Discovery PTA's Latest Scoop

Welcome back to school, Discovery families. We hope you all had a great summer and are ready to kick off a great school year. Discovery PTA is already hard at work getting the year off to a good start. Here is some of the latest news:

• New meeting time: PTA meetings will move to the first Monday of each month. The first meeting will be at 4:10 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 10, in the Health Room.
• Big changes for Box Tops:  Box Tops for Education is moving into the digital world. When you purchase products that have the Box Top logo on them, you can scan your receipt into the state-of-the-art app within 14 days, instantly adding directly to the school's earnings. But Box Tops for Education will still accept all clipped Box Tops, as long as they are not expired. The classroom that brings in the most Box Tops by Oct. 18 will win an extra recess and a snack. And if the school can raise $1,000 in Box Tops by the end of the year through clipped Box Tops and through the app, all students will get to celebrate with frozen treats.
• Show Discovery pride: The PTA will be selling Spirit Wear at the start of the school year. You can send back in an order form or stop by the PTA table at Back to School Night on Thursday, Sept. 5. The shirts come in navy or maroon, with basic tees at $11 and performance tees at $13. Navy hoodies also are for sale for $28. Students are encouraged to wear their Discovery shirts or school colors the first Friday of each month for Spirit Days. Starting in October, the PTA will randomly select classrooms and give a prize to each student sporting Discovery wear or colors.
• Popcorn Fridays: Again this school year, students have the option of getting an afternoon snack of popcorn on the first Friday school day of each month. The first Popcorn Friday of the school year will be Sept. 6. The form will be in your PTA packet that you'll get on the first day of school. It's $6 for the entire school year, or 75 cents each month. 

Also, save the date:

• Discovery Night at Sonic Drive-In, 5 to 8 p.m., Monday, Sept. 9. Take care of dinner and help support Discovery. Come to Sonic at 4936 Linder Road, and show the flyer (coming home in early September with your student and also via email) when you make your purchase; 50% of proceeds will be donated to Discovery PTA.
• Discovery Night at The Farmstead, 4 to 9 p.m., Monday, Sept. 30, with kiss a pig at 6:30 p.m. Have some family fall fun at the new Farmstead location in Kuna. 

Final Box Tops Contest Ends Friday

We are already at the final Box Tops contest for the school year. The classroom that turns in the most Box Tops by Friday, April 26, will win a special frozen treat!

Mr. Runyan's third-grade class has a large lead right now, with 205 Box Tops clipped, followed by Mrs. Haycock's fifth-grade class with 133 Box Tops, Ms. McKay's first-grade class with 120,  and Mrs. Davison's second-grade class with 100.

Here's how the rest of the classes rank:

• Mrs. Kalinski, 5th Grade: 88
• Mrs. Arevalo, 2nd Grade: 74
• Mrs. Howard, 1st Grade: 70
• Mrs. Eck, PM Kindergarten: 64
• Mrs. Briggs, 4th Grade: 71
• Mrs. Morris, 4th Grade: 70
• Mr. Burrell, 3rd Grade: 50
• Mrs. Bell, 4th Grade: 49
• Mrs. Croft, 1st Grade: 42
• Mr. Hawkins, 3rd Grade: 29
• Mrs. Kearns, Tuition Kindergarten: 28
• Mr. Thie, 5th Grade: 26
• Mrs. Kober, 4th Grade: 20
• Ms. Jayne, 3rd Grade: 11
• Mrs. Thayer, 5th Grade: 9
• Mrs. Eck, AM Kindergarten: 7
• Mrs. Maw, 2nd Grade: 3

But several days remain, so keep clipping and sending those Box Tops in. Any classroom could still win at this point!

Celebrate the Decades at Discovery's Spring Dance

The Decades Dance is finally here. Come dance the night away from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday with other Discovery families. Officer York will be spinning tunes from all the decades, and students and staff can win prizes for the best costumes.

Food will be available for purchase in the cafeteria. Get a hot dog (courtesy of RC Willey), chips, and a soda or water for $4, or stop by our candy bar. The Arial family also will be selling multiple flavors of cotton candy.

We are still looking for volunteers to help out with two shifts. If you can help out during one of the shifts, please sign up at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0b4da5a72aaafe3-decades.

While the dance is free to attend, it is the PTA's major fundraiser of the school year. We will be raffling off a giant stuffed sloth that was donated by Principal McDonough. Raffle tickets will be $1 a piece.

