Weekly Update
October 6, 2022
Dear Winnona Park Community,
Just a reminder that it is not too late to participate in the Winnona Park Read-a-Thon!! Even though it’s wrapping up soon, let’s finish strong. This is one of the PTA’s biggest fundraisers for the school year! Click here for more information.
Sincerely,
Greg Wiseman
Principal, Winnona Park Elementary School
Tomorrow’s Community Circle - Reminder
We invite parents of first graders to Community Circle tomorrow morning. Gather by the cafe door near the pond after drop off and you will be let in from there.
Today is the final day to track minutes for our 12th annual Read-a-Thon.
Today is the final day to track minutes for our 12th annual Read-a-Thon. It's not too late to include your child's reading and raise some funds for the school! The Read-a-Thon is one of our most important school fundraisers, with proceeds supporting many PTA initiatives at Winnona Park, including teacher stipends, diversity committee events, and free yearbooks for all students. Every minute read and every donation collected counts! For information about how to set up a campaign visit this link- https://tinyurl.com/4vytz7fk. If your kiddo is not interested in participating or you prefer not to make a campaign for your child, there are other ways to support the school! You can sponsor a classmate or use this link to make a donation- https://winnonaparkpta.org/product-category/read-a-thon/.
Walk-n-Roll to School on Wednesday, October 12!
It’s once again time to celebrate walking and rolling to WPES! What is Walk-n-Roll you ask? “Walk-n-Roll” is a monthly event that encourages families to walk or roll (bike/scooter, etc.) to school for morning drop off. Kiddos that walk or roll to school on Wednesday should make sure to grab a marble to drop into our custom-crafted marble collection device(s). Bonus, there is music and free coffee at the front entrance to the school from a little before 8 am until 8:20 am. It’s a fun way for the kiddos to start their day. It’s also a great way to build community at WPES while highlighting the health and environmental benefits of walking and rolling! Please join us for our next event of the year, stretching your legs and decreasing traffic in the carpool line!
Fall Book Fair is the week of October 24th
We are so excited to have our parent volunteers back in the building. Please use this link to sign up for a volunteer spot. The time slots might change slightly as the teachers have not signed up yet. Please email me if you have any questions. Ilene Zeff - izeff@csdecatur.net.
Does Your Child Dismiss as a Walker?
Just a reminder that parents are to line up in a single file in front of your child’s teacher as they enter the pavilion to be dismissed. We want the transfer of our kiddos from teacher to parent as seamless as possible. When parents are lined up it just makes the transfer that much safer.
Also remember to use the change of dismissal form if someone new is picking up your child. This information is given to teachers daily so they will be expecting a new face in the dismissal line.
Visitors and Volunteers Entering Winnona Park
We have recently added options at the Checkmate Kiosk (the laptop on the cart by the front door) for guests to sign-in and sign-out when visiting or volunteering at Winnona Park. So if you are coming to be a mystery reader or something of that nature, please sign-in as a guest, ring the doorbell, then come into the office to get a badge that identifies you as a visitor. When done, return the badge to the office, walk out the front door, then sign-out on the kiosk.
If you are simply dropping an item off at school, just ring the doorbell and someone will retrieve your item.
The PTA Fundraising Committee Needs You!
We are looking for 3-4 volunteers available to support our fundraising efforts for our first annual Parent’s Night Out, benefiting WPES. The role would include obtaining raffle and auction items, securing donations, assisting in organizing volunteers and ticket sales ahead of the event on Saturday, November 5, 2022. If interested please email adriana@aalevents.com
SAVE THE DATE - FALL PARENT'S NIGHT OUT BENEFITING WP PTA SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 6:30 pm
We are back! Save the date for the PTA’s Fall Parent's Night Out benefiting Winnona Park’s PTA, our biggest fundraiser of the year! Book your babysitter now and join us on November 5 from 6:30-11pm. This year’s event will feature games, some fun competition, great food, adult beverages and plenty of music to ensure a Winnona Park Rocks good time! Further details to come!
Do you have a Change in your Dismissal Plans?
Plans change and emergencies happen. If something comes up that changes your child’s normal dismissal routine, please complete this form by 1:00. Do not email your teacher, just complete the form. You will find this form under each teacher’s email signature and on the WP website under “Families>Dismissal.”
Show your WPES Spirit!
At WPES we wear our support every Friday! Make sure your family gets your Spirit Wear before it's gone! Numerous adult and kids t-shirt options plus kids hoodies for the cold weather to come! Please include your child’s name and teacher in the notes section when checking out.
The online store is available at https://winnona-park-es-pta.square.site/
Join the Fabulous WP PTA
The WP PTA Rocks! As you can see from the events above, they are super-involved in all back to school activities and much, much more. The PTA works to enhance the educational experience of all Winnona Park students by supporting teachers and staff, organizing fundraisers for items not covered by the school budget, and planning and hosting community-building events. Through fundraising efforts, the PTA supports many offerings and initiatives including classroom libraries, teacher and parent grants, field trips and guest speakers for all students, facility enhancements, and various community-building events. Click here to view the PTA welcome letter to learn so much more about the WP PTA.
