Discovery Middle School

(L-R) Mr. Hunter Reinke-Assistant Principal and 8th Grade Level Principal; Mr. Brandon Larson-Assistant Principal and Activities Director and 6th Grade Level Principal; Mrs. Amy Herrick-Head Principal and 7th Grade Level Principal; Mr. Jacob Kienzle-6-8 Dean of Students

Memo from Mrs. Herrick: DMS Families, We are So Thankful for You

Next Early Out Day

Digital Safety: Dangerous Apps for Middle School Students and Tips on How to Manage Them

How to Follow Your Child's Progress On Canvas: Log In As Your Child!

DMS Good News Feature: 8th Grade American History Mock Election

Discovery Important Goals: DIGS

24-25 Early-Out Schedule

24-25 DMS Daily Period Schedule

Discovery Good News Feature: 24-25 Peer Mentor Program is Up and Running!

Building a Foundation For Success: FPS Code of Character, Conduct and Support (CCCS)

Building a Foundation for Success: Evidence Based Reporting (EBR) and Standards Based Instruction (SBI)

Building a Foundation for Success: FPS Philosophies

Discovery Good News: Happenings Around the Building

Fargo Public Schools 2023-2024 Annual Report

Community Friends Pre-School Program

Gifted Services Paperwork Update

Discovery Good News: NDSU Players Visit the Disco!

DMS PTA Monthly Update: PTA Launches a New Website!

Athletics and Activities Corner with Mr. Larson

Counseling Corner

• High School Registration

November Mental Health Series

Nursing Nuggets with Nurse Megan: Welcome to our Substitute Nurse Tonia!

SRO Corner with Officer Noll: Guidelines for Success: Winter Conditions to Be Aware Of

Reinke's Realm: Understanding and Addressing Skipping Class In Middle School

Kienzle's Corner: Understanding the Threat And Intimidation Policy

What's Happening in the Library

DMS Good News Feature: DMS Spooktackular Fundraiser!

Frozen Eagles Ski & Snowboard Club

Upcoming Events

November Letter Day Calendar

Parent Accommodations/Communications
Yearbooks
Liz's Closet

As we settle into November of the 24-25 school year at Discovery Middle School, I want to take a moment to share just how grateful I am for our DMS families. Our Discovery Eagles thrive because of the incredible support they receive, both here at school and at home—and that’s all thanks to YOU, our dedicated families.

Your commitment to your children’s education, whether it's through attending parent-teacher conferences, helping with homework, or simply checking in with them at the end of the day, has a profound impact. It’s clear that the partnership between school and home is one of the key ingredients to their success. Your encouragement, your time, and collaboration with the school create an environment where our students can truly shine.

Thank you for all you do as a parent or guardian of a middle-schooler. We know that middle school can be a time of growth and change, and it’s the combination of your support at home and our work here at school that helps guide our students through these important years.

Together, we are building a strong foundation for their future success, and I couldn’t be more thankful for everything you do. Here’s to another year of collaboration, growth, and continued success for our Discovery Eagles!

For the 2024-25 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.

In today’s digital age, our children are more connected than ever. While technology offers incredible opportunities for learning and socializing, it also presents risks that we need to be vigilant about. Here are some of the most dangerous apps for middle school students and tips on how to manage them.

1. Snapchat

While Snapchat is extremely popular among middle schoolers for its disappearing messages and fun filters, it’s also a breeding ground for cyberbullying, inappropriate content, and privacy concerns. Many students believe their messages vanish forever, but screenshots and third-party apps can easily capture these snaps, leading to long-lasting consequences.

Tip: Discuss with your child the risks of sharing personal information or images online, even if they think it will disappear. Use parental controls to monitor usage or limit access to this app.

2. TikTok

TikTok is widely used for creating and sharing short videos, but it also exposes kids to a wide range of inappropriate content, strangers, and dangerous trends. Many challenges on TikTok, while seemingly harmless, encourage risky behavior. Predators may also use the platform to target vulnerable users.