We also will have a silent auction that will close at 7:45 p.m. and have some great baskets to share. This we couldn't have done without the support of our community (and from some far away).

A big thank you to our local supporters:

• Albertsons Market Street
• Aquarium of Boise
• AR Workshop
• Ballet Idaho
• Banbury Golf Course
• Bogus Basin
• Boise Hawks
• Cascade Raft & Kayak
• Chandlers
• Code Ninjas
• Crane Creek Country Club
• Dance Arts Academy
• Dutch Bros
• Eureka
• The First Tee of Idaho
• Goodwood Barbecue Co.
• Goody's
• Grinkers
• The Grove Hotel
• Hotel 43
• Idaho Botanical Garden
• Idaho Shakespeare Festival
• Idaho Steelheads
• Jakers
• JumpTime
• La Creme Frozen Yogurt
• Leah Southwick Photography
• Le Paint
• Liz Donerkiel - the Beauty Bomber (Younique)
• Meridian Lanes
• Morrison Center
• Old Idaho Penitentiary
• Opera Idaho
• Panache Hair Studio & Day Spa
• Paramount Eye Care and Dr. Luke Randall
• Roaring Springs
• Shadow Valley Golf Club
• STEMfinity
• Wahooz
• Warhawk Air Museum
• World Center for Birds of Prey
• Zoo Boise

And a shout out to those afar:

• American Girl
• Aquarium of the Pacific
• Silverwood Theme Park
• Triple Play Family Fun Park
• Wheel of Fortune

Support Discovery at Sockeye Grill on Wednesday

Celebrate the first day of spring and support Discovery Elementary by coming out to Sockeye Grill & Brewery from 6 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, March 20. Sockeye will donate 10% of all sales to Discovery PTA during the event. And here's a bonus for students, Discovery staff will be on hand to help host and serve.

Mrs. Thayer's Class Wins Box Tops Contest

Congratulations to Mrs. Thayer's class for bringing in the most Box Tops for the latest classroom competition. The fifth-grade class took the lead at the last minute, bringing in 312 Box Tops and winning a smoothie party.

A big thank you to all the family and staff who brought in Box Tops. Here are the final tallies for the contest. A new classroom contest will begin after Spring Break so keep clipping!

• Mrs. Thayer, 5th Grade: 312
• Mr. Burrell, 3rd Grade: 187
• Mrs. Kober, 4th Grade: 177
• Mrs. Davison, 2nd Grade: 156
• Mrs. Morris, 4th Grade: 139
• Mrs. Eck, AM Kindergarten: 125
• Ms. McKay, 1st Grade: 119
• Mrs. Croft, 1st Grade: 118
• Mrs. Kalinski, 5th Grade: 112
• Mrs. Arevalo, 2nd Grade: 86
• Ms. Jayne, 3rd Grade: 82
• Mr. Runyan, 3rd Grade: 72
• Mr. Hawkins, 3rd Grade: 68
• Mrs. Howard, 1st Grade: 60
• Mrs. Bell, 4th Grade: 54
• Mrs. Kearns, All-Day Kindergarten: 41
• Mrs. Eck, PM Kindergarten: 33
• Mrs. Maw, 2nd Grade: 32

Box Tops, each worth 10 cents, are a great way for teachers to earn extra money for classroom supplies and activities. Teachers receive half of the amount of the Box Tops submitted for their classroom, while the other half goes to the PTA for schoolwide activities. For a list of participating products, visit https://www.boxtops4education.com/earn/participating-products.

PTA Coming Events in March

Spring had been in the air, and now I'm not so sure. But regardless of the weather, Discovery PTA has some great events planned for March and April!

1. Popcorn Friday is this Friday, March 1. If you are available, we would love to have you join us at 8:45 a.m. to bag popcorn in the cafeteria. It's a fun time to socialize with other Discovery parents.

2. The next PTA meeting will be at 4:10 p.m. on Tuesday, March 5. We are starting to look for officers and committee chairs for the 2019-2020 school year. Please let us know if you're interested in learning more!

3. The Spring Book Fair and Art Walk will be Monday-Thursday, March 11-14. Mrs. Campbell is looking for some volunteers to assist students and their families. If you are interested in volunteering, please sign up at 2019 Spring Book Fair Volunteers.

