Talley Street Update
This week's news from Talley Street Upper Elementary
January 9, 2025
Important Upcoming Dates
- SLT Meeting: January 13, 4:30 p.m.
Talley Family Math Festival: January 16, 5-7 p.m.
Annual MLK/CSK Awards Ceremony, January 16
Young Georgia Authors Contest Deadline: January 17, 9:30 a.m.
MLK Day (no school): January 20
Early Release: January 22, 12:15 p.m.
4th Grade Movie Night: January 24, 5:30 p.m.
Amistad Friendship Dance (open to all houses!): January 30, 5 p.m., Ebster Gym
Dear Talley Street Community,
CSD has canceled school on Friday. This afternoon, your students will be bringing home a packet of work. The students will also be bringing home a Chromebook and charger. Students do not have to work on the packets tomorrow. However, if the inclement weather continues into Monday, students may work on the packets and any other materials that their teachers may have sent home today. Below are some links to help access the Chromebooks and Google Classroom, as well as a summary of the information I provided. Be safe, and also have some fun. I hope you have a great evening.
Billy
IT help links: Access to Chromebook+ Google Meet and Google Classroom Help and At Home Google Workspace and Chromebook Support
Friday: School will be closed. No remote learning.
If necessary, Monday: Remote Learning
K-5 students have learning packets to work on at home.
If necessary, Beyond Monday:
Students K-12 will be able to access learning platforms such as Google Classroom, Lailio, Freckle, and others as usual.
Teachers will be available via email or Google Meet at scheduled times to support students and families. Teachers will communicate their availability for both morning and afternoon sessions.
We understand that power outages or connectivity issues may affect your ability to access online learning. We will be flexible with expectations and will do our best to accommodate any challenges families or staff may face.
Report Cards
We’re excited to share that your child’s report card for the first semester will be available for review today at 4 p.m. You can access it through the Parent Portal.
This is a valuable opportunity to celebrate your child's accomplishments and identify areas where they can grow. If you have any questions or concerns about their progress, please feel free to reach out to their teacher.
Thank you for your continued support in your child's education!
CSD Closure on Friday, January 10 Due to Severe Weather
CSD has continued to monitor the weather due to the potential of severe weather conditions. The safety of our staff and students is always our top priority. After consultation with local and state officials and the National Weather Service, CSD, including ECLC and the Frasier Center, will be closed tomorrow, Friday, January 10, 2025. All athletic and after-school activities for Friday and Saturday are canceled.
Out of an abundance of caution in case of a continued closure on or beyond Monday, January 13, students in grades K-5 and Adapted Curriculum classes will be sent home with work packets and a CSD Chromebook for an independent learning day. Grades 6-12 will continue to take Chromebooks and chargers home to access Google Classroom for assigned work.
Staff and families should check email, the CSD website, and social media channels for updates.
Pick Up Patrol Update
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.
Talley GENTS
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. Location TBA. Our first meeting is Tuesday, January 21, 2025. 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.
Talley Family Math Festival - January 16
Save the date! Talley's first family math festival will be held on Thursday, January 16, in the cafeteria and gym. There will be math games from 5-7 p.m. This event is free for the whole family!
CSD Annual MLK/CSK Awards Ceremony - January 16
Young Georgia Authors' Contest 2024-2025 - Deadline: January 17
Calling all K-12 storytellers, writers, and authors!
Do you have a story to tell? Here’s your chance to share your story with the world!
We’re looking for poems, short stories, narratives, informational writing pieces, or any other original student writing that highlights your amazing skills as a writer.
Here are a few guidelines to help you through the process:
- Only entries that meet the guidelines will be considered.
- The writing piece can be no longer than 1,900 words.
- The writing needs to be original student work, created without the help or support of others, including adults.
- The writing piece can be handwritten on 8 1⁄2 x 11 paper or typed. Handwritten and typed pieces must be on only one side of the paper.
- Submit only the writing - no staples, binding, cover, or lamination is allowed.
- Use a paperclip for multiple sheets, do NOT staple your writing.
