Discovery Details
October 6th, 2026
We're seeing more families in our community struggling financially than we ever have before, and we really want every child to feel loved and celebrated this holiday season. Last year, we were able to help all of our families in need with clothing and other Christmas gifts. We'd love to make that happen again this year. If you're interested in sponsoring a family and making a real difference, please reach out to Miss Owens—we'd be so grateful to have you join us in supporting the families in our community!
A Message from Mrs. Jensen, PE Specialist
Discovery Families,
Once again, Discovery is partnering with Wahooz to offer a fun fitness incentive for our students. Students who exercise 30 minutes a day OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL for a total of 20 hours during the months of October and November can turn in their completed exercise log to earn a WAHOOZ Ultimate Unlimited Fun Pass ($44.99 value)! Exercise logs, complete with parent signature, are due to Mrs. Jensen by FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11th, 2026. Students will be learning about this opportunity in their Health and PE classes, but I wanted parents to get the information as well. Attached is the exercise log you can download and print, and I will have extras available if needed.
Thanks for supporting my effort in keeping our kids active both in school and outside of school!
~Mrs. Jensen, PE Specialist
Small Ways to Support Big Feelings
Children’s mental health grows through everyday moments: feeling safe, being heard, and knowing caring adults are there for them. Safe, steady relationships and supportive environments give children a strong foundation for well-being and development.[1]
Here are five simple ways to support your child at home:
Make room for conversation. Try an open-ended question such as, “What was the best part of your day?” Listen without rushing to fix things.[2]
Welcome all feelings. Let your child know it’s okay to feel sad, worried, or frustrated. Naming a feeling can be a first step toward handling it.
Build healthy routines. Regular movement, nourishing food, and enough sleep for your child’s age support mental health.[1]
Practice problem-solving together. When something goes wrong, help your child think through a few possible next steps. You can also model calm ways to handle stress and frustration.[2]
Balance activities with downtime. Quiet play and rest matter, too. When your child is ready for social media, set clear limits together.[2]
Every child has hard days. Consider reaching out if you notice ongoing changes in your child’s behavior or well-being at home, at school, or with friends. You can talk with Miss Owens, your child’s teacher, or a health care professional; seeking support early can make a difference![1]
Sources:
1. CDC: About Children’s Mental Health
2. Contemporary Pediatrics: Supporting Mental and Behavioral Health for Elementary School Children
Twice a month, I will be meeting with different groups of students for a friendship Lunch Bunch. Groups will consist of 4-6 students, and we will all eat lunch together and play games in my office. This is not an intervention or support group, therefore there will not be a specific curriculum or skills taught during this time. This program is meant to provide students the opportunity to meet peers from different classes and get to know each other.
This program may not be suitable for all students because there will not be direct teaching of skills. Lunch Bunch is a great opportunity for new students or kids that struggle to find the confidence to make new friends. That said, please reach out to me if you think your child would benefit from help connecting with new friends!
Help keep our students safe - join our team!
Discovery Elementary is looking for caring and dependable individuals to help keep our students safe by serving as a Crossing Guards and Noon Duties. We would love to have you join our Discovery team! See the direct link to apply.
Crossing Guards
- Substitutes needed.
- Before school and/or after school daily, or as your schedule permits.
- Assist students and families safely across the streets before and after school.
Noon Duty
- 11:30am-1:00pm daily, or as your schedule permits
- Supervise students in the on the playground during lunch recess.
- Substitutes needed as well for when our noon duties are helping in classrooms - you can say yes/no depending on your schedule!
School Supplies Available for Families in Need
We want to ensure every student has the tools they need to succeed this school year! If your family is in need of school supplies—whether it's notebooks, pencils, backpacks, or other essentials—please don't hesitate to reach out. We're here to support you. All requests are handled with complete confidentiality and care. No child should go without the materials they need to learn and thrive, and we're committed to making sure every student in our school community is ready for a great year ahead! Simply contact Miss Owens at owens.ashton@westada.org or (208)855-4092.
Operation School Bell provided by the Assistance League of Boise
Operation School Bell provides brand new clothing and shoes to elementary students in need. This program serves students in more ways than a new wardrobe; it allows students to fit in with their peers and reach their potential. New clothing has been linked to improved self-esteem, school attendance, and academic performance. Last year, the Assistance League of Boise supported 3,552 students with new clothing and shoes throughout the year. If you know of a student who would benefit from clothing assistance, please reach out to Miss Owens.
Weekend Backpack Food Program
West Ada School District partners with the Meridian Food Bank to provide students in need with meals and snacks to take home over the weekend. Each bag contains enough for 6 meals and multiple non-perishable snacks. Last year, the Meridian Food Bank provided 26,460 bags of food to students throughout the district! We can also work with the Meridian Food Bank to provide families with emergency food supplies if needed. Please contact Miss Owens for more information!
Discovery Elementary
Email: owens.ashton@westada.org
Website: https://www.westada.org/o/discovery
Location: 2100 East Leighfield Drive, Meridian, ID, USA
Phone: 208-855-4092
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wearediscoverymustangs/