Discovery Middle School
March 2024
Building a Foundation for Success!
Mrs. Amy Herrick
Grade 6
Mr. Brandon Larson
Grade 8
Mr. Hunter Reinke
Grade 7
This Month's Newsletter Features the Following:
- Monthly Memo from Mrs. Herrick: ParentGuidance.org: A New Resource for FPS Families, Deadline for Ordering Yearbooks, 8th Grade Transition to High School, What All Middle School Students Can Do Now to Prepare for High School, ACCESS Testing
- What's Happening at Discovery! Featured: Girls in Engineering
- FPS Early Childhood Special Education Program
- What's Happening at Discovery! What is the Difference Between ELOS and Learning Targets?
- DMS Frequently Asked Questions
- Early Out Day April 19th
- Athletics and Activities Update from Mr. Larson
- What's Happening at Discovery! Math Counts Represents
- PTA March Newsletter
- What's Happening at Discovery! Spring Spirit Week
- What's Happening in the Library! Bonding Over Books
- Counseling Corner - Registration, Summer School Opportunities
- Restorative Practices with Mrs. Tackling
- SRO Corner with Officer Noll
- Mr. Reinke's Realm: Measures of Academic Achievement
- Mr. Ford's Focus
- Upcoming Events
- March Letter Day Calendar
Repeated in Each Monthly Newsletter:
- Parent/Family Accommodations
- Parent/Family Communications
- Yearbooks (Orders Due by Friday, March 28, 2024)
- Liz's Closet
- Discovery On-Line School Store
Monthly Memo from Mrs. Herrick
Every Great Athelete Has a Coach...Parents Should Have Coaches Too!
Fargo Public Schools is excited to announce a new service for our parents/guardians/and families, (including our very own staff). These services are free, anonymous, and HIPPA protected. What is it, you may ask?
Through the website, Parentguidance.org, FPS parents/guardians/families can sign up for sessions with a trained coach, access courses that are created by licensed mental health professionals, or ask their questions to an on-line therapist.
Please see the information below for additional details. I want to reiterate that this service is free, anonymous and the only data that is provided to our district is how many families sign up for the service, not who those families are or any details to identify families. All logins will be anoymous, Zoom format, no cameras, chat or names. The coaching has a 24/48 hour turnaround once the families have signed up and all coaches are madated reporters. There will also be one-hour virtual events that are tied to the topics that are chosen by our families.If a family signs up for a coach and they feel like they cannot address the issue, the coach will refer to Dr. Skinner.
This service will end after June 30th, but the district is looking into extending this service in the future. -hoping it can go longer then but that is the end of our fiscal year.
If families miss a session with their coach, they won't lose the service, and a typical coaching cycle is over a couple of months.
Accessing the coaching/videos can be done on a cellphone, home computer, anywhere there is internet access. Parentguidance.org will also provide montlhy newsletters to our families.
We hope our DMS families take advantage of this service, I will be pushing it out to our staff as well to utilize in their own parenting roles.
Deadline for Ordering Yearbooks is March 28th
Parents and guadians, the deadline for ordering a yearbook is Thursday, March 28th. The cost is $22.00. To ensure that your child will receive a yearbook at the end of the year, it must be ordered and paid for in advance. If you are unsure if you purchased a yearbook, you can call the Main Office at 446-3300 or have your student stop in to check if one was purchased.
8th Grade Transition to High School: How We Support Our Students
March Madness is here! It is the time at Discovery that things really start amping up in preparation for the end of the school year and also for the next school year. Admin and counselors are working hard to transition our incoming sixth grade class already by visiting the feeder elementary schools (Centennial, Ed Clapp, Bennett, and Eagles) to share information about middle school expecatations and get the fifth graders registered for their sixth grade year. Fifth graders have attended the Discovery Middle School Music experience on January 24, had instrument fittings at Discovery on January 30, and will soon be sent invites to the Future Eagles Expo. The future Eagles Expo allows incoming sixth graders and their families to attend an evening event at Discovery so they get a chance to tour the building.
But what about our current eighth graders? They are going through a big transition also; the transition from middle to high school. The transition to high school is incredibly important and below is a list of events that occur during the school year to best prepare our eighth grade students to "fly the nest" of Discovery to high school.
Just a reminder: The current eighth grade principal is Mr. Brandon Larson and the current eighth grade counselor is Mr. Joe Snowden.
