DU January Newsletter
January 2019 * Explore Excellence*
QUICK RECAP
January Motivational Monday: Be Proactive
Winter Wonderland Musical
Spirit Week for Bully Prevention Month
Important Dates
January 23rd & 24th: School Choice Week
January 25th: EXPLORE Kindergarten (Enroll for next year) 2pm-4pmJanuary 29th: DU Dine Out at Panera
January 31st: Science Fair
February 1st- NEW Explorer Clubs Start for 2019
February 6- February 8th: Parent Teacher Conferences
February 7th-8th: Early Release
February 18th: Parent Involvement Meeting (PTO) 5pm
February 21st: EXPLORE Kindergarten (Enroll for next year) 4pm-5:30pm
March 11-15: Spirit Week
March 18-22: Spring Break, No School (Office Open)
March 26: Field Day
AZMerit Prep
AZMerit will be happening in April. The AzMERIT assessment measures Arizona’s students’ performance annually for students in third grade and above. AzMERIT is like an annual checkup – an important opportunity to find out how students are doing. Just as doctors check height and weight, teachers and parents use the test to check how students are performing in reading, writing and math. It also provides information about whether or not your child is prepared for the next grade and eventually for college and career.
Around campus we are doing many things to help ensure that our students thrive on their assessment. Every day our students receive small group instruction in reading and math. In addition to these groups, we will be having a daily "swarm" for small group reading. What is a "swarm"? A "swarm" is when we push multiple interventionists into a classroom and split the whole class into small groups. This way, every student is getting the personalized instruction that they need. During our "swarm" each group will be practicing with the "RELAXED" test taking strategies to get our mindset ready for AZMerit.
How can you help at home? Take the practice AZMerit test at home with your son/daughter. This will allow you to work together and talk through the practice test. This will help build confidence in your child.
Sample Test: https://azmeritportal.org/sample-tests.stmlParent Involvement (Parent Teacher Organization)
At Discover U we know the importance of having our families on campus and involved in our school. We are hoping to find a few parents who are available to volunteer for the following activities. To volunteer in your son or daughters classroom or regularly on campus you do need a fingerprint clearance card. However, for many of these activities below you do not because it is a one time event. If you are interested in getting a fingerprint clearance card please follow this link: https://fieldprintarizona.com/.
We truly appreciate all of your support as we work together to be the most student-centered school working to nurture, inspire and empower our learners so that they become strong, successful individuals with 21st century skills.
Please follow the link below to sign up to volunteer.
Our next PTO meeting to discuss school events and volunteer opportunities will be February 18th at 5pm. Hear what is happening around our school!
EXPLORE EXCELLENCE Tickets
What happens with the tickets?
When your child receives a ticket they place it in their class box. On Fridays, Mrs. Wegner draws one ticket from every class to come up to the office and receive a certificate and pick from our list of rewards. All of the left over tickets go into a giant box in the office. At our Motivational Monday assembly once a month Mrs. Wegner draws 10 names for a special ice cream party!! Finally, once a quarter at our Explore Excellence assembly Mrs. Wegner will draw 5 names for a large prize!!
Our goal is to continue to teach, recognize and celebrate our Explorer behaviors so that everyone at Discover U can "Explore Excellence"!
School Choice Week
Improving Attendance
- Cristina Orozco in the front office will be working full time as our attendance clerk.
- She will be sending letters home informing families when their child has been absent over 5 days of school.
- When a child reaches 10 or more absences, she will be scheduling meetings with families to meet with her and Ms. Wegner to create a plan.
- If a child reaches 18 or more absences, she will be scheduling a meeting with families and contacting our Truancy Officer.
If you have any questions or concerns about attendance, do not hesitate to call Cristina and discuss it with her. She is extremely knowledgeable and is happy to help discuss attendance and help in anyway.
Tax Credit Donations
Make a tax credit donation to our school. The Arizona State Tax Credit program allows you to make a donation to an eligible organization and receive a dollar-for-dollar credit against Arizona state taxes owed. These donations count as charitable contributions and may be deducted on your federal return if you itemize your deductions. To do so, go to http://bit.ly/DUtaxcredit.
Thank you for partnering with us to create a school that nurtures, inspires and empowers all of our students through hands on learning.
Mission
To provide a school that works for all students: socially*emotionally*academically
Vision
To be the most student-centered school working to nurture, inspire, and empower our learners so that they become strong, successful individuals with 21st century skills
As Explorers We Are
Respectful, Kind, Proactive, Courageous
21st Century Skills: Critical Thinkers, Collaborative/, Curious, Creative, Empowered, Resilient
Angela Wegner, Principal
See what's going on at Discover U by following our hashtag #DUexplorers #ExploreExcellence
Email: makowski@discoverulearning.com
Website: discoverulearning.com
Location: Discover U, North 113th Avenue, Youngtown, AZ, USA
Phone: 623-974-4827
Facebook: facebook.com/DUlearning