Discovery Elementary Newsletter
Home of the Dolphins - March 30, 2021
News from the Principal
Dear Discovery Families,
In the midst of the chaos this year has brought, it's hard to believe spring has arrived. I, like many of you, am looking ahead to warmer weather and the hope that spring brings. I wish each of you, and your families, a restful and relaxing Spring Break.
Spring Break:
Remember, next week is Spring Break and there is no school April 5 - April 9. We hope you are all able to spend some time away from computers and screens and spend some much needed time outside. We look forward to seeing students back at school (in-person or remotely) on Monday, April 12th.
In-Person Learning Reminders:
- Have a completed attestation form ready every day when you arrive.
- Wear a clean mask every day, and if you have one, bring an extra mask in a Ziploc.
- Please keep us updated about emergency contacts and change of plans for after school routines.
- Students exhibiting symptoms or feeling ill should stay at home. The school office needs to be contacted if your student is absent, as it is essential we keep track of symptoms as we work to keep everyone healthy.
- Students may bring a filled water bottle each day. It will be packed up and brought home daily for cleaning. Consider getting one with a straw as it works easiest with a mask, if used inside.
- Healthy snacks are allowed while outside on a mask break. If you think your child will benefit from a snack, please pack something each day.
Changes to Classroom Assignments:
At this time we are unable to process any changes to your child's in-person or remote learning assignment. Our district does not have the space and/or staffing capacity to add more in-person classes and many of our remote classes are full, too.
State Testing Information:
English Language Proficiency (ELPA) assessment - This year students served in our English Language program, and provisional students, who return to in-person learning will be tested on the ELPA assessment. Students served in EL, who are continuing to learn remotely, can choose to come to school to participate in ELPA testing.
Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBA) - Last week the State announced they have applied for a waiver, from the Federal Government, for this year's state testing. While they have not yet heard back, the plan would mean limited testing for elementary students this year. In a typical year, all public school students in the state of Washington, in grades 3–10, participate in the SBA, in reading, writing and math, and some grade participate in science testing. The goal of these tests are to measure students’ progress toward grade level standards. If the waiver is accepted, it would mean that this year only some 3rd grade students in the state would be tested in English Language Arts (ELA) and only some 5th graders in the state would be tested in Math. 4th grade students in the state would not be tested on the SBA this year. Again, we are waiting to hear if the testing waiver will be approved by the federal government.
Whether your student will be returning to in-person learning, or continuing to learn remotely, we look forward to seeing them back at school on April 12th. Thank you for your patience and continued support.
In Partnership,
Mrs. Koehnen
This TUESDAY - Return to School Parent Information Night for 3rd, 4th and 5th Grade Families
If you are a parent of a 3rd, 4th or 5th grade student and your child is returning to in-person learning, please plan to join our Return to School Parent Information Night tomorrow night, for students in grades 3, 4 and 5. Specific links will be sent to each family via email.
3rd, 4th and 5th Grade RTS Parent Information Night - Tuesday, March 30 (6:30 - 7:30 p.m.)
Students who return to in-person learning will be on campus from 9:00 -12:00 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and will have instruction at school in English Language Arts (ELA), Math and SEL. Teachers will provide outdoor mask/movement breaks as needed. Students will eat breakfast and lunch at home, and free Grab and Go meals will be available for all students to take home. Students will return home in the afternoon and continue their learning online with a variety of possible learning options (small group, asynchronous, specialist time, independent work, etc.).
THURSDAY and FRIDAY - Instructional Materials (for remote learners) and Important Supplies for all 3rd, 4th adn 5th Graders Returning to In-Person Learning
Important student supplies and instructional materials are available each month for pick-up by families. This week's pick-up days are Thursday and Friday from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. The supplies this week are for all remote learners and for students in grade 3 - 5 who will be returning to in-person learning. Please come at the time that works best for your family. All materials will be 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.
April Instructional Materials and PPE Supply Pick-up and Curbside:
K - 5 - Thursday, April 1st, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
K - 5 - Friday, April 2nd, 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.
We Need Help Keeping Student Computers Safe
Has Your Family Moved? Do You Plan to Move?
In-Person Learning - MORNING Arrival Routine
DROP-OFF Routine:
1. Parents arrive in the main (south) parking lot (see blue arrows on map) no earlier than 8:40 a.m.
2. All parents must be wearing a mask and remain in their vehicles.
3. At 8:45 a.m. staff members will begin approaching vehicles and taking student temperatures and collecting completed Attestation Forms. (If your form is not completed, you will need to pull forward and park in a parking spot in the south lot (closest to the gym.)
4. After temperature and attestation forms are taken, students will receive a green “Good to Go” pass.
5. Students will enter the main gates to school (near the office) and show their “Good to Go” pass to the staff member at the gate.
6. Students will walk directly to their classrooms.
7. Staff will be available to help students and families and signs will be posted.
8. Students without an attestation form or with a temperature will not be allowed into classrooms and school safety and health protocols will be followed, including an immediate phone call to the family.
Morning WALKING Routine:
1. Upon arriving to campus, students and parents will wear masks.
2. Walkers will all go to the front of the school and use the walking path near the bike rack and office. “Walkers” sign will be posted.
3. A school staff member will take the student’s temperature, collect the attestation form and give the student a green “Good to Go” pass.
4. Students will enter the main gates to school (near the office) and show their “Good to Go” pass to the staff member at the gate.
5. Students will be guided toward their classroom and will then wait on a socially distanced blue mark or enter the classroom.
6. Staff will be available to help students and families and signs will be posted.
7. Students without an attestation form or with a temperature will not be allowed into classrooms and school safety and health protocols will be followed, including an immediate phone call to the family.