Tip: Set up a family account, monitor your child’s activity, and enable privacy settings that restrict communication to friends only. Ensure your child understands the risks of participating in viral challenges.

3. Discord

Originally designed for gamers, Discord has become a popular platform for messaging and voice chat among middle schoolers. However, it is largely unregulated, and students can join public servers where inappropriate content, cyberbullying, or communication with strangers may occur. Discord’s anonymity also makes it harder for parents to monitor conversations.

Tip: If your child uses Discord, encourage them to only join private servers with friends and make sure they know how to report inappropriate behavior. Discuss with them the importance of being cautious about strangers online.

4. Houseparty

Houseparty allows users to video chat with multiple friends at once, but it also allows random strangers to join these chats, especially if privacy settings are not enabled properly. This can expose children to inappropriate conversations or unwanted interactions with strangers.

Tip: Check that privacy settings are enabled so that only friends can join your child’s video chats. Regularly remind your child to exit or block anyone who makes them uncomfortable.

5. Omegle

Omegle is a platform that pairs random users in one-on-one video or text chats, promoting anonymity. This app is particularly dangerous for young users as it can expose them to inappropriate content and predators. Omegle is not designed for children, yet some middle schoolers find their way onto it, increasing their risk of exploitation.

Tip: This is an app parents should block completely, as it offers little to no moderation. Have an open conversation with your child about the dangers of talking to strangers online.

6. Instagram

Instagram may seem like a typical photo-sharing app, but it poses risks for younger users. With features like direct messaging, public profiles, and the ability to explore content beyond their friends, middle schoolers can be exposed to cyberbullying, inappropriate images, and online predators.

Tip: Make sure your child’s account is private and that they only accept follow requests from people they know. Consider monitoring their followers and direct messages regularly.

7. Ask. fm

Ask. fm allows users to interact in a question-and-answer format- with friends, peers, and anonymous users alike. The app has been used by some children to engage in harmful cyberbullying incidents. Its loose regulation and lack of monitoring have created a dangerous place for students.

Tip: This is an app parents should block completely, as it offers little to no moderation. Have an open conversation with your child about the dangers of talking to strangers online.

Beware of iOS 18 update and hidden apps

The latest iPhone update includes a "Hidden Apps" feature, which allows users to hide specific apps from their home screen and the search function without deleting them. While this feature can be useful for adults, it may also be misused by young users to conceal apps from their parents, including apps that may pose risks such as social media platforms, messaging services, or content-sharing apps.

What You Should Know:

Apps Can Be Hidden from View: With iOS 18, children can hide apps without deleting them. These apps will not appear on the home screen but remain accessible in the app library. Click here to see how.

Increased Potential for Risky Behavior: Hidden apps may allow children to access social media, games, or other platforms that they might otherwise avoid using in front of their parents, increasing their exposure to cyberbullying, inappropriate content, and unsafe interactions.

Difficult for Parents to Monitor: This feature makes it harder for parents to know what apps their children are using or how much time they are spending on certain platforms.

If you are interested in a phone monitoring service, here is a list of the top reviewed services.

What Parents Need to Know about kids and AI

Click here to learn how to use AI as a learning aide instead of a tool that just does your kid's homework for them.

A great way to follow your student’s progress is to be an observer in their Canvas Courses and follow scores posted in PowerSchool. The following link will walk you through how to be an observer in your student’s Canvas Course.

Check out this video from Discovery's Mock Election!

A week ahead of the General Election, eighth graders at Discovery Middle School have the opportunity to participate in a mock election meant to closely simulate the experience of voting at a real polling location. During their American History classes, the roughly 300 students will be given the option to visit Mr. Jeremy Nesvold’s classroom to perform their civic duty.

Before the mock election, students will receive a lesson about the voting process, which will address how to vote, how to prepare to vote, what items are required to participate in the voting process, and voter etiquette.

Just as with real elections, participation is optional. Students who choose not to vote in the mock election will be given an alternative activity to learn more about the voting process.

