Discovery Middle School
Newsletter - August 2020
Building a Foundation for Success!
Mrs. Amy Herrick
Grade 6
Mr. Dan Shultis
Grade 7
Mrs. Amanda Quintus
Grade 8
Welcome Back
Hello Discovery Families,
I hope you had the opportunity to enjoy your summer by spending time with your loved ones and friends. I know our staff is excited to see your faces as we embark on the 2020-21 school year. This year marks my first year as head principal of Discovery, but my 19th year in the building. I always get butterflies the weeks leading up to school restart. This year is no different, and with the unconventional spring and uncertainty throughout the summer, I am looking forward to seeing students, staff, and families more than ever.
We have an additional new face to our administrative team, Mrs. Amanda Quintus. She is the new assistant principal and grade level principal for the 8th grade. Mr. Shultis is our assistant principal and activities director and the grade level principal for 7th grade. I will serve as the grade level principal for our incoming 6th grade.
We strive to create a safe and loving environment where our students can come to learn. Every student who walks through our doors has value and the potential to do something great with their lives. The work we do here at Discovery is guided by our mission for “Building a Foundation for Success” for all students. Thank you for partnering with us to achieve the goal!
Principal Amy Herrick and Discovery Administration
PERIOD SCHEDULE UPDATE - VERY IMPORTANT!
Upcoming Events
August 20
- Soar into 6th Grade - Student Pictures, PLD Pick-up & Presentation - see link below for schedule
August 24
- 7th & 8th Grade students - Picture Day & PLD Pick-up - see link below for schedule
- EL Orientation TBD
September 2
- Classes Begin for 2020-21
September 7
- Labor Day - No School
BUS INFORMATION
Letters will be sent out by the end of the month to each family with their Route Number and Pick-up/Drop-off time and location. Buses will start arriving at Discovery at 8:25. School gets out at 2:25 and buses will leave at 2:35. Bussing is district-paid, so there will be no need to purchase bus tickets.
ONLINE REGISTRATION 2020-21
Online registration for the 2020-21 school year continues to be open. All returning Fargo Public Schools families must log in to their Parent PowerSchool account to fill out their family information and complete the registration information for the coming school year PRIOR to when their child(ren) come to have their school picture taken on August 20th or 24th.
If you come for your PLD pick-up or student pictures on either of these dates and do not have your registration complete, you will have to register at one of our building kiosks prior to getting your PLD.
Here are the registration forms that you will complete online:
- Parent/Guardian Information Form – Enter your name, address, phone number, and email address on our school record form. If you have moved, you must verify that your new address is within the Discovery attendance area by providing a copy of your new lease or utilities bill to our registrar, Janna Callahan. Janna can be reached by phone at 701-446-3311, fax at 701-446-3411 or emailed at callahj@fargo.k12.nd.us .
- Student Information Form
- Yearly Student Health Information Sheet – This information will be shared with our school nurse, Amanda Matzke
- Parental/Guardian Release Forms – Media Release/Field Trip/Photographic Likeness Permission Form, FERPA, Online Account Permission Form
- Co-Curricular/Athletic Participation Verification – Parent/Guardian-Student Meeting, Concussion Verification Form, HIPAA Medical Release (If your student might participate in drama, music, speech, or a sport, please select “yes” when asked if they are going to participate in a co-curricular activity)
You can also choose to pay your child’s 2020-21 school fees online via credit card with no transaction fees using SchoolPay, which is also accessed through your PowerSchool account. You may use SchoolPay at home to take care of the following fees:
- Deposit money in your student’s lunch account
- Pre-purchase a yearbook - $20.00
- Purchase a District Student Activity Pass - $30
- Go to the Non-Profit link on the left side to Join the Discovery PTA - $15
- Friends of Discovery
Discovery Main Office is trying to limit the amount of cash transactions due to the COVID-19, so please pay by credit card or check if at all possible during the school year
There are kiosks available at Discovery for families that don’t have a computer or access to the internet. Please call in advance for an appointment. If you need help getting logged onto your Parent PowerSchool account or need assistance with the registration papers, please call Discovery’s Main Office at 701-446-3300.
