Talley Street Update
January 13, 2022
Georgia Student Health Survey
This year we will administer the Georgia Student Health Survey to students in their classrooms, and parents and guardians can complete the Georgia Parent Survey at this link https://gshs.gadoe.org/parents.
The Georgia Student Health Survey is an anonymous, statewide survey instrument that identifies school safety and climate issues that impact student achievement. In order to provide a safe and supportive learning environment for your child, the Georgia Department of Education collects survey information from students during the school year. The survey takes approximately 20 minutes to complete and covers various topics such as school climate and safety, alcohol and drug use, and mental health. If you would like to examine the survey questions, please find the survey questions here at the GSHS webpage on the right side of the web page under related documents.
All student survey data is anonymous and self-reported.
CSD Updates
Decatur Education Foundation
Happy New Year from Decatur Education Foundation! We hope everyone had a safe and relaxing break and is ready for learning! Here are some things happening in the next week:
Pop-Up Takeout for DEF! Our friends from NaanStop and Greg Kodesh Realty are partnering with DEF for a dine-out/take-out on Thursday, January 13th, for which they'll be donating 20% of sales to DEF! They offer family meals, including 2 entrees, fresh-baked naan, handmade samosas, basmati rice, and chutneys (feeds 4). Just place your order before 5 pm on Wednesday, January 12th, and your order will be available for pick up between 5 – 5:45 pm on Thursday, January 13th - Link to menu: https://bit.ly/NSorderDecatur - Pickup at Avery/Bucher in Winnona Park neighborhood - masks/distancing required at pick up. It's first-come, first-served, so get your orders in before they sell out!
As the Snickers commercial says, "We're not ourselves when we're hungry." It's also hard to learn and concentrate! That's why DEF is teaming up with the counselors at Talley Street, Renfroe Middle, and Decatur High School to keep the snacks stocked at those schools. We are also accepting donations to our weekend backpack program, which provides supplemental food for students who need it. If you'd like to help with a donation to your students' school, click HERE for links to each school's Amazon Wish List. Your orders will go straight to the schools. Together, we make a difference for our kids!
Talley Updates
Congratulations to our school-wide spelling bee winners!
Personal Safety Counseling Lessons
In accordance with Georgia state law, school counselors Mrs. Weaver and Mr. Alan will soon begin teaching personal safety lessons to 3rd Grade (1/17-1/21), 4th Grade (1/24-1/28), and 5th Grade (1/31-2/4). These lessons are designed to help prevent sexual abuse through the development of awareness and prevention strategeies. CSD utilizes the Think First & Stay Safe™ program to deliver these lessons. You can learn more about the program at www.childluresprevention.com. A preview of the program will also be offered to interested guardians at the following times: 1/11 at 6:00 PM or 1/13 at 6:00 PM. If you would like to attend a curriculum preview please fill out this interest form. If you are interested in a preview but cannot attend either scheduled session, please email Alan Pendrick at jpendrick@csdecatur.net. If you would not like your student to participate in our personal safety lessons, you must send written notice via email to your student's counselor: Kimberly Weaver at kiweaver@csdecatur.net or Alan Pendrick at jpendrick@csdecatur.net.
Talley Street's Lunar New Year Parade
Talley Street's 1st Annual Lunar New Year Parade will be held on January 31st. In one of the communications that was used to give notice about the parade, we asked for "costumes" which is an offensive way to describe the traditional "clothing", and for this we apologize.
Talley's First Annual African American Read-In
I am in search of mystery readers! For our event, we are inviting families and community members to share a picture book written by a Black author/illustrator that you love with one of our classes! I will match your availability with one of our 3rd-5th grade homerooms during the month of February. Then you'll hop on Google Meet, talk a little bit about who you are and what you do, read your chosen picture book, and talk about why you chose/love that book.
If you are interested, please indicate your availability using this form. If you know anyone who may be interested, please feel free to send this information along to them.
Thank you so much for your interest! Please let me know if you have any questions. We are so excited to have you join us!
Ashley Long, Media Specialist
Black History Program
Black History Program • February 24, 2022
Call On Your Past
to Enrich Your Future!
If you would like to participate in the Black History Program, please use the link/QR code below to complete the Google Form.
Pets of the Week
PTO Corner
Snack Cart
We have an opportunity to share our appreciation for our Talley Teachers and Staff and spread some joy around the school. We are asking our 4th Grade Families to sponsor the cart for this month. The Snack Cart will roll this Friday and again on January 28.
Please help us by signing up and dropping off items at the school's front desk. Everything must be individually packaged and **NUT FREE** (Staff number: 125)
To sign up please visit our website at: www.TalleyPTO.org
Questions? Please reach out to Erika Wilson Wells the PTO 4th Grade Member at Large (AtLarge4th@talleypto.org)
The 6 Myths: Ways White Folks Avoid Race
These great series will continue on Tuesday, January 18 from 8p.m. to 9p.m. You don't want to miss this! Please sign up HERE!
Tigerfest
LET’S GET READY FOR TIGERFEST!