In the simulated polling location, students will vote online using a website set up by the Youth Leadership Initiative. The online ballot will include President, U.S. Senate, and U.S. House of Representatives. Students will also vote for North Dakota Governor and one local ballot measure on paper. When Discovery’s online voting window closes, they will receive the school results along with a comparison across the state and nation.

This year, each FPS building was tasked with coming up with 2-3 Important Goals that are directly tied to the FPS Strategic Plan. The FPS Strategic Plan has 6 areas of focus, DMS chose to focus on areas 1. Tiered Instruction and 2. Positive School Culture and Safety.

Please see the FPS Strategic Plan Website for more information about the strategic plan and the stratgic plan scorecard. Each month there will be relevant updates on the progress of DMS DIGS as well as updates on other portions of the strategic plan as it applies to DMS.

Discovery Daily Period Schedule

We’re excited to announce that the peer mentor program will be returning to Discovery this year. This program allows 8th grade students, who have a study hall class, the opportunity to mentor learners of all abilities within the ID and MI special education rooms. Peer mentors model the guidelines for success, positive behaviors, and exemplary social skills and life skills. These amazing mentors work alongside 1-2 students and assist them in completing daily tasks, academics, and various social activities and games. They provide ongoing support and build relationships with this special group of students that can continue throughout middle school and beyond.

Candidates had to fill out an application, get a parent signature, and have two reference letters to Mrs.Kerr, or the main office by October 25th, 2024. Prior to the program starting the students were required to take part in an in depth training, at the end of October, with Mrs. Kerr. Please reach out to Karlie Kerr at kerrk@fargo.k12.nd.us if you have any questions.

Karlie Kerr

Special Education Teacher

Discovery Middle School

The FPS Code of Character, Conduct, and Support is the District's guidelines to ensure a safe and respectful learning environment. It outlines the rights and responsibilities of students, parents, and staff, helping everyone work together to support student success and maintain a positive school culture. Fargo Public Schools has introduced important updates to the Code to enhance the clarity and support in its shared goals.

Read about the updates to the Code of Character, Conduct, and Support in this Feature Column by FPS Director of Educational Justice Tristan Love.

Learn more about Standards Based Instruction and Evidence Based Reporting on the FPS Secondary Instructional and Grading Practices Website.

These FPS Philosophies uphold our organizational truths and demonstrate Fargo Public Schools’ commitment to inclusive practices in education and the academic freedom of educators to utilize their expertise and professionalism to reach each student.

The Fargo Public Schools 2023-24 Annual Report is a summary of the District’s efforts to carry out its mission of “educating and empowering all students to succeed” during the 2023-24 school year. Read the report for an in-depth examination of the District’s students, staff, schools, departments, and programs and a celebration of their achievements. And view key statistics regarding staffing, budget, demographics, and assessment data. Thank you for supporting Fargo Public Schools and allowing the District to serve its students and families and provide an exceptional educational experience. Access the full document at www.fargo.k12.nd.us/AnnualReport.

Fargo Public Schools' Early Childhood Special Education program is seeking Community Friends to join its preschool classrooms. 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 sessions are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Click here to apply for the ECSE Community Friends program.

Families of students in middle school gifted services may find their child’s fall individualized learning plan (ILP) or spring progress report in PowerSchool’s document storage area. ILPs are uploaded into PowerSchool document storage after semester 1 in January, while spring progress reports are uploaded after the end of the school year. Both ILP’s and progress reports from the 2023-24 school year are now available.

Due to the volume of students in middle school gifted services, it is not possible to fill each ILP or progress report with the kind of personalized information families would have seen at the elementary level. Please direct specific questions about your child’s progress to their classroom teacher.

Barika Kpeenu #8, Running Back; Enock Sibomana #14, Linebacker; and Loshiaka Roques #56, Defensive End of the NDSU Bison stopped to pay DMS a visit. They ate lunch with the students in the cafeteria, visited some classrooms, pitched some wiffleball in PE and met with small groups of students to talk about being a student-athelete and what it is like to play college sports.

