Winnona Park Weekly Update

January 29, 2026

Dear Winnona Park Community,

A few grade levels are starting to plan field trips for when the weather warms up, and we will need parent chaperones to help ensure all our students are safe and secure during these events. To ensure the safety of all students, City Schools of Decatur requires all volunteers and chaperones to have a current background check on file. This is especially important if a field trip group is chaperoned by a parent rather than a staff member.

How to get a background check:

Schedule an appointment: Background checks are conducted at 2635 Talley Street, 2nd Floor. There is a $35 fee (cash, check, or money order made payable to City Schools of Decatur) for the background check, and it must be turned in to Winnona Park before you go for your background check. You can book an appointment using this link: https://calendar.app.google/du9yW1Gg8SV6pjGp8
Important scheduling note: Appointments are typically available on Mondays and Wednesdays. You can schedule an appointment up to 21 days in advance.
What to bring: Please bring your driver's license with you to your 10-minute appointment. You will also fill out a short form.
Results: The information is submitted to the GBI, and results are often returned within 24 hours.

Please remember that a new background check is required each year for all parents and volunteers. We appreciate your cooperation and support! Reach out to Principal Wiseman if financial assistance is needed to cover the cost of the background check.

Sincerely,

Gregory Wiseman

Principal, Winnona Park Elementary School

Important Dates

Friday, January 30 - Community Circle - Second Grade families

Friday, February 6 - Community Circle - Kindergarten families

Friday, February 13 - Community Circle - First grade families including Black History Month Living Museum

Week of February 16 - Winter break - No School

Friday, February 27 - Community Circle - Second grade families including Black History Month Living Museum

Friday, March 6 - Community Circle - Kindergarten families including Black History Month Living Museum

Wednesday, March 11 - Walk and Roll to School

Black History Month Events at Winnona Park

This is a reminder that the Winnona Park Equity Team & the PTA DEI Committee have great plans for our WPES Black History Month Celebration in February. We invite all the students at Winnona Park to take part in our Living History Museum.

Students will be able to present interesting facts about a prominent figure in Black history during Community Circle. Some suggestions include inventors, educators, artists, musicians, authors, athletes, and entrepreneurs. Black history is global and not just limited to America. Don't forget about "lesser-known" and global figures in history.

Please talk to your child about whether they’d like to participate and, if so, complete the online form by January 31: WPES Living History Museum Form. Several other activities are being finalized; stay tuned for more updates.

Ms. Burton, Mr. Brown and Ms. Labat with trophy

We are the Cleanest School in the District!

We are thrilled to announce that our amazing custodial team has won CSD's "Shining to Cleanliness" Award! A huge shout-out to Ms. Burton, Mr. Brown, and Ms. Labat for making us the cleanest school in the District for the first semester. Your hard work does not go unnoticed—we appreciate you!

Information about the Flu from Nurse Jen

Click here for information about the widespread flu activity in Georgia this year.

You can also visit Weekly US Map: Influenza Summary Update | FluView | CDC and click on the map and the state of your choice.

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.

Read the January 29, 2026, issue of CSD Weekly, the district-wide newsletter.

Take GaDOE's Annual School Climate Survey

Please take a moment this week to make your voice heard and participate in the Georgia Department of Education climate survey for your school! Your participation and feedback are greatly appreciated. The data collected will help determine the School Climate Star Ratings for the 2026-27 school year, which will enable schools to improve or build upon their successes.

Winnona Park Elementary School Family Survey

From our Fabulous WP PTA

Stay connected with upcoming events: https://www.wpespta.org/

Find us on:

Facebook

Instagram

Winnona Park Yearbook: Candid Photos

The Winnona Park Yearbook Committee wants to see all you've been doing in school this year! Please email photos of your Wildcats in action to yearbook@wpespta.org. We love photos of school events, field trips, and school work! Important: Please include student names and teacher/grade in your email if known.

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!

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.