Dr. Fehrman's Friday Follow-Up
February 4, 2022
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Stronger Together Shout Out
Glennwood Elementary hosted its Third Annual African American Read-In today. They had the honor of hosting many special guest readers, including CSD Board Chair Johnson-Davis and leaders from our community. My sister-in-law, Shana Keller, even came in for the day to read two of her own books!
Glennwood also welcomed four-time New York Times bestselling author, Stacey Abrams. Ms. Abrams shared her first children’s book, Stacey’s Extraordinary Words, and took questions from the students about her life and journey to becoming an author.
Student Code of Conduct Update
CSD made a mid-year update to our Student Code of Conduct and Restorative Practices Handbook to ensure there is a clear alignment between our code and the state laws on bullying. The updated code is linked on our website for your reference. The updated section is highlighted in yellow on page 22 of the code and it is included below.
The term [bullying] also applies to acts of cyberbullying which occur through the use of electronic communication, whether or not such electronic act originated on school property or with school equipment, if the electronic communication:
1. is directed specifically at students or school personnel,
2. is maliciously intended for the purpose of threatening the safety of those specified or substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the school, and
3. creates a reasonable fear of harm to the students’ or school personnel’s person or property or has a high likelihood of succeeding in that purpose.
This update clarifies that acts of cyberbullying that occur on a students’ personal electronic equipment and/or off-campus can be investigated by the school. If a student(s) is found in violation of bullying/cyberbullying, the student(s) involved will receive consequences in line with a bullying violation. Georgia is very clear that after three documented incidents of bullying a student will be taken to a disciplinary hearing.
Anyone can report bullying/cyberbullying, intimidation, and/or harassment directly to a teacher or administrator or by submitting this form to the Office of Equity and Student Services by emailing Dr. Huddleston at lhuddleston@csdecatur.net.
Black History Month Staff Highlight
Every February, the U.S. honors the contributions and sacrifices of African Americans who have helped shape the nation. Black History Month celebrates the rich cultural heritage, triumphs, and adversities that are an indelible part of our country's history.
Forty years after the formal recognition of Black History Month, Barack Obama, the nation's first Black president, delivered a message from the White House in which he said, "Black History Month shouldn't be treated as though it is somehow separate from our collective American history or somehow just boiled down to a compilation of greatest hits from the March on Washington or from some of our sports heroes . . . It's about the lived, shared experience of all African Americans, high and low, famous and obscure, and how those experiences have shaped and challenged and ultimately strengthened America."
In support of Black History Month, CSD would like to share with our community the stories of the unsung Black American heroes who shape, challenge, and ultimately strengthen CSD. These are everyday people who make a difference in the lives of our staff and students through their personal qualities and efforts.
Our first staff highlight goes out to two individuals: District Registrar Patrice Moore and Oakhurst Paraprofessional Craig Morgan.
Patrice is our queen of customer service at the Wilson Center as she welcomes and enrolls all of our new families. Craig's principal, Tanisha Frazier shared, "Craig is a breath of fresh air to work with. He easily relates to the kids and they love him." Craig and Patrice are living examples of Black History in CSD.
Patrice and Craig are siblings who have worked for CSD for 11 and 13 years, respectively. Patrice shared with me the story of the "Four Portraits in Black" documentary that her family was a part of in 1974. The Morgan family was featured in the segment that focused on "white flight" in communities. The documentary is an important piece of history for her family of eight children, their parents, and their move to a suburban neighborhood.
Thank you Patrice and Craig for sharing your family's story with me and for allowing me to share it with our community.
Budget Presentations and Input Opportunities
We had a great System Charter Leadership Team (SCLT) meeting on Tuesday. I shared a lengthy presentation about the budget, answered questions, and received feedback. If you are interested in learning more about the budget, you can watch the recording of the meeting here. We will also do another presentation on the budget at the February 8 Board of Education meeting. See the graphic below for the budget calendar.
