Dolphin Clicks - March 3, 2024
Weekly Communication from Discovery Elementary
Discovery Elementary: Empowering Every Learner through Inclusion, Collaboration and Excellence
This Week at Discovery
Tuesday, March 5
PTO Dollar Bookstore - During lunch recess
Wednesday, March 6
3:30 - 4:30 p.m. - Leadership Club (4th and 5th grades only)
Friday, March 8
2:10 p.m. - Early Release - Learning Improvement Time (LIT)
Sunday, March 10
Daylight Savings Time - Remember to move your clocks forward 1-hour! (Spring Forward)
A Message from our Principal
We are just weeks away from spring and I am looking forward to the warmer weather and longer days that arrive in the spring. The arrival of spring means we are more than half way through this school year, and Friday, March 22nd marks the last day of the 2nd trimester. There are many events throughout the remainder of the year and we hope you will stay connected and join us when you are able to. Working together we will continue to support our students and their success.
Changes are Coming to our Car Pick-Up Procedures
If you pick your student up in a vehicle at the end of the school day, please be advised we will be making changes to our pick-up procedures. Due to ongoing safety concerns and delays in getting students into vehicles, which slows down our process, we are planning to make changes to the current process. In the next couple of weeks, we will be sending more specific information about changes that will be coming to student pick-up procedures.
WIDA Testing
We are nearly finished with all state testing (WIDA) for our English Learners (ELs). WIDA is an English language proficiency assessment given to English Learner students in grades K–12 that provides opportunities for students to demonstrate their English language proficiency in the four language domains: Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing. This assessment helps educators determine the best ways to support students' English language proficiency and development. We are very proud of how hard our students have worked to show what they know. They have persevered!
State SBA Testing
Toward the end of May, Discovery students in grades 3, 4 and 5 will be participating in state-wide testing – Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBA). SBA testing consists of math and English Language Arts (ELA) tests for all students, and an additional test in science for 5th grade students. As our teachers begin preparing students for SBA testing, they will focus on helping students show what they know on the assessment. Additional information, along with a specific testing schedule, will be provided in an upcoming newsletter.
No Dogs at Discovery
We must also remind everyone that dogs are not permitted on campus during school hours, including all outdoor areas. Your cooperation in ensuring the safety of our students and animals is greatly appreciated.
As we move forward with these changes and upcoming events, let's celebrate the hard work and achievements of our students and staff. Your support and involvement are invaluable to our school community. Here's to a fantastic spring season filled with learning, growth, and joyful moments. Thank you for being a part of our Discovery family!
In partnership,
Shannon Koehnen, Proud Principal
Remember to Vote
Tuesday, March 12, Presidential Primary Voting Day is 8 days away. Remember to vote by mail (free postage) or in a ballot drop box by Tuesday, March 12! To view the voters' pamphlet, update your voter information, find a drop box and more, please visit the voter registration and ballot management portal.
A Message from our School Nurse:
Help Reduce Illnesses/Infections
We have seen an increase in upset stomachs and other illnesses at school. To be extra cautious here are some things we are doing to help reduce illnesses/infections:
- Encouraging frequent handwashing or sanitizing.
- Encouraging covering coughs/sneezes. Encouraging coughing students to wear masks in class.
- Wiping down high touch surfaces more frequently.
- Separating well students from ill students and keeping students away from any contaminated surfaces until properly cleaned/sanitized by our custodial team.
When Should You Keep Your Child at Home from School?
See below.
Multicultural Night is NEXT WEEK - March 14, 2024
Please click on the links below to learn about Discovery's Multicultural Night and to get involved!
- Informational .pdf (shareable link: 2024 DI Multicultural Night 3.14.pdf )
- Click the link to see highlights from last year's MCN event:
Help us make Multicultural Night 2024 bigger and better!!! Sign up for a booth or performance to showcase your culture/country
Click here https://forms.office.com/r/CwPyHjP8ch
- Microsoft Form booth sign up https://forms.office.com/r/CwPyHjP8ch
Yearbook Deadline Extended - Deadline This Friday - March 8
We are happy to extend yearbook sales until Friday, March 8th. Please use the link below to order your 2023-2024 yearbook.
