Westchester Weekly
All-Star Newsletter November 12, 2020
Principal's Corner
Greetings Westchester Families,
Report cards became available today via Infinite Campus today. Please read below for details regarding accessing student grades. I'm always proud of students for demonstrating their very best. These report cards should certainly be celebrated, as students are learning in a manner that is new to all of us. Therefore, the school week will end with a Netflix Movie Party. Students will have an opportunity to watch The Secret Life of Pets 2. See the flyer below for more specific details.
At Westchester, we are kind. Therefore next week, we're turning our kindness up even even greater as we celebrate Kindness Week. Every day next week is planned with extra emphasis on kindness. We hope our students have a great time as we celebrate kindness together. Kindness Week will conclude as our school community gets FOOTLOOSE during our virtual dance party. Our PTA has made it possible for students to enjoy a celebrity guest DJ, Willie Wow. I'm really looking forward to it.
Let's hang in there together. We only have one more full week until all of us can enjoy the well-deserved Thanksgiving break. I thank you for working with us! Next week, I look forward to telling you to enjoy your break. We're in this together and we're counting down together. Despite everything that's going on right now, we have so much to be thankful for.
Kindly,
Kimberly R. Watson, PhD
Principal
Westchester Elementary School
(404) 370-4400 Phone
(404) 370-3844 Fax
Movie Party
Report Card Information
Dear WE families, 11/12/20
City Schools of Decatur uses standards based report cards to report K-2 student progress. In standards-based grading, reporting is based upon the progress toward mastery of each academic domain.
The report card is issued three times per year. The Fall report card reports progress for terms 1 and 2. The report card includes meaningful comments from teachers, assessment on the standards, and feedback on Habits of Scholarship and work habits. Please see the schedule for reporting progress at the bottom of this letter.
Please remember that ‘2’s’ and ‘3’s’ are completely appropriate for this point in the school year since all content has not been taught to mastery. Keep in mind that assessment in the virtual environment looks very different than what you might typically see when we are teaching face to face. These grades also rely heavily on student attendance and participation, and that may be reflected in your student’s report card. Science and Social Studies standards were not assessed (N/A) this grading period, but will be assessed on future report cards.
Please log into the parent portal to access your student’s report card. You may access the directions here or watch this video. If you need assistance with your login information for parent portal, please contact our Administrative Assistant, Lisa Campbell (lcampbell1@csdecatur.net).
If you have any questions regarding report cards or the reporting process, please reach out to your teacher or Mrs. Manasso.
Returning to Westchester
Kindness Week!
NED Show Update
Community Circle Dates
Here are the upcoming dates:
11/11
12/9
Wellness Wednesday
While students completed their synchronous SEE Learning unit last Wednesday, October 28, Wellness Wednesday will continue through January. There will be no live classes going forward for SEE Learning but students are invited to participate in asynchronous offerings from the Wellness Wednesday website, https://www.csdecatur.net/wellnesswednesday. Individual schools may offer additional options.
CSD News
We are looking to hire Pod Facilitators to support our students through Virtual Learning. Spread the word! Click here https://www.applitrack.com/csdecatur/onlineapp/default.aspx?Category=Substitute to apply!
News from Decatur Bulldog Boosters
The Bulldogs have a lot to cheer about – even in the midst of a pandemic. Go to DBB News for all the latest information on our undefeated football and women’s flag football teams, DHS swag and the annual Run With the Dogs 5K. And, don’t forget to follow us on social.
A Season of Giving/Christmas Decatur
A Season of Giving/Christmas Decatur is beginning preparations for our 26th year of service to the City of Decatur community. As with everything else in 2020, this program will be a little different than we are used to! Due to the pandemic, we will be changing our program to be managed online. If your family would like to request assistance with holiday gifts for children who live with you, through 8th grade, you must complete the SurveyMonkey application by November 15: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2020ASeasonofGiving If you have trouble with the form, questions, or concerns, please email us at aseasonofgiving@decaturga.com or call our voicemail, 404-378-8068, and leave a message. For those families who do not need assistance, and would like to participate, we would love your help! We have changed how we will handle the program for 2020. We will not be collecting physical gifts but providing gift cards to the families requesting assistance. If you would like to help us this year, please donate at https://legacydecatur.com/give/. Please select ‘A Season of Giving / Christmas Decatur’ for the organization in the donation form.
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Meal Service to Continue:
Meal Delivery Reminder: There will be no meal deliveries during the week of Thanksgiving Break, Monday, November 23-27. There will also be no meal deliveries during the Holiday Break from, Monday, December 15 through Tuesday, January 5, 2020.
