Discovery Update

Dear Families,

I hope the start to this new year is a happy, healthy one for you. Unfortunately, our absentee rates have been high for this first week back after winter break. We are doubling down in respect to following CDC safety protocols at Discovery (frequent hand washing, wearing masks, distancing and cleaning). We appreciate families working with us by sending your children to school in masks and keeping them home if they are not feeling well. See Superintendent Alfano's message here.

January is a time of the year when we often see "the lights come on" with our young students. Typically we see the growth that they are making with new reading, writing and math skills in a visible tangible way. Our students are able to articulate and use the new skills they have. I love this time of year because of that. Please celebrate the growth your child is making.

Students will be taking the DIBELS reading assessment January 10 -14. You will be receiving information about their skill level in several reading areas soon. In addition, first graders will be taking the STAR Math Assessment. These assessments help us know how we are doing as we work toward our goals to have all students performing at or above grade level.

Report cards will be sent home at the end of this month. We have worked diligently to have the report cards be user friendly and easy to read. That being said, if you have any difficulty interpreting the information provided, please contact your child’s teacher.

You will receive two report cards this year, one in January and one in June. In addition to report cards, we hold parent/student/teacher conferences in October and March. Remember, you are always welcome to make an appointment to meet with your child’s teacher at any time of the year.

I wish you all a very Happy New Year 2022! If there is anything we can help you with at school please let us know.

Stay safe!

Julie Bartlett, Principal

January 7 - OmLife Clinic (information below)

January 10 - Late Start Monday

January 10 - 14 DIBELS Testing

January 11 - PTO Meeting 6:30 via Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83109887330?pwd=aXYzeTI4UEpEMlJ2VUdXSjRoN3RjQT09

January 17 - No School Martin Luther King Observed Holiday

January 20 - Early Release Report Card Prep

January 24 - Late Start Monday

January 28 - No School Staff Enrichment Day

January 31 - Late Start Monday

Students ages 5-11 are now eligible for COVID-19 vaccine! CDC Recommendation

Omlife is providing a clinic for students and adults to be vaccinated against COVID-19 on Friday, January 7, 2022 at Columbia Junior High School.

Pfizer for Ages 5+

Moderna ages 18+

Johnson and Johnson/Jan ages 18+

Students under 17 must have a parent, guardian, or legal representative present at the clinic.

Booster shots are available for those who completed their vaccinations at least 6 months ago. Pfizer booster is available for 16+ and Moderna for 18+ years and older. CDC Booster Information

Flu shots and TDAP (for 12-18 years) vaccines are also available. More information is provided on the Omlife link.

All individuals must be registered prior to the event.

Interested individuals may register at https://covid19tacoma.com/fife0107

CLICK ON THIS LINK FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT

TRIPLE P - POSITIVE | PARENTING | PROGRAM

We're excited to announce an upcoming opportunity for you to participate in Triple P, a Positive Parenting Program!

Triple P is an 8 week group, with 4 in person sessions. This group gives you tips and ideas to bring out the best in your children, and learn the best ways to positively manage the behavior you don't like (and encourage more of the behaviors you do like!). It also provides opportunities for individual Zoom/phone meetings to support trying new strategies!

Triple P will run from February 1 - March 22, with in-person meetings here at FES on the following dates:

Feb 1. 5:30-7:30pm

Feb. 8 5:30-7:30pm

Feb. 15 5:30-7:30pm

Feb. 22 5:30-7:30pm

If you're interested in this FREE group, or for more information, please email kgeorge@fifeschools.com or call Kelsey George at 253-517-1400. Space is limited!

This year, all students have access to free breakfast and lunch. Additionally, students can be signed up to bring a food pack home each weekend. The food bags vary week to week, but typically include a can of soup, a cup of noodles, granola bars, cereal, fruit sauce or snacks, and nuts or trail mix. If you are interested in having your child bring home a food pack, please contact me at jblakeway@fifeschools.com or call Jessica Blakeway at 253-517-1200.

Additional food resources for ongoing support: https://co.pierce.wa.us/454/Food-Banks

• Nourish Food Banks-Edgewood 253-826-4654

• Fife-Milton Food Pantry 253-922-0960

• BASH Food Bank 253-531-9600

• Tacoma Rescue Mission 253-383-4493

Please help us help our students by participating in Box Tops for Schools. In the past certain products we buy in the store on a regular basis had a little coupon that we would collect and turn in which was reimbursed in cash to the school. The funds earned through Box Tops goes directly back into our school to support teachers, students and our PTO.

In 2019, Box Tops changed the way schools earn money through their program. Physical Box Tops that we used to cut off of our packages are very few and far between now.

You now buy participating products and use the Box Tops mobile app to scan your store receipt. The app identifies eligible products and automatically adds Box Tops to your designated school's earnings online. Even if you’re shopping online or doing grocery pickup, you can still submit your digital or email receipt and earn Box Tops. Twice a year, our school gets a check!

See a list of participating products at BTFE.COM/PRODUCTS

Your earnings may seem small, but they really do add up. The more people that participate, the bigger the impact we can make. So let's give our teachers the support they need and give more kids the opportunity to dream. Little by little, we can help make a big difference.

Have you noticed your child is missing a jacket or other clothing? Our Lost and Found is filling up. Please let the teacher know if your child needs to go to the lost and found closet to look for something. As the weather gets colder we are checking to make sure students have warm coats on before going out to recess.

The weather in Western Washington can be very unpredictable! In the event of a school closure or late start, the Fife School District sends out an automated call to every family within a very short period of time after the decision is made. Remember to always check our website or the morning news on TV or radio if you have any questions about school schedule changes. Our website is updated frequently and is the most efficient way to inform you of important information. (fifeschools.com)

Please help us by not calling the school unless you have an emergency. The phone lines can become bogged down. Remember to provide us your phone number when ever it changes.

You will receive an automated call early in the morning if school is delayed or cancelled. Make sure the school has your current phone number!

In addition, school closure or delay start information will be on the local TV news and radio stations.

***On 2 hour late start days: we do serve lunch soon after school begins, but there will be no breakfast served

Email: jbartlett@fifeschools.com
Website: https://discovery.fifeschools.com
Location: 1205 19th Avenue, Milton, WA, USA
Phone: 253-517-1200
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DiscoveryPrimary/