Weekly Update
Winnona Park Elementary School
Dear Winnona Park Families,
Tuesday, August 3rd, at 8:00 am, we will be welcoming our students to the 21-22 school year! We could not be more excited for this year and the growth we will see. As you are preparing for the first day, use the checklist below to make sure you are ready!
Sincerely,
Principal Scott
Click here for a printable checklist
ALL:
Complete Annual Data Update in Infinite Campus
Sign up for a Meet and Greet Time
Read the Arrival and Dismissal procedures
Submit my student’s dismissal plan
Complete the free and reduced lunch form in Infinite Campus
Complete the meal participation form
Sign up for PTA updates and (optional) room parent volunteer
Prepare your student for a “kiss and go” drop off!
As needed:
Mitigation Strategies: Lunch
Several of our families have inquired about lunch procedures, and I want to address some of the concerns. Click here to read about all our mitigation strategies and how we will approach lunch when indoors.
Will students eat lunch outside?
As much as possible, yes. We will monitor the heat index as we always do, to determine when it is too hot to be outside, or if time outside should be limited. Classrooms will have designated zones for eating outside. My concern with eating outside isn’t that it’s too hot to BE outside, but I worry it is too hot to EAT outside. We noticed in the Spring, that our students in the pods would not eat when we were outside, they would verbalize that it was too hot to eat. As an adult, I have trouble eating when I am hot. My concern is that if students won’t eat, we will have afternoon headaches and stomachaches, and they will not be able to do their best learning. However, we will start the year off eating outside and we will monitor our students to ensure they are eating, and will adjust as needed. Parents can help us at home by prepping students for outdoor eating, encouraging them to use that time to eat, and ensuring they have cold water in their water bottle daily.
Will students be given 15 minutes to eat while outside:
When eating outside, we will use our typical 30 minute lunch period. Since masks are not required outdoors, we will not use an “active eating” time like we will indoors.
Do they need tents/will they eat under the pavilion:
No, we have plenty of shaded locations (and tables!) for students to eat outside.
Don’t wait, Vaccinate! Monday, August 2nd
Click here for more information
Join the City Schools of Decatur, Dekalb Board of Health, and the Decatur Education Foundation for the, “Don’t Wait, Vaccinate!,” event. This event will provide Free vaccinations and hearing, vision, dental, BMI screenings, and other immunizations/vaccinations for individuals. To receive an immunization or Vaccination the child’s parent MUST be present. Any child between the age of 12-17 receiving the COVID-19 must have proof of their age and a parent/guardian. Any child under 18 receiving all other immunizations must have a parent/guardian. Several organizations within the community will be participating such as the City of Decatur, local Police and fire departments, the community YMCA, Children's Hospital of Atlanta, Beacon Hill, The Wylde Center, and more. Sports Physicals will be available for individuals that attend the event. To register students can email Marie@decatureducationfoundation.org. Free Food and school supplies will also be offered for students heading back to school in the coming weeks.
Back to School General Information
First Day of School:
We will be welcoming students for our first day of school on August 3rd. Our school hours are 8:20-2:50 p.m.. Students may be dropped off in the mornings at 8:00 am. Breakfast will be offered between 8-8:20 a.m. each morning.
School Supplies:
If you ordered school supplies through 1st Day, they have been delivered directly to the school and you don’t need to do anything to ensure their delivery! The deadline for ordering through 1st Day has passed, but if you need to purchase school supplies, please find the requested list here: School Supply List. We never want any of our families to feel burdened by school supplies, so if this places an undue burden on your family, please do not feel the need to purchase. We will always ensure that all of our students have adequate supplies. Purchases school supplies should be brought with students during the first week of school.
Class Assignment:
Parents are now able to log into Infinite Campus to see who their child’s teacher will be. Class placement is a high priority for our staff and we are very intentional about this process each year. Class changes after this date will only be made under extreme circumstances. If you cannot access the parent portal, please contact Ms. Mathis- nmathis@csdecatur.net.
Transportation:
Information regarding CSD bus routes and transportation can be found here.
Nutrition:
Welcome back for another school year! We are excited to announce that the CSD Nutrition Department will be offering meals at no cost to our students through the USDA Seamless Summer Option for the school year. This is a huge benefit to our students, who need quality nutrition in order to excel academically and socially. Access more information about our nutrition program here.
Contactless Meal Pay:
Beginning this school year, students will be using contactless meal pay. All students will be issued id cards to scan when picking up meals.
Meet and Greet:
Click here to sign up for meet and greet.
Kindergarten Arrival-Week One:
During the first week of school, Kindergarten teachers will greet their students in the side parking lot by the pond between 8:00-8:15 a.m. each morning. Feel free to walk your students during the first week to help ease any anxieties during this transition. Beginning Monday, August 9, Kindergarten students that are walkers may still enter through the door by the pond, and will be greeted by a WP staff member.
