SpiritCups Will Be Available for Pickup Wednesday Afternoon

Thank you to everyone who participated in the PTA's SpiritCup fundraiser. We earned approximately $2,000, which brings our current total to $11,000 for playground improvements. We are continuing to work toward our goal of enhancing the primary and intermediate playgrounds, which will cost a little more than $40,000.

The SpiritCup orders will be arriving to school on Wednesday, Dec. 7, and will be available for pickup at the end of the school day/after school. If you are not able to pick up the order, we will send smaller orders home with your students on Thursday and call to arrange pickup for bigger orders.

Individual Box Tops Contest Under Way

Thanks parents for clipping Box Tops for Education for Discovery! So far, 7,200 Box Tops have been turned in, totaling $720. Half of the money goes directly back to classrooms, while the rest goes to the PTA for other school projects.

Congratulations to Mrs. Arevalo's second-grade class for winning the first Box Tops contest of the school year, coming in with 765 clipped Box Tops. The class celebrated at the beginning of November with a smoothie party and an extra recess. Contest runners-up were Mrs. Wright's kindergarten class with 753 Box Tops and Mrs. Kalinski's fifth-grade class with 657 Box Tops. See the latest rankings on the bulletin board outside of the cafeteria.

The next Box Tops contest is now under way. The student who brings in the most Box Tops by Jan. 27 will win Bodies in Motion passes for the cosmic ropes course for four people. Students also will get one ticket for every 25 Box Tops submitted entered into a drawing for other fun prizes, such as passes to Planet Kid, passes to JumpTime, and Toys R Us gift certificates.

For a list of participating Box Tops products, visit http://www.boxtops4education.com/earn/participating-products.

Sides, Desserts Needed for Staff Holiday Luncheon

Discovery PTA is helping to round out the Discovery staff holiday luncheon on Thursday, Dec. 15, with side dishes, desserts, and beverages. Homemade or purchased food is welcome. We are planning on serving 60 to 70 staff and school district visitors at the luncheon, so we really appreciate any help we can get.

If you are interested in providing a dish or beverages, please sign up at http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0c49aaa72da6f58-discovery1.

Enjoy Art and Donuts at Discovery on Friday

Discovery PTA will host its third annual Discovery Donuts from 8 to 9 a.m. Friday, Nov. 18, in the cafeteria. This is a great opportunity for students to bring the special adult in their life to share a donut and socialize with other Discovery families before school.

At the same time, everyone can visit the PTA's Reflections Gallery that will be set up in the gym. Enjoy the fabulous art entries that students submitted for this year's PTA Reflections competition, What's Your Story? Students also can hear stories, do origami, make Christmas cards for veterans, and decorate ornaments.

We hope to see you Friday morning for this fun Discovery event!

SpiritCups Fundraiser to Aid Playground Improvements

Discovery PTA is doing a SpiritCups fundraiser the first two weeks of November to raise money for improvements to our primary and intermediate playgrounds. Flyers were sent home at the end of last week or early this week in backpacks. We will receive 40% of all SpiritCups sales.

These durable SpiritCups and SpiritTravelCups feature the nation's top NFL, MLB, NHL, and collegiate teams and make great holiday gifts for sports fans. Order forms are due back to teachers by Wednesday, Nov. 16, and the orders will arrive before the December holiday break.

You can sell local, and you can also create a link to send out via email or social media to friends and family across the country. If you sell local, please have all checks made out to Discovery PTA. To create your individual participant online link, go to www.SpiritCupsDirect.com/login. Friends and family can purchase the cups online, and they will be shipped directly to them. Shipping and tax will be charged for online orders.

All students who sell one set of cups will win a prize and be entered in a drawing for a $25 ToyTown gift card, and the top fundraising student will win a $50 ToyTown gift card.

Please email discoverypta@gmail.com if you have any questions about SpiritCups. Sample cups also are featured outside of the Discovery front office if you want to take a look at the products.

Upcoming Events at Discovery

We have some exciting events coming up at Discovery over the next month, in addition to Halloween celebrations!

Fall Book Fair: This week is the Fall Book Fair. Students and parents can shop from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. today and Tuesday, Oct. 25, from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 26, and from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 27. Wednesday is the late night, and students are welcome to wear their costumes. You can also order a whole pizza for $15 from Idaho Pizza Co. to pick up in the cafeteria or purchase a slice for $2. We are still looking for parent volunteers to help out during the book fair. If you are interested, check out our signup sheet at http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0b4da5a72aaafe3-parent.

Box Tops for Education: Please send in any Box Tops for Education by Friday, Oct. 28, to count for the first classroom contest of the year. The classroom that brings in the most Box Tops will win a smoothie party and a free recess.

November PTA Meeting: The next regularly scheduled PTA meeting will be at 4:10 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 1 in the Health Room. We will be answering questions and providing updates regarding our Brax Cup fundraiser.

Reflections: The deadline for Reflections art entries is quickly approaching. Please turn art and completed entry form in to classroom teachers by Friday, Nov. 4. To print an entry form or get more information, please visit http://discoverypta.blogspot.com/2016/10/students-can-share-their-stories.html.

Popcorn Friday: The next Popcorn Friday will be Friday, Nov. 4. If you didn't prepay for the entire year at the start of school, you can send in 50 cents with your student on Friday or $3 to pay for the remainder of the year. Just be sure to add a note with your student's and teacher's name. If you're interested in helping bag popcorn, come join other volunteers at 8:30 a.m. Friday in the cafeteria. It takes about an hour.

Discovery Donuts/Reflections Gallery: The PTA will host its third Discovery Donuts from 8 to 9 a.m. Friday, Nov. 18, in the cafeteria. This is a great opportunity for students to bring the special adult in their life to share a donut and socialize with other Discovery families. At the same time, everyone can visit the PTA's Reflections Gallery that will be set up in the gym.

