News

Renovated Student Center a Tribute to the Life of DHS Student Joe Bodine

Space designed to help address Decatur High School students’ behavioral health needs Open the doors to the newly redesigned Student Center at Decatur High School and you’ll notice the vibe is noticeably different from the rest of the building. Hardwood style flooring and a living wall of plants makes this space feel more like a cozy living room than a classroom. Look to the left and you will find the Blue Bird Café, honoring the symbolic role bluebirds have played…

Meet Our Partner – Jennifer Weissman, Registered Dietitian & DEF Volunteer

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Sometimes – even in the midst of a pandemic – all the puzzle pieces come together to create an opportunity in which everyone benefits. In the fall of 2020, registered dietitian and longtime DEF volunteer Jennifer Weissman approached DEF Program and Partnerships Director Marie McCollum about offering a cooking workshop to teens. Jennifer had previously offered cooking classes to several AIM Scholars in previous years. She had just completed training in the Around the Table curriculum, a nutrition program that…

Step Up For Teachers Yard Sign

Step Up for Teachers!

It's that time of year again -- time to Step Up for Teachers! And what a year it's been. Show your favorite teacher just how much you appreciate their hard work during this unprecedented school year with a loving tribute. Just go to www.stepupforteachers.com, make a $25 donation and leave your tribute. We'll notify the honored teacher or CSD staff member and deliver a "We Step Up for Teachers" yard sign to your door in the coming weeks. The Step…

Meet Our Partner: Corey Bivens, Decatur Housing Authority’s Family & Youth Advisor

Anyone who works with DHA will tell you, Corey Bivens is the heart of that organization. He oversees all of the youth and family programs at DHS – more than 100 different programs in a given year! He knows every family in DHA who has kids, and knows everyone by name. To them, he’s Mr. Corey. He’s been in the position for more than 6 years, but has worked in that role for over 25 years, and has watched many…

Meet Our Community Partners: DEAM

DEAM (Decatur Area Emergency Assistance Ministries) is an independent ministry established in 1973 by Decatur Cooperative Ministry (DCM) and is supported by 22 area churches to meet the emergency needs of the local community. They serve more than 250 local families a month, providing food and clothing, as well as assistance with utility service and prescription payments. They stock a food pantry and a clothing closet and distribute bagged lunches weekly. When Decatur locked down in March 2020, DEF established…

DHS Students to Commemorate MLK Jr. at the City’s Courthouse

Forgotten Story of the Civil Rights Leader’s Time in Decatur Comes to Light On October 16, 1960, Martin Luther King, Jr.  was illegally sentenced to a prison chain gang after participating in various student sit-ins to desegregate Atlanta restaurants. In the summer of 2019, Decatur High School students Genesis Reddicks, Daxton Pettus, Liza Watson, Adi Taylor, Halle Gordon, Emma Callicutt, and Alonzo Labiosa began to research Dr. King using various county archives and by interviewing multiple individuals who played prominent…

Equity Initiatives Continue Into Spring for RMS Seventh Graders

Seventh graders are in the middle of their inaugural non-fiction reading unit of Stamped by Ibram X. Kendi and Jason Reynolds. The entire seventh grade at RMS received a copy of the book after local resident and retired professor Pearl McHaney  partnered with DEF to launch a fundraiser and purchase the books. Seventh graders read the book in the fall as part of the literary unit that centers on the inquiry statement “It is my responsibility as a global citizen to…

Need a Virtual Tutor?

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As part of our Covid Learning initiative, DEF established Virtual Pals Tutoring Program to provide extra help for CSD students in the 2nd through 8th grades. Participants are paired with a community volunteer tutor who provides basic homework help, tutoring and virtual learning support. If your student would like to enroll in the program, please fill out this application.

Get a Mathnasium Discount!

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Mathnasium has been a proud and generous sponsor of DEF for several years. They offer both virtual and in-center math instruction for students from first to 12th grade. As a way of giving back to the Decatur community, they have provided scholarships for several students in our AIM Scholars Mentoring Program. They’d like to do more, so they are offering a year-end promotion for new families! For every new Decatur family that registers with Mathnasium using the code DEF_Math until 12-31-20, Mathnasium will…

Become a Mentor!

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One of the most meaningful ways you can make a difference is by becoming a mentor for a Decatur student. In just 2-4 hours per month, you can have a big impact, just by showing up and being present. Would you or someone you know make a great mentor? For more information, please click here. And if you're ready to sign up, please email marie@decatureducationfoundation.org. Together, we can make a difference and eliminate the opportunity gap.

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