CSD Opening Day
Decatur Metro | August 6, 2009 | 9:34 am
DHS teacher Chris Billingsley continues to provide us with great coverage from CSD events. Here’s a report and some pics from CSD’s recent opening day ceremonies at Agnes Scott.
In her remarks, Dr. Edwards urged us to fight for excellence in our schools and public education. Our motivational speaker was Mr. Murray Banks, former teacher, coach and world champion athlete, who received a well deserved standing ovation at the end of his inspiring presentation. CSD business partners, Ricoh, Ra-Lin and Associates, Winter Construction, Collins Cooper Carusi Architects, and Wilson, Morton, and Downs, LLC. sponsored a delicious lunch from Skips Hotdogs in Avondale Estates. Outstanding entertainment was provided by Hotlanta Dixieland Jazz band, “Jazz With A Southern Accent”. Everyone had a good time. This was a great way to start the school year.
More pics after the jump.
Opening Day Picnic
Murray Banks and Winnona Park Principal Greg Wiseman
ROTC at Opening Day
What is CSD?!
City Schools of Decatur
Dear Parents, Community Members and CSD Stakeholders:
Yesterday, we had a wonderful kick off to the 2009-2010 school year. One of the great things about being in a small system is that every person who works in the system, all 479 people, can gather together in one location to hear the same message. This year, we met on the Agnes Scott Campus from 9:30 until 12:00 for the message from the superintendent, to deliver system service pins and to hear a wonderful keynote speaker, Mr. Murray Banks. Following the formal activities, all staff members gathered under the trees in the quad for a luncheon provided by RICOH, our copier company, and catered by Skip’s. It was a wonderful way to thank the staff for the work they do every day for our students and also to motivate everyone for the work that we need to do this year.
Our theme was, “When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going” or “Tough Times Don?t Last but Tough People Do”. It was fitting since last year at this time, we faced serious budget cuts and had to make some very difficult decisions and again this year, we will be cut by 3% and also are being asked to reduce staff days by three days this year.
Despite this news, CSD continues to hold its own and actually survive. Our enrollment has been up for the past three years. This is good news for a system that was experiencing declining enrollment for a period of approximately 5 years before 2003. When I came to Decatur, now some 6+ years ago, I wondered if we could keep the system viable. Our work with the students and a strong commitment of professional development for our staff members has netted some excellent results in student achievement. The enrollment has increased over the last few years by approximately 5%. Even as I write this letter, people continue to come into the central office to register their children in our system.
This year, all of the schools met AYP. Academically, there was not an issue at any of the school levels. There was an attendance glitch in reporting at the middle school and we have made an appeal and should hear the results of that appeal by September.
I feel very strongly that our teachers are confident and happy to work in City Schools of Decatur. It is a sought after place to be. For every opening we had, there were over 100 applicants who applied for each position. If you know a teacher or staff member in CSD, make sure to tell them that they are doing a great job. It is important for them to know that they have supporters within the community.
We are finishing work on the new buildings on the Decatur High School Campus. Sometime in the fall, you will be invited to tour the new gymnasium and auditorium. As you go by McDonough Street, you can see that it is almost completed. The new buildings on McDonough as well as the new stadium added last year have done a great deal to add to the ambiance of the City of Decatur as a whole. Soon, we will begin work on the new Renfroe Middle School gymnasium. Once completed, all the projects that were slated for completion at the Bond Referendum and SPLOST vote, as stated to the public, will have been complete.
As we face financial challenges, like the rest of the country, we are still fighting for excellence in public education. We are happy to have work that involves the students, as the children are the hope for this country to continue in greatness! Thank you for your support. I will continue to provide you with updates throughout the school year.
Sincerely,
Dr. Phyllis Edwards
Superintendent, City Schools of Decatur