Wildcat Weekly

Dear Wildcat Families and Crew Members,

On Wednesday, we enjoyed a yummy lunch sponsored by Ms. Lambert's and Ms. Simpson's classes. Thank you so much!

Our students have been racing through pit stops as our Read-A-Thon champions! The challenge ends this Friday, October 23, but the PTA will accept donations through October 30. This is our PTA's biggest fundraiser of the year. The money goes back into Winnona, supporting our teachers, enriching our children's learning, and providing the extras that make our school special. For our kids, it's a chance to discover great books, build confidence, and enjoy reading together. Reading independently or being read to both count! Thank you so much for supporting every Wildcat!

This Friday, Community Circle will be for Second Grade families only. I know it can be tempting to wait by the dismissal lines, but please save hugs and kisses for before and after school. Blowing kisses, winking, or waving are great ideas! This really helps us keep students focused on Crew activities and supports everyone's transition back into learning.

With gratitude and Wildcat pride,

Meagan Ferguson

Principal, Winnona Park Elementary School

Sign up your reader: https://app.givebacks.gives/wpreading2026

By this Friday, October 23:

• Complete your reading challenges

• Log completed pit stops in Givebacks

• Call your family! It isn’t too late to ask for donations to support the PTA’s biggest fundraiser of the year.

We’re at 60% of our fundraising goal. Every donation supports our teachers, student enrichment, and community events for our kids.

Remember, every student who completes the racetrack earns a prize, and the class with the highest participation wins a class party!

• Friday, October 23rd - Community Circle - Second Grade Families AND Read-A-Thon Final Lap Coffee Cart presented by Tara Pesta of Keller Knapp Realty (7-9 AM)

• Wednesday, October 28th - Early release Day. Students dismissed at 12:50 PM AND PTA Spirit Night at Raging Burrito and Jeni's Ice Cream

• Thursday, October 29nd - Open Check-Out in the Library for Families begins. 8AM - 8:30AM and 3 PM - 3:30PM. See details below.

• Tuesday, November 3rd - Remote Learning Day. No students in the building.

• Thursday, November 5th - Open Check-Out in the Library for Families begins. 8AM - 8:30AM and 3 PM - 3:30PM. See details below.

• Friday, November 6th - Community Circle with Kindergarten families

• Monday, November 9th - Thursday, November 12 - Fall Book Fair. See details below.

• Monday, November 9th - PTA Meeting at 5:30 PM. Location to be determined due to Book Fair in the library.

• Wednesday, November 11th - Walk and Roll to School

• Thursday, November 12th - Save the Date for Thanksgiving Lunch including families.

• Friday, November 13th - Community Circle with First Grade families

• Thursday, November 19th - Open Check-Out in the Library for Families begins. 8AM - 8:30AM and 3 PM - 3:30PM. See details below.

• Friday, November 20th - Community Circle with Second Grade families

Open Check-Out

We love to share our library with our families. On Thursdays, the library will be open from 8 - 8:30 AM and from 3 - 3:30 PM for adult check-out. Adults can check out up to five books at a time. You may come with your child or on your own although students will still need to be in class at 8:15.

Fall Book Fair

Our fall book fair will take place the week of November 9th and is a great opportunity to shop for holiday gifts! You can find all the details here on our website. If you are interested in volunteering, the sign-up can be accessed here.

Reading at Home

Please send a photo of your student reading at home. I'm creating a special wall in the library and the students love looking for their classmates.

Thank you!

Ilene Zeff, izeff@csdecatur.net

We will begin Community Circle in September. We invite families of one grade level each week because our cafeteria is not large enough to accommodate everyone at once. Check the WP calendar to know which grade level will host families.

If you are attending Community Circle, please gather by the pond outside the cafeteria after morning drop-off. After students are seated, we will welcome parents into the cafeteria. We will review parent expectations once families enter the cafeteria. Below are some of the highlights:

• All parents enter and exit through the cafeteria door near the pond.

• Stand along the outside perimeter of the cafeteria. Please spread out.

• Younger siblings (if brought) stay with a parent. They may not sit with the WP sibling's class.

• Be present, sing along, and participate. Remember, we are modeling Community Circle norms for our students. Please refrain from holding side conversations or using phones. Of course, if you need to take a call, please feel free to step out for a moment.

• For everyone's safety and privacy, please do not post school activities on social media. Be especially mindful about taking pictures of students other than your child.

• To help teachers keep track of students and get back to learning, please avoid chatting with your child when the class is exiting. Of course, a quick wink or finger wave is always welcome.

Background checks are conducted at The Wilson Center, 125 Electric Avenue.

This is the link to schedule an appointment. https://calendar.app.google/du9yW1Gg8SV6pjGp8

This is the link to pay for your background check.

CSD Public Store or https://campus.csdecatur.org/campus/store/decatur

• Appointments open up 21 days out, meaning on the 1st, you can book as far out as the 21st.

• Appointments are generally scheduled on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, from 10 a.m.-noon.

• Appointments take approximately 10 minutes.

• Candidates need to bring a driver's license or state ID.

• There is a short form to be filled out (linked forms).

• Then info is submitted to GBI and results often come back within 24 hours.

Employees need a new background check every 5 years. Parents and volunteers need a new background check every year. Please email Jo Jameson with any further questions at jo.jameson@csdecatur.net

Note: If financial assistance is needed to cover the $38 background check fee, please reach out directly to your school.

A schoolwide weekly newsletter will be emailed to families each Thursday afternoon. This newsletter is sent to the email addresses in the Parent Portal. Please ensure all data in your portal account is updated and correct. The WP Website is also a great place to get information about our wonderful school. Here is the link to our school's calendar of events.

Clear out room in your closets for the new school year while giving back to Decatur High and keeping textiles out of local landfills!

• What to Donate: Used clothes, shoes, old hoodies, jeans, and household items.

• Where to Drop Off: The Clothes Bin located in the back lot near the corner of Commerce Dr. and West Howard Ave.

• Why: Support our school community and recycle with purpose!

Drop off your items anytime and help us fill the bin this school year!

Read this week's CSD Weekly for district-wide news and information.

• FINAL LAP ALERT!

  It’s not too late to get in on the Read-A-Thon fun! Sign up at https://app.givebacks.gives/wpreading2026 and complete your reading challenges by 10/23 to stay in the running for prizes! Be sure to share with your family and friends so they can help support the WP PTA! We’re at 60% of our fundraising goal - HELP US CROSS THE FINISH LINE!

• ​Coffee Cart on Friday!

  Join us Friday, 10/23 from 7-9 AM near the pond (behind the school) for a complimentary coffee cart, presented by Tara Pesta of Keller Knapp Realty. Drop your kiddo off, then come around back to enjoy a cup of your favorite!

• October Spirit Night: Wednesday, 10/28!

  Our October PTA spirit night is a 2-for-1 special: Join us at Raging Burrito (5-7 PM) for a delicious dinner, then walk over to Jeni’s (4-7 PM) for a sweet treat to end your day! Mention Winnona Park and proceeds for their sales will go back to the PTA to support our teachers, students, and programs!

Email: csikes@csdecatur.net
Website: https://winnonapark.csdecatur.net/
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.