The Explorer

Happy new year, and welcome back! We hope you had time to relax and rest up. Discovery is ready to make 2024 a year filled with success through hard work and dedication by providing students with daily opportunities to grow. The hard work is the responsibility of all of us: administrators, teachers, parents/guardians, students, and other school staff.

Parent Teacher Conferences are next month on February 5 and February 8. Your child's teacher will send out a link on January 22, for you to sign-up for a day and time. Conferences are a great opportunity for parents/guardians and teachers to discuss student progress, growth, and concerns. When parents/guardians and teachers work together, children do better in school and at home. Research shows that when a partnership approach between parents/guardians and teachers is evident, children's work habits, attitudes about school, and grades improve.

Thank you for your commitment to your child's education and for supporting Discovery Elementary.

Mr. Dan Fischer, Principal

• Jan.11: End of the 2nd quarter.
• Jan.12: No school - teacher work day.
• Jan.15: No school in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
• Jan. 16: PTO meeting in the Discovery library at 6:00 pm.
• Jan. 19: PTO's Pizza Bingo from 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm at Discovery.
• Jan. 22: Discovery PTO's Skate Party at Skate City from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm.
• Feb.5: No school - teacher in-service.
• Jan. 22: Check your email! Teachers will be sending a link to sign-up for parent teacher conferences.
• Feb.5: Parent Teacher Conferences from 12:30 pm - 7:30 pm.
• Feb.8: Parent Teacher Conferences from 3:30 pm - 7:30 pm.

It's that time! Children who are five years old on or before September 1, 2024, can register for kindergarten for the 2024-25 school year. Below is step-by-step on how to register!

STEP 1: Please go to https://www.cognitoforms.com/discoveryelementary/_202425kindergarteninputform and enter your child’s information. This puts your child on our list of incoming kindergartners and gives you an opportunity to tell us about your child. You can also upload required documents at this time.

STEP 2: Below are the required documents that we must have before your child can start school. You can email (photo, scan, etc.) the documents to DiscoveryRegistration.Sfsd@k12.sd.us. This email is only for the use of sending documents - it is not regularly monitored. You can also fax the documents to 605-362-3535.

• Address Verification: The SFSD requires verification of your address. Your student’s online registration will be on hold until proof of address is received. We encourage you to provide verification - sooner rather than later - so it does not prolong your student’s enrollment. The address verification must be in your (parent/guardian) name, and it must be current. Acceptable documents are:
• Utility bill
• Rental property lease/contract or payment receipts
• Property tax payment or receipts
• State/Government agency mail
• Mortgage document
• Homeowner’s insurance policy

• Birth Certificate
• Immunizations

STEP 3: Complete the Sioux Falls School District's (SFSD) online registration, which will open on February 1 – you will NOT be able to register until then. We will send a reminder email on February 1, along with the registration link.

STEP 4: Save the date! Please plan on bringing your incoming kindergartner to Kindergarten Open House on Thursday, March 7. More details to come!

We do not allow birthday party invitations to be dispersed at school. Please refer to your child's Classroom Directory to send invitations through the U.S. mail. Also, please do not send balloons, flowers, and other delivery items for students at school. These items are not allowed in the classroom and will stay in the office to be picked up at the end of the day.

Just a random sign with a wonderful message. . . hanging in the best spot - right above the mirrors.

This is an optional, informational event for parents that have a child that is eligible to start kindergarten in the 2024-25 school year. You will learn what a day in the life of a kindergartner looks like and get the opportunity to ask questions.

We have been working hard on solving small problems at Discovery! Conflicts and disagreements happen, that is when Kelso's Choices and Talk it Out strategies are used.

Below is the Sioux Falls mobile food distribution schedule.

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