Talley Street Update
February 3, 2020
School News
IB 101 for Parents
Parent Talk: What Does it Mean to be an IB PYP School?
Talley Street Upper Elementary is now an International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme candidate school. Not sure what this means and how it impacts your Talley Tiger's learning experience? Want to know more? Join us for one of our Parent Talk: What Does it Mean to be and IB PYP School? sessions. We are holding an evening session as well as a morning session. Both sessions are the same, join the one that fits your schedule. You'll hear a brief presentation on the IB Primary Years Programme followed by time for questions. Hope to see you there!
Evening Session (Change of Date Due to a Scheduling Conflict): 6:00-7:00 pm 2/27/2020
Morning Session: After Talley Rally 8:30(ish) 2/14/2020
Save the Date! Talley's Night of Expressions Event
Talley's Celebration of Learning for the students' How We Express Ourselves Unit of Inquiry that they are studying in term 4 will be held across 3 evenings in March. Each grade level is currently engaged in work around a Unit of Inquiry about ways in which people express themselves. This work includes their work in Specials classes: Art, Music, Spanish and PE. To celebrate their learning for this unit, students will participate in a two-part evening which will include sharing their work from a Specials class as well as a spoken word event in their homeroom classrooms. More information specific to your child's evening will come from your homeroom teacher. For now, parents mark your calendars!
3rd grade: March 17 - 6:00-7:30 pm (spoken word and Art Presentations)
4th grade: March 18 - 6:00-7:30 pm (spoken word and PE Presentations)
5th grade: March 19 - 6:00-7:30 pm (spoken word and Music Presentations)
Family Involvement Session for Parents
What is Parent Involvement?
February 13, 2020 at 6:00 p.m.
Wilson Student Support Center
125 Electric Ave Decatur, GA 30030
See flyer below for more details.
Title I Math Family Night February 27, 2020
Our Math Family Night has been postponed from: 1/30/2020 to 2/27/2020. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Title I Presents: Math Family Night
Thursday, February 27, 2020 at 5:00 p.m.- 6:00 p.m.
Talley Street Upper Elementary School
2617 Talley Street
Room # 208
Decatur, GA 30030
Talley Street Black History Month Celebration
Mark your calendars for Talley Street Upper Elementary School's Black History Month Celebration on Friday February 28th from 6:30-8:00pm in the Talley gymnasium. We invite you and your families to enjoy spoken word, musical and dance performances in celebration of Black History - Past, Present, Future
For more information contact Maria Pinkelton at mariapinkelton@gmail.com or by phone at 404.309.1875.
Black History Month Presents: Black Excellence - Past, Present, Future - Spoken Word Competition
The Diversity and Inclusion PTO Committee is happy to announce the 2020 Talley Street Upper Elementary School Black History Month Spoken Word competition.
Competition:
ALL Talley Street students are invited to pen their own original spoken word piece for our first ever Spoken Word Competition. One winner from each grade will be selected and will perform their piece at the Black History Month Celebration on Friday, February 28th at 6:30 PM.
What is Spoken Word?
Spoken word is a poetic performance art that is word-based and performed for an audience. The art of spoken word dates back to the shores of Western Africa and made its way along with those people and become a unique oral tradition deeply embedded in African-American culture and community. The medium relies on a heavy use of rhythm, improvisation, rhymes, word play, and slang that while written, is meant to be read out loud!
Suggested Topics:
The theme of this year’s celebration is Black History - Yesterday. Today. Tomorrow. Poetry topics should explore what that theme means to the writer through the celebration of all of the people, places and moments that have defined Black History in America. How have African - Americans contributed to building the fabric of this community? In what ways have you seen evidence of African-Americans demonstrating excellence from President Barack Obama to Serena Williams to your favorite African American teacher or Social Justice advocate? Consider reflecting on individuals such as these and write what they mean to you and how they inspire you to be your best. What does it mean to be a person of color in your home, your school, your community, your world?
Deadline for Submissions: Friday, February 14th
Submit your original piece along with your name, parent’s name, grade, phone number and email address to The Talley Street Diversity and Inclusion Committee at michellewsims@gmail.com or drop off your poem in the BHM box located at the front desk.