Items Needed for Staff Appreciation Lunch

Discovery PTA will host a staff appreciation lunch during parent-teacher conferences next Thursday, Oct. 20. If you would like to contribute something, such a fruit plate, a salad, or dessert, for the luncheon, please sign up at http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0c49aaa72da6f58-staff2.

What's Popping This Friday?

This Friday will be October's Popcorn Friday. On the first Friday school day of each month, the PTA delivers bags of popcorn for students to enjoy as a snack. If you didn't prepay for the entire year at the start of school, you can send in 50 cents with your student on Friday or $3.50 to pay for the remainder of the year (this pays for seven times, with one month free). Just be sure to add a note with your student's and teacher's name.

If you're interested in helping bag popcorn, come join other volunteers at 8:30 a.m. Friday in the cafeteria. It takes about an hour.

Mark your calendars with the other Popcorn Fridays this school year:

• Nov. 4
• Dec. 2
• Jan. 6
• Feb. 3
• March 10
• April 7
• May 5

Students Can Share Their Stories Through Art

Discovery PTA has announced the 2016-17 Reflections theme, What Is Your Story?, and sent home flyers with students. Reflections is a National PTA initiative that allows students of all ages express themselves from an artistic point of view. Discovery has been participating in this program for several years, and each year we continue to get even more artwork entries from our students. In fact, last year we had more than double the entries from the previous year and had several students go on to the regional competition and one student even going to the state level.

Students have the change to enter into six different categories: dance choreography, film production, literature, music composition, photography, and visual arts (any 2D form). Students can enter one or multiple categories. They must create the piece independently, meaning it is created from the their perspective.

The artwork must be turned into classroom teachers by Friday, Nov. 4; dance, film, music or photography entries can be submitted via email to brookecleverly@yahoo.com.

In addition to turning in the artwork, the student must also include a complete artist statement and entry form. This counts as 50% of the judging. Parents may fill out the form, but the artist statement must be in the student's own words.

To showcase all of our students' pieces of art, we will hold a Discovery Reflections Gallery in the gym from 8 to 9 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 18. This will be at the same time as Discovery Donuts, a great opportunity for families to come share a tasty donut with their students before school starts.

Images of the rules and entry form are below. If you have additional questions, please email brookecleverly@yahoo.com or discoverypta@gmail.com.

Thank You Discovery Families

A huge thank you to all the Discovery families and staff who came out to The Farmstead on Monday night for some fall festivities and to see Mrs. Critser kiss a pig!

We had 583 people in attendance, and The Farmstead will be making a donation to Discovery PTA for $583. With the Kiss a Pig fundraising and The Farmstead donation, we raised a total $1,307.44. These funds will help pay for school initiatives, such as Scholastic News for many grade levels, Reading A-Z for third grade, and busing for the fourth-grade field trip to Celebration Park. At Tuesday's meeting, we also just voted on and approved $200 for the first-grade Christmas craft night coming up in early December.

We couldn't do all of these great things for Discovery without your support!

Video: See Mrs. Critser Kiss the Pig

Thanks to all the Discovery families who came out to The Farmstead tonight! It was great to see all the support around the pig pen yelling for Mrs. Critser to kiss the pig, which she did multiple times. She was such a great sport. If you didn't make it out, you can watch the highlights in the video.

Mrs. Critser to Kiss a Pig Tonight at The Farmtead

All of the pennies have been counted, and Mrs. Critser has won the honor of kissing a pig at 6:30 p.m. tonight at The Farmstead. We raised approximately $725 through students' votes with their pennies and other loose change.

Join us at The Farmstead from 4 to 9 p.m. The Farmstead is offering a discounted admission rate for Discovery families and will donate $1 back for each Discovery admission. Make sure you say you're with Discovery!

Thanks again for everyone who sent in money. Here are the final tallies from the Kiss a Pig competition.

• Mrs. Critser, Safe School Assistant: $174.05
• Mrs. Jensen, PE/Health: $157.57
• Mrs. Olsen, 3rd Grade: $102.83
• Mr. Thie, 5th Grade: $95.30
• Mrs. Wright, Kindergarten: $54.24
• Mr. Dudley, Principal: $38.88
• Mr. Johnson, PE/Health: $32.84
• Mrs. Morris, 4th Grade: $37.89
• Mrs. Arevalo, 2nd Grade: $18.50
• Mrs. Howard, 1st Grade: $12.84

Don't miss Discovery Night at The Farmstead on Monday

It's finally time for Discovery Night at The Farmstead, and it looks like the weather will be cooperating for a nice crisp autumn evening. We hope to see your family out at this fun PTA event.

Our event will be from 4 to 9 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 3. The Farmstead is offering a special discounted admission of $5.25 per person, and this includes the MAiZE, hayrides, jumping pillow, cow train, corn box, spider web, and slides. The Farmstead MAiZE this year features Jimmy Fallon and has been featured on The Tonight Show twice; it also has been named the No. 3 corn maze in the country by USA Today. Among the activities not included in the admission are pony rides, pumpkin blaster shots, and pumpkin purchases.

The racing pigs show and much-anticipated kissing of the pig will take place at 6:30 p.m. We raised over $700 in our penny collection last week for the Kiss a Pig competition and will announce the winner on Monday afternoon.

The Farmstead also will donate $1 for every Discovery admission back to the PTA, which we will use for field trips, assemblies, and other classroom initiatives.

Who will win the Kiss a Pig competition? Will it be Mrs. Jensen or Mrs. Critser? Or will a dark horse emerge as the winner?

We are happy as pigs in the mud to announce that Mrs. Critser and Mrs. Jensen are currently tied for the honor to pucker up for a pig at The Farmstead on Monday evening. They have each raised $111.78 for Discovery, bringing our total to $515.19. But there's still one day left for students to vote with their pennies, so the honor could still go to one of our other eight contenders.

