Weekly Update
September 29, 2022
Dear Winnona Park Community,
Now that the weather has turned colder it's time for kiddos to wear sweatshirts, sweaters and coats. It also means it’s time for our lost and found to grow exponentially. Don’t let your kiddo’s clothes fall into the abyss. Please make sure you put your child’s name on all these garments so they can be returned when they are eventually left out on the playground.
Have a nice weekend.
Sincerely,
Greg Wiseman
Principal, Winnona Park Elementary School
Tomorrow’s Community Circle
We welcome kindergarten parents to Community Circle tomorrow morning! There is not a lot of room in the cafe to invite all parents at once, therefore we will invite one grade level at a time each week, starting with kindergarten parents tomorrow. I’ve placed all Community Circles on the WP calendar highlighting which grade level’s parents are invited to attend.
If you are attending community circle, please gather by the pond, outside the cafe. Parents will be let in there at the appropriate time. We will go over the parent expectations in the cafe, but here are some of the highlights:
All parents enter and exit through the cafe door near the pond
Stand along the outside perimeter of the cafe
Sing along and participate (don’t chat with your neighbor)
Stay off phones & don’t post school activities on social media
Don’t impede classes as they exit by chatting with your child. Teachers want to get to their classes with the same number of kiddos the left with
The 12th Annual Winnona Park Read-a-Thon Kick-Off tomorrow, Friday, Sept. 30th from 3:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Join us tomorrow afternoon at Charis Books & More (184 S Candler St) from 3:30-5:30pm for our Read-a-Thon kickoff event! Specially selected books for our K-2 readers will be on display and a portion of sales made during the event will be donated back to the PTA. The King of Pops cart will also be on site from 4-5pm. PTA members will be available to help create your child’s Read-a-Thon campaign page if you’d like some assistance. Bring a blanket for some reading on the lawn and start counting those minutes!
This awesome PTA fundraiser encourages our kids to read and develop reading skills and habits while giving them a chance to raise funds for our school.
How Does Read-a-Thon Work?
From September 30 to October 6, we want our kids to sign up sponsors and read, read, read! We are counting minutes and collecting donations through the Read-a-Thon page on the WP PTA website. Remember to log your minutes EVERY DAY so they can be counted! Readers will be recognized by class and individually for minutes read, and prizes will be awarded to top readers each day. This year, our goal is to read 50,000 minutes!
Additional information about the Read-a-Thon, a printable reading log, and instructions on setting up your online campaign are available here and on the PTA website, and will be sent home in your child’s communication folder after Fall Break.
Questions? Please reach out to the Read-a-Thon Committee at winnonaparkRAT@gmail.com
CSD Grading Practices Coffee Chat
Winnona Park will hold a virtual coffee chat (BYOC) focused on CSD’s grading grading practices. Please join us virtually on Wednesday, October 5 at 9:00 AM.
Meeting ID: meet.google.com/psx-jgbi-euz
Phone Number: 304-837-2041 PIN: 309 548 047#
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
Media Center News
We are are having our first in-person author visit post-pandemic on Wednesday, October 19th. Order forms for books went home in folders today and they are due this Tuesday, October 4th. Payment is by cash or check made out to Winnona Park Elementary School. You can also access/print the order form here. Our Media Center receives 20% of all proceeds from book sales.
The Media Center is open for family browsing and checkout on Tuesdays and Wednesdays after school from 3 - 3:30 PM. Adults can check out up to five books at a time.
You can also visit the Media Center Website and Ms. Zeff's blog . Please mail me directly if you have any questions - izeff@csdecatur.net.Important Information about Gifted Review
Each fall semester 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 the team discuss your child’s needs, you may complete a Recommendation for Review Form (found at the website below) and turn it into the Gifted & Talented Specialist at your child’s school before October 5th. No additional information is needed. The Gifted & Talented Specialists for Winnona Park are Michele Stroud and Kristen Karably. For more detailed information about the review process and to obtain a copy of the Recommendation for Review Form, please contact the Gifted & Talented Specialist for your school at mstroud@csdecatur.net or kkarably@csdecatur.net or visit the following website: https://www.csdecatur.net/Page/581.
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
Gradebook Visibility
On Friday, families will be able to log into Infinite Campus and see their students’ grades as reported in the gradebook. To access the gradebook, log into Infinite Campus and select “Grade Book” from the left-side menu. More information is available at https://grading.csdecatur.net.
Special Education Department Meeting
Community Spotlight Meeting- Threshold Community Program
Mr. Dave Nelson, Executive Administrative Director of Threshold Community Program, will share an overview of supports provided by this program.
Services include but are not limited to:
Individual and group counseling
College and career support
Social skills building
Academic tutoring and support for middle, high school, and college students
Target Audience: Parents of students ages 14-18 with an IEP.
Date: September 29
Time: 6-7pm
Location: Virtual (Register Here)
Click here - Special Education Department - for our September Newsletter.
For questions, email Cheryl Grant at cgrant@csdecatur.net.
ESOL Parent Meeting and Title I Annual Parent Meeting
Attention all ESOL & Federal Programs Parents and Families!!!
Please Save the Date 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.
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.
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.
September TBD, 2022 - Adena Walker, Chief of Human Resources, CSD
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.
Special Education Parent Engagement
September Meeting:
disAbility Link - Empowering Youth
Mr. William Thomas, Youth & Diversity Supervisor for disAbility Link, will give an overview of the services and supports offered through the Empowering Youth program for youths ages 14-29. disAbility link provides but is not limited to employment support, self-advocacy, social activities, and peer support.
Target Audience: Parents of students with disabilities ages 14-22 years old
Date: September 15
Time: 6-7pm
Location: Virtual
To RSVP, click this Link or email Cheryl Grant at cgrant@csdecatur.net.
For more information, please see the August Welcome Back Flyer.
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
Decatur Parents Network
The first live Decatur Parents Network event in over two years is happening on Sunday, October 2 at 2:00 pm at the Decatur Recreation Center. This is a great opportunity to connect and learn, whether your kids are in grade school, middle school or high school (or older).
Registration and more details can be found here.
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
Our friends at Gathered & Grounded still have some spots available for a group session just for teens called Unwind Sundays during the month of October. Sessions are from 8-9pm on October 2, 9, 30 and November 6th and are designed to provide a safe place for teens to prepare for their week. To sign up go to www.GatheredAndGrounded.com. DEF is providing scholarships for families for which the attendance cost is prohibitive.
Calling all School PTAs: It may seem a long time away, but it’s really not: Mark your calendars (and start planning) for Mead Road Mardi Gras Parade and Party on February 4, 2023. This homegrown event raises important funds for music grants for City Schools of Decatur, and we want every school represented at this year’s parade! Business sponsorships are now available and complete details are here: www.meadrdmardigras.org
MADISON AVE DERBY - REGISTRATION OPEN
Don't miss your chance to be a part of one of Decatur's most iconic neighborhood events! Driver registration is now open for the 11th Annual Madison Avenue Derby, the non-motorized racing event where amateur racers of all ages design and build human-powered soapbox cars to compete against the clock in a downhill race!
Join the excitement as a racer or spectator on October 15, 2022, for a day of family-friendly fun - proceeds from the event this year go to support the Friends of Refugees! REGISTER TO RACE NOW