Discovery Primary Update

Families,

Welcome to Discovery Primary School! My name is Julie Bartlett and it is my honor and joy to serve as Principal here. This is my 17th year serving in this role. Teaching is my passion and I adore this age group of children.

I hope you have all had a great summer break. Discovery staff members have been working hard to create warm learning environments for your children when they come in. If you are returning to Discovery or new to our school we welcome you.

Below you will find important information regarding the beginning of school. At the top are the current events. Toward the middle and bottom you will find information about the opening of school and safety measures. Our first priority is to ensure the safety of our students and staff. We follow the guidelines from the CDC and the health department as well as from OSPI. While we had hoped the protocols would be easing up more, that is not the case. However, we are thankful for the ability to bring all students back to school full time. Our staff will continue to develop fun learning experiences for the children and we can do this within the guidelines we are given.

I hope this is a wonderful year for your child and your family. Please let me know if there is anything we can help you with. We try to answer phone calls and emails the same day they come in. Students will always come first at Discovery, but as soon as possible we will return your calls and emails.

We wish you and your child the best as we start this school year adventure.

Sincerely,

Julie Bartlett, Principal

Discovery Primary

(MONDAY) BELL SCHEDULE:

10:20-3:30 w/ arrival & breakfast starting at 10:05am

(TUES.-FRI.) BELL SCHEDULE:

9:20-3:30 w/ arrival & breakfast starting at 9:05am

Thursday, September 2nd

• First Day of School for first and second graders
• Families are not able to enter the building, except the office
• Students may enter as early as 9:05 with the late bell at 9:20
• Dismissal begins at 3:30
• Staff will be out helping students get where they need to be
• Kindergarten, Preschool and Special Education Connections Conferences begin - K parents should have a scheduled appointment. Kindergartners come only on their appointment time.

Friday, September 3rd

• Kindergarten, Preschool and Special Education Connections Conferences - No school for Kindergarten. Conference by appointment

Monday, September 6th

• Labor Day
• NO School

Tuesday, September 7th

• Kindergarten Connections Conferences - No school for Kindergarten. Conference by appointment
• First Day for Preschool

Wednesday, September 8th

• Kindergarten Slow Start - 1/2 of kindergarten attends by schedule from teacher

Thursday, September 9th

• Kindergarten Slow Start - 1/2 of kindergarten attends by schedule from teacher

Friday, September 10th

• All students attend today

Monday, September 13

• 1st Late Start Monday (LSM)
• All buildings begin one hour late on Mondays for staff collaboration
• Discovery will start at 10:20

Tuesday, September 14

• PTO Meeting
• There is no fee for joining PTO. Please come to meet other parents and learn about the awesome ways this group supports students and teachers.

Wednesday, September 22

• Picture Day

Thursday, September 23

• Family Fun Event: Baseball Night 5:30 - 7 PM
• This will be an outdoor event
• Come meet your children's friends and families
• Free event
• Hotdog meals available for $5

Please click HERE for further information!

All students will receive free meals during the 2021-2022 school year. Students may also bring a lunch from home if they choose to do so. All currently eligible families for Free and Reduced Meal Plans will need to reapply for meal benefits to obtain other reduced benefits. For more information call Food Services at 253 517-1000, ext. 29147

Please call 253-517-1200, or email the attendance desk, vfranklin@fifeschools.com in the morning if your student will not be in attendance that day. Attendance is one of the most clearly indicative factors affecting graduation rates. If you have any questions or concerns please contact us.

We are happy to welcome volunteers back in school this year, but we will have limited space available. In order to volunteer people will need to:

• Fill out the online volunteer application
• Show documentation of vaccination for Covid 19: Proof of vaccine may be uploaded on the volunteer application.
• Make arrangements with the teacher in advance.
• Volunteers will need to wear appropriate masks and maintain distancing guidelines

We are a closed campus for the safety of our students. Please park and check in at the main office when you need to visit the building. We will ask you to sign-in and obtain your badge. Please know that visitors and guests are not allowed in the classrooms during lunch or without prior approval.

MASKS ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL STUDENTS, STAFF & COMMUNITY MEMBERS VISITING OR ATTENDING OUR SCHOOL CAMPUS

Morning Drop Off, 9:05 to 9:20

1. Pull to the most forward area along the sidewalk on south side of school. Cars will line up behind the first vehicle in the zone.
2. Before exiting the vehicle, students should have bags ready & masks on and exit their vehicle quickly.
3. An adult will open the door and help the child out then shut the door. Please make sure car seats are on the passenger side, if possible.
4. Parents/guardians should stay in their vehicle while in the drop off lane. If a student cannot exit their vehicle independently, we ask that the parent/guardian park in a parking spot and assist their child. The parent/guardian can then walk the student to an adult at the south end of the building.
5. Staff will assist your child as needed on their way to class

Afternoon Pick Up, 3:30 to 3:35

1. All adults must stay in their cars unless they are walking to pick up students. Students will be delivered to the car.
2. The first group dismissed will be the parent pick up students. A staff member will walk out the parent pick up students and stay with them until they are safely in the cars
3. Post your placard/hanger (get one from your teacher) on your rearview mirror to help match students to vehicles.
4. There are two loading zones in the parent pick up areas. One is PURPLE and one is GREEN. Students assigned to the 100 hall classes will stand in the GREEN area and students assigned to the 200 hall will wait in the PURPLE area. (See map below)
5. Staff members will monitor students, identify the car/family member and assist students getting into the car. They will open the door and assist the student getting in the car, then shut the door. Hand sanitizer will be provided.
6. Students should be able to enter the vehicle from the right side

PICK UP BY SOMEONE OTHER THAN PARENT/GUARDIAN

If someone other than a parent/guardian is picking up your child(ren) for early dismissal, the office must first be notified by parent/guardian listed in Skyward. It is important that this is communicated by 2:00, in the afternoon to our office. We will ask to see I.D., so please remind them to bring it in. Please call 253-517-1200 for any bus changes.

BUS TRANSPORTATION

Please click HERE for further information!

1. Students and staff must wear their masks and maintain social distance during dismissal.
2. To ensure student safety, staff members will remain with students until they have boarded busses or exited campus (or until they can be assured para supervision is in place).

Arrival on Campus for Walkers

1. Please do not arrive on campus prior to 9:05. Our doors will open at 9:05.
2. Crossing guards will be assisting at the school entrances
3. Once on campus, students and parents walking up will remain socially distanced at the side door by the parent pick up zone (south parking lot) until the doors are unlocked. A staff member will greet the students and supervise them as they enter and walk to their classrooms.

Arrival Procedures for Bus Riders:

1. The first group of buses will arrive at 9:05 am. Bus drivers will release one group at a time in a manner that encourages social distancing. An adult will supervise the students as they enter from the front of the building.
2. Sanitation of bus equipment will be guided per CDC guidelines
3. Bus drivers will offer a small amount of hand sanitizer as students get in

Please click HERE for further information!

Email: jbartlett@fifeschools.com
Website: http://discovery.fifeschools.com/
Location: 1205 19th Avenue, Milton, WA, USA
Phone: 253-517-1200
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DiscoveryPrimary