Hello Trailblazers!

Discovery Families,

Over the past week, our Discovery teachers have been busy getting to know their students as learners! An important part of the beginning of the school year is completing assessments with each student to better understand their current strengths, areas for growth and individual learning needs.

These assessments are much more than scores or numbers. Teachers use this information to make important instructional decisions as they plan whole-group instruction, create targeted small groups and determining intervention support that may benefit individual students.

During our October Parent-Teacher Conferences, families will have an opportunity to hear more about their child's assessment results and learning goals. Conferences are an important opportunity for teachers and families to connect and work together to support each child's success. The sign-up link for October Parent-Teacher Conferences will be shared with all Discovery families on September 18, 2026.

We appreciate your partnership as we begin another year of learning and growth at Discovery!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Ali Parkinson - Principal

Mrs. Jodi Dodson - Associate Principal

With 580 students, our phone lines can get BUSY!

If your child will be absent or late, please use our Attendance Line. It’s a voicemail system that is checked daily, so there’s no need to wait for someone to answer!

Simply leave your child’s name, teacher, and reason for the absence.

Thank you for helping our office keep things running smoothly!

Tuesday 9.29.26

Please help us stock the Discovery Snack Closet! There are a variety of reasons that Discovery kiddos need snacks throughout the day. Let's overflow the snack closet!! Thank you for your support of our amazing school!

All snack donations can be dropped off in the Discovery office.

Thank you! The Discovery PTO

This fall students in Kindergarten, 1st, 3rd, and 5th grade will have their vision screened using an automated and objective screening device called the Plusoptix. The Plusoptix has similar simplicity and speed to a digital camera. Both eyes are screened simultaneously in less than one second. Refraction, pupil sizes and corneal reflexes are measured and compared to age-based referral criteria automatically. If any abnormalities are determined the results will be sent home with the student. If you DO NOT want your child screened please fill out the bottom portion of this form and return it to your child’s school.

We will also be completing hearing screenings for students in Kindergarten, 1st, and 5th Grade. The hearing screening consists of a brief test to examine your child’s ability to hear pure tones at different frequencies. If there is any concern about your child’s hearing, you will be notified of the recommendation. If you DO NOT want your child screened please fill out the bottom portion of this form and return it to your child’s school.

Discovery Families,

Intramurals gives 4th & 5th grade students the opportunity to be active after school, spend time learning a new sport or playing one they already love, and to make new friends! We would love to see your child having fun and being active by signing up!

Cost: $35.00 for the year, $17.50 if you qualify for reduced lunch, Free for students who receive free lunch.

Seasons & Approx. Dates: Season 1 - Flag Football & Golf (9/07 - 10/23)

Season 2 - Volleyball & Floor Hockey (10/26-12/04)

Season 3 - Kickball & Indoor Team Sports (1/04 - 2/12)

Season 4 - Pickleball & Basketball (2/15-3/29)

Season 5 - Soccer (4/05-5/07)

*A calendar with official dates for each season will be in the weekly parent newsletter sent from the school, and can be picked up as a paper copy from the main office*

Days of the Week: Time: 4th Grade - Mondays & Tuesdays 5th Grade - Wednesdays & Thursdays 3:00 - 3:55pm

*Please pick up your child no later than 4:00pm!*

How to Sign-up: Students can sign up directly on their “MySchoolBucks” account. If you are having trouble signing up, please refer to Mrs. Melissa Subra or Mrs. Katie Lofgren in the office for assistance. Students can sign up at any time during the school year, and are not required to participate in all seasons if they so choose.

Using our new Infinite Campus system, all elementary schools will track student behaviors. Below is an explanation of how we will track minor and major behaviors and how we will have a designated teaching time each Friday to meet with student's with multiple behavior reminders.

Hi all and welcome back to Discovery for the 2026-27 school year! My name is Lindsey Ring and I am the School Social Worker here at Discovery. Please feel free to reach out to me regarding things such as Free and Reduced Meal questions, United Way Backpack Program involvement, school resource needs, home/transportation/attendance questions, or anything else I may be able to assist with. Below you can find links to begin the school year, and make sure to check the Smore weekly for more notes/updates throughout the school year. My contact information is lring130@mygfschools.org (email) or via cell phone 701-317-1832 (will accept text).

Free/Reduced Meal Form

**Please note if your student qualifies for this program, they will also receive discounted bussing as well.

Please have these forms completed by Tuesday, October 6th!

Even if your student qualified last year, you will need to fill out a new form this year to re-qualify.

https://www.myschoolapps.com/

United Way Backpack Program Form

Please fill out the form and return physical copy to office or digital copy to myself lring130@mygfschools.org

School Day:

Arrival Bell: 8:20 am

Tardy Bell: 8:25 am

Dismissal Bell: 3:00 pm

Arrival:

Students utilizing the breakfast program may enter door #7 between 7:40-8:20am. Students not eating breakfast at Discovery will wait outside their designated grade level door for the 8:20am bell. Staff will provide supervision at each door from 8:10 to 8:25. Please do not drop your student off at these doors before 8:10. If you arrive after the tardy bell at 8:25am, please check in with the office team at door #1. Contingency plans will be made in the event of inclement weather.

Dismissal:

As per district policy, schools will have parents meet their child(ren) at a designated location outside the school at dismissal time. Older siblings will go to the youngest sibling’s assigned door so parents can pick up all children in the same location.

