Departments
- Overview
- Office of the Superintendent
- Community and Government Relations
- Curriculum and Instruction
- Equity and Student Support
- Finance
- Information Services
- Operations
- Research and Analytics
- Staff Support
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The Department of Equity and Student Support
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In City Schools of Decatur, we are committed to aligning educational practices, policies, and resources to ensure that all students have access to and feel welcome to participate in high-quality learning experiences, regardless of race, socioeconomic status, gender, ability, religion, sexual orientation, linguistic diversity, or other cultural characteristics.
Consistent with the District’s Strategic Priority to Reduce Disproportionality, the Department of Equity and Student Support is committed to understand the root causes of disproportionality in CSD; provide input on discipline policies, practices, and culturally relevant pedagogy; engage faculty and staff in cultural awareness and cultural proficiency professional learning activities; and strengthen family and community partnerships.
The Department also:
- provides assistance to students, staff, and families through health services (nurses), evaluation and analysis (school psychologists), and academic support (Title Programs),
- delivers prevention and intervention services (school counseling and social work),
- addresses the needs of homeless students and families through the McKinney-Vento Act, Supports the Decatur Student Center, housed at Decatur High School, and
- provides high interest, well-managed activities of exceptional quality to all students in City Schools of Decatur.
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Important Events!
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College Heights Early Childhood Learning Center - Spanish Immersion Summer Camp
Escuelita de Lita is good old-fashioned fun. Students learn Spanish language & culture through thematic lessons, play, exploration, and community building. Activities include arts & crafts, stories, drama, music, dance, indoor and outdoor games, and book browsing- all in Spanish! Escuelita de Lita features daily CAPOEIRA CLASSES! This program is open to students of all Spanish levels, ages 4+ to 11.
Sessions will be held the weeks of June 1-5, June 8-12, June 15-19, June 22-26 and the weeks of July 6-10 & July 13-17 at 701 W. Howard Ave, Decatur 30030. For more information go to https://www.escuelitadelita.com
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Westchester Equity Events
Westchester Elementary is doing some really exciting things this semester!
Book Study: “Waking Up White” by Debby Irving
WE parents are invited to join Mrs. Querubin once a month for the next four months for conversation around the text.
- Feb. 11 - 4:45 - 5:45 PM
- March 10 - 4:45 - 5:45 PM
- March 25 - 4:45 - 5:45 PM
- April 15 - 4:45 - 5:45 PM
- May 13 - 4:45 - 5:45 PM
Movie Nights: “Race the Power of Illusion”
Join Ms. Lofstrand in the WE Media Center for a viewing and 30-minute discussion of each episode.
Scientists tell us that believing in biological races is no more sound than believing that the sun revolves around the earth. So if race is a biological myth, where did the idea come from? And why should it matter today? RACE—The Power of an Illusion provides an eye-opening discussion tool to help people examine their beliefs about race, privilege, policy, and justice.
- Episode 1: “The Difference Between Us” - Feb. 25th - 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
- Episode 2: “The Story We Tell” - March 24th - 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
- Episode 3: “The House We Live In” - April 14th - 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
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Elise Witt: Winnona Park Artist in Residence, Spring Semester 2020
Elise Witt will be partnering with Kindergarten to compose an original piece of vocal music in Spanish and in English to highlight the insects found in the Winnona Park garden. This piece will debut at our Celebration of Student Learning on April 2nd at 8:30 a.m. She will also serve as Artist in Residence and will lead Community Circle several times to help us expand our repertoire. This is part of a grant from the Decatur Education Foundation. It is called the Zara Yee Hawthorne Arts Infusion Grant.
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Black History Month Living History Museum
The Diversity Committee at Winnona Park is excited for their Black History Month Celebration on February 27. The Kindergartners will be representing Science, the First Graders will be representing Technology and the Second Graders will be representing Engineering and Math. The Living Museum presentations will start at 6:30. Other elements of the evening include:
- A Walk of Knowledge photo exhibit highlighting African-American's in STEM.
- A hands-on presentation for the students led by 10-year-old neuroscientist, Amoy AntuNet.
- A presentation for parents from Maxine Cain from STEM Atlanta Women.
If you have any questions about the event, please reach out to LaToya Tucciarone at latuce@gmail.com. -
Talley Street Black History Month Celebration
Mark your calendars for Talley Street Upper Elementary School's Black History Month Celebration on Friday, February 28th from 6:30-8:00 pm in the Talley gymnasium. We invite you and your families to enjoy spoken word, musical and dance performances in celebration of Black History - Past, Present, Future
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Beyond Diversity Staff/Faculty Seminar - February 17 and 18, 2020
CSD Faculty and Staff will engage in a thoughtful, compassionate exploration of race and racism, grapple with how each influences the culture and climate of our schools, and practice using strategies for identifying and addressing policies, programs, and practices that negatively impact achievement for students’ of color and serve as barriers for ALL students receiving a world-class education.
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Past Equity and Student Support Events
For information about our past Equity and Student Support events and activities, please visit https://www.csdecatur.net/Page/4155.
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Contact Us
Equity-Based Concerns, Ideas, or Questions?
CLICK HERE to get a response in 24-48 hours!!
Executive Director of Equity and Student Support
Dr. Lillie Huddleston
lhuddleston@csdecatur.net
404-371-3601 x 1026Administrative Assistant for Equity and Student Support
Mrs. Cynthia Brown
cbrown@csdecatur.net404-371-3601 x 1032
Student Success Coordinator
Mrs. Dianne Acuña (Thompson) Andree
dthompson@csdecatur.net404-371-3601 x 2147
Equity Coordinator
Dr. Mari Ann Banks
mbanks@csdecatur.net
404-371-3601 x 1029Coordinator of 504 and School Psychology
Mr. Benjamin Knaebel, M.A. NCSP
bknaebel@csdecatur.net
404-371-3601 x 1062Lead District Nurse
Mrs. Shonda Moore, M.B.A, B.S.N., R.N.
smoore1@csdecatur.net
404-371-3601 x 2156
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12 Important Equity & Student Support Links
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Link 1
From the Achievement Gap to the Education Debt: Understanding Achievement in U.S. Schools.
Acclaimed scholar Gloria Ladson Billings discusses how, when we recognize that the racial achievement gap we constantly hear about is really more of an "opportunity gap"—the culmination of many systemic inequities and missed opportunities over the years—we can really begin to get to the heart of the issue. Negative educational experiences for students of color are not the result of a single event. We can only begin to make progress by changing our mindset, recognizing, and addressing the education debt owed to students of color and incurred by decades of systemic, racist U.S. policy.
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Link 2
Equity in Education: What It Is and Why it Matters
A closer look at what we mean by educational equity and what school leaders and teachers can do to improve equity at the school and classroom level.
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Link 3
Why Is It Important to Teach Young Children to Appreciate Diversity?
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Link 4
How to Talk to Your Children About Bias and Prejudice
Parents' questions and answers about bias and prejudice.
