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!