Weekly Update
August 11, 2022
Dear Winnona Park Families,
I am happy to announce that five WP parents have stepped up to run for the three open parent spots on our School Leadership Team (SLT). You can read the bios of Vanessa Amos, Jami Bailey, Samantha McMahan, Neela Ram, and Jessica Stuart on the WP website here.
Elections will be conducted via Google Form sent in the Thursday, August 18 eblast. Polls close at 4:00 PM Friday, August 26.
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.
The Winnona Park School Leadership Team (SLT) is an elected committee consisting of parents/guardians, WP staff members, community members and other personnel.
Have a great weekend.
Sincerely,
Greg Wiseman
Principal, Winnona Park Elementary School
First Walk-n-Roll to School on Wednesday, August 17!
Next Wednesday, get ready to celebrate walking and rolling! What is Walk-n-Roll you ask? Each month of the 2022-2023 school year at WPES, we’ll have a “Walk-n-Roll” day to encourage families to walk or roll (bike/scooter, etc.) to school for morning drop off. Bonus, there is free coffee, music, and it’s a fun way to get to know other families and build community at WPES! Please join us for our first event of the year, stretching your legs and decreasing traffic in the carpool line!
Evacuation Drill Yesterday
Georgia public schools are required to practice safety drills throughout the school year. Yesterday, we conducted our first evacuation drill (what we used to call fire drills). Schools must practice these drills twice in the first 30 days of school, and once a month thereafter. We did not engage the fire alarm for this drill, but will do so moving forward.
Later in the school year we will practice severe weather drills and lockdown drills as well.
MAP Testing
We will begin MAP Testing on August 15th. MAP, or the Measure of Academic Progress, is a computerized adaptive test which helps teachers, parents, and administrators improve learning for all students and make informed decisions to promote a child's academic growth. We use the data from the test to best determine how to support all students here at WP. Your child’s MAP assessment will be available with the six week report card.
Recess at WP
Just a quick request that if you are on a walk next to the playground while your child is at recess, please don’t try to get their attention. It makes teachers quite nervous when one of their kiddos (and friends that follow) bolts over towards the road.
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!
New Seating Outside
You might have noticed some new "seats" added to our rock garden. This is thanks to Gill Tree service who was kind enough to donate them to the school for the kids to enjoy when they are playing in the rock garden. I wanted to thank the PTA and the Garden Committee for working with Gill Tree Services!
Covid Surveillance Testing
We will begin surveillance testing in the afternoons each Thursday beginning August 18. We'll continue testing weekly for the foreseeable future. Please read the answers to Frequently Asked Questions below. If you have any additional questions, please contact Nurse Jen Eagle.
Who will be doing the testing?
We are working with the Georgia Department of Health to implement our COVID-19 prevention and response strategies. We have enrolled in Georgia’s ELC Reopening Schools program to offer COVID-19 testing for our students, teachers, and staff members.
When will you test my child?
Students will test during the school day. Testing is scheduled on Thursdays beginning at 12:30 PM.
What happens if my student misses their testing appointment?
Students who miss their testing times will remain in the surveillance testing program and will be tested the following week. We are unable to offer makeup appointments to students who miss their initial appointments.
Where will testing take place?
Testing will be conducted in the school cafeteria.
Will I have to pay for this testing?
No. The testing will be provided free of charge to you.
What type of test will be used?
All students will receive a rapid antigen test. Students who test positive on the rapid test will receive a PCR test. Collecting a specimen for the rapid antigen testing involves inserting a small swab, similar to a Q-tip, into the front of the nose. The PCR test is obtained through a nasopharyngeal swab inserted into the nasal cavity until it reaches the nasopharynx. The rapid antigen test is considered non-invasive and the PCR test is considered minimally invasive.
How will I know if my child tested positive?
If your child tests positive on the rapid test, you will be notified by the school. Your child will immediately receive a follow-up PCR test and you will be asked to pick up your student within 1 hour of notification. PCR test results will generally be provided within 72 hours.
What should I do when I receive my child’s test results?
If your child’s test results are positive, please contact your healthcare provider immediately to review the test results and discuss the next steps for their medical care. You should keep your child at home and not return to in-person school until your child meets the current CDC guidelines for return. Nurse Eagle will contact you with next steps regarding the district’s isolation protocol.
If your child’s rapid test results are negative, this means that COVID-19 was not detected on your child’s test. Tests sometimes produce “false negatives” even in people who have COVID-19. If your child tests negative but has symptoms of COVID-19, or if you have concerns about your child’s exposure to COVID-19, you should contact your child’s healthcare provider.
Will students/staff be required to self-swab?
No, testing staff will conduct specimen collection.
Will parents be notified between rapid and PCR?
Parents will be notified to pick up their student if their rapid test is positive. We cannot guarantee that they will be notified prior to the administration of the PCR test.
Can parents choose to do the PCR somewhere else?
Unfortunately, we are unable to modify the testing protocol. If you sign the consent, the consent covers both the rapid and the PCR test (if needed).
What if a student refuses, or is upset?
Students who refuse to participate in testing or become upset will not be forced to continue with the testing process. Students will not be held or restrained in any way to facilitate testing.
How do I register my child to participate in surveillance testing?
Click on the link below to register. Only students whose parents registered for testing will participate in surveillance testing. Consent given last year is no longer valid.
https://schools.coquihealth.com/registration/f8870883-7243-4e2e-978e-4686b842ded8
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 - Point of Sale Issues
The School Nutrition Department recently updated the point of sale system and is experiencing some hiccups. We are working diligently to correct any errors on student meal accounts. Please use the attached form to identify any charges that you would like us to review. We will investigate your request as quickly as we are able. No child will be refused meal service as we go through the correction process. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
Please use this form to let us know about the discrepancy you are experiencing. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
Community Partner Announcements and Updates
Decatur Education Foundation(DEF)
Mark Your Calendars! Did you know that Decatur Education Foundation has been supporting Decatur’s kids for 20 years? That’s a milestone worth celebrating, so we’re hosting a FREE Community Concert at Legacy Park! Come Together Decatur, presented by Bark Technologies in partnership with Amplify, will be held on Saturday, September 10th from 4-8pm and will feature local favorites The Sundogs and John Boy and Surround Sound, as well as some of our talented DHS students. Everyone is invited to pack a picnic and gather with blankets or camping chairs to spend the afternoon enjoying some great live music and reconnecting with friends and neighbors. See you there!
DEF's Virtual PALS Program
If you anticipate your student needing a little extra help, DEF’s Virtual PALS program might be the answer. We pair a 2nd-8th grade student with an upper high school student or adult volunteer to help with homework, time management, and motivation. If you would like to sign your student up for the program, you can go here: https://forms.gle/SjYinSLJkZ363pi57 We also need tutor volunteers! 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 volunteers for our AIM mentoring program, and our brand new FOCUS Prep Program that is specifically for high schoolers in preparation for post-high school. 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