Discovery Middle School
Newsletter - April 2019
Building a Foundation for Success!
Mr. Vince Williams
Grade 6
Mrs. Amy Herrick
Grade 7
Mr. Dan Shultis
Grade 8
Wow! Where has the school year gone? It seems like yesterday we were gearing up to welcome students back for the first day of school. As I reflect on the 2018-2019 school year, two resounding themes stand out in my mind: Change and Community.
Discovery has undergone a remarkable change to its overall structure. The 16-million-dollar renovation of our building has allowed us to better serve students. The expansion of our cafeteria has resulted in a decrease in office referrals during lunch periods. The additional Band and Creative Dramatics spaces have recently been completed, in conjunction with several classroom pods. The project is coming along nicely. Throughout this renovation project, students and staff have been wonderful!
The makeup of our grade levels teams will be changing next year. We will have new teams of teachers for each grade level team. At the beginning of the 2019 – 2020 school year, students will be allowed to provide input as to what the names of their teams should be. This will provide students the opportunity to take ownership of their teams. This will also help to foster a sense of belonging for students, which is important at the middle level.
Although we have undergone many changes as a building, students and staff have not lost their sense of community. I’m reminded of how our building, students, and staff rallied to support one of our teachers who was diagnosed with cancer. I’m reminded of the students who seek out other students sitting alone in the cafeteria and offer to sit with them. I’m reminded of students and staff volunteering to fill sandbags to prepare for the upcoming flood. I could go on forever with the many examples of how students and staff here exhibit a true sense of community here at Discovery.
Discovery is an awesome school with awesome students, staff, and parents. I am beyond blessed and humbled to be a part of such an amazing group of educators who strive to Make a Difference every day for each student.
Principal Williams
Make Up Time Waiver Approved
The North Dakota Governor's Office has approved the Fargo Public Schools' waiver application for school cancellation time. FPS had asked to waive the need to make up one day and four hours school cancellation time from this winter. This means that FPS will not need to make up any additional school cancellation time beyond the two scheduled make up days of April 22 and May 10. FPS will be in session on April 22, 2019 and May 10, 2019. At this time, no further changes to the school calendar will be needed. For the 2018-19 school calendar, click here.
Upcoming Events
April 8: 6th Grade Track Begins
April 11: Big Floody Band/Jazz Band Festival
April 19: No School – Vacation Day
April 22: School will be in session. Make-up day from the January 30th storm. It will be a “C” day
April 25: Mid-Quarter
April 26: School Party -5:30-7:00 6th Grade/7:30-9:00 7th & 8th Grade
April 30:May 3: Scholastic Book Fair
May 10: School will be in session.Make-up day from the February 7th storm.It will be a “C” day
Safe Routes to School Study
In 2019, the Fargo-Moorhead Metropolitan Council of Governments (Metro COG) is working with the City of Fargo to create a Safe Routes to School plan. The goal of Safe Routes to School (SRTS) plans and programs is to increase the number of students walking and biking to school through encouragement and education programs, as well as physical improvements to streets and sidewalks.
The 2019 Fargo SRTS Plan will recommend how to make walking and biking to school easier, safer and more comfortable for students and families. Recommended improvements will be made for all elementary and middle schools within the City of Fargo including Fargo Public Schools, West Fargo Public Schools, and Private Schools.
In the upcoming months, there will be a number of exciting activities involving the school community. Parent and caregiver surveys will be sent home (either electronically or hard copy) to gather valuable insight from families about walking and biking to school. Later in the spring, project staff and other members of the school community will be visiting each school to observe arrival and dismissal and assess walking and biking conditions near schools. There will also be four public open houses held around the City to talk about the project and learn more from the community.