- To submit: ALL ENTRIES DUE BY WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2025 AT 9:30 A.M.
- Give to your teacher OR email to Ms. Block: mblock@csdecatur.net
One writing entry from each grade level will be selected to move on to the district-level competition. All participating students will be recognized, and parents will be contacted the week of January 20, 2025 if their student’s entry is selected to move forward.
4th Grade Movie Night - January 24
Girls on the Run - Deadline: January 29
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
GOTR Coaches Needed!
Do you have a passion for volunteerism, healthy habits, goal setting and female empowerment? Well come coach with me! Coaches unlock confidence through thought-provoking conversations, an intentional curriculum and movement-based games. Ready to join us? Step right up – we’re looking for you! Get started here: girlsontherunatlanta.org/coach
Questions? Email nbundschu@csdecatur.net
Important Dates/Commitments:
Application Deadline - January 29
New Coach & Site Liaison Trainings
January 18
January 25
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
Amistad Friendship Dance - January 30
Please join us for the Amistad Friendship Dance on January 30 at 5:00 p.m. at Ebster Gym! All Talley students are invited!
Plastic Film Recycling Is Back!
Our Ridwell plastic film pickups will resume mid-January and be held every two weeks through the end of the school year. For our first pickup, students should bring their recycled material to school on Wednesday, January 15 ONLY. Please do not send in any plastic before the 15th. Members of the Tally Green Team will be in the lobby that morning to collect items. The house that brings in the most recycled material on the 15th will earn five house points. Click here to review what can be included in the plastic film collection.
Talley's Green Team on the Web
The Talley Green Team is overseeing collection of a variety of other hard-to-recycle items that are commonly used at home. All items may be brought to Ms. Stuart's classroom (fourth grade hallway) to be packed up for processing. Keep up to date on all of our special collections through the new “Green Team” section of the Talley website.
Chip Bag Sleeping Bag
The Green Team is seeking all sizes of plastic chip bags with a mylar (shiny) interior to make sleeping bags for members of our Decatur community who are currently unhoused. (Did you know that mylar reflects up to 90% of a person’s body heat and can keep you warm when it’s cold outside?) Bags should be washed to remove any food residue and dried before sending them to school. We appreciate your help with this!
Are you a recycling enthusiast?
If you're interested in joining the Talley Green Team in the new year, please reach out to Kathryn Roberts, our Green Team leader. Students and their parents/guardians are welcome!
- Come join us next Thursday, 1/16 for Talley’s inaugural Family Math Night! The event is free to attend. Pre-order a family dinner from CityBBQ to pick up at the event and take home. More info and pre-ordering here: bit.ly/mathfest25
- 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”. 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.
Enter the Author Contest: Ms. Block is collecting any original student writing to submit to the Young Georgia Authors Contest. All entries due by Wednesday, 1/15 at 9:30 am. Contest details here: bit.ly/4gkN4iC
Follow Us on Social Media!
Run With the Dogs 5K Is Back!
Run With the Dogs 5K and Pup Trot, presented by Green Orthodontics, is a 21-year tradition supporting Decaturs Bulldog Boosters. In addition to being a Peachtree Road Race qualifier and a great community event, all proceeds support 19 sports programs at DHS and BHMS, which include 57 teams and over 1,100 student athletes.
Grab your friends and your pups and join this fun event on January 25 to support an amazing cause. All 5K and Pup Trot participants who register before Saturday, January 11 will receive our iconic long-sleeved t-shirt designed by artist (and Decatur lacrosse coach) Adam Pinsley. Register early for the best rates!
Talley School Climate Survey
Please take our school’s climate survey and make your opinion count! This survey expires March 31, 2025. Survey participation is critical because the data will be used to calculate School Climate Star Ratings for the 2025-26 school year. City Schools of Decatur appreciates the contributions of parents, students, and staff!
Previous Issues of Talley Street Update
Read recent issues of the Talley Street Update. below. Older issues of CSD Weekly may be found on CSD's district newsletter webpage.
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/.