8th Grade Transition: Our Eagles are getting ready to "fly the nest" of Discovery!
Davies/South Counselor Visit to Discovery:
When: First Week of January
What: The Davies/South counselors will go through the classes students have to take, program of studies, graduation requirements. Students are given a freshman registration card and Program of Studies book. The Davies/South counselors will do follow-ups with any students who have registration conflicts.
Questions: Please call the 8th grade counselor if you have any questions.
Davies/South Course Fair
When: January 8, 2024
What: There will be an introductory program by Mr. Cody (Davies) and Dr. Bertsch (South) for families in the auditorium. This will be followed by an open house with athletics/activities informational booths in the gyms.
Questions: Please call the Davies or South High Main Offices.
8th grade Discovery Student Conferences
When: Begin January 16th-beginning of March
What: These conferences are scheduled with our Discovery counselors and are to review each 8th graders academic progress in middle school as well as to register for high school classes. Students meet with a counselor one-on-one to review their registration card and address any high school questions or concerns.
Questions: Please call your student’s counselor if you have additional questions.
High School 8th Grade Tours
When: Second Semester
What: Students are slated to go to Davies on March 27.
Students will visit their respective high schools during the course of a school day. They will have question/answer time with current high school students about what to expect in their freshman year and tour the building while classes are in session to get a better understanding of what high school life will be like.
Questions: Please contact Mr. Ford.
US Citizenship Test
When: All year long
What: Students in 8th grade American History prepare for and take a US citizenship test that is a graduation requirement. The goal is to have the majority of our 8th graders passing this test by the end of the school year so they don’t need to worry about it when they get to high school. Students are able to retake the test to get a passing score.
Questions: Please contact the 8th grade American History teachers
8th Grade Celebration
When: Last day of school with students
What: This is a celebration of the 8th grade students’ time as learners at Discovery Middle School. Students and immediate family members gather in the gym to hear speakers and a send-off message from administration as they transition to high school. This will correspond with an all-school clap-out, where the rest of the Discovery student body and staff clap the 8th grade students out of the building as they leave for the summer. Information will be sent at the beginning of May with details to our 8th grade families.
Questions: Please contact the 8th grade level principal.
Whether Your Child is in 6th, 7th, or 8th grade, how to prepare them for success in middle and high school.
The Davies and South High School assistant principals joined us right after semester 1 for a team talk to reinforce what students can do to prepare themselves for the transition to high school. Our 8th graders prepared questions ahead of time and the high school assistant principals tailored their presentation to address the student questions. The high school principals addressed directly what our students should be or should start doing NOW to prepare for the transition. However, these tips are applicable to all of our middle school students, whether they are in 6th, 7th or 8th grade. I have included photos from the North Dakota Department of Instruction regarding the Portrait of a North Dakota Graduate. Middle school is building the foundation for success as students make their way towards high school.
So what specifically can students do now to prepare themselves as future freshmen before they leave Discovery? As parents/guardians, your involvement in this transition is incredibly important also. Please help to reinforce the topics to prepare your child for this important transition that were shared by the high school principals. Parents and guardians should be there to help the student as the student increases responsibility of taking ownership of their education, building confidence, and increasing their independence.
Students should create a routine for time management so that they can find balance to get school work done, accommodate schedules for any work or activities that they may participate in and also allow for down time to recharge each day. Finding and maintaining balance is an important skill to have as students prepare for the increased demands of high school academics and activities.
Students should find an organizational system that works. What works for one person might not work for another and it needs to be a system that is sustainable and manageable.
Students should be a self advocate. Students should be able to identify and seek out resources and ask for help from those resources, such as their teacher, counselor, etc when they need it or if something is unclear.
Students should work on personal responsibility by checking their calendars, Canvas, and PowerSchool daily to stay on top of their assignments and grades.
ACCESS Testing
Our EL (English Learner) Department just wrapped up our annual ACCESS testing. What does this mean? Please see information from our EL department chair, Mrs. Jasmine Ercink:
Discovery has 78 EL kiddos this year! This is our annual federally mandated testing. These test scores get reported to the state to show that our EL students are growing in their English skills. This test is a big one. It has FOUR parts to it: Listening (approx. 65 min), Reading (60 minutes), Writing (up to 90 minutes), and Speaking (approx. 50 minutes). We administer the domains in that order.
Each student will miss a maximum of 6 periods of class total throughout the whole week.
