Weekly Update
September 18, 2025
Dear Winnona Park Community,
The first seven weeks of the school year have been a whirlwind. The teachers and staff have put a lot of time and energy into setting the Winnona Park Crew up for success, starting on July 21 (the first day of pre-planning). And now, seven weeks into the school year, they have truly earned a week off. I hope all students, staff and families are able to relax during fall break.
Sincerely,
Greg Wiseman
Principal, Winnona Park Elementary School
Important Dates
Friday, September 19 - Kindergarten Families at Community Circle
Monday, September 22 - Friday, September 26 - Fall Break - No School
Monday, September 29 - Friday, October 10 - Parent/Teacher Conference Window
Wednesday, October 8 - Walk and Roll to School; Open Check-Out in the Library - 3 - 3:30 PM
Monday, October 13 - Friday, October 17th - Read A Thon
Friday, October 17th - National Hispanic Awareness Month Celebration at Community Circle
Thank you to Ms. Eason's Class
Thank you to Ms. Eason's class for the delicious burrito lunch!!
Fall Break Assigned Homework for Parents
Fall is my favorite season on the calendar for so many reasons. I love wearing a sweater, I love sitting by a fire in my backyard, and I love saying goodbye to mosquitoes for a couple of months. However, one reason I do not look forward to fall (other than raking leaves) is the astonishing growth of the Winnona Park lost & found during October and November. I must admit I have a weird obsession with the lost & found and returning sweaters, sweatshirts, and jackets to kiddos. You can really help this process by putting your child’s name on every outer layer of clothing your child wears to school. If (when) your kiddo leaves a sweatshirt outside, and it has a name on it, it will make its way home. No name - no dice, unless you check the lost & found in the cafe during Community Circle.
First-grade CogAT Reports in folders Today
In communication folders today, you’ll find your child’s CogAT report. For additional information, please visit the CogAT website, which provides detailed information regarding your child’s specific ability profile and this Overview of CogAT for Parents. For additional questions, please email Kelly Stopp (Instructional Coach & Testing Coordinator) @kstopp@csdecatur.net
An update on the Update
A big “Thank-You” to the 47% of families who completed the Annual Data Update (ADU). Not that I’m competitive or anything, but WP families are almost in last place compared to the other CSD schools. 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 click here for more information or log in directly to the Infinite Campus Parent Portal. Help make WP the first to reach 100% completion.
From the Library
Students visited "healthy brain activity centers" in the library this week. Building, using our imagination, drawing, being out in nature and reading are some examples of activities that are healthy for our brains and also good screen alternatives.
Important Information about Gifted Review
Each fall semester, the gifted review team looks at existing student data to discuss students’ needs and determine if further evaluation for gifted identification is needed. If you are interested in having the team discuss your child’s needs, you may complete a Recommendation for Review Form (found at the website below) and turn it in to the Gifted & Talented Specialist at your child’s school before Wednesday, October 1, 2025. No additional information is needed. The Gifted & Talented Specialists for Winnona Park Elementary are Martina Baerman and Michele Stroud. For more detailed information about the review process and to obtain a copy of the Recommendation for Review Form, please contact the Gifted & Talented Specialists for your school at mbaerman@csdecatur.net or mstroud@csdecatur.net or visit this site.
If you are interested in learning more about what gifted services at WP look like, and what the process of gifted evaluation entails, please join Ms. Baerman and Ms. Stroud for a coffee chat at WP on Tuesday, September 16th 8:15am - 8:45am. The information session will be held in Trailer D.
Community Member Newsletter Sign-up
Parents will automatically receive CSD Weekly, which includes their child's school newsletter, via the email address they registered in the CSD parent portal. Interested community members, or extended family, may sign up for the CSD Weekly by clicking here.
Please note that when you sign up as a 'community member,' even though the form below asks for your phone number, you will not receive text messages or phone calls.
District News
From our Fabulous WP PTA
Stay connected with upcoming events: https://www.wpespta.org/
Find us on:
Support the Wildcats: Join the PTA
Help us kick off a strong year at Winnona Park! The PTA Family Donation Program fuels classroom resources, enrichment opportunities, teacher support, and the community events our families love. Whether it’s a one-time gift or a recurring monthly donation, every amount makes a difference. Many employers also offer matching gifts—a simple way to double your impact.
Give today: wpespta.org/familydonation. Thank you for supporting our Wildcats! 💜🐾
Dancing Wildcats Tee — Now in New Colors!
Our popular Dancing Wildcats tee (a playful nod to the Grateful Dead) just got a refresh. We now have white shirts for adults and purple shirts for kids—perfect for Friday Community Circles, field trips, and community events. Limited quantities available in youth and adult sizes while supplies last.
Shop now: https://www.wpespta.org/spirit-wear
Proceeds support WP PTA programs—thank you for showing your Wildcat pride!
🌈 Sign up to host a Pride Porch at Oakhurst Porchfest 🌈
We are hosting Pride Porches @ Porchfest! Every year the PTA/PTO DEI committees collaborate to decorate porches @ Oakhurst Porchfest to help celebrate Atlanta Pride (which is in October) and show support for our LGBTQIA+ families. If you live in the Porchfest area, we need your porch, lawn, or driveway!
The DEI Committees will create craft kits with decorations and will drop off before Porchfest. The host house just needs to set up their activities on a folding table in the lawn, driveway, or porch. If you have a Pride flag, fly it high!
If you would like to be a host house, please sign up below and provide your address (for kit and treat drop off and as a reference for Pride @ Porchfest maps). We also need volunteers to help assemble the kits on Sunday, October 5 @ 1pm. Location TBD depending on weather.
SIGN UP HERE: https://evite.me/uKPerreJef
About Us
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.