Athletes Qualify for State Championship
Last Saturday, at the 5A Sectional B meet, Decatur Track and Field athletes performed at their best! 29 athletes qualified to compete in the state championship in 12 different events! Way to go, Bulldogs!
DHS Girl’s Ultimate Frisbee Club Competes in the State Championship Semi-Final
The Decatur High School Girls’ club ultimate frisbee team will play Maynard Jackson in a state championship semi-final on Saturday, with the winner playing either Midtown or Paideia. The games will take place at Boulevard Crossing (500 Englewood Ave SE, Atlanta, 30315) on May 14 at 10:30 am, the championship immediately following the semis. In last week’s Ultiworld National High School Power Ranking, Decatur had climbed to 14th in the country and was acknowledged as the best team in Georgia. They earned that reputation by cruising through the season undefeated, beating consistent powers Paideia and Midtown along the way. The team includes five seniors (Quincy Booth, Ella Ditmer, Jesse Mongomery, Naomi Norton, and Dinah Rogers), powerhouse younger players, and a handful of up-and-coming Renfroe middle schoolers. So come out and support this ultimate power on Saturday. Good luck, Bulldogs!
CSD Announcements and Updates
Coming Soon! Diversity Equity and Inclusion Family Survey
CSD is committed to our work to foster a fair and inclusive environment for our students and families. Reaching these goals requires learning more about families’ experiences with diversity, equity, and inclusion at school. Next week, we will launch the Tripod DEI survey for families with students in grades 3-12. You will receive a link via email and text. Next week, the link will also be shared in your school newsletter and the Friday Follow-Up.
The Tripod DEI survey is designed to capture perceptions of how diversity, equity, and inclusion issues play out in their school. Specifically, the survey measures perceptions of 1) school commitment to DEI, 2) school climate in general and specific to DEI, 3) integration of DEI into classroom and co-curricular activities, 4) everyday discrimination, and 5) meaningful interactions between social identity groups.
We invite you to share your input to help us improve our efforts to make CSD a more inclusive and equitable school district.
COVID-19 Vaccine Event
The City Schools of Decatur will be partnering with the City of Decatur and the Dekalb Board of Health to offer another COVID-19 Vaccine Event.
May 19, 10 am-6 pm at Legacy Park, 500 S Columbia Dr. 30030
The first 300 people to receive their COVID-19 vaccine or booster will receive a $100 prepaid gift card.
Ages 5 and up welcome.
Both Moderna and Pfizer 1 and 2nd Boosters will also be available. Please follow the link for eligibility. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/booster-shot.html#:~:text=2nd%20Booster%3A,are%20moderately%20or%20severely%20immunocompromised
Launchpad for Learning Camp
It's finally here! Launchpad for Learning registration is now open! Just log in to your Infinite Campus Parent Portal, choose the appropriate school store, click on the Launchpad for Learning icon, choose the week that you would like to register your student for, and checkout! Watch this video for a brief, step-by-step demonstration of how to register on the Infinite Campus Parent Portal. Click here for the FAQ and registration cheat sheet.
What is Launchpad for Learning?
Launchpad for Learning is an exciting, 2-week summer camp hosted by the City Schools of Decatur for students in grades K-8 in the 2022-23 school year. The Launchpad for Learning Summer Camp will be held July 11-22. Launchpad for Learning Summer Camp is an exciting opportunity for students to be introduced to upcoming grade-level standards with hands-on activities, field trips, and much more!
Questions? Contact Eddie Johnson at ejohnson@csdecatur.net.
Extra Mile Award
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 their 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. Students can also find the form any time via LaunchPad (it’s the purple icon labeled “Extra Mile Award nomination”). The deadline is May 25.
These awards will be presented at the CSD Opening Day Celebration in July.
Questions? Contact Courtney Burnett at cburnett@csdecatur.net
District CLIP Input Meeting
Please join us to share your feedback on the CSD 2022-2023 Comprehensive Local Education Agency Implementation Plan (CLIP).
Please use the link here to review the current CLIP document prior to the meeting.
Community Partner Announcements and Updates
Decatur Education Foundation
THANK YOU, DECATUR COMMUNITY! Our snack and weekend backpack lists have been filled for the rest of the year, thanks to your generosity!
Thanks to everyone who participated in our DEF Treasure Hunt, we hope you had fun! The WINNERS of the Treasure Hunt have been chosen: Congratulations to hunting groups “Catsquad” and “The Two and Only People who say buy,” who represent Winnona Park and F.AVE, respectively. The winners will be contacted via email about collecting their prizes.
There are still Step Up and Class of 2022 yard signs still available! And it’s not too late to express your appreciation for a teacher or CSD staff member with a Step Up tribute: Go to www.stepupforteachers.com, make a $25 contribution and you can leave a tribute message for your favorite CSD employee. DEF will notify the honored person. For $50 you can honor two CSD staff members AND have a yard sign delivered to your Decatur address. You can also celebrate your DHS seniors with Class of 2022 yard sign. Your contributions support Teacher Innovation Grants and provide an encouraging boost that our teachers need to finish the school year! (If a contribution is a barrier, please email your tribute and request to drew@decatureducationfoundation.org.)
CSD PTA DEI Committee
The CSD PTA Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee shared this information about AANHPI Heritage Month - Week 2.
In-Depth Learning for Adults:
History of Violence Against the Asian American Community
How to be an Ally to the Asian American Community
Children’s Resources: