Discovery Elementary Newsletter
Home of the Dolphins - September 20, 2021
A Message from the Principal:
Dear Discovery Families,
Welcome back to school! We have had a great start to the year and it has been amazing to see our students and families back at school. While there have been some challenges with arrival and dismissal, things are settling in and routines are becoming smoother. Thank you for your continued patience and grace.
While this year is still far from normal, our teachers and students are settling into routines and learning is happening! We appreciate your interest and support of your students and our school. Our focus at Discovery is to provide each child with new challenges that will result in a rewarding school experience. We want your child to be happy, healthy and successful at Discovery and we believe you play a key role. That role is to continually show interest in and to support your child. A child who knows his or her family is interested in and supports the school program will almost always have fewer problems in school and will enjoy greater success.
At Discovery we implement Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS). This system helps us establish a positive school culture and provides necessary supports to keep our students and school safe, which allows for effective teaching and learning. PBIS supports positive social expectations; acknowledges positive behavior, provides consistent
consequences for problem behavior, and provides an opportunity for us to collect data to support schoolwide decision-making as well as individual interventions.
Our Discovery POD Expectations are as follows:
- Practice safety
- Own responsibility
- Demonstrate Respect
As a school staff, we will support students as they continue to grow, and we will help them develop and build on their strengths. Parents, please remember this is your school and we welcome your involvement. If you have questions, please call our office. I look forward to working with you and your child throughout the school year, and I commit to providing a safe and productive learning environment that paves the path for success for each student.
This week I also share important information about safety at Discovery, as health and safety are our top priority. We continue to implement a COVID- 19 Safety Plan that aligns with state and Health Department Guidelines. All staff and visitors are responsible for following these guidelines when onsite. This includes:
- Wearing a facial covering
- Frequent Hand washing and sanitizing
- Maintaining physical distancing of 3-feet or 6-feet (depending on location)
- Frequent and regular cleaning schedules to sanitize commonly used spaces and classrooms.
You can help reduce the risk for getting and spreading viral respiratory infections, including COVID-19, by taking these steps:
- Wear a mask
- Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
- Avoid touching eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands
- Avoid contact with people who are sick
- Stay home while sick and avoid close contact with others
- Cover mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash hands
- Cover coughs and sneezes with elbow rather than hands
- Keep 6-feet of distance between you and others who do not live in your home whenever possible
In partnership,
Shannon Koehnen
Proud Principal
(425) 366-2700
Do Your Part to Support Student Dismissal
1) Please do not park your car on campus and walk to collect your child. All adults should stay in their car at all times and follow the pick up line! We know it’s a long line - but it's getting better as the year progresses.
2) Have your yellow Family Dismissal Tag showing in your vehicle window.
3) When in the car pick up lane, please do not leave large gaps of space between you and other cars. Pull all the way forward and do your part to help make the line shorter!
4) Stay in the lane you enter. Do not change lanes to exit the main driveway.
5) Please turn right when exiting the parking lot. This keeps traffic from backing up.
6) If you are walking to pick up your child, please go to the gate at the north end of the front of school - near the bus loading area.
7) Walking families, please stay north of the walk way. Do not gather in front of the gate, as prevents students from finding their families and from getting to their busses.
8) If you park on the street, please be respectful of our neighbors' property and also please park clear of the cross walks, as it helps our supervisors keep a clear line of sight.
The best way you can help is to stay in your car or stay north of the path at walking pick up and to be patient. If you are already doing these things, thank you! We appreciate you!
National Hispanic Heritage Month - Sept. 15 - Oct. 15
Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.
The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on October 15. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988, on the approval of Public Law 100-402.
The day of September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September18, respectively. Also, Columbus Day or Día de la Raza, which is October 12, falls within this 30 day period.
(See our new bulletin board shown below, recognizing National Hispanic Heritage month, that greets students as they enter school each day.)
Student Pictures
Birthday Celebrations
Birthdays are special times for children and families. We want to join you in celebrating your child on their birthday, however, we do not allow birthday celebrations to take away from the learning time in class. Flowers and balloons at school are not appropriate, as it causes a disruption to the educational process. * Due to COVID, birthday treats currently cannot be brought to school *
Discovery Elementary is a Title I School
Discovery Elementary participates in the Title 1, Part A Program. The goal of Title I is to ensure all children have a fair, equal and significant opportunity to obtain a high-quality education and reach proficiency on challenging state academic standards. As a Title 1 school, we qualify for federal grant money which we use for additional staffing, parent involvement, and staff development opportunities to help us meet that goal.
This update is intended to provide you with important information about this law, as well as your child’s education. You have the right to request regular meetings and/or information about Title 1 at Discovery. Please contact the principal if you would like more information.
Your Right to Know - Title I, Part A Schools
Professional Qualifications of Teachers
In compliance with the requirements of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) you may request information about the professional qualifications of your student’s teacher(s).
A. The following information may be requested for teacher(s):
- Whether the teacher has met Washington teacher certification requirements for the grade level and subject areas in which the teacher provides instruction.
