Weekly Update
November 3, 2022
Dear Winnona Park Community,
I look forward to seeing many of you at our Parents Night Out This Saturday. This PTA-sponsored event is a major fundraiser for the school and promises to be a fun night out as well.
We are excited to bring back our Thanksgiving lunch and include families. If you did not make the deadline to order food, you are still welcome to bring a lunch from home and eat with your child. Lunch times are listed below.
Sincerely,
Greg Wiseman,
Principal, Winnona Park Elementary School
Thanksgiving Luncheon
Families are welcome to eat lunch with their student for Thanksgiving even if you did not purchase a lunch.
Walk--Roll to School on Wednesday, November 9th!
It’s once again time to celebrate walking and rolling to WPES! What is Walk-n-Roll you ask? “Walk-n-Roll” is a monthly event that encourages families to walk or roll (bike/scooter, etc.) to school for morning drop off. Kiddos that walk or roll to school on Wednesday should make sure to grab a marble to drop into our custom-crafted marble collection device(s). Bonus, there is music and free coffee at the front entrance to the school from a little before 8 am until 8:20 am. It’s a fun way for the kiddos to start their day. It’s also a great way to build community at WPES while highlighting the health and environmental benefits of walking and rolling! Please join us for our next event of the year, stretching your legs and decreasing traffic in the carpool line!
Crossing Guard Appreciation Week!
Crossing Guard Appreciation Week is scheduled for next week. Our Crossing Guards are the heroes of our safe routes to school and play a very important role in school transit, every school day. They are there rain or shine, in that late summer heat and that winter cold. Hopefully you have gotten to know them by name and thanked them for their service.
Please show your crossing guards some extra appreciation from November 7th to the 11th. Consider giving thank you cards and other tokens of appreciation. Whatever you choose, please go the extra mile to show your appreciation for all the crossing guards on your route to school and the very important work they do help the kiddos get to and from school safely.
Tomorrow’s Community Circle - Second Grade
We invite parents of second graders to Community Circle tomorrow morning. Gather by the cafe door near the pond after drop off and you will be let in from there.
Picture Retakes Tomorrow - Friday, November 4th
If your child was absent on their picture day last week, Lesley from Wander Photography will be back on campus on Friday, November 4th for retakes. This only applies to students who were absent on their picture day. Additionally, the class pictures for Ms. Eason and Ms. Simpson will be taken on Thursday as well. If you have any questions, please reach out to Lesley at lesley@wanderphotography.com. Be on the lookout for an email coming in the next week or so with information on where to electronically view and order your pictures!
Parent's Night Out on Saturday, November 5th from 6:30 pm - 11 pm
Our Parent Night Out event tickets are on sale and the silent auction is live. Anyone can come to the event on Nov 5 at 6:30. There will be outdoor spaces as well as a lot of fresh air. We will even have a s’mores fire pit!
There will be dinner, beer/wine tasting and LOTS of arcade style games along with some friendly competition.
Buy tickets here and check out the auction items here:
https://event.auctria.com/733f14c8-3c43-4209-bd76-87dea1a85d29/
Struggling to find childcare to join us for the Parents Night Out? We are so excited to confirm a perfect partnership with Camp Scene! Sign your kids up for evening camp and you get to enjoy a Parents Night Out benefiting WPES! See all the details below:
While parents attend the fundraiser for WPES, campers ages 5 and up can enjoy activities at Camp Scene from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, November 5. Cost is $40 per camper and includes Mellow Mushroom pizza and a campfire — featuring hot cocoa and S'mores.
Below is the link for new families who do not have an existing account with Camp Scene. A family account must be created to have access to the Parent Portal for all registration links to all our current offerings.
New family enrollment link
Here is the link for existing families who have a family account:
Checkout our website for additional event information, tickets, auction and raffle
NaanStop Dine Out! November 8th
NaanStop is a family owned Indian restaurant serving our mother's recipes. We're offering family meals including 2 entrees, fresh baked naan, handmade samosas, basmati rice and chutneys (feeds 4). 20% of sales will be donated to Winnona Park Elementary PTA by NaanStop and GregKodeshRealty.com Just place your order before 5pm on Monday, November 7th and your order will be available for pickup Tuesday November 8th, 5p - 5:45pm link to menu: https://naanstop-winnona-park.square.site/ - Pickup/drive-thru at Avery St/Bucher Dr. - Pickup instructions will be sent with confirmation - Pickup will be available between 5p-5:45p on Tuesday November 8th - order in advance before 5p on Monday November 7th
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
Low Lunch Balance
As you may know, the school nutrition department has a serious debt related to meal charges within the district. In order to work toward reducing the debt, parents and staff will begin getting negative meal balance communication on Friday, October 21, 2022. The school nutrition department will continue to send these low-balance communications weekly through the automated infinite campus messenger. If parents have any questions or concerns, please contact Nekee Mathis at nmathis@csdecatur.net.
As a reminder, some people may have charges even if they have been approved for free or reduced meal benefits because charges made occurred prior to the approval of the free and reduced application. Additionally, some charges are from prior to the pandemic. A free and reduced lunch application may be completed anytime during the school year. Currently, the district policy does not ask that students be turned away from receiving a meal; however, a child's meal balance will continue to grow when they receive a meal while they have no funds in their student lunch account. Currently, the District has an overall debt of $40,000.00.
From Nurse Jen and the Department of Public Health
Please click here for the latest information on this year’s flu activity in Georgia.
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
Strategic Plan Town Halls
Dr. Fehrman will host two more town hall meetings where all community members can attend and review the information discussed at the Strategic Plan Team meeting, as well as the goals and performance objectives drafted. In addition, the town halls will provide an opportunity for the community to add their feedback and ensure we have aligned our goals with what our community wants to see achieved in our district over the next five years.
