Talley Street Update
August 25, 2022
Dear Talley Street Community,
I hope everyone is having a great week. Tonight’s Curriculum Night is for classroom teachers to go over the curriculum that will be taught throughout the school year. The teachers will also go over classroom routines and procedures. Tonight is not meant to be a time for teachers to meet individually with parents. Parent/teacher conferences will be held in September. Childcare will not be provided tonight so we encourage students to stay at home. Specials and support teachers will be here in their classrooms if parents would like to ask them any questions. I look forward to seeing you tonight.
The Principal Coffee Chat on grading scheduled for next Tuesday, August 30th is being rescheduled for a date in September. More information will be coming out soon.
We are beginning to have a lot of parents dropping off their children in front of the school. Many are actually parking on New Street and having their children cross the street. Please stop doing this. It is unsafe. We ask that everyone wait patiently in the car rider line. The line moves rather quickly. Thank you for your cooperation.
We still have some parents who have not completed the annual update. The annual update is still open. If you haven’t completed it, please take the time to do so.
After tomorrow afternoon, any items in our lost and found will be purged. Please take a moment to see if your child has anything missing and retrieve the items.
Have a great afternoon!
#6 House 1 Talley!
Billy
Lost and Found Purge
CSD Updates
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.
District-Wide Intervention Information
If you have questions about interventions, please contact Erica Godfrey, District Intervention Specialist & MTSS Coordinator, at egodfrey@csdecatur.net.
K-5 Super Saturdays
If you have questions about Super Saturdays, please contact Erica Godfrey, District Intervention Specialist & MTSS Coordinator, at egodfrey@csdecatur.net.
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
¡Feliz mes de la herencia Hispana/Latina!
Our kick off activity will be Thursday, September 15 - ¡Balia conmigo! - Bring your dancing shoes! We will take a closer look at the history and culture of some traditional Hispanic/Latino music and dances.
Week of September 26 and October 3 - ¡Vamos a comer! Tastings of authentic Hispanic/Latino cuisine will be served to the Talley Community. If you would like to prepare or donate a traditional dish that serves bite size portions please contact sbrewton@csdecatur.net or ttate-perez@csdecatur.net.
October 13 (Thurs) - Hispanic/Latino Heroes, Leaders and Changemakers Wax Museum - Students will portray notable Hispanic/Latino leaders who have made important contributions to American history, society and culture. The Google Sign Up Form will be available starting next week.
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
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
New After School Club at Talley - Witzzle Pro
When: Tuesdays from 2:30-3:30 (parent pickup at 3:30)
Start Date: 9/27/22
End Date: 11/8/22
Deadline to sign up: Friday, September 9, 2022
How do I sign up: Email one of the teacher leaders (Nicole Fiber, Lindsey Fredette, Noelle Friedrich, or Alan Polding).
Who can sign up: Any student who currently attends Talley. No charge.
What is Witzzle Pro: Witzzle Pro is a super fun game that can be played as a single, small group, or large group. It helps to enhance problem solving skills, order of operations, and has up to 7 different levels of difficulty - so it is a game for any age 6 and up. If you love to play games and like math - this Club is for you! We will have a fun tournament on our last meeting day.
Feel free to also email one of us if you have any questions:
Join Talley’s Inaugural FIRST LEGO LEAGUE for 4th and 5th graders!
Is your child into robots? Maybe they like Legos? What about robots AND Legos? If this sounds up your child’s alley, consider joining the First Lego League Team at Talley. We are excited to partner with Decatur Robotics to give students the opportunity to participate in a critical thinking innovation project and compete in FLL tournaments! This is not just a club, this is a team that requires time, effort, and commitment.
Students must be in 4th or 5th grade to participate. Practices will be held from 3:45-5:45 at Decatur High School each Friday afternoon. As tournaments get closer, students may be asked to attend additional practices. There will be a few Saturday tournament dates beginning in December.
This team is not just a commitment for students, but also parents. We will need volunteers throughout the process to bring snacks, help with setup and take students to and from practice. The cost per student is $125 and some scholarships are available, so we encourage everyone to apply. The link to the application is below and all applications will be due by September 2. Our first practice will be held September 9. If you have any questions, please email Ms. Reno (areno@csdecatur.net).
Girls on the Run - Coaches Needed!
We need coaches!
LAST CALL! Final coach training is THIS WEEKEND.
Our goal is to have FOUR teams at Talley in order to accommodate ALL the girls who have signed up already. (Over 60 girls have signed up so far!!)
We cannot have enough teams to serve all the girls at Talley if we do not have enough volunteers to coach, so please consider joining our coaching team next season!
Please reach out to Natalie Bundschu at nbundschu@csdecatur.net if you are interested in coaching this 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.
Girls on the Run - Join the Team!
One more week to register for the lottery!
Applications due August 30th!
https://www.pinwheel.us/register/index/F22ATLProgram?sid=5c0aa4d55f0544a983ccf654be994c43
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 $0 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.
PTO Corner
Talley’s House System and PTO Website
You can now update your profile on the PTO website and select your Talley House assignment!
Please visit TalleyPTO.org and follow the easy instructions on the image below.
Questions? Please email Communications Director Nydia Almond at: communications@talleypto.org
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.
Walk and Roll
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
Questions? Please email Courtney Sollie at courtneysollie@gmail.com
Yearbook
We need photos for our school’s 2022-2023 yearbook!
If you have some pictures that you’d like to share with the yearbook committee, please send them to: yearbook@TalleyPTO.org
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
Live music at an afternoon picnic in a beautiful park – what a lovely way to celebrate our 20th Anniversary with us! Saturday, September 10th from 4-8pm at Legacy Park with live music from The Sundogs and JohnBoy & Surround Sound, and opening acts from two DHS senior musicians, Payton Kashdan and Nate Helfrich! This free community concert is presented by our sponsor, Bark Technologies. Who is Bark? Bark Technologies provides a monitoring service across many digital platforms to detect risk signs of bullying, suicidal ideation, threats of violence and sexual predation. They have partnered with City Schools of Decatur to pilot their monitoring system at Talley Street Upper Elementary in the spring with effective results, and it will be fully implemented for the 3rd-12th grade schools beginning September 6th. Bark also offers an app specifically for parents that not only monitors for safety issues, but also allows parents to manage screen time and filter websites to help set healthy boundaries.
Can you volunteer to tutor, mentor, or coach a Decatur student? We’ve got spots available for all those types of rewarding positions! Make a big impact in as little as 1-4 hours per month, depending on the role you choose. Go to www.decatureducationfoundation.org/mentoring to learn more and sign up.
Madison Soap Box Derby
MADISON AVE DERBY - REGISTRATION OPEN & HELP US CHOOSE THIS YEAR’S SHIRT!
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
Help us decide on what this year’s t-shirt design should look like by voting on your favorite! VOTE NOW THRU 8/31
Decatur Farm to School
Do you have plans for a new garden or class project? You're full of fantastic ideas on how to incorporate farm-to-school principles into a teaching unit? Need funds for a "green" field trip?
The Wylde Center Decatur Farm to School Committee invites you to apply for a grant for 2022/23. Teachers, administrators, PTA members, and parent volunteers can apply on behalf of their CSD school. Please get your applications in before August 31, 2022. (Link here and on the Wylde Center website > Education > Farm to School)
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/