Meetings
Everyone is welcome to attend our monthly meetings. You’ll hear first-hand what’s happening at school, within PTA, and you’ll have a voice in what PTA does. Each meeting offers an update on PTA business, an update from the admin team, and a special guest speaker.

Last month, we heard from the Dean of Students, Mr. Kienzle, about the new code of conduct, restorative practices, and much more! It was insightful and information not shared anywhere else! We also approved funding for library reading programs and talked about upcoming PTA events.

Please plan to join us at our next meeting!

November 18 (Monday) | 6:30 p.m. | Main Office Conference Room or Teams

You can join virtually via our Facebook Group or website.

Meetings are a great opportunity to meet teachers and staff at the school as well as fellow parents.

We are excited to share our new website with you!

You can find us a couple different ways:

From the Discovery Middle School website’s About Us page, you’ll find a link for Parent Teacher Association in the left side menu

Go directly to https://discovery.fargo.k12.nd.us/about-us/pta

1. You can learn about volunteer opportunities, check meeting dates, join monthly meetings virtually, and more as we work to grow the website.
2. Take a look around and let us know what you would like to see on the website. Don’t forget to bookmark the site for future reference.

Our PTA relies on volunteers willing to share their time and talents to make a variety of events successful. Here’s where we need help right now:

1. Scholastic Book Fair (November 19 – 22)

2. Concession Stand (December 6)

Please consider volunteering your time by clicking each event to sign up for a volunteer shift.

Suicide Prevention Night | January 14 | 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. | Discovery Auditorium

The PTA is proud to host Suicide Prevention Night on Tuesday, January 14, 2025. Mark your calendar and make plans for your family to join us for an important evening of conversation, discussion, and resources on suicide prevention. Suicide is the leading cause of death in North Dakota for people ages 10-24, according to the ND Department of Public Instruction.

This event will feature Elizabeth and Todd Medd, co-founders of the 4-6-3 Foundation, whose mission is to reduce stigma, build hope, end suicide. This night will be a time for important discussion on suicide prevention with a panel discussion and more.

As parents, caregivers, friends, family members, and trusted adults, it’s up to us to do all we can for our kids when it comes to having hard conversations, recognizing warning signs, but also realizing there may not be warning signs, learning about the resources available, and supporting those in need.

Everyone at Discovery is invited to attend this important evening. We encourage you to invite your family and friends to attend. The event is free and open to the public. All are welcome.

Cultural Night | February 20 | 5:30 – 8:00 p.m. | Discovery Middle School

The PTA is again sponsoring Cultural Night at Discovery! Join us for this family friendly event to celebrate diversity within our community and learn about cultures around the world through delicious foods, live performances, and a lot of fun! Mark your calendar for Thursday, February 20, 2025.

If you would like to participate by sharing your culture or volunteering at the event, please email us!

This event is free and open to the public! All are welcome.

PTA membership is specific to Discovery and must be renewed each year. Dues are $15. Your dues also give you membership to both the statewide and national PTA organizations.

You can pay your membership dues a few different ways.

1. Square: http://bit.ly/3X1Pj3z. You don’t need to have a Square account to pay this way.
2. Pay through SchoolPay (under the Nonprofit Groups tab) in PowerSchool.
3. Drop off cash or check in the Main Office.

We are asking YOU to join PTA! Our goal is to reach 100 members this year and we are close but we need your help to achieve our goal. Membership dues are used for a variety of programs and enhancements for students, teachers, and staff. You aren’t obligated to volunteer or attend meetings although both are rewarding ways to show your support for PTA and Discovery!

This is your best source for all the information you need to know about PTA. Meetings will be listed there as events and we’ll post signup links for volunteer activities too. You can join the private group by searching “Discovery Middle School PTA-Fargo” or click this link: https://bit.ly/4cpH4Tm.

You can email the executive team 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 24-25 school year! Go Eagles!