Decatur Education Foundation
In non-pandemic years, we would be gearing up for our big fall party, Supper & Sips. Since we can't gather together in support of Decatur's kids to enjoy some delicious local food, drinks and fun games, we're launching our "Just Another Thursday Night at Home." While you won't enjoy the party and camaraderie of the Supper this year, you can still have that great feeling of fellowship by supporting our families with a gift to DEF. To participate: put on your jammies, pour yourself a beverage, get cozy on the sofa and click here.
Do you have some positive support to give to a Decatur student? DEF is still seeking some adult male volunteer mentors for their AIM Scholars Mentoring Program. AIM mentors are paired with 3rd grade students and “meet” regularly throughout the year. In just 2-4 hours per month, mentors help connect their mentees with educational and enrichment activities so they can find their passions and develop life skills. For more information, please visit decatureducationfoundation.org/mentoring
Understanding Evaluation and Eligibility
Presented by Vickie Wingard
November 19, 2020
6:00pm - 7:00pm
RSVP to Cheryl Grant cgrant@csdecatur.net
experience in conducting psychological evaluations and in leading special education eligibility teams in the decision-making process. She also works closely with the Multi-Tiered System of
Support (MTSS) Teams at her assigned schools and is an important resource for identifying research-based interventions and progress-monitoring tools in order to document students’
Response to Intervention (RtI), which is a requirement for special education consideration.
Navigating Employment & Social Security Benefits
Navigating Employment & Social Security Benefits
Hosted by Sally Atwell
November 12, 2020
6:00pm - 7:00pm
*Target audience- parents of eighth grade & high school age students with an IEP
RSVP with Cheryl Grant cgrant@csdecatur.net
Sally Atwell, Benefits Navigator will guide families through an overview of how individuals with special needs can maintain disability benefits while working under the WIPA program (Work Incentives Planning and Assistance).
Community Work Incentive Coordinators provide information on:
- How your Social Security benefits and other State or Federal benefits would change if you were employed
- Work incentives such as Plan to Achieve Self Support, the Trial Work Period, and Impairment Related Work Expenses
- Other programs and services that can help you create a plan for successful employment.
Supporting Student Behaviors Virtual Meeting
RESCHEDULE MEETING
Supporting Student Behaviors Virtual Meeting
(in the classroom and at home)
November 18, 2020
6:00-7:00 pm
RSVP with Cheryl Grant cgrant@csdecatur.net
Supporting Student Behaviors
Ms. Reynolds will present behavior strategies to assist families and their students with the transition from virtual learning to in-person schooling. She looks forward to connecting with parents and offering meaningful support during these new ways of delivering the curriculum.
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Holiday Tree, Wreath and Candle Sale-WP PTA
Holiday Tree, Wreath and Candle Sale
The Winnona Park PTA is gearing up for its Annual Holiday Tree, Wreath and Candle Sale on December 5, 2020. Buy your item online and have it delivered fresh-cut right to your door December 4-6. This year's fundraiser will feature Fraser fir trees, wreaths, and Hanukkah candles all delivered directly within a 5-mile radius. Pre-Order your holiday items now to ensure free delivery! https://winnonaparkpta.org/product-category/holiday-sale/
Where do we get our Trees from you ask?
Cool Springs Nursery will deliver freshly cut Frasier fir trees and wreaths direct from their farm in North Carolina. There are several sizes to choose from, with prices ranging from $85 to $120. Wreaths and Candles are also available for $30 and $10 a pack, respectively.
The Fraser Fir tree has a symmetrical shape and very tapered, sometimes described as an upside-down cone. The needles are soft and short, deep green on the top, and a silverfish-blue on the bottom. The branches are strong with a sweet fragrance, and it has excellent needle retention. Due to the branches turning slightly upward, it has somewhat of a compact appearance.
Why this fundraiser is so important. The Winnona Park PTA supports many offerings and initiatives including:
- Classroom libraries
- Teacher and parent grants
- Field trips
- Guest speakers for all students
- Facility enhancements
- Various community-building events
- School community garden
- Yearbooks
- Incoming Kindergartener tees
Got questions about the specifics of these areas of support, reach out to us we would be happy to share them with you so that you understand the vital importance of the PTA that makes Winnona Park Elementary School so Special.
https://winnonaparkpta.org/product-category/holiday-sale/
Decatur Anti-Racism Speaker Series December Speaker
Speaker: Tim Wise
Thursday, Dec. 3 • 6-7:30 p.m.
