Weekly Update
Winnona Park Elementary School
Dear Winnona Park families,
Every year we celebrate Black voices through our Living Museum! This year our Living Museum looks a little different, but we have enjoyed all the student’s presentations! Follow this link to view presentations, and feel free to help your students add theirs as well.
Yesterday a survey was sent out asking families to indicate their possible interest in returning to in person learning. K-5 principals are working with Dr. Dude and Dr. Fehrman to determine possible space for more students within the in person learning environment. I will keep you updated on this process as we move forward.
Sincerely,
Principal Scott
Winnona Park Field and Playground
We have had several incidents of people using the grounds as a public park, many not masked and children not adequately supervised. Winnona Park students, virtual and in person, may use the field and playground during this time, if they are wearing masks, and properly supervised. Anyone not wearing a mask will be asked to leave. Please be aware that WP pod students do use the playgrounds between 12-4, including their lunchtime, which is the only time they are unmasked. We ask that you show them respect and understand that their first responsibility is the pod students in their charge. Please feel free to email Principal Scott with any questions or concerns.
In Person Dismissal Reminders
No DOGS on Campus!!
Please use this QR code to sign in at dismissal. This alerts your child’s teacher to send them out to walkers and car riders
Dismissal changes can be submitted using this form.
If you want to save the form as a button on your iphone, please watch this video! Adding QR code to iphone
Carpool-Please continue to have a sign with your student’s name on it as you come through carpool! Thanks!
School Pictures
The PTA is putting together the yearbook for 2020-21 and will be taking pictures on Thursday, March 4th (in person and virtual students) and Saturday, March 6 (virtual students). We have a wonderful parent photographer who has graciously volunteered their time to make this happen—thanks Elizabeth Karp!
In person students will take photos during school hours and virtual students have three options - after school on March 4th; the morning of Saturday, March 6th(9 am-Noon); or you can submit your child’s headshot directly to winnonayearbook@gmail.com. Emailed headshots should be in JPG format and include your student’s first name, last name, and grade in the message. Virtual student do not need to reserve a time slot, but if there is a wait, we ask that you wear your mask and maintain 6 foot distance while waiting.
All students will be masked until they are ready for their photo. The photographer will be set up under the pavilion with 6+ feet distance. Photographs will be available for viewing and ordering online. More information on this to come!
What if my in person student has to quarantine?
Please view this if/then chart, which details how Winnona Park will be addressing individual student, teacher, and whole class quarantines.
From Ms. Zeff in the Media Center - Virtual Author Visit
We are having a virtual author visit!!!! Dan Santat will be visiting our school via Zoom on Friday, March 5th at 10:30 AM using the same Community Circle Zoom link. If you are interested in purchasing an autographed copy of the book(he will autograph bookplates so they will not be personalized), please use this order form to either order online or send in a check.
Overdue notices were sent out this morning. Books can be returned 24/7. Please check your child's Destiny account for a colored picture of the book.
Please email Ms. Zeff at izeff@csdecatur.net if you have any questions.
Community Circle
Community Circle begins each Friday at 8:30 AM. Students can log in through their Google Classroom Stream, and students in the building will watch from their classroom. Students can join Community Circle from home through their Google Classroom Stream. Watch past videos here.
Dine out with Naan Stop - Place orders before 5 PM on Wednesday, March 3rd
Upcoming PTA Meetings
Important Information about Gifted Review
Each year the gifted review team looks at existing student data to discuss students’ needs and determine if further evaluation for gifted identification is needed. If you are interested in having your child reviewed and possibly evaluated for gifted services eligibility, you may complete a Recommendation for Review Form (found at the website below) and turn it in to the Gifted & Talented Specialist at your child’s school before March 8th. No additional information is needed. The Gifted & Talented Specialist for Winnona Park are Jane Peavy and Michele Stroud. For more detailed information about the evaluation process and to obtain a copy of the Recommendation for Review Form, please contact the Gifted & Talented Specialists for your school at jpeavy@csdecatur.net or mstroud@csdecatur.net or visit the following website: https://www.csdecatur.net/Page/581.
