Talley Street Update

• Amistad Friendship Dance (open to all houses!): January 30, 5 p.m., Ebster Gym
• 4th Grade Movie Night: (DATE CHANGE) February 7, 6 p.m.
• February Break: February 17-21
• Early Release: February 26, 12:15 p.m.

City Schools of Decatur recognizes the challenges this week's virtual learning days have caused to families and the disruption to education. However, the safety of our students and staff remains our highest priority. Essential personnel were on-site today to warm up buses, inspect routes, clear ice and snow, and evaluate all facilities. These actions are part of our standard operating procedures for recovery after a winter storm.

DeKalb County has lifted the state of emergency. CSD looks forward to welcoming students and staff back tomorrow, Friday, January 24, 2025, as we will resume normal operations. However, bus riders please be patient, as some buses will experience delays due to icy conditions at Hillcrest Dr., Mt. Vernon at Glendale, Missionary at Inman, North Decatur Rd. going East, and Clairemont at Maediris. These bus routes will be adjusted to ensure they can safely transport students. Families should use the Stopfinder app for updated pick-up and drop-off times and information. Late bus riders will have the chance to eat school breakfast.

Walkers should be cautious on sidewalks and dress warmly. Car riders are encouraged to drive slowly. Athletics and after-school activities will resume as scheduled.

As a reminder, elementary students should return to school with the Chromebooks and chargers that schools provided last Friday.

Be safe and stay warm, CSD!

CSD and the City of Decatur (COD) will co-host a joint School Safety & Security Summit on Monday, January 27, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center of Decatur High School. We invite all families to participate and encourage participants to submit questions in advance. Find more details, register to attend, and submit questions at this link.

CSD will host five hearings in January for the public to learn more about the district's plans to exercise the one-time option for local governments to opt out of Georgia House Bill 581, which establishes a statewide floating homestead exemption and cap on property taxes.

The schedule for the remaining public hearings is:

Thursday, January 30, 10 a.m. (virtual only, access the meeting here)

Thursday, January 30, 6:45 p.m. (virtual only, access the meeting here)

Passed during the 2024 Legislative Session, HB 581 impacts property taxes for cities, counties and school districts by capping the annual increase in property values for tax purposes, effective January 1, 2025. The bill aims to provide property tax relief for local residents, using the Consumer Price Index as an inflationary index. Since school districts rely heavily on property taxes for funding, this cap could impact the availability of CSD schools' resources and programs.

The Board of Education will follow the legal procedures to opt out of the exemption, including holding the three virtual public hearings. Following the hearings, the board will vote to adopt an opt-out resolution at the February Board of Education meeting and file the resolution with the Secretary of State by March 1, 2025.

There will be no checkouts after Talley Rally. The office will not be able to enter last minute dismissals. If you would like to change your child to a walkup pick up in Pick Up Patrol, please enter that information in advance anytime before noon on the day of Talley Rally. As a walkup pick up, your child will meet you when walkers are dismissed on the sidewalk on the parking lot side. Alternatively, they can dismiss how they normally dismiss on a Friday. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Please review your child's dismissal plan in Pick Up Patrol!

Default is what usually happens. Plan Change is for changes in the default.

Please email jsanangelo@csdecatur.net with any questions.

Families, it's time to start thinking about what classes your child will take in 6th grade. See the newsletter linked below for important information from Beacon Hill Middle School about this process!

After School Club at Talley - Witzzle Pro

When: Tuesdays from 2:30-3:30 (parent pickup at 3:30)

Start Date: 2/25/25

End Date: 4/1/25

*40 students - first 40 that sign up.

How do I sign up: Fill out the form Witzzle Pro Sign up Link

Who can sign up: Any student who currently attends Talley (max 40 students). 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 Nicole Fiber, Ashley Forman, Lindsey Combs, or Noelle Friedrich if you have any questions.

Talley Street’s Gentlemen Excelling with the Necessary Tools for Success (G.E.N.T.S.) is a safe space for Black male students in 4th and 5th grade to become their best selves and prepare for bright futures.

Join today! We will meet every other Tuesday from 2:30 to 3:15 p.m. in the library. Snacks will be provided. Pick up an application from the front desk!

If you have any questions or for more info, contact Principal Heaton at bheaton@csdecatur.net or Mr. Downer at adowner@csdecatur.net.

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 child up for Girls on the Run, you are giving them the opportunity to connect, grow and learn how to navigate difficult situations.

The upcoming season registration lottery is open through January 29, but make sure to sign up early! Placement day is January 30, with the last day for refunds on February 26.

