Dolphin Clicks
Weekly Updates from Discovery Elementary - Sept. 5, 2022
First Day of School - 1st - 5th grade students - This Friday, September 9 (8:55 a.m. - 2:10 p.m.)
First Day of School - Kindergarten students - Monday, September 12 (8:55 a.m. - 3:25 p.m.)
Regular School Hours
Mondays - Thursdays – 8:55 - 3:25 p.m.
Fridays – 8:55 - 2:10 p.m. (Early Release for Learning Improvement Time (LIT) for school staff)
A Message from our Principal
Welcome back to school, Dolphins!
We are excited about the year ahead, and look forward to seeing our students and families this week. While overall COVID restrictions have been reduced, the safety and health of everyone in our community continues to be a top priority. Masks are optional for students and staff, and staff and volunteers are required to be vaccinated. Students and staff with COVID symptoms, and/or positive COVID cases, are required to quarantine for 5 days and then wear a mask for an additional 5 days. Please follow this updated flowchart if your child has symptoms that may be related to COVID-19.
For the past year a new instructional building has been under construction on the field between Discovery and Voyager (see photos at bottom of this newsletter). This building will include 16 new classrooms, two project labs, as well as a couple of office spaces and conference rooms. In addition to the instructional building, our students will enjoy a brand new, state of the art playground. The playground is expected to be open and accessible on the first day of school, and we hope to access the new building by the end of September. The final phase of construction has impacted our parking lot and parking at Discovery is extremely limited. (See below for photo of parking lot.) you are able to have your student/s ride the bus to school or walk your student/s to school for the first 2-3 weeks, it will be very helpful. Student drop-off and pickup will be very challenging as we start the year. We ask for your patience and cooperation as we support safe arrival and dismissal of all students.
Below are a few safety and health highlights:
Students (only) enter through the main gates each day (not across the field).
Before and after school Discovery is open only to staff and students. When dropping off and picking up students at Discovery parents and families say goodbye outside of the main gates at the front of school. (Please see important arrival and dismissal information below.)
For safety, all exterior doors to buildings and classrooms will be locked throughout the school day
Only staff and registered volunteers will be on campus during the school day.
Exterior doors to buildings and classrooms will be locked throughout the school day.
If you are driving your student, please follow staff directions and remember to pull forward along the curb.
If you need to go to the office, please park and go to the main entrance and ring the doorbell.
Please keep us updated about emergency contacts and change of plans for after school routines. We need this information at the beginning of the day, as we are unable to call into classrooms or dismiss students for early release after 3:00 p.m. (unless prearranged with a note or an early phone call).
- Students exhibiting symptoms or feeling ill must stay at home. If students show symptoms of illness while at school, families will be called and will need to pick students up and follow protocols prior to students returning to school. The school office should be informed if your child is sick as it is essential we track illnesses as we work to keep everyone healthy.
Masks are optional for students and staff, and will be provided as requested.
As per the Snohomish County Health Department, there are no longer physical distancing requirements at school. This includes in classrooms, in the cafeteria and on the playground.
Cleaning procedures and protocols remain in place. Frequent handwashing, sanitizing, using approved, and safe, cleaning products on desks and items will be part of the daily routine.
We are are happy our students are returning to school and want to work together to keep students and staff as safe and healthy as possible. Whether you will be dropping your child off at Discovery Elementary for the first day of kindergarten or you are a veteran parent of a school-aged child, the start of a new school year brings many emotions. At Discovery, our focus is on providing each child with new challenges that will result in a rewarding school experience. We are dedicated to providing a safe and responsive educational environment for our students as we work together to support their academic and social/emotional achievement. We want your child to be happy and successful at Discovery and we believe you play a key role. That role is to continually show interest in, and to support, your child. When a child knows his or her family is involved and supports the school program, he or she will almost always enjoy greater success and have fewer problems in school. We look forward to a great year ahead!
In partnership,
Mrs. Koehnen
Teacher Assignments and Family Engagement Conferences
Welcome Mrs. Bever, our new Assistant Principal
We are fortunate to welcome Mary Helen Bever to our Discovery community. She is replacing Mrs. Trexel who accepted an elementary principal position in the Lake Stevens School District. Mrs. Bever is a Seattle native and attended Seattle University and Willamette University College of Law. She has spent the last eight years as an administrator at St. Joseph School on Capitol Hill, most recently as the Primary School Director. Mrs. Bever practiced law before finding her passion for education. She is a lifelong learner who believes that all children deserve an excellent education which is the key that will unlock any door to a successful future.
Mrs. Bever lives in Edmonds with her husband. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, cooking, traveling, walking, reading, and working in her garden. Welcome Mrs. Bever!
