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StanJester – FactChecker Record, transcribe, summarize and monitor the factual accuracy of what is said in public by the DeKalb Schools board and administration. Skip to content Approved 2020-2021 School Calendar Feb 15 : President’s Day Mar 12 : Early Release Day April 5-9 : Spring Break May 27 : Early Release Day May 28 : Last Day Of School Spectator Guidelines for Spring Sports February 10, 2021 – The Department of Athletics has revised their guidelines for parents, guardians and family members attending games at DCSD Stadiums and Fields. Class of 2021 Graduation Schedule February 3, 2021 – Congratulations High School Seniors Class of 2021. Graduation ceremonies are scheduled to start Friday May 21 and will all be held at Hallford Stadium off of Memorial Drive. Biden’s Executive Order Supports Reopening of Schools January 29, 2021 – On January 21, Biden signed an executive order supporting the reopening and continuing operation of schools and early childhood education providers. Dangerous Intersection In Front of Dunwoody HS January 4, 2021 – In 2018 I wrote to the city about the dangerous intersection at Vermack/Womack. Nothing has changed since that time and accidents and near misses continue to happen with alarming frequency. DCSD Employees May Continue To Work Remotely January 2, 2021 – DeKalb Schools Teachers and staff experiencing hardships may notify their immediate supervisors, complete the Hardship Request Application, and continue to work remotely for 30 days. At the end of the 30-day window, the hardship application will be reviewed. Teachers and Students Are Coming Back To School December 16, 2020 – Community spread appears to no longer be a factor in the schedule for opening schools in DeKalb. DeKalb schools administration is moving forward with getting teachers and students back into school. DeKalb Schools Reopening Plan December 15, 2020 – DeKalb Schools has announced they will begin its re-opening process on a staggered schedule Jan. 4, 2021 with staff returning to school buildings. Selected grade levels will begin in-person learning on Jan. 19, 2021. Phase three will begin Jan. 25, 2021. Regional Town Hall Meetings For Parents November 30, 2020 – You are invited to attend the Region I-VII Town Hall Meetings for Parents. The purpose of each regional meeting is to provide detailed information about the reopening plan and answer questions. DeKalb Schools 2020 Graduation Rates November 10, 2020 – DeKalb County Schools four-year graduation rate for the Class of 2020 is 75.97% Black Lives Matter in DeKalb Schools November 9, 2020 – Black Lives Matter (BLM) began as a social media hash tag in 2013 by Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal Tometi in response to the fatal shooting of Trayvon Martin. Giving Grace Network – Struggling and Hardships October 28, 2020 – While the community is trying to flatten the COVID-19 curve with lockdowns and 100% virtual learning, the Giving Grace network has seen those who were already struggling only deepen into their hardships. 2018 and 2019 Auditor’s Reports October 20, 2020 – The 2018 and 2019 Annual Financial Report and Independent Auditor’s Reports have been issued. Material Weakness and Significant Deficiencies were identified. September Survey Results October 19, 2020 – DeKalb Schools (DCSD) sought updated stakeholder input on preferences for returning to school in a traditional or hybrid setting or remaining in distance/remote learning. Teacher Town Hall – My Notes October 14, 2020 – My notes from the Teacher Town Hall. Teachers are not coming back to work on October 19. Spectators – Billboards – Town Hall October 14, 2020 – The DeKalb County School District will allow spectators for Football games starting the weekend of October 15 – October 17, 2020. Returning to Face to Face Learning October 7, 2020 – DeKalb Schools sent out a 2-Week return to hybrid working environment notification to staff yesterday. Re-Open Athletics & Schedule September 25, 2020 – DeKalb Schools will implement a phase in approach to allow athletic and extra curricular activity to return. Formula To Calculate Moving To Hybrid September 22, 2020 – DeKalb Schools administration stated the school district will begin the transition to a hybrid learning model if the Cases Per 100K (Last 2 Weeks) is below 100 for 14 days straight. How do we calculate that? COVID-19 Cases Trending Down September 18, 2020 – Over the last few days the COVID-19 “Cases per 100K (last 2 weeks)” in DeKalb have gone from 122 to 117. Divisive Statement By Dr. Joyce Morley September 17, 2020 – I was disappointed and disturbed by the divisive statement made by Dr. Morley at our last Board of Education meeting. Conditions To Move To Hybrid September 17, 2020 – On Monday, the DeKalb Schools administration presented the conditions under which the school district would transition to a hybrid learning environment. The Georgia Department of Public Health provides a daily report with numerous data points including the number of COVID-19 cases. Sports – DeKalb Schools Delays Athletics August 14, 2020 – DeKalb County School District (DCSD) is delaying all athletic activity for the Fall 2020 season until the end of September. This includes marching bands and auxiliary groups. School Virtual Opening Update August 11, 2020 – Teachers started pre planning yesterday and students are back to school 100% virtually on Monday. The following are my takeaways from the administration’s latest update. Professional Development Institute August 2, 2020 – DeKalb Schools has a new concept called the “Professional Development Institute”. It will be deployed this Wednesday – Friday (Aug 5-7). The goal of these 3 days is to learn how to teach virtually effectively. DeKalb Schools Approved 2020-2021 School Calendar July 24, 2020 – At the 10am Board Meeting this morning, the DeKalb Schools administration will request that the Board of Education approve the following 2020-2021 calendar. What are your thoughts? Micro-Schools: Students & Teachers Coming Together July 21, 2020 – Given the recent failures of virtual learning this past Spring combined with the Fall semester starting virtually, parents are searching for options to educate their children. A number of families are coming together to start their own Micro-Schools. New 2020-2021 School Calendar July 18, 2020 – DeKalb Schools administration went back to the drawing board and has come out with a new 2020-2021 school Calendar. The first semester ends before Christmas Break, the second semester ends in May and there are 9 furlough days (calendar reduction days). Results – School Re Opening Survey July 10, 2020 – The DeKalb County School District sought stakeholder input on their preferences and perspectives for learning models and hybrid options that the school district is considering for the reopening of schools. DeKalb Notice of Property Tax Increase July 9, 2020 – DeKalb Schools administration is recommending to the Board no change in the millage rate for the 2020-2021 fiscal year. The millage rate was 23.08 mills last year and that is what the Administration is requesting the Board approve again. Opening Schools in Metro Atlanta July 8, 2020 – Schools across Metro Atlanta will be opening next month. What’s the plan for DeKalb Schools? DeKalb Schools’ new fearless leader, Superintendent Cheryl Watson-Harris, and her team will be presenting the School Re-Opening Plan at the July 13 board meeting. DeKalb Schools Re-Opening Update July 5, 2020 – Will DeKalb Schools open on August 3rd as planned and what will learning look like when DeKalb Schools opens? Marshall Orson is currently the chair of the DeKalb Schools Board of Education. He addresses some of the most frequently asked questions about opening DeKalb Schools in the Fall. Survey Results – DES 4/5 Academy Site Name June 22, 2020 – A plurality of the survey entries support naming the DES 4/5 Academy site, “Dunwoody Elementary School Upper Campus”. DeKalb Schools Re-Op...