I will also attend SLT meetings at FAVE and Talley to share a presentation about the budget. All members of the community are invited to listen in on those meetings. I also encourage all SLT members to attend one of those meetings as well to ask questions and share feedback. The FAVE SLT meeting is scheduled for February 9, and the Talley SLT meeting is scheduled for February 24. The links to access those meetings will be available on the CSD website.
After watching one or more of the presentations, we invite stakeholders to submit questions and feedback regarding CSD’s budget through this form. We will do our best to incorporate answers to the questions submitted into upcoming presentations.
Top Dog Awards
This week, our top dogs are Cathy Karmakar, Charles Shreves, Erin Williams, and Erin Guerrieri. Reading the nominations for this recognition is definitely a highlight of my week! Thank you to all who submitted nominations for these outstanding employees. You can read excerpts from their nominations below. Click here if you would like to nominate a CSD staff member to be a Top Dog.
Cathy Karmakar, Payroll Specialist at the Wilson School Support Center
“Cathy Karamkar ALWAYS goes beyond the call of duty. She serves as the district's payroll specialist and ensures everyone receives their check twice a month. Cathy processes over 900 checks twice a month, and annually, she orders, completes, prints, and mails W2's. Last year, due to COVID, there were some challenges with the district receiving the W2s on time. Cathy volunteered to drive to South Carolina to pick up the W2s. Fortunately, the W2s arrived on time, but Cathy had keys in her hands and was ready to drive her personal car to South Carolina if needed. This year Cathy was able to process the W2s and put them in the mail prior to her deadline. She is dedicated and dependable. When the district is closed for holidays and employees receive their payroll checks over the holidays, it is because Cathy comes in on her off days and processes checks. Cathy is also a team player and willing to help anywhere she can. She never complains about what she does, and she will move a whole mountain if necessary to ensure we all receive our checks and W2s. Cathy definitely qualifies as a Top Dog and is more than deserving of this award!”
Charles Shreves, Teacher at Decatur High School
“He is one of the most caring teachers my son has had since going to school here. He called last year, keeping me informed more than once, and always has a kind word to say. He is a wonderful teacher, so thankful my son has had the privilege of having him last and this school year.”
Erin Williams, Teacher at Talley Street Elementary School
“Erin's day is slammed full of teaching in small groups and pushing in to support students in classrooms. She has transformed her tiny office space into a bright, beautiful classroom full of student work, anchor charts, and more. My favorite thing about Erin is how she builds relationships with kids, though. Today, I saw her eating lunch with one of her 3rd graders, sitting on the concrete just like the kids, engaging him the entire time. We are so lucky to have Erin at Talley!”
Erin Guerrieri, Media Specialist at Oakhurst Elementary School
“After noticing a unique stuffed animal in our school's lost and found, Erin KNEW that someone was missing it, so she took it upon herself to find its owner!!! She took pictures of the stuffed animal and created flyers to put around the school to find its owner. My kindergarten student was going to recess and noticed the flyer and said, "I think that is my stuffy!!". I went to collect the stuffy from the Media Center and the student saw it and was soooo excited to have it back safely in her arms. She said that having it back "made her day!!" This is a prime example of going above and beyond and doing what is BEST for students!! I am so grateful to work with people that think about students in such a compassionate way!”
Congratulations! Way to Go! Go Bulldogs!
Coach Souther Named Coach of the Year
Congratulations to Coach Mary Souther, who has been selected as the US Track & Field and Cross Country Boys Coach of the Year for the State of Georgia!!
If you know Coach Souther, you know how much time, energy, and passion she puts into our Cross Country and Track & Field programs at DHS and RMS. You also know that Coach Souther gives all the credit to the runners and assistant coaches who are certainly deserving of this recognition as well. Congratulations to Coach Souther for receiving this honor!
DHS Band
The Decatur High School Band was well represented at the 2022 Georgia Music Educators In-Service Conference!
