Discovery Weekly Newsletter
Week of December 2, 2019
Principal's Corner
Dear Trailblazers,
Where has the time gone? It seems like just last week we were hosting Open House and watching the children come back from summer break. I hope that over Thanksgiving break you spent your days with friends and family! We are so fortunate to be living in Northern Virginia where there is so much to be thankful such as our great school, wonderful students, and a devoted community! Discovery is truly a special place!
Prior to Thanksgiving Break, we celebrated American Education Week between 11/11 – 11/15. Discovery was alive with parents and family members coming in to enjoy the grade level activities. Thank you to all that participated. It was such an amazing week.
The holiday season is now upon us and if you are looking for a New Year’s resolution I have a great idea. How about setting goals to make 2020 the best year at Discovery for your child.
Here are some simple ideas to help your child be more successful in school.
1. Find out how your child is doing. Ask your child’s teacher how well your child is doing in class. If your child is not keeping up, especially when it comes to reading, ask what you or the school can do to help.
2. Make sure that your child gets homework done. Let your child know that you think education is important and that homework needs to be done each day. You can help your child with homework by setting aside a special place to study, establishing a regular time for homework, and removing distractions such as the television and social phone calls during homework time.
3. Learn what we offer to you and our students. Read the information we send home, and ask to receive information in your native language, if necessary or to have items discussed with a translator. You can also talk to other parents to find out what programs the school offers.
4. Demonstrate a positive attitude about Discovery to your child. What we say and do in our daily lives can help them to develop positive attitudes toward school and to build confidence in themselves as learners. Showing our children that we both value education and use it in our daily lives provides them with powerful models and contributes greatly to their success in school.
5. Be on time to school. Students who are on time for their daily instruction, prepare themselves for the day and they don’t feel like they have to play catchup. Help your child have a great start to the day by having them at school on time.
6. Encourage your child to read. Helping your child become a reader is the single most important thing that you can do to help your child succeed in school and in life. The importance of reading simply can't be overstated. Reading helps children in all school subjects. More importantly, it is the key to lifelong learning.
7. Let us know your concerns. Is your child doing well in school? Is he or she having trouble learning, behaving, or studying? Is there a problem with another student, teacher, or administrator?
Please don’t hesitate to let us know how we can assist.
Humbly your principal,
Christopher Painter
This Week's Happenings
Friday, December 6
Saturday, December 7
PTO Update
We hope everyone enjoyed the long holiday weekend with friends and family! Can you believe December is already here? This week we will be gearing up for our Holiday Shoppe Saturday December 7, from 9:00 am -12:00 pm. We will be setting up on Friday night before. If you are able to help on Friday or Saturday we would much appreciate it. You can sign up here through our Sign Up Genius.
Speaking of Holiday Shoppe have you heard we will be offering professional photos with Santa? Pride and Joy Photography will be taking these priceless pics, sponsored by Ashburn Orthodontics. Space is limited so please make sure and register. Come in Pj’s, ugly sweaters or your holiday best. Families, kids, or a group of your besties! You will leave with a digital photo that day. Beat the lines at the mall and come support Discovery! The cost is $20 and you can sign up here.
We have a fun and different Spirit Night planned on December 17, from 4:00 - 8:00 pm at Board and Brush. You and some friends can come out and paint a handmade sign for the holidays or everyday. This makes for a fun ladies night out or fun friends holiday get together. It’s right next to Discovery. You may sign up here and check out the options.
Let’s have a great start to our last month in 2019!
Erin Sullivan & Kristin Stephens
PTO Presidents
discoverydonationsandevents@gmail.com
Stay Connected:
Instagram @discoveryPTO
FB @discovery.pto.trailblazers
Twitter @discoverypto1
Join us this Weekend at the Holiday Shoppe
We're still in need of some parent volunteers; please sign up for Friday night set up or Saturday event help through the following sign up genius.
NEW this year.. photos with Santa! Registration and payment in advance is required on-line.
See the flyer below for more details on the whole event. It's sure to be a fun morning and one your children will love being a part of! We hope to see you there.
Photos with Santa at the Holiday Shoppe
We are so excited to have Pride and Joy Photography team up with Ashburn Orthodontics to bring you Photos with Santa this year during our Holiday Shoppe event on December 7. You will receive one digital photo of your session. Pride and Joy will also be offering print packages and gift options, which are shown in the picture below.
To reserve your spot on the schedule, please visit our Discovery Elementary PTO website. You must pay for your session when you sign up for your spot by clicking “Add” under Photo Session Payment (See image below). If you’re having trouble, please email Connie Martin. If photos are not paid for when you sign up, your session will be cancelled.
We are also very excited to have a photographer who offers sensory friendly photo sessions! If you would like one of these sensory friendly sessions (we are offering them between 12:00-12:30 pm), please email Connie.
Holiday Gift Baskets for Sale
Looking for a gift to give this holiday season while also giving back to our school? Choose from 12 different professionally curated gift baskets. Shop conveniently online or from the comfort of your home. And even better - the gift basket is delivered directly to their home in 2-4 days!
Gift baskets will be on sale from December 2- December 31! Simply go to Sprout Supplies and enter school code DES005.
Questions? Contact Sprout at help@sproutsupplies.com or 571-403-0899. A portion of every purchase comes back to our PTO!
Last Call - Toy Donation through Friday
Discovery is hosting a toy donation drive to benefit families in Loudoun County. All donations will be distributed to families through Toys For Tots & local Holiday Assistance programs. We will be collecting new, unwrapped toys to donate between now and Friday, December 6. The collection box will be located outside of the office. For more details click on the flyer below.
Amazon Smiles donates back to Discovery
Get your Holiday Cards at a Discount
With the holidays around the corner and as you begin to think about family holiday cards, consider ordering through Minted. They have an amazing selection AND Discovery Elementary is eligible for a discount AND we get a donation at the same time! Win Win. Please use the code: FUNDRAISEDISCOVERYPTO when ordering.
Spirit Nights
December 4-9
Shop anytime between 12/4-9 and mention Discovery Elementary. 10% will be donated back of whatever is purchased.
Tuesday, December 17
WATCH Dogs Needs You!
Got Box Tops?
Have you downloaded the Box Tops app yet? Box Tops has gone digital and it makes the process even easier! Download the new mobile app so that you can keep earning at at Discovery. The app will scan your store receipt, automatically find participating products, and instantly add Box Tops to your school's earnings online. No clipping required!
Still want to send in the actual Box Tops? No problem. Physical Box Top clips are beginning to be phased out of production, but may continue to be found on many products throughout the store. Feel free to send in your clipped Box Tops, along with any unexpired clips you may have at home, and we will continue to get credit.
To download the app and learn more visit the Box Tops website.
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!
REMINDERS - 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
December
- 4-9 - Spirit Week at Five Below
- 7 - Holiday Shoppe; 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
- 17 - Spirit Night; Board and Brush (Sign Up Here)
- 12/23 - 1/3 - Winter Break
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