Arrival and Dismissal:
Providing a safe arrival and dismissal routine are a high priority for our staff. Please read over the following Arrival and Dismissal Procedures so you are familiar with our routines. As you finalize your student’s dismissal plan, please complete this form so we can plan accordingly.
Newsletter/Eblast:
A school wide weekly newsletter/eblast will be emailed to families each Thursday. This newsletters/eblast are sent to the information pulled from Infinite Campus. Please ensure all data in Infinite Campus is updated and correct.
Annual Data Update in Infinite Campus:
All families must complete the annual data update before the first day of school. Directions on how to complete the annual update can be found here. If you run into any issues completing the annual data update, please contact Ms. Mathis at nmathis@csdecatur.net or call the office at 404-370-4490.
PTA Information
The PTA works to enhance the educational experience of all WPES students by supporting teachers and staff, organizing fundraisers for items not covered by the school budget, and planning and hosting community-building events. The main fundraising events are Read-a-Thon, Holiday Tree & Candle Sale, and the Spring Auction. Through fundraising efforts, the PTA supports many offerings and initiatives including classroom libraries, teacher and parent grants, field trips and guest speakers for all students, facility enhancements, yearbooks for every student and various community-building events. Click here to learn more and to join the PTA! You can also follow the facebook page for event updates and information.
Upcoming PTA Events:
Kindergarten popsicle social:
August 1, 1-2:30 p.m.
WP back playground (located at the back of the field behind the school)
1st grade popsicle social:
August 1st, 3-4:30
WP back playground (located at the back of the field behind the school)
1st day donuts and coffee:
August 3rd, 8:00-8:50 a.m.
All parents welcome
Under the pavilion behind the school
PTA Meeting are held on the third Thursday of every month (currently via zoom)
Next Mtg: August 19, 7 p.m.
School Leadership Team:
The Winnona Park Elementary School Leadership Team (SLT) is an elected committee consisting of Winnona Park parents/guardians, staff members, a community member, and a district representative. The purpose of the SLT is to make decisions that support the continuous improvement of the school in accordance with the provisions of the District Charter. This year we will have 2 vacancies on the SLT and will have the SLT election in late August. If you are interested in filling one of the vacancies, please complete this form. If you have any questions regarding the SLT, feel free to contact any of the representatives below.
Current representatives:
Sherry Peterson (parent)- speterson@csdecatur.net
Taniqua Miller (parent)- tmiller@csdecatur.net
Cindy Clark (WP staff)- ciclark@csdecatur.net
Julie Semones (WP staff)- jsemones@csdecatur.net
Ruth Scott (WP principal)- rscott@csdecatur.net
Frances Holt (district rep)-fholt@csdecatur.net
BIAS INCIDENT RESPONSE PROTOCOL
Every principal would like to believe that our parents, students, or staff would readily approach us with any race or equity-related concerns. But the reality is that many such concerns go unreported until it’s too late. Here at Winnona Park, we want to make sure that all families, staff, and students have the opportunity to feel safe, seen, and successful. Part of creating such an environment means providing safe ways to report any equity concerns that may emerge. Below, CSD’s Equity and Student Support Department shares answers to some FAQ’s regarding equity concerns at CSD. This information includes steps that employees, parents, or students can take to ensure that any issues or concerns are addressed.
How should I handle a racist incident at Winnona Park (or CSD)?
Racism and other “isms” aren’t just things that happen “somewhere else.” Unfortunately, they can happen right here in the halls of our school, within the confines of our academic departments, and throughout our city, state, and country. “Isms” are sometimes purposely inflicted by strangers, other times unconsciously by well-intentioned colleagues and friends, and, most influentially, systemically.
If you believe you have experienced racism (or any other ism) at Winnona Park, it is imperative that we investigate and address your concerns. We encourage you to share your experience with Principal Scott through email (rscott@csdecatur.net) or by requesting a phone call.
If you are uncomfortable contacting your principal directly, and you need more help:
Contact the Equity office by completing the form at this link.
If you prefer to remain anonymous, use the form at this link.
I think a curricular material is racist (ableist, sexist, et ct.); how do I complain?
Depending on the material, there are varied ways to lodge a complaint. Please start by sharing your concern with Julie Semones, Instructional Coach at jsemones@csdecatur.net.
I think I have a Title IX or Title IV complaint. What should I do?
The following links exist to connect the community directly with CSD's Department of Equity & Student Support regarding title IX or IV violations
Report Title VI Concerns Here: https://www.csdecatur.net/Page/481
Report Title IX Concerns Here: https://www.csdecatur.net/Page/481
Community communication is invaluable and we want to hear your thoughts. Thanks in advance for taking the time to share your thought(s) with your school’s administrator or the E&SS department.
