Talley Street Update
January 20, 2022
Dear Talley Street Community,
Dear Talley Street Community,
We will resume weekly COVID-19 testing at our school next week with our new provider, Mako Medical. Please indicate your intent to participate using this form even if you consented previously for school-based weekly testing. Embedded in the form is a link to register with Mako Medical. The link is specific to our school. You will need to register via the school-specific Mako link even if you registered for testing at the Wilson Center.
Testing will be conducted weekly on Tuesdays beginning at 7:45. Students will be administered a rapid antigen test. If they test positive, they will return to the testing location for a PCR test. You will receive results via text/email. If your child tests positive, you will also be contacted by the school. All students testing positive for COVID-19 will need to isolate following the CSD isolation procedures.
If you haven’t completed the Georgia Student Health survey, please do so. We appreciate your input. Have a great Friday and weekend!
Billy
Georgia Student Health Survey
This year we will administer the Georgia Student Health Survey to students in their classrooms, and parents and guardians can complete the Georgia Parent Survey at this link https://gshs.gadoe.org/parents.
The Georgia Student Health Survey is an anonymous, statewide survey instrument that identifies school safety and climate issues that impact student achievement. In order to provide a safe and supportive learning environment for your child, the Georgia Department of Education collects survey information from students during the school year. The survey takes approximately 20 minutes to complete and covers various topics such as school climate and safety, alcohol and drug use, and mental health. If you would like to examine the survey questions, please find the survey questions here at the GSHS webpage on the right side of the web page under related documents.
All student survey data is anonymous and self-reported.
CSD Updates
Food Allergen Information from CSD School Nutrition
We are excited to welcome back all of our students in 2022! There is a new document on the "Special Diets" tab of the CSD Nutrition webpage called "Allergens by Recipe," where we have created a chart for parents and students to quickly check for possible food allergens. Note: the allergens identified are the "big 8 allergens," which include wheat, milk, eggs, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, and fish/shellfish. There are more allergens, but these are the critical ones identified in school nutrition.
https://www.csdecatur.net/Page/1403
If your student has a food allergy, we encourage you to check out the list and speak with them about the importance of advocating for themself in any situation where food is being served to them.
Don't forget that meals are still at no cost to our students until the end of this school year!
Wilson Center Department Advisory Committees
Talley Updates
Young Georgia Authors Contest 2021-2022
Calling all K-12 storytellers, writers, and authors!!
Do you have a story to tell? Here’s your chance to share your story with the world!
We’re looking for poems, short stories, narratives, informational writing pieces, or any other original student writing that highlights your amazing skills as a writer.
Here are a few guidelines to help you through the process:
Due to the short timeline, only entries that meet these guidelines will be considered.
The writing piece can be no longer than 1,900 words.
The writing needs to be original student work, created without the help or support of others, including adults.
The writing piece can be handwritten on 8 ½ x 11 paper or typed. Handwritten and typed pieces must be on only one side of the paper.
Submit only the writing - no staples, binding, cover, or lamination is allowed. Use a paperclip for multiple sheets, do NOT staple your writing.
To submit: ALL ENTRIES DUE BY MONDAY, JANUARY 31, 2022 AT 9:30 A.M.
Drop off at your school with the front office OR
Give to your face-to-face teacher OR
Email Dr. Muhlhausen: jmuhlhausen@csdecatur.net
One writing entry from each grade level will be selected to move on to the district-level competition. All participating students will be recognized, and parents will be contacted the week of January 31, 2022 if their student’s entry is selected to move forward.
Talley's First Annual African American Read-In
UPDATE: The form access has been fixed!
I am in search of mystery readers! For our event, we are inviting families and community members to share a picture book written by a Black author/illustrator that you love with one of our classes! I will match your availability with one of our 3rd-5th grade homerooms during the month of February. Then you'll hop on Google Meet, talk a little bit about who you are and what you do, read your chosen picture book, and talk about why you chose/love that book.
If you are interested, please indicate your availability using this form. If you know anyone who may be interested, please feel free to send this information along to them.