STUDENT SCHEDULES
Regarding student schedules...we understand that students want to see their schedule because it is an important, exciting, and sometimes nerve-wracking part of going back to school. Firstly, Discovery administration wants our families to know that many factors go into scheduling the 1,140 students that are in our building. Scheduling is based on many factors such as programming needs, class sizes, specialist recommendations and course selections such as music or world language, for example. With the unprecedented year that is the 2020-21 school year, additional factors have needed to be taken into account which has made our scheduling process that much more complex. Please know that hours and hours go into scheduling our students and that the teams and schedules are not easily changed. Once your child has their team, that is the team that they will have for the school year. There will be no changes to students teams due to the complexity of the scheduling process. Thank you for your understanding and additional patience as we work to get schedules finalized as we receive more information from the district that directly impacts our scheduling processes.
All student schedules will be visible in PowerSchool sometime in late August. Discovery administration will send a Connect Ed message to parents/families when schedules are open for viewing in PowerSchool. Please print or record your schedule so that you have it for the first day of school. Your schedule will include your Team Name, Counselor, Locker Number and Combination (used for your password), as well as your class schedule. Contact Discovery Main Office if you do not have access to a computer or printer.
**Lockers will not be accessible to students for storage. Students are encouraged to bring zippered binders with their items in it, or a backpack if necessary. These items will be carried with them from class to class.
Student schedules WILL NOT be finalized until late August. This is due to FPS SmartRestart Instructional Level, virtual academy enrollment, virtual academy staffing, alphabetical split, and social distancing/safety protocols in classrooms.
Reminder - to complete your student's registration, you will need to sign on to your parent PowerSchool account at www.fargo.k12.nd.us/powerschool and complete the Registration Forms found on the left side of the screen. If you have any questions or cannot get logged on to your account, call the Discovery Main Office at 446-3300.
PHY ED INFORMATION
For the time being, the locker rooms will not be open and students will not be required to
change into a ‘PE uniform’ for class.
You will need the following items for PE:
- Clean and Comfortable clothes should be worn to school daily.
- Tennis Shoes should be worn on your PE Day.
- Water Bottle with first and last name clearly labeled.
Here is an OPTIONAL resource for families: https://mypepack.gophersport.com/
FACE COVERINGS
The Fargo Public Schools will require all students and all staff to wear masks that adequately cover both their nose and mouth. Exceptions will be made for students with medical, behavioral, or other challenges who are unable to wear masks/face coverings.
- The Fargo Public Schools will supply one cloth mask for each student. These will be given to students when they come to school. Please make sure your child has a mask for the first day that they attend classes.
- Students/parents are asked to supply one additional cloth mask.
- Please practice wearing masks at home so that your child can get used to it and find a mask that is as comfortable as possible.
- Please make sure that your child’s mask does not contain any images or language that would violate dress code policy of clothing advertising or promoting the use of drugs, alcohol, drug paraphernalia, guns, weapons, gang affiliation, or depiction of violence. They may also not include vulgar images as defined by the FPS Dress code policy of pictures, images, words, silhouettes of individuals, or sayings that depict sexually suggestive expressions or actions, profanity, obscenity, drugs, alcohol, or tobacco, or which degrade the integrity of individual groups. The Fargo Public Schools dress code policy is defined in detail under AP 6325 on the Fargo Public Schools Web Page and online student handbook.