Yearbook Link: https://fs27.formsite.com/KIDSphoto/YB24/index
Schoolwide Character Trait for March - Honesty
This month’s focus is Honesty.
One way to think about Honesty is “being truthful in what you say and do.” Practicing Honesty helps strengthen our relationships and reduce stress. Honesty is one of three traits we focus on throughout the year that helps students Be Well. Throughout the school, students will be developing skills like emotion regulation, positive self-talk, and stress-management.
Sharing how we feel with others is a way to advocate for ourselves. This month, students will practice sharing their emotions and expressing what they need. Students will use I-Statements to communicate when faced with a challenging situation.
I-Statement Structure:
I feel ____ when _____ and I would like ______.
Conversation Starters:
- Share with me how being Honest with ourselves can help us to be more confident, calm, or focused.
- What is one strong emotion you had this week?
- How did you react or respond to it?
Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) Information
Please join our PTO group on Facebook:
Discovery Elementary PTO
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1558801251020448
Contact us with questions and feedback at:
pto.discoveryelementary@gmail.com
Next PTO Meeting: Monday, March 18, 2024 - 7:00 p.m.
PTO Meeting - Monday, March 18, 2023 - 7:00 p.m.
Join us via Facebook Live: (private group, please send request first) https://www.facebook.com/groups/discoveryelementarypto/?mibextid=oMANbw
Join us via Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4179711224?pwd=aDRVYnU3dzg3enowNTF6eGh3QklIUT09
Meeting ID: 417 971 1224
Dollar Bookstore - Every Tuesday
Each Tuesday, during lunch recess, students have the opportunity to buy books for one dollar ($1) at our PTO-sponsored Dollar Bookstore. These books are sometimes new, but often gently used, and are ready for new homes. Students love shopping for books and can even earn "free book" certificates from teachers and staff.
Donations of gently used books are always welcome! If your child has outgrown their books, please consider donating them to Dollar Bookstore. Students may purchase 1-2 books each week, so please limit the amount of money they bring to school. No more than $5 dollars, please. This is an optional event and is a great way to get books into the hands of our students.
District Information
Free Meals for all Students
This year all Discovery students continue to be eligible to receive FREE breakfast and lunch. If you send lunch from home, please make sure your child can independently open all items and that you send healthy foods your child will eat.
- Breakfast is served from 8:35-8:50 AM daily.
- Lunch is served by grade level at their designated lunch time.
Upcoming Dates:
MARCH
12: PTO Dollar Bookstore (during lunch recess)
- School Board Meeting (6:00 p.m.) -
- Election Day - Remember to VOTE -
13: Student Leadership Club (4th and 5th)
14: Multicultural Night @ Discovery (6:00- 8:00 p.m.)
15: NO SCHOOL - Teacher Workday
18: PTO Meeting - 7:00 p.m. (on Zoom)
19: PTO Dollar Bookstore (during lunch recess)
20: Student Leadership Club (4th and 5th)
22: Learning Improvement Time (LIT) - 2:10 Dismissal
26: PTO Dollar Bookstore (during lunch recess)
27: Student Leadership Club (4th and 5th)
29: Learning Improvement Time (LIT) - 2:10 Dismissal
Discovery Elementary - Contact Information
Principal: Shannon Koehnen, KoehnenSA@mukilteo.wednet.edu
Assistant Principal: Mary Helen Bever, BeverMX@mukilteo.wednet.edu
Dean of Students: Alysha Yeamans, YeamansAX@mukilteo.wednet.edu
School Counselor: Kristen Ching, ChingKL@mukilteo.wednet.edu
Family Engagement Liaison (FEL): Dulce Estrada, EstradaDX@mukilteo.wednet.edu
Administrative Assistant: Debbie Fischer, FischerDL@mukilteo.wednet.edu
Attendance clerk: Shelley Franz, FranzSK@mukilteo.wednet.eduRegistrar: Sandra Ibarra, IbarraSE@mukilteo.wednet.edu
Website: https://www.mukilteoschools.org/Domain/147
Location: 11700 Meridian Avenue South, Everett, WA, USA
Phone: (425) 366-2700
Fax Number: (425) 2702
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 Becca Anderson (425-356-1277),
andersonra@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.