The Explorer

The school year is quickly moving along with winter knocking at our door. Please make sure your student is dressed appropriately for the weather. The playground does not have any coverage from the wind.

Thinking ahead for when we start to see the snow, students who want to play in it need to have the proper snow gear: winter coat, snow pants, snow boots, gloves, and hat/hood. When the temperature and/or wind chill is zero or below, students will be inside before school and during recess. Also, please be sure to read the inclement weather information included in this newsletter, along with Remote Learning information.

Reminder - If you are going to meet your student on the playground or by their classroom door after school, please park in the parking lot or on the street. Do not park your vehicle and leave it in the circle drive. We want to keep the flow of traffic moving. This is especially important during the winter months.

Students will be off from school for a few days in honor of Thanksgiving. We hope you have a wonderful holiday with many things to be thankful for!

Mr. Dan Fischer, Principal

Events can also be found on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064085161299.

• Nov. 3: Daylight Saving Time. Turn your clocks back one hour (fall back) before you go to bed.
• Nov. 4: Discovery Skate Night from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm at Skate City. See attached flyer below for more details!
• Nov. 11: No School in observance of Veterans' Day.
• Nov. 12: PTO Meeting at 6:00 pm in the Discovery library.
• Nov. 20: Discovery Dine Out at Freddy's on Louise Ave from 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm.
• Nov. 21: 5th Grade Vocal Concert at 7:00 pm.
• Nov. 27: No School for Compensatory day.
• Nov. 28: No School for Thanksgiving Break.
• Nov. 29: No School for Thanksgiving Break.

The 2024-25 SFSD Parent Calendar is also attached below.

Daylight saving time is ending! Don’t forget to turn your clocks back one hour (fall back) before you go to bed on Sunday, November 3.

It is important to be prepared for the winter storms and extreme cold that every South Dakota winter brings. Please read the following information so you are aware of the procedures for school-related cancellations and postponements. School officials use their best judgment about school closings, late starts, or early dismissals; however, please remember that a parent has the right to keep children home or to pick them up from school early if they feel weather conditions require this action.

LATE START OR CANCELLED

In the event that school needs to be cancelled or delayed, families will be alerted via a phone call. You can also check the District’s website at www.sf.k12.sd.us for updated information. Announcements will also be made on local radio and television stations. Please avoid calling the school or the Instructional Planning Center. Phone lines are needed for emergency communications.

• If school is one hour late, breakfast will be served.
• If school is two hours late, breakfast will NOT be served.

EARLY DISMISSAL

Storms occasionally move in during the day. If school is dismissed early, families will receive a phone call and the information will appear on the District’s website at www.sf.k12.sd.us. Dismissals will be referred to as “one hour early” or “two hours early” due to the number of different building schedules.

It is very important that every family has a plan for early dismissal. Be sure your student knows where to go in case no one is at home. Talk to your student about his/her safety during winter weather emergencies. Make sure students are properly dressed for predicted weather conditions: walking home, waiting for the bus, or being delayed on a bus in a weather-related situation.

The SFSD will continue learning on Emergency/Weather Closure Days. Remote Learning on Emergency/Weather Closure aims to continue student learning and growth while students are away from school.

From spills at lunch to slipping in a puddle, accidents happen. Unfortunately, our stock of extra pants and underwear has dwindled down. We are looking for donations of:

• New or gently used pants for boys and girls (ex. sweatpants, leggings, etc.). No pants with holes, rips, or stains please. Kindergarten through 3rd grade sizes.
• New underwear for boys and girls (no used). Kindergarten through 3rd grade sizes.

• We do not need shirts or socks.
• If your student borrows a change of clothes, please wash and return them.
• You may want to put an extra set of clothes in your student’s backpack.

If your student(s) is absent, please let us know. If we do not hear from you, we will call you. If we are unable to reach you, we will call the emergency contacts that you have listed for your student(s). To ensure student safety, all students must be accounted for.

Calling all Kindergarten - 6th Grade wrestlers or youth interested in starting wrestling! Registration is open for the 2024-25 Junior Cavalier Youth wrestling season at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeJTW-L5nYOWHhnDrnZWz51ze19MWtE8Cvipb0O5b_xNfriRQ/viewform.

If you love competing, being active, and having fun while learning a great sport, check out our flyer for more information and sign up today!

A HUGE thank you to everyone who volunteered and helped at the Fall Dance! It was a success, and we couldn't have done it without you. You are appreciated!

Later this month, Mrs. Marchand is expecting a baby girl and will be out from school on maternity leave for a few months. During this time, Mrs. Johnson will continue to be at Discovery, and a we'll have a substitute School Counselor available as well.

211 Holiday guide - If you are looking for resources or a way to give back, the 211 Holiday guide is a great place to go: https://www.helplinecenter.org/2-1-1/resource-guides/create/?templateid=703071.

Students continue to become Kelso's Choices Experts! They are getting so good at trying at least 2 Kelso's Choices to solve small problems, but reporting BIG problems to an adult right away, when someone feels hurt or scared.

Third grade students recently learned about stress and did a checklist of Coping Tools that they like or may like to try. Ask your student about their top 3 favorites!

First grade students have continued lessons on the Zones of Regulation and Kelso's Choices. Students practiced using Kelso's Choice of Talk it Out by using A BUG and A WISH. This is when you say, "It bugs me when _________ , I wish you would _________ " to talk it out with a classmate or family member.

Email: Daniel.Fischer@k12.sd.us

Assistant Principal: Mrs. Jodi DeHaven

Email: Jodi.DeHaven@k12.sd.us

Location: 1506 South Discovery Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD, USA
Phone: 605-362-3530 Fax: 605-362-3535