Weekly Update
August 18, 2022
Dear Winnona Park Community,
I am happy to announce that Winnona Park will host an in-person Curriculum Night for parents beginning at 6:00 PM on Thursday, September 1.
Curriculum Night is an opportunity for parents (no children) to hear from teachers what their children will be learning in the first half of the school year. There will be two identical sessions.
6:00-6:15: (Report to child’s classroom) Recorded message from Principal Wiseman
6:15-6:45: Session 1 - Your child’s teacher will go over what your child will be learning
6:45-7:15: Session 2 - (Identical to session 1. Go to a specials teacher, your 2nd child’s teacher (if you have a 2nd child at WP), or get date night started early.
Special Education and EIP teachers will be joining the classes they collaborate with. Curriculum Night is not a time for an individual conference between teachers and parents. That time is coming soon.
Sincerely,
Greg Wiseman
Principal, Winona Park Elementary School
SLT Elections Begin Today
The Winnona Park School Leadership Team (SLT) is an elected committee consisting of parents/guardians, WP staff members, community members and other personnel. WP has three parent 2-year terms expiring this year.
There is ONE vote per STUDENT at WP. If there are multiple adults in a household, please coordinate your vote so that there is only one per WP student. The three candidates with the highest number of votes will be the parent representatives on the SLT.
Polls close at 4:00 PM, Friday, August 26.
Cast your vote using this Google Form.
Bios for each candidate can be found here.
Nurse Jen’s Notes
Based on the recent updated COVID-19 guidance from the CDC, the City Schools of Decatur will be modifying the following procedures:
COVID-19 communication emails will be sent to the affected classroom only. We will no longer send schoolwide communications informing of a positive case.
CSD will not be offering surveillance screening in any school. COVID-19 testing will continue to be offered at the Wilson Center from 6:15 am-9:15 am Monday-Friday.
The CDC’s COVID-19 community guidance, as well as its Operational Guidance for K-12 Schools and Early Care and Education (ECE) Programs, also includes the following updates:
Those exposed to the virus are no longer expected to quarantine
Unvaccinated people now have the same guidance as vaccinated people
Students can stay in class after being exposed to the virus
It is no longer recommended to screen those without symptoms in most settings
The recommendation to cohort has been removed
Test-To-Stay information has been removed
Please continue to notify your school nurse if your child tests positive for COVID-19. Please include the first day of symptoms or the day of the positive test(if no symptoms), and we will reach out to you regarding isolation and return to school dates.
Media Center News
WP Food Truck (and DHS football game) Friday, September 9, 5:30-7:30
Mark your calendars to join us for food, music, games & popsicles on Friday, September 9th. Gezzo’s West Coast Burritos, Sweet Auburn BBQ & King of Pops will be on sale from 5:30-7:30pm. We will also host a used book exchange table (bring a book/take a book)!
Bring your family, friends and a picnic blanket for a night of community & 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!
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
School Nutrition
Accommodating Students with disabilities and/or Special Dietary Needs:
City Schools of Decatur will make accommodations for children with disabilities whose disability or special dietary need restricts their diet when that need is certified by a licensed physician. Milk intolerance is not considered a disability or food allergy. For modifications or substitutions to the school meals, the school’s Nurse or Nutrition Manager must have a written Medical Statement to Request Accommodations for Disabilities in the School Meal Programs Form on file that is signed by a licensed physician or licensed health care professional who is authorized to write medical prescriptions under State law.
Parents should submit a new medical statement each year or verify the accuracy of the medical statement yearly that a child requires special dietary meals or substitutions. Please contact Monique Breedlove at mbreedlove@csdecatur.net or (470) 237-0368 ext. 7608 to update your student’s records or for additional information.
Parents that need to request milk substitutions for their students should complete a “Medical Statement to Request Milk Substitutions form.” This form will need to be on file for a student to receive lactose-free milk in lieu of 1% or Fat-Free 8 oz milk, which is included with a full tray. Students that do not have this form on file but want lactose-free milk will need to pay $1.00 for lactose-free milk or $0.50 for 1% or Fat-Free 8 oz milk. All students that do not purchase a meal will be charged for the milk choice they select.
The Accommodations form and the Milk Substitutions form are located here.
Parent Literacy Events
The Teaching and Learning Department is excited to host several parent-focused literacy events this school year. The August and September sessions are listed below. Stay tuned for information about additional programs scheduled for the remainder of the school year.
August Events:
August 18 at 4:00 pm: American Reading Company (ARC) Virtual Parent Education: Pursuing Clarity, Insights, and Opportunities in the Science of Reading Debate
August 24 at 4:00 pm: American Reading Company (ARC) Virtual Parent Education: The Science of Reading Is More Than A Movement
August 24 from 6:30 - 7:30 pm: City Schools of Decatur and American Reading Company (ARC) Virtual Parent Education with Dr. David Liben, Consultant and Author of Foundational Skills Development and Amelia Larson, Executive Vice President of ARC Innovations and Academic Partnerships
Meeting ID: 914 0253 9081 and Passcode: 632209
September Events:
September 15 at 4:00 pm: American Reading Company (ARC) Virtual Parent Education: Comprehensive Literacy for Turbulent Times - The Power Behind a Knowledge Building Curricula
If you have any questions about these events, please contact the Teaching and Learning Department at csimon@csdecatur.net.
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.
August 22nd, 2022 - Dr. Maggie Fehrman, Superintendent, CSD
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.
Community Partner Announcements and Updates
Decatur Education Foundation(DEF)
DEF has several volunteer opportunities that can fit easily into your weekly schedule! We need tutor volunteers for our Virtual Pals Tutoring program. If you can donate 1 hour per week to help a Decatur student virtually, you can apply here: https://forms.gle/YTbDUk8H4iS4qfD57 (High school students can earn volunteer hours!) We also need adult mentors for our AIM mentoring program and volunteer “coaches” for our brand new FOCUS Prep Program that is specifically for high schoolers in preparation for post-high school. For a mentor application, click here: https://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/6385892/Mentor-Application. If you’d like to become a coach, click here: https://forms.gle/F73gdN5fxzXqET5o7. You can also find all forms and information at our website, www.decatureducationfoundation.org/mentoring. Together we make a difference for our kids!
Madison Soap Box Derby
Driver Registration Now Open: Madison Avenue Derby on Oct. 15th
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