Discovery Update Special Edition

The term “Specialists” refers to the teachers your student sees in Music, Library, Movement, Fitness and SKIP. Specialists see every K, 1 student at Discovery! A 5 day rotation schedule is followed by your student’s class. The classroom teachers will let you know their specialist schedule. Specialists see six classes per day for a 35 minute block of time. During specialists’ time the 3 school rules (AIM) are emphasized and classes meeting the AIM expectations are recognized. In this newsletter we will introduce ourselves and the programs your student will be experiencing when with us. We would like to introduce two new specialists to the team. We have a new music teacher, RaNae Vogel and new school counselor, Kelsey George. The Specialist Spotlight will be sent home three times throughout the school year. This is our way of connecting with the families of Discovery students. You are always welcome to contact any of us concerning your child and our programs.

Hello! My name is RaNae Vogel. I am the new music teacher here at Discovery. I enjoy singing, playing the piano, and playing the organ. I have eight children who all graduated from Fife High School. I have worked in the Fife School District for over 20 years. I look forward to making music together with all students at Discovery.

Discovery students get to experience a music curriculum specifically designed for our younger learners. Our music curriculum was designed by Dr. John Feierabend, one of the leading authorities on music and movement development in childhood. His curriculum leads our students through an eight part musical workout every day in the Train Station (the music room). This workout helps all of our students become tuneful, beatful, and artful. Tuneful students can keep a tune in their head and sing along to well-known songs. Beatful students know how to move to the beat. Artful students hear music and respond to it emotionally.

I am excited to share the joy and magic of music with everyone here at Discovery. Feel free to come visit me or let me know if you have any questions.

My name is Stacie Costanich, and I am the movement teacher at Discovery. This is my thirteenth year at Discovery, and I have to say I truly love my job! My goal is to promote movement so that each student develops a lifelong love of movement. A typical lesson in movement is 4 parts: 1. Warm-up 2. Fitness 3. Skill Development 4. Game. This month we are focusing on self space and moving safely in general space. We are also learning to do exercises with proper form while understanding the importance of fitness. Students will also learn manipulative skills such as beanbag, scarf, and hula hoop play. The games learned will help reinforce the skills learned while moving safely in general space. To help your child be successful, please make sure your student wears comfortable clothing and proper shoes on movement days.

My name is Jeanne Berg. I run the Library at Discovery along with Lynnette Crout. Mrs. Crout has worked at the Discovery Library since it opened. We call our area the Library Den. We have over ten thousand books and many, many bears, teddy bears! I have lived in this area all my life. My home is just blocks from Discovery. My mother graduated from Fife in 1954, as did I in 1976, and my daughter, Megan in 2005. This is my thirty-ninth year as a teacher in the Fife District. My motto - Fife womb to tomb! As the library specialist, my biggest goal is to promote reading and the love of books! We do this by reading a book at each library visit, exposing the students to fiction, non-fiction, authors, illustrators and book genres. I teach the beginning skills needed for how to check out and care for a library book. First grade will begin check out early in October and Kindergarten will begin in January. You will receive detailed information at those times. I also teach “Connections!”. Students are encouraged to make connections with what they are learning and the world around them. As they start school their world expands. Not only are they connected to their family but now to their class, their school, community, Washington State, USA, the world! A life skill we will concentrate on at the very beginning of the year is conflict resolution. Our school’s curriculum that teaches problem solving is centered around a frog named Kelso; we call it Kelso’s Choices. Students practice Kelso’s choices in their classrooms, playground, cafeteria, and we hope at home. More information can be found on the Library and Connections websites linked to Discovery’s webpage.

SKIP stands for Social Kinesthetic Imaginative Play. Yes, your Kindergartener or First Grader comes to my class to PLAY!!! Hi! My name is Tim Bayliss, and I teach SKIP here at Discovery. I taught Kindergarten for fifteen years in the Bethel School District. This is my fourth year teaching SKIP, and I absolutely love it. SKIP is a choice class, where students learn and practice social skills through authentic play. Stations and centers include Building Center, Painting, Creation Station, Books, Writing, Sensory Tables, Exploration Station, Games/Puzzles, and Imaginative/Social play. The classroom changes themes throughout the year, and we are currently in - - - Up, Up and Away - Hot Air Balloons and Kites

Hi, my name is Ryan Kauffman. This my second year teaching at Discovery. I am excited to get to know and work with your kids. In my class students will learn strategies and skills to improve and maintain their health and fitness as they get older. Discovery students will explore basic movements to improve endurance, strength, and flexibility. We will learn manipulative skills including jump rope, throwing, catching, rolling, and dribbling. Please help your kids be successful in my class by sending them to school in shoes they can be active in.

Hello, my name is Kelsey George, and this is my first year at Discovery! I recently moved to the PNW from the Midwest and am already in love with the school and community. My job here is to support students, families, and teachers in creating the best possible experience for students as they learn and grow. Throughout the beginning of the year, I will spend the majority of my time getting to know students and helping them become comfortable and confident in their new classroom environments. I also will support Mrs. Berg in teaching and reinforcing Kelso’s choices as a framework to problem solve. As we get further into Fall, I will begin running small groups (you’ll hear more about these groups a bit later). For updates on the counseling program, community events and resources, as well as access to my counseling blog, you can check out my class website on the Discovery homepage.

Please feel free to contact me if you have concerns about your child, if they are having a hard time adjusting to school, or if they have areas in which they might need extra support. Life happens, and I’m here to be sure students can continue to learn no matter what comes their way. I’m also here to help provide resources to families and answer questions (or you can just call to say hi!), so please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at (253) 517-1200 or kgeorge@fifeschools.com.

Please feel free to contact me if you have concerns about your child, if they are having a hard time adjusting to school, or if they have areas in which they might need extra support. Life happens, and I’m here to be sure students can continue to learn no matter what comes their way. I’m also here to help provide resources to families and answer questions (or you can just call to say hi!), so please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at (253) 517-1200 or kgeorge@fifeschools.com.