Dolphin Clicks - January 14, 2024
Weekly Communication from Discovery Elementary
Monday, January 15
NO SCHOOL - Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday
Tuesday, January 16
PTO Dollar Bookstore - During lunch recess
Wednesday, January 17
3:30 - 4:30 p.m. - Leadership Club (4th and 5th grades only)
Friday, January 19
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Assembly
2:10 p.m. - Early Release - Learning Improvement Time (LIT)
(Message shared via Parent Square last week:)
I hope this message finds you well. As we prioritize the safety of our students, we would like to address a concerning issue regarding after-school pick-up procedures and add important information about crossing Meridian.
It has come to our attention that some parents are walking through the middle of the bus parking lot and in between cars when picking up their children after school. This poses a significant safety risk for both pedestrians and drivers, and we must address this issue immediately. Please review the important information below:
1. Use Sidewalks and Crosswalks
- Please use the sidewalks and designated crosswalks when walking to pick up your child. Avoid walking through the bus parking lot or in between cars.
- If you are picking up your child by car, it is essential that you stay in the designated car pick-up line, and only park in designated parking spots. Do not park near the dumpster or along the curb by the dumpster, as this is reserved for students being picked up by pick-up services (similar to Uber).
3. No Walking Through the Parking Lot:
- For everyone's safety, students and parents are not permitted to walk through the parking lot unless accompanied by a staff member or using a designated crosswalk.
4. Cross at Designated Crosswalks on Meridian:
- Students and parents are reminded to use the two designated crosswalks on Meridian for crossing. One is located on the north end of the campus, and the other is on the south end. Crossing at these points ensures the safety of pedestrians and helps manage traffic flow.
Additionally, we would like to emphasize the importance of being respectful to our neighbors:
5. Respect Neighbors by Avoiding Driveway and Intersection Blockage:
- Families driving to pick up their students are requested to be considerate of our neighbors by refraining from blocking driveways and intersections, and not pulling into driveways. This ensures a smoother flow of traffic and also maintains positive relationships within our community.
We understand the pick-up process can be hectic, and your cooperation in following these guidelines is greatly appreciated. By working together, we can create a safer environment for our students and their families during pick-up times while fostering positive relationships within our community.
Thank you for your attention to this matter, and please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or concerns.
In partnership,
Mrs. Koehnen
This month’s schoolwide focus is Empathy. Character Strong defines empathy as “understanding and connecting with other people’s feelings.” Empathy is a practice that can help us grow strong relationships. Empathy is just one of the traits we focus on throughout the year that helps students learn to Be Kind. Throughout the school year, students will continue to develop skills like perspective-taking, conflict resolution, and leadership.
Family Empathy Pursuit #1
Review Empathy as a family! Remember that Empathy is understanding and connecting with other people’s feelings. Schedule a family movie night so that you can specifically watch for feelings and emotions. Let everyone know that you’d like them to point out how the characters in the show are feeling and that you will pause periodically to discuss Empathy. As emotions are identified, invite one another to Empathize by sharing about a time they felt that way or imagining how they might be feeling in that moment.
ARE YOU PREPARED FOR BAD WEATHER?
As weather gets colder and wetter, it's a good time to share reminders about what happens if school is delayed or closed due to bad weather.
School may be delayed or canceled because of weather conditions or other events. Bus routes may also be affected by unsafe travel conditions. Most of the major radio and television stations broadcast information about school closures.
The announcement of a school closure or delay is usually made early in the morning. Parents will receive a ParentSquare notification if school is closed or delayed. If you have a mobile phone number on file with your child's school, you should receive a text message. The system will not send a phone call unless it can't reach you another way.
Updated school closure and delay information will also be posted on the school district’s website, on the FlashAlert website, and the district Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) feeds. If school is canceled, the school day will be made up later in the year. If bus routes are limited due to snow or ice on roadways, the alternate routes are listed on the transportation website.
Read more about emergency communication on the district website.
Each Tuesday, during lunch recess, students have the opportunity to buy books for one dollar ($1) at our PTO-sponsored Dollar Bookstore. These books are sometimes new, but often gently used, and are ready for new homes. Students love shopping for books and can even earn "free book" certificates from teachers and staff.
Donations of gently used books are always welcome! If your child has outgrown their books, please consider donating them to Dollar Bookstore. Students may purchase 1-2 books each week, so please limit the amount of money they bring to school. No more than $5 dollars, please. This is an optional event and is a great way to get books into the hands of our students.
Please join our PTO group on Facebook:
Discovery Elementary PTO
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1558801251020448
Contact us with questions and feedback at:
pto.discoveryelementary@gmail.com
Next PTO Meeting: Monday, January 22, 2024 - 7:00 p.m.
PTO Meeting - Monday, January 22, 2023 - 7:00 p.m.
Join us via Facebook Live: (private group, please send request first) https://www.facebook.com/groups/discoveryelementarypto/?mibextid=oMANbw
Join us via Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4179711224?pwd=aDRVYnU3dzg3enowNTF6eGh3QklIUT09
Meeting ID: 417 971 1224
Free Meals for all Students
This year all Discovery students continue to be eligible to receive FREE breakfast and lunch. If you send lunch from home, please make sure your child can independently open all items and that you send healthy foods your child will eat.
- Breakfast is served from 8:35-8:50 AM daily.
- Lunch is served by grade level at their designated lunch time.
- Breakfast and Lunch Menus - January
Discovery Elementary - Contact Information
Principal: Shannon Koehnen,
Assistant Principal: Mary Helen Bever, BeverMX@mukilteo.wednet.edu
Dean of Students: Alysha Yeamans, YeamansAX@mukilteo.wednet.edu
School Counselor: Kristen Ching, ChingKL@mukilteo.wednet.edu
Family Engagement Liaison (FEL): Dulce Estrada, EstradaDX@mukilteo.wednet.edu
Administrative Assistant: Debbie Fischer, FischerDL@mukilteo.wednet.edu
Attendance clerk: Shelley Franz, FranzSK@mukilteo.wednet.eduRegistrar: Sandra Ibarra, IbarraSE@mukilteo.wednet.edu
Website: https://www.mukilteoschools.org/Domain/147
Location: 11700 Meridian Avenue South, Everett, WA, USA
Phone: (425) 366-2700
Fax Number: (425) 2702