New seasons starting up!

7th & 8th grade girls' basketball

• Season is about halfway through
• 7th grade coaches
• Coach Lingen (A): Lingenm@fargo.k12.nd.us
• Coach Boor (B): Boorc@fargo.k12.nd.us
• 8th grade coaches
• Coach Lindahl (A): Lindahg@fargo.k12.nd.us
• Coach Goldmann (B): Goldmam@fargo.k12.nd.us

6-8th grade boys' wrestling

• Starts on Tuesday, 11/12/24
• 7th & 8th grade will need forms, fees, and physicals. 6th graders do not.
• Email Coach Lange if you have any questions: JonaLang00@gmail.com

7 -12th grade girls' wrestling

• Starts on Tuesday, 11/12/24
• All FPS girls wrestle on a combined team that practices at CBE
• Email Coach Fugleberg if you have any questions: Fuglebt@Fargo.k12.nd.us

6th grade volleyball

• Starts on Tuesday 11/12/24
• Practices are M,T,TH,F right after school until 5:15
• Contact Coach Otto, Coach Gravdahl, Coach Tiedman, or Coach Thielges if you have questions.
• Ottod@fargo.k12.nd.us, Gravdat@fargo.k12.nd.us, Tiedmal@fargo.k12.nd.us, Thielgc@fargo.k12.nd.us

Legally Blonde Jr. Musical

• Auditions start after school on 11/12 and go all week.
• Contact Lori Koenig (Lead Director) if you have questions: Koenigl@fargo.k12.nd.us

7-12th grade gymnastics

• Begins on November 18th
• All FPS students will practice at Fargo South High School
• Contact Coach Dahl if you have questions: jenpauli57@gmail.com

Boys' Swimming and Diving

• Begins on December 2
• All Discovery students will participate on the Davies team.
• Contact Coach Johnson if you have questions: johnsoj9@fargo.k12.nd.us

Stay tuned for more updates and as always, thank you for supporting Discovery’s activities and our amazing students!

Thank you,

Brandon Larson, CAA

Assistant Principal | Activities Coordinator

High School Registration

Attention to all parents and guardians of 8th grade students! Registration for high school is approaching fast. Davies counselors will be visiting Discovery on January 9th, 2025, to share information about high school and selecting courses. Each 8th grade student will be given a registration form to review and complete with their parents/guardians. This registration form is due to Student Services by January 17th, 2024. Discovery counselors will start meeting with the 8th grade students, individually, after January 20th, 2024. This individual meeting will be to register for high school courses, answer questions, and share information about what to expect in high school. Parents/guardians will be emailed a copy of the courses that their students have registered for. Also, Davies will be hosting a very informational course fair in January with a date, TBD.

Please reach out to your Discovery counselor with any questions and make sure you complete your student’s registration form as a family!

Mrs. Ferderer – 7th grade, 446-3318

Mr. Napton – 8th grade, 446-3314

Mr. Snowden – Lead grade, 446-3313

Mrs. McMinn – 6th grade Counselor, 446-3312

Nurse Megan is currently out on maternity leave. We are pleased to welcome Nurse Tonia who will be subbing in her place at DMS.

Nurse Tonia's hours will be: M, T, TH, F from 9:00-1:00. When Nurse Tonia is not here, we have several staff who are basic first-aid and able to administer medications to students who will serve in her place.

As Winter begins road conditions can change quickly! It is important to allow extra time for traveling and not speed on icy roads. Discovery Middle School and Centennial Elementary are located very close to one another and traffic in the area can get hectic in the morning and after school. Many Discovery students walk/ride bike to and from school and areas around the school become congested. As many of you see on a daily basis there are flashing yellow signs surrounding the school enforcing a 20 MPH (Mile per Hour) school zone. The city and your local law enforcement take these signs seriously.

Fargo Municipal Code 8-0502. - Speed limitations.