Checking out your child(ren) during the day:

If you are taking your child out of school early for any reason, please call the school office and let the office team know the time you plan to pick up. Please use door #1 to communicate with the school secretaries and check out your child.

Absences & late check in:

If your child is absent or late, please call the attendance line at 701-787-4361 by 8:30 am to leave a message. If the attendance number is not already added to your phone contacts, please add it. Please note that you can leave an absence message on our attendance line during the night prior, if you know your child will be absent. You do not need to speak directly with our secretary to communicate your child's absence if shared on our attendance line.

The Child Nutrition Program looks forward to serving meals to your child/children during the school year. We serve breakfast and lunch at all schools and after school snacks at most elementary schools. The meals meet and exceed the nutritional requirements for your child's age group.

If your child has a food allergy, please fill out a Meal Modification form (found in the office or with our school nurse) so we can make adjustments to meals at school.

More information about the Child Nutrition Program, including Free and Reduced meal application information can be found here: https://www.gfschools.org/departments/child-nutrition

Breakfast:

Student: $1.60

Adult: $2.10

Lunch:

Student: $2.60

Adult: $4.55

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Grand Forks Public Schools kindly requests that you apply for free or reduced price meals for the 2026-2027 school year at myschoolapps.com. Don’t delay; please complete the application as soon as possible. A new application is required each school year. Remember, you can complete a new application at any time if there is a change in your household size or income.

Ensuring that every child has access to healthy and nourishing meals is our top priority. This year, North Dakota has updated income guidelines, which means you might qualify even if you haven’t in the past. We encourage all eligible families to apply.

Applying is easy and convenient through MySchoolApps at myschoolapps.com. Paper applications are available at your child’s school or the Child Nutrition Office located at 2402 47th Ave. So., Grand Forks, ND 58201.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call our Child Nutrition office at 701.746.2436.

Child Nutrition Services
Grand Forks Public Schools

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

MySchoolBucks makes it easy to stay connected to students and parents for any of your school payments.

Create yourself an account at myschoolbucks.com to pay for a variety of school related items such as lunch accounts, after school program fees, chromebook cases, and much more!

parentsupport@myschoolbucks.com

855.832.5226

Our school is a nut-free facility to help keep all students safe. Please be sure that any snacks or lunches sent with your child do not contain nuts or nut products.

To help keep all of our students safe, our school district does not allow birthday treats or food items to be brought in due to allergies. We love celebrating students, and non-food items like trinkets, small toys, pencils, or other fun items are always welcome. Thank you for helping us keep everyone safe!

1. Register Your Student for Bussing.

Please make sure your student is registered for bus transportation for the 2026–27 school year. https://forms.gle/5cTY3DbwWKvBJLo87

2. Review Important Bus Stop Information.

It is the parent/guardian’s responsibility to use the Valley Bus Services link to determine your student’s designated bus stop. Please review your student’s bus stop information before the first day of school and make sure your family is familiar with the designated stop and route information. Please note: This document will be updated throughout the year. https://valleybusllc.com/grandforksroutes/

3. Pay Your Transportation Fees.

Transportation fees for General Education bus services should be paid through My School Bucks.

https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/getmain.action

4. Download the MyRide K-12 to track bus information!

See the document below for more details.

Valley Bus Contact Information

Allison Gregoire, Transportation Coordinator

agregoire190@mygfschools.org

701.746.2200, ext 7235

Valley Bus Service:

701.772.0601

Immanuel Christian Children's Center:

701-746-8112

https://immanuelgf.org/iccc/

Hopeful Beginnings:

701-757-4062

https://www.hopefulbeginningsgf.com/

Little Miracles:

701-772-3851

https://www.littlemiraclesinc.com/

Wonder Years:

701-746-7287

A healthy child is one that will engage in learning and have a successful school experience. Please review our online student health information https://www.gfschools.org/departments/nursehealth-office and make sure that all required forms are in the office before your child attends the first day of school.

Nikki Badolato, in Discovery's Nurse Office, is happy to answer any questions!

nbadolato280@mygfschools.org

701-787-4359

Registration confirmation emails were sent on 8.12.16

Check your emails!

Add yourself to the waitlist and learn more about our After School Program Here:

https://sites.google.com/mygfschools.org/gfpsencore/home?authuser=2

Contact Information:

Yanaliss White Discovery ENCORE Site Coordinator

ywhite080@mygfschools.org

Kristyn Vetsch, ENCORE Director
701-215-8041
kerickson250@mygfschools.org

💚💙Discovery Elementary PTO Needs YOU!💙💚

We’re getting ready for an incredible 2026–2027 school year, and we’d love your help!

Open Positions:

• Fundraising Co-Chair
• Treasurer (Train alongside our current Treasurer and step into the role the following year)
• President-Elect (work alongside the current President and step into the role the following year)

We’re also looking for:

• Event volunteers (Color Run, Family Dance, Book Bingo, and more!)
• Parents & caregivers who want to get involved

Your time and energy help make field trips, school programs, and community events possible for our students. Whether you can help a little or a lot, there’s a place for you in the PTO!

Let’s work together to make this our best year yet! 🚀

📧 Interested? Email our PTO President Nicky at nickybethkb@gmail.com for details!

Main Office: 701-787-4359

Attendance Line: 701-787-4361

Fax: 701-787-5053

Main Office Hours: 7:45am - 3:45pm

Location: 3300 43rd Ave. S

Grand Forks, ND 58201