Discovery Elementary Newsletter
Home of the Dolphins - May 3, 2021
News from the Principal
Dear Discovery Families,
Our school community is rich in culture and diversity. It's part of what makes Discovery so special. With this in mind, as a school staff we continue to learn more about equity and what we we do to create a welcoming school community that honors and values each and every member. By learning together and celebrating the strengths of each and every child, family and staff member we will continue to grow as a community. We are stronger together!
Learning about each other and celebrating our strengths and unique differences, is a way to help each of us grow. This month we share a few resources to help us learn more about families in our community.
Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month:
May is Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month – a celebration of Asians and Pacific Islanders in the United States. This recognition originated with Congress in 1977 and was a week long celebration. It was expanded in 1990 to annually designate May as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month. The month of May was chosen to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese to the United States on May 7, 1843, and to mark the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869.
Standing Together Against Hate
Online resources to uplift Asian and Asian American voices, encourage self-education, and offer solace from the Smithsonian Institution. Resources for educators, exhibitions, videos, activities, blogs and more available from museums and units within the Smithsonian.
(Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center) Visit the site
Jewish American Heritage Month:
May is Jewish American Heritage Month – This recognition was proclaimed in 2006 by President George W. Bush as a way to recognize the more than 350-year history of Jewish contributions to American culture. The month of May was chosen due to the highly successful celebration of the 350th Anniversary of American Jewish History in May 2004, which was organized by the Commission for Commemorating 350 Years of American Jewish History.
National Museum of Jewish American History: https://www.nmajh.org
Teacher Appreciation Week:
This week we celebrate our amazing teachers and staff! This has definitely been a challenging year, but our teachers have stepped up in so many ways. They have emptied their tanks physically and emotionally in support of students and our community. Thank you, Discovery teachers and staff! We appreciate you.
Thank you to the many families who have already shown their thanks by sending in positive messages and words of support. Please take time this week to send a note of thanks to your child's teacher or to any other teachers or staff members who have made a difference for your child or family. Your words and kind gestures mean the world to our staff.
In Partnership,
Mrs. Koehnen
TONIGHT - Discovery Parent Academy - Tuesday, May 4th
We hope you will come share and learn with us.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://mukilteoschools-org.zoom.us/j/96313496100?pwd=RTNZcFg2VmkwN1hQWjVQRndsTlZ5Zz09
Meeting ID: 963 1349 6100
Passcode: 810394
THURSDAY and FRIDAY - Instructional Materials and Curbside Library (for remote learners)
Important student supplies and instructional materials are ready for students who are continuing to learn remotely (from home). Please plan to pick-up required materials this Thursday and Friday from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. The supplies this week are for all remote learners. Please come at the time that works best for your family. All materials are available on Thursday or Friday. If your family is ever in need of additional supplies, please call our office (425) 366-2700 and we can provide more basic supplies.
Instructional Materials and Curbside Library:
K - 5 (remote) - Thursday, May 6, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
K - 5 (remote) - Friday, May 7, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
When you arrive at Discovery to pick up materials, please remember to wear a mask, stay in your vehicle and drive to the south side of the gym (look for the blue cones). If you are walking, please also walk to the undercover play area. Staff will be available to help you.
Family Questions and Answers
At our various Return to School Parent Information Nights, questions were asked that we thought would be beneficial for all Discovery families to know the answers to. If you have a question you would like to ask us, please do! Here is a link to a Google Document where you can share a celebration or appreciation, share a challenge, or ask a question. Here are the questions asked by families thus far:
If my child has seasonal allergies, do I need to bring a note?
If we have a note on file stating that the child has a history of seasonal allergies, we are able to use that information when assessing a student with regards to COVID symptoms. If there is a note on file AND the symptoms are listed in the note of what we may see per the doctor with regards to the seasonal allergies AND the student's symptoms fall in line with their "normal" seasonal allergy symptoms, we *may* be able to explain the symptoms as seasonal allergies and forego the CDC and Snohomish Health Department guidance regarding testing and quarantining. This will happen on a case-by-case basis per the nurse's assessment. A note from the doctor does not guarantee the student will be able to forego the testing or quarantining process.
