Discovery Middle School
Newsletter - December 2019
Building a Foundation for Success!
Mr. Vincent Williams
Grade 7
Mrs. Amy Herrick
Grade 8
Mr. Dan Shultis
Grade 6
During my first meeting with staff this year I addressed the need for Discovery to become a true Professional Learning Community (PLC). A true PLC consists of educators working collaboratively in recurring cycles of collective inquiry and action research to achieve better results for the students they serve. We currently have over 1,100 students enrolled in our building. A true PLC requires all staff members to be responsible for each students’ academic and behavioral achievement. To accomplish this task, we are guided by three big ideas: (1) Focus on learning, (2) Collaboration, and (3) Results Oriented.
1. A Focus on Learning – Our mission statement at the building level is “Building a foundation for success.” The foundation we are striving to build is one that will equip students with the knowledge and skills needed for success at the high school. Our mission requires us to strive to get all students to perform at or above grade level. When students struggle, academically or behaviorally, we look for researched based interventions through our Multi-Tiered Supports System to help them to be successful.
2. Collaboration – No one teacher at Discovery can accomplish this alone. Every week, teachers meet with their course-alike colleagues to discuss students’ levels of proficiency towards their course Essential Learning Outcomes.
3. Results Oriented – During the weekly meetings, teachers analyze student work to determine their level of proficiency. Based on that data, teachers engage in discussions to determine appropriate interventions for students who are not proficient toward the Learning Outcome in conjunction with discussing ways to provide enrichment for the students who have mastered the Learning Outcome.
As we gear up for the second half of the school year, please know that Discovery Middle School is committed to the belief that all students can learn! In order to accomplish this, we will continue to operate as a Professional Learning Community.
Happy Holidays,
Principal Williams
Upcoming Events
December 23-January 1 - Winter Vacation - No School
January 2 - Classes Resume
January 2 - 7th & 8th Boys Basketball begins
January 9 - End of Quarter 2
January 10 - No School - Teacher Professional Development
January 20 - No School - Vacation Day
State of the Schools Address & Public Focus Group
The Fargo Public Schools will hold the 2019-20 State of the Schools Address & Public Focus Group on Tuesday, January 7, 2020 from 6:00 to 8:15 p.m. at South High School, 1840 South 15th Avenue, Fargo. Parents, staff and community members are invited to participate and are encouraged to pre-register by 4:00 p.m. on December 18, 2020 by calling 701.446.1005 or signing up online at www.fargo.k12.nd.us/focusgroup. Attendees will receive reading materials electronically in advance of the event. For more information, visit www.fargo.k12.nd.us/focusgroup.
2019 Fargo Public Schools “Student Life Success Survey”
(formerly the “Student Social Capital Survey”)
Grades 6-12
Our school is taking part in the 2019 “Student Life Success Survey” that is sponsored by the LevelUp Fargo Community Coalition and has been approved by the Fargo Public School District. Some general information about the LevelUp Fargo Community Coalition is provided below.
- Our Mission: To increase the connections in our community that empower all youth to thrive.
- Our Vision: Enhance community collaboration so youth will succeed. We will share research and resources that elevate opportunities for youth to develop stronger relationships. Our efforts will reduce youth substance use by developing positive, healthy and meaningful connections.
- Our Values: Effective Leadership • Community Collaboration • Results Driven Decision Making • Continuous Community Improvement
Research has shown that students who have more “social capital” (positive, mutually-beneficial connections with other youth, adults, and social networks) tend to be more successful in school and in life. This survey will ask about connections and relationships students have with their family members, people at school, people in the community, and their friends/peers; as well as other factors that contribute to student personal and academic success. This survey was first completed in 2017 (formerly the “Student Social Capital Survey”) and the results will help establish trends over time and enable organizations in the community to develop policies and programs that will enhance the future success of all students – especially those who may currently be lacking the “social capital” they need to succeed!
Fargo Public Schools students in grades 6-12 will be asked to fill out a questionnaire that takes about 25 minutes for middle school students to complete. Doing this online survey will cause no risk to your child. The survey has been designed to protect your child’s privacy. Your child will not type their name into the survey. Their participation in the survey is anonymous and the answers they give will be kept completely private. In other words, nobody will know whether or not your child participated in this survey and nobody will know which survey your child completed. The questions that ask about your child or their background will be used only to describe the types of students completing this survey. The information will not be used to try to find out their name. Whether or not your child completes the survey will not affect their grades.