We, as well as the students, get excited and anxious this time of year because we are so proud of everything our students have accomplished. They have been working so hard to gain new skills and meet their goals. This is their chance to show off just how much they’ve grown this year.
What is ACCESS Testing?
“ACCESS for ELLs is a suite of large-scale English language proficiency tests for K–12 students. It is one component of WIDA’s comprehensive, standards-driven system that supports the teaching and learning of English language learners (ELLs). The purpose of ACCESS for ELLs is to monitor student progress in English language proficiency on a yearly basis and to serve as just one of the many criteria that educators consider as they determine whether English learners have attained an English language proficiency level that will allow them to meaningfully participate in English language classroom instruction.” We use these scores to properly place students in their classes at school as well as provide appropriate accommodations to help them be successful in each classroom.
What do these tests actually test?
- LISTENING: Students will listen to grade-level math, science, social studies, and language arts content and answer questions based on what they hear. This seems to be an easy one for our students-since they listen to us talk all day (😝). They often say that it’s so easy it’s boring! I always remind them that the hardest part of this test is staying focused throughout the ENTIRE test because they only get to hear the prompts ONE time. If they miss it, they can’t go back and listen again. The only way they’ll get the right answer is by listening to the recording carefully.
- READING: Students will read grade-level math, science, social studies, and language arts content and answer questions based on what they read. For those who love reading, this one is probably a favorite! They breeze through it quickly. It can be a slog for our readers who struggle. There’s LOTS of reading.
- WRITING: Students will listen to grade-level math, science, social studies, and language arts content and write their answers. The prompts get tougher as the test goes on, finishing with usually an argumentative or persuasive three-part essay. On this one, it’s easy to tell who our budding authors are because they just write and write and write! I always encourage the kids to write as much as they possible can.
- SPEAKING: Students will listen to grade-level math, science, social studies, and language arts content and record their spoken answers. This one is a love-it-or-hate-it test. The students speak into a microphone through their headset. Some kids love it because they feel like airplane pilots; our shy students tend to HATE it because they speak aloud with other students in the room. I always encourage them think about, often write about, their answers before clicking “record” and to speak as much as they can.
What's Happening at Discovery!
Girls in Engineering
Twenty Discovery students took part in “Girls in Engineering Day” on February 23. Discovery students, along with other students from around the area, worked in teams to design and build a rollercoaster to meet designated specifications. One Discovery team was deemed a winner for their design and speed of coaster. Students learned about different types of engineering and a panel of engineering students from NDSU answered questions and shared their experiences in the field. Students were then bussed to areas businesses to see engineers in action. Discovery students went to John Deere Electronic Solutions to build and program a robot and toured their plant to see what a typical work day looks like for the engineers that work there.
KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION OPENS ONLINE ON FEBRUARY 1
Kindergarten Registration for Fall 2024 opens online at www.fargo.k12.nd.us/registration on February 1. Your child must be age 5 by July 31, 2024 to attend school in the fall.
Registration is a two-step process:
STEP ONE: REGISTER ONLINE
Complete online registration forms at www.fargo.k12.nd.us/registration. For assistance, please contact your child’s school to schedule an appointment to complete in-person.
STEP TWO: SUBMIT DOCUMENTATION
Upload or bring the following documents to your child’s school by August 27 to finalize registration.
- Child’s certified birth certificate
- Child’s immunization record with 5-year shots
- Document (i.e. current city utility bill and bank statement) that includes parent/guardian name and current address for verification
If you do not know which school your child will attend, call 701.446.1043 or check online at www.fargo.k12.nd.us/boundarymaps.
If you need help in PowerSchool (Fargo Public Schools online registration software), please call 701.446.1006
FPS Early Childhood Special Education Program
ECSE Community Friends
Fargo Public Schools' Early Childhood Special Education program is seeking Community Friends to join its preschool classrooms for the afternoon sessions. Community Friends are typically developing peers who will join the ECSE classrooms alongside the students with developmental delays or disabilities. Students must be 4 years old by July 31 and pass a developmental screening to be eligible for the program. The program is free of charge for families, but parents must provide transportation. The ECSE afternoon sessions are held from 12:10-2:40 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday through May 30. Click here to apply for the ECSE Community Friends program.
What's Happening at Discovery!
What is the difference between ELOs and Learning Targets?
This slide highlights five ways ELOs are different from learning targets. An ELO is broad, but the learning targets show a progression of learning toward mastery of the standard. You will see examples below from 8th Grade American History.