Our meeting team’s days and times are: Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday from 2:30-4:00 beginning the week of February 10. The program is for girls in 3rd through 5th grade. The end of season 5k will be on 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, FAQs and to register, visit girlsontherunatlanta.org/programs and check out the FAQs document.

Questions? Email nbundschu@csdecatur.net

Hello Talley Community! We are in need of more coaches in order to make this season of Girls on the Run happen at our school. Please reach out to nbundschu@csdecatur.net if you are interested or have any questions. If we do not get enough coaches, we will have to cancel teams. We have availability for Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday and we need folks who can commit to 1-2 days a week February 10- April 29. No practice if there is no school. Apply to coach at: girlsontherunatlanta.org/coach

Important Dates/Commitments:

Application Deadline - January 29

New Coach & Site Liaison Trainings

January 31

February 1

Returning Coach & Site Liaison Trainings

January 23

February 6

End of Season 5K:

April 27

*no practice if there is no school or early release

FAQs Click Here

Please join us for the Amistad Friendship Dance on January 30 at 5:00 p.m. at Ebster Gym! All Talley students are invited!

4th grade students and families are invited to join us for a movie night on Friday, February 7 at 6 p.m. in the gym. The movie is Despicable Me 4. Tickets are $5 and students may pay in advance to their teacher or at the door!

Our schoolwide plastic film recycling resumed in January and will continue through the end of the school year. Collections will be picked up twice a month. Students should place their recycled film in the large Ridwell box that is located in the Recycling Station in the upstairs hallway.

• Save the date (note the change) for Talley PTO’s TigerFest on March 29th! This annual carnival is our largest fundraiser. More info coming soon!

• 5th-grade families: Buy a yearbook tribute ad for your student! Tributes are $15 for ⅛ page, and $25 for ¼ page. To order, go to https://bit.ly/5thgradetributes. Click "Continue", then scroll down and click on “Start Your Ad”. If you need financial assistance, a discount code is available; contact Ms. Weaver (kiweaver@csdecatur.net), Talley school Counselor. Contact yearbook@talleypto.org with any questions.

• Order yearbooks! Yearbooks are $28 as of 01/01/25. Order at bit.ly/talleyyearbooks24. Please consider donating a yearbook. If you need financial assistance, a discount code is available; contact Ms. Weaver (kiweaver@csdecatur.net), Talley school Counselor. Contact yearbook@talleypto.org with any other questions.

• Have you taken photos around Talley or at school events? Please share them with us to include in the yearbook! Send photos to yearbook@talleypto.org.

• Instagram @TalleyPTO

• Facebook page

• Facebook Parent & Community Group

Plans are underway for another amazing event to raise money for Decatur Athletics – The Bulldog Bash! Save the date for this year's event on Saturday, March 22, at Independent Distilling Company. The event will feature a live online auction that includes everything from artwork and experiences to trips, restaurant gift cards, sporting event tickets, self-care, and more.

Do you have a connection, talent, vacation home or something unique that can help us raise money for our student-athletes? If so, please fill out this form! More information to come!

The Decatur Prevention Initiative (DPI) seeks the community's help in learning more about community perceptions and concerns regarding underage drinking and substance misuse among Decatur's youth. Please take this anonymous survey to help DPI plan, implement, evaluate and sustain programming.

Did you know that Run With the Dogs 5K is one of Decatur Bulldog Booster's biggest fundraisers? In addition to being a Peachtree Road Race qualifier and a great community event, all proceeds go to support team play needs for 1,100+ athletes on 57 teams, representing 19 sports at DHS and BHMS. Register today and get an amazing t-shirt designed by Decatur's Adam Pinsley! Mark your calendar for Saturday, January 25 – you won't want to miss it!

​​​​​​​2025 Run With the Dogs Sponsors:

Event Sponsors

Decatur FC

Green Orthodontics

Presenting Sponsors

Amy Widener, Realtor

Body 20 Decatur

Associate Sponsors

Fleet Feet Decatur

Gracie Jiu Jitsu Decatur

M. Cary and Daughters Plumbing

The Law Office of Ken Lanier

Read recent issues of the Talley Street Update. below. Older issues of CSD Weekly may be found on CSD's district newsletter webpage.

You can find more information on the following Facebook pages:

Talley Street Principal

Talley Street Upper Elementary School PTO

Talley Street Upper Elementary School Parents

Talley Street Artists

Talley Street PE

And these Instagrams:

@talleytigergram

@talleystemstagram

@talleystreetgarden

@TalleyPTO

For news from our counselors, check out their website:

Counseling Website

For more about the Talley Street PTO, visit their website here: https://talleypto.org/.