Wildcat Weekly

Dear Wildcat Families and Crew Members,

Join us tonight for Curriculum Night from 6-7:30 to learn about the curriculum, instruction, grading, and assessments for the first semester in your child’s classroom. There will be two identical 40-minute sessions to accommodate parents with more than one student. This is an adults-only event. We will focus on information that applies to all students. Detailed information about your child's progress will be shared during family conferences, which will begin in early October.

Please review the SLT Bios and vote for three candidates. Voting ends on Thursday, September 3, 2026. Thank you to all candidates who are willing to serve Winnona Park.

As a reminder, we will welcome our kindergarten parents to Community Circle on Friday, September 4th. Please read the details below in case you missed it.

We will also have two coffee chats in the next few weeks:

• Thursday, September 3rd, 8:30-9:30 a.m. - Educational technology usage at Winnona Park and understanding your student's data in preparation for fall family conferences

• Thursday, September 10th, 8:30-9:00 a.m. - Learn more about the Gifted identification process. See the info below about the Gifted Review process due by September 30th.

With gratitude and Wildcat pride,

Meagan Ferguson

Principal, Winnona Park Elementary School

• Thursday, August 27th - Curriculum Night from 6-7:30 PM. Adults only
• Wednesday, September 2nd - Friday, September 4th - CogAT for first graders

• Thursday, September 3rd, 8:30-9:30 a.m. - Coffee Chat. Educational technology usage at Winnona Park and understanding your student's data in preparation for fall family conferences

• Monday, September 7th - School closed for Labor Day

• Thursday, September 10th, 8:30-9:00 a.m. - Coffee Chat. Learn more about the Gifted identification process. See the info below about the Gifted Review process due by September 30th.

• Monday, September 21 - 25th - Fall break. No school for students

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. We will begin with kindergarten parents on September 4th. 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.

Each fall semester, the gifted review team reviews existing student data to discuss students’ needs and to determine whether further evaluation for gifted identification is needed. If you are interested in having the team discuss your child’s needs, please complete a Recommendation for Review Form by Wednesday, September 30. No additional information is needed. For more detailed information about the review process, please contact the Gifted & Talented Specialist for your school, Martina Baerman, at mbaerman@csdecatur.net, and Alex Eason at aeason@csdecatur.net or visit our website’s FAQ page.

From September 2-4, all 1st-grade students will be taking the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT). Unlike traditional achievement tests, which measure how well a student has learned the curriculum, the CogAT assesses a child’s ability to reason abstractly and recognize patterns and relationships in the world around them. Teachers can use CogAT scores to better understand a child’s pattern of cognitive strengths and weaknesses. Our school district also uses CogAT scores to screen for cognitively gifted students.

First and second grade students loved our author visit with Katrina Moore this week. If you are interested in seeing her again, she will be at Little Shop of Stories tomorrow, Friday, August 28th at 6 PM for a Pajama Story Time. Details are available here. Thank you to all of our families who ordered books. If you didn't order a book but would like one, I have several autographed copies available in the Library. Please email me if you are interested. izeff@csdecatur.net.

To keep all students safe, City Schools of Decatur requires a current background check on file for all volunteers and chaperones. This is especially important for anyone chaperoning a field trip (exploring with a small group of students) or supervising students without a staff member present. Background checks must be renewed every 12 months.

Here is how to complete your background check:

• ​Step 1: Pay the Fee via Infinite Campus: Log into the CSD Public Store. Click on City Schools of Decatur School Store > CSD Misc. Fees > Background Check Fee ($38). Enter your name and phone number in the comments section before checking out. Be sure to save/print your receipt, as you will need it for your appointment!
  
  

• ​Step 2: Schedule an Appointment: Book a 10-minute slot using the online appointment calendar. Appointments are held at the Wilson Center (125 Electric Avenue, Decatur, GA 30030) on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Note that appointment slots open up 21 days in advance.
  
  

• ​Step 3: What to Bring: Please bring your driver's license and your payment receipt to your appointment. You will fill out a short form, and results (submitted via the GBI) are typically returned within 24 hours.

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

Carryover eligibility from last school year’s Meal Benefit Plan ends on September 11, 2026. After this date, your student’s meal status will automatically change to Paid unless a new application is approved for the 2026–2027 school year.

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.

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

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!

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.