Tim Wise is among the most prominent antiracist writers and educators in the United States. He has spent the past 25 years speaking to audiences in all 50 states, on more than 1,000 college and high school campuses, at hundreds of professional and academic conferences, and to community groups across the country. He has trained corporate, government, entertainment, media, law enforcement, military and medical industry professionals on methods for dismantling racism in their institutions.
Visit decaturga.com/speakerseries to register and view recordings of past speakers.
Decatur Strategic Plan 202s
The roundtables process included 800 registrants who contributed thousands of comments. Many of these comments about Decatur’s future were in agreement, but some topics revealed conflicting perspectives about how Decatur should chart its course for the next 10 years.
The 202s will allow for a deep dive on these topics. After hearing from subject matter experts, we will join together in virtual discussion groups to help understand tradeoffs and find balance among differing perspectives. Input will be used to form recommendations on how the Strategic Plan should address these issues. The 202s will seek to answer the question: “What does success look like in a community of 25K people within a metropolitan region of nearly 6 million people?”
Here’s the line-up:
Mobility:
Thursday, Nov. 19, 4 – 5:30 p.m.
Housing:
Thursday, Dec. 10, 4 – 5:30 p.m.
Equity & Racial Justice:
Thursday, Jan. 14, 4 – 5:30 p.m.
Climate Change:
January 2021, Date TBD
Speakers will be announced closer to the event. All events will occur on Zoom and will be recorded and available after the meeting. Visit decatur2030.com for details.
DPI's Youth Action Team
DPI's Youth Action Team (composed of Renfroe Students) have created a scavenger hunt within Decatur to promote drug and alcohol prevention in youth. We would love for this to become a competition within your school. There will be one winner from each school who will receive a $20 Chick Fil A gift card.
We hope this can be shared in community circles, emails, advisments, email, newsletters, PTSAs, social media, and wherever else you see fit. The competition begins this Friday the 13th and ends Friday the 20th with winners announced on December 2nd. And...drumroll...you can participate too as a Decatur Community Member!
I have attached the following marketing materials:
PDF with a built-in link and QR Code
PNG for FB
PNG for IG
Decatur Farm to School
Looking for some awesome Decatur Farm to School SWAG? Look no further! We have freshly designed t-shirts, caps, face masks, and tote bags ready for purchase. All proceeds from merchandise sales will benefit the Wylde Center’s Decatur Farm to School program which includes CSD garden maintenance, CSD mini-grants, DHS summer internships, scholarships to attend conferences, twice-a-year vegetable taste tests, and educator-led programs in the classrooms and gardens.
Pre-order your merchandise before November 23 at the link below and pick up at the Wylde Center’s Oakhurst Garden in Decatur the week of December 14. Customers will be contacted via email with additional instructions when products are ready for pick up. Interested in having your order shipped? Let us know by responding to your confirmation email following your purchase. Thank you for your support!
https://wylde-center-online-shop.myshopify.com/collections/decatur-farm-to-school-merchandise
Decatur Active Living is offering Sports Conditioning for Ages 8-14
Decatur Active Living will be offering a four week, one hour conditioning program for boys and girls ages 8-14. The sessions will be held twice a week on Wednesdays and Saturdays beginning November 18; exact times will be determined by the number of participants. Class sizes will be limited and all safety protocols will be in place. Classes will be held on Ebster Field.
The purpose of conditioning is to get youth in shape, teach them how to create healthy habits, and to get athletes prepared for their next athletic season.
Registration is via RecTrac and begins November 12. Cost is $75 for residents, and $100 for non-residents. For more information please contact Stacy.Green@decaturga.com.
Important CSD Contacts
Here are few other webpages that might be helpful to parents are:
Important CSD Contacts: https://www.csdecatur.net/domain/1658
www.csdecatur.net/opening - a repository for all documents, announcements, and communications about how CSD is handling the 2020-2021 school year.
www.csdecatur.net/nutrition - How to order meals
www.csdecatur.net/transportation
www.csdecatur.net/bustracker - How to sign up for the new Predictable Ryde Bus tracking app used for meal delivery, soon for the Fly-brary, mobile book delivery and when in-person learning resumes to track students on their buses
https://virtual.csdecatur.net/tech-help (how parents and staff can put in a tech support request)
https://virtual.csdecatur.net/students - classroom login information
https://virtual.csdecatur.net/parents - Virtual Learning Handbooks
*****************************************************************Please check our weekly newsletters, emails as well as your student's Google Classroom for all upcoming news and events.
Westchester Elementary School
Email: bnation@csdecatur.net
Website: https://www.csdecatur.net/Westchester
Location: 758 Scott Boulevard, Decatur, GA, USA
Phone: 404-370-4400