- Whether the teacher is teaching under an emergency or other provisional status through which Washington qualifications or certification criteria have been waived.
- The college major and any graduate certification or degree held by the teacher.
Qualifications of Paraprofessionals
B. The following information may be requested for instructional paraprofessional(s):
Paraprofessionals must work under the supervision of a certified teacher. In schools that operate a schoolwide program, all paraprofessionals must meet professional qualifications. Paraeducators, in schools that operate a Title I, Part A program, must have a high school diploma or GED and completed the following:
1. Completed at least two years of study at an institution of higher education; or
2. Obtained an associate’s or higher degree; or
3. Pass the ETS ParaPro Assessment. The assessment measures skills, and content knowledge related to reading, writing and math;
4. Completed previously the apprenticeship requirements and must present a journey card or certificate.
Annual Title 1 Meeting October 4, 2021
Who: You and other interested parents
What: Learn and share ideas about how to best communicate, collaborate, and meet your needs to support your child's learning.
Where: via Zoom or video link
When: October 4, 6:30 p.m.
Not available? Call or email your ideas.
Title 1 Survey
As a parent/guardian of a child attending a Title I school, you are an important part of our team. Your input is vital as we plan and implement parent involvement activities in our school. The focus of all Title I programs is to help eligible students meet the same high academic standards expected of all children, regardless of their socioeconomic status and background.
A Title I survey provides us with important information and feedback to assist us in supporting all students and families. This survey is confidential and will be used in future planning of our parent involvement programs and school events. The Title I survey will be available on Monday, October 4, following our Family Academy and Title I Annual Meeting.
Attendance Awareness Month
September is Attendance Awareness Month. Every school day counts. When students miss one school day, there is a loss of learning time. Too many absences disrupt student learning and affect overall achievement.. When children miss two days a month, 18 total for the school year, that is chronic absenteeism. We hope to see your child everyday they are healthy and able to come to school. Thank you for continuing to follow Covid-19 health requirements and supporting getting your child to school when they are well.
Highly Capable Services
Each fall the Mukilteo School District identifies students for Highly Capable services. Screening takes place in September and October. All students in grades Kindergarten – Grade 5 will be universally screened. Referrals are accepted but are not necessary for students in grades K – 5.
All middle school students now have the option to enroll in honors English Language Arts. Entering Grade 6 and 7 students have the option to enroll in Mathematics Honors class. Parents of students in grades 6, 7, 8 who would like their student screened/tested must submit a Permission to Test form by October 1. This form is available on the District’s website www.mukilteoschools.org by clicking on: Programs, Highly Capable Services, Highly Capable Forms & Documents.
A continuum of Highly Capable services includes:
· Learning Enrichment Achievement Program (LEAP) – Grades K – 12
· Summit Program – Grades 3 – 8
· Honors & Advanced courses – Grades 6 - 8
· Advanced course offerings, College in the High School and Running Start – Grades 9 – 12
You can submit the form by e-mail to the Assessment Department at KellyBD@mukilteo.wednet.edu or by mail to our District Office located at 9401 Sharon Drive, Everett, WA 98204
Important Dates
Sept. 24 - 2:10 p.m. dismissal (Learning Improvement Time)
October 1 - 2:10 p.m. dismissal (Learning Improvement Time)
October 4 - Family Academy / Title I Night - 6:30 p.m.
October 8 - 2:10 p.m. dismissal (Learning Improvement Time)
October 14 - Picture Day (Kids Photography on site)
October 15 - 2:10 p.m. dismissal (Learning Improvement Time)
October 22 - No School (Teacher Work Day)
October 29 - 2:10 p.m. dismissal (Learning Improvement Time)
Discovery Elementary
Principal: Shannon Koehnen, KoehnenSA@mukilteo.wednet.edu
Assistant Principal: Mikey Trexel, TrexelMA@mukilteo.wednet.edu
Dean of Students: Dr. Irina Kourilenko, KourilenkoIN@mukilteo.wednet.edu
Elementary Support Specialist (ESS): Kristen Ching, ChingKL@mukilteo.wednet.edu
Administrative Assistant: Debbie Fischer, FischerDL@mukilteo.wednet.edu
Email: koehnensa@mukilteo.wednet.edu
Website: https://www.mukilteoschools.org/Domain/147
Location: 11700 Meridian Avenue South, Everett, WA, USA
Phone: (425) 366-2700
Mukilteo School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Civil Rights Coordinator and Title IX Coordinator Bruce Hobert (425-356-1319), hobertbl@mukilteo.wednet.edu, Section 504 Coordinator Lisa Pitsch (425-356-1277), pitschla@mukilteo.wednet.edu, and the ADA/Access Coordinator Karen Mooseker (425-356-1330), moosekerkw@mukilteo.wednet.edu. Address: 9401 Sharon Drive in Everett, WA. Inquiries regarding ADA/Access issues at Sno-Isle TECH Skills Center should be directed to Wes Allen, Director (425-348-2220) allenwr@mukilteo.wednet.edu. Address: 9001 Airport Road in Everett, WA 98204