Wildcat Weekly

Dear Wildcat Families and Crew Members,

Welcome back! We hope you enjoyed the fall break. I welcome the temperature shift. I will watch the trees very closely for the leaves to change color. I am forever a Michigander. A big congratulations is in order! Please help us celebrate Flora and Solaimon for being selected as the 2026-2027 Winnona Park representatives for the Superintendent's K-5 Student Advisory Council! We are so proud of them.

This Friday, Community Circle will be WP staff and students only. This creates physical and emotional space for students who are still building their confidence and comfort in group settings. We appreciate your cooperation as we honor all students' needs.

REMINDER: In the spirit of National Literacy Month, please take a photo of your child reading in their favorite or a fun place. You can email the photo to Ms. Zeff (izeff@csdecatur.net) with "reading@home" in the subject line. We will use the photos in our lobby digital display.

With gratitude and Wildcat pride,

Meagan Ferguson

Principal, Winnona Park Elementary School

• Friday, October 2nd - Community Circle - Staff Only
• Friday, October 9th - Community Circle - Kindergarten Families
• Monday, October 12th - Teacher Work Day; No School for students AND PTA Meeting at 5:30 PM in the Library
• Wednesday, October 14th - Walk and Roll to School

• Friday, October 16th - School Pictures (individual and group) with Lifetouch AND Community Circle - First grade families AND Pizza on the Playground and Book Swap - Time to be announced.

• Friday, October 16th - Friday, October 23rd - Winnona Park Read-a-Thon. See the PTA section below for more details.

• Friday, October 23rd - Community Circle - Second Grade Families AND Read-a-Thon Coffee Cart presented by Tara Pesta of Keller Knapp Realty from 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

DHS Acting and Decatur Performs present a magical story about love, loss, friendship, and finding your way home.

Edward Tulane is a self-important china rabbit whose world changes when he’s separated from the little girl who loves him. As he travels from one home to another, Edward discovers the power of love, friendship, and having a heart.

Based on Kate DiCamillo’s beloved book, this imaginative stage adaptation brings Edward’s journey to life with humor, heart, and magic. It's a beautiful adventure for audiences of all ages.

Dates: October 15-18

Location: Decatur High School Performing Arts Center
Tickets: On Sale Now! DecaturPerforms.org

For the 2:00pm matinee on Saturday, October 17th, use promo code SAVE5 at checkout for $5 off up to two tickets!

Bring the whole family and discover why sometimes the greatest journeys are the ones that change us.

Looking for easy, fun ways to support your child’s reading journey at home? Check out the Raising a Reader video series! Discover practical tips and strategies for grades K-3 from making library visits exciting to building reading comprehension through daily activities, word games, and cozy story times.

Watch the Raising a Reader Videos: Raising a Reader (K-3)

The City Schools of Decatur will administer the BASC-BESS Universal Screener from October 1–30, 2026. This brief screener helps schools identify students who may benefit from additional behavioral, social-emotional, or wellness support. The BASC-BESS is not a diagnostic assessment; it is one tool used to help us identify needs early and provide appropriate support.

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.

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.