Talley Street Update
August 18, 2022
Dear Talley Street Community,
It has been a great week at Talley Street. Our “House System” is really going well. The students are so excited about it. Currently, Amistad is in first place with 91 points. They are followed by Isibindi with 88 points and Nukumori with 87 points. Congratulations to all of the houses for their hard work. We are 6 houses but 1 Talley!
As I have mentioned in previous eBlasts, Talley Street has two open positions on our SLT. We only had two parents express an interest prior to the August 12th deadline. Therefore, we will not hold an election. Parents Chris Stirn and Courtney Sollie will serve on the 22-23 SLT. At the first SLT meeting, the SLT will be looking over the bylaws and making sure that all Talley Street feeder schools are represented. If that is not the case, additional parents may be appointed to the SLT for one year terms. Thank you to Chris Stirn and Courtney Sollie for their willingness to serve. The dates for the 22-23 SLT meetings will be posted on the school website soon.
Next Thursday, August 25th is our curriculum night. The time is 6:00-7:30. The schedule is as follows.
6:00-6:25- Parent House Meeting
6:30-6:55- Session 1
7:00-25- Session 2
7:25-7:30 Wrap up
We are having two sessions to accommodate families that have more than one child at the school. For parents who only have one child at Talley, you may choose which session to attend. The Location of the House meetings will be posted at the front of the school. I look forward to seeing everyone then.
On Tuesday, August 30th at 6:00, we will be holding a virtual meeting to go over CSD’s new grading system. The meeting will last for approximately 45 mis. A link to the meeting will be sent out next Thursday and also posted on our website.
Students should be at school and in their homerooms by 7:45. We begin promptly at 7:45. We don’t want our students to miss any instructional minutes. We dismiss school at 2:15. Students should be picked up no later than 2:40 each day. Thank you for your assistance with arrival and dismissal. #6Houses1Talley
Billy
Lost and Found Purge
CSD Updates
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.
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.
Talley Updates
Talley House Updates
Parent House Meetings
We will also be holding Parent House meetings on August 25 at 6:00 during Curriculum Night! Come and join us!
House Wheel
Y’all - check out our magic House wheel!! We want to give a HUGE shout out to parent Eric Shoemaker for building the wheel, art teacher Amy Radford for painting the wheel, and parent Chris Davis for mounting the wheel. It’s AMAZING!!!
Attention Former Talley Street Title I Parents and Families!
We hope your student has had a great start of the school year! As a reminder, your input on our school's Title I program is valuable and it helps us improve our work with our students and their families.
You're invited to attend the Title I Parent Input Meeting on Thursday, September 1, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. to share your feedback on our Title I program documents. Please plan to attend one of the two meeting times. Your input is greatly appreciated!
Additional information about the meeting can be found on the flyer linked here.
Meeting Link: https://csdecatur.zoom.us/j/99969216229?pwd=dDRDOEVJKzhObDZ5cEM2SnVJZllVQT09
FINAL DAYS TO GET BOOKS FOR AUTHOR VISIT!
Bestselling author Kelly Yang is coming to visit Talley's 4th and 5th graders on Friday, September 9! We are SO excited to host her for our first in-person author visit since 2019! She'll be promoting her new book Key Player, which is the 4th in her incredible Front Desk series. If you would like to order an autographed book copy, please fill out the form and send it back with your payment to Mrs. Long in the media center. Checks can be made out to Talley! Orders are due by Tuesday, August 23.
Updates from the Gardening Committee
Seeking Volunteers
The garden committee has been working on Wednesdays at lunch time with those students who are interested in helping. The students have been helping make bouquets for teachers classrooms, harvest the vegetables that are ready, but some fall veggies, water and weed. We will be selling some fall veggies next month so please be on the lookout. We will have kale, collards, pok choy, and strawberries. (And maybe even more).If you have questions or are interested in helping please email Jen jendhowe@hotmail.com
Pollinator Count
August 19 and 20th is the Georgia pollinator count. Spend 15 minutes outside helping Georgia keep track of all its pollinators. For more information go to this website: https://ggapc.org/. Use the sheet linked below to do your part!
