Talley Street Update
This week's news from Talley Street Upper Elementary

October 15, 2026
Save the Date!
Talley Reading Rally, Friday, October 16th - Sunday, October 25th, link
Early Release: October 28 @ 12:15 pm
Trunk or Treat: October 29, 5:30-7:30 pm
Digital Learning Day: November 3
Walk n Roll: November 6
Talley Thanksgiving Lunch: November 11
PTO Meeting: November 11, 6 pm
Thanksgiving Break: November 23-27
Front Office Information
Attendance and Tardies
Parents and Guardians,
We are noticing an uptick in tardies over the last 2 weeks. At Talley, every instructional minute matters. When a student arrives late, even by just a few minutes, they miss crucial morning instruction, quiet reading time, and the transition routines that set a positive tone for their day. Repeated tardiness adds up to significant lost learning time over the course of the school year.
Please remember that our late bell rings promptly at 7:45 am. To be truly ready for the morning, students should be inside their classrooms, unpacked, and seated before 7:45 am.
To reinforce these expectations, we will be tightening our tardy procedures and enforcing arrival times more strictly. Our goal is not to penalize families, but to partner with you in building strong habits that support your child’s academic success.
Thank you for your cooperation in helping us make every school day count!
Clothing Donations for Nurse's Office
Nurse Manjit is in need of clothes to keep in the nurse's office for students to change into if needed. If you're able to donate any of the following items, we would greatly appreciate it!
- Girls bottoms Small (6-8 yr)
- Girls bottoms Medium (8-10 yr)
- Girls bottoms Large (10-12 yr)
- Boys bottoms Small (6-8 yr)
- Boys bottoms Medium (8/10 yr)
- Boys bottoms Large (10-12 yr)
- Boys underwear of all sizes (no worn underwear, new only)
- Unisex socks
Thank you!
No Check Outs after 1:45pm
Birthdays
Please communicate with your child's room parent regarding Talley's once-a-month popsicle policy for all birthday students that month. Please do not send in cupcakes, cookies, cake, etc.
Save the Date - Talley Thanksgiving Lunch (November 11)
More details will come soon!
What's Going on at Talley Street?
Trunk or Treat (October 29)
Please join us for Trunk or Treat on October 29 from 5:30-7:30 PM. In addition to Trunk or Treat, we will also be collecting donated hats, gloves, and coats to spread warmth in our community. To volunteer to host a trunk, fill out the form linked below!
5th Grade Talent Show (Deadline: November 13)
Nukumori is hosting Talley's 2nd Annual 5th Grade Talent Show! Everything you need to know to be in the show is listed below.
- Your act cannot be more than 2 minutes. You may choose to perform as a solo or in a group.
- You create and prepare your own act outside of school. Have your act ready to perform for audition by December 10.
- Auditions are on Thursday, December 10, and Friday, December 11 after school.
- You have to attend one of the two days to share or "audition" your act. Be prepared to accept glows and grows.
- Click here for the sign up. It is due on World Kindness Day (Friday, November 13).
- Friday, January 22, is the Talent Show. The time is 6-8 pm. Proceeds and donations go to our service project, Decatur Cooperative Ministry.
Green Team News
Composting Update
According to our latest report from CompostNow (through October 8), Talley has diverted more than 6,600 pounds of waste (which has been turned into almost 2,200 pounds of compost) and avoided more than 600 pounds of methane and 17,000 pounds of carbon dioxide.
Recycling Product of the Month
Our featured item for October will be ARM & Hammer and OxiClean plastic pouches (laundry detergent and baking soda). For this product only, we will be offering one house point for each pouch turned in by Friday, October 30. Items should be marked with your student’s name and homeroom teacher and brought to Mrs. Roberts in the Media Center.
Our first shipment of Takis packaging was sent in over the September break, but we’re awaiting the official shipment weight. We will continue to collect Takis as well as other items listed in the Green Team Store, including squeezable snack pouches and Kroger-brand packaging, but these items will be awarded one point for five items, three points for 10 items and five points for 15 items. See a full list of accepted items on the Green Team website.
News You Can Use
Check out this article from The L.A. Times discussing how small communities around the country are making efforts to reduce their production of garbage, including the use of Ridwell…our partner in collecting plastic film and snack wrappers at school. Our Ridwell membership drive will be in the spring. When 10 families sign up for their service, Talley receives free plastic film pickup for the entire next school year!
Parents Needed!
Are you a parent who is passionate about the environment and wants to make our school a more sustainable place? Then come join the Green Team! We need adults to assist and oversee our student volunteers who help with composting and recycling during breakfast and lunch service at school.
COMPLETE OUR PARENT VOLUNTEER FORM
Direct questions to Mrs. Roberts at kathryn.roberts@csdecatur.net.
District News
PTO Corner
- Reading Rally starts TOMORROW, Friday, October 16th and runs through Sunday, October 25th! Talley’s tiger, Titan, is wild about reading and wants you to be, too! Bingo cards and instructions will come home in folders today. Set up your student’s fundraising page and start gathering pledges as they pounce on reading activities to complete bingo squares. Then, share our Reading Rally campaign link far and wide! Visit bit.ly/readingrally26 for more info. Let's show Titan how wild Talley is about reading!
- We are looking for one more photographer volunteer to take photos during Trunk or Treat (Thurs, 10/29 5:30pm-7:30pm). Interested? Email yearbook@talleypto.org.
- Save the date for our next Walk & Roll on Friday, November 6th! Stretch your legs, earn marbles for House points, and pick up some fun and useful Safe Routes to School swag! Interested in helping with Walk & Roll? Contact Mallory at srts@talleypto.org.
- The 2026-2027 yearbooks are now on pre-sale! They are $24 through 12/31/26 ($29 starting 01/01/27). Order at bit.ly/talleyyearbooks26. Please consider donating a yearbook (at the same link) to help us reach our goal of ensuring every student and staff member receives a yearbook. If you need financial assistance, a discount code is available; contact Ms. Weaver (kiweaver@csdecatur.net), Talley school Counselor. Contact yearbook@talleypto.org with any questions.
- Join the Talley PTO Parents Group on Facebook (bit.ly/Parentgroup) and follow us on Instagram (@TalleyPTO) to stay connected and receive PTO updates throughout the year! bit.ly/m/talleyonline
Community News
Season of Giving
Make the Season Brighter – Apply, Sponsor, Donate!
A Season of Giving is a neighbor-led effort bringing holiday joy to our local children and seniors through personalized gifts.
⌛Apply for Gift Assistance — Deadline: October 31
We're thrilled to support kids through 12th grade again this year!
Want to Give Back?
🌟 Sponsor – Choose a wish list and shop for a child or senior.
💝 Donate – Let us do the shopping with your contribution.
🙌 Volunteer – Lend a hand and help spread the joy!
❓ Questions? Email us at aseasonofgivingdecatur@gmail.com
A Journey Worth Taking: The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane (October 15-18)
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. 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.
Celebrate Decatur Diwali (October 25)
Join Decatur’s community-wide Diwali celebration on Sunday, October 25 (12-3 PM at Ebster Recreation Center)! Enjoy performances, local food vendors, and activities for all ages. This event is brought to you by SACHA, a new nonprofit started by CSD parents. Learn more and RSVP on our website sacha-atl.org, and sign up to volunteer at sacha-atl.org/volunteer.
Social Media and Contact Information
You can find more information on the following Facebook pages:
Talley Street Upper Elementary School Parents
And these Instagram pages:
For more about the Talley Street PTO, visit their website here: https://talleypto.org/.