Please contact your school principal if you'd like to be involved. You can learn more at the project website: http://www.fmmetrocog.org/projects-rfps/fargo-safe-routes-school-plan
COG SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL PUBLIC MEETINGS
Metro COG is offering public input meetings to collaborate with the community on the Fargo Safe Routes to School Plan. The intent of these meetings is to share information on existing conditions for walking and biking to school and gather comments from the community. The open houses will give families and community stakeholders an opportunity to provide input on issues and needs related to biking and walking. Everyone is invited to participate in whichever open house they’d prefer. Each meeting will be focused on the schools in that area (see below), but will also have information on the plan as a whole and the approach is consistent across all neighborhood/public input areas. The public meetings will be held at each middle school at the following times:
Location: Carl Ben Eielson Middle School – Lunchroom
Date: Monday, April 29
Time: 6-7:30 p.m.
Discussion and information focused on:
- Carl Ben Eielson Middle School
- Lewis and Clark Elementary
- Clara Barton Elementary
- Agassiz Early Childhood Development and Adult Education
- Lincoln Elementary
- Nativity Elementary
- Grace Lutheran
Location: Ben Franklin Middle School – Lunchroom
Date: Tuesday, April 30
Time: 6-7:30 p.m.
Discussion and information focused on:
- Ben Franklin Middle School
- McKinley Elementary
- Longfellow Elementary
- Washington Elementary
- Roosevelt Elementary
- Jefferson Elementary
- Hawthorne Elementary
- Horace Mann Elementary
- Madison Elementary
- Oak Grove Middle
- Holy Spirit Elementary
Location: Discovery Middle School – Lunchroom
Date: Monday, May 6
Time: 6-7:30 p.m.
Discussion and information focused on:
- Discovery Middle School
- Ed Clapp Elementary
- Eagles Elementary
- Centennial Elementary
- Bennett Elementary
- Kennedy Elementary
- Oak Grove Lutheran Elementary
- Sullivan Middle School
Location: Liberty Middle School – Commons
Date: Wednesday, May 8
Time: 6-7:30 p.m.
Discussion and information focused on:
- Liberty Middle School (pending study involvement)
- Willow Park Elementary
- Freedom Elementary (pending study involvement)
- Independence Elementary
- Osgood Elementary
- Deer Creek Elementary
TRI-COLLEGE MATH COMPETITION
The Tri-College Math Contest was held on March 6th at Minnesota State University Moorhead. This annual competition gives middle school students a chance to showcase their math skills against other "mathletes" from around the region. A total of twenty-six 6th, 7th, and 8th graders from Discovery participated in the contest. One of the teams from Discovery took 1st place! The students on this team included: Daniel Schwartz, Grant Ivesdahl, Eva Heller, Lauren Standifer, Rick Peng, Patrick Shen, Chance Brudvig, and Cady Wang. We also had three students that individually placed in the top ten. They were: Patrick Shen, Rick Peng, and Dylan Pritchard. We are so proud of everyone that participated in this event! Thanks to all of those who helped make this year's contest a success.
LIBRARY NEWS
With students’ increased access to technology, we often find ourselves asking, how much screen time is too much? This is a question that researchers have been asking since the advent of the television. A recent study published in January of 2019 in Nature Human Behavior explores data from both the United States and the United Kingdom. This article concludes that there is no need for dire warnings, but that paying attention to how much we all are on technology is a good idea. Read the article that summarizes the findings in Nature, International Journal for Justice (link).
PLD SURVEY
We are evaluating the Personal Learning Device (PLD) take-home pilot. To assist with the process, a short survey has been created to collect input from parents. Please take a moment to share your feedback with us. The survey is available at this link.
BOGO SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR
The BOGO Scholastic Book Fair will be held in the newly-remodeled Discovery library April 30 - May 3, 8:00 AM – 3:45 PM. For every item purchased, customers will get another item for equal or lesser value FREE! Everyone gets twice as many books, pens, pencils, trinkets, and other miscellaneous treasures! We welcome parents/guardians to the book fair. Please check in at the office if you come during school hours. We are in need of parent volunteers to help during the book fair. Please sign up here through SignUpGenius for one of the many shifts available, or contact Patty Donat at donatp@fargo.k12.nd.us. Thank you!
