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Hybrid Discovery - Updates

Friday January 22

 

Thanks to all parents who were able to attend the Parent Circles. If you were not able to attend there will be one more opportunity to join us. You can also view the slides from our meetings here.

The weekly COVID activity report issued yesterday shows that we are still at high risk and need to stay remote for the time being.  As soon as the conditions improve, we will let you know and survey each of our students’ families to figure out who would like to send their children to the school building.
 
 
 
 

Tomorrow Wednesday January 20, we are inviting the children to an Inauguration Watch Party, starting at 11:30 am.  Office hours will not open. The link for the watch party will be emailed to the students. Classes will resume at 1:30pm as usual.

Plan to attend one of the Parent Circle meetings

What is my child going to learn during the second term?

How do I make sure my child participates in their classes?

How do I check if my child has completed their assignments?

How do I know if my child is doing well in their classes?

 

  • Parents of students in group B: Thursday January 21 at 5:00pm
  • Parents of students in group A: Thursday January 21 at 6:00pm

    You do not have to attend twice if you have two children in different groups, and you can come to a different group if you are not free when your group meets.

Wednesday menu for Breakfast/Lunch boxes:

Apple slices, breakfast bar, & cheese stick

Chicken, mac and cheese, green beans, & peaches
We serve the breakfast/lunch boxes from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm.
 

Please make sure your child is on time for Homeroom tomorrow at 9:00 am.

Please plan to attend the Parent Circle.

What is my child going to learn during the second term?

How do I make sure my child participates in their classes?

How do I check if my child has completed their assignments?

How do I know if my child is doing well in their classes?

 

  • Parents of students in group C: Wednesday January 20 at 5:00pm
  • Parents of students in group B: Thursday January 21 at 5:00pm
  • Parents of students in group A: Thursday January 21 at 6:00pm

    You do not have to attend twice if you have two children in different groups, and you can come to a different group if you are not free when your group meets.

 

Tuesday menu for Breakfast/Lunch boxes:

Yogurt, breakfast bar, & apple
Salisbury steak, brown rice, green beans, & mixed fruit

We serve the breakfast/lunch boxes from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm.

 

Accepting 4th gradersWe are currently accepting 4th grade students for September 2021. Please refer families of future 4th graders to our application page.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discovery is closed tomorrow in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day.  There won't be lunch boxes tomorrow. Classes resume on Tuesday at 9:00am. 

Please plan to attend the Parent Circle.

  • Parents of students in group D: Tuesday January 19 at 6:00pm

What is my child going to learn during the second term?

How do I make sure my child participates in their classes?

How do I check if my child has completed their assignments?

How do I know if my child is doing well in their classes?

 

  • Parents of students in group C: Wednesday January 20 at 5:00pm
  • Parents of students in group B: Thursday January 21 at 5:00pm
  • Parents of students in group A: Thursday January 21 at 6:00pm

    You do not have to attend twice if you have two children in different groups, and you can come to a different group if you are not free when your group meets.

 

We are currently accepting 4th grade students for September 2021. Please refer families of future 4th graders to our application page.
 
 
 
 
 

Thursday January 14


Thursday menu for Breakfast/Lunch boxes:

Honey oat bar, yogurt, & orange juice
Hot dogs, green beans, fries, and pears

We serve the breakfast/lunch boxes from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm.

 

We are currently accepting 4th grade students for September 2021. Please refer families of future 4th graders to our application page.

 

 

 

 


Wednesday menu for Breakfast/Lunch boxes:

Cereal, mixed berries, and yogurt.

Chicken soup with vegetables; mixed berries.

We serve the breakfast/lunch boxes from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm.

Please plan to attend the Parent Circle next week.

What is my child going to learn during the second term?

How do I make sure my child participates in their classes?

How do I check if my child has completed their assignments?

How do I know if my child is doing well in their classes?

 

  • Parents of students in group D: Tuesday January 19 at 6:00pm
  • Parents of students in group C: Wednesday January 20 at 5:00pm
  • Parents of students in group B: Thursday January 21 at 5:00pm
  • Parents of students in group A: Thursday January 21 at 6:00pm

    You do not have to attend twice if you have two children in different groups, and you can come to a different group if you are not free when your group meets.
 
We are currently accepting 4th grade students for September 2021. Please refer families of future 4th graders to our application page.
 
 
 


 
 

 



We will have Parent Circles next week to introduce our curriculum for the second term.  We will present the goals we have for our students, and the expectation for the children’s participation in class. We will also have break-out rooms where teachers can refresh your memory about the schedule, how to check on your child’s work, and how to see your child’s grades.


  • Parents of students in group D: Tuesday January 19 at 6:00pm
  • Parents of students in group C: Wednesday January 20 at 5:00pm
  • Parents of students in group B: Thursday January 21 at 5:00pm
  • Parents of students in group A: Thursday January 21 at 6:00pm

Please plan to attend (you don’t have to attend twice if you have two children in different groups, and you can come to a different group if you are not free when your group meets).
 
We will NOT be able to serve lunch tomorrow. We will resume on Wednesday.
 
