The Explorer
March 2024
PRINCIPAL POST
This is the time of year when school-aged kids start getting a little antsy. The weather is starting to warm up, there is more sunlight each day, and school work is just not appealing.
Here are some things you can do to keep your child centered and focused:
- Allow free time and time for school work. Every day allow your child to have time to unwind - whether it is after school or after homework.
- Stick with your routine. As the days get longer, it may be harder for your child to fall asleep at their regular bedtime. Try to keep the same bedtime routine that your family has had all school year. Make sure that homework and studying are done at the same time every day. These routines remind our children that school is still in session and it’s not summertime quite yet.
- Stay engaged in your child’s education. This is a reminder that it’s not summertime for parents/guardians yet either. Stay connected with teachers to make sure your student is completing homework and doing their best.
- Get outside! If the weather allows, take advantage of it. Go for a walk! It’s a great way to get some fresh air and rejuvenate after a long day of being in indoors at school.
March in South Dakota brings varied weather. One day your student will need a winter coat and then next day a sweatshirt. Please monitor the weather/temperature for the entire day. Dressing in layers is still encouraged.
The best part about this time of year, though, is that any snow melts quickly; the days are longer and lighter; and Spring is in the air!
Mr. Dan Fischer, Principal
IMPORTANT DATES
- Mar. 7: Kindergarten Open House/Registration from 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm.
- Mar. 7: Learning Adventures Preschool Open House from 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm.
- Mar. 10: Spring ahead! Turn your clocks ahead one hour for Daylight Saving Time.
- Mar. 15: No school for compensatory day.
- Mar. 19: PTO meeting at 6:00 pm in the Discovery library.
- Mar. 20: End of Quarter 3.
- Mar. 21: 2nd Grade Music Concert at 7:00 pm.
- Mar. 23: 4th grade sings National Anthem at Sioux Falls Skyforce game.
- Mar. 29 - Apr. 1: No school for Spring Break.
DROPPING OFF ITEMS
If you are dropping something off for your student, please put it on the counter and label it with an available post-it note (student's name and teacher/classroom).
EVERYBODY READS KICK-OFF
March 1 was our “Everybody Reads” official kick-off! This year's theme is “Rain or Shine: Everybody Reads.” This district/community wide initiative is a collaboration between the public and school libraries where they keep track of every book read for three weeks.
Students will fill out a raindrop with their name when they finish a book at school, at home, with a parent, with a book buddy, etc. Stay tuned to see our hallway fill with raindrops and rainbows!
FULL DAY ABSENCES
Partial day absences can no longer be submitted through your Parent Portal; however, you can submit a full day absence.
READ ACROSS AMERICA
Read Across America is Monday, March 4, through Friday, March 8. Classrooms will be doing various, related activities all week. To celebrate, we are having a dress-up day on Wednesday, March 6. Let's see your best wacky outfits!
2024-25 KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION
Children who are five years old on or before September 1, 2024, can register for kindergarten for the 2024-25 school year. Below is step-by-step on how to register!
STEP 1: Please go to https://www.cognitoforms.com/discoveryelementary/_202425kindergarteninputform and enter your child’s information.
STEP 2: Below are the required documents that we must have before your child can start school. You can email the address verification and immunizations to DiscoveryRegistration.Sfsd@k12.sd.us or fax them to 605-362-3535.
- Address Verification: Must be in your (parent/guardian) name, and it must be current. Acceptable documents are: utility bill; rental property lease/contract or payment receipts; property tax payment or receipts; state/Government agency mail; mortgage document; or homeowner’s insurance policy
- Birth Certificate - We have to see the original and then we will make a copy of it.
- Immunizations
STEP 3: Complete the SFSD's official online registration at https://www.sf.k12.sd.us/page/school-registration. There are two options when registering your child. Please make sure you use the correct registration option.
STEP 4: Please plan on bringing your incoming kindergartner to our Kindergarten Open House on Thursday, March 7, from 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm. More information below!
Kindergarten Open House is on Thursday, March 7, from 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm. This event is done in an open house style so you can come and go as you please. You and your child will:
- Learn about school breakfast and lunch.
- Receive information on afterschool options (daycares, school bus, CLC afterschool program).
- Say cheese! Get your picture taken to take home.
- Meet the Principal, Dean of Students, Kindergarten teachers and office staff.
- Visit a kindergarten classroom.
- Get the kindergarten supply list, along with a gift.
- Meet members of our PTO (Parent Teacher Organization).
If you haven’t already done so, please bring the following required documents with:
- Address Verification: The SFSD requires verification of your address. The address verification must be in your (parent/guardian) name, and it must be current (last 30 days). We can only accept one of the following documents: utility bill, lease agreement, property tax payments or receipts, state or government agency mail, mortgage document, or homeowner's insurance policy.
- Birth Certificate: We are required to see the original birth certificate - we cannot accept a copy from you.
- Immunizations.
UPCOMING STATE ASSESSMENTS
During March and April, students in grades 3, 4, and 5 will take the state assessment in English Language Arts and Mathematics. Students in grade 5 will take the state assessment in Science. The purpose of this letter is to help your understanding of the assessment, as well as providing a few ideas for improving your child’s preparedness.
The assessments measure student achievement of our state’s standards in the areas of English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science. In addition, score reports will provide information on student performance in the following areas:
- English: Reading, writing, listening, and research.
- Math: Concepts and procedures; problem-solving and modeling/data analysis; and communicating reasoning.
- Science: Physical science, life science, earth and space science.
The assessments are given through an online computer application and are unique in the way they adapt to a student’s question responses. This is important as it provides questions that are appropriate for your child’s level of learning. As a result, each student has the same opportunity to succeed and maintain a positive attitude towards testing. These assessments are not timed; however, we provide the following times as estimates of assessment duration: English – 3.5 hours, Math – 3 hours, and Science – 1.5 hours.
Student grades will not be impacted by their performance on this assessment; however, the assessment does serve as a way for the school to analyze how well we are helping students meet the standards. Shortly after the testing period is complete, you will receive a report showing your child’s scores.
There is no need to study in preparation for the assessments. We do, however, ask that students try their best and get plenty of rest the night before testing. It is important for students to come to school on test days. Assessments are required, therefore making up a missed assessment leads to less instructional time and a loss of important learning opportunities.
This testing is very important for your child, Discovery Elementary, and the Sioux Falls School District. Thank you for supporting your child and our school during this assessment period. Please contact us if you have any questions. We know that Discovery students will help us to understand the great strides our students have taken in meeting our school and state standards in learning!
Mrs. Jacee Johnson
Email: Jacee.Johnson@k12.sd.us
Mrs. Karmyn Marchand
FEELING DETECTIVES
Kindergarten students recently practiced empathy by being "Feeling Detectives" and looking for body clues on their peers. The more we practice, the better we get!
FEELINGS AND BODY CLUES
Labeling feelings and body clues is an important skill to develop! Practice by playing this matching game and helping your student recognize what outward body clues go with each feeling. Discuss what inward body clues they may have when they are feeling this way, too!
OTHER IMPORTANT LINKS
CONTACT US
Email: Daniel.Fischer@k12.sd.us
Dean of Students: Mrs. Kristina Becker
Email: Kristina.Becker@k12.sd.us
Location: 1506 South Discovery Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD, USA
Phone: 605-362-3530 Fax: 605-362-3535