Talley Street Update
This week's news from Talley Street Upper Elementary
January 11, 2024
Dear Talley Street Community,
The City began providing crossing guard coverage at East College Avenue and Sams Street this week due to the sidewalk closure on Sams Street. After assessing the student pedestrian and vehicular traffic patterns for the past three days, the City has determined a need for additional traffic controls at the intersection of Sams Street and East Freeman Street. For example, at dismissal on Wednesday, January 10th we crossed 2 students at East College Avenue at Sams Street and 57 students at Sams Street and East Freeman Street with 53 of those students continuing on East Freeman Street. Stop signs have been installed on Sams Street at East Freeman Street and this intersection will be staffed by a crossing guard.
For the remainder of this week, the City will have a crossing guard at both East College Avenue and Sams Street and Sams Street at East Freeman Street. Starting Tuesday, January 16th, School Crossing Guard Cornelius Moore will serve as the guard assigned for the new crossing post at Sams Street at East Freeman Street from 7:00am-7:45am and from 2:00pm-3:00pm. There will no longer be a crossing guard at East College Avenue and Sams Street. Cornelius is a retired Marine and retired from DeKalb County Traffic Engineering. He also serves DHS & BHMS students at West College Avenue and Adams Street. Please welcome him to the Talley Elementary family. Please let me know if you have any questions. Thank you.
Billy
Important Upcoming Dates
- MLK Day (NO SCHOOL): January 15
- Early Release: January 31 @ 12:15
Talley Rally - Dates Updated
Here are the new dates for houses to host Talley Rally for the rest of the school year!
January 19 - Rêveur
February 2 - Amistad
February 23 - Isibindi
March 22 - Nukumori
March 29 - Altruismo
April 12 - Onraka
April 26 - Rêveur
May 10 - Isibindi
Black History Month Program - Interest Meeting
Students interested in participating in the Black History Month program should plan to stay after school on January 16, 2024! More information can be found in the flyer below.
STEM Lab Needs
We are in need of some items for the STEM lab that you may have hanging around your house! Please send in any of the following:
- toilet paper or paper towel rolls
- plastic straws (we take your extra take-out straws!)
These items will help greatly in projects for all grade levels. We also have some items that you may not have readily available. If you want to help out our lab, check out our Amazon Wish List: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3NINPT45ZP9ZV?ref_=wl_share
Girls on the Run - Coaches Needed!
Positive role models for young girls have never been more important. Did you know a mentor when you were younger? As a #GOTR coach, you can be that person for a girl in your community — reminding her that her future matters and she is capable of anything. Learn how to become the coach that she’ll never forget here: girlsontherunatlanta.org/coach
Questions? Email nbundschu@csdecatur.net!
Important Dates/Commitments:
First Week of Practice: February 19th
Coach once or twice a week: Mon/Wed Team or Tues/Thurs Team
2:30-4:00 pm
New coach and site liaison training
In-person, 2.5 hours (choose one)
Sunday, January 14 - Athens
Saturday, January 20 - North Fulton
Returning coach and site liaison training
Virtual, 1.5 hours (choose one)
Tuesday, January 23 - 6:30 pm
Spring 5K: Saturday, April 27
Last Week of Practice: April 29
*no practice if there is no school or early release
Girls on the Run - Participant Registration
Girls on the Run is so much more than running. Our tested curriculum blends physical activity with skill development that enables girls to adapt to whatever comes their way. Girls on the Run understands the important connection between physical activity and overall emotional health. Trained volunteer coaches guide girls through research-based lessons which creatively integrate movement in a fun and motivating way. By signing your girl up for Girls on the Run, you are giving her the opportunity to connect, grow and learn how to navigate difficult situations.
The spring season registration lottery is open through Tuesday, January 16:
Our meeting team’s days and times are: Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday from 2:30-4:00 beginning the week of February 19. The program is for girls in 3rd through 5th grade. The end of season 5k will be the weekend of April 27.
The Girls on the Run program fee starts at $0 and is on a sliding scale based on household income so that every child who wants to participate can.
For more information and to register, visit girlsontherunatlanta.org/programs.
Questions? Email nbundschu@csdecatur.net
Mid-year Report: The PTO was busy this past fall! Some programs were visible (hello reading rally!) and some were more behind-the-scenes. As we’ve reached the mid-point of the school year, we wanted to share a progress report of sorts to let you know where our fundraising dollars and volunteer efforts are going. Check it all out on our website.
SPIRIT NIGHT: Mark your calendars to dine out at Raging Burrito on Jan. 31st to support the PTO.
- 5th grade families: Remember to order a yearbook tribute to celebrate your student's last year at Talley. A 1/8 of a page tribute is $15 and a 1/4 of a page tribute is $25. You can create and upload your tribute at yearbookordercenter.com. Questions: yearbook@talleypto.org
- Snack cart: 5th Grade Families are kindly being asked to sponsor for January. The cart will roll on 1-19. Drop off items at school no later than Wednesday 1-17. Items can also be delivered to:
Ethel Johnson (Snack Cart)
2617 Talley St
Decatur, GA 30030
Questions? Email Nydia: nialmond05@gmail.com
K-5 Super Saturdays
Is your child interested in STEAM? Sign them up for Super Saturday today! CSD teachers & staff will guide K-5 students through STEAM inspired lessons at no charge to families. The time is from 9a - 12p at Beacon Hill Middle School.