Thank you so much for your interest! Please let me know if you have any questions. We are so excited to have you join us!
Ashley Long, Media Specialist
Black History Program
Black History Program • February 24, 2022
Call On Your Past
to Enrich Your Future!
If you would like to participate in the Black History Program, please use the link/QR code below to complete the Google Form.
PTO Corner
Snack Cart
We have an opportunity to share our appreciation for our Talley Teachers and Staff and spread some joy around the school. We are asking our 4th Grade Families to sponsor the cart for this month. The Snack Cart will roll again on January 28.
Please help us by signing up and dropping off items at the school's front desk. Everything must be individually packaged and **NUT FREE** (Staff number: 125)
To sign up please visit our website at: www.TalleyPTO.org
Questions? Please reach out to Erika Wilson Wells the PTO 4th Grade Member at Large (AtLarge4th@talleypto.org)
Tigerfest
LET’S GET READY FOR TIGERFEST!
On April 23rd from 11am to 3pm, the Talley PTO will be hosting our first large scale, primarily outdoor, family-oriented fundraising event--TigerFest! The plan is to have bounce houses, obstacle courses, carnival games and prizes, live music, artist vendors, food trucks, and more. The PTO is in need of volunteers to serve on TigerFest Committees to make sure our event is a roaring success. If you are interested in helping, please complete and submit this TigerFest Volunteer Form. As always, thanks so much for your support!
Amazon Wishlist
The Lounge is running low on items. Talley’s Teachers and Staff have been working so hard this year and deserve all the appreciation possible. Please consider helping the PTO stock the Teacher’s Lounge and Nurse’s Office. This Amazon Wish List contains a range of items Talley staff can use.
Save the date!
- Snack Cart: 5th Grade Families are hosting for the month of February.
- The 6 Myths: Ways White Folks Avoid Race: The series will continue on February 22.
- Spirit Night: NaanStop February 24th (More details coming up soon!)
After School Activities
Join the Girls on the Run Team at Talley Street!
Join our IN-PERSON teams at Talley Street! Girls on the Run inspires girls to be joyful, healthy and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum, which creatively integrates running. At Girls on the Run we inspire girls to recognize their inner strength and celebrate what makes them one of a kind. Trained coaches lead small teams through our research-based curricula which includes dynamic discussions, activities and running games. Over the course of the ten-week program, girls in 3rd-5th grade develop essential skills to help them navigate their worlds and establish a lifetime appreciation for health and fitness. The program culminates with girls positively impacting their communities through a service project and being physically and emotionally prepared to complete a celebratory 5K event.
Interested in participating? Registration is OPEN NOW
https://www.girlsontherunatlanta.org/Program-Registration
Questions? Email nbundschu@csdecatur.net or contact info@girlsontherunatlanta.org
Girls on the Run Site Information
Talley Street Upper Elementary School
Two days a week after school until 2:30-4:00 (Mondays/Wednesdays or Tuesdays/Thursdays)
Register Online: Girlsontherunatlanta.org
Paper application available upon request
Space is limited
GOTR uses an income-based sliding scale so that every girl who wants to participate can. Registration fee is available on a sliding scale from $10 to $185.
Includes GOTR lessons, water bottle, 2 t-shirts and 5k registration.
Spring 2022 Dates
Now until Jan 25 - Registration Open
Week of Feb 21 - Programs begin
April 30 - Girls on the Run 5K
Week of May 2 - Last week of programs
*You can register anytime during the registration period. Team participants selected by the computer will receive an automated e-mail stating they are on the team. Girls who are not placed on the initial team will be placed on a waiting list and will receive an email from GOTR.
We need Girls on the Run coaches!
We cannot have ANY teams at Talley if we do not have enough coaches. Many girls have signed up for this season and we only have 3 coaches. PLEASE consider coaching this season.
