“Oakhurst Elementary’s new principal, Robin Fountain, out helping shovel snow as students arrive on 2 hour delay today.”

Oakhurst Elementary School, Decatur GA (pic courtesy of April)

In related news, Decaturish reports that the Board of Education voted this morning to extend the school day by 30 minutes starting March 1st to make up for the time lost during this week’s winter storm.

After being named the new principal of Oakhurst Elementary at last night’s school board meeting, Principal Robin Fountain sent along this note along to families this morning….

Dear Oakhurst and Clairemont Families,

Tonight at the November Board of Education meeting, I was named the new principal of Oakhurst Elementary. For the last four years I have served as Clairemont Elementary’s Instructional Coach. The three years prior to that I taught 3rd grade at Oakhurst Elementary. Before moving to Decatur, I taught 1st grade at Ashley River Creative Arts Elementary in Charleston, South Carolina and in Glasgow, Scotland.

For the last few years, I have been preparing for the next challenge in my career, and when the Oakhurst principal position was posted in October, I submitted a letter of interest. Last week after the interview process, CSD superintendent Dr. Phyllis Edwards offered me the position and I happily accepted.

Rest assured that Ms. Wheeler, Ms. Mack, and I are working closely on a plan to care for both school communities. Clairemont is full of wonderful students, teachers, and parents led by a principal who fosters leadership skills in her entire crew, and a new Instructional Coach will soon be hired. I will begin spending part of my time at Oakhurst, meeting with teachers, visiting classrooms, and attending SLT and PTA meetings.

I am grateful for the wonderful staff, students and faculty at Clairemont who have supported me and helped me develop my leadership skills over the last four years and I will miss seeing them on a daily basis. However, I look forward to working with Marcia Bryant-Fowler, Oakhurst’s Instructional Coach, as well as the creative and dedicated Oakhurst teachers and staff. Further, I am honored and excited to collaborate with the principals of all the wonderful K-3 schools and to lead the Oakhurst Crew through the next phase of CSD’s exciting journey.

I am looking forward to getting to know new students and families and hope that when you see me, you will reach out and introduce yourself!

Sincerely,

Robin Fountain

From CSD…

Oakhurst Elementary has teamed up with the nonprofit branch of Carter’s to sponsor a pajama drive for children around the country who are currently facing challenging situations, including those recovering from the devastating impact of Super Storm Sandy.

Oakhurst welcomes community support of its pajama drive which lasts until Friday, December 14th. Would you like to participate? The greatest need is for new pajamas for school-age children (sizes 6 to 14), but sizes from infant to adult (for teenagers) will also be put to very good use. Oakhurst has a donation box set up in the front hallway of the school, so please join in Oakhurst’s spirit of service and compassion and help them fill up the box with new pajamas! http://oakhurst.csdecatur.net/

A variety of items on the Decatur City Commission’s agenda for this evening…

• Vote on amendment to City of Decatur Retirement System to provide a Postponed Retirement Incentive (PRI).  According to a note from Asst. City Manager Andrea Arnold “This amendment will provide the option for retaining long-term, experienced employees who could otherwise retire from city employment.”
• CSD looking for approval of three modular classrooms at Oakhurst Elementary
• Master Site Plan Approval for Public Works renovation
• Proposed extension of agreement with Latham Home Sanitation, with a 2% ($1.50) increase in the amount paid to the city per ton of recycling from $74.50 to $76.
• Avery Street, Fayetteville Road, Oakview, Pinetree, Cemetery path system and East Trinity in front of Fire Station #1 to be prepped for GDOT repaving
• Revisions to city fees include: increase non-resident pool fees from $2-$300 to $3-$350.  Reducing fee for production of a city-wide tax file from $500 to $100.  Increasing film permitting fee to $150 from $100.

Decatur Public Works rendering courtesy of Commission Agenda

From the Junktique website…

Mark your calendars for Junktique’s 3rd annual fundraising event on Saturday, November 12th, from noon to 5pm at the Solarium in the Oakhurst Village. Junktique, hosted by the Oakhurst PTA, is part artist bazaar, rummage sale, cook-off and dance party. This unique community arts event benefits Oakhurst Elementary School’s teachers’ grants. Junktique: Wings, Swing and Hops promises to be a fun-filled afternoon for the entire family!

At Junktique you’ll find…

• A treasure trove of fabulous finds from Oakhurst attics, local antique and consignment shops, as well as hand me downs from our very own students.
• Community Artisan Boutique featuring, exquisite locally-made crafts
• A sizzling, spicy, hot wing cook-off
• Swing dancing demonstrations and lessons
• An all new kid “carnival” area
• And much, much more!

All proceeds will benefit Oakhurst Elementary teacher grants. These vital grants assist teachers in enhancing their teaching approaches and classroom experiences.