2019 Spring Book Fair Volunteers The Spring Book Fair and Art Walk is coming up, March 11-14, and school librarian Mrs. Campbell has several shif...

4. The front office is seeking a volunteer to assist with class pictures on Wednesday, March 13, from about 9:10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Please let the front office know if you're interested in helping out.

5. We have scheduled our next restaurant night at Sockeye Brewery, 12542 W. Fairview Ave., from 6 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, March 20. Discovery staff members will help serve for tips, and we'll also receive a 10% donation of total sales from the restaurant that evening.

6. Save the date for the Decades Dance: Since last year's sock hop was such a success, the PTA will be hosting a Decades Dance on Friday, April 12. There will be music by Officer York, food for purchase, and a silent auction (we've received so many great items so far, like American Girl dolls, a family photography package, white water rafting, and restaurant gift cards). Please let us know if you have any services or items to donate for the silent auction or would like to be involved in the planning of the event.

Close Race for February Box Tops Competition

The February Box Tops competition is heating up, with five classrooms in a tight race. The deadline to bring in Box Tops is Monday, Feb. 25, so it could still be anyone's game! The classroom that brings in the most will win a smoothie party in March.

Here's how the tallies stand so far:

Mrs. Kober, 4th Grade: 161
Mr. Burrell, 3rd Grade: 145
Mrs. Thayer, 5th Grade: 141
Mrs. Morris, 4th Grade: 139
Mrs. Davison, 2nd Grade: 139
Mrs. Eck, AM Kindergarten: 123
Ms. McKay, 1st Grade: 119
Mrs. Croft, 1st Grade: 110
Mrs. Kalinski, 5th Grade: 88
Mr. Runyan, 3rd Grade: 72
Ms. Jayne, 3rd Grade: 62
Mrs. Howard, 1st Grade: 60
Ms. Bell, 4th Grade: 54
Mrs. Arevalo, 2nd Grade: 45
Mrs. Kearns, Tuition Kindergarten: 39
Mr. Hawkins, 3rd Grade: 37
Mrs. Eck, PM Kindergarten: 33
Mrs. Maw, 2nd Grade: 32

Remember, all Box Tops for the February competition must be turned in on Monday. Be sure to put your child's teacher's name and grade on the sheet or baggie!

PTA Coming Events

January has gone by so fast, but I for one am looking forward to spring. Here are some reminders for February as well as some upcoming spring events. 

1. Popcorn Friday is this Friday, Feb. 1. If you are available, we would love to have you join us at 8:45 a.m. to bag popcorn in the cafeteria. It's a fun time to socialize with other Discovery parents.

2. The next PTA meeting will be at 4:10 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 5. We will be discussing staff appreciation week in May, if you have ideas to share. We also will be reviewing any staff grant applications submitted at this meeting. 

3. Valentine's Day is a great opportunity to show our appreciation for our teachers and staff members. The PTA will be putting together a snack bar, with build-your-own trail mix ingredients, healthy snacks, and some decadent treats. Here's the link to the donations we are seeking. Please drop off by 9 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 14. We appreciate any donations you can provide! Discovery Valentine Staff Snacks

Discovery Valentine Staff Snacks Let's spoil our Discovery staff members this Valentine's Day, Feb. 14, with a a trail mix bar, healthy snacks, a...

4. The next Box Tops competition is underway. The classroom that brings in the most Box Tops by Feb. 25 will win a smoothie party in March. 

5. We have scheduled our next restaurant night at Sockeye Brewery, 12542 W. Fairview Ave., from 6 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, March 20. Discovery staff members will help serve for tips, and we'll also receive a 10% donation of total sales from the restaurant that evening.

6. Save the date for the Decades Dance. Since last year's sock hop was such a success, the PTA will be hosting a Decades Dance on Friday, April 12. There will be music by Officer York, food for purchase, and a silent auction. Please let us know if you have any services or items to donate for the silent auction or would like to be involved in the planning of the event.

We also are always looking for new ideas for events and activities. If you can't attend the PTA meeting to share your suggestions, please reach out via the blog, Facebook page, or emailing discoverypta@gmail.com.

Who Wants Pizza? Support Discovery by Eating at Blaze on Monday Night

Don't miss out on Discovery Night at Blaze Pizza. It's a win-win situation for all: Yummy pizza for the family, no cooking for parents during the busy holiday season, and 20% of the proceeds will be donated back to Discovery Elementary. 