We will announce the winner on Monday afternoon, and the much-awaited smooch will take place at 6:30 p.m. during our festivities at The Farmstead. In addition to our kiss a pig money, The Farmstead will donate $1 for each person that attends from Discovery!

Here are the tallies as of Thursday:

• Mrs. Critser, Safe School Assistant: $111.78
• Mrs. Jensen, PE/Health: $111.78
• Mrs. Olsen, 3rd Grade: $70.24
• Mr. Thie, 5th Grade: $62.34
• Mrs. Wright, Kindergarten: $46.60
• Mr. Dudley, Principal: $33.88
• Mr. Johnson, PE/Health: $29.96
• Mrs. Morris, 4th Grade: $24.87
• Mrs. Arevalo, 2nd Grade: $13.60
• Mrs. Howard, 1st Grade: $10.31

Mrs. Critser Back in the Lead to Kiss a Pig

Thanks to all of the students and parents who have sent in the bacon for our Kiss a Pig contest. So far we have raised $315.85, and we still have two days left for students to vote with their pennies and loose change!

Mrs. Critser has regained her lead with a whopping $61.23. Mrs. Jensen, Mrs. Olsen, and Mr. Thie aren't that far behind, so the coveted position of kissing a pig at The Farmstead on Monday night is still up for grabs. We will announce the winner on Monday afternoon, and the actual kissing of the pig will take place at 6:30 p.m.

Here are the latest tallies:

• Mrs. Critser, Safe School Assistant: $61.23
• Mrs. Jensen, PE/Health: $55.32
• Mrs. Olsen, 3rd Grade: $44.49
• Mr. Thie, 5th Grade: $41.17
• Mrs. Wright, Kindergarten: $28.03
• Mr. Johnson, PE/Health: $24.65
• Mr. Dudley, Principal: $23.88
• Mrs. Morris, 4th Grade: $21.63
• Mrs. Arevalo, 2nd Grade: $10.60
• Mrs. Howard, 1st Grade: $4.85

We hope to see Discovery families come out to The Farmstead from 4 to 9 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 3. The Farmstead will offer students, families, and friends a discounted general admission of $5.25 per person and will make a donation to the PTA in the amount of $1 per admission from our school. All of the funds raised through the Kiss a Pig competition and The Farmstead donation will go toward classroom initiatives, such as field trips, year-end celebrations, and Scholastic News.

Mrs. Jensen Steals Lead for Kiss a Pig

Mrs. Jensen

Mrs. Jensen has come from behind to take today's lead in the Kiss a Pig competition, bringing in $40.94. But it's still a close race. Mrs. Critser is in second place with $38.46, and Mr. Thie is in third with $34.77. So far we have raised $218.73 to benefit Discovery!

Three days remain for students to vote with their pennies. Stay tuned for updated totals on the blog each day as well as on the bulletin board outside of the cafeteria. The winner will be announced on the afternoon of Oct. 3. Here are the latest tallies:

• Mrs. Jensen, PE/Health: $40.94
• Mrs. Critser, Safe School Assistant: $38.46
• Mr. Thie, 5th Grade: $34.77
• Mrs. Wright, Kindergarten: $27.57
• Mr. Dudley, Principal: $18.21
• Mr. Johnson, PE/Health: $17.87
• Mrs. Olsen, 3rd Grade: $14.66
• Mrs. Morris, 4th Grade: $12.14
• Mrs. Arevalo, 2nd Grade: $10.60
• Mrs. Howard, 1st Grade: $3.51

Mrs. Critser Takes Lead in Kiss a Pig Contest

Mrs. Critser

Students are voting with their pennies this week on who they want to see kiss a pig at Discovery Night at The Farmstead from 4 to 9 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 3.

Today was the first day we collected pennies, and we have already raised $89.02 for our school. Mrs. Critser, Discovery's safe school assistant, is currently the one to beat, followed by Mrs. Wright and Mrs. Olsen.

The PTA will be collecting pennies every morning this week. Stay tuned for updated totals on the blog each day as well as on the bulletin board outside of the cafeteria. The winner will be announced on the afternoon of Oct. 3. Here are the latest tallies:

• Mrs. Critser, Safe School Assistant: $21.09
• Mrs. Wright, Kindergarten: $13.71
• Mrs. Olsen, 3rd Grade: $13.64
• Mrs. Morris, 4th Grade: $10.59
• Mr. Thie, 5th Grade: $8.91
• Mrs. Arevalo, 2nd Grade: $8.29
• Mr. Johnson, PE/Health: $7.44
• Mr. Dudley, Principal: $2.76
• Mrs. Jensen, PE/Health: $1.43
• Mrs. Howard, 1st Grade: $1.16

Who Will Kiss the Pig?

Get your pennies ready. Fall has arrived and with it our annual Discovery Night at The Farmstead with the Kiss a Pig competition.

We hope to see Discovery families come out to The Farmstead from 4 to 9 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 3. The Farmstead will offer students, families, and friends a discounted general admission of $5.25 per person and will make a donation to the PTA in the amount of $1 per admission from our school. A highlight of the night will be seeing our winning contender smooch a swine at 6:30 p.m.

Flyers will be sent home this week, and students can vote with their pennies next week for the teacher or staff member they want to see kiss the pig during this fun fall event.

Our brave contenders this year are:

• Mrs. Wright, Kindergarten
• Mrs. Howard, 1st Grade
• Mrs. Arevalo, 2nd Grade
• Mrs. Olsen, 3rd Grade
• Mrs. Morris, 4th Grade
• Mr. Thie, 5th Grade
• Mrs. Critser, Safe School Assistant
• Mrs. Jensen, PE/Health
• Mr. Johnson, PE/Health
• Mr. Dudley, Principal

We will post the tallies on the blog each day next week, with the winner announced the afternoon of Monday, Oct. 3. All money raised will go toward to classroom initiatives.

