Weekly Update

August 8, 2024

Dear Winnona Park Community,

Georgia public schools are required to practice safety drills throughout the school year. This morning, we conducted our first evacuation drill (what we used to call fire drills). Schools must practice these drills twice in the first 30 days of school, and once a month thereafter. Later in the school year, we will practice severe weather drills and lockdown drills in accordance with CSD safety plans.

Sincerely,

Greg Wiseman

Principal, Winnona Park Elementary School

• August 12: PTA Meeting, WP Media Center

• August 14: Walk-n-Roll

• August 16 5:30 pm: Back to School Picnic

• August 28 - Early Release Day - 12:50 PM

• August 29 - Curriculum Night - more details to follow

This week's Media Center Update is available here.

To date, 71% of Winnona Park families have completed the Annual Data Update (ADU). Even though that is an increase in 8% from last week, WP families are in 5th place among those other darn schools. We need 68 more families to complete this task. Come on, We got this!

The ADU is how families verify or update critical communication and health information, and do sign-offs for the handbook and code of conduct. Please visit https://www.csdecatur.net/adu for more information or log in directly to the Infinite Campus Parent Portal. Help make WP the first to reach 100% completion! If you need assistance accessing the Parent Portal, click Login Help at https://www.csdecatur.net/adu or contact the school's front office at 404.370.4490

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. Some of the responsibilities of this team are to:

-Serve on interview teams

-Develop, approve, and monitor the continuous school improvement planning process

-Review assessment data and use it for decision-making purposes

-Assist with school accreditation and improvement reviews and assessments

-Review and approve changes to its bylaws; and

-Recommend school needs to the CSD Board of Education during the annual budget process

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 by Friday, August 16, at 5:00 PM:

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 PM.

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.

Football Is Here!

The first DHS home game of the season is Aug. 9 at 7 p.m. Come out to cheer on the Bulldogs and get ready to make some noise. Long-time Decatur Bulldog Booster sponsor Keller Knapp Realty is giving away cowbells for fans, and there will be a special half-time Mascot Race, featuring our very own Whiskers! Which CSD school mascot has what it takes to bring home the winning hardware? Be ready to cheer for Whiskers and DHS. Go Bulldogs!

Walk-N-Roll: August 14

Get ready, Wildcats! Our first Walk-N-Roll event of the year is just around the corner (August 14), and it’s the perfect opportunity to connect with the community. As part of the national Safe Routes to School program, Walk-N-Roll encourages our community to embrace walking, biking, or scootering to school. This fantastic initiative not only promotes physical health but also environmental awareness by reducing traffic and pollution around our beloved Winnona Park.

Every month, students have the chance to participate in this fun-filled event. It’s not just about getting from point A to point B; it’s about building a vibrant, active community. By choosing to walk or roll, students learn valuable lessons about safety, independence, and the importance of physical activity. It’s a wonderful way for them to connect with peers and enjoy the fresh air before the school day begins.

And, don’t forget to bring your mug, the PTA will provide coffee to the parents!

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

Join the Decatur Bulldog Boosters at the DHS football home opener on Friday, August 9, for the first-ever CSD Mascot Run! Mascots from CSD schools will face off in a halftime competition to be the 2024 CSD Mascot Run Champion. All current and future Bulldogs are invited to come out to support their school's mascot and cheer on the Decatur Bulldogs tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. at the Decatur HS stadium! Long-time Decatur Bulldog Booster sponsor Keller Knapp Realty will give away cowbells for fans. Find out during halftime which CSD school mascot has what it takes to bring home the winning hardware!

Buy tickets here.

Applications for the 2024-25 Student Advisory Councils are due Wednesday, August 14, at 5 p.m. The Superintendent's Council allows students to meet each other and discuss matters affecting their education with Superintendent Dr. Whitaker. Additionally, there will be opportunities for students to share creative ideas, concerns, or suggestions for improving our district.

The application is in the Student Launchpad and requires a Google account to enable students to upload submissions. While student CSD Google accounts are preferred, any Google account will access the form. Please contact your school's media specialist if support is needed to access the CSD Google account. Students may also access the application here using their Google account.

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. A meeting link will be provided closer to the meeting date.

Registration for Elementary Orchestra is now open for all 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students. Click here to register your child for class. Registration closes Aug 14, 2024, or once we reach class capacity.

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