Discovery's fundraiser will take place between 6 and 8 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 16, at Blaze Pizza at The Village. Be sure to show an electronic or hard copy of the flyer when you order. Thank you in advance for supporting your school!

Individual Box Tops Competition Underway

The next Box Tops competition is now underway. The three students who bring in the most Box Tops by Dec. 21 will win a mystery grand prize. Plus, all students who bring in 25 Box Tops will win a prize so start clipping!

A big congratulations to Mrs. Kalinski's fifth-grade class for winning the first Box Tops competition of the school year. They were awarded Box Tops snacks, an extra recess, and the coveted Box Tops trophy!

Join School Families for Discovery Donuts on Friday

The PTA is holding its fifth annual Discovery Donuts from 8:15 to 9 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 9, in the cafeteria. Students can bring the special adult(s) in their life to share a donut, socialize with other Discovery families, and enjoy some activities in the gym. We think this is a great event for both our students and their families, and we hope to see you there!

Here are some additional reminders for November:

• PTA Meeting: The November PTA meeting will be at 4:10 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 6, in the Health Room.
• Book Fair Volunteers Needed: Discovery's Fall Book Fair will be Monday to Thursday, Nov. 12-15, with the late night on Wednesday, Nov. 14. Mrs. Campbell is looking for volunteers to work the cash register and assist students. If you're available, please sign up at: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0B4DA5A72AAAFE3-discoverys.
• Spirit Wear: The PTA is doing another Spirit Wear order for the holidays. Orders are due by Friday, Nov. 16, with deliveries expected in early December. Pick up an order form in the front office or at the Book Fair's late night or find and print it at http://discoverypta.blogspot.com/2018/10/spirit-wear-orders-due-nov-16.html. Please turn in to your teacher with cash or a check made out to Discovery PTA.

PTA Seeking Food Donations

Can you we believe we already made it to parent-teacher conferences? The school year is flying by. To help out our teachers, the PTA will be providing snacks to fuel them up for their conferences after school Wednesday, Oct. 24, and an early dinner on Thursday, Oct. 25.

We are still looking for donations for our snack cart, such as soda, chips, and granola bars. If you can donate, please sign up at (if the link doesn't work, please cut and paste): https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0b4da5a72aaafe3-staff

We also still need a few desserts and a veggie tray for Thursday's dinner. Here's the link for that: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0b4da5a72aaafe3-parentteacher

Thank you Discovery families for your support!

Spirit Wear Orders Due Nov. 16

The PTA received a lot of Spirit Wear interest after our first order so we will be placing a second one for the holidays. Orders will be due by Friday, Nov. 16, with deliveries in early December.

We offer basic and performance tees in navy and maroon for $11 and $13, respectively. Hoodies only come in navy and are $28. I recommend sizing up on the hoodies to get a couple of years out of them!

Print and send in the order form below to your student's teacher with cash or check made out to Discovery PTA. We also will have a table at the late night of Book Fair, with a few sample sizes of the tees. If you have any questions, please email discoverypta@gmail.com.

Deadline for Reflections Art Competition Is Oct. 29

Entry forms were sent home last month for the National PTA Reflections art competition. This year marks the National PTA's 50th annual Reflections program, and the theme is Heroes Around Me.

Artwork around this theme can be entered in six categories: Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, and Visual Arts. The deadline for entries is Oct. 29. Be sure to fill out the form below, including the artist statement. Also, remind your students that they cannot use any copyrighted materials, such as images or drawings of superheroes. The rest of the rules also are listed below.

The art will be displayed at a special gallery in the gym during Discovery Donuts on Friday, Nov. 9. More information will be available soon on this special event for all Discovery students and their families.

For more information or questions, please email PTA Reflections Chair Sharese Hall at hallsha744@gmail.com.

Mr. Hawkins Kisses the Pig

Thank you to everyone who came out last night to The Farmstead to support Discovery and watch Mr. Hawkins kiss a pig. Watch the video, and you'll see that fun was had by all! 

Join Discovery Families Monday Night at The Farmstead

Discovery Night at The Farmstead is finally here. Come out from 4 to 9 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 15, for fall fun at The Farmstead with other Discovery families. The highlight of the night will be when the teacher who brought in the most pennies (and other money) last week gets to smooch a swine. Keep an eye out for that announcement on Monday on Facebook; it also will be announced for students at school.