On April 23rd from 11am to 3pm, the Talley PTO will be hosting our first large scale, primarily outdoor, family-oriented fundraising event--TigerFest! The plan is to have bounce houses, obstacle courses, carnival games and prizes, live music, artist vendors, food trucks, and more. The PTO is in need of volunteers to serve on TigerFest Committees to make sure our event is a roaring success. If you are interested in helping, please complete and submit this TigerFest Volunteer Form. As always, thanks so much for your support!
Amazon Wishlist
The Lounge is running low on items. Talley’s Teachers and Staff have been working so hard this year and deserve all the appreciation possible. Please consider helping the PTO stock the Teacher’s Lounge and Nurse’s Office. This Amazon Wish List contains a range of items Talley staff can use.
Save the date!
- March 2022 - Walk n Roll will resume March 4! Visit our Safe Routes to School page for all upcoming 2022 updates.
After School Activities
Join the Girls on the Run Team at Talley Street!
Join our IN-PERSON teams at Talley Street! Girls on the Run inspires girls to be joyful, healthy and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum, which creatively integrates running. At Girls on the Run we inspire girls to recognize their inner strength and celebrate what makes them one of a kind. Trained coaches lead small teams through our research-based curricula which includes dynamic discussions, activities and running games. Over the course of the ten-week program, girls in 3rd-5th grade develop essential skills to help them navigate their worlds and establish a lifetime appreciation for health and fitness. The program culminates with girls positively impacting their communities through a service project and being physically and emotionally prepared to complete a celebratory 5K event.
Interested in participating? Registration is OPEN NOW
https://www.girlsontherunatlanta.org/Program-Registration
Questions? Email nbundschu@csdecatur.net or contact info@girlsontherunatlanta.org
Girls on the Run Site Information
Talley Street Upper Elementary School
Two days a week after school until 2:30-4:00 (Mondays/Wednesdays or Tuesdays/Thursdays)
Register Online: Girlsontherunatlanta.org
Paper application available upon request
Space is limited
GOTR uses an income-based sliding scale so that every girl who wants to participate can. Registration fee is available on a sliding scale from $10 to $185.
Includes GOTR lessons, water bottle, 2 t-shirts and 5k registration.
Spring 2022 Dates
Now until Jan 25 - Registration Open
Week of Feb 21 - Programs begin
April 30 - Girls on the Run 5K
Week of May 2 - Last week of programs
*You can register anytime during the registration period. Team participants selected by the computer will receive an automated e-mail stating they are on the team. Girls who are not placed on the initial team will be placed on a waiting list and will receive an email from GOTR.
We need Girls on the Run coaches!
We cannot have ANY teams at Talley if we do not have enough coaches. Many girls have signed up for this season and we only have 3 coaches. PLEASE consider coaching this season.
Join the Coaching Team at Talley Street as a MENTOR for girls in 3-5th grade
We are in need of volunteer IN PERSON coaches for next season! Coaches are MENTORS who help inspire girls to be joyful, healthy and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum (provided by Girls on the Run), which creatively integrates running. At Girls on the Run we inspire girls to recognize their inner strength and celebrate what makes them one of a kind. Runners/Athletes/Female identifying individuals are NOT required to be a coach! We cannot have any teams at Talley if we do not have enough volunteers to coach. Please consider joining our coaching team next season! Here is what you can expect:
Fill out a coaches application and complete a background check
Attend a virtual training session and an in person training session with GOTR Atlanta
Attenda a virtual pre-season Talley Coaches Meeting
Commit to 1-2 days a week of coaching (Mon/Wed or Tues/Thurs from 2:30-4:00) during the season
Support your fellow co-coaches, take turns leading lessons based on the GOTR Curriculum
This program has proven to have a positive impact on the girls who participate. Be prepared for it to have a positive impact on you, too!
Spring 2022 Dates
Now until Jan 25 - Registration Open
Week of Feb 21 - Programs begin
April 30 - Girls on the Run 5K
Week of May 2 - Last week of programs
Please reach out to Natalie Bundschu at nbundschu@csdecatur.net if you or anyone you know is interested in coaching this season. We would love to have as many coaches as possible and are happy to work with your availability. If possible, we would especially love coaches who could commit to coming back to coach once or twice a year for future seasons.
Decatur Lacrosse Teams
Is your child interested in playing lacrosse? Details on registration for the Decatur Lacrosse teams can be found below. You can access your website here!
Community Updates
Lunar New Year Parade
Run With the Dogs 5K to benefit Decatur Bulldog Boosters
Register TODAY for Run With the Dogs 2022!
The race is Saturday, January 29, 2022, with a new course in MAK and Oakhurst that starts and finishes at Renfroe Middle School. This year's 5K race will be chip timed for the first time and everyone who registers by January 15 is guaranteed to receive the coveted long-sleeved T-shirt with original artwork by Adam Pinsley.
Run with the Dogs is an annual fundraiser of the Decatur Bulldog Boosters and supports student athletes on 45 sports teams at Decatur High School and Renfroe Middle School.
For more information and to register for Run With the Dogs, click here!
Social Media and Contact Information
Social Media and Contact Information
You can find more information on the following Facebook pages:
Talley Street Upper Elementary School PTO
Talley Street Upper Elementary School Parents
Follow the media center on Twitter:
For news from our counselors, check out their website:
For more about the Talley Street PTO, visit their website here: https://talleypto.org/