Kelly sends along this announcement…

After much deliberation, the Westchester Elementary School Selection Committee has determined the bands that will compete in its second annual Battle of the Bands, presented by Decatur CoWorks and Holley Realty Team.
Carlos Danger, Rick Beato and Friends, The Benders, and The Bitteroots will compete against each other and last year’s winning band – The Dammages – for bragging rights and the golden wolf trophy.

The Battle of the Bands event, which benefits the students of Westchester Elementary School, will be held on Friday, March 10, 2017 at Avondale Towne Cinema.

Yvonne Monet will emcee the event, and celebrity judges include Dr. Dude, CSD Superintendent; Mia Green, Musician; Matt Still, Grammy winning Producer, Engineer, and Mixer; and Mark Trojanowski, Drummer, Sister Hazel.

Westchester thanks its generous sponsors who help make this event possible, as well as everyone who submitted their bands for consideration. Ten talented bands vied for four open slots, and the competition was fierce.

Visit WestchesterRocks.org for more information. Tickets will be available for purchase in early 2017!

Kelly writes in…

Friday Nov. 18 is the last day to submit your rockin’ band for the Westchester Elementary School Call for Bands.

Westchester’s independent selection committee will then begin the tough challenge of selecting four bands for this year’s event, which will compete against last year’s winning band – The Dammages.

Selected bands will be announced on Dec. 9, 2016.

Kelly sends along this announcement…

Does Your Band Rock?

Due to popular demand, Westchester Elementary School is holding an official Call for Bands Oct. 31-Nov. 18 for its second annual Battle of the Bands, Presented by Decatur CoWorks and Holley Realty Team.

The event, which features celebrity judges and local bands that battle it out for the students of Westchester, will be held Friday, March 10, 2017 at Avondale Towne Cinema.

This year, Westchester has appointed an independent selection committee – which includes a representative from Decatur Educational Foundation, as well as members of the local music and business communities – to select this year’s bands.

Visit WestchesterRocks.org for event details, how to submit your band for consideration and selection criteria.

Deadline: EOD Nov. 18, 2016

Entry fee: $25 (goes to Westchester PTA)

Selected bands will be announced on Dec. 9, 2016.

From Decatur Active Living’s Cheryl Burnette…

The City of Decatur Schools take part in International Walk & Roll Day each year and 2016 saw the highest number of students participating since the program began. A total of 2357 children walked or biked to school on Wednesday, October 5.  This number is up from the 1893 that participated in 2015. Mayor Patti Garrett also participated and walked a group of children from the Decatur Housing Authority to Glennwood School.

Westchester Elementary had the highest participation with 84% of students walking to school and will receive the City’s “Golden Shoe Award”.  According to school Principal Ms. Lofstrand, “the car pool was reduced to a trickle.”  There was at least one story of a family that had been reluctant to walk before but came out today for the first time, because the children were so enthused.

Decatur has had an active Safe Routes to School Program since 2005. The program has won the Golden Shoe Award from PEDS for Pedestrian Friendly School System and three schools have been named Metro Atlanta Partner  of Year by the GA Safe Routes to School Resource Center. Initially the program was coordinated by volunteer parent committees at each school. Beginning with the 2008 -2009 school year, the Decatur Active Living Division took on the management and development of Decatur’s program.

The success of the program still depends on the fabulous parents at each school who volunteer to be School Champions along with their school committees and the Principals at each school who not only support the program but understand the value of children walking and biking to school. The city and parents also work closely with the Georgia Safe Routes to School Resource Center.

Currently the City’s program includes all 5 elementary school, Renfroe Middle School, College Heights and Saint Thomas More Catholic School.  We are very proud the great work the parents and schools to to promote walking and biking every day.

For more information on Decatur’s Safe Routes to School Program, contact [email protected]  or visitwww.decaturga.com/srts.

Photo courtesy of Cathy Lo Davis

Better late than never, right? I received these great photos from the folks at Westchester Elementary a couple of weeks back – after their May 6th fundraising event at Avondale Town Cinema.

In front of a sold-out audience, a celebrity judging panel – which included Superintendent Dude, Sydney Rhame, Shawn Mullins, Michelle Malone and Mark Trojanowski – awarded local band, The Dammages, with the win and a stunning “Golden Wolverine” Trophy. (See photo of said trophy after the jump)
According to the release, money raised by the event “will go towards the purchase of computers and other technology resources for the school, as well as for teacher grants and playground enhancements.”

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Westchester rocks!

The Westchester PTA sent out this exciting announcement this morning…

The Voice contestant and Decatur High School student Sydney Rhame gave a surprise performance this morning for students at Westchester Elementary School to help announce the school’s “Battle of the (Dad) Bands” fundraiser, to be held Friday, May 6, 2016, at the historic Avondale Theatre in Avondale Estates.

Rhame will be part of a celebrity judging panel for the event, alongside Dr. David Dude, City Schools of Decatur Superintendent; Mark Trojanowski, drummer for Sister Hazel; Michelle Malone, singer-songwriter, musician, record producer; Trish Land, performer, designer, artist; and Shawn Mullins, singer-songwriter, musician. Award winning DJ and radio celebrity Yvonne Monet will serve as the event’s emcee.

“Battle of the (Dad) Bands” marks Westchester’s second community-wide fundraiser since reopening in 2014. Its first benefit headlined Ramblin’ & Rollin’: An Evening of Songs & Stories with Chuck Leavell. This year’s lineup includes four bands based in Decatur, whose members have children in City Schools of Decatur. The bands include The Dammages, The Benders, Flock of Eagles, and Spackle.

“Hot dads who sing, a great community school, AND snarky celebrity judges … I’m all in!” says Monet.

Westchester Principal Rochelle Lofstrand says the money raised will go towards the purchase of computers and other technology resources for the school, teacher grants, and playground enhancements.

“Following in the tradition we established last year, this event promises great music for a great cause,” says Lofstrand. “We’re so appreciative to the entire Decatur community for supporting Westchester in such amazing ways. May the best band win!”

Tickets are available for purchase for $40 at:

http://www.westchesterpta.org/battle-of-the-bands.html