We would like all selected students to take part in the survey, but the survey is voluntary. No action will be taken against the school, you, or your child, if your child does not take part. Students can skip any question they do not wish to answer. In addition, students may stop participating in the survey at any point without penalty.
The survey will be available in the front office for you to preview if you desire. The survey will be administered for the 6th grade on December 3, 7th grade on December 4, and 8th grade on December 5. If you decide you do not want your child to take part in the survey, please contact the school office and we will have you sign the appropriate form.
Reporting an Absence - Reminder
INCLEMENT WEATHER SCHOOL CANCELLATION
Prior to the Start of the School Day
In case of inclement weather during the winter months, the Fargo Public Schools will communicate information to parents and guardians regarding any school cancellations or late starts through Connect-ED, an automated telephone message system. Also announcements of school delays and/or cancellations and busing schedule changes are given to all the local radio and television stations prior to 7:00 AM for public broadcast.
During the School Day
If inclement weather should occur during the school day, announcements of school cancellation and busing schedule changes will once again be issued to parent and guardians through Connect-ED, the automated telephone message, as well be given to all the local media. Parents/guardians should listen for these periodic announcements on radio and television stations on bad weather days, and be prepared or make arrangements to pick up their students at the school or bus drop-off points at the announced times.
Two Hour Late Start
In the event of a late start, the buses will operate two hours late. Students will arrive between 10:00 and 10:15. They should proceed to their Period 3 class, and then follow their normal schedule.
8th Grade Registration for High School Meetings
We are going to have an individual meeting with all 8th grade students and their parents to discuss transitioning to high school and to register for 9th grade classes. Please register for a meeting time that will work for you and your student. To register, please see the attached flyer for more information.
DISCOVERY ART CLUB
You can still join Art Club! 8th, 7th, and 6th grade students can join at any time throughout the year! Many members may miss a meeting for sports or other activities, and that is okay. We still want you to join us when you can. We meet on Thursdays from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in room 137. 7th/8th grade and 6th grade will alternate having Art Club every other Thursday to accommodate everyone. If you would like more information or a meeting schedule, please see Mrs. Lykken in room 137.
Scholastic Book Fair
Visit the Scholastic Book Fair Tuesday, December 3 through Friday, December 6 from 8:00 – 3:45, in the Discovery Library. There will be a great selection of books, posters, writing utensils, and other fun items available for purchase. All that are interested can buy books online starting November 27 using the following link: https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/discoverymiddleschool3.
Online purchases will be mailed to home address. All book profits go to buying books, makerspace materials, STEAM equipment, etc. for our school library! Thank you for your support.
Media Safety: Advice for Parents
Check out this Common Sense Media link for tween parents: Parenting, Media, and Everything in Between. Now featuring these articles (links):
Earbuds
Please ensure your student has earbuds or headphones in school, as many audio options are available and utilized for learning.
Learning Lab and Makerspace
The Learning Lab and Makerspace have been very busy. Students have made Green Screen videos describing the importance of studying a language, captured bug eating as an experience after reading Touching Spirit Bear, and made video book trailers to fulfill reading challenges for Book Bingo. In addition, classes have experienced VR tours about careers and national parks. Before school students have access to Cue Robots, MakeBot Robot Cars, littleBits, fall pumpkin creation, making PLD case tags, Meals on Wheels lunch bag decorating, and much more!
Mr. McLagan’s social studies students explored the Grand Canyon through virtual reality Google Expeditions.
LIZ'S CLOSET
“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, school supplies, hygiene products, non-perishable food items, etc.
At Discovery, we hope to provide support to students in need by offering a means to obtain basic food, clothing, school supplies, and hygiene products in a discreet manner. Liz’s Closet is located in Student Services and is accessible through a trusted adult in the building (teachers, counselors, administrators, paraprofessionals, designated staff). Students may simply ask a teacher, counselor, administrator, or any staff member to visit Liz’s Closet or draw a star on a piece of paper and show it to a staff member to signal that he/she would like to visit Liz’s Closet.
So far this school year, Liz’s Closet has been accessed over 175 times by students! This is a large increase from last year when at the end of the year we had just over 150 visits total. Our most popularly used items include trapper keepers, black leggings, granola bars, water bottles, folders, and Phy Ed uniforms.
