The Explorer

It is hard to believe that it's already May, and the end of another school year is near. It's a busy time with many things to accomplish and so much to look forward to! Students are finishing testing and assessments, 5th grade students have been preparing for the transition to middle school, and everyone has been looking forward to end of the year activities, including field trips and our all-school field day.

I know many students are anxious to pull out their flip-flops and sandals; however, we see a lot of injuries during recess from these types of shoes. I recommend students wear tennis shoes or a type of shoe that covers the toes. In addition to injuries, we see a lot of broken sandals so please make sure your student has a back-up pair of shoes if they must wear sandals.

Before you get busy with summer activities, please complete your student(s) 2024-25 Annual Update/Registration. You will update your household and contact information. You will also give your student(s) permission to be included in school publications (school pictures, etc.), go on field trips, and be included in other SFSD photos and videos.

The Discovery office will be closed from May 31 - July 31 for summer break. Enjoy this time with your student(s) because before you know it, you’ll be shopping for next year’s backpack and school supplies. Thank you for a wonderful year at Discovery; I am looking forward to the next!

Mr. Dan Fischer, Principal

• May 1: Kindergarten to Children's Museum, Brookings, from 9:00 am - 2:15 pm.
  
• May 1: 1st Grade to Washington Pavilion, from 9:00 am - 1:30 pm.
• May 2: PTO's Discovery Skate Night at Skate City from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm.
• May 3: Prairie West Library is closing at noon. If your student(s) normally goes there after school, you will need to make other arrangements
• May 9: 5th grade students to visit their future middle school from 9:15 am - 10:45 am.
• May 14: 2nd Grade to Historic Prairie Village from 9:00 am - 2:00 pm.
• May 16: 3rd Grade to Old Courthouse Museum from 9:00 am - 11:45 am.
• May 17: 5th Grade Academic Breakfast at 7:30 am.
• May 17: 5th Grade to Thunder Road then Dunham Park from 10:15 am - 12:45 pm.
• May 17: PTO's Discovery Day Bash from 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm.
• May 21: Discovery Field Day. More details to come!
• May 22: 4th Grade to Good Earth State Park from 11:10 am - 2:20 pm.
• May 23: Last day of school!
• May 24: Last day to look at lost and found. Items not claimed will be donated.
  

On the last day of school, if your student normally rides the school bus or goes to daycare - and he/she will have a different after-school plan - please let the office know. You can email Jasmine.Iddings@k12.sd.us or Jennifer.Hogan@k12.sd.us. This is very helpful at dismissal!

We are not sending home or mailing hardcopies of fourth quarter report cards. You can access your student(s) grades through the Parent Portal. If your student is on an IEP, a hardcopy of his/her quarterly progress report will be sent home.

The CLC Afterschool Program will be CLOSED on the last day of school. Please make other arrangements as all students need to be picked up by 3:00 pm.

Please pick-up your student(s) medication, inhaler, epi-pen, etc. by 3:00 pm on the last day of school, which is Thursday, May 23. Items not picked up will be disposed of. A parent/guardian must pick up the medication - it cannot be sent home with a student.

The last day to look at Lost & Found items is Friday, May 24. Office hours are 7:00 am - 3:00 pm. Items not claimed will be donated.

It’s time to complete your student(s) 2024-25 Annual Update/Registration for the next school year. You will review/update your household and contact information. You will also give your student(s) permission to be included in school publications (school pictures, social media, etc.), go on field trips, and be included in other SFSD photos and videos.

Login to your parent portal and select "More" on the left-hand side. Scroll down and select the "Annual Student Information Update" link. It is recommended that the Annual Update/Registration is completed on either a desktop or laptop computer (no cell phone or tablet). Instructions are below.

The FREE Summer Meal Program is back again! From May 28 - August 9 breakfast and/or lunch will be served FREE to all children (ages 0 - 18). No application - no paperwork!

Siouxland Libraries is hosting a fun, summer tutoring program for children that are currently in grades Kindergarten - 5th. This is a FREE service thanks to a local non-profit organization, Reading Bridge, Inc.

Trained tutors will meet with their students for one hour twice a week from July 8 - August 2. This program is held at the Prairie West branch on Monday and Wednesday mornings. The are three different one-hour sessions available: 9:00-10:00, 10:15-11:15 or 11:30-12:30. For best results, it is highly encouraged for parents to make sure that their child will be able to attend all eight sessions before registering.

For more information and to register your child, go to www.readingbridgeinc.org.

If you haven’t already done so:

1. Add your student to our list of incoming kindergarteners at https://www.cognitoforms.com/.../_202324kindergarteninput...

2. Complete the district’s online registration at https://www.sf.k12.sd.us/page/school-registration .

3. Submit required documents: address verification, birth certificate, and immunizations.

Reminder! Mrs. Jacee Johnson, School Counselor, is on maternity leave. In her absence, Mrs. Hannah Schouten is covering for her. Mrs. Schouten is at Discovery every day except Tuesdays.

This month, 4th grade students reviewed the Wellness Triangle. The Wellness Triangle breaks down wellness into three parts: Social Health, Physical Health, and Mental+Emotional Health. They learned that if any side of the triangle is out of balance, then it affects the other parts of their wellness. They shared different ways they already do well in each category. Students also set one small SMART goal on how to improve their Wellness Triangle. Students learned that the Wellness Triangle is a tool they can use to check-in with their wellness daily.

Fourth grade students also learned three different types of communication: Passive, Assertive, and Aggressive. Students practiced "I statements" and apologies with each other.

Fifth grade students have started transition lessons about going to middle school. They have been learning how to open combination locks, so they are ready for their lockers next year! Also this month, Middle School Counselors will be visiting with students to give them more information and to answer questions.

Principal: Mr. Dan Fischer

Email: Daniel.Fischer@k12.sd.us

Dean of Students: Mrs. Kristina Becker

Email: Kristina.Becker@k12.sd.us

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