Strategic Plan Town Hall Dates / Times
November 3 @ 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm (virtual) https://csdecatur.zoom.us/j/92270288945
November 3 @ 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm (in person) at the DHA Community Resource Center at 481 Electric Avenue
Special Education Parent Meetings
Golden Steps ABA
CSD welcomes Amanda Bissonnette of Golden Steps ABA to share an overview of services and support they provide to families.
Golden Steps implements Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy to assist children in overcoming behaviors that challenge their ability to navigate and flourish in social, educational and home settings. We track their progress, encourage their growth, and applaud them when they inevitably succeed.
Here's more about Golden Steps ABA:
Date: November 10, 2022
Time: 6-7 pm
Location: This is a virtual meeting.
Target Audience: Pre-K to 6th grades
RSVP here
How It Works - Assistive Technology Meeting
Yael Cohen, Assistive Tech. Specialist & Frank DeFilippo, Special Education Coordinator, will be sharing a variety of apps and Google extensions that students can access to support their learning in class.
For example if your student is experiencing:
Poor handwriting
Poor grammar
Difficulty spelling
Difficulty with Organizing writing assignments
Date: November 17, 2022
Time: 6-7pm
Location: This is a virtual meeting.
RSVP here
For questions please contact Cheryl Grant at cgrant@csdecatur.net.
News Decatur Student Center Offering - Family Meetings
Would You Like to Learn How to Conduct Family Meetings?
Are you tired of constant family arguments?
Are you tired of feeling as if your family is disconnected?
Are you tired of your family not knowing the schedule for the week?
Then perhaps Family Meetings are for you! Participants will learn how to conduct effective family meetings that will benefit all family members and encourage cohesiveness. Family Meetings have been shown to increase family members’ self-esteem, communication & conflict-resolution skills, and instill a sense of belonging & resilience.
When: Wednesdays, beginning November 9th, 2022
What: 6 weekly, 45-minute Google Meet sessions from 12:00 - 12:45
How: Attend weekly interactive meetings with camera on & ready to participate!
Cost: FREE and limited to 6 families
Click here to register and learn more!
Run With the Dogs (RWTD) 2023 registration is now open!
Join us on Saturday, January 28, 2023 for Run With the Dogs, a Decatur tradition now in its 19th year.
We’ll be back at Beacon Hill Middle School for the 5K and Pup Trot, and we are pleased to announce that this year’s race is an official qualifying event for the Peachtree Road Race!
If you think you have the perfect dog to be featured on this year’s t-shirt, please enter the Face of the Race contest. Just post a photo of your dog, plus a blurb about why your dog should be selected as the Face of the Race, to www.facebook.com/RWTD5k or on Instagram with the hashtag #RWTD5K.
All contest entrants must register for the race for their dogs to be considered. Photos can be submitted until November 7. Four finalists will be selected by the volunteer race committee, and voting on these four finalists will begin November 11. The Face of the Race winner will be announced November 18.
Run With the Dogs 5K is an annual fundraiser of the Decatur Bulldog Boosters and supports the athletic programs at Decatur High School and Beacon Hill Middle School. All race participants will receive the coveted long-sleeved T-shirt designed by local artist Adam Pinsley.
Click here to register. For more information, visit rwtd5K.com.
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.
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.
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
Run with the Dogs
Run With the Dogs (RWTD) 2023 registration is now open!
Join us on Saturday, January 28, 2023, for Run With the Dogs, a Decatur tradition in its 19th year.
We’ll be back at Beacon Hill Middle School for the 5K and Pup Trot and are pleased to announce that this year’s race is an official qualifying event for the Peachtree Road Race!
If you think you have the perfect dog to be featured on this year’s t-shirt, please enter the Face of the Race contest. Just post a photo of your dog, plus a blurb about why your dog should be selected as the Face of the Race, to http://www.facebook.com/RWTD5k or on Instagram with the hashtag #RWTD5K.
All contest entrants must register for the race for their dogs to be considered. Photos can be submitted until November 7. Four finalists will be selected by the volunteer race committee, and voting on these four finalists will begin on November 11. The Face of the Race winner will be announced on November 18.
Run With the Dogs 5K is an annual fundraiser of DBB and supports the athletic programs at Decatur High School and Beacon Hill Middle School. All race participants will receive a long-sleeved T-shirt, which will once again be designed by local artist Adam Pinsley.
Click here to register. For more information, visit rwtd5K.com.
Decatur Education Foundation
It's time for an adult night out! Everyone is invited to Soiree in the City on Saturday, November 12th from 6:30-10:30pm to enjoy an evening of dinner, drinks, and dancing! It’s the perfect excuse to get dressed up and go out on the town for a great cause. We’ll enjoy a seated harvest dinner by Little Farmhouse Cafe, live music from Maxwell Street and a full array of cocktails and signature mocktail. Purchase your tickets today at www.decatureducationfoundation.org/soiree or scan the QR code. See you there!
Are you great at math, science or languages? Your skills could help a Decatur student in just one hour per week as a Virtual Pal Tutor! We pair 2nd-8th grade students with upper high school or adult tutors to help with homework, organization and motivation. It’s an easy way to give back to your community in a meaningful way (and for high school students to earn volunteer hours). Click here to apply: https://forms.gle/VJuyncb7qce6R7Jq5
Can’t volunteer but want to help out? You can donate to our Lighten the Load program which keeps the snack pantry stocked at Beacon Hill Middle School. For those families in our community experiencing food insecurity, we also have a weekend backpack program. Both have unique Amazon wish lists that are updated monthly. You can donate directly to them using these links:
Beacon Hill Middle Snack Program: /a.co/d0HJHTr
Weekend Backpack Program: https://a.co/6Etc74W