Arrival to School
WE NEED YOUR HELP: For the safety and health of our staff and students, it is important all ARRIVAL procedures are followed.
Please ensure you are sending healthy students to school. If students show symptoms of illness while at school, families will be called and will need to pick students up and follow protocols prior to students returning to school.
- All students will enter campus on the east side, through the main entrance (and not across the field through the playground). For safety, families must remain outside of the gates.
- 8:35 a.m. - Main gate opens and student supervision begins. Please DO NOT drop students off at school before 8:35 a.m. as there is NO SUPERVISION BEFORE 8:35 a.m.
Driving your child to Discovery:
If you are driving your student to school, please turn right upon entering the parking lot and stay to the right, in a single-file lane, along the curb.
Please follow staff directions and remember to pull forward along the curb. Unless directed, do not stop before the mailbox, as this backs up traffic.
Students will be supervised as they get out of vehicles along the curb and enter school through the main gate.
Upon entering the main gate, students will enter the cafeteria for breakfast and/or join Heels and Wheels in the courtyard.
After dropping your student off, please stay along the curb and curve to the right. Unless directed by staff, do not change lanes or pass the vehicles in front of you.
All vehicles must turn right when exiting the parking lot in the morning during arrival. This keeps more cars off the main street and allows traffic to flow.
If you need to go to the office, please park and go to the main entrance and ring the doorbell.
For safety, only staff and verified volunteers will be on campus during the school day.
Students walking to Discovery:
Students who walk to Discovery will enter campus on the east side and will enter through the main gate.
For safety, families must remain outside of the gates.
Upon entering the main gate, students will enter the cafeteria for breakfast and/or join Heels and Wheels in the courtyard.
Students riding the bus to Discovery:
Students who ride a bus to Discovery will arrive in the north parking lot (bus load/unload).
A staff member will be present at the curb and will supervise students as they walk through the main gate of school.
Upon entering the main gate, students will enter the cafeteria for breakfast and/or join Heels and Wheels in the courtyard.
Dismissal from School
WE NEED YOUR HELP: For the safety and health of our staff and students, it is important DISMISSAL procedures are followed. The dismissal bell at Discovery rings at 3:25 p.m.
Driving to pickup your child from Discovery:
This year we are continuing to use the car tag system for pickup. Each family will be assigned a family number and a green car tag. Your green car tag, with your family number, must be displayed when entering the parking lot. Please keep the tag displayed until your child is securely in your vehicle.
Your family number will be input into our system and your child will be released from class or from the dismissal line. This green tag helps us prepare your child for dismissal, as well as get your child safely to your vehicle. Once your child is in your vehicle, please remove your car tag from the window, as this lets us know you are ready to leave the parking lot.
Upon arriving at Discovery at the end of the day, please have your green tag showing and turn right upon entering the parking lot. Stay to the right, in a single-file lane, along the curb.
Around 3:00 p.m. each day, staff will create two lanes of traffic in the upper parking lot, for student pickup. Please follow staff directions and remember to pull all the way forward.
Staff will enter your green car tag number and then you may pull forward. Please do not change lanes or pass the vehicles in front of you.
Please remain in your vehicle, as students will be brought to you.
If your child is late getting out to the dismissal area, you may be asked to pull forward so we can keep traffic moving. We will walk your child to you.
After your child is in your vehicle, please remove your green car tag so we know you are ready to exit the pickup area. As cars fill up with students, one lane of traffic will be moved at a time. Please do not change lanes, or pass any vehicles in front of you.
All vehicles must turn right when exiting the parking lot in the afternoon during dismissal. This reduces traffic on the main road and allows cars to exit our parking lot more quickly.
Walking to pickup your child from Discovery:
If you are walking to pickup your child, you will walk to the north gate, near the bus pick-up area.
Families will remain outside the gate and students will be released to families.
Please note: High school and middle school students, without an adult present, must wait off campus until the bell rings (3:25 p.m.). After the bell rings these students may proceed to the north gate to pick up siblings. Students who do not have siblings at Discovery are not allowed on campus.
Students riding the bus home from Discovery:
Students who ride a bus home from school will line up behind the fence, by bus route, near the north portables.
Teacher and staff will supervise students while waiting for the busses to arrive.
Once a bus route has arrived, the students will be walked, in a single-file line, to their bus.
