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Weekly Update
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April 11, 2024
Dear Winnona Park Community,
One of the most important events in our school calendar is taking place on our Early Release Day on Wednesday, April 24th - Winnona Park’s Annual Student Led Conferences (SLC). Student Led Conferences are a big part of students becoming Leaders of Their Own Learning. Please make sure you and your child come for this important event.
Please click here for a slideshow with more SLC details. To sign up for your time slot, click on the first slide to activate the Sign-up-Genius. Your child will lead this conference. You will most likely be in the classroom with a few other families as the teacher circulates around the room. The teachers and students worked hard to prepare for this event.
When you arrive for your conference, just come to the front door, where you and your child will be directed where to go. As you exit through the front door, please take a moment to jot down a personal note that will be delivered to your child the next day.
In an effort to continually improve, we would like to hear from you. Please complete the Parent Reflection form from the QR codes in the classrooms and lobby before you leave. Your feedback is valuable to us.
Sincerely,
Gregory Wiseman
Principal, Winnona Park Elementary School
Important Dates
April 12th - Community Circle with Second Grade Families
April 15th - 19th - Spring Book Fair
April 24th - Early Release Day and Student-Led Conferences
April 26 - Spring Fling
May 6th - Angela DiTerlizzi Author Visit for FIRST AND SECOND graders only. Book orders due by Wednesday, April 17th. Click here for the order form. Forms will also be available at our Spring Book Fair.
First Grade Garden Public Service Announcement: Episode 2
Please take a few minutes to view the latest Public Service Announcement from Ms. Gordon’s class about our new serviceberry trees donated by Trees Atlanta. The 1st grade team is very excited about their spring expedition called Growing and Caring for Others that involves a lot of learning and activities that will take place in our garden.
PE News - Kids Heart Challenge and Field Day (Updated)
Only two more weeks left for the Kids Heart Challenge - (Jump Rope for Heart) - So far Winnona Park students have raised $627. Students have until Friday, April 19th to collect any donations for the American Heart Association. Click HERE to sign up for the fundraiser portion of the Heart Challenge.
This week in PE students will continue to learn how to jump rope and perform different tricks with the rope. 1st and 2nd grade students will start working on Jump Rope Ninja cards. Next week students will learn about personal records and complete a 1 minute challenge and number of jumps in a row with the short rope and long rope.
Save the date: Friday, May 10th - Field Day - Planning has begun and we need your help to make it the “best day ever.” All students and classes participate in field day stations at the same time. Since it is a whole school activity we need your help in various ways.
Volunteer Spots to help with stations, bring a hose, or take pictures - Sign up to help HERE.
From the Media Center
All of my weekly newsletter posts from this school year are also available here on my Media Center blog.
In the Media Center this Week
Students started learning about digital citizenship and staying safe online. Check out this blog post for a few more details.
Author Visit for First and Second Grade on Monday, May 6th
Angela DiTerlizzi Author Visit for first and second graders. Book orders due to the Media Center by Wednesday, April 17th. Click here for the order form. Forms will also be available at our Spring Book Fair. Please email Ms. Zeff with any questions - izeff@csdecatur.net.
Spring Book Fair
Our Little Shop of Stories Spring Book Fair is coming up the week of April 15th! We have slots available to help with student wish lists, as well as cashiers. Mr. Reid and Ms. Blackmon's classes will be visiting on the previous Friday during their regular library time. Below is the list of times and class visits to the book fair. Here is the link to the sign up. And here is a link to a list of FAQs about the Book Fair including the hours of operation. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions(izeff@csdecatur.net).
Monday, April 15th
8:30 - McCool
9 - McElveen
9:45 - Gordon
10:15 - Lambert
Tuesday, April 16th
8:30 - Gee
9:45 - Hicks
10:15 - Baerman
1 - Westbrook
2:15 - Eason
ORDER YOUR SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR NEXT YEAR!
Can you believe we are already talking about next year? Same! Be we are here to help! Don't stress about shopping for school supplies next year – our school supplies kits have got you covered! These kits were hand selected by the WP Teachers, so you won’t need to get anything more! And this year, with each purchase, you're giving back to our school community. It's a win-win! Order now and the box will show up the first day at the school for your child.
Upcoming Rising 3rd Grade Events
The times and dates of the Rising 3rd Grade Parent Information sessions at both F.AVE and Talley have changed slightly, so please adjust your calendars accordingly
F.AVE: Wednesday, April 17, 5:30
Talley: Wednesday, April 17, 6:00
These events are for parents only. Students will visit the schools they are zoned for on Friday Morning on April 19.
Winnona Park PTA
Please visit our PTA website to stay connected with upcoming events
SAVE THE DATE: SPRING FLING
Put April 26 from 5:30 - 7:30 pm on your calendar now. You won’t want to miss this fun social event featuring local food vendors and some of our talented teachers in our Teacherpreneur Marketplace! Visit our site as we share more details!
