DMS CONNECT
Oct. 28, 2026
Good afternoon Discovery Students and Families:
As we turn the calendar to November, it is hard to believe that we are already reaching the end of our first quarter on November 5th. Our students and staff have built a strong foundation over these past nine weeks, and we are incredibly proud of the growth, curiosity, and community spirit filling our hallways every day.
Next week is also Election Week, if you have not already done so, I encourage all DMS families to vote on or before Tuesday, November 3. Please see below for more information on early voting and the Cardinal Community Plan operating Levy.
Please note that there will be no school for students on Friday, November 6th, for a staff workshop day, and Quarter 2 will officially begin on Monday, November 9th. With the end of the term wrapping up, we encourage you to log into ParentVue and Schoology with your child to review their progress and ensure any final assignments or reassessments are completed early this week.
November is also a vibrant month for our fine arts department, and we are excited to invite our school family to celebrate our students' talents in the auditorium. Our student cast and crew are putting the finishing touches on our Fall Play, while our band, orchestra, and choir students are gearing up to showcase their hard work during our Fall Music Concert series. Specific performance dates, start times, and student call-times will be shared directly by our music and drama directors, and we look forward to seeing our families in the audience.
Thank you for your continued partnership and support as we wrap up Quarter 1 and move into a wonderful second quarter.
Best Regards,
Troy Wunderlich
Discovery Middle School Principal
On Tuesday, Nov. 3, voters in the Alexandria Public Schools district will decide on the Cardinal Community Plan operating levy for our schools. The ballot question asks voters to consider a plan to replace the district’s existing levies with a new operating levy which would generate about $3.7 million per year ($2,225 per student) for 10 years to support high-quality education and address the growing budget gap. Under a new state program, about half of the levy would be paid through state aid rather than by local property owners. The estimated tax impact is about $10 per month for the owner of a $400,000 home.
You don’t have to wait until Election Day to vote. Extended early voting hours are available on these dates at the Douglas County Auditor-Treasurer Office (821 Cedar St, Alexandria, MN 56308:
This week Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Saturday, October 31 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Sunday, November 1 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Monday, November 2 from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
If you still need to return your absentee ballot, hand-deliver it to the Douglas County Auditor-Treasurer Office by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3 to ensure it is counted.
On Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3, you can vote at your regular polling location from 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. Remember to check both sides of your ballot and look for the district’s referendum question. To learn more about voting, visit CardinalCommunityPlan.org/vote.
Decisions about our schools shape our classrooms, our neighborhoods and our communities for years to come. That’s why this decision belongs to district residents. Thank you for staying informed and taking part in this election.
Discovery Middle School
Email: lknoll@alexschools.org
Website: www.alexschools.org/dms
Location: 510 N. McKay Ave, Alexandria MN
Phone: 320-762-7900