Decatur Education Foundation

DEF supports CSD's Applied Su***de Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) program, an evidence-based su***de intervention model. To date, almost 200 CSD teachers, staff, and community members have participated in this intensive two-day ASIST training through Joe’s Fund.

Training dates for the 2026-27 school year are: Oct 8-9, Feb 4-5 and March 11-12. Registration will open in late July at bit.ly/defasist

DEF is proud to support the CSD Special Olympics!

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We are gearing up for the Back 2 School Bash! We are collecting school supplies to distribute that day. You can help by contributing to our Amazon Wish List at bit.ly/DEFsupplies . We need all items delivered to DEF by July 6 so we can stuff 400 backpacks. Together, we make a difference for ALL Decatur kids! Thank you!

Katie received a DEF Summer Camp grant. Her Mom shared this beautiful picture from her camp experience. "Katie made her first home run in kick ball, and the joy on her face as she ran the bases is a wonder to see." DEF loves hearing from parents about the impact of our work in the community!

Liora Yustein (advisor Samuel Burnwall) was awarded a DEF Student Innovation Grant that supported the revamping of the Pollinator and side gardens at DHS. We love watching our efforts GROW!

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David Custer at DHS was awarded a grant for the Tech Club. He shares how exciting it is to be able to tell very creative students you can propose any tech related project you want. The students love to brainstorm in such an unrestricted, sky-is-the-limit space.

Keep following throughout the month to learn more about the impact your support allowed us to make during the 2025-26 school year!

The Carriere Family Scholarship for Teachers was created in 2007 by Jane Carriere and her late husband, Judge Edward Carriere III as a way to support our CSD teachers who choose to further their own education. We had a remarkable pool of candidates this year and ended up awarding scholarships to three CSD teachers! Today we highlight Shani Vickery.

Shani is an 8th grade math teacher at Beacon Hill Middle School and is working toward a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction at Mercer University.

From Shani: My teaching style is rooted in the belief that all students, regardless of their abilities, can grow, achieve, and experience success in mathematics. I prioritize creating an inclusive, student-centered learning environment where instruction is differentiated, engaging, and responsive to individual needs.

Congratulations, Shani! And thank you to Jane Carriere for her commitment to helping DEF support our amazing teachers! 💜

Laurie Kezh at Talley Street Elementary was awarded a DEF grant for The Talley Zen Den. She reminds us that we all have a need for sensory regulation. This room not only provides students with a calm area but supplies tools and direct discussion about learning how to self-regulate.

DEF is proud to support the College Heights Green Team! Their recycling project included small baskets on tables for recyclables like plastic film and multi-layer plastic. Each class takes turns emptying these into the larger receptacle for pickup. We are happy to play a role in this wonderful program!

We know, it feels soon to think about a new school year starting, BUT we are gearing up for the Back 2 School Bash on July 16th! We are collecting school supplies to distribute that day, and there are lots of notebooks, crayons, pencils, markers, and erasers on the list. You can help by contributing to our Amazon Wish List at bit.ly/DEFsupplies Together, we make a difference for ALL Decatur kids! Thank you!