Discovery Friday Highlights

Dear Discovery Elementary Families,

It has been an amazing first week at Discovery School! Please enjoy these picture highlights that show a glimpse into our first few days of the school year.

Warm regards,

Mrs. Ali Parkinson - Principal

Mrs. Jodi Dodson - Associate Principal

As part of our school district safety procedures, parents/guardians are not permitted into the building without first signing in at door #1, using our push-to-talk security system. During the first week of the school year, we recognize that students are transitioning to a new classroom and therefore we allow parents/guardians to drop off their child in the classroom when arriving. Beginning Tuesday, Sept. 3, we will resume our regular school safety procedures when students arrive each morning. This means that students wait outside their assigned grade level door until the 8:20 a.m. bell and then walk to their classrooms without parents/guardians accompanying them into the classroom. Thank you for recognizing the importance of this safety procedure so that we can assure we know who all the adults are in our building at all times.

School Day:

Arrival Bell: 8:20 a.m.

Tardy Bell: 8:25 a.m.

Dismissal Bell: 3:00 p.m.

Arrival:

Students utilizing the breakfast program may enter door #7 between 7:40 - 8:20 a.m. Students not eating breakfast at Discovery will wait outside their designated grade level door for the 8:20 a.m. bell. Staff will provide supervision at each door from 8:10 to 8:25. If you arrive after the 8:25 tardy bell, please check in with the office team at door #1. In the event of inclement weather, we will make and implement contingency plans.

Dismissal:

Our students' and staff members' safety is a top priority for us at Discovery. As per district policy, schools will have parents meet their child(ren) at a designated location outside the school at dismissal time. Older siblings will go to the youngest sibling’s assigned door so parents can pick up all children in the same location.

Checking out your child(ren) during the day:

If you are taking your child out of school early for any reason, please call the school office (701-787-4359) and let the office team know the time you plan to pick up. Please walk up to door #1 and push the doorbell to communicate with the school secretaries and check out your child.

Absences & late check in:

If your child is absent or late, please call the attendance line by 8:30 a.m. to leave a message. Communication between home and school ensures students’ safety!

Attendance Line: 701-787-4361 *Please add this number into your phone contacts*

Discovery bus routes are live online! See routes and more information here: https://www.gfschools.org/departments/transportation

Please review the bus route map and choose the stop you want your student(s) to use. Backpack bus tags were distributed this first week of school. If you haven't already, please write your student's bus stop number on his or her tag.

Contact Information

Alli Hillebrand, Transportation Coordinator

ahillebrand190@mygfschools.org

701.746.2200, ext 7235

Valley Bus Service:

701.772.0601

The Child Nutrition Program servies meals to your child/children during the school year. We serve breakfast and lunch at all schools and after school snacks at most elementary schools. The meals meet and exceed the nutritional requirements for your child's age group.

If your child has a food allergy, please fill out a Meal Modification Form (found below, in the office or with our school nurse) so we can make adjustments to meals at school.

Free and Reduced meal applications will be available at the beginning of the school year in your school's office, the Child Nutrition office, or the school district website. This form needs to be completed annually.

MySchoolBucks makes it easy to stay connected and complete any of your school payments.

Create your account at myschoolbucks.com to pay for a variety of school-related items such as lunch accounts, after school program fees, device protection plans, and more.

parentsupport@myschoolbucks.com

855.832.5226

A healthy child is one who will engage in learning and have a successful school experience. Please review our online student health information https://www.gfschools.org/departments/nursehealth-office and make sure that all required forms are in the office.

Wanda Rosenquist, Discovery's school nurse, is happy to answer any questions!

wrosenquist220@mygfschools.org

701-787-4359

String Orchestra is offered in the Grand Forks Public Schools beginning in 4th grade! Within the first few weeks of school, 4th & 5th graders will hear a presentation about the option of learning a string instrument at school! More information will be sent home at that time.

Beginner Orchestra "Parent Night" will be held on Tuesday, Sept 10, between 3:30-6:30 p.m. in the Red River High School Commons. This is a one-stop time to meet our orchestra teacher, Mrs. McFarlane, and ask any questions. Local music stores will also be there to provide instruments, books, and supplies.

Lessons begin the week of Sept 16. Students need an instrument and supplies at the first lesson. See further details and registration information on the GFPS Orchestra Website.

Intramurals gives 4th & 5th grade students the opportunity to be active after school, spend time learning a new sport or playing one they already love, and to make new friends! We would love to see your child having fun and being active by signing up!

Cost: $35.00 for the year,

$17.50 if you qualify for reduced lunch,

Free for students who receive free lunch.

Seasons & Approx. Dates:

Season 1 - Soccer & Golf (09/09 - 10/25)

Season 2 - Volleyball & Floor Hockey (10/28 - 12/12)

Season 3 - Tennis & Indoor Team Sports (02/24 - 04/10)

Season 4 - Flag Football & Kickball (04/14 - 05/09)

*Your student will receive a calendar with official dates for each season on their first day of intramurals after signing up.

Days and Times:

4th Grade - Mondays & Tuesdays

5th Grade - Wednesdays & Thursdays

3:00 - 3:55 p.m.

*Please pick up your child no later than 4:00pm!

How to sign up:

Students can sign up directly on their “MySchoolBucks” account. If you are having trouble signing up, please refer to Beth or Katie in the office for assistance. Students can sign up at any time during the school year, and are not required to participate in all seasons if they so choose.

*Please read the ‘Elementary Intramurals Code of Conduct’ form for more information on student behavior expectations.

Learn more about our After School Program Here:

https://www.gfschools.org/departments/encore-program

Contact Information:

Kayla Erickson, ENCORE Director
701-215-8041
kerickson250@mygfschools.org

Kennedy Brandner, Discovery ENCORE Coordinator

kbrandner290@mygfschools.org

August 26, 2024

Dear GFPS Families,

As we remain dedicated to our most important work—teaching our students—we’ve been taking a closer look at how we communicate. Our goal is to ensure that our teachers and administrators can spend as much time as possible in the classrooms, fully engaged with your children.

In doing so, we've developed some communication practices that not only recognize the valuable skills and expertise of our office support staff but also establish norms that help our employees focus on their work while maintaining a healthy balance between their professional and personal lives. We hope these practices will help everyone involved.

Here are a few things we kindly ask you to keep in mind:

• Scheduling Meetings: If you have a concern and would like to schedule a meeting, please reach out directly to the building secretary. In many cases they can effectively address your concerns, and they also have access to the administrators’ calendars.
• Quiet Hours: We encourage our employees to have quiet hours—time after work (after 4 p.m.) and on weekends when they aren’t expected to respond to emails and other communications. Please keep in mind that the teacher contract day ends at 4 p.m.
• Response Times: Employees will strive to respond to messages (emails, SeeSaw, etc.) within a reasonable period. They will use their discretion to prioritize based on the specifics of each request. For urgent matters, we suggest contacting the school office by phone. You can find the directory of phone numbers here: GFPS Directory. For non-emergencies, please allow at least one business day for a response.
• Emergency Situations: If you have an emergency or safety concern after school hours, on weekends, or when school is not in session, please contact law enforcement directly. Building administrators may not always be available or able to access their digital devices immediately.
• For emergencies, call the GFPD at 701-787-8000.
• To send an anonymous tip, text GFPD to 847-411.
• If it is an immediate concern, call 911.

For important but non-urgent school matters, please continue to reach out to the school secretary. They will coordinate with the school administrator to ensure a timely response.

We truly appreciate your continued support and understanding as we implement these practices. By working together, we believe we can create a positive and productive school experience for all.

Warm regards,

Dr. Terry Brenner | Superintendent

Catherine Gillach | Associate Superintendent

Matt Bakke | Assistant Superintendent

Grand Forks Public Schools

The Discovery PTO is deeply committed to hosting schoolwide events that bring all our Discovery families together. This week's Color Run and Foam Party were just one example of the amazing events planned and implemented by our PTO. Special thank you to Katie Edwards for her lead role with many, many hours of behind-the-scenes preparation to ensure that the night was a success. We had many volunteers who also gave their time. Thank you to the Discovery PTO board members, Discovery parents, Discovery staff members, UND student volunteers, and Red River National Honor Society students for a fun-filled night.

Thank you to everyone who joined us at the Color Blaze! It was a wonderful evening of fun and lots of color! We had lots of helpers join us from Red River High School, UND, ROTC, Discovery teachers and staff members, and family & friends! Thank you to everyone.

Special thanks to Mr. Knight for awesome music and Nurse Wanda for all the first aid assistance.

And thank you to our sponsors that help make the event possible:

Retrax

Alerus Financial

Impressions Gifts & Creative Services

Northern Air Action Park

ICON Architectural Group

PlayIT

Viking Track Services

Dakota Pediatric Dentistry

Scheels

Visit Greater Grand Forks

Balloons by Misti

Kool Kreations

Snowie

Double Bubble

Our winners of the Northern Air gift cards are Leo Hardy & Samantha Homan. Congrats! You can pick up your gift card in the office!

Main Office: 701-787-4359

Attendance Line: 701-787-4361

Fax: 701-787-5053

Main Office Hours: 7:45am - 3:45pm

Location: 3300 43rd Ave. S

Grand Forks, ND 58201