The Explorer

The school year is quickly moving along with winter knocking at our door. Please make sure your student is dressed appropriately for the weather. The playground does not have any coverage from the wind. It is important to monitor the wind chill – the “feels like” temperature.

Thinking ahead for when we start to see the snow, students who want to play in it need to have the proper snow gear: winter coat, snow pants, snow boots, gloves, and hat/hood. When the temperature and/or wind chill is zero or below, students will be inside before school and during recess. Also, please be sure to read the inclement weather information included in this newsletter, along with the Remote Learning information.

Reminder - If you are going to meet your student on the playground or by their classroom door after school, please park in the parking lot or on the street. Do not park your vehicle in the circle drive. The circle drive is for drop off only.

Students will be off from school for a few days in honor of Thanksgiving. We hope you have a wonderful holiday with many things to be thankful for!

Mr. Dan Fischer, Principal

The 2026-27 SFSD Calendar is also attached below.

• Nov. 10: Classrooms 104 and 105 to the Butterfly House from 9:25 am - 11:05 am.
• Nov. 10: Classrooms 103 and 106 to the Butterfly House from 11:25 am - 1:05 pm.
• Nov. 10: Classrooms 101 and 102 to the Butterfly House from 12:40 pm - 2:20 pm.
• Nov. 11: No school in observance of Veterans' Day.
• Nov. 16: PTO Skate Night at Skate City from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm.
• Nov. 17: PTO meeting in the Discovery library at 6:00 pm.
• Nov. 19: 5th grade vocal concert at 6:30 pm. There are two matinees at 8:30 am and 1:45 pm for those who cannot attend the evening performance.
• Nov. 25: No school for a compensatory day.
• Nov. 26: No school for Thanksgiving break.
• Nov. 27: No school for Thanksgiving break.

It is important to be prepared for the winter storms and extreme cold that every South Dakota winter brings. Please read the following information so you are aware of the procedures for school-related cancellations and postponements. School officials use their best judgment about school closings, late starts, or early dismissals; however, please remember that a parent has the right to keep children home or to pick them up from school early if they feel weather conditions require this action.

LATE START OR CANCELLED

In the event that school needs to be cancelled or delayed, families will be alerted via a phone call. You can also check the District’s website at www.sf.k12.sd.us for updated information. Announcements will also be made on local radio and television stations. Please avoid calling the school or the Instructional Planning Center. Phone lines are needed for emergency communications.

• If school is one hour late, breakfast will be served.
• If school is two hours late, breakfast will NOT be served.

EARLY DISMISSAL

Storms occasionally move in during the day. If school is dismissed early, families will receive a phone call and the information will appear on the District’s website at www.sf.k12.sd.us. Dismissals will be referred to as “one hour early” or “two hours early” due to the number of different building schedules. It is very important that every family has a plan for early dismissal. Be sure your student knows where to go in case no one is at home. Talk to your student about his/her safety during winter weather emergencies. Make sure students are properly dressed for predicted weather conditions: walking home, waiting for the bus, or being delayed on a bus in a weather-related situation.

The SFSD will continue learning on Emergency/Weather Closure Days - expectations are attached below. Remote Learning on Emergency/Weather Closure aims to continue student learning and growth while students are away from school.

Our online spirit wear store is now open! To order, go to https://discoveryspiritwear2026.itemorder.com/shop/home/. The store closes at midnight on November 11. This is the last time to order spirit wear for this school year. Orders will be delivered to the school and sent home with students, unless you choose to have your order shipped to your home.

If someone other than you is picking up your student during the day:

1. Please email or call the office so we are aware that someone else is picking up your student. Even if the person is listed as an emergency contact for your student, please let us know.
2. The person picking up MUST have his/her ID. Even if the person is listed as an emergency contact for your student, he/she must show their ID.

This is for the safety of all students; we appreciate your cooperation.

With the change of seasons, below are the student “what to wear” guidelines that we follow.

The Sioux Falls School District is collecting feedback on a $105M bond proposal that would replace Whittier Middle School, build another elementary in western Sioux Falls; make substantial updates at Edison and Patrick Henry Middle Schools, and provide security updates at schools across the city.

The $105M bond would be coupled with $35M in available Capital Outlay to complete the Top 10 projects identified by a 30-person task force. The proposal would increase taxes $13/$100,000 valuation.

Your input is valuable to inform the school board’s next steps prior to a May 2027 community vote on the bond proposal. Please consider completing this 10-minute survey: https://www.dgsurveys.com/r/SFSDCommSurvey2026. The survey closes Friday, November 6, 2026.

If you are looking for resources or a way to give back, the 211 Helpline Center is a great place to start: https://www.helplinecenter.org/.

Kindergarten, 1st grade, and 2nd grade students have learned and practiced being Body Clues Detectives to spy body clues on ourselves and others to help us understand how we are feeling.

Fifth grade Student Council reps visited 1st grade classrooms to teach different breathing strategies to get back to the Green Zone!

Students continue to become Kelso's Choices Experts! They are getting so good at trying at least two Kelso's Choices to solve small problems but reporting BIG problems to an adult right away when someone feels hurt or scared.

Email: Daniel.Fischer@k12.sd.us

Assistant Principal: Mrs. Jodi DeHaven

Email: Jodi.DeHaven@k12.sd.us

Location: 1506 South Discovery Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD, USA
Phone: 605-362-3530 Fax: 605-362-3535