Buses are big! If you can’t see the driver, the driver can’t see you. Protect yourself and others by staying out of the danger zone with the following safety tips.
No Touch Zone – If you can touch the bus, you’re too close
Keep your Distance – Stay 10 feet away from all sides of the school bus
Stay Alert – Look to the left and right before entering or exiting the bus
Wait for the OK – Wait for the driver’s signal to cross and never cross behind the bus
Don’t forget to show extra appreciation for your bus drivers this week!
Join the Decatur Parents Network for National Recovery Month tomorrow, September 29th at 7pm via Zoom.. Hear from Certified Addiction Recovery Empowerment Specialist , Susan Morley, about The Science of Addiction Recovery. Scan the QR code below to register for the speaker series.
We sat down with our resident dog whisperer, Terri Kruzan, to talk about her passion for dog training and agility:
I work with people to help their dogs become confident and happy companions in our community. We all want to walk our neighborhood sidewalks with a calm dog by our side and be able to have a conversation with a friend without a pulling, barking dog at our feet. People seek me out for help with basic obedience skills, with separation anxiety and with reactivity to new people, dogs and things. The most common feedback I get from people is how they learned 15 minutes of mental stimulation is equal to 60 minutes of physical stimulation to calm their dog.
I work with people in their homes and with members of their household as well as in group classes through Decatur Active Living. I am a long-term resident of Decatur and in my retirement, I followed my passion and became certified as a dog trainer through Animal Behavior College. The name for my business came from my son and his friends who said just name your business after your approach that ‘people need to learn just as much as their dogs!’ Neighbors know and trust me and I chose to share my classes through the Decatur Active Living as a way to give back to my community.
Fall Classes are:
Dog Agility for Fun
Six-week course teaches your dog how to go over, through & on obstacles and how humans guide their dogs – a mentally & physically stimulating sport.
Starts on Thurs 9/23 at 5:45-6:45PM
Basic Dog Obedience
Six-week course focuses on learning basic dog obedience manners, as well as solving problem behaviors, such as jumping, pulling & barking.
We know what you’re thinking — what is habit stacking?
The idea behind habit stacking is simple: add a new behavior to your daily schedule by “stacking it” on top of an existing habit. The concept of habit stacking was pioneered by James Clear, author of the New York Times bestseller, Atomic Habits, and it is designed to help individuals incorporate more healthy behaviors into their lives without disrupting their normal routine. Seamlessly incorporating physical activity throughout the day can lead to weight loss and reduced instances of chronic illnesses such as diabetes or hypertension.
For example, many of us make coffee in the morning, and, whether you’re using a drip pot or French press, the brewing process takes between 5 – 10 minutes. During the time you wait for your coffee, you can easily add a new better-for-you behavior into your schedule, such as a few sets of high knees or a light jog-in-place.
By stacking enough of these habits, you’ll effectively incorporate a surprising amount of extra physical activity into your daily routine without even realizing it.
Join Decatur Active Living for this social-paced bike ride around Decatur neighborhoods. We bike approximately six miles and no-one will be left behind. Please wear a helmet and mask. This ride is not appropriate for children.
Meet in front of the Decatur Recreation Center and be ready to put wheels down at 6:30 pm.
This Monday, keep a record of your workouts. Tracking your fitness accomplishments will help identify useful patterns, reveal a picture of your overall performance, and help you stay on top of your progress.
Previously, we’ve covered how and why to keep a journal. We’ll now share tips on what to write down to keep you motivated and inspired.
Set a goal. 10,000 steps in a day? 20 minutes of non-stop cardio three times a week? Three weight-lifting sessions in a week? 30 minutes of laps every Saturday? Whatever it is, put it on the horizon. This is your goal.
Keep track. Track your numbers every day and be accountable. A possible entry would include: Date, exercise, time, distance, and any other miscellaneous notes – like how it made you feel or what you might need to change to bring you closer to your goals.
Find activities you enjoy. When you’re invested and having fun, you’re more likely to want to achieve your fitness goals. Be adaptable, not only will you work more muscles, but fitness may be less routine and more fun. Also, consider making fitness more social by inviting your friends or taking a class.
This Monday, use your personal data to see the big picture. When you see all your fitness accomplishments in one place, you’re more likely to feel a sense of completion and be motivated to achieve your fitness goals. Plus, it feels good!
We are thrilled to re-introduce adult and senior programming and cannot wait to see you there. Check out the image below to see our offerings for August. Be sure to contact Sara Holmes at sara.holmes@decaturga.com to register for programs.
Afterschool counselors lead enriching activities for children in school buildings across the City of Decatur with an emphasis on leadership, social emotional learning, STEAM and cultural competence. The role begins August 24-27, 2021 with orientation and then starts at schools on Tuesday, August 31, 2021. Schedules are 1:45-6:15 pm or 2:15-6:15 pm M-F on school days from August through May with some additional hours on Tuesdays and Saturdays throughout the year for meetings and professional development. The pay rate is $14 or $15/hour DOQ.
How to Apply
Applying is easy! Please visit our website to apply online.
The City of Decatur requests all property owners prune their trees and shrubs to clear the sidewalks and streets.
With school beginning this week, clear sidewalks will make it safer for students to walk safely to school, and make it safer for all pedestrians to walk (or roll) in front of your property without having to go into the street. Pruning your tree will also help keep them from being damaged by trucks and cars.
For information on how to prune, contact the City Arborist, Kay.Evanovich@decaturga.com.
Gael Doyle
Greg White
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saraeholmes