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The Explorer

January 2023

The ExplorerJanuary 2023
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Principal Post

Happy new year, and welcome back! We hope you had time to relax and rest up. Discovery is ready to make 2023 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 Monday, February 6, and Thursday, February 9. You will receive more information from your child’s teacher. 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

Mrs. Kristina Becker, Administrator Intern

Important Dates

  • January 13: No school for teacher work day.
  • January 16: No school in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
  • January 17: PTO meeting at 6:30 pm in the Discovery library.
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Birthday Reminders

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.

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Late Student

If your child is going to be late, please remember that we order hot lunches by 8:30 am. If we do not hear from you, you will need to bring a cold lunch for your child.

It’s time to start thinking about kindergarten for the 2023-24 school year! Children must be five years old on or before September 1, 2023, to register. Below is step-by-step on how to register.


STEP 1: Please go to https://www.cognitoforms.com/DiscoveryElementary/_202324kindergarteninputform 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.


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, 2023, – 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 2. More details to come!

Wellness Triangle

Fourth and fifth grade students will begin learning about the Wellness Triangle. There are three sections:

  • Physical Health
  • Mental/Emotional Health
  • Social Health


We want to stay aware of how we are doing in each of the three sections to help us feel like our best selves. As we continue to cope with challenges and life changes, the Wellness Triangle can be a very relevant discussion topic to help us pinpoint small goals we have for our overall wellness.

211 Helpline

Do you know about the state-wide 211 Helpline? You can dial 211 or download the 211 app to get connected to all the resources our wonderful city of Sioux Falls has to offer! It's an amazing resource hub to find out the answer to any of your family's needs or inquiries.

OTHER IMPORTANT LINKS