INSTAGRAM VS. FACEBOOK
Guess what? We're officially #TeamInstagram now! That's right, you no longer have to choose between your love for Facebook and Instagram because we've got both covered! Follow us (@wpespta) throughout April for all the fun and updates, and guess what? You'll automatically be entered for a chancer to win some awesome WPES Swag! 🛍️🐾 Don't miss out – hit that follow button and let's make some memories together!
PTA BOARD & COMMITTEE CHAIRS/CO CHAIRS NEEDED!
Are you interested in becoming involved in the PTA next year?! We would love to have you! Currently looking for board and committee chairs and co chairs. If you have any interest please fill out the following google form and the PTA will contact you. PTA Interest Form We are in specific need of Sponsorships Co-Chair, Treasurer, Grants, spirit wear, garden co-chair, and Read-A-thon Co-Chair.
RISING 3RD GRADER TALLEY FAMILIES: WE NEED YOU!
If you are coming over to Talley Street Upper Elementary next year, the PTO is a great way to get involved! Join our Parent-Teacher Organization and be a part of a team dedicated to making our school a better place for our kids, teachers, staff, and families.
We’re looking for event planners, fundraising enthusiasts, communication experts, and more for all of our board positions and committee chairs. We are taking nominations now until April 30th. Check out the nomination form at bit.ly/2425nom
City Schools of Decatur
April is Arab American Heritage Month
April is Arab American Heritage Month. This month, we celebrate the rich history, culture, achievements, and contributions of Arab Americans to our Nation.
Sign-up for Decatur Virtual Academy is Now Open for the 2024-2025 School Year
The sign-up window will close in the first week of June. Sign up ASAP to reserve your spot.
All parents and guardians wishing to enroll in DVA for the 2024-25 school year must complete the Decatur Virtual Academy Online Contract linked here before the first week in June. If you are a new student to DVA, once you have completed the contract, Ms. Whatley will set up a meeting to discuss the transition to online learning for the 2024-25 school year.
Please click here to learn more about DVA.
City Schools of Decatur Art Exhibition
Mark your calendars for the CSD K-12 Art Exhibition! Our teachers and students are excited
about showing off their hard work this year. The exhibition will be held on April 23-25 from 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. at the Solarium. Special thanks to Decatur Education Foundation, Decatur Arts Alliance and The Solarium for their funding and support.
America Rescue Plan (ARP) Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund Feedback Surveys
City Schools of Decatur is reviewing its ARP ESSER LEA Plan and ARP ESSER Budget. We are soliciting stakeholder feedback through April 10, 2024.
Please use the link below to view the plan and budget and share your input: https://www.csdecatur.net/Page/4415
We Want to Hear From You!
As a CSD stakeholder, your input and feedback is a critical component to ensuring academic achievement and overall success for all students. Please use the links below to access important feedback forms.
CSD FY25 Budget Book Cover Student Design Contest
Calling all City Schools of Decatur K-12 talented student artists! We are seeking submissions for the cover of our first-ever FY25 Budget Book. The budget book will tell students, families, and community stakeholders how CSD receives and spends money to educate all students. It includes the history of the school district, financial documents, and the organizational structure for ensuring all students are safe, seen, and successful.
The contest winner’s design will be featured on the cover of the budget book, on all CSD social media platforms, and in all school newsletters. The winner will also be recognized at an upcoming Board of Education meeting.
We can’t wait to see the creativity of our talented student artists on display! To enter, upload your design in a JPEG or PNG format using this form by April 14.Curriculum & Cuisine
Join ESOL & Federal Programs and Teaching and Learning for an evening of curriculum updates and international cuisine! RSVP here.
National Mental Health Awareness Month
In honor of National Mental Health Awareness Month (May), the Division of Student Support Services is excited to host a parent workshop to empower parents and guardians with tools to increase their awareness of mental health, and support student wellness. The workshop will take place May 7, 2024 at 5:30 p.m. at the Wilson Center (125 Electric Avenue). Parent registration will be required for attendance. Please click the link here to register.
City Schools of Decatur Community Partners
It's Time to Step Up for Teachers and Staff!
Looking for a way to show your CSD teachers and staff some extra appreciation as the school year comes to an end? DEF provides students and parents with an easy way to do this! Through the month of May, we will be running the Step Up campaign. Anyone who would like to express appreciation for a CSD teacher, administrator, or school support member can go to www.stepupforteachers.com, give a small donation, and leave a short note of gratitude. Tributes will be posted on the DEF website, and notifications will be sent to the individuals being honored.
DEF volunteers will deliver your sign to your home for you! Have a graduating senior? Choose the "Congratulations!" sign instead!
Let’s cover Decatur in signs of support for our CSD teachers, staff, and graduates!
* If you would like to make a tribute but donation is a barrier, please email Drew@DecaturEducationFoundation.org
Support Student Musicians AND Student Behavioral Health!
DEF's No Ordinary Joe Coffee House Music Series returns on Thursday, May 2nd at Waller’s! This event features talented DHS singers, songwriters, and bands and supports Joe's Fund, DEF’s behavioral health initiatives. To get your tickets and learn more about Joe’s Fund, use the QR code or go here: www.decatureducationfoundation.org/noordinaryjoe/