Weekly Update

August 15, 2024

Dear Winnona Park Community,

Beginning next week, Winnona Park families will receive one CSD district newsletter. The transition to one newsletter is in response to feedback from the CSD school community to streamline and reduce the volume of weekly communications to families from multiple schools.

The new district newsletter will include Winnona Park school news, district news, and links to all school newsletters. A link to the Winnona Park newsletter will be embedded next to the school's logo.

Sincerely,

Greg Wiseman

Principal, Winnona Park Elementary School

• August 16 - 5:30 p.m.: Back to School Picnic

• August 28 - Early Release Day - 12:50 p.m.

• August 29 - Curriculum Night - more details to follow

We look forward to seeing you at Curriculum Night on Thursday, August 29. From 6:00 - 7:15 p.m. Parents (this is not a student event) are invited to the school to learn about the curriculum, instruction, grading, and assessments for the first semester in their child’s classroom. There are two 30-minute sessions for parents with more than one student.

This week's Media Center Update is available here.

The Winnona Park School Leadership Team (SLT) is an elected committee consisting of WP’s parents/guardians, staff members, and other personnel. The SLT is focused on school governance, school improvement, and student achievement. SLT parent members are elected to their positions for a 2-year term. Meetings (three each semester) are open to the public.

There are two parent openings for the Winnona Park SLT. If you are interested in serving on this team, please email Principal Greg Wiseman the following information by tomorrow, Friday, August 16, at 5:00 p.m.:

Your name

Your child’s name and grade

One to two paragraphs describing your biographical information

One to two paragraphs describing why you wish to serve on the school’s SLT

(Please type “SLT Candidate” in the subject of your email)

Candidate bios will be collected and published on Winnona Park’s website and elections, if needed, will be held via Google Form from Monday, August 26, to Friday, August 30, at 5:00 p.m.

Join the PTA and Support the School with our New Membership Drive

This year, we are excited to announce a revamped approach to our membership drive aimed at making it simpler and more impactful for families to support the school. Instead of multiple small fundraising efforts throughout the school year, we are launching an annual donation drive. This new approach is designed to streamline the process for parents and ensure that we can fully fund our valuable programs from the outset.

All contributions from this annual drive will directly benefit our students and teachers by supporting essential programs. The funds will cover:

• All field trip costs for the year

• Support educational initiatives like the community garden, STEAM materials, Books-in-a-Bag, and DEI programs

• Teachers will also receive a stipend for classroom materials at the beginning of the year

• Ongoing teacher and staff appreciation activities

• Yearbooks for every student

• School social events

• And so much more!

Your generous donation will ensure that these programs thrive and that our children continue to have enriching educational experiences. And your PTA membership is included in all levels.

Visit our website for more information or select your membership level!

Do you have or know a business that would benefit from exposure to the Winnona Park Community? Check out our new sponsorship opportunities.

Interested in getting involved?

We’ve heard from many of you that you wanted to know how to get involved! We love it. Joining the PTA is just the first step, but it takes so many awesome volunteers to make it all happen! We have specific needs to help:

• Room Parent Coordinator

• Staff Appreciation

• Garden Co-Chair

• Spirit Wear

So much more! Let us know how you’d like to help.

Beginning next week, Winnona Park families will receive one CSD district newsletter. The transition to one newsletter is in response to feedback from the CSD school community to streamline and reduce the volume of weekly communications to families from multiple schools.

The new district newsletter will include Winnona Park school news, district news, and links to all school newsletters. A link to the Winnona Park newsletter will be embedded next to the school's logo.

Reminder! City Schools of Decatur's first Early Release Day is Wednesday, August 28, 2024. Here is the schedule of release times by school level:

Pre-K: 12:15 PM

Lower Elementary: 12:50 PM

Upper Elementary: 12:15 PM

Middle School: 1:45 PM

High School: 1:35 PM

College Heights: (0-3 and the Pre-K program will remain on the normal schedule)

The remaining early release dates are listed below:

Friday, September 20, 2024
Wednesday, October 30, 2024

Friday, November 22, 2024

Thursday, December 19, 2024

Wednesday, January 22, 2025

Wednesday, February 26, 2025

Wednesday, March 26, 2025

Wednesday, April 30, 2025

Coming Soon!

All CSD Pre-K through grade 12 students will take the STAR assessment instead of the MAP for the 2024-25 school year. The STAR assessment will be administered three times per year, beginning August 12 and then again in December and May. See frequently asked questions about STAR here.

The Teaching and Learning Department will host an informational webinar to provide an overview of STAR and discuss score reports on Tuesday, September 17, 6 p.m. Join the webinar here.

Additional resources:

• To learn more about STAR, click here.

• STAR vs. MAP? View a research study on score correlations here.

Save the date for a virtual meeting to learn more about the following support programs and services available to CSD students:

• Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS)

• Gifted and Talented Services

• ESOL and Federal Programs

• 504 and Psychological Services

• Professional School Counseling

• Behavior Support

• School Social Work

• Special Education

Click here to submit your questions about the Programs Overview before Thursday, August 29, 2024, at 4 p.m.

Join Zoom meeting link: https://csdecatur.zoom.us/j/91572160845

We're off to a fantastic start this school year, with teachers already diving into instruction and engaging students in deeper learning. Last November, the City Schools of Decatur Board approved a new grading policy for the 2024-25 school year. Please click the CSD Grading Handbook link below to help you understand the details and implementation. Additional opportunities for discussion and questions will be available during each school's curriculum night.

CSD 2024-25 Grading Handbook

Rock Out with DEF at Battle of the Bands!

Join Decatur Education Foundation for a brand new community event! Head to Legacy Park on Friday, Sept. 6th, from 5-9 pm for a fun family evening of live music and community! City Schools of Decatur community circle bands will bring the tunes – you bring your school spirit! The school with the largest percentage of representation will win a music grant for their school ... along with a trophy and bragging rights, of course! We’ll have food vendors and sweet treats to supplement your picnic. Adults are $10, and KIDS ARE FREE! Get tickets here: https://decatureducationfoundation.org/def-events/battle-of-the-bands/

*If cost is an issue, please email Drew@DecaturEducationFoundation.org.

Email: csikes@csdecatur.net
Website: https://ga02000365.schoolwires.net/site/Default.aspx?PageID=13
Location: 510 Avery Street, Decatur, GA, USA
Phone: 404-370-4490