DISCOVERY SCHOOL PARTY
Friday, April 26th will be our Discovery School Party. A DJ will be providing music and the gyms will be set up with various games and activities. Grade 6 students are invited to attend from 5:30-7:00. Grade 7 and 8 students are invited to attend from 7:30-9:00. The cost is $4.00.
Concessions will be available for purchase. Wristbands will be sold during lunch time on the day of the party, and at the door. If you don’t have a wrist band, you cannot attend.
Discovery school parties are open to students who are currently attending our school. No guests are allowed. Students must go home after school and then return at the time of their scheduled party. Once students are here, they are expected to stay for the entire party. If a student leaves early, they will not be allowed back into the school.
Parents are requested to pick up their children immediately at the end of the party. All rides should be here by 7:00 p.m. for 6th grade, and 9:00 p.m. for 7th & 8th grade.
MUSIC DEPARTMENT NEWS
Discovery will be hosting The Big Floody Band/Jazz Band Festival on Thursday, April 11th. Here is a schedule of the Discovery performances:
8:50 Discovery Honor Band
9:40 Discovery Gold (AD) Band
10:30 Discovery Cardinal (CF) Band
11:20 Discovery 8th grade Band
2:00 Discovery Jazz Band – Salzer
2:30 Discovery Jazz Band – Lucht
You are invited to the Discovery Auditorium to see band students in action. Please enter through the Auditorium Entrance, Door 27.
Discovery Honors Concert featuring the Con Brio Choir, Chamber Orchestra, Honor Band, and Jazz Bands will be on April 25th at 7:30 pm in the Discovery Auditorium.
6th grade PRIMO! has started rehearsal for the May 15th tour. It’s not too late to join! Come on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 – 4:00. Our May 15th tour will consist of performances at area assisted living facilities.
A MESSAGE FROM NURSE ELLEN
Hello Parents of Current 6th graders:
The 6th grade puberty class that usually takes place in the fall didn’t happen due to lack of space. We now have the room available and wanted to inform you that the class will take place on April 17th and 18th during your student’s phy ed period. Nurse Ellen will speak to the females, and Counselor Joe Snowden will conduct the classes for the males. The movie “You, Your Body & Puberty” will be used. If you do not wish for your student to participate, please let Nurse Ellen know.
This may be a good chance for you, as a parent, to talk with your child about puberty and other related topics relevant to maturational changes that your student may be experiencing. Talking about values is also important and may be a good time of discussion for you and your student.
It would be wonderful if you could get your student caught up with immunizations over the summer. Reminder: Every child entering grade 7 is required to receive a Tetanus/Diptheria/Pertussis (Tdap) vaccine booster and Meningococcal vaccine. All students have thirty days from the start of the 2019-20 school year to be compliant. If not compliant, they could be excluded from school. To receive optimum disease coverage and ensure school requirements are met prior to entering grade 7, it is recommended that your child receive these two vaccinations once they turn 11 years of age. Please bring a copy of the updated immunization record to the school.
If you have any questions, please contact Nurse Ellen at 701-446-3319 or email djhnurse@fargo.k12.nd.us.
SCIENCE OLYMPIAD
Congratulations to the following students who worked very hard and placed at the regional Science Olympiad competition:
First place winners:
Neesa Phadke and Melody Jiang in Anatomy and Physiology and Disease Detectives
Lucas Selzler and Chance Brudvig in Crime Busters
Amro Heshmat and Rick Peng in Battery Buggy
Second place winners:
Billy Marohl-Steffan and Emily Tiedman in Solar Systems
Emmi Dorfmeister and Cady Wang in Game On
Xavier Honer and Kale Hoaas in Herpetology
Steya Tian and Sarah Cai in Mystery Architecture and Heredity
Lucas Selzler and Jackson Berney in Elastic Glider
Third place winners:
Emmi Dorfmeister and Cady Wang in Circuit Lab
Xavier Honer and Kale Hoaas in Meterology
Patrick Shen in Thermodynamics and Density Lab
Discovery took 3rd place over all at the regional competition in Valley City.
A New Kind of Fitness
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