We raised over $500 during our penny contest. Thank you to our brave teacher contestants and to the generous students and their families! The Farmstead also will donate $1 for each Discovery admission, so be sure to tell them you're from Discovery when you pay. Don't miss this great event.

Three Teachers Neck and Neck to Kiss a Pig

Discovery's Kiss a Pig contest is looking to be a close one. Mrs. Haycock has regained the lead with $63.53, but Mr. Hawkins and Mrs. Morris are within $5 of that. Thank you to all the students who have sent in their pennies!

Tomorrow is the last day for students to vote with their pennies (or other change) on which teacher they want to see kiss a pig at Discovery Night at The Farmstead on Monday, Oct. 15. Farmstead hours are 4 to 9 p.m., with the kissing of the pig ceremony at 7:30 p.m. The teacher who will be kissing the pig will be announced Monday afternoon. It's a fun time for the entire family, and Discovery PTA will get $1 back from each admission.

Here are the latest tallies:

• Mrs. Haycock, 5th: $63.53
• Mr. Hawkins, 3rd: $60.64
• Mrs. Morris, 4th: $58.31
• Mrs. Kearns, K: $28.79
• Mr. Johnson, Health/PE: $18.71
• Mrs. Arevalo, 2nd: $14.58
• Mrs. Howard, 1st: $9.45

Mr. Hawkins Takes Kiss a Pig Lead

Discovery's Kiss a Pig contest is heating up. After today's pennies (and various other denominations) were counted, Mr. Hawkins shot ahead with $45.32, closely followed by Mrs. Morris, who has garnered $42.85.

There are two more days for students to vote with their pennies on who they want to see kiss a pig at The Farmstead on Monday evening at 7:30. And after today's results, I think it could still be anyone's game!

Here are the latest tallies:

• Mr. Hawkins, 3rd: $45.32
• Mrs. Morris, 4th: $42.85
• Mrs. Haycock, 5th: $26.56
• Mrs. Kearns, K: $19.85
• Mr. Johnson, Health/PE: $15.27
• Mrs. Arevalo, 2nd: $10.14
• Mrs. Howard, 1st: $8.42

Mrs. Haycock Leads Kiss a Pig Contest

Thank you to those students and families who have sent in pennies to vote for the teacher they want to see kiss a pig next Monday at The Farmstead. The PTA has already collected over $75, which will benefit schoolwide activities.

Mrs. Haycock remains in the lead, but Mrs. Kearns, Mr. Johnson, and Mrs. Morris aren't that far behind. Penny donations will continue through the end of this week, with the winning teacher announced Monday afternoon. Here's the list of the latest totals:

• Mrs. Haycock, 5th: $21.99
• Mrs. Kearns, K: $13.96
• Mr. Johnson, Health/PE: $11.29
• Mrs. Morris, 4th: $10.30
• Mrs. Arevalo, 2nd: $8.47
• Mr. Hawkins, 3rd: $7.52
• Mrs. Howard, 1st: $3.56

Who Will Kiss a Pig at Discovery Night at the Farmstead?

Discovery students are voting with their pennies (and other coins and dollars) this week on who they want to see smooch a swine at Discovery Night at The Farmstead on Monday, Oct. 15. Fifth-grade teacher Mrs. Haycock has a solid lead for now, but it's still early in the week.

Students can bring in their pennies in a bag through Friday. Just be sure to write down the teacher's name for who you are voting. The winning teacher will be announced at school on the afternoon of Oct. 15, and then you can see the winner kiss the pig at 7:30 p.m. that night at The Farmstead. We can't thank our great staff members who volunteered to get up close and personal with a pig!

All of the money raised from the Kiss a Pig voting as well as the donation from The Farmstead ($1 for each Discovery admission will be donated back to the PTA) will help support schoolwide activities this school year.

We will be updating the blog and bulletin board to reflect the latest totals. Here's how the competition is stacking up so far:

• Mrs. Haycock, 5th: $17.25
• Mrs. Kearns, K: $8.34
• Mrs. Morris, 4th: $1.25
• Mrs. Arevalo, 2nd: $0.25
• Mr. Hawkins, 3rd: $0.10
• Mrs. Howard, 1st: $0.05
• Mr. Johnson, Health/PE: $0