Start of School - Engagement Conferences and First Day of School
As we prepare for the start of the new school year, we want to make you aware of the updated schedule. The official first day of school for 1st – 5th grade students will be Friday, Sept. 9 and the first day of school for Kindergarten students will be Monday, September 12. On September 7 and 8 (as well as Sept. 9 for Kindergarten students) instead of all students coming to school, teachers will be meeting with individual families for Family Engagement conferences and Kindergarten WaKIDS conferences. These meetings will occur on September 7 and September 8 for families of 1st – 5th grade students, and on September 7, 8 and 9 for families of Kindergarten students.
If you have not yet scheduled your child's Engagement Conference or Kindergarten WaKIDS Conference, please contact your child's teacher through ParentSquare or call the main office at Discovery (425) 366-2700. Conferences will take place in-person, but a conference via Zoom or by phone can be arranged. Meetings for 1st - 5th grade families will be 20-minutes and WaKIDS conferences for Kindergarten families will be 30-minutes.
August 29 – Emails were sent to families with teacher assignment and a request to schedule Family Engagement and WaKIDS Conferences
September 7 – Engagement / WaKIDS Conferences (Kindergarten – 5th grades) 8:15 - 4:00 p.m.
September 8 – Engagement / WaKIDS Conferences (Kindergarten – 5th grades) 8:15 - 4:00 p.m.
September 9 – 1st Day of School for 1st – 5th grade students (8:55 – 2:10 p.m.)
- Engagement Conferences (Kindergarten only - 8:15 - 2:10 p.m.)
September 12 – 1st Day of School for Kindergarten students (8:55 - 3:25 p.m.)
- 2nd day of school for 1st – 5th grades (8:55 - 3:25 p.m.)
Activate your ParentSquare Account Today
This year our teachers, school and district will be using ParentSquare to communicate with families. By activating your ParentSquare account today, you can begin communicating directly with your child's classroom teacher. You will also be able to sign up for an Engagement Conference with your child's tentatively assigned teacher.
Discovery PTO needs YOU!
Can you spare a few hours a month to help set up events like:
- Arts & Music Festival
- Books Before Bedtime
- Family Movie Night
- School Dance Night
- Carnival
- Turkey Bingo
Funds raised by PTO fundraisers and activities help pay for Field Trips, Enrichment Programs, classroom Pizza and Popcorn Parties plus many other benefits for our students and staff!
The more volunteers we have, the more of these events we can run!
1. Children benefit
Research shows that participating in your child’s school and showing engagement helps them perform better academically.
2. The School benefits
PTO provides support for school teachers & administration which creates a positive and caring atmosphere in the school and builds stronger partnerships.
3. Make connections
Get to know teachers and staff better and make life long friends with other parents. Volunteering to do good for your child’s school is fun, healthy and rewarding!
Ready to join the fun? Email us at:
New Instructional Building and State of the Art Playground
Aerial View of New Playground, Building, and (Voyager) Field
Monday, August 29
Emails sent out through ParentSquare to schedule Family Engagement Conferences
Wednesday, September 7
8:15 - 4:00 p.m. - Family Engagement / WaKIDS Conferences and Campus Tours (K-5)
Thursday, September 8
8:15 - 4:00 p.m. - Family Engagement / WaKIDS Conferences and Campus Tours (K-5)
Friday, September 9
8:15 - 2:10 p.m. - WaKIDS Conferences (K)
8:55 - 2:10 p.m. - First day of School (1st - 5th grades - No Kindergarten)
2:10 p.m. - Student Dismissal - Learning Improvement Time (LIT) for staff
Monday, September 12
8:55 - 3:25 p.m. - First day of Kindergarten
8:55 - 3:25 p.m. - Full Day of school for all students (K-5)
3:25 p.m. - Student Dismissal for all K-5 students (Regular schedule for Monday-Thursday)
Friday, September 16
8:55 - 2:10 p.m. - Early Release Friday (Regular schedule for every Friday)
2:10 p.m. - Student Dismissal - Learning Improvement Time (LIT)for staff
Discovery Elementary
Principal: Shannon Koehnen, KoehnenSA@mukilteo.wednet.edu
Asst. Principal: Mary Helen Bever, BeverMX@mukilteo.wednet.edu
Dean of Students: Alysha Yeamans, YeamansAX@mukilteo.wednet.edu
Elementary Support Specialist (ESS): Kristen Ching, ChingKL@mukilteo.wednet.edu
Elementary Support Specialist (ESS): Alexzia Wagner-Rasmussen, WagnerrasmussenAM@mukilteo.wednet.edu
Administrative Assistant: Debbie Fischer,
Website: https://www.mukilteoschools.org/Domain/147
Location: 11700 Meridian Avenue South, Everett, WA, USA
Phone: (425) 366-2700
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 Simone Neal (425-356-1319), nealsr@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.