From City Schools of Decatur…

City Schools of Decatur Superintendent Dr. David Dude is pleased to announce that William Heaton has been selected as the principal for Clairemont Elementary School.

Mr. Heaton has been a school administrator since 2004 and is currently the principal at Malcom Bridge Middle School in Oconee County. Prior to his tenure at Malcom Bridge, Mr. Heaton served as an elementary principal, elementary assistant principal, 5th grade teacher and 3rd grade teacher.

CSD received 44 applicants for the position. The first round interview team–including teacher, PTA, SLT, and district representatives–interviewed eight individuals and narrowed the field to three. The three finalists were invited back for an interview with the Superintendent and two additional SLT members, as well as a performance task evaluating a teacher.

“Thank you to all of the individuals that participated in this important selection process,” said Dr. Dude. “I believe that Mr. Heaton has the knowledge, experience, and ability to continue the great work that is happening at Clairemont Elementary.”

While the Decatur High Chorus does this babysitting service several times a year to raise funds, tonight is the Decatur Holiday Marketplace so it’s particularly timely. Parents can drop their kids across the street at First Baptist and shop at Clairemont Elementary.  A bit more info…

Let your children play in a safe, welcoming, and FUN space! They can play basketball, air hockey, billiards, foosball, board games, and arts crafts!

Childcare provided by the choral students of Decatur High Chorus, and supervised by DHS chorus parents including a Registered Nurse. Starts at 6:30. Ends at 9:30

Cost: $25 per child; $40 per two children of same family; $50 per three children of same family. (Optional pizza, $5 per child.)

100% of proceeds benefit Decatur Chorus.

Please RSVP to [email protected]

RSVP preferred, but walk-ins welcome

Kerry writes in…

The Decatur Holiday Marketplace + Café is slated for Friday, December 6  from 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm and Saturday, December 7  from 10 am to 8 pm at Clairemont Elementary School, located at 155 Erie Avenue, less than a mile from downtown Decatur.

Now in its 22nd year, the Decatur Holiday Marketplace + Cafe offers a local alternative to crowded shopping malls and big box stores as Clairemont Elementary School transforms into a festive market, boasting nearly 100 local and national artisans. Featuring handmade jewelry, paintings, photography, pottery and more, this holiday market offers unique gifts for everyone on your list.

The event also hosts a well-stocked cafe, featuring homemade soups and decadent desserts from local eateries. Local musicians and carolers will be on hand to add holiday cheer. If you’re shopping with children in tow, kindergarteners and older can join in the fun on Saturday afternoon  from 1pm to 5 pm with art activities provided by Color Wheel Studios.

The Decatur Holiday Marketplace + Cafe is more than just an ordinary craft market, but also a way for the community to support local students. Proceeds from the Decatur Holiday Marketplace + Cafe go directly to support learning for the students of Clairemont Elementary School.

For more information, please visit www.DecaturHolidayMarketplace.com or join us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/DecaturHolidayMarketplace.

Get thee to the market!  Susanna sends along this release…

DECATUR – If your holiday gift list has you feeling stressed, look no further than the Decatur Holiday Marketplace + Cafe, slated for Friday, November 30 from 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm and Saturday, December 1 from 10 am to 8 pm at Clairemont Elementary School, located at 155 Erie Avenue, less than a mile from downtown Decatur.

Now in its 21^st year, the Decatur Holiday Marketplace + Cafe offers a local alternative to crowded shopping malls and big box stores as Clairemont Elementary School transforms into a festive market, boasting nearly 100 local and national artisans. Featuring handmade jewelry, paintings, photography, pottery and more, this holiday market offers unique gifts for everyone on your list.

The event also hosts a well-stocked cafe, featuring homemade soups and decadent desserts from local eateries. Local musicians and carolers will be on hand to add holiday cheer. If you’re shopping with children in tow, kindergarteners and older can join in the fun on Saturday afternoon  from 1pm to 5 pm with art activities provided by Color Wheel Studios.  Parents can  pre-register online for the art activities at www.decaturholidaymarketplace.com and enter through school’s side entrance by cafeteria the day of the event.

The Decatur Holiday Marketplace + Cafe is more than just an ordinary craft market, but also a way for the community to support local students. Proceeds from the Decatur Holiday Marketplace + Cafe go directly to support learning for the students of Clairemont Elementary School.

For more information, please visit www.DecaturHolidayMarketplace.com.

Hot off the presses from the State Superintendent of Schools…

State School Superintendent Dr. John Barge named the 2011 Georgia Schools of Excellence in Student Achievement today, honoring 26 schools that have shown the greatest improvement or highest achievement across the state. Each of these schools will receive a $1,000 check from Georgia Natural Gas to be used however they wish.

…The Georgia Schools of Excellence are honored in two categories. Qualifying schools are chosen from each Congressional District in the following categories:

– Top 10%: Schools that are in the top 10 percent in Georgia as measured by assessments in reading and mathematics.

– Greatest Gains: Schools that demonstrated greatest continuous gains in student achievement for the past three years as measured by assessments in reading and mathematics.

And look who’s at #5 in Greatest Gains…

GREATEST GAINS

Congressional District, School, System

1. Matilda Harris Elementary, Camden County
2. Potter Street Elementary, Decatur County
3. Rosemont Elementary, Troup County
4. Pine Street Elementary, Rockdale County
5. Clairemont Elementary, City Schools of Decatur

You can check out to full list of honorees after the jump! Read the rest of this entry »

Click here for a bit more info.

Photo courtesy of James