Weekly Update

October 16, 2025

Friday, October 17 - National Hispanic Awareness Month Celebration at Community Circle; Kindergarten Families at Community Circle

Wednesday, October 22 - Early Release Day - 12:50 PM; No after-school library check-out

Friday, October 24 - Community Circle - First Grade Families

Wednesday, October 29 - After school book check-out in the Library

Friday, October 31 - Community Circle - Second Grade Families

Tuesday, November 4 - Remote Learning Day

Wednesday, November 5 - After school book check-out in the Library

Friday, November 7 - Community Circle - Kindergarten Families

November 10 - 13 - Fall Book Fair

Friday, November 14 - Community Circle - First Grade Families; Deadline for Georgia Young Author submissions

Friday, November 21 - Community Circle - Second Grade Families

November 24 - 28 - Thanksgiving Break - No School

Calling all storytellers, writers, and authors! Do you have a story to tell? A poem to share? Some fascinating facts about something you've learned? Here's your chance to share it with the world! Announcing the 2025-2026 annual Young GA Authors Writing Competition. Please see the attached flyer for further details!

The deadline for writing submissions is Friday, November 14th by 9:00AM.

Writing submissions will not be accepted after this date.

For details, click here for parent information and here for the student application.

To submit a writing piece, additional info or questions, please reach out to Kelly Stopp, Instructional Coach, kstopp@csdecatur.net.

We are excited to share that your child's mid-semester progress report will be available in the Parent Portal at 4PM a.m. on Friday, October 17, 2025.

Please note that these progress reports are a snapshot in time, not final grades. They provide an overview of your child's academic progress midway through the semester. Teachers will continue entering grades and feedback throughout the term, so your child's report will continue to evolve.

We encourage you to take this opportunity to review your child's progress, celebrate their achievements, and discuss any areas where additional support may be needed. Open communication among parents, students, and teachers remains key to a successful learning experience.

If you have questions or concerns about your child's progress, please don't hesitate to contact their teacher or the school administration. We're here to support your child's growth and success.

Directions to access grades can be found on page 23 of the Grading and Reporting Handbook.

Read-A-Thon

Congratulations to all of our Readers! It's been amazing to see so much excitement about reading this week. As I've told the students, KEEP ON READING !!

Applesauce Season

Kindergarten and first graders learned this week that we are currently in "applesauce season." If your student asks to make applesauce over the weekend, this is an easy, no-fail recipe and even the sugar is optional. Cooking together is a great non-screen activity!

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 October 16, 2025, issue of CSD Weekly, the district-wide newsletter.

Today, Superintendent Dr. Gyimah Whitaker sent a letter to all families via email to inform the City Schools of Decatur community that the CSD Board of Education has initiated a comprehensive review of K-2 school utilization. This review will assess how CSD's K-2 schools are currently being utilized to ensure that space, staffing, and resources align with student needs while also maintaining operational efficiency and fiscal responsibility.

The Board of Education work session on October 14, 2025, served as a preliminary discussion to review various options, including the potential closure of a K-2 school. The consulting firm Education Planners has been engaged to facilitate this process and presented a timeline for the first time at the work session, along with a detailed overview of the school closure and redistricting process. The board has not yet decided which school, if any, will be closed. There will be opportunities for families to share their input in the upcoming weeks.

Please read the full letter in English here. More information and additional language translations of the letter are available on the K-2 School Consolidation & Redistricting Process webpage.

CSD families are invited to upcoming public hearings for feedback on the K-2 School Consolidation and Redistricting Process:

• Wednesday, October 29, 6:30-8:00 p.m., Beacon Hill Middle School, Cafeteria
• Thursday, November 13, 6:30-8:00 p.m., Beacon Hill Middle School, Cafeteria

While we encourage everyone to attend the public input hearings, please also consider submitting your feedback via this feedback form.

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

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Diwali Celebration — Saturday, October 18, 2025 (5–7 PM)
Save the date for a joyful community celebration at Beacon Hill Middle School featuring food, crafts, henna, and dance. Please RSVP to help us plan. Food for purchase will be supplied by Sankranti, Spice It Up at Nimi’s Kitchen, and Little Jars Bakeshop. This event is sponsored by funds from CSD PTA/PTOs—thank you for supporting our schools!

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!

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.