Weekly Update

January 9, 2025

Dear Winnona Park Community,

CSD has canceled school on Friday due to the impending winter storm. Be safe, and also have some fun out there. Get out early to play in the snow. The forecast looks like the precipitation may change to freezing rain later in the day.

Below is our plan for the impending school closure:

Friday: School will be closed. No remote learning.
If necessary, Monday: Remote Learning

K-5 students have a Math and Reading worksheet 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.

IT help links: Access to Chromebook+ Google Meet and Google Classroom Help and At Home Google Workspace and Chromebook Support

Also in your child’s backpack is a Chromebook, power cord and a Quick Card. If schools are closed beyond Monday, students may use it to access Lailio and Freckle Math. Your child knows how to do this.

Please use the Chromebooks responsibly at home and return them and the power cords to school on our first day back.

Another activity to consider is to have your child enter the 2024-2025 Young Georgia Authors (YGA) Writing Competition. See the blurb below for details. The deadline for submissions is January 17.

Sincerely,

Gregory Wiseman

Principal, Winnona Park Elementary School

Important Dates

Jan. 10 - Community Circle - Kindergarten Families
Jan. 13 - PTA Meeting. 5:30 PM in the Media Center
Jan. 16 - First Grade Celebration of Learning - 8:30 AM
Jan. 17 - Community Circle - First Grade Families
Jan. 20 - No School - MLK Day
Jan. 22 - Early Release Day - Students dismissed at 12:50 PM
Jan. 23 - Second Grade Celebration of Learning - 8:30 AM
Jan. 24 - Community Circle - Second Grade Families AND Parent Information Session with Dr. Hicks (9-10 AM)
Jan. 30 - Parent Information Session with Dr. Hicks - 6:30-7:30 PM in the Media Center
Jan. 31 - Community Circle - Kindergarten Families

Enter the 2024-2025 Young Georgia Authors (YGA) Writing Competition

We are excited to announce the start of the 2024-2025 Young Georgia Authors (YGA) Writing Competition! This annual event celebrates the creativity and talent of our young writers and provides them with an opportunity to showcase their work. The details for this year’s competition are as follows:

School-Level Competition: January 13-17, 2025

Eligibility: All students in grades K-2 are eligible to participate.

Categories: Students can submit entries in the following categories: Poetry, Short Story, Personal Narrative, Journalism, Academic/Research Report, Essays/Literary Criticism/Analysis, Any other original student writing

Entry Form: Please use this link to print your own or come to the Winnona Park front office for a copy to complete and submit with your child's writing piece.

Submission Guidelines: Please refer to this document for more information, including General Rules and FAQs from CSD. Deadline is January 17, 2025.

Report Cards Ready to View Today

We’re excited to share that your child’s report card for the first semester will be available for review today at 4:00pm. 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!

Save the Date - Family Education Sessions

Mark your calendars!

Dr. Lindsey Hicks, our school counselor, will be hosting Parent Book Chats on Friday, January 24 from 9-10 a.m. and Thursday, January 30th, at 6:30 p.m. in the Media Center. We’ll be discussing Jennifer Breheny-Wallace’s book Never Enough. The book ventures into what achievement culture looks like, how it impacts our kids, and suggestions for a different approach. I welcome you to read the book before joining us, but advance reading is not required. If you have any questions, please email Dr. Hicks at lindsey.hicks@csdecatur.net.

Digital Wellness - Join the Conversation

Join Ilene Zeff, our media specialist, and other families from our school community as we start a conversation about digital wellness. After sharing information about digital wellness and the impact of screen use on young children’s brains, we will reflect on screen use within our own families and discuss strategies to begin to better manage the technology in our lives. Sessions are scheduled for Wednesday, February 26, 6:30-7:30 p.m. and Friday, February 28, 9-10 a.m. in the Media Center. If you have any questions, please email Ms. Zeff at ilene.zeff@csdecatur.net.

Winnona Park PTA

Please visit our PTA website to stay connected with upcoming events

Stay connected with upcoming events: https://www.wpespta.org/

Find us on:

Facebook

Instagram

🔥 NEW SWEATSHIRTS ALERT! 🔥

Our latest Winnona Park PTA sweatshirts are here, just in time for the cooler weather! 🧥❄️ Available in various styles to suit everyone’s taste—perfect for showing off your school spirit! 💛💜

Order yours online today!

WPES Yearbook: Candid Photos

The WPES Yearbook Committee wants to see all you've been doing in school this year! Please email your photos of Winnona Park Wildcats in action to yearbook@wpespta.org. We love photos of school events, field trips, student groups, and school work! Important: Please include student names and teacher/grade in your email if known.

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

Thank you to everyone that has already joined the PTA this year. As a reminder, joining the PTA is an annual event. We’ve also combined our membership drive with a fundraiser, asking families to make a donation. 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!

City Schools of Decatur News

School Climate Surveys

Please take your 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!

City Schools of Decatur Community Partners

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!

About Us

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

Newsletter Archives: Read older issues of the Wildcat Weekly by visiting our school website. Click on the link in the top photo or on the "Newsletter" button in the middle of the page. Older issues of CSD Weekly may be found on CSD's district newsletter webpage.