CSD News and Announcements
Superintendent Search
Thank you to everyone that attended the Superintendent Search input sessions facilitated by GSBA. You can still provide input by participating in the survey linked here. The survey will close on October 8.
ESOL Parent Meeting and Title I Annual Parent Meeting
Attention ESOL & Federal Programs Parents and Families!!!
Please Join Us Tonight for our ESOL Parent Meeting and Title I Annual Parent Meeting hosted on Thursday, October 6, 2022, at 5:00 p.m. at the Wilson Center Central Office,125 Electric Avenue, Decatur, GA 30030.
Come learn about our ESOL & Title I Programs in CSD and the support your student will receive this year. We will have treats, music, games, and Vegan S'mores for the whole family to enjoy.
Additional Information about the meeting can be found on the flyer linked here.
This meeting will be recorded.
If you have questions about the ESOL Parent Meeting and Title I Annual Parent Meeting, please contact Paris Hardnett at phardnett@csdecatur.net or Willie Washington at wwashington@csdecatur.net.
CSD Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month
We celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 to October 15) to recognize the achievements and contributions of Hispanic American champions who have inspired others to achieve success. The observation began in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988. The theme for 2022 is "Unidos: Inclusivity for a Stronger Nation ."
View related records on the National Archives’ Hispanic/Latino Heritage resource page and in the Archives Catalog.
Connection Sessions
Connection Sessions are conversations between CSD's Equity Director, various invited guests, and the CSD POGM* community. During each session, community members are introduced to a person who is integral to supporting the school system while we discuss thoughts, interests, and concerns regarding City Schools of Decatur. Each session uses a racial equity lens - always asking the question - "What does race have to do with this?"
These sessions may not always have the answers, but they provide an opportunity for members of Decatur's POGM community (as well as all others) to explore perspectives, pose questions, and share thoughts.
Each meeting starts at 6 pm. Access it by using the following link: https://tinyurl.com/2yuj2tbs.
October 17th, 2022 - Billy Heaton, Principal, Talley Street
November 14th, 2022 - Courtney Burnett, Chief of Staff, CSD
December 19th, 2022 - Karen Newton-Scott, Principal, FAVE
* People of color, despite being minoritized in the US, are a global majority. Thus, previously entitled BIPOC Connection Sessions, the name of this event is now Connection Sessions for POGM (People of the Global Majority). There is conflict regarding the use of the term BIPOC and this article details many relevant concerns. In short, the term BIPOC, which stands for Black, Indigenous, and Other People of Color, elevates some cultures over others in a way that does not reflect the respect each culture deserves.
District-Wide Intervention Information
If you have questions about interventions, please contact Erica Godfrey, District Intervention Specialist & MTSS Coordinator, at egodfrey@csdecatur.net. You can register for Super Saturdays here.
Community Partner Announcements and Updates
Season of Giving
A Season of Giving/Christmas Decatur is back to its traditional method of neighbors purchasing gifts directly for local children and seniors!
To apply for assistance, please complete an online application at https://aseasonofgiving.org/application/ by October 28th.
If you have any trouble with the form, questions or concerns, please email us at aseasonofgiving@decaturga.com or leave a message on our voicemail (404.378.8068).
If you do not need assistance, we would love your help!
Donors will purchase gifts from an individual wish list specific to a child (through 8th grade) or senior citizen. If you would like to be a donor, please complete our online form.
If you would like us to do the shopping for you, please donate directly at https://legacydecatur.org/give/ and select A Season of Giving!
City of Decatur
Attention!! All teachers and instructors who are Artists, Actors, Chefs, Scientists, Engineers, and Designers! If you are looking for a Summer opportunity that engages kids and aids in the exploration of kids' interests, look no further. E Camps Summer program will offer a variety of interest each week. Camps are presented in four categories: Cooking, Theatre, STEAM, and Explorations.
If you would like to share your expertise and talents with our participants by facilitating an enrichment camp please use the link below to apply.
Here is the link for the 2022-2023 E-Camp Summer Application: https://decaturga.seamlessdocs.com/f/ECamp2023.
Decatur Education Foundation
Miles Above Award -- As Mr. Rogers used to say, "Look for the helpers." We honor 'the helpers' through our Miles Above Award, which was established by Sam and Leah Jenness to recognize their son's teacher, Laura Pitts, who acted with extraordinary kindness and bravery in the face of tragedy. Mile's young life was taken too early when he was involved in a fatal car accident in 2018. The Miles Above Award seeks to honor his life and recognize a pre-K-3rd grade teacher, paraprofessional or CSD staff who exhibits extraordinary kindness and compassion towards young students in challenging circumstances. If you would like to nominate someone, please click here: https://forms.gle/pgrLV5zyXGevqkD67