2020-21 SCHOOL SUPPLY LIST
BAND SUPPLY LIST
ALL BAND STUDENTS WILL NEED THE FOLLOWING:
- luggage tag on instrument for identification (good quality)
- 3-Ring Binder with loose leaf notebook paper and page protectors
- pencil (preferably left in instrument case)
6th Grade Books
- Essential Elements 2000, Bk. 1 and Standard of Excellence, Bk. 1
- Percussion students will need "Alfred’s Drum Method, Bk. 1" and "A Fresh Approach to Mallet Percussion"
7th Grade Books
- Essential Elements 2000, Bk. 1 (this book can be reused from 6th grade year) and Standard of Excellence, Bk. 2
- Percussion students will need "Alfred’s Drum Method, Bk. 1" and "A Fresh Approach to Mallet Percussion"
8th Grade Books
- Standard of Excellence, Bk. 2 (this book can be reused from the 7th grade year) and Essential Elements 2000, Bk. 2
- Percussion students will need "Alfred’s Drum Method, Bk. 2" (purple cover) and "Primary Handbook for Mallets" (green and yellow cover).
BOOKS MAY BE PURCHASED AT YOUR LOCAL MUSIC STORES
Eckroth Music - 1620 32nd Ave S, Suite 1, Fargo, ND 58104 - 701-476-3408
Schmitt Music - 4101 13th Ave S. #1000, Fargo, ND 58103 - 701-281-1828
MEAL PRICES FOR 2020-21 SCHOOL YEAR
The meal program is on a computerized system which withdraws money from the student’s lunch account. There are envelopes and a Deposit Box in the Main Office. Deposits can also be made online through School Pay and funds will be available immediately. There are no additional fees when you use School Pay.
Students must have adequate funds in their lunch account to cover the purchases, or they may pay with cash. Students are NOT allowed to use their student ID number to purchase items for someone else.
Meal Prices for the 2020-21 school year will be as follows:
Breakfast
- Elementary: $1.45
- Secondary: $1.55
- Reduced: $0.00 (State pays $0.30 fee)
- Adult: $2.15
Lunch
- Elementary: 2.45
- Secondary: $2.70
- Reduced: $0.40
- Adult: $3.50
Extra Milk: $0.35
The free and reduced application will be mailed from the District Office in August. Please contact Nutrition Services (446-1018) or the school if you have any questions. You can also fill out the online application at www.EZMealApp.com.
Discovery maintains a closed campus. Students may not leave the campus for the lunch period unless they are accompanied by their parent/guardian and prior arrangements have been made. Students who bring their own lunches will not have access to a microwave or refrigeration.
Changes to Breakfast/Lunch Protocol due to COVID-19
Student Breakfast will be Grab and Go to be eaten in their first period classroom. The cafeteria will not be open in the morning before school.
The lunchroom will have assigned seating and tables will be marked for social distancing. Students will need to wear their masks until they are seated and eating at the table. When they are done eating, their mask needs to be put back on.
Breakfast will be cold options to begin and there will be hot lunch options during lunchtime. There will not be a la carte during this time due to social distancing, and limiting what students touch. There will be one-way traffic flow and staff will be serving students so that students have limited opportunities to touch food. Self-selection items will be packaged and spread out to encourage social distancing and cleanliness. There will be no shared tables to put leftovers, all food items will need to be discarded from student tray after student is done eating.
Please have your student practice memorizing their student id number. This is the same number they have had since elementary unless they are new our district. Students will be encouraged to verbally tell their student number to minimize touching the keypad for food payment.
Nutrition services wants to discourage cash exchanges so if a student/staff member pays in cash, if there is change, rather than giving the person the change, the money will be credited toward that person's account.
Please know that Discovery Middle School Staff will be additionally vigilant about cleaning and sanitizing in between our lunch runs. Please encourage your child do do their part by practicing good hand hygiene, wearing a mask, and social distancing when they are in the lunchroom.