What is the earliest time my child can be dropped off at school?
8:45. Staff are out front ready to greet students at 8:45. Once students have submitted their attestation sheet to an adult, they are given a green Good-to-Go pass and walk straight to their classrooms, where their teachers will be greeting them at the door.
Will we be updated throughout the summer as to what the school year will look like for next year?
Currently the district is beginning tentative planning for the 2021-2022 school year, but as you can imagine, this planning is complex in nature. All decisions being made by the district are guided by the Snohomish County Health District and CDC guidelines. As we get closer to the start of school, the district will have a better idea of the health department guidelines in place and will communicate plans for the start of the school year to families. Until we hear different, we are currently planning for a "regular" start to the year.
Thank you, Parent Teacher Organization (PTO)!
Kindergarten Registration
May 4 - Parent Academy - via Zoom (6:30 - 7:30 p.m.)
May 5 - All School Assembly - 12:15 p.m.
May 6 -7 - Supply Pick-up / Curbside Library for remote learners (1:00 - 4:00 p.m.)
May 20 - Curbside Library - 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. (for K-5 remote students)
May 31 - Memorial Day - No School
June 1 - Parent Academy - 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
June 2 - All School Assembly - 12:15 p.m.
June 3-4 - Supply Pick-up / Curbside Library for remote learners (1:00 - 4:00 p.m.)
June 10-11 - All library books due
June 17 - Last Day of School
Resources for Families
Middle School Family Night for 5th grade Families
Voyager Middle School invites all 5th grade families to join a webinar to learn more about middle school!
When: May 11, 2021
Time: 6-7 PM
Webinar Link: https://mukilteoschools-org.zoom.us/j/92413309295?pwd=SEhiOGpwQXdmdW5nQlFBelZqWUZPQT09
Free Meals are Still Available for ALL Students
Any child ages 0-18 is eligible for a 7-day meal kit each week.
Families need to pre-order their meals each week to guarantee there is enough food for every family: Pre-Order Form.
- Link for pre-order also has all meal locations and mobile sites listed and can be translated in many languages
- Fill out and submit a form for each child you would like meals for (ex: 3 kids = 3 forms). Please remember to place your order 48 hours before your preferred pickup day.
Please visit the Mukilteo School District Nutrition Services website for more information and schedule.
Discovery Elementary
Principal: Shannon Koehnen, KoehnenSA@mukilteo.wednet.edu
Assistant Principal: Mikey Trexel, TrexelMA@mukilteo.wednet.edu
Dean of Students: Dr. Irina Kourilenko, KourilenkoIN@mukilteo.wednet.edu
Elementary Support Specialist (ESS): Kristen Ching, ChingKL@mukilteo.wednet.edu
Administrative Assistant: Debbie Fischer, FischerDL@mukilteo.wednet.edu
Email: koehnensa@mukilteo.wednet.edu
Website: https://www.mukilteoschools.org/Domain/147
Location: 11700 Meridian Avenue South, Everett, WA, USA
Phone: (425) 366-2700
Mukilteo School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Civil Rights Coordinator and Title IX Coordinator Bruce Hobert (425-356-1319), hobertbl@mukilteo.wednet.edu, Section 504 Coordinator Lisa Pitsch (425-356-1277), pitschla@mukilteo.wednet.edu, and the ADA/Access Coordinator Karen Mooseker (425-356-1330), moosekerkw@mukilteo.wednet.edu. Address: 9401 Sharon Drive in Everett, WA. Inquiries regarding ADA/Access issues at Sno-Isle TECH Skills Center should be directed to Wes Allen, Director (425-348-2220) allenwr@mukilteo.wednet.edu. Address: 9001 Airport Road in Everett, WA 98204