Subject to the provisions of § 8-0501 and except in instances where a lower speed is specified in this chapter or by the laws of this state, it shall be prima facie lawful for the driver of a vehicle to drive the same at a speed not exceeding:

Subsection B: Twenty miles an hour when passing a school; regular school hours when children are present, or when traveling through a designated school zone when a flashing beacon or other device indicates that reduced speed is required.

Penalty for violating the flashing beacon with children present is $80 if going (1-10 MPH) over the 20 MPH limit plus $2 for every MPH over 10.

Please drive safely and if you have any questions please reach out to Officer Noll.

Dear Discovery Families,

As your children navigate middle school, it's not uncommon for them to sometimes feel the need for a break from class. While we realize that taking breaks can be beneficial, students need to do so in the right way. If students feel overwhelmed and need a break, they should visit their school counselor, who can help support them.

Unfortunately, some students may choose to skip class to meet up with friends, which is against our school's policies. When students do this, it is considered "truancy in school." Missing class this way, even in small segments, impacts their learning as they miss essential parts of instruction, affecting their overall progression and academic grades.

Detention for Truancy in School

If a student is found to be skipping class, they are assigned after-school detention as part of restorative support, reflecting on why they chose to do so. You may have been contacted by one of our Positive Behavioral Techs (PBTs) to set up a time for detention. During this time, students work with the PBT to reflect on their choices and create a plan to reduce future truancy. 1 Truant-In School = 1 detention. These detentions will be scheduled before school, 8:00 am - 8:45 am OR 3:30 pm - 4:20 pm.

The Role of Cell Phones

A reminder: cell phones are only allowed before school 8:00 am - 8:45 am or after school 3:30 pm. Some teachers do allow the use of cell phones in class for projects. Sometimes, cell phones facilitate these unauthorized meet-ups by allowing students to coordinate in places like bathrooms or hallways. We ask that you speak to your child about responsible cell phone use during school hours.

At Discovery, our goal is to keep students engaged in the classroom, supporting their educational journey and preparing them for the future. If you have any questions or need more information, please feel free to reach out.

Thank you for your continued partnership, and Go Eagles!

Dear Discovery Families,

We have completed one quarter of the school year already, and we are on track for a great second quarter. We want to continue our commitment to fostering a safe and supportive learning environment, so I would like to highlight another new key standard of behavior from our Code of Character Conduct and Support. Last month, I highlighted physical contact and the harassment and discrimination behavior policies. Please take a moment to go back and review them if you missed those important policies.

For the month of November, I would like to discuss our threat/intimidation policy. This standard is crucial to ensure that all staff and students feel safe while at Discovery. I again ask for your support in reinforcing our standards of behavior at home by having conversations with your student about the importance of adhering to our guidelines from our Code of Character Conduct and Support. You can locate these standards on our school website under the Student Handbook.

Threat/Imtimidation (pg. 28):

The Code of Character Conduct and Support clearly outlines that "Conveying an intent to cause harm or violence through an oral, written, or physical threat, sign or act." is not acceptable. The policy goes on to state that, “This Level Three infraction precipitates a FPS Threat Assessment”.

While some students may view making threats as harmless as they are not actually causing physical harm, it can greatly impact the person(s) who received the threat, and we will always take every precaution to ensure the safety of all staff and students.

How you can help:

• Help your child understand the effects that making threats—even as a joke or out of frustration—can have on the school community, like causing fear or disrupting learning.
• Discuss empathy and how other students, teachers, and staff feel when they hear about a threat, even if it wasn't meant seriously.
• Remind them that if they ever feel frustrated, bullied, or uncomfortable at school, there are safer ways to express their feelings. Encourage them to talk to you, a teacher, or counselor before acting out.
• Practice calming techniques or ways to manage anger to help equip your child with tools to handle their emotions positively. Techniques might include deep breathing, taking a break, or talking through feelings.

Our staff works hard every day to create a safe, supportive environment for all. Your continued partnership in discussing these important topics with your student at home is invaluable to ensuring a positive school experience for everyone.

If you have any questions or need further clarification, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Jacob Kienzle, Dean of Students.