Student composers Nina DeFilippo and Spencer Mullen, and musicians Nate Cohen, Thomas Cook, Spencer Wilson, Jackson Jeffrey, Ava DeFilippo, Lucy Marti, Jackson Chapman, and Riley Davis performed two original pieces at the Conference’s Composition Recital. These two works were selected from student compositions across the state for performance.
Natalie Park performed with the Atlanta Trumpet Ensemble on Bugler’s Holiday accompanied by the Riverwatch Middle School Symphonic Band. Bravo Natalie!
Percussion Instructor Mark Little served on the instructional team of the Trickum Middle School Symphonic Winds, one of the featured ensembles of the conference.
Director of Bands Tyler Ehrlich was selected to participate in the GMEA Leadership Symposium for future leaders of our state music educators association.
Congratulations, all!
PSAT/NMSQT® Recognition Program
Congratulations to the following students on being selected as College Board National Recognition Program awardees:
Ana Villavasso
Asher Clarke
LaBron Foy
Makayla Nathaniel
Sultan Ziyad
Talia de la Cruz
Teo Lara
Yasmeen Shad
Zuri Murph
These outstanding students received one or more of the following awards:
• National African American Recognition Award
• National Hispanic Recognition Award
• National Indigenous Recognition Award
• National Rural and Small Town Recognition Award
Our students earned this recognition because of their academic achievements in school and outstanding performance on the PSAT/NMSQT®, PSAT™ 10, and/or AP® Exams. They've accomplished these milestones during an immensely demanding period of their high school career. Way to go Bulldogs!
COVID Updates
Dr. Fehrman will be meeting with the COVID Advisory Teams in the coming weeks to review our protocols. As dates are finalized, more information will be shared with the community.
CSD Updates and Announcements
From the CSD Special Education Department
The Special Education Parent Survey is a survey that helps the state to determine parents’ perception of the success of parent engagement relating to 10 specific areas of special education and the IEP process and is used as a means of improving services and results for children with disabilities. Georgia’s parent survey is available to all families of students with IEPs. Families with more than one student with an IEP, please complete an individual survey for each student. For more information about the survey, click here. Thank you in advance for your participation!
CSD K-12 Art Exhibition
Community News and Announcements
Decatur Parents Network Parent Chats
We can't protect our children from everything, but we can educate ourselves and support each other. Many of our parents have requested more time for interaction and NETWORKING. Join us for our NEW monthly, informal parent chats. Please Register Here ahead of time; space is limited.
https://bit.ly/DecaturParentsNetworkParentChat
Decatur Education Foundation
Save the Dates: There are two great family-friendly events coming soon that both benefit DEF: Mead Road Mardi Gras Parade on Saturday, February 26 and the 20th Tour deCatur 5K on Saturday, March 12!
Mead Road Mardi Gras Parade: To register a community Krewe for the parade, please visit www.meadrdmardigras.org.
Tour deCatur 5K: Tour registration is NOW OPEN at www.tourdecatur.com. To celebrate our 20th year and our 20th Tour deCatur, we want to honor the amazing people on the front lines with our kids: the teachers and staff of City Schools of Decatur. We are offering FREE Tour deCatur registration to all CSD employees to thank them for all they have done and continue to do! We are encouraging ALL CSD staff to come out wearing their school colors with pride! We love a friendly competition and wonder...who will have the highest turnout? You can join us in honoring our educators with an extra gift when you sign up for the Tour or through a donation at decatureducationfoundation.org/donate! Join us on March 12th for the best Tour deCatur yet!
Financial Literacy Workshop Sponsored by State and Federal Programs
Are you interested in learning more about financial literacy? Please use the registration link below to sign-up for this workshop. We will discuss:
Opening a checking/savings account
Personal Budgeting
If you have not registered for this workshop, please use the form linked here as soon as possible to receive a gift we have for you!
Finance 101: Part 1
Wednesday, February 23 at 6:00 p.m.
Meeting Link: https://csdecatur.zoom.us/j/96620655950?pwd=UWZKOXhObWxpaFVGR3BkVEF1ZS92Zz09