Discovery Weekly Newsletter
Week of January 27
Principals' Corner
Good Evening Trailblazers,
On Monday, 1/20 our nation celebrated Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. This day is so much more than just a day off from school, rather this year marked the 25th anniversary for a day of service which celebrates the Civil Rights leader’s life and legacy. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. day is the only federal holiday designated as a national day of service to encourage all to volunteer to improve their communities.
Whether you took the opportunity to volunteer or not, this celebratory day is rooted in tragedy, hate, and racism. In the 52 years since Dr. King tragically lost his life the world surely has changed, some for the better and some for the worse. I wish we could say as a country that his dream of equality and racial justice for everyone is a reality in 2020, but it’s not. In these 52 years we have made tremendous strides. Yet, it some ways it feels we may have regressed. Throughout our county, state, and county you will easily find many who promote love, tolerance, and passion, yet you will still find a few who promote and operate with hate and intolerance. All you need to do is turn to the evening news or open our local newspaper to see this play out each day. Dr. King’s fight still remains unfinished.
Even though as a society we still have much room for growth, Personally, I am encouraged by LCPS’ equity work for our students. As you know, Dr. Williams has set a clear mission for our school system:
'LCPS is committed to providing a safe, empathetic, respectful and supportive learning environment in order to empower every student to make meaningful contributions to the world. When students and staff experience racial insults, slurs, and/or other hate speech, we lack the positive culture and climate that supports students’ growth.
LCPS calls for all students, staff, families, and other members of our community to engage in the disruption and dismantling of white supremacy, systemic racism, and hateful language and actions based on race, religion, country of origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, and/or ability. LCPS rejects racist and other hateful behavior and language, recognizing that it encourages discrimination, hatred, oppression, and violence.'
It is with this mission, all your support, that together we can build a stronger school and community where all our students are provided equal access to succeed and feel safe, loved, and cared for each and every day. This is our number one commitment for all our students.
It truly remains my hope that this important work at Discovery and in LCPS will instill a love for all that leads our students and community to a place where Dr. King’s dream can finally becomes a reality.
Humbly your Principal,
Christopher Painter
Upcoming Dates to Remember
Friday, January 31
Friday, January 31
PTO Update
Well Trailblazers we have a full week of school ahead of us. So I’m sure we can all agree a Parents Night Out will be a welcome treat this Friday night. The Specials teachers will be hosting this month from 6:00 - 9:00 pm, $20 for the first kid, $10 for each additional. Please RSVP if you can.
We want to thank everyone who came out on Friday night to our spirit skate night. It’was tons of fun. We really appreciate all of the support our families are showing our spirit nights this year!
The next big event we have on the books is our Staff Volleyball Game. This will be held on March 21 at Broad Run High school. Mr. Painter vs Mrs. Tyson. It’s going to be an epic night so make sure and mark your calendars. Along with a nail biting game, we will be holding a silent auction for summer camps! If you have any favorite camps your kids attend please reach out to us with contact info and we will approach them for a donation. Also if you are interested in volunteering for this fun event please email us. We love all the help we can get.
Have a great week!
Erin Sullivan & Kristin Stephens
PTO Presidents
discoverydonationsandevents@gmail.com
Stay Connected:
Instagram @discoveryPTO
FB @discovery.pto.trailblazers
Twitter @discoverypto1
Parents Night Out this Friday
Spirit Nights
February 17
February 25
4:00 - 9:00 pm
Specialist Spotlight
We have been very busy in PE class at Discovery ES. We just finished up our Cosmic bowling unit. We have several exciting units coming up in January and February. We will start striking with a short-handled implements and long handled implements. We are excited to teach this unit with some new twists and experience for the students. K-2 will be using short handled paddles with balloons and yarn balls. Grades 3-5 will be using speedminton racquets with yarn balls and shuttlecocks. All classes will follow the short-handled implements units with long handle implements (Hockey). All grade level activities will reflect modification that best fits the grade level and skill development.
Shop. Snap. Earn with Shoparoo
Let’s see how many families we can get signed up during the month of January. Out of the families that register in January, we will draw one winner for an awesome prize and announce it on the morning news on January 31. Visit the Shoparoo website for more information on how to download the app to your phone and start snapping those receipts!
WATCH Dogs Needs You!
Thursday Night Bedtime Blast-Off
Support our School Snack Pantry
Our wonderful Counselors maintain a snack pantry at school for our students who are in need ALL YEAR ROUND! Please consider donating the following items to support this much needed and wonderful program.
- Goldfish
- Animal crackers
- Cheez-It crackers
- Fruit snacks
Feel free to bring them into the school office at any point this year. We thank you in advance!
Lost and Found
Has your child lost a lunch box? Their jacket or water bottle? The Lost and Found area is located in Room 122. Kindly check in at the front office for assistance to the Lost and Found. All items will be donated at the end of each month to a local charity.
Please label your child’s belongings; it’s the best way to be sure it gets found or returned quickly.
Discovery's Calendar
January
- 31 - Parents Night Out
February
- 6 - Spirit Night; Good Fortune Chinese Restaurant; 3:00 - 9:00 pm
- 17 - Presidents Day; School Holiday
- 17 - Spirit Night; Chuck E. Cheese; 3:00 pm - close
- 18 - PTO Meeting; The Zone; 6:30 pm
- 25 - Spirit Night; Five Guys; 4:00 - 9:00 pm
Thank you Discovery Elementary PTO Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
Bronze Sponsors
Contact Us
Website: https://www.lcps.org/des
Location: Discovery Elementary School, Grace Bridge Drive, Ashburn, VA, USA
Phone: 571-252-2370
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/discovery.pto.trailblazers/
Twitter: @discoverypto1