School Leadership Team
The Winnona Park Elementary School Leadership Team (SLT) is an elected committee consisting of Winnona Park parents/guardians, staff members, a community member, and a district representative. Public comments are welcome at our SLT meetings and follow the same rules as the school board meetings with a limit of 3 minutes to speak per person. If you would like to submit a comment ahead of the meeting, you can email any of the SLT members below. Our next SLT meeting will be held on March 25th at 7 pm via zoom link: https://csdecatur.zoom.us/j/96257187643
Sherry Peterson- speterson@csdecatur.net
Taniqua Miller- tmiller@csdecatur.net
Will Epps- wepps@csdecatur.net
Tyler Waidner Smith- twaidnersmith@csdecatur.net
Cindy Clark- ciclark@csdecatur.net
Julie Semones- jsemones@csdecatur.net
Ruth Scott- rscott@csdecatur.net
Sherry Peterson- speterson@csdecatur.net
Taniqua Miller- tmiller@csdecatur.net
Will Epps- wepps@csdecatur.net
Tyler Waidner Smith- twaidnersmith@csdecatur.net
Cindy Clark- ciclark@csdecatur.net
Julie Semones- jsemones@csdecatur.net
Ruth Scott- rscott@csdecatur.net
Black History Month at Winnona Park
Black History Month Living History Museum is coming soon. Even though we're not all together in person, we can still celebrate and share our favorite Black artists. The Black History Month Celebration Committee wants to invite you to encourage your child to sign up for the Living History Museum. This event is for EVERYONE. We want every child regardless of race, gender, and age to sign up. Our goal is to provide you with ideas, but ultimately get our kids excited about this history! This is ALWAYS such a fun and special event! Here's a link of different artists to research https://www.dandelionchandelier.com/2020/09/02/most-influential-black-artists/
but you’re welcome to pick your own. Once you select your artist, please add your name and information using this form so we can organize this special event. We would also LOVE to share everyone’s presentations with the whole school by recording your presentation in this padlet.
If you have any questions about the event, please reach out to Lonnie Parker.lonnie@gmail.com or April Biagioni abiagioni@att.net
From the PTA
Winnona Park Elementary Passive Fundraising
Follow the steps below to register with our fundraising partners and earn money for WPES when you shop! Click here for the flyer.
AmazonSmile
Log in to your Amazon account via smile.amazon.com. Search for and select Winnona Park Elementary PTA. Remember to use the smile.amazon.com address to shop!
You can also change your AmazonSmile charitable organization to Winnona Park Elementary PTA: Once logged in, go to “Your Account” from the navigation at the top of any page; click “Change Your AmazonSmile Charity.” Search for and select Winnona Park Elementary PTA.
Kroger Community Rewards
Link your Kroger Plus card (available at customer service): Visit krogercommunityrewards.com and follow the instructions to link your card to Winnona Park Elementary PTA (#LY171). Scan your Kroger Plus card at checkout to earn money for WPES.
Publix Partners
1. Sign up or log in at clubpublix.com.
2. Click your account name at the top of publix.com; scroll through the dashboard to select “My Publix Partner.”
3. Search for and select Winnona Park Elementary School.
4. Enter your phone number every time you check out to earn funds for WPES.
Box Tops for Education
Box Tops for Education has gone digital! Get the Box Tops app and learn more about scanning box tops and receipts with qualifying purchases at boxtops4education.com. If you have unexpired box tops to donate, we’ll pick them up! Contact Sarah Moye at smcvoy@yahoo.com or 919-951-9099 to arrange pickup.
Mabel’s Labels
Earn money for WPES when you shop at MabelsLabels.com for dishwasher-safe, laundry-safe, personalized peel-and-stick labels for clothing, school supplies, holiday gifts, and more. Visit campaigns.mabelslabels.com, search for Winnona Park Elementary School, and start shopping.
From the District
School Nutrition Update
As we transition to in-person school at Renfroe and DHS, CSD Nutrition will be changing how meals are distributed. In-person learners at the elementary level will continue the process already established.