Join the Coaching Team at Talley Street as a MENTOR for girls in 3-5th grade
We are in need of volunteer IN PERSON coaches for next season! Coaches are MENTORS who help inspire girls to be joyful, healthy and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum (provided by Girls on the Run), which creatively integrates running. At Girls on the Run we inspire girls to recognize their inner strength and celebrate what makes them one of a kind. Runners/Athletes/Female identifying individuals are NOT required to be a coach! We cannot have any teams at Talley if we do not have enough volunteers to coach. Please consider joining our coaching team next season! Here is what you can expect:
Fill out a coaches application and complete a background check
Attend a virtual training session and an in person training session with GOTR Atlanta
Attenda a virtual pre-season Talley Coaches Meeting
Commit to 1-2 days a week of coaching (Mon/Wed or Tues/Thurs from 2:30-4:00) during the season
Support your fellow co-coaches, take turns leading lessons based on the GOTR Curriculum
This program has proven to have a positive impact on the girls who participate. Be prepared for it to have a positive impact on you, too!
Spring 2022 Dates
Now until Jan 25 - Registration Open
Week of Feb 21 - Programs begin
April 30 - Girls on the Run 5K
Week of May 2 - Last week of programs
Please reach out to Natalie Bundschu at nbundschu@csdecatur.net if you or anyone you know is interested in coaching this season. We would love to have as many coaches as possible and are happy to work with your availability. If possible, we would especially love coaches who could commit to coming back to coach once or twice a year for future seasons.
Decatur Lacrosse Teams
Is your child interested in playing lacrosse? Details on registration for the Decatur Lacrosse teams can be found below. You can access your website here!
Community Updates
Decatur Education Foundation
Save the Dates: There are two great family-friendly events coming soon that both benefit DEF:
Mead Road Mardi Gras Parade on Saturday, February 26th and the 20th Tour deCatur 5K on Saturday, March 12th! To register a community Krewe for the parade, please visit www.meadrdmardigras.org. Registration for the Tour deCatur 5K and one-mile Fun Run will begin on February 1st at www.tourdecatur.com.
DEF is teaming up with the counselors at Talley Street and Renfroe Middle School to keep the snacks stocked. We are also accepting donations to our weekend backpack program which provides supplemental food for students who need it. If you'd like to help with a donation, click HERE for links to each school's Amazon Wish List. Your orders will go straight to the schools.
DEF has several ways in which you can donate your time:
As a Virtual Pals tutor -- we need tutors to be paired with a 2nd- 8th grade Decatur student for a one-hour weekly session. Click here to apply: https://forms.gle/LoiZxoi6WvSe6WEr6
As a Virtual Pals Coordinator -- we need one person who checks in with the tutor pairs on a weekly basis. Time commitment is 1 hour per week. Email muslimo@decatureducationfoundation.org to apply.
As an AIM Mentor -- we need adult male and female mentors to be paired with a third-grader to have new experiences and find their passions. The time commitment is just 2-4 hours per month.
As a REACH Mentor – we need just one more adult male to mentor an 8th-grade student who has been nominated by his teachers for the REACH GA program. REACH mentors help their mentees through the rigors of high school and college applications. Time commitment is just 2-4 hours per month.
If you've got a little extra time to share your life wisdom with a Decatur student, we've got opportunities! Please visit www.decatureducationfoundation.org/mentoring to learn more and apply.
Lunar New Year Parade
Run With the Dogs 5K to benefit Decatur Bulldog Boosters
Register TODAY for Run With the Dogs 2022!
The race is Saturday, January 29, 2022, with a new course in MAK and Oakhurst that starts and finishes at Renfroe Middle School. This year's 5K race will be chip timed for the first time and everyone who registers by January 15 is guaranteed to receive the coveted long-sleeved T-shirt with original artwork by Adam Pinsley.
Run with the Dogs is an annual fundraiser of the Decatur Bulldog Boosters and supports student athletes on 45 sports teams at Decatur High School and Renfroe Middle School.
For more information and to register for Run With the Dogs, click here!
Social Media and Contact Information
Social Media and Contact Information
You can find more information on the following Facebook pages:
Talley Street Upper Elementary School PTO
Talley Street Upper Elementary School Parents
Follow the media center on Twitter:
For news from our counselors, check out their website:
For more about the Talley Street PTO, visit their website here: https://talleypto.org/