Calendar of Events
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May 21: Teacher Appreciation Lunch.
May 25: Sixth Grade Graduation, school gym, 10 a.m.
May 26: Field Day
May 27: Last day of school for students (abbreviated day)
July 30: Registration
Aug. 6: First Day of School (half day)
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Comments? Questions? Concerns?
Feel free to contact your PTA Member-at-Large representatives -- we're
here to help!
Grades K - 2: Sarah Woods, woodss@comcast.net
Grades 3 - 6: Michelle Palmer, michellpa@aol.com |
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UPCOMING EVENTS
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FRIDAY, MAY 21: Teacher Appreciation Lunch
TUESDAY, MAY 25: Sixth Grade Graduation, gymnasium, 10 a.m.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 26: Field Day
THURSDAY, MAY 27: Last day of school (abbreviated day)
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PTA ANNUAL SURVEY READY
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 Parents,
We desperately need your help to make your PTA better and stronger next year. To that end, please click on our survey link and complete the annual PTA survey so that we can make improvements next year.
Thank you all for your support. Please have a safe summer vacation!
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DISCOVERY SCHOOL WINS SCIENCE OLYMPIAD
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 Discovery students in grades third through sixth teamed to have the best combined score to top a field of 17 midstate schools competing at the annual Science Olympiad held on April 24 at John Pittard Elementary School.
The Discovery team finished an impressive 43 points ahead of the second-place team, which ranked only two points ahead of the third-place finisher. Out of 20 individual contests within the Olympiad, the Discovery team earned five first-place awards and was among the top five finishers in 16 contests.
The team was coached by teachers Stacey Burt, Angela Bunyi and Kristy Mall with assistance by Aaron Nuell.
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| CONGRATULATIONS REFLECTIONS WINNERS |
Two Discovery School students were among state winners in the annual Reflections fine arts competition.
Sixth grader Josh Martin received an award of merit for his entry in the video production category. He is a student in Mrs. Mall's class.
Collin Dyer, a fifth grader in Mrs. Jones' class, captured an award of merit for his music composition entry. Both students were school-level winners during competition hosted by the PTA last December. All school winners advanced to the state competition.
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TRAFFIC SOLUTIONS SOUGHT
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 Beginning this fall, all Murfreesboro City Schools kindergarten students will attend school the same hours as older students. For Discovery School that will mean a standard dismissal time of 3:30 p.m. for all students.
That change, along with anticipated increases due to limited busing availability, are expected to cause additional traffic problems on Greenland Drive. The PTA and school administrators are looking at this issue and hope to find some solutions to ease traffic problems in the morning and afternoon. Information will be provided during registration.
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BUSING REMAINS, BUT PARENTS MUST SHOW NEED
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 The Murfreesboro City School Board voted to continue providing transportation to the Discovery School for the 2010-2011 school year.
However, only those families meeting "need-based" criteria will be allowed to use buses. The PTA contacted the school district office for more information about the criteria and learned that Dr. Gilbert, the director of schools, is responsible for setting the guidelines. No date for releasing the criteria has been announced.
Parents concerned about busing are advised to continue contacting the MCS office over the summer break to receive information as soon as it becomes available. The PTA will also distribute an e-mail with this information when it becomes public. Also, the Discovery School will continue to organize carpool lists to help parents more efficiently transport their children to and from school.
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DIABETES WALK THANK YOU
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 Dear DSSR parents, students and faculty,
Sarah and I want to thank each of you from the bottom of our hearts for all the work you did to raise money for the Diabetes Walk for a Cure. While it was just another school event that you guys put your typical DSSR spirit into, for us, as a family, it was very personal.
The money raised, though not directly, will impact us in years to come in hopefully finding a cure for Sarah's Type 1 diabetes. Seeing all of Sarah's peers dressed in their T-shirts supporting her, and the other team captains, the other day was extremely moving for us. It made our daughter feel like she literally had a team of people fighting with her to find a cure for this horrible disease. And she does!
I was touched when Mrs. Turnbow suggested the walk for the school as its fundraiser this year, as I know the other parents of the diabetic students were. Sarah was once afraid her peers would ostracize her because of her disease and not understand what she must do every day to take care of herself. Not only has she been fully accepted by everyone at Discovery, she has thrived and been so supported and encouraged! It never ceases to amaze us just how lucky we are to be a part of such a wonderful school community.
Thank you SO much. We are beyond humbled and proud of what everyone did!
Amy, David, Sarah and Ruby Jacobs
(Sarah, 2nd grade, Mrs. Trussell...Type 1 since age 3)
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OUT-OF-COUNTY TUITION
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It's a little-known fact that the Discovery School accepts students not only from Murfreesboro and Rutherford County, but also from outside the county.
All out-of-county students are required to pay an annual tuition to attend a Murfreesboro City school. That tuition, paid directly to Murfreesboro City Schools, has been $900 per student annually. At its last meeting, the Murfreesboro City School Board voted to increase tuition to $2,000 per student for the 2010-2011 school year. The amount climbs to $3,000 the following year and $4,000 the third year.
Teachers who live out of county but have their children enrolled in the school district will be exempt from paying tuition. Currently, the only out-of-county students who are not the children of teachers are thought to be enrolled at the Discovery School.
There may be a reprieve to the tuition hike, Dr. Linda Gilbert told PTA representatives last Friday. She plans to ask the school board to consider waiting until the 2011-2012 school year to increase tuition, giving parents time plan for the additional fees. She said she will make the recommendation at the board's May meeting. Parents concerned with this issue should contact Murfreesboro City Schools for clarification.
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CHESS CAMPS
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 Chess Camps are being held at local schools this summer.
June 7-10 (9 a.m.-1 p.m.) at Providence Christian Academy and July 12-16 (9 a.m.-noon) at MTCS
Camps are open to children from all local schools.
Camps are generally for ages 7 and up.
There will be multiple groups based on proficiency level of students. Beginners are welcome!
Advance registration is strongly encouraged.
For more information, please contact Igor Zhislin at 896-3680 or igorzhislin@gmail.com.
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FUNDRAISING NEWS
| Dr. Clark parades with Ms. McPhee's students.  | Congratulations to Ms. McPhee's class for collecting the most Tyson Chicken labels for the April contest. They had a great time doing the chicken dance through the halls led by Dr. Clark in her chicken "get up." Keep those A+ Tyson labels coming in! They are worth .25 each - that's not chicken feed!
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Summer break is coming up fast, and it is never too early to begin your Smart Card sales pitches to friends, family and neighbors!
Beginning early this year is crucial as we face a new challenge (think 'opportunity') next fall: Our calendar changes will no longer give us a three-week edge over the competition. With that in mind, our committee is considering kicking off the fundraiser (think 'FUN-raiser') before school begins, so please watch The Compass for more information.
If you would like to share your opinion about how we can meet and exceed our Smart Card sales goals by beginning early, please contact Sarah Woods at woodss@comcast.net. Thanks so much and enjoy your summer! |
FIND US ON FACEBOOK
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The Discovery School PTA is now on Facebook. Keep up with everything going on in your child's school life by joining us. Search Discovery School PTA on Facebook and become a fan today!
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Always stay informed about PTA happenings at discoveryschoolpta.org |
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