Get Box Top Bonuses Through New App

Box Tops for Education has launched a new app that can help you earn bonus Box Tops for Discovery!

It's a free app and simple to use. You look through the offers on the app, buy certain products, and then scan in the receipt to receive extra Box Tops. For example, purchase one can of Progresso soup, scan the receipt with that item on it, and earn two bonus Box Tops. Currently there are additional offers for purchasing products at WinCo. You can receive 10 bonus Box Tops with the purchase of any four Nature Valley Bars, Fiber One Bars or Betty Crocker Fruit X Foot, Fruit Roll-Ups, Gushers, or Mott's Fruit Snacks.

You can download the app at https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/box-tops-bonus-app-school/id1150038564?ls=1&mt=8 or https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.generalmills.btfe. Just in the past week, I've earned 60 cents for Discovery, which will add up and help us meet our annual goal of $2,500.

The first Box Tops competition is now under way. The classroom that turns in the most Box Tops by Oct. 28 will win a free recess and a smoothie party. Half of the proceeds from Box Tops goes directly back to the classrooms, while the remainder goes to the PTA to fund other school activities.

Spirit Wear Every Friday

Every Friday is now Spirit Day at Discovery. Students can show their spirit by wearing the school colors—red, white, and blue—or Discovery shirts, which can be purchased from the PTA.

We have many of our short-sleeved shirts in stock that you can purchase at Back to School Night on Thursday. We have short-sleeved cotton shirts in red, blue, black, and white. These come in small, medium, and large in youth sizes as well as small, medium, large, and XL in adult sizes for $10; XXL in adult is $12. This year, we also have new performance shirts that are all the rage. These come in red, blue, black, and white in the same sizes above. They can be purchased for $13; XXL is $15.

Long-sleeved cotton or performance shirts as well as hoodies can be special-ordered. All long-sleeved shirts, regardless of style, are $17, and hoodies are $27. It's $2 more for XXL sizes.

If you don't get a chance to stop by the PTA table at Back to School Night to place your orders, we have order forms available in the front office or you can email discoverypta@gmail.com for more information.

School Happenings Week of Sept. 6

I can't believe we have already had two full weeks of school. I hope everyone is surviving and enjoying a fabulous long weekend. It's well-deserved for students, staff, and parents!

I wanted to note a couple of events coming up this next week.

The first PTA meeting of the school year will be at 4:10 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 6 in Room 13. Come hear our latest news!

Back to School Night for parents will be from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 8. The PTA will open with a presentation in the gym from 6 to 6:10 p.m., and then you can meet teachers in their classrooms. The first session will be from 6:10 to 7:05 p.m., and the second session will be from 7:15 to 8 p.m. For Miss Allen's kindergarten classes, A.M. kindergarten will be the first session, and P.M. kindergarten will be the second.

During this time, the PTA also will be selling Spirit Wear and memberships in the front lobby. We will have have new performance short-sleeve styles available this year in navy, red, black, and silver, as well as our cotton Ts. You can also special-order long-sleeve styles and hoodies at this time.

Look What's Popping this Friday

Discovery's first Popcorn Friday of the year will be Sept. 2. Popcorn Fridays are held on the first Friday school day of the month, when the PTA will deliver bags of popcorn for students to enjoy as a snack. You can send in 50 cents with your student that day or prepay for the entire year for $4 (this pays for eight times, with one month free). If you would like to prepay, either send back the popcorn pass form included in the PTA welcome packet or a note with your student's name, grade, and teacher with $4.

Mark your calendars with the other Popcorn Fridays this school year:

• Oct. 14
• Nov. 4
• Dec. 2
• Jan. 6
• Feb. 3
• March 10
• April 7
• May 5

Raise Money for Discovery by Clipping Box Tops

Clipping Box Tops for Education off of participating products—such as Annie's macaroni and cheese, Chex Mix, Lucky Charms, and Yoplait Go-Gurt—is an easy way to help Discovery earn cash. Each Box Top is worth 10 cents, which can add up quickly.

With approximately 575 students at Discovery, if every student brought in five Box Tops a month, we would raise $2,587.50 and meet our goal for the year.

Last year, we were close to our goal and raised almost $2,400, with students bringing in 23,935 Box Tops. Half of this went directly back to the teachers and their classrooms while the rest went to the PTA for other school initiatives.

Once you've clipped your Box Tops, tape or glue them to a collection sheet or put them in a Ziploc bag with your child's name and his/her teacher's name, and then have your child hand in at school. Be sure to check expiration dates and look for bonus Box Tops. Right now you can find bonus Box Tops at Walmart and Costco, where you have the chance to find Golden Box Tops worth 100 eBoxTops. Through Sept. 1, you can also get 60 eBoxTops by purchasing any 10 participating Box Tops for Education products at Albertsons.

Sign up at http://www.boxtops4education.com/ to follow our progress throughout the year, find coupons, and enter sweepstakes for Discovery.

Discovery Night at U-Swirl on Monday

Temperatures tomorrow are going to heat up close to 100 degrees. After a long day at school and work, what could be better than a refreshing bowl of frozen yogurt and socializing with other Discovery families and staff?

Come out to Discovery Night at U-Swirl Frozen Yogurt at 3319 N. Eagle Road from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 29. The self-serve frozen yogurt shop will donate 20% of all proceeds during that two-hour period to the Discovery PTA, which we will use for classroom and school needs!

PTA to Sell Spirit Wear and Popcorn Passes at Meet and Greet

After meeting your student's new teacher and putting away school supplies at Meet and Greet from 2 to 3 p.m. for P.M. kindergarteners and 3 to 4 p.m. Thursday for the remainder of students, we hope you'll take a moment to stop by the Discovery PTA table to say hello.

We'll be selling prepaid passes for Popcorn Fridays for $4 per student for the entire year. This saves you from remembering to send in 50 cents on the first school day Friday of each month so that your student can enjoy an afternoon snack of popcorn. Plus, if you prepay, you get one month free.

