Don’t forget about tonight’s City Commission and School Board Forum at Oakhurst Elementary!

Michael sends in the details…

The forum kicks off at 7 p.m., with School Board candidates Valarie Wilson and Rob Pope answering questions from the audience in the first hour. Both will make closing statements just before 8 p.m.

After which, City Commission candidates Kyle Williams and Patti Garrett answer questions. The forum wraps up at 9 p.m.

Note cards and pens will be provided to audience members at the forum — and they may submit questions anonymously if they prefer.

Unfortunately, I will not be able to attend so if anyone feels like giving a recap of the action in the comments section post-forum, I’d be most appreciative!

Nelliebelle sends in the details for College Heights and the Frasier Center’s Fall Festival on Halloween Day.

Support Decatur’s one of a kind 0-preK early childhood learning center by attending the Annual Fall Festival.

All profits directly benefit school programs

College Heights / Frasier Center

Saturday October 31st 10am – 1:00pm

Entrance Cost is $5.00 per Child

Activities Include:

Petting Farm (10-12), Pony Rides (10-12), Bouncy, Cupcake Walk, Games, Fall Crafts, Fall Family Photos, Face Painting, Designated Activities for Babies (18 Months and younger), Food Court, Pumpkin Contest

See you then!

Thank you,

College Heights PTA, Staff and Children

The AJC reports that a car crashed into the “Edible Arrangements” on North Decatur Road in the Publix plaza on Sunday.

I drove by this mess yesterday afternoon and snapped the crappy pic above (if you look closely you’ll notice the broken out windows to the left and DeKalb cops & firefighters to the right).  From my passing glance it looked like the damage was confined to the shop windows.

According to the AJC, the shop was closed at the time of the accident and no one was injured.

In this letter to the community, Superintendent Phyllis Edwards announces new safety measures being taken at Decatur schools.

Dear Parents and Community Members:

On October 11th we opened a lovely new school facility at Decatur High School. Hopefully you were able to attend the open house and see the new building. What it will offer our students is nothing short of incredible.

With the addition of a new facility comes some increased monitoring and supervision.

We have already experienced some thefts this year of equipment at DHS. We are making or have made the following changes:

• *New cameras and security system provided by Iron Sky;
• *Change of locks and entry procedures;
• *Requirement of all staff to be out of the building at a reasonable hour;
• *Review of our procedures with the city police and the alarm company;
• *A meeting with the police and assessment of the facility.

Shortly, I will announce a meeting for parents about safety. The police will be our speakers and trainers. Even though we are a small system, we are not immune from danger and illegal behavior.

I believe we are taking the appropriate steps to make our schools as safe as possible, but it is important that we all stay informed and work together.

Students who engage in behavior which is illegal will be prosecuted to the fullest extent. Doors need to remain locked and staff vigilant. We do not want an environment filled with armed officers and metal detectors, but need to understand we all pay the price when we are lenient in matters concerning student safety.

Sincerely,

Dr. Phyllis A. Edwards

Superintendent of School

Ponce de Leon Heights resident Jayme Armour Leffler – who owns Armour & Co. in Va-Hi – got the AJC Homefinder-feature treatment in Sunday’s paper.

Of course, there are always many more pics online than in the physical paper, so even if you saw the feature yesterday, you still may want to jump over and check it out!