ENTRANCE TO THE BUILDING DURING SCHOOL HOURS
The safety of our students is our top priority. For that reason, Fargo Public Schools has put in place security measures in elementary and middle schools. It is important to make an appointment with the main office if you wish to see a principal or counselor. We are taking great measures to limit the amount of people in our building as part of the FPS SmartRestart Plan. Due to the FPS Smart Restart Plan. In Levels 1, 2, and 3 Fargo Public Schools is restricting non-essential visitation. Please see the FPS SmartRestart Plan on the Fargo Public Schools Website for additional details.
To make an appointment, please call the Discovery Main Office at 701.446.3300.
IMMUNIZATION UPDATE
This is a reminder that every student entering grade 7 is REQUIRED to receive a Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis (Tdap) vaccine and Meningococcal vaccine. To receive optimum disease coverage and ensure school requirements are met prior to entering grade 7, it is recommended your student receive these two vaccinations once they turn 11 years of age. All students in 7th and 8th grade should have one dose of Tdap and Meningococcal recorded on their immunization record before the start of the 2020-21 school year. Please bring a copy of the updated immunization record to the school.
MEDICATION IN SCHOOL
If your student should need to take a prescription or non-prescription medication at school, Form AF6720-A must be filled out in it's entirety, signed by you and your doctor, and brought to the nurse. The medication bottle for school must be labeled , including student’s date of birth. If student will self-administer, in the case of an inhaler, please fill out form AF-6720-F. You should be able to get these forms off the FPS website under registration, or at your doctor’s office.
The Nurse's hours for 2020-21 will be posted on our website as they may change dependent on the Instructional Level of FPS. You can reach the nurse @ 701-446-3319 or by email: djhnurse@fargo.k12.nd.us.
Hope you’ve had a wonderful summer!
PARENT/FAMILY ACCOMODATIONS
Family support is so important for your child’s success at Discovery. If parents or other family members need accommodations to participate and attend any school function at Discovery, please contact the school office two to three business days prior to the event. Every effort will be made to meet your needs.
PARENTAL/FAMILY COMMUNICATION
Communicating with parents and families is always our goal at Discovery Middle School.
You may subscribe to Discovery’ Newsletter and Daily Announcements on our website by going to “Content E-Alerts” on Discovery’s website. Parents/guardians can sign up to receive alerts about new Daily Announcements, Newsletters, etc., for each school your students attend. E-Alerts are sent to users who have subscribed to a homepage or website section of interest. You will receive an email notification that content has been modified.
You may also want to add our school calendar to your personal calendar. This will help you stay informed about all the activities that are happening at Discovery.
Our school supply list, our student handbook, a link to PowerSchool, PTA information, and several other useful links are also available on our website.
BACKPACKS
Lockers will not be accessible to students for storage. Students are encouraged to bring zippered binders with their items in it, or a backpack if necessary. These items will be carried with them from class to class.
This is subject to change dependent on the FPS SmartRestart Instructional Level that our school is in.
YEARBOOKS
Yearbook orders will be taken online .The cost is $20.00. To ensure that your child will receive a yearbook at the end of the year, it must be ordered and paid for in advance. The deadline for ordering a yearbook is Friday, February 5, 2021.
WHO'S WHO? AT DISCOVERY
Principals “loop” with their classes. Students will have the same principal every year that they attend Discovery. Counselors will have the same students each year based on the first letter of their last name.
Administration
Grade 6 – Mrs. Amy Herrick, Principal
Grade 7 - Mr. Dan Shultis, Assistant Principal
Grade 8 - Mrs. Amanda Quintus, Assistant Principal
Counselors
A-D - Mr. Sean Napton
E-J - Mrs. Taylor Ferderer
K-Q - Mrs. Katie Harmelink
R-Z - Mr. Joe Snowden
Student Support Personnel
Mrs. Sue Winkelman, Admin. Assist.