Discovery Spirit Wear will be available for purchase and special order. This year, we are introducing new short-sleeved and long-sleeved performance T-shirts in red, blue, black, and silver for youth and adults. We also will have a selection of short-sleeved cotton T-shirts available in a variety of youth and adult sizes in red, blue, black, and white. Short-sleeved cotton shirts are $10, and the new short-sleeved performance shirts are $13. You also can special order long-sleeved cotton or performance shirts for $17 and hoodies for $27.

We also would love to have you fill out our volunteer form to stay up to date and/or sign up for a PTA membership, which is $10 for an individual, $18 for a family, or $8 for staff. It's a great way to meet other parents and teachers as well as to enhance your child's education!

This year, you can pay with cash, checks, or credit cards. See you tomorrow at Meet and Greet!

Get Ready for Back to School

The sunny, hot days make it seem impossible that school will be starting in a week and a half. But it's time to face reality that our summer days are coming to an end and it's time to get ready for the start of the 2016-17 school year.

Discovery no longer posts class lists on the front doors of the building. However, you can log in to your PowerSchool account on Tuesday, Aug. 16, to see who your child's teacher will be this school year.  I would recommend going in to the account beforehand to update forms, which needs to be done before you can access your child's information.

Another opportunity to meet your child's new teacher and drop off school supplies will be Thursday, Aug. 18. The Meet and Greet will be from 2 to 3 p.m. for afternoon kindergarteners and 3 to 4 p.m. for the rest of the school.

The PTA will also have a table in the lobby for parents to prepay for Popcorn Friday, buy Spirit Wear (we have new styles this year), and sign up to be a member. We hope to see you there!

Thank You Discovery Parents and Staff for a Great School Year

As we head into the last day of school, I wanted to take a minute to thank everyone who has supported and volunteered for PTA activities this year. Without the support of our Discovery families, parent volunteers, teachers, and staff, we wouldn't be able to enhance our students' school experience. You are all so appreciated!

We have had a lot of fun this year and raised some money for great causes. I wanted to highlight some of our activities and endeavors this school year:

• The PTA raised approximately $4,100 for playground improvements through its Star Wars-themed Walk-a-Thon. We're hoping with the help of grants and two fundraisers next school year, we will be able to meet our goal to purchase new equipment for the primary and intermediate playgrounds;
• We started the school year on a high note with our Discovery Night at The Farmstead where we witnessed Principal Dudley kiss a pig and raised more than $1,100. Save up your pennies for our next Kiss a Pig contest this fall;
• We encouraged students to express their creativity through the National PTA Reflections art competition. We had double the entries this school year, and we had six students go onto the Regional Reflections Art Gallery and have their works displayed at the Meridian City Hall Art Gallery;
• We earned $2,393.50 through the Box Tops for Education program. That's 23,935 Box Tops that were clipped and sent in to school! Half of the funds go directly back to the classrooms while the rest goes to the PTA for other school projects;
• We received Visa gift cards through the Labels for Education program to help our specials (library, music, computers, and PE) purchase school supplies, books, and Discovery Dasher charms;  
• We enjoyed seeing all the parents and grandparents come out to have breakfast with their students at our annual Discovery Donuts;
• We provided two Summerwind Skippers assemblies for the entire school;
• We helped the fourth-graders take a field trip to Celebration Park and have a Mountain Man Assembly;
• We helped first-graders enjoy a holiday craft night;
• We purchased Scholastic News for many grade levels and Reading A-Z for third grade;
• We purchased steps for the monkey bars on the intermediate playground; and
• We let our staff know how appreciated they are by providing breakfast at the start of the school year, lunch during parent-teacher conferences, side dishes and desserts for the holiday luncheon, a sweet shop during Valentine's Day, and lunch during Staff Appreciation Week.

And we are ready to do it all again for the 2016-17 school year. Please consider being part of the PTA to enhance our students' experience at Discovery.

I hope you all have a wonderful summer, and we look forward to working with you in August!

Thank you,

Christine Serlin
Discovery PTA President

National PTA Announces 2016-17 Reflections Theme

The National PTA's Reflections program encourages artistic creativity in the classrooms and at home, and Discovery PTA brings that to our local community.

For the 2015-16 school year, we had more than 70 arts entries that were displayed at our annual Reflections Gallery in November, with six students going on to the PTA Regional Reflections Gallery for visual arts, photography, dance, and literature and being featured in the Meridian City Hall Art Gallery.

The theme for the 2016-17 school year has been announced: What Is Your Story? We encourage your students to get in touch with their creative sides over the summer to reflect this theme in one or more of six different categories: dance choreography, film production, literature, music composition, photography, and visual arts.

The PTA will be coming around to classrooms in the fall to talk more about the competition and theme. The deadline for entries will be in early November.

Walk-a-Thon Garners $4,100 for Playground Improvements

The final totals are in, and Discovery PTA raised approximately $4,100 through our Stars Wars-themed Walk-a-Thon in early May. Thank you to all the students and families who donated as well as all the staff and volunteers who helped out at the event. We couldn't have achieved this milestone without you, and we are steps closer to bringing our dream of new playground equipment to fruition.

We now have just under $8,000 set aside for Discovery's playground improvements. We still have some work to do to get to our $30,000 goal. We will be working on applying for grants over the summer and into the fall, and we also will be planning our next fundraisers. Our hope is that we will finish up the fundraising by next spring.

More than 30 students won prizes for their fundraising and walking efforts. We also rewarded classes for their accomplishments. Mrs. Wright's kindergarten class and Mrs. Slocum's fourth-grade class racked up the most laps, earning an extra PE class. Mrs. Wright's class and Mrs. Spenner's fourth-grade class received the most donations, earning an extra recess.

