Discovery Weekly Newsletter
Week of April 1, 2019
Mr. Brown's Beat
Greetings Trailblazer Families!
Congratulations to all as we have made it three-quarters of the way through the school year!
The spring brings us some much-anticipated warmer temperatures, the blooming of the cherry blossoms, March Madness, and the start of baseball season! For our Discovery community, the anticipation of Spring Break and working hard daily to prepare for important end-of-year testing are at the forefront as we look toward April and May.
Our 5th graders are also busy preparing themselves for the big changes that await in Middle School. In fact, in the next two weeks these lucky students will be visiting their zoned Middle Schools for a morning of tours and information. Among the most popular conversations I have had with this group is the excitement for a slightly later start time, the chances to be involved in activities like band, chorus, academic clubs, sports, and having the opportunity to meet new friends and begin new relationships.
I spent many years as a Middle School Assistant Principal, so I have some insight and recommendations for our students. First, learn how to open a combination lock. In many schools, 6th graders are given a hallway locker and a PE/gym locker. Although a teenage rite of passage, the ‘turn to the right/then to the left/go-past the number you just entered/stop right on the line’ routine.... can be stressful and confusing. What adds to the high anxiety is the fact that students have a limited amount of time to get to each of their classes, so every second counts. Having some experience and confidence opening these kinds of locks helps save precious seconds and can make the difference in having a good or bad day.
Second, be prepared for the ringing of bells throughout the day. Bells chime to start and end classes all day long. The expectation that students are punctual throughout the day is enforced with consequences if they become excessive. Students who are accustomed to taking their time have trouble adapting to these expectations.
Also, having close to six or more different teachers per day means differing sets of classroom rules and personalities to grow accustomed to. Students need to pay very close attention and become familiar to what each of these adults expect. There is really no way to prepare for these short of having conversations and ensuring our students are anticipating each and have strategies to help them acclimate.
I always suggest that rising 5th graders also be fully prepared for the first day, with supplies and materials, as well as some extra cash because typically middle schools have more lunch options that our students are not used to. Also, some schools may charge a fee for purchasing a PE/gym uniform, or even for renting one in the event you leave yours at home. You may have the opportunity to get these if your son/daughter’s school has any back-to-school open campus events in the days leading up to school starting.
We will help our 5th graders to reflect on the quality of the years spent at Discovery and ensure that all the lessons learned and positive work habits established are continued and adapted for success in the fall. All too often, we hear that these students have grown ”sick of each other,” or that they “can’t wait” for middle school and the chance to have new classmates to interact with daily. Although right now that may seem the case, trust me when I say that the first time they enter their new cafeteria with much larger peers and nowhere to sit, with unrecognizable adults scattered among them, and new expected routines for everything they need to do, the comfort of some familiar faces will be their only saving grace. I do remind them of this when I get the chance to speak to our 5th graders because it will become their reality in just a few months.
Back here at Discovery, again a big thanks to our PTO for organizing our staff volleyball game last weekend. The attendance and enthusiasm was off-the-charts! Mr. Painter and I had so much fun last week listening to our student’s excitement! All that just to see some old people play a game they are not good at. Since it was so successful we have even explored ways in which we can have more events similar to this in the future.
With that I wish all a great work week and a great rest of the month!
Mr. Brown
Mark Your Calendars
PTO Update
Looking for Summer camps this summer?
We have a few awesome camps and vouchers still available from our summer camp auction. If interested, please email, Carrie McLoughlin. First come, first serve!
- FITWIZE- Camp hours from 9:00am-4:00pm for ages 6-13. VALID WEEK OF JULY 1-5 ONLY PRICE $70 (Valued at $255)
- ACADEMY FOR KIDS- Camp hours from 7:30am-6:00pm for ages 6-12. PRICE $70 ( Valued at $240)
- BEST BRAINS - Camp hours from 8:30am-12:45pm for ages perk-5th grade. PRICE $60 ( Valued at $250)
- CARDINAL FENCING ACADEMY- Camp hours from 9:00am-4:00pm for ages 8-12. PRICE $70 ( Valued at $360)
- C3 CYBER CLUB - One free Saturday class from 9:30-10:30 for ages 6-14. PRICE $10 ( Valued at $30)
- NOTES N BEATS - $50 off coupon for any full or half day camp for ages 4 and up. PRICE $10
- LEESBURG ANIMAL PARK- Admission for 2 into Leesburg Animal Park. PRICE $10 (VALUED AT $29)
Order Your Yearbook by April 12
2019-2020 School Supply Kits Now On Sale
Believe it or not, we are already thinking about next school year! Save yourself time and aggravation by buying your school supplies online. Kits will be delivered to the school in August and waiting for you in the classroom. Order before May 1 and be entered to win a FREE supply kit! Visit this link to order and use our online code: DES005.
Calling all 4th and 5th grade Math Lovers...
Volunteers needed in the Music Classroom
Hey parents! Miss Heck and Miss Zumbach are looking for sharp parent volunteers to help around the classroom. Volunteers would be a huge support during our 3rd Grade Musical in March, along with aiding in the finishing touches needed for class manipulatives to make music more engaging for all students. Let your talents sing in the music room, your help would be instrumental to us!
Lost & Found
Has your child lost a lunch box? Their jacket or water bottle? The Lost and Found area is located right outside of the cafeteria. 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
April
- 1 - Student Holiday; No School
- 11- Spirit Night; Fuddruckers, 4-8pm
- 12- Yearbook Order Deadline
- 15-19 - Spring Break
May
- 3 - Rough & Tumble
- 14- PTO Meeting, 7pm
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: @Discovery_elem