CSD Nutrition will begin offering Grab & Go Meal Kits at the middle and high school based on the schedule listed below. Meal kits will include a variety of ready-made and reheat-ready choices. Meal safety, reheating instructions, and, a menu will be provided in meal kits. To participate, you will need to fill out this form which indicates your preferred school of pick up and if you would like milk with your meals.
All children, regardless of school enrollment or meal eligibility status, can receive FREE meals. Families will drive-thru and pick up FREE grab & go meal kits at the bus ramp area of either Renfroe or DHS.
Students participating in the sibling meal pick-up program may continue with this method. For vegetarian, lactose-free, or other special diet options, please consult our website here.
The deadline for placing a pre-order for 3/8/2021 is Wednesday 3/3/2021 by 4:00 p.m.
Special Ed Survey
The Georgia Department of Education is requesting that parents who have a student with IEPs participate in the Special Education Parent Survey for SY2020-SY2021. We are asking Principals, Assistant Principals, Special Education Teachers, and Case Managers to encourage their parents to participate in the survey. As part of our collaboration to reach all parents of students with disabilities, we are asking building leaders to post the survey on their school websites. This survey helps to guide our district and state toward a more meaningful collaboration, which helps to bring about good outcomes for our students' education.
Please email or call me with any questions. Thank you in advance for taking the time to complete this survey.
https://survey.gadoe.org/SPEDParentSurvey/Pages/ParentSurvey.aspx
From the City of Decatur
2020 Strategic Planning Input Nears Completion
From the hundreds of residents who participated in our in-person and then virtual Citizen Roundtables over the course of 2020 to the Virtual Forums collecting opinions and ideas of all types, to the more recent, topic-specific Decatur 202 sessions that drilled down on issues of mobility, housing, racial equity, and climate action, Decatur residents have been hard at work voicing their vision for the city’s next decade.
These front-end input opportunities for the 2020 Strategic Plan will be wrapping up soon, but it’s not too late to get your ideas on the table. Share any remaining thoughts online in our Virtual Forums which can be accessed at http://bit.ly/300tKT6.
Calling All Decatur Youth. We want to hear from YOU!
The Strategic Plan will help guide the City in deciding what’s most important to Decatur residents like YOU in the next 10 years.
Visit https://decatur2030.com/resources/ and look for the Youth Input section to share your ideas by March 15, 2021. Choose your response type and email your ideas to childfriendlydecatur@gmail.com. If you drew a picture, please take a photo and email it to us. Once input has completed, recommendations will begin to emerge for public review and comment so stay tuned for that as we move further into 2021.
DEF News
Grand Re-opening of the Decatur Student Center coming soon at DHS!
Thanks to a generous $25K donation from Decatur City Church to Joe’s Fund, DEF’s behavioral health initiative, the Decatur Student Center at DHS has been completely renovated and will open when in-person learning begins in March. The DSC was established to address our students’ nonacademic needs and will have dedicated space for one-on-one counseling, group counseling, and a ZenDen where students can go to relax and regroup. We’ll be posting photos and virtual tours soon. In the meantime, if you’d like to join the Joe’s Fund Challenge with a donation, please visit www.decatureducationfoundation.org/joesfund. You can help us match Decatur City Church’s gift to double the impact to ensure that we can continue to address the wide and varied needs of all of our kids.
The Tour Must Go On!
Due to Covid-19, DEF can’t host its annual Tour deCatur 5K and Fun Run in its usual in-person form. This year, we are offering a “Run Where You Are” 5K and Fun Run on the weekend of March 27th. 5K participants can register at www.tourdecatur.com where you can also order an event shirt. We hope this event will encourage the community to go outside to celebrate our health and the onset of spring. For some participants, this year’s Tour could be a goal to achieve or a fun family activity, and for others, it might just be exciting to have something to put on the calendar! 5K participants can submit a photo of their tracked time, and race results will be posted on the race website and on the DEF Facebook page in the week following the race.