Thank you for your continued support in fostering a safe and respectful school environment.

Sincerely,

Jacob Kienzle

Dean of Students

My Reading Era reading program is a chance for students and staff

to focus on their reading interests in this era of their lives. Participants complete five reading tasks by Monday, December 2, to get a Rice Krispie Bar 1930’s “era treat” and to be entered in a drawing for cozy Squishmallows and blankets!

1990’s era beaded friendship bracelets are the October makerspace! MANY students have enjoyed making them.

Scholastic Book Fair will be held in the Discovery Library

November 19-22 from 8:10 AM - 4:00. All students will have a scheduled time to visit the fair during their English classes. Visit Discovery’s Scholastic Book Fair Webpage for more details and an opportunity to set up eWallet, a safe cashless way for your child to shop the fair.

Volunteer a few hours at the fair at this link: Disco Book Fair Volunteer Signup

Christina Soontornvat will visit

Discovery, Tuesday, December 10. All students attending will have read at least two of her books! She is the author of Newbery Honor Award-winning books All Thirteen, The Last Mapmaker, and A Wish in the Dark, along with many other titles for kids and tweens. With the help of More Than Words bookshop, students can purchase a book and have it autographed by the author. The deadline to order is Friday, November 15. Visit this website or use the QR code:

Please ensure your child has earbuds or headphones in school, as

many audio options are available and utilized for learning. Earbuds are on sale in the team centers and library for $1.

Discovery’s Student Leadership group hosted a spooktacular fundraiser to celebrate Halloween. Students paid a dollar to wear a costume that adhered to the Fargo Public Schools Dress Policy – AP 6325. The money raised was split between student leadership and supporting the events and activities that they put on throughout the school year and the Alzheimer’s Foundation. In the spring Student Leadership has the opportunity to travel to Bismark to partake in a Student Council Conference. While providing a fun and educational conference the hosts also work to support the Alzheimer Foundation to gather donations and bring awareness to the disease.

Discovery Frozen Eagles ski and snowboard club will be back again this year for some winter fun. For further information checkout our website: https://sites.google.com/view/discoveryfrozeneagles/home or email questions to discoverysnowboardskiclub@gmail.com.

November 11

• No School - Veteran's Day

November 12

• 6th Grade Volleyball begins
• Wrestling begins

November 27, 28, 29

• No School - Thanksgiving Vacation

Please see below for the November Letter Day Calendar or check out our Discovery website.

Our bell schedules and calendars are always posted on our Discovery website.

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.

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.

https://www.fargo.k12.nd.us/discovery

Yearbook orders will be taken online .The cost is $25.00. 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 Friday, April 4, 2025.

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.

Fargo Public Schools - AP 6410

When parents of a student are separated, involved in divorce proceedings or are divorced, the building principal will respect the rights of custodial and noncustodial parents equally except when a court order exists concerning special restrictions. “Special restrictions” means such things as temporary restraining orders preventing or restricting custody, court orders concerning supervised custody and similar orders. It is the responsibility of the parent to provide the school principal with a copy of such a court order concerning special restrictions about students or student information.

Parent rights include access to student records and school mailings, attendance at parent/ teacher conferences and Individual Educational Program (IEP) meetings, and authority to request that a student is released early or are absent from school for a legitimate reason.

It is the responsibility of the noncustodial parent to inform the school office of his/her name, address and phone number if they wish to be consulted regarding their child or wish to be placed on the school’s mailing list.

Adopted 3/27/90

Reviewed 1/15/2003,1/2013

Revised 10/2013

Reviewed 10/2020

Please find below the Written Notification of School Accountability Report.

Amy Herrick, Principal

Brandon Larson, Assistant Principal/Activities Coordinator

Hunter Reinke, Assistant Principal

Jacob Kienzle, Dean of Students

Website: www.fargo.k12.nd.us/discovery
Location: 1717 40th Avenue South, Fargo, ND, USA
Phone: 701-446-3300