- Submitted poems will be reviewed by Diversity and Inclusion Committee members. Poems should be no longer than 4 minutes when performed (so time yourself!)
(Bonus if you want to submit a video of you performing).
- Winners will be notified on Wednesday, February 19th to ensure that you guys have plenty of time to practice your performance.
Spoken Word Tips:
1. Choose a subject and have attitude. No attitude, no poem! Feelings and opinions give poetry its “richness.” Each poet has a unique perspective and view of the world that no one else has. It is important that a spoken word poem embodies the courage necessary to share one’s self with the rest of the world. The key here is to build confidence. We must acknowledge ourselves as writers and understand what we have to say is important.
2. Performance. Spoken word poems are written to be performed. After your poem is written, practice performing the poem with the elements of good stage presence in mind.
We look forward to reading your contributions. Thanks for making Talley’s Inaugural Black History Month Event Memorable! Have FUN!
Questions??? Contact: Kanika Michelle Sims - michellewsims@gmail.com or (706-284-6223)
Love My Bus! - February 12
The school bus is important not only because it’s safe, cuts down on traffic congestion, and reduces air pollution; but riding the school bus is also a time for students to bond with their peers and increases the likelihood that students will arrive at school on time and ready to learn!
We will have small prizes for all the students who ride the bus after school on Wednesday February 12!
🧦 **Also, all Talley bus riders are encouraged to wear crazy socks on February 12!** 🧦
Black History Month Living Wax Museum
Students are encouraged to help Talley Street Elementary celebrate Black History Month by participating in our living wax museum. Students will be researching African Americans (both past and present) who were important figures in history or who have made a positive difference in our world.
Interested students will be given a list of African Americans important figures. Students will sign up for the person of their choice and begin doing research over the next few weeks on their chosen person using books and online resources.
Using the information the students have collected on their famous African American figures, they will write a short speech in the first person that they will eventually read to an audience at the African American Wax Museum.
Students will also create tri-fold posters with pictures of the African American they have chosen.The Living Wax Museum will take place at the end of February. Students are asked to dress up as their person and bring props or other things that will bring authenticity to their character.
Please return the completed form back to Mrs. Parks by February 3, 2020. Please email Shannon Brewton sbrewton@csdecatur.net with any questions.
FROM COACH NICHOLS & COACH HENRY
Hey Talley Crew! Soon, we will begin our inaugural iRUN TALLEY STREET program leading up to the Decatur Education Foundation's Tour Decatur (which is March 14th).
This year, we will be selling our 1st ever TALLEY STREET iRUN SHIRTS! They are $10 each and can be ordered here: https://pswear.com/TalleyStreet.
We think the design turned out great, and we know everyone needs some Talley spiritwear! The link for ordering shirts opens on January 27th and concludes on February 10th. Please don't miss the deadline. Shirts are for students, siblings, parents, staff, community members, and so on.
Finally, you can register for the race at tourdecatur.com. If you need financial assistance with the race fee, don't hesitate to reach out -- we want all Talley kids & families involved!
If you have any questions, please let us know.
Coach Nichols & Coach Henry
Lost and Found
School-Related Photos for Yearbook
Please send photos of any school related events to: talleyyearbookphotos@gmail.com. Contact the yearbook chair for more information:
Kellei Johnstone
404.985.8151
Talley Street PTO
Fundraiser: Donate New or Gently Used Shoes
- WHEN: Monday, February 3rd - Friday, February 14th
- WHAT: Bring in new or gently used shoes of any size (kids & adults) and put them in the box at school
- WHY: We will get money for the donated shoes and the organizing company will redistribute them to folks in need
PTO Meeting
When: Monday, 10 February, 6:30p, Cafeteria
Who: District Equity Coordinator, Dr. Maria Banks
What Else: 2019-2020 Achievements, (brief) Finance Report
Talley Spirit Wear is Back!
Tell your friends and neighbors...Spirit Wear is back for a limited time. Store will be open until 2/23. Orders fulfilled mid-March. Please note all non-Apparel items are available in limited QTY's. Once they are sold out - they are gone. Don't miss out!!
