🌱 DHS Principal Returning After Racial Slur Incident + Shrinkflation

Hi everyone, Cherryl Young/ MamaNyeMatters, your host of the Patch newsletter, is back. Let's make this a terrific Tuesday as we dive into everything you need to know about what's happening in town these days, including updates on:

• Shrinkflation making its way to Decatur
• Decatur High School Principal Rochelle Lofstrand scheduled to reenter as principal
• Avondale Alliance for Racial Justice's 3rd annual Black History Month Visual Arts Competition Awards Ceremony, winners are announced

But first, today's weather: Partly sunny and warm. High: 77 Low: 44.

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Here are the top stories in Decatur-Avondale Estates today:

1. The DeKalb County Charter Review Commission's meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 9 at 6 p.m. It's an in-person meeting at the Manuel J. Maloof Center, 1300 Commerce Drive in Decatur. There will be free parking at the DeKalb County Courthouse parking lot. The hearing can also be live-streamed and viewed at this link: https://video.ibm.com/channel/dctv-channel-23. (Press Release Desk)
2. DeKalb County Police are investigating a shooting on Columbia Drive on March 4. The call came in at approximately 1:20 a.m. When police arrived, they located a 26-year-old woman with a gunshot wound, according to a spokesperson for the DeKalb County Police Department. She explained that the woman was cut-off and shot while driving. The 26 year old was taken to a nearby hospital with a non-life-threatening injury. (Decaturish.com)
3. Shrinkflation, an economic term that refers to a reduction in the size (or weight) of products, has made its way to Decatur. According to reports, the average apartment in Decatur is 881 square feet, a decrease of 100 square feet since 2013. It appears that although the size of the apartments is decreasing, there's an increase in pricing. A national apartment database, RentCafe, stated that the largest decrease was in 2022. (Urbanize LA)
4. The results are in for the Avondale Alliance for Racial Justice 3rd annual Black History Month Visual Arts Competition Awards Ceremony. The ceremony was held at Little Tree Art Studios in Avondale Estates on Saturday, March 4. The theme for the competition was “Fighting Black Oppression: Celebrating Change-Makers.” The participants were elementary-level to high school-level students who either live in Avondale Estates or attend a qualified school in Avondale Estates. The first-place winner for grades 3-7 is Henry Blackmon IV for “Frederick Douglass-Changing Black History." The first-place winner for grades 8-9 is Cai Chee Wah for “Girls in Space.” Grades 10-12 first place winner is Macie White for “Femme Noir." (Decaturish.com)
5. Approximately two months after Decatur High School Principal Rochelle Lofstrand was temporarily reassigned, she will reenter the high school as principal. Lofstrand and a Decatur High School teacher were under investigation due to an incident involving the teacher using a racial slur in the classroom while students were present. According to reports, Lofstrand withheld information from concerned parents. The incident resulted in a walkout and protest by students. Local activists also joined in solidarity during the protests. Lofstrand is scheduled to reenter the school on March 13. The return date for the teacher has yet to be disclosed. (Decaturish.com)

Today in Decatur-Avondale Estates:

• Take & Make: Jewelry with Gin — DeKalb County Public Library (All Day)
• Art Exhibit — DeKalb County Public Library (10:00 AM)
• Debt Clinic — Decatur Library (5:30 PM)
• Intermediate English as a Second Language (6:30 PM)
• Virtual Pajama Storytime — DeKalb County Public Library (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• The new vendor Pizza Party will be featured at the Avondale Estates Farmers market. Vendors are looking to discover what your favorite pizza toppings are. (Avondale Estates Farmer's Market via Facebook)
• Those interested in the Tour 5K still have time to register for the event. DEF is sponsoring the event. There is also a one-mile Fun-Run to be run as well. Registration is at www.tourdecatur.com. (The Decatur Education Foundation via Facebook)
• The Black Voters Matter Fund for Avalon's Solar Appreciation Day is scheduled for this Saturday, March 11 from 10 a.m. to noon at Litman Cathedral House of God Saints In Christ. This is an opportunity to learn about renewable energy development in rural communities. They'll be food, music, and plenty of resources! (Georgia Interfaith Power & Light via Facebook)
• Monday, March 6 was the beginning of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month and CDS was out promoting community inclusion. Uploaded pictures will be shared when made available. (City Schools of Decatur via Facebook)

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• 4wk Salsa Dance Class Tuesdays / 4wk Bachata Class Wednesdays in Atlanta (March 8)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Tuesday off right. See you all tomorrow morning for another update!

— Cherryl Young/ MamaNyeMatters

About me: Cherryl Young DBA MamaNyeMatters. I was born in Providence, Rhode Island and moved to Georgia in 2017. My first children's book, You Are the Pot of Gold at the End of the Rainbow was published in 2021. https://www.mamanyematters.com... I've worked in Atlanta and Gwinnett County Public Schools assisting children who have special needs. I studied Community Development @ Roger Williams University in Rhode Island. My Purpose In Life Is To Connect, Create, Inspire, Write, and Expand and I am ELATED to Be Here as a Contributing Writer @ Patch! Journey With Me...

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Decatur-Avondale Estates Patch newsletter? Contact me at Decatur@Patch.com