You can still donate to the PTA's playground initiative at any time through the West Ada Education Foundation. Go to http://www.westada.org/site/default.aspx?PageType=3&DomainID=14&ModuleInstanceID=18609&ViewID=047E6BE3-6D87-4130-8424-D8E4E9ED6C2A&RenderLoc=0&FlexDataID=107927&PageID=21. For all donations over $50 through the Foundation, we will add your family's name to a plaque to honor your support for Discovery.

Box Tops Generate $2,393.50 for Discovery Elementary

Thank you parents for clipping and sending in Box Tops for Education throughout the school year. This year, Discovery Elementary earned $2,393.50 (23,935 Box Tops), just shy of our goal of $2,500. Half of these earnings go directly back to the classroom, while the rest is used by the PTA to aid other school initiatives.

Mrs. Davison's classroom has ended the year with the Box Tops Traveling Trophy after turning in 873 Box Tops during our last contest. Her class will be celebrating Tuesday with a smoothie party and an extra recess. Way to go!

Thank you again for all of your contributions this school year. Here are the final classroom tallies:

• Mrs. Davison's 1st Grade Class: 2,455 Box Tops
• Mrs. Kalinski's 5th Grade Class: 1,876
• Mrs. Wright's Kindergarten Class: 1,842
• Ms. Geis' 4th Grade Class: 1,543 
• Mrs. Spenner's 4th Grade Class: 1,388
• Mrs. Walters' 3rd Grade Class: 1,344
• Mrs. McKay's 1st Grade Class: 1,311
• Mrs. Bonebrake's 5th Grade Class: 1,140
• Mrs. Haycock's 5th Grade Class: 1,052
• Mrs. Jackson's 3rd Grade Class: 1,009
• Mrs. Howard's 1st Grade Class: 957
• Mr. Runyan's 3rd Grade Class: 917
• Mrs. Watkins' 2nd Grade Class: 809
• Mrs. Slocum's 4th Grade Class: 854
• Mrs. Croft's 1st Grade Class: 783
• Ms. Christen's 3rd Grade Class: 769
• Mrs. Jayne's PM Kindergarten Class: 671
• Mrs. Davison's 2nd Grade Class: 660
• Mr. Partin's 4th Grade Class: 648
• Mrs. Hoppe's 2nd Grade Class: 609
• Mr. Thie's 3rd Grade Class: 604
• Mrs. Jayne's AM Kindergarten Class: 258
• Mrs. Kotmel's Preschool Class: 225
• Mrs. Werre's Preschool Class: 211

Please be sure to clip throughout the summer. Below are fun seasonal collection sheets to help you keep track of your Box Tops so your students can return them to school this fall.

Discovery Celebration Food Truck Picnic

Come join your students for a special celebration picnic on the last day of school, Friday, June 3. Students can get a sack lunch in the cafeteria, bring lunch from home, or choose from one of the four food trucks that will be at the school—Scotty's Hot Dogs, Il Segreto Wood-Fired Pizza, Bang on the Wall Burgers, and Tacos y Tortas El Paco. There also will be free snow cones after lunch.

Students will be having lunch at the following times:

• Third Grade: 11:50-12:30
• First Grade: 12:00-12:40
• Tuition Kindergarten: 12:05-12:48
• Second Grade: 12:08-12:48
• Fourth Grade: 12:16-12:55
• Fifth Grade: 12:22-1:00

Please remember to return the form sent home last with week with your student's lunch choices and how many people will be attending by Wednesday, May 1.

Also, we are looking for some volunteers to help with snow cones and help students go through the food truck lines. If you have any extra time before or after lunch with your students, please consider volunteering your time. You can sign up at http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0b4da5a72aaafe3-discovery1.

Final Week for Box Tops, Labels for Education

As the school year winds down, Friday, May 20, will be the last day to send in Box Tops and Labels for Education with your students.

The classroom that brings in the most Box Tops during this current contest will win a smoothie party and a free recess. Half of the Box Tops proceeds will go directly back to the classroom while the remainder goes to the PTA for other school projects.

Unfortunately, the Labels for Education program will be ending after more than four decades so this is the final opportunity to send those in. The points we receive will provide gift cards for PE, music, library, and computers.

Be sure to keep clipping Box Tops over the summer to turn back in at the start of the school year. Here are some special summer collection sheets to have on hand.

Join Us for Discovery Night at U-Swirl on Monday

Come join other families for Discovery Night at U-Swirl Frozen Yogurt from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday, May 16. U-Swirl is located at 3319 N. Eagle Road in the same plaza as Kohl's, Hobby Lobby, and Dick's Sporting Goods.

Twenty percent of the proceeds from the night will help the PTA provide funds for year-end activities for all grade levels. And it will be a great time to catch up with other families and teachers while enjoying a tasty treat. We hope to see you there!

What's Happening in May

It seems like the school year just started, and now we are counting down the final five weeks. Here are some key dates to get on your calendar for the remainder of the school year.

Tuesday, May 3: The final PTA meeting of the school year will be at 4:10 p.m. in the Health Room.

Wednesday, May 4: 

• Get your walking shoes on. Students can meet at the parking area behind Maverick on McMillan or at the park in the Champion Park subdivision for the spring Walk to School Day. Students and staff will be leaving these locations promptly at 8:10 a.m.
• In addition, the PTA will hold its May the Fourth Be With You Walk-a-Thon during the school day to raise money for playground improvements. We are still looking for parent volunteers; you can sign up at http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c094baaa923aafa7-walkathon.

Friday, May 6: 

• It is the last Popcorn Friday of the school year; if you didn't pre-pay for your student earlier in the school year, send in 50 cents for an afternoon popcorn treat.
• Students must turn in any donations for the Walk-a-Thon to be eligible for prizes.

Monday, May 16: Celebrate the nice weather and a great school year at Discovery Night at U-Swirl from 6 to 8 p.m. The PTA will receive part of the proceeds, which will help with year-end activities and other school initiatives.