Attempts to "Phish" Parents
We have been alerted to phishing emails sent to parents claiming to be from a principal from an email address in the form e.g. principal.name.csdecatur.net@gmail.com. This is a common technique to try to deceive recipients into believing the email is legitimate. However, these messages are scams trying to steal your money or personal information. If your principal needs to email you individually, they will do so from their CSD email address ending with @csdecatur.net. If you receive one of these phishing emails, your email provider has a method for reporting it; here are directions to reporting phish for Outlook/Hotmail, Yahoo!, and Google.
BOE Community Meetings
City Schools of Decatur’s Board of Education Winter Community Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, January 17, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. at Beacon Hill Middle School.
Meal Charge Procedure
Dear Parents/Guardians:
Re: Important Update - Nutrition Department Meal Charge Procedure
We hope you are experiencing a great school year. This letter is to inform you of an important change to the meal charge procedure to bring nutrition accounts current.
CSD is committed to providing every child access to healthy and palatable meals during their school day. This commitment includes ensuring parental responsibility, timely communication, and adherence to all federal regulations related to the National School Breakfast and Lunch Programs.
As a reminder, any family experiencing financial hardship can apply for free or reduced-price meals anytime during the school year using the Infinite Campus Parent Portal.
Background:
At the beginning of the COVID pandemic, the federal government provided funds for every public school student to receive meals at no cost, regardless of family income. The program ended in 2022, and the district resumed the regular practice of meal charges, with notifications of outstanding balances. During the 2022-23 school year, students were allowed to continue to receive regular priced meals even if they had a balance on their account. The unpaid lunch fees have resulted in a districtwide $88,000.00 balance, and a change in our meal payment procedure is required.
Charging Guidelines:
Our School Nutrition Program operates as an independent fund, sustained through meal payments and government reimbursements. This financial practice ensures that the program remains self-sustaining and efficiently manages its resources.
It is the responsibility of parents/guardians to cover the costs of any debt on student lunch accounts. As a reminder, any family experiencing financial hardship can apply for free or reduced-price meals at any time during the school year in the Infinite Campus Parent Portal by clicking “More” and then “Meal Benefits.”
While we understand that emergencies can arise, we want to encourage all families to maintain a positive lunch account balance. Families can pay their outstanding balance and add funds to lunch accounts through the Infinite Campus Parent Portal by clicking “Food Service.” The district is working to make the payment process easier for families. As a first step, the transaction fee for electronic check payments has been reduced from $4.00 to $0.35.
Please be advised that all outstanding negative balances must be settled as soon as possible. Payment arrangements may be made by contacting the Nutrition Department.
The new meal payment procedure will come into effect on February 1, 2024 and will include the following guidelines:
Middle and High school students will have a maximum limit of three charged meals, equivalent to -$10.50 per student for the entire school year.
Elementary school students will have a maximum limit of three charged meals, equivalent to -$9.75 per student for the entire school year.
Once these limits are reached, students will be provided an alternative lunch. The alternative lunch will be a cheese sandwich and milk.
If the debt is not resolved or continues to accumulate, it will be referred to the school counselor.
Adults are required to pay the full cost before receiving meals.
This revised procedure underscores the City Schools of Decatur’s commitment to adhering to federal guidelines and providing nutritious meals to students while practicing fiscal responsibility.
Account Notices:
The school nutrition department will communicate with parents/guardians through various means to address negative balances. This is crucial for the timely resolution of financial obligations. Families will receive notifications for negative balances weekly.
As a reminder, all families can apply for free or reduced-price meals anytime during the school year using the Infinite Campus Parent Portal.
Please also be aware that student accounts must be settled before a student withdraws or transfers to another district school. Student transcripts will be held until outstanding balances are paid.
Your understanding and cooperation in the implementation of these changes is appreciated. If you have any questions or require further clarification, please do not hesitate to contact our school nutrition department at meals@csdecatur.net.
Regards,
Monique Breedlove, Director of Nutrition
2024-2025 Pre-K Registration
Registration for “New Families” to College Heights begins February 1, 2024. Child must be four (4) years of age on September 1, 2024 to be eligible. Children five years of age prior to September 1, 2024 must register for kindergarten.
Decatur's Young Artists Shine: DEF Sticker Design Challenge Winners Revealed!
Congratulations to the talented winners of the Decatur Education Foundation's Sticker Design Challenge! CSD students in 5th through 10th grade showcased their creativity by submitting over 60 unique designs, each capturing the essence of what makes Decatur schools exceptional.
Our team was blown away by the diverse range of submissions, and we extend our gratitude to every student who shared their vision with us. Special recognition goes to the outstanding artists — Emma, Ellison, Sydney, Elyse, and Clare — who not only captured the spirit of our schools but also earned themselves professional prints of their stickers and craft store gift cards.
Stay tuned for another opportunity to showcase your talents with DEF’s next student challenge, set to be unveiled in March. Thank you for making the DEF sticker design challenge a resounding success!
Atlanta Hawks’ City Schools of Decatur Night
BONUS! BHMS Chorus will perform the National Anthem
Start the new year off at the Atlanta Hawks' City Schools of Decatur Night at State Farm Arena on Saturday, January 13, 2024! As a bonus, you can support the BHMS Chorus, which will perform the national anthem. The City Schools of Decatur ticket offer includes a $10 food and beverage credit and through this offer, a portion of each ticket purchased will benefit City Schools of Decatur. Click here to purchase tickets.
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:
@talleystreetgarden
For news from our counselors, check out their website:
For more about the Talley Street PTO, visit their website here: https://talleypto.org/.