Mrs. Lesley Meyer
Mrs. Shari Runde
Mrs. Janna Callahan, Student Services/Registrar
Mrs. Kari Prekel, Attendance
School Resource Officer
Officer Nick Kjonaas
School Nurse
Ms. Amanda Matzke
UPDATED PHYSICAL INFORMATION
The NDHSAA Board has recently decided that for the coming school year any physical exams completed for the 2019-2020 school year will be accepted during the 2020-2021 school year upon submission of a parent and athlete signed waiver (Form B). In other words, if you had a physical on file for the 2019-2020 school year, that will be acceptable for the 2020-2021 school year as long as we have Form B on file.
The link below is to the PDF of this form and attached is a Word version. (See Below)
https://ndhsaa.com/uploads/files/NDHSAA-Preparticipation-Form-B.pdf
You will only need to fill out and hand in the form once for the year.
Completed forms can be sent directly to Lesley Meyer at Discovery Middle school. The form can be completed and returned right away if you choose to do so, or prior to the start of your student’s activity season. This can be done by email (send to meyerl@fargo.k12.nd.us), by regular mail to Discovery Middle School, or by dropping it off at the building if/when restrictions on doing so are lifted.
FPS ACTIVITY ADMISSION 2020-21
Support our high school teams! Listed below are the activity admission prices for tickets and passes for the 2020-21 school year. Discovery students may purchase a Student Yearly Pass for $30 on SchoolPay or from the Main Office during the school year. All other tickets may be purchased at the high schools. There is no charge for admission to Middle School events.
LIZ'S CLOSET
A Discreet, Free Resource for Discovery Students in Need
What: Discovery strives as a team to meet the needs of all students as part of our mission to build a foundation for success. Liz’s Closet, a free resource at Discovery, aligns with this mission by providing students in need with items such as clothing, hygiene products, non-perishable food items, etc.
At Discovery, we hope to provide developmentally appropriate support to students in need by offering a means to obtain basic food and hygiene products in a discreet manner.
Where: Liz’s Closet is in Student Services. The shelves being used as Liz’s Closet are accessible through a trusted adult in the building (teachers, counselors, administrators, paraprofessionals, designated staff).
Who: Any student in need of these items is welcome to take what he/she needs with the help of a trusted adult. This includes but is not limited to students who receive free/reduced lunch, students whose families have experienced a loss of their home or serious illness, students who are new to the U.S., etc.
How: There are 3 ways students can access Liz’s Closet. 1) Students are welcome to directly ask a trusted adult at Discovery to use Liz’s Closet who will then bring them to Student Services or notify Student Services that the student will be coming 2) To maintain privacy as best as possible, a student can simply draw a star on a sheet of paper and bring it to a trusted adult. The adult will then instruct the student as to when he/she can go to Student Services to collect what is needed. If this adult does not have a time that works for him/her, the adult will notify the appropriate counselor or staff member to be expecting this student sometime within the school day. Once in Student Services, the student will be escorted to the closet and can take what is needed. 3) A parent can call to notify Student Services, and the student will be asked to stop by during a time that works for him/her to collect items.
If you know of anyone who may want to utilize this resource, please do not hesitate to contact a teacher, counselor, staff member, or administrator. For questions, please contact the Student Services office at 701-446-3311.
Dispute Resolution Policy
Dispute Resolution Policy - Fargo Public Schools AP 5052/6052
Federal regulations require that each district adopt procedures for receiving and resolving disputes pertaining to Title programs.
If a parent, school personnel or any interested person wishes to file a complaint, the following process must be followed:
The written complaint must be sent via mail or e-mail to:
(Manager of Specific Title program)
Fargo Public Schools
415 North 4th Street
Fargo, ND 58102
Fargo Public Schools Title Managers
Title I Part A (Disadvantaged Students) Jan Anderson anderja@fargo.k12.nd.us
Title II Part A (Teacher Training/Recruitment) Robert Grosz groszr@fargo.k12.nd.us
Missy Eidsness eidsnem@fargo.k12.nd.us
Title III (English Language Acquisition) David Burkman burkmad@fargo.k12.nd.us
Title IX (Discrimination/Sexual Harassment) Brad Franklin franklb@fargo.k12.nd.us
Patty Cummings cumminp1@fargo.k12.nd.us
Section 504 (Students with Disabilities) David Burkman burkmad@fargo.k12.nd.us
Any complaint must include:
• The date;
• The name of the district, unit, or individual the complaint is against;
• The name, address, and telephone number of the person making the complaint;
• A detailed description of the complaint, including specific facts; and
• The signature of the person making the complaint.