Friday, May 20: This is the last day to turn in Box Tops for the school year. The classroom that brings in the most will win a smoothie party and an extra recess. Be sure to check your pantry for Labels for Education and send those in as well this month. Unfortunately, after more than four decades, the program will discontinue this summer.

Friday, May 27: Mrs. Jensen is looking for volunteers for Field Day, so please inquire with your students' teachers if you are available.

Friday, June 3: Discovery is bringing back its Celebration Day. Come join your student(s) at school for lunch. You can bring a picnic lunch or order from one of the several food trucks that will be at the school.

And don't forget to celebrate teachers and staff during the week of Monday, May 2, to Friday, May 6, for Teacher (and Staff) Appreciation Week. The PTA will be bringing in lunch for the Discovery staff on Friday, May 6, to thank them for their hard work all year long.

Last Call for Box Tops This School Year

The last Box Tops for Education contest of the school year is under way. The class that turns in the most Box Tops by May 20 will celebrate with a smoothie party and an extra recess!

Thanks to everyone who has been sending Box Tops in throughout the school year. So far, Discovery has earned $2,065.60 with the collection of 20,656 Box Tops. We just need 4,344 more Box Tops to meet our goal of $2,500 for the school year. I'm confident we can meet this goal!

Ms. Geis' fourth-grade class won the last Box Tops contest and celebrated with smoothies last week. Her class submitted 365 Box Tops and also received the Traveling Box Top Trophy. Will your student's classroom be next?

Here are the Box Tops earnings so far this school year per class (half of the Box Tops proceeds go directly to the classroom, while the PTA uses half for other school initiatives):

• Mrs. Kalinski's 5th Grade Class: 1,590
• Mrs. Wright's Kindergarten Class: 1,562
• Mrs. Davison's 1st Grade Class: 1,546
• Ms. Geis' 4th Grade Class: 1,381 
• Mrs. Walters' 3rd Grade Class: 1,264
• Mrs. McKay's 1st Grade Class: 1,254
• Mrs. Spenner's 4th Grade Class: 1,209
• Mrs. Bonebrake's 5th Grade Class: 1,115
• Mrs. Haycock's 5th Grade Class: 939
• Mrs. Jackson's 3rd Grade Class: 909
• Mrs. Howard's 1st Grade Class: 876
• Mrs. Watkins' 2nd Grade Class: 780
• Mrs. Slocum's 4th Grade Class: 741
• Ms. Christen's 3rd Grade Class: 706
• Mrs. Croft's 1st Grade Class: 670
• Mr. Partin's 4th Grade Class: 613
• Mr. Runyan's 3rd Grade Class: 612
• Mrs. Hoppe's 2nd Grade Class: 608
• Mr. Thie's 3rd Grade Class: 604
• Mrs. Davison's 2nd Grade Class: 586
• Mrs. Jayne's PM Kindergarten Class: 554
• Mrs. Jayne's AM Kindergarten Class: 220
• Mrs. Werre's Preschool Class: 162
• Mrs. Kotmel's Preschool Class: 155

We Love Our Community Support!

Over the past couple of months as the PTA has planned our Star Wars-themed Walk-a-Thon, we have received generous support from the surrounding

community. I would like to take a moment to recognize the companies and businesses who are helping make this fundraiser a success!

• The Twin Falls Chobani plant has donated yogurt for all of our students so they can refuel after they walk. 
• We also received donations from Costco, Albertsons, and Rosauers so we can purchase fruit and other staples for the day.
• JAX Nutrition at 3319 N. Eagle Road (between Qdoba and U-Swirl) has provided water bottles for all of our students to help them stay hydrated during the walk. 
• The PULSE Running & Fitness Shop has provided race bibs for all of our student and teacher walkers. 
• ToyTown has donated an awesome SwingRoller for one of our grand prizes. 
• Fleet Feet Meridian at The Village also is donating two pairs of Under Armour sneakers for our top walkers and is providing an inflatable arch for the walk. 
• We also have received generous donations to be used as prizes from the Boise Co-Op, Dart Warz, JumpTime Idaho, Meridian Lanes, The Reel Theatre, Roaring Springs Water Park, Treasure Valley YMCA, U-Swirl Frozen Yogurt, and Wahooz Family Fun Zone.

Let's Help Add to Discovery's Playgrounds

Discovery PTA is committed to helping enhance the playgrounds on both the primary and intermediate sides. We anticipate that this will be a two-year process that will cost more than $30,000. On the intermediate side, we would like to add some climbing equipment to round out that playground. On the primary side, we would like to add some play panels for the younger students. We also will add a ramp and special playground surfacing to make it accessible for all students.

So far we have earned more than $3,750. Our walk-a-thon will be our main fundraising event this school year. If every student raises $20, that would be more than $11,000 for our playground initiative. We also will be working to secure grants and other funding for the equipment. Our hopes are that with grants, the walk-a-thon fundraiser, and another fundraiser during the 2016-17 school year, we will reach our goal.

If you would like to make a donation of $50 or more, please consider donating to the PTA's playground initiative through the West Ada Education Foundation. Your donation will go directly to the playground improvements, and you'll be eligible to earn a tax deduction. Your donation also will go further if your employer matches donations to nonprofit organizations.

We will honor all families who donate $50 or more to our playground initiative by listing their names on a plaque. Your donation also will be counted toward your student's walk-a-thon fundraising. Please note your online donation on the fundraising form that is coming home with your student early this week.

To donate, please go to http://www.westada.org/site/default.aspx?PageType=3&DomainID=14&ModuleInstanceID=18609&ViewID=047E6BE3-6D87-4130-8424-D8E4E9ED6C2A&RenderLoc=0&FlexDataID=107927&PageID=21.

Thank you so much for helping to enhance our students' school experience.