DMS Annual Frequently Asked Questions
DMS Annual Frequently Asked Questions Document
Table of Contents
Who is on the Administration Team at Discovery Middle School?
Who are the Counselors at Discovery Middle School?
New Students/Interested in Virtual Academy
General Building Information
Attendance and Deliveries
Grading and Assignment Information
Breakfast and Lunch
Transportation
Next Early Out Day is Friday, April 19th, 2024
For the 2023-2024 school year, Fargo Public Schools (FPS) will implement four “early release” school days for students. On these days, students will be dismissed two hours early at each building. The early dismissal will allow our teaching staff to gather in an extended Professional Learning Community (PLC). Principals will send out specific building schedules.
During these early release days, our teachers will be focusing on analyzing student data, setting goals for student learning, and reviewing and planning research-based instructional strategies for students who need support and those who need enrichment. Teachers will collaborate with grade or content-level peers to review, reflect, and learn from each other in meeting students' needs.
We understand that early release days may cause some inconvenience for parents and guardians, but this is an important step towards improving our teaching practices and ultimately benefiting our students' learning outcomes. We appreciate your understanding and support in this matter.
Athletics and Activities Corner with Mr. Larson
6th Grade Basketball
6th grade Boys & Girls basketball is off to a great start! The jamboree dates/locations will be:
March 21
Boys @ Ben Franklin - 4:45
Girls @ Discovery - 4:45
March 28
Boys @ Discovery - 4:45
Girls @ Carl Ben Eielson - 4:45
April 4
Boys @ Carl Ben Eielson - 4:45
Girls @ Ben Franklin - 4:45
Eligibility Update for Semester 2:
As we gear up for the start of Semester 2, I wanted to inform you of an important update regarding how we will be handling eligibility for our 7th & 8th grade students participating in co-curricular and extra-curricular activities.
All 3 FPS middle schools will be using the "projected letter grade" to determine eligibility. Specifically, if a student's projected letter grade is an "F," the teacher will adjust their overall course grade to a "U." In addition to this, teachers now have the option to consider one of our Guidelines for Success, specifically "Be Responsible," in determining the overall course grade. If a student is earning a “R” for “Be Responsible”, the teacher will change the overall course grade to a “U” – regardless of the “projected letter grade”. A student will earn an "R" (Rarely) in their Responsibility grade if they are completing and turning in less than half of their daily assignments.
If a student can show progress and get their "projected letter grade" and/or their "Be Responsible" grade up, they can regain their eligibility at that time. All 3 middle schools will be in alignment with this criteria.
7th & 8th Grade Track & Field
The start date this year will be Tuesday, April 2. Practices will be daily after after school until 5:15. Meet dates have not been finalized at this point, but we will get them on the activities calendar as soon as they are. We will also pass out the practice/meet schedule to athletes during the first week of practice.
6th Grade Track & Field
The start date for 6th grade track will be April 23. Practices will be M-TH until 5:15. All of the 6th grade meets will be at Discovery and we will try to start sometime between 4:45 - 5:00. The tentative meet schedule will be: May 6, May 16, May 23.
7th Grade Football (NEW)
Starting Fall 2024 all FPS middle schools will be offering 7th grade football! We are excited for our 7th graders to join the FM League and compete against Ben Franklin, Carl Ben Eielson, all 3 of the West Fargo middle schools, Horizon (Moorhead) middle school, and Sacred Heart middle school. We know other leagues have registration deadlines, so we wanted to get word out ASAP. Like all of our other 7th & 8th grade sports, 7th grade football will be affiliated with NDHSAA and follow their guidelines. This means that students can NOT participate in 2 different football leagues simultaneously. Coach Werremeyer, the Davies Head Football Coach, will be at Discovery this Spring to help spread the word about this new and exciting opportunity.
Remember, you can always check out the Discovery Activities Calendar to find updates and other events happening in the near future.
Clubs
- Drama Club Meetings are on hold during the Shrek Jr. production.
- Art Club: Meets on Thursdays after school from 3:35 - 4:30.
- Learning Lab: The Learning Lab (room 135) is open Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings as well as Monday and Thursday during DT.
- Pokemon Club: Meets on Thursdays after school in Mr. Krieger's classroom until 4:10.
- Anime Club: Meets Thursday mornings from 8:00 - 8:35 in Mr. Spar's classroom.
- Chess Club: Wednesday mornings from 8:00 - 8:35 in the library.