If you know of anyone who may need to utilize this resource, please do not hesitate to contact a Discovery staff member, counselor, or administrator. Additionally, if you would like to donate to Liz’s Closet, please contact the Student Services office at 701-446-3311.
PTA POPS IN AT DISCOVERY
PTA families will be popping into Discovery the first Friday of each month to pop popcorn and provide a pop for our teachers, support staff, and administration. This initiative is to show our on-going support and appreciation for all our teachers, support staff, and administration do for our students. Thank you to all the families that have signed up so far. If you are not a PTA member, but would like to help out, please call the main office and leave a message. If you have not had a chance to sign up, there are still many slots available. Some require 1.5 hours of your time, others just involve donating a 24-pack of pop and having it delivered to the school.
SUPPORT PTA
To all our family and teacher members: THANK YOU FOR YOUR MEMBERSHIP! If you have not joined the Discovery PTA, please thoughtfully consider. Your $15 membership helps support our teachers and students in so many ways. Your level of involvement in the PTA is entirely up to you. Whether it is strictly monetary or if you can help out with desserts or volunteer opportunities like “PTA Pops In”, all support is appreciated. You can join PTA or just make a financial donation to the PTA general fund on SCHOOLPAY. Just click on Non-Profit Groups and find our link at the top of the stream. You can also stop by the main office at school and they can help you out.
There is no meeting scheduled for December. Our January meeting is currently scheduled for 1/31/20, from 4:30-5:30 in the Discovery Office Conference Room.
SCIENCE OLYMPIAD
Do you like Science? Do you like a challenge? Science Olympiad might be for you! In this competition, a 15 member student team will compete in 23 different events that include building, testing, and lab competitions. If you are interested in learning more about Science Olympiad and the events for this year, use the link provided. Stay tuned for meeting information in December on the morning announcements. https://www.soinc.org/events/2020-division-b-events
CITIZENSHIP TEST IS A REQUIREMENT FOR GRADUATION
The North Dakota state legislature passed HB 1087, requiring all students to demonstrate proficiency in civics as a requirement for high school graduation. The law states:
“a student may take the test, in whole or in part, at any time after enrolling in grade seven and may repeat the test, or any portion thereof, as often as necessary to demonstrate proficiency.”
Every middle school in the district will be offering that test to students in grade eight this year. The information on the civics test is closely related to the material covered in eighth grade social studies. Students who do not demonstrate proficiency (70% or above) will have the opportunity to take the test again at the high school. There is no penalty for taking the test multiple times and there is never a fee to take the test. Discovery students will be taking their civics test soon after they return from winter break. Check the daily planner for each teacher’s specific test date.
The questions for the civics test are taken from the federal government’s Naturalization Test.
If you have questions or would like further information, please feel free to contact one of our 8th grade history teachers.
Hans Anderson (Team 8-2 Atlantis) andersh@fargo.k12.nd.us
Jeremy Nesvold (Team 8-1 Arcadia) nesvolj@fargo.k12.nd.us
Carrie Spellerberg (Team 8-3 Olympus) spellec@fargo.k12.nd.us
FIRSTLINK’S 2019 GIVING TREE OF HOPE CAMPAIGN
The Giving Tree of Hope is a program of FirstLink, and is a community-wide effort to assure that disadvantaged children and adults with special needs in Cass and Clay counties are provided with gifts through community donations. Gift distribution will be on December 17, 2019 at Salem Evangelical Free Church in Moorhead between 12:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Gift recipients MUST bring a photo ID for head of household, and Social Security cards for head of household and each child/special needs adult receiving gifts. For questions, call FirstLink at 701-235-7335.
SNOWBOARD/SKI CLUB
Check out the Discovery Frozen Eagles Snowboard/Ski Club on our new website. (https://sites.google.com/view/discoveryfrozeneagles/home). There you can register for our email list and get in on some winter fun.
Be sure to find us on Facebook and Instagram.
HONOR BAND/CONCORDIA EXCHANGE
The Honor Band will participate in an exchange with the education students from Concordia College on Tuesday, December 3rd. The students will spend the day at Concordia working with Dr. Peter Haberman, director of bands, hearing chamber ensemble performances, and playing with the members of the Concordia College Band.
UPCOMING PRIMO! PERFORMANCES
Primo! will be performing at West Acres JCPenney wing on December 10th at 5:00 PM AND at Courts Plus for the Community Holiday party on December 10th at 6:00 PM. Students will receive reminder information about the details of these performances.
