Clark sends in this pic of a “not everyday sight”.  Apparently both ends of a utility line across Trinity Avenue between Twains and Fire Station #1 caught fire on Wednesday afternoon.

Deborah writes in…

Lost Sat, 12/31, Sargent Hills near Little Creek Horse Farm; RENO has on a red flea collar; we are heartbroken; REWARD 404-839-2136; pls use cell # instead of email since I’m in Tampa; brother is in Atl area & really heartbroken for Reno

• House fire on West Benson Road overnight [Patch]
• 42-acre Cumberland Island fire 95% contained [AJC]
• Grand jury to investigate corruption in DeKalb Watershed Management [WSB]
• A tour of the Shakespeare & Co. bookshop in Paris [AsianCajuns]
• POEM: Last Thoughts on Woody Guthrie [BobDylan.com][Audio]

Flipbooks video h/t: AsianCajuns

Back in late 2011, Decatur Superintendent Phyllis Edwards commissioned four committees to tackle some of the school system’s most pressing issues: Enrollment, Engagement, Transportation and Start/End times.  Each committee is made up of both CSD staff and members of the community.  (Disclosure: I’m currently serving on the engagement committee)

Last night, two of the committees, Enrollment and Engagement, presented to the School Board.  The Enrollment committee’s findings – presented by Asst. Superintendent Thomas Van Soelen were extensive and, I’m guessing, will be quite interesting to many of you.

First off, Mr. Van Soelen’s entire presentation, which is full of information, is available to everyone HERE.  I’ll try to hit most of the high-points.

First off, you’ll probably be interested in this historical enrollment graph above which shows you the extent of CSD’s highs and lows over the last 50 years.  It shows quite clearly that the 12% jump this past year was indeed unprecedented as well the significant enrollment declines during the 1970s.

Among the other most interesting findings by the committee:

• Pre-K zoning is a good indicator to determine kindergarten enrollment levels at the K-3 schools
• All under-construction multi-home developments in the city of Decatur are currently in Winnona Park
• The City has requested birth-rate data at the Census block-level from the Dept. of Public Health
• According to City of Decatur realtors, Oakhurst is only 33% through it’s new resident “transition” Read the rest of this entry »