- Improv Club: Every other Thursday after school. Talk to Mr. Moilanen for more details.
Mr. Larson
Assistant Principal/Activities Director
What's Happening at Discovery!
Math Counts Represents!
Discovery PTA Newsletter-March 2024 Edition!
PTA is in spring mode! Bring on all the spring activities, beautiful spring weather and sunshine, and excitement for what’s to come.
General Membership Meetings
We typically meet the third Monday of each month. Exact dates can be found in the school’s online calendar and our Facebook group. Meetings start at 6:30 p.m. in the main office conference room and via Teams. The Facebook event has a Teams link, meeting ID and passcode for each meeting.
Each meeting will feature an update from the executive team, a membership update, discussion on a variety of topics affecting the school as well as a leadership update. This is a great opportunity to meet teachers and staff at the school as well as fellow parents.
Our next meeting will be March 18 at 6:30 p.m.
Spring Fling Event
The PTA is excited to host a fun night for Discovery students in April. Mark your calendar and plan to attend our Spring Fling on Friday, April 26. From 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., 6th graders will have the chance to hang out, dance to the DJ, and participate in a variety of games and activities. Then from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., 7th and 8th graders will have their chance. Watch for more details to come in early April.
This is a big undertaking, and we need help! If you are interested in chaperoning at the event, please email DiscoveryPTApresident@gmail.com to let us know.
Cultural Night Event
Cultural Night is set for Monday, May 6 at Discovery. This will be an interactive evening of family fun learning about the cultures represented at Discovery. Mark your calendar now and plan to attend!
If you are interested in helping to plan this event, email DiscoveryPTApresident@gmail.com to let us know. There are several ways to help before and during the event.
Don’t forget the PTA will be involved with Eagles Expo welcoming incoming 6th graders and their families to Discovery and all things teacher appreciation week.
PTA Facebook Group
Join our Facebook Group
This is your best source for all the information you need to know about PTA. Meetings are here as events each month. You’ll also find signup links for volunteer activities and it’s a great place to ask questions. You can join the private group by searching “Discovery Middle School PTA-Fargo.”
Or scan this QR code to join:
PTA Membership
It’s never too late to join! PTA membership is specific to our school and must be renewed each year. Dues are $15. Use this QR code to sign up through Square:
Get in Touch!
Need to reach out to the PTA? Email us at DiscoveryPTAPresident@gmail.com with any questions, ideas, or just to say HI! We look forward to getting to know you.
We look forward to having you as a part of the PTA for the 23-24 school year! Go Eagles!
What's Happening at Discovery!
Spring Spirit Week From Student Leadership
Spring Spirit Week was a blast leading up to our Spring Break! We have had Twins Day, Pajama Day, Rhyme Without Reason Day, Celebrity Look-Alike Day, and Team Colors Day. It was a great way to have some fun before spring break.
Twins Day...Tripletts Day
Twinning in PE
Rhyme Without Reason
What's Happening in the Discovery Library
Bonding Over Books
Bonding over Books: A Reading Program for Students and Families
There are lots of ways to bond with people; reading is one of them! Bonding over Books is the next reading program at Discovery, and this time adult family members or friends can participate, too! This reading program gives you the opportunity to read and experience the same book as your Discovery student. Students may choose to read with a parent, guardian, adult sibling, aunt, uncle, grandma, grandpa, teacher, or family friend. When both the student and the adult reading partner finish the book, the Discovery student comes to the library to get cookies and cocoa for both participants to enjoy while talking about the book. We will even supply the book discussion questions!
This program is sponsored by the Discovery Library and our generous PTA. Students can sign up and check out two of the same books in the library starting Monday, February 26. The program ends March 28.
Click Bonding over Books Flier for more information about this reading incentive program.
Fargo Public Library
Fargo Public Library offers many teen activities. Events are always changing and often include reading programs, crafts, etc. Check out the details at the Fargo Public Library site.
Earbuds
Please ensure your child has earbuds or headphones in school, as many audio options are available and utilized for learning.
Connecting to your student on Canvas
Families who do not yet have a Canvas parent account are encouraged to register for one. Follow the directions below to create an account and connect your parent account to your student’s Canvas courses and become an observer.
NOTE: If you created an account previously, this account still exists and is tied to your child(ren)’s account and you can go straight to https://fargo.instructure.com/login/canvas to log in. If you have forgotten the password for this account, click the Forgot Password link that will be available on that login page.