When a complaint is filed, the appropriate Fargo Public Schools Title Manager will investigate and issue a written response within sixty (60) calendar days from the date the complaint is received.
Reconsideration
Once a response is received from Fargo Public Schools staff, the person making the complaint has the right to have their complaint reconsidered. The complainant may submit a reconsideration request in writing to the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction and the U.S. Department of Education.
State Superintendent
North Dakota Department of Public Instruction
600 E. Boulevard Avenue, Dept 201
Bismarck, ND 58404-0440
The Secretary of Education
U.S. Department of Education
555 New Jersey Avenue NW
Washington, D.C. 20208
7/2016
Revised 7/2017, 7/2018
FARGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS AFFIRMS THE FAMILY EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS TO PRIVACY ACT
Privacy Rights:
The Fargo Public School District extends official notification of their commitment to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) which afford parents and students over 18 years of age (“eligible student”) certain rights with respect to the student’s education records.
- The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days of the day the District receives a request for access. Parents or eligible student should submit to the school principal (or appropriate school official) a written request that identifies the record(s) they wish to inspect. The principal will make arrangements for access and notify the parent or eligible student of the time and place where the records may be inspected.
- The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the parent or eligible student believes are inaccurate or misleading. Parents or eligible students may ask the school district to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate or misleading. They should write the school principal, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading. If the District decides not to amend the record as requested by the parent or eligible student, the district will notify the parent or eligible student of the decision and advise them of their right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the parent or student when notified of the right to a hearing.
- The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. One exception which permits disclosure without consent is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the District as an administrator, supervisor, instructor, or support staff member (including health or medical staff, persons who sit on the Emergency Threat Response Team, and law enforcement unit personnel); a person serving on the School Board; a person or company with whom the District has contracted to perform a special task such as an attorney, auditor, medical consultant, or therapist); or a parent or student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks including serving on the Emergency Threat Response Team. A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility. (The District may also disclose “directory” information such as a student’s name, address, telephone number, date of birth, honors and awards. If the parent does not want directory information released, they must contact the school where the student attends within two weeks.)
- The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the district to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the office that administers FERPA is:
Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education,
400 Maryland Avenue S.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20202-4605
RIGHTS OF NONCUSTODIAL PARENTS
Rights of Non-Custodial Parents - Fargo Public Schools AP 6410
When parents of a student are separated, involved in divorce proceedings or are divorced, the building principal will respect the rights of custodial and noncustodial parents equally except when a court order exists concerning special restrictions. “Special restrictions” means such things as temporary restraining orders preventing or restricting custody, court orders concerning supervised custody and similar orders. It is the responsibility of the parent to provide the school principal with a copy of such a court order concerning special restrictions about students or student information.
Parent rights include access to student records and school mailings, attendance at parent/ teacher conferences and Individual Educational Program (IEP) meetings, and authority to request that a student is released early or are absent from school for a legitimate reason.
It is the responsibility of the noncustodial parent to inform the school office of his/her name, address and phone number if they wish to be consulted regarding their child or wish to be placed on the school’s mailing list.
Adopted 3/27/90
Reviewed 1/15/2003,1/2013
Revised 10/2013
Discovery Middle School
Amanda Quintus, Assistant Principal
Dan Shultis, Assistant Principal
Website: www.fargo.k12.nd.us/discovery
Location: 1717 40th Avenue South, Fargo, ND, USA
Phone: 701-446-3300