Morning BUS / DAYCARE VAN Routine:
1. Students will remain seated on the bus / daycare van until 15 minutes before class begins.
2. Bus drivers and/or school staff will take temperatures as students leave the bus / daycare van.
3. Students will hand attestation forms to a school staff member and get a green “Good to Go” pass.
4. Students will stand on a socially distanced white mark along the sidewalk while all students leave the bus.
5. School staff will then escort all students to class through the north gate.
6. Students without an attestation form or with a temperature will not be allowed into classrooms and school safety and health protocols will be followed, including an immediate phone call to the family.
Late Arrivals:
If a family arrives after the school day has started, and staff are no longer in the parking lot, the adult will need to walk the student to the front door of the main office and ring the doorbell. A temperature check will be completed, and an attestation form will be collected. Once, cleared, the student will be given a green “Good to Go” pass and will walk to class.
In-Person Learning - AFTERNOON PICK-UP Routine:
Family Pick-up Routine
1. Parents will arrive in the main parking lot (south lot near the office) and have their Family Identification (ID) car tag (blue cardstock) visible in their window. (Please take a picture of your family ID car tag so it is always accessible to show to staff.) School staff will be present to record your family ID number.
2. The first 7 cars will pull along the curb (all the way to the stop sign) and the next 7 cars will pull forward, in the middle lane, next to the first five cars.
3. All 10 cars will be stopped and there will be no through traffic in the main lot (front of school). Any family needing to park their vehicle will need to park in the south lot (closest to the gym.)
4. Once the first 14 vehicles are stopped, the first 14 students/sibling groups will be dismissed to their vehicles from the undercover area at the front of school.
5. After all 14 vehicles are loaded, they will exit the main driveway to the right and follow the loop to the main stop sign on Meridian Ave.
6. The next 7 vehicles will pull forward along the curb, and the following 7 cars will pull forward in the middle lane.
7. Once all 14 cars are stopped, students will be released from the covered area to go to their vehicles.
8. This process will repeat until all students have been picked up. (We may also be able to increase the number of cars pulling forward, but need to assess the process for the first few days of school.)
9. School staff will be available to help students and families, and signs will be posted.
Student Pick-up Routine
1. Students will dismissed to the front of school, as families arrive to the front driveway.
3. A computer screen will be visible in the classrooms and in the cafeteria, showing which 14 families are cued first in the parking lot. School staff will be present to support this process.
4. The first 14 students/sibling groups will be called to the front of the school and will line up on socially distanced blue marks under the covered area until the first 14 vehicles come to a complete stop.
5. Once all 14 students/sibling groups are present, the line of students will walk to the covered area at the front of school and stand on a socially distance mark.
6. In the cafeteria and classrooms, the next 14 students/sibling groups will be called to come to the covered area in the front of the school
7. After all 14 vehicles are stopped, the 14 students/sibling groups in the covered area will be released to WALK to their vehicles.
8. As they are released to their vehicles, the next 14 students/sibling groups in the cafeteria and classrooms will begin walking out to the covered area at the front of school to wait for their turn to load into family vehicles.
9. School staff will be available to help students and families, and signs will be posted.
Afternoon BUS Routine:
1. Students will be walked to the bus / daycare van area by their teacher and/or a school staff member.
2. Students will stand on a socially distanced white marker, along the sidewalk, and wait for loading directions from their bus driver / daycare van driver and/or school staff member.
3. Bus drivers / daycare van drivers will load busses/vans and then leave campus.
Afternoon WALKING Routine:
West side of school:
1. At the end of the school day, students who leave campus on the east side of school (main parking lot side) will be escorted by their teachers and/or school staff to the main gates (near the office).
2. Students will begin walking home and adult crossing guards will be present.
3. Students are expected to wear their masks until they have left campus (crossed crosswalk).
East side of school:
1. At the end of the school day, students who leave campus on the west side of school (playground side) “4th Avenue Walkers” will be escorted by their teachers and/or school staff to the gym where they will wait on socially distanced marks, until all students arrive.
2. School staff/crossing guards will walk students across the playfield, through Voyager’s campus and to 4th Avenue.
3. Students are expected to wear their masks, stay socially distanced and follow directions from school staff.
P-EBT Benefits
We recently learned P-EBT benefits will be rolled out starting this month (between $25 and $123/month per child). This is great news, as it will can help offset the cost of groceries for families. Families can automatically qualify for P-EBT benefits if your children receive free or reduced meals from the school district. If you haven't filled out free and reduced lunch forms this year, please come to school and request a form. Your family may qualify for additional support.
A Message from our Parent Teacher Organization (PTO)
Hello from the PTO!
*Our next PTO MeetUp is coming up! Come connect with other families and chat about staff appreciation and volunteer opportunities for next year! One hour, Thursday, April 1 at 7:00 p.m. The Zoom link will be posted on Facebook or you can email us to get the link.
*Get Involved: 2021-2022 school year volunteers are needed. It only takes a few hours a month. Help build school community by becoming a PTO Board Member or a Creative Coordinator for a special project. Email to get involved!
**Facebook: search Discovery Elementary PTO
**Email: PTO.DiscoveryElementary@gmail.com
Please Join our Daily Specialist Classes
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1oX_BeutEKJ-x5SB2uKBNjvCj5UNpuB2o8F4UfVJkQwg/edit
April 5 - 9 - Spring Break
April 12 - 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students* return to in-person learning (*as requested on district survey)
April 14 - All School Assembly (12:15 - 12:45 p.m.)
May 4 - Parent Academy - via Zoom (6:30 - 7:30 p.m.)
May 6 -7 - Supply Pick-up for remote learners (1:00 - 4:00 p.m.)
- Parent Academy (6:30 - 7:30 p.m.) Look for the link in your email on Monday
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