Additional Canvas help links/handouts for parents and students (including the Canvas app) can be found on the Fargo Public Schools website. Look for the blue Canvas icon.
DMS Counseling Corner
This past month, our Discovery School Counselors have been working on registration for the 2024-2025 school year. We have visited our current 6th and 7th grade teams to talk about registration and have registered them for next year’s classes. We have also held individual meetings with our current 8th graders to prepare them for their transition to Davies. We have also traveled to our feeder elementary schools to prepare the 5th graders for their transition to Discovery. It is a busy time of year, but also very exciting as we think to the next school year. If you have any questions regarding registration for your student, please reach out to your student’s grade level school counselor.
Mr. Napton, 7th Grade – 446-3314
Mr. Snowden, 8th Grade – 446-3313
Mrs. Ferderer, 6th grade – 446-3318
Mrs. McMinn, Lead Counselor – 446-3312
Attention Current 8th Grade Families
Wednesday, March 27th our 8th grade students will be going over to Davies for a tour. Specific times/details about this event are forthcoming and will be shared once finalized.
Attention Current 6th and 7th Grade Families
Fargo Public Schools is happy to offer summer learning opportunities for ALL students entering 7th and 8th grades. Summer school is a completely voluntary program that students can take advantage of to either improve Reading/Math abilities or continue to expand their learning in areas of interest such as Social Studies and Science.
Summer School Registration Timeline for current 6th and 7th grade Discovery Students
March 1st Summer school information will be available in the March Newsletter
March 18th All current 6th and 7th grade students at Discovery receive this letter
April 1st Deadline for general registration by parents/guardians
April 7th School Counselors will follow up with students that are highly recommended by school staff for summer school that aren’t currently signed up
Middle School Summer School 2024 registration information can be found at the following link: www.fargosummerschool.com
Summer School will be held June 4th-27th with options for virtual and/or in person learning.
- Hybrid Learning: M-Th @ Discovery + Virtual Fridays
- Virtual Learning: M-F Synchronous (online) through Microsoft Team
- Classes will run from 8:00 am-11:30 am and the following classes are available:
- - Reading - Math - Science - Social Studies
Students registering for summer school must be signed up for two classes.
Students interested in signing up for Sports and/or Music camps can also register at www.fargosummerschool.com
If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact your students counselor. Registration should be completed by April 1st, 2024.
6th grade Counselor
Taylor Ferderer 701-446-3318
7th grade Counselor
Sean Napton
701-446-3314
Restorative Practices with Mrs. Tackling
Intro to Boundaries
Boundaries are limits or guidelines that explain acceptable and appropriate behavior in different situations. Boundaries can exist in personal relationships, professional settings, and social interactions. Boundaries help establish a sense of safety, respect, and understanding between individuals or groups. Here are several types of boundaries:
- Personal Boundaries: These describe the limits of an individual's personal space, emotions, and values.
- Physical Boundaries: These involve physical space and touch. For example, personal space preferences or comfort levels vary from person to person.
- Emotional Boundaries: Emotional boundaries refer to the limits and guidelines that we establish to protect our own emotional well-being and maintain a healthy balance in relationships with others.
- Professional Boundaries: At School, boundaries are essential to maintain a safe and respectful environment.
- Social Boundaries: These involve understanding and respecting the cultural norms, societal expectations, and acceptable behavior within a given community or group.
Setting and maintaining boundaries is important for maintaining healthy relationships, promoting self-care, and ensuring mutual respect. Students may need to communicate their boundaries clearly, assertively, and consistently to ensure positive interactions with others. If your student is having difficulty with friends, encourage them to think about their own boundaries and communicate that to their friends. Involve a trusted adult for help.
Student Resource Officer Corner with Officer Noll
This school year is flying by, and Spring (should) be right around the corner! Every day you drop off your child or pick them up you are reminded you are another day closer to summer break! Please remember when you are either dropping them off/picking them up to do it safely. The parking lot and surrounding streets get very chaotic during those times of the day. Over the past few months I have started to get complaints from parents and residences around the school due to inappropriate parking on streets and side streets. The City of Fargo Municipal code explains “Stopping, standing, or parking prohibited in specified places” (8-1003). The code reads “No person shall stop, stand, or park a vehicle, except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the law or the directions of a police officer or traffic-control device, in any of the following places:” The following are some examples from the code:
C. In front of a public or private driveway, including parking so as to encroach on the radius of said driveway.
D. Within 10 feet of that portion of a curb which is directly in front of an adjacent fire hydrant.
E. On a crosswalk.
F. Within 10 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection.
L. Alongside or opposite any street excavation or obstruction when stopping, standing, or parking would obstruct traffic.