BAND CONCERTS FOR ALL GRADES
The 7th grade bands will present their Winter Concert on December 12th at 5:30 pm.
The 8th grade band will present their Winter Concert on December 12th at 7:15 pm.
The 6th grade Gold Band will present their Winter Concert on December 17th at 5:30 pm.
The 6th grade Cardinal Band will present their Winter Concert on December 17th at 6:30 pm.
- The Honor Band and Jazz Bands will perform at ALL of the above Winter Concerts.
*All students should be at Discovery 20 minutes before their concert time for warm-up.
*All students should be in concert dress. Black pants, skirts, shoes, socks and white shirt, top, sweater.
*More detailed information will be given to the students and emailed through PowerSchool.
8th GRADE MUSIC PERFORMS
On Wednesday, January 22nd, the 8th grade band, orchestra, and choir will perform for the 5th graders from Eagles, Kennedy, Bennett, and Centennial. The concerts will be held in the Discovery Auditorium to help the 5th graders with their music choices in 6th grade at Discovery Middle School. The 8th grade music students will receive more details in their classes, and the information will be available on the Discovery Band Website: https://sites.google.com/a/fargoschools.org/discoverybands/ or from the Discovery School website click Academics – Classroom Sites – Departments/Team Sites – Band Department Site.
DAVIES/DISCOVERY BAND CONCERT
On Monday, January 13th, the Discovery/Davies bands will be having a combined concert/celebration at 7:00 p.m. at Davies High School. Put this date on the calendar and join us to experience the Davies/Discovery Bands performing as ONE GROUP!!! More information will be given to the students at school and the information will be available on the Discovery Band website.
8th GRADE BAND
The 8th grade band will be playing with the Davies Pep Band for the basketball double header on Tuesday, January 28th. Pizza will be provided. More information will be available after the holiday break.
MIDDLE SCHOOL YEARS NEWSLETTER
The Middle School Years newsletter gives practical ideas that promote academic success, effective parenting, healthy habits, positive character traits, and more. Get practical, age-appropriate tips and ideas that today’s busy families can use to:
- Improve school success.
- Boost the home and school partnership.
- Enhance parenting skills.
- Build positive character traits.
- Develop healthy eating and fitness habits.
Please see the December issue of Middle School Years attached below.
DISCOVERY YEARBOOK
It’s not too late to order a Discovery Yearbook! 2019-20 Yearbooks will be available to order through Friday, February 7th. The cost is $25, and you can purchase one online in SchoolPay or by bringing cash, a check made out to “FPS”, or a credit card to the Discovery School Main Office. Yearbooks will be distributed on the last day of classes in the Spring, and there will not be any extras available for purchase at that time, so order now! If you’re not sure if you ordered yet, please check with the Main Office.
FROM NURSE ELLEN
With the cold and flu season upon us, there are everyday steps to prevent the spread of viruses, including:
- When coughing or sneezing, cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or into your elbow. Also, make sure to turn away from others while “catching your cough or sneeze.”
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth as infections are often contracted this way when a person touches something that is contaminated.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing/sneezing or using the bathroom. If soap and water are not available, alcohol-based hand cleansers are also effective. Make sure the hand sanitizer contains at least 60% alcohol.
- Avoid close contact with those who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
- Keep surfaces like tables, bathrooms, and kitchen counters clean by wiping them down with a household disinfectant according to the directions on the product label.
- Seek medical attention if you have any of the following symptoms:
- Fever (higher than 100º)
- Severe chills
- Chest discomfort
- Persistent headache
- Muscle and joint aching
- Dry, harsh cough
Illness Guidelines: When to send your student back to school after having the flu:
- No fever for at least 24 hours (without them having taken a fever-reducing medicine like Tylenol or Motrin)
- No vomiting or diarrhea for 16 hours
**REMINDER: If your student should be prescribed a medication or an over-the-counter medicine to be taken at school, please get a copy of the prescription with the prescriber’s signature and an appropriately labeled bottle. Parents must bring the medication to the nurse’s office.
**Special note to parents: Please have your student dress appropriately for the elements. The winter season has begun and prevention is the best line of defense against getting frostnip and frostbite.
Stay Well ~ Nurse Ellen Sondreal
Discovery Middle School
Amy Herrick, 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