Weekly Update
September 1, 2022
Dear Winnona Park Community,
I hope to see you at Curriculum night in a few hours.
Have a great three-day weekend everyone!!
Sincerely,
Greg Wiseman
Principal, Winona Park Elementary School
Is Your Child Sick?
If you are keeping your child home because he or she is ill, please email your child’s teacher and cc our school manager Cathy Sikes (csikes@csdecatur.net). Ms. Sikes will then mark the absence “Excused.” If the absence is Covid-related, please add Nurse Jen (jeagle@csdecatur.net) on the email as well.
Afternoon Carpool Reminder
We've noticed some cars are entering the carpool line by driving east down Inman from Avery, and then either making a U-turn or using residents' driveways to turn around in order to get into the line facing west. We've heard from at least one neighbor that cars keep partially driving onto his grass while turning around in the driveway.
Having our school right in the middle of this great neighborhood is a wonderful thing. However, with all the benefits of a true neighborhood school, comes the responsibility to be a good neighbor to those that live adjacent to our campus. Please follow these guidelines for our carpool dismissal routine.
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.
Media Center News
WP Food Truck, Book Swap (and DHS football game) Friday, September 9, 5:30-7:30
Mark your calendars to join us for food, music, games and popsicles on Friday, September 9th. Gezzo’s West Coast Burritos, Sweet Auburn BBQ & King of Pops will be on sale from 5:30-7:30 pm. We will also host a used book exchange table (bring a book/take a book)! If you have books to donate, you may drop them in the book bin just outside the main door of the school starting Monday, August 29th.
Bring your family, friends and a picnic blanket for a night of community and fun on the Winnona Park Field.
Afterwards, head over to the DHS football game where anyone wearing WPES swag gets into the game for free. Go Wildcats and Go Bulldogs!
DHS Football Spirit Night - Friday, September 9th
The CSD Athletic Department invites the WP school community to a night of school spirit and community building as we enjoy a varsity DHS home football game. Every WP student will get in free with a paying adult. Please do your best to wear your spirit wear.
Please use this link to purchase tickets. This link will ensure that there is no confusion at the gate if the student does not have school specific spirit wear or their school id.
DHS Colorguard Youth Night - Friday, September 9th
The Decatur Colorguard is hosting a youth night for any Kindergarten through 8th grade students who would like to participate with the Marching Band Color Guard for a gameday experience.
This is in conjunction with the Beacon Hill Spirit Night on Friday September 9th where the 7th and 8th grade band members will be joining the band as well. Please see this link for more details.
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.
From City Schools of Decatur
CSD Strategic Plan Input Session and Survey
Please make plans to join us for the Strategic Plan Community Input Session on September 6th at 6:30 pm in the Beacon Hill Middle School cafeteria. This meeting is open to all staff, students, parents, and community partners. This session will be the primary input gathering meeting for stakeholders to share their vision for what CSD can become in the next five years. We look forward to seeing you there!
If you are unable to attend this session, click here to participate in the survey.
The City Schools of Decatur Board of Education values input and feedback. The community is invited to engage in a facilitated conversation to share feedback for consideration as the Board prepares to develop the leadership profile for the Superintendent position. The Board is excited to offer two in-person opportunities for the community to engage and share their thoughts. You may attend either September 14, 2022, or September 28, 2022. A survey will be available for those unable to participate in one of the in-person events.
Although it is not required to attend, we are asking for anyone wishing to attend one of the in-person sessions to please register via this form.
Registering ahead of time will help us better plan the events and breakout sessions.
Event details:
Session One: Wednesday, September 14, from 6-7:30 pm in the Decatur High School cafeteria.
Session Two: Wednesday, September 28, from 6-7:30 pm in the Decatur High School cafeteria.DHS Cheerleading Minicamp Fundraiser
The DHS Cheerleaders are hosting a minicamp to help promote Bulldog Spirit while raising funds to support the DHS cheer program.
If your child is between the ages of 4-12 and wants to experience cheering in the Homecoming parade and before the Homecoming Football game, sign up today for the minicamp!
Camp dates: September 12 - 14 Minicamp 4:30 - 6:00 pm
September 29 Practice and Mini Camp Swag Pick-Up 4:30 - 6:00 pm
Parade and Game date: September 30
Cost: $50
Click here to sign up. If you have any questions, please contact Ashaki Stinson (astinson@csdecatur.net) or Saadia Foy (sfoy@csdecatur.net).
School Nutrition Updates
1) Parents of students with special diets or allergy concerns should submit a new medical statement each year. Please contact Monique Breedlove at mbreedlove@csdecatur.net or (470) 237-0368 ext. 7608 to update your student’s records or for additional information.
2) CSD School Nutrition continues to experience supply chain issues that may influence menu changes. Menu changes may not be updated online as they occur. However, we will work to substitute a like item to the best of our ability.
3) September 6-9, eat a rainbow at lunch!
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 Education Foundation
EVERYONE’S INVITED to our FREE concert at Legacy Park on Saturday, September 10th from 4-8 pm with The Sundogs and JohnBoy and SurroundSound! Opening artists are DHS seniors Nate Helfrich and Payton Kashdan. There will be kids’ activities and student groups selling drinks and treats. DEF is celebrating 20 years in the community, and we want you there! Bring your own picnic and enjoy an evening with your family and friends!
Would you make a great tutor, mentor or coach for a Decatur student? We’ve got spots available for all those types of positions! Make a big impact in as little as 1-4 hours per month, depending on the role you choose. Does your high schooler need volunteer hours? Tutoring is a great way to accomplish that, and high schoolers make great tutors! Go to www.decatureducationfoundation.org/mentoring to learn more and sign up.
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