M. On the roadway side of any vehicle stopped or parked at the edge or curb of a street.
O. At any place where official signs prohibit stopping.
Please keep this in mind when dropping off or picking up your child from school. We always want it to be as safe as possible for everyone driving on the street. Feel free to contact me with any questions.
Mr. Reinke's Realm-Measures of Academic Achievement
Hello Discovery Families,
As we embark on another round of assessments at Discovery School, we thank all our students and staff for their efforts and dedication during these assessment periods. Each test is a measure of academic achievement and an opportunity for growth and self-discovery. Student willingness to engage with these assessments reflects your commitment to excellence and desire to reach your full potential.
Thank you for your continued dedication. We wanted to provide information and updates on our ongoing assessment efforts at Discovery.
ND A + Assessments (completed):
North Dakota Academic Progression of Learning and Understanding of Students or ND A-PLUS (N.D. A+) is a new, connected system of assessments that includes state-provided interim assessments (starting Fall 2023) and a statewide summative assessment that will replace the NDSA (starting Spring 2025). The innovation with the N.D. A+ system lies in aligning the interim assessments and the N.D. educational content standards and alignment to the N.D. A+ summative. The two parts of N.D. A+, interims, and summative will exist within the same platform. This benefits both test administrators and students, as familiarity with the system will grow as it is used throughout the year. Items like reporting, test administrator interface, student testing interface, student testing tools, and even the item pool will all be uniquely tied together in one system. The ND A+ interims meet the newly created interim assessment law via the state-provided option (NDCC 15.1-21-17.1) and are provided at no cost to the school districts.
NAEP (National Assessment of Educational Progress) for a 150 8th graders - completed March 4:
The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), known as The Nation's Report Card, stands as the most comprehensive ongoing evaluation of students' academic abilities across the United States. Since its inception in 1969, NAEP has consistently measured student achievement in mathematics, reading, and science, among others. It provides valuable insights at national, state, and district levels, offering data on the performance of various demographic groups.
Mandated by Congress, NAEP is overseen by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), operating within the U.S. Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences. NAEP data serves as the foundation for various special studies conducted by NCES, encompassing comparisons of proficiency standards across states and examinations of performance variations among demographic groups across different school types. The National Assessment Governing Board, comprised of governors, state school superintendents, educators, researchers, and representatives from the public, plays a vital role in setting policy guidelines for NAEP.
NDSA (North Dakota State Assessment) in April 17 & 18:
The NDDPI supervises the development, implementation, and evaluation of the NDSA, the statewide assessment that measures student performance against the state's challenging content and achievement standards in select academic subjects and grades. The NDSA consists of general, criterion-referenced assessments for all students in grades 3-8 and 10 in English language arts/literacy and mathematics and in grades 4, 8, and 10 in science. The NDDPI administers all aspects of the NDSA, ensuring that each assessment meets rigorous program requirements for validity and reliability, inclusion, technical quality, and reporting. The annual NDSA technical reports provide detailed evidence of adequate technical quality. There are supplemental documents referenced in the volumes, and if you are interested in receiving those, please email your request to the Office of Assessment.
We appreciate your continued support and partnership in your child's education. If you have any questions or concerns about these assessments, please feel free to contact your child's administrator or counselor for assistance. Go Eagles!
Mr. Ford's Focus - The Importance of Movement for Students
Happy March Discovery Families,
As the weather continues to warm and the days grow longer, I see more and more people enjoying movement and activities outside. This allowed me to reflect on the importance of incorporating movement in a student’s day. Integrating physical activity into their routine not only boosts their physical health but also enhances cognitive function and academic performance.
Research confirms that regular physical activity improves brain function and academic achievement. When students engage in movement, blood flow to the brain increases, enhancing neural connectivity and cognitive processing. This leads to better memory retention, faster information processing, and improved academic performance.
Moreover, movement stimulates creativity and critical thinking skills. Activities like dance, drama, or hands-on experiments activate different brain regions associated with problem-solving and innovation. Movement-based learning makes academics more engaging and encourages students to explore novel solutions.