Head over to shop.initialcontact.com to order today.
Box Tops, Publix, and More
Amazon Smile:
A little late after the flurry of holiday shopping but we're now on Amazon Smile!!! There will be more information in the Newsletter but you can log into www.smile.amazon.com and log into your Amazon account, then select Talley Street Upper Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization, save and the PTO will start getting quarterly deposits! One important tip - you MUST be logged in via smile.amazon.com while shopping for us to receive any funds.
Kroger Community Rewards:
We are set up to receive funds from Kroger. From your account screen, select Community Rewards and search for “Talley Street Upper Elementary School PTO”, select and then you should be all set, every time you use your Kroger card, the PTO will benefit!
Box Tops:
Box Tops have gone digital!! Download the App, Box Tops for Education. Enter your information, select Talley St., scan receipts and done! If you still have hard copy box tops, we will be collecting them behind the front desk. There is a box labeled Box Tops for Education. Have your kiddo bring in box tops and look for the Large Envelope/box near the front desk. They’ll be collected twice a year.
Publix Partners:
Looking for an easy way to support Talley Street PTO??
Who knew Passive Fundraising could be SO easy!! You don't need the key chain card anymore. Follow the easy instructions on the link: http://corporate.publix.com/community/corporate-campaigns/publix-partners
We’re set up as: Talley Street Upper Elementary School – Decatur, GA
From the District
Georgia Parent Survey
Parents,
Please take time to complete the Georgia Parent Survey. The survey may be completed using a personal computer, smartphone, or tablet. For parents who do not have access to the Internet, a paper copy of the survey is available at the school. The data from the survey will be used as part of the calculation of the School Climate Star Rating. Survey responses are anonymous, self-reported, and will be submitted directly to the Georgia Department of Education for analysis. The Georgia Parent Survey is also available in Spanish. Parents may select the Spanish version within the survey. The Georgia Parent Survey link is posted below.
News from the Decatur Education Foundation
Thursday, February 6th and Friday, February 7th from 8:30a-3:30pm - Beyond Diversity Community Training
Support Our Community with DEF
Here are two easy ways in which you can help your community:
Will you join our Carpool Crew? Our mentees need rides to some of their after-school activities. Their destinations might be the same as yours! For more info and sign up, please visit: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0C4FACAC2CA6F94-mentees
CSD’s Winter Break is just three weeks away, and we are collecting Kroger gift cards for those families in our community whose students rely on school meals. Click here to sign up to donate a gift card: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0C4FACAC2CA6F94-february
Or you can show your support by attending these events:
Come out to Oakhurst this Saturday to participate or spectate at Mead Road Mardi Gras Parade and Party from 1 pm – 5 pm. There will be food, drinks, and live performances from our very own CSD students behind the Imperial on the corner of Mead Rd. & College Ave. Purchase food and beverage tokens in advance at www.meadrdmardigras.org and bring cash for face-painting! All proceeds benefit DEF music grants, so come party and “laissez les bons temps rouler”!
Registration has begun for the annual Tour deCatur 5K and one-mile fun run at www.tourdecatur.com. Decatur’s biggest 5K event is happening this year on Pi Day, 3-14-20! Early bird pricing and guaranteed t-shirts are available through February 27th. If your whole family runs, consider a Family Sponsorship. For $250, you’ll receive 4 race entries, 4 race t-shirts (kids’ sizes too!), a yard sign delivered to your door, and your family’s name listed on the event banners! Email info@decatureducationfoundation.org to sign up!
About Talley Street Upper Elementary School
Important Dates
February 17-21--winter break
March 16--no school, teacher workday
April 6-10--spring break
Social Media and Contact Information
Talley Street Principal
Talley Street Upper Elementary School PTO
Talley Street Upper Elementary School Parents
Talley Street Artists
For more about the Talley Street PTO, visit their website here: https://talleypto.org/
Email: bheaton@csdecatur.net
Website: csdecatur.net/Talley
Location: 2617 Talley Street, Decatur, GA, USA
Phone: 470.283.7340