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.