Parent Volunteers Needed for Walk-a-Thon

Discovery PTA will hold our Star Wars-themed walk-a-thon during the school day on Wednesday, May 4, to raise funds for playground improvements while encouraging wellness and fitness. Look for packets in backpacks early this week.

We would love to have parents, grandparents, siblings, and other family members come out and cheer on the students while they walk.

The walking schedule for the day is:

• 9:30-10 a.m.: 4th Grade
• 10:05-10:35 a.m.: 5th Grade
• 10:40-11:10 a.m.: 2nd Grade and AM Kindergarten
• 11:15-11:45 a.m.: 3rd Grade
• 1:05-1:35 p.m.: Tuition Kindergarten and PM Kindergarten
• 1:40-2:10 p.m.: 1st Grade

We also need parent volunteers from each classroom to help pin on race bibs, tally laps, and escort students to their post-walk snack. If you're interested in volunteering for your child's class or helping with the snacks, please sign up at http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c094baaa923aafa7-walkathon. If you're interested in helping the PTA throughout the day to run the event or during certain hours, please email discoverypta@gmail.com.

Discovery Walk-a-Thon to Benefit Playground Improvements

Discovery PTA will be holding a Star Wars-themed Walk-a-Thon on Wednesday, May 4, during the school day. This event will allow our students to raise money for new Discovery playground equipment while promoting wellness and fitness.

The theme will be announced to students on Friday at the school assembly, and packets will come home at the end of next week. Awesome prizes will be earned for fundraising and for walking the most laps.

Parents, we invite you to come join the fun on May 4. See the schedule below for times that your student(s) will be out on the track. You can stop by and walk or sign up to volunteer with your class and help make our Walk-a-Thon a success! If you would like to volunteer, please email discoverypta@gmail.com.

2016 Walk-a-Thon Schedule

9:30 to 10 a.m.: 4th Grade

10:05 to 10:35 a.m.: 5th Grade

10:40 to 11:10 a.m.: 2nd Grade and AM Kindergarten

11:15 to 11:45 a.m.: 3rd Grade

1:05 to 1:35 p.m.: All-Day and PM Kindergarten

1:40 to 2:10 p.m.: 1st Grade

Many thanks to Chobani, Costco, and Rosauers for providing yogurt and fruit to help our students refuel, JAX Nutrition for providing water bottles, and The PULSE Running & Fitness Shop for providing race bibs. Other generous donations have been provided by Boise Hawks, Dart Warz, Fleet Feet Meridian, Jump Time Idaho, The Reel Theatre, Roaring Springs, ToyTown, U-Swirl Frozen Yogurt, and Wahooz Family Fun Zone.

May the 4th Be with Discovery Students!

Discovery Night at Chipotle on April 12

Need an excuse not to cook, or to take a break from running to and from your kids' after-school activities, or just want to show your school spirit? Then come into Chipotle, 2126 N. Eagle Road, from 5 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, April 12. Bring in the flier that was sent home with your student, show the ad below on your smartphone, or tell the cashier you're supporting Discovery Elementary to make sure that 50% of the proceeds will be donated back to the school! Thank you for showing your support for Discovery!

Rosauers Provides Check for Discovery

A huge thank you to Rosauers in Meridian and its Groceries for Good program as well as to all of the parents who dropped receipts into the Discovery box in the front of the store! We received a check last week for $209.83, which will be put toward school initiatives, such as the year-end class festivities. It's so awesome to have a store like Rosauers that gives back to the surrounding community.

Join Us at the Monthly PTA Meeting on April 5

The Discovery PTA will hold its regular monthly meeting at 4:10 p.m. on Tuesday, April 5, in the Health Room. We will be providing an update on our playground improvement initiative and our spring walk-a-thon, which will be our big fundraiser this school year for these improvements.

We also will discuss any grant applications that are turned in by staff or teachers. This is the last opportunity this school year for grants to be considered.

Also, mark your calendars for Discovery's Chipotle night on Tuesday, April 12, from 5 to 9 p.m. at 2126 N. Eagle Road. Just say you're supporting Discovery before you order, and 50% of the proceeds from school families from that night will be donated for the school. If you're running to or from sports practices or just need an excuse to not cook, this is a great opportunity to save yourself some time and support Discovery!

Run or Walk to Support PTA Playground Improvements

Do you and your family love to run or walk? If so, you can register to run or walk Cause + Event Boise's 5K or 10K, a community event designed to raise money for the charity of your choice, on the morning of Saturday, April 9, at Reid Merrill Park in Eagle.

And you can support Discovery PTA by being part of our team and choosing our organization as your charity of choice. For every registration that supports Discovery PTA, we will receive $15. All of the proceeds will go toward our playground improvement initiative that is now underway.

Registration is $35 per runner, which includes the donation, a race bib, a chip, and a short-sleeved shirt. The event is stroller- and dog-friendly and will also include a free kids 1K fun run and tot trot so the entire family can participate! Race activities will take place between 8 and 11 a.m. on April 9.

Please consider running or walking for Discovery PTA. To join the team, please visit https://www.raceit.com/register/groups/join.aspx?event=33863&id=18213550&group=585257.

Cookies Needed for Book Fair Late Night

Discovery PTA is assisting this week with the school's Book Fair/Art Walk. We need donations of cookies and baked goods for the lemonade and cookie reception on Wednesday, March 16. If you would like to bake or buy treats, please sign up at http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0b4da5a72aaafe3-book and deliver them to the library by 3 p.m. Wednesday. We can't thank you enough for your donations for this fun event!

Be sure to check out the Book Fair from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, and 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. sharp on Thursday. From 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, stop by the lemonade and cookie reception in the cafeteria after selecting some fun reads. In addition, students will be showcasing art inspired by the masters like Van Gogh and Monet in the halls of Discovery. You can purchase your student's art for a suggested donation of 50 cents. All proceeds from the Book Fair will aid Discovery's school library, and the proceeds from the Art Walk will be generously donated toward the PTA's playground improvements.