Additionally, movement promotes emotional well-being, crucial for academic success. Physical activity releases endorphins, reducing stress and anxiety levels. By incorporating movement breaks into their routine, we help them regulate emotions and cultivate a positive attitude towards learning. The World Health Organization and the Center for Disease Control both recommend at least 60 minutes of physical activity a day for students.
At Discovery, we offer multiple options for pre-school movement. Students can walk around the track (weather permitting), utilize the weight room, or engage in different activities in the gym. These opportunities not only promote physical health but also set a positive tone for the day ahead.
As parents, you can further support your child's well-being by encouraging physical activity at home. Whether it's family walks, bike rides, or active play, every opportunity for movement contributes to their academic success.
Let's embrace the power of movement to unlock your child's full academic potential and pave the way for a brighter future.
Upcoming Events
March 11-15
- No School - Spring Break
March 18
- PTA Meeting - 6:30 - Main Office Conference Room
March 29
- No School - Vacation Day
April 1
- Due to the cancellation on Tuesday, February 27th, FPS will use the storm make up day built into the school calendar of Monday, April 1; students and staff will be expected to be in school on April 1. It will be a "C" day.
MARCH LETTER DAY CALENDAR
Please see below for the March Letter Day Calendar or check out our Discovery website.
Our bell schedules and calendars are always posted on our Discovery website.
Repeated in Each Monthly Newsletter
PARENT/FAMILY ACCOMODATIONS
Family support is so important for your child’s success at Discovery. If parents or other family members need accommodations to participate and attend any school function at Discovery, please contact the school office two to three business days prior to the event. Every effort will be made to meet your needs.
PARENTAL/FAMILY COMMUNICATION
Communicating with parents and families is always our goal at Discovery Middle School.
You may subscribe to Discovery’ Newsletter and Daily Announcements on our website by going to “Content E-Alerts” on Discovery’s website. Parents/guardians can sign up to receive alerts about new Daily Announcements, Newsletters, etc., for each school your students attend. E-Alerts are sent to users who have subscribed to a homepage or website section of interest. You will receive an email notification that content has been modified.
You may also want to add our school calendar to your personal calendar. This will help you stay informed about all the activities that are happening at Discovery.
Our school supply list, our student handbook, a link to PowerSchool, PTA information, and several other useful links are also available on our website.
YEARBOOKS
Yearbook orders will be taken online .The cost is $22.00. To ensure that your child will receive a yearbook at the end of the year, it must be ordered and paid for in advance. The deadline for ordering a yearbook is Thursday, March 28th
Liz’s Closet
A Discreet, Free Resource for Discovery Students in Need
What: Discovery strives as a team to meet the needs of all students as part of our mission to build a foundation for success. Liz’s Closet, a free resource at Discovery, aligns with this mission by providing students in need with items such as clothing, hygiene products, non-perishable food items, etc.
At Discovery, we hope to provide developmentally appropriate support to students in need by offering a means to obtain basic food and hygiene products in a discreet manner. Students utilizing Liz’s Closet will have access to reusable bags, so items are less visible as students are leaving the building.
Where: Liz’s Closet will be located in Student Services. The room being used as “Liz’s Closet” will be accessible through a trusted adult in the building (teachers, counselors, administrators, paraprofessionals, designated staff).
Who: Any student in need of these items is welcome to take what he/she needs with the help of a trusted adult.
How: Although students are welcome to directly ask a trusted adult at Discovery to use Liz’s Closet, to maintain privacy as best as possible, a student can simply draw a star on a sheet of paper and bring it to a trusted adult. The adult will then instruct the student as to when he/she can go to Student Services to collect what is needed. If this adult does not have a time that works for him/her, the adult will notify the appropriate counselor or Student Services staff member to be expecting this student sometime within the school day. Once in Student Services, the student will be escorted to the closet and can take what is needed.
If you know of anyone who may need to utilize this resource, please do not hesitate to contact a Discovery counselor or administrator. Additionally, if you would like to donate shelf-stable food, school supplies, or hygiene products to Liz’s Closet, please contact Taylor Ferderer (school counselor) at 446-3318.
Discovery Online School Store
Discovery Middle School
Brandon Larson, Assistant Principal/Activities Coordinator
Hunter Reinke, Assistant Principal
Joe Ford, Administrative Intern
Website: www.fargo.k12.nd.us/discovery
Location: 1717 40th Avenue South, Fargo, ND, USA
Phone: 701-446-3300