STEM Needs 2 Liter Bottles!
Starting next week, we will need 2 liter bottles for a 3rd grade project. If you have any laying around your house, please send them in! I am also still looking for round tops from bottles of milk, drinks, sodas, medicine, anything! These make great wheels. We will ALWAYS take paper towel and toilet paper rolls and any other cool recyclables that you have around the house. Finally, we will be opening our "Tinker Table" soon, so if you have any old electronics that you want to get rid of, we would love to be able to take them apart!
Extracurricular Activities
Children's Auditions for "The Sound of Music" at DHS
4th and 5th Grade Chorus
Elementary Orchestra
Girls on the Run - Coaches Needed!
Join the Coaching Team at Talley Street as a MENTOR for girls in 3-5th grade!
We need coaches!
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. It is NOT required to be a runner, athlete, or identify as female to be a coach! We cannot have any teams at Talley if we do not have enough volunteers to coach, so 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
Attend 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 detailed GOTR Curriculum you will be provided
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!
Fall 2022 Dates
Lottery Closes Aug. 30th
Practice Begins Week of Sep. 12th
End-of-Season 5K Dec. 3rd
Last Week of Programs Dec. 5th
**We do not practice when there is no school.
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.
Girls on the Run - Join the Team!
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
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, journal, water bottle, 2 t-shirts and 5k registration.
Fall 2022 Registration
Lottery Closes Aug. 30th
Practice Begins Week of Sep. 12th
End-of-Season 5K Dec. 3rd
Last Week of Programs Dec. 5th
We do not practice when there is no school.
*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.
Decatur Avondale Children's Choir
PTO Corner
Talley's Class Fund PayPal Pool
In years past, Room Parents have collected and managed an individual class fund to cover the cost of teacher gifts and extra supplies for the classroom. There was a broad range of participation across classes and the amount of money in each fund varied a great deal from class to class. In order to make the funds equitable, the Room Parent Coordinators (RPCs) will collect one Class Fund Pool to be divided equally among all Homeroom and Specials teachers.
The RPCs will distribute funds for each teacher to one of their Room Parents (RPs) via PayPal.
Contributions to the Class Fund Pool can be made by PayPal to rpcoordinator@talleypto.org. The Class Fund Pool is open August 15 - September 30. We ask that anyone wishing to participate in the Pool please make contributions for the year during this time so that money can be distributed one time to all RPs.
The Class Fund Pool is not a donation to the PTO. These funds go directly to supporting teachers by providing equal funds for teacher birthday, holiday, teacher appreciation and end of year gifts. The class funds can also be used to purchase additional or special classroom supplies that may be needed throughout the year. RPs will continue to be responsible for how their individual class fund is budgeted and for reporting to their class how money is spent.
Snack Cart
Please help show your appreciation for our wonderful Talley Teachers and staff! Our 4th grade families are kindly being asked to sponsor our Snack Cart for the month of September. The snack cart rolls out every other Friday for the teachers/staff.
Please drop off all Snack Cart donations (labeled Snack Cart) to the school by September 2. Thank you!
**Everything must be individually wrapped**
***If the snack sign up is full, consider donating anyway! All items are appreciated and will be enjoyed.***
If you'd like to Instacart or Amazon:
Talley Teacher Snack Cart
2617 Talley St, Decatur, GA 30030
Any questions, please contact, Courtney Sollie at courtneysollie@gmail.com
Amazon Wishlist
If you are looking for ways to show Talley Teachers and Staff appreciation for all their hard work, please consider this Talley Amazon Wish List. Thank you for all your support!
Community Updates
Decatur Education Foundation
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
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
Talley Street PE
And these Instagrams:
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/