 

Sunday January 10

 

Good evening,

Tomorrow homeroom starts at 9:00 am as usual. The other Monday classes start at 10:00 am, 11:00 am, and 2:00pm.  Teachers are available for office hours between 1:00 and 2:00 pm.


Tomorrow Monday menu for Breakfast/Lunch boxes:

Apple slices, breakfast bar, and cheese stick;

Lasagna noodles with ground beef, mozzarella cheese, peaches.

We serve the breakfast/lunch boxes from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm.



 
 
 

Friday January 8 2021

 

We gave our students the opportunity to share, "what they know and what they feel" about the events that unfolded these last days in Washington, D. C.. We wanted to make sure our children could share their reactions freely, and in a safe space.


As educators, we strive to not impose our feelings upon our students, but we certainly feel a responsibility to equip our children with all the tools to think critically about what they hear and what they see.


The weekly COVID activity report keeps us at high risk level. We will continue to work remotely until the risk level decreases.

 

All 8th graders applying to Bard High School should attend their open house tomorrow at 1:00pm. You will learn about their admission process. This is the link.


Have a wonderful weekend. We are grateful for the community we form together.

 

 

 

 



Thursday January 7

 

Tomorrow Friday menu for Breakfast/Lunch boxes:

Breakfast bar, cheese sticks, and 🍑 peaches.

Spaghetti 🍝 and sauce with ground beef, over green beans; pears

We serve the breakfast/lunch boxes from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm.



 
 
 

Wednesday January 6

 

Talent Search at John Hopkins Center for Talented Youth

Some of our students have been selected in the past years and attended summer college classes in different cities with full scholarships. This is a fantastic program available to students of all grades.

If you are interested to have your child apply, please register for one of their information sessions here.

 

Bard Early College High School is holding a virtual Open House this Saturday January 9 at 1:00 pm. 8th graders who are applying to Bard should attend the open house to learn more about the entrance tests and interviews.

Here is the link for the open house: https://www.nps.k12.nj.us/BEH/events/virtual-open-house-1-9-21/

 

Tomorrow Thursday menu for Breakfast/Lunch boxes:
Yogurt, breakfast bar, and apple.
Turkey roasts, brown rice with gravy, garbanzo beans; diced apricots.
We serve the breakfast/lunch boxes from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm.

 

 

 
 
Tuesday January 5
 
Good evening, please make sure your child comes to class on time!
Once the lesson starts it is harder for the teachers to monitor the waiting room.
 
Wednesday
 
Tomorrow menu for Breakfast/Lunch boxes:
Cereal, baby carrots and 🍏 whole apples.
🍔Hamburger with cheese, 🍠 sweet potato fries, 🍐pears
We serve the breakfast/lunch boxes from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm.
 
8th graders applying to High School
 
There will be an open house for Bard High School on Saturday at 1:00 pm.
They will share information about the admission process.
 
All applications for Essex Tech high schools and Newark Enrolls need to be completed very soon.
 
 
 
 
 
Monday January 4
 
It was wonderful to see all our students back in their classZooms!
 
A Long Walk to Water - Writing Assessment
If your child didn't complete the final writing assessment for A Long Walk to Water, please make sure they finish this assignment right away.
 
Breakfast/Lunch boxes are handed out outside every day between 11:30 am and 1:00 pm.
Tomorrow's menu: chicken strips with gravy, brown rice and carrots; fresh apples.
 
 
 
 
 
Saturday January 2, 2021
 
2021We hope 2021 will fulfill many of the wishes you have. On our end, we can't wait to be all gathered at Discovery and celebrate our community, our children's strengths, resilience, hard work, and hopes. We are grateful for your trust and your support.
 
The latest Covid Activity Report still puts us in the high risk level. Discovery will restart with online classes only, and we will continue monitoring the risk level which is published every Thursday.
 
Classes restart Monday January 4, at 9:00 am. Please help us make sure all students participate in all their classes.
 
Participating is more than just logging in the classZoom.
 
Participating means:
 
- logging in the classZoom with our cameras on and responding when a teachers talk to us;
 
- opening the Do Now and the assignment in Google Classroom and working on the assignment during class;
 
- responding when a teacher chats or calls on GoGuardian.
 
We will hold Parent Circles starting on January 15, to present what the children will work on during our second term and to refresh your Parent Google Classroom skills if needed.
 
All first term report cards were emailed and mailed out before the break. Please let us know if you didn't receive your child's report card.
 
8th graders: all applications to Newark Enrolls and Essex Tech High Schools need to be completed as soon as possible. Deadlines are approaching!
 
 
 
 
Tuesday December 22, 2020
 
As we start our break tomorrow after a wonderful assembly, we want you to know how much we miss having our students in school!
 
We have to think about safety first.  Discovery will restart remote on January 4 to avoid spreading the virus after the break during which the risk of transmission will increase. We continue watching the numbers and are planning to reopen our building as soon as the test positivity rate in Newark comes back to a safer level.
 
Report cards are ready and we are emailing them and mailing them to you. You can also access them on the parent portal.
You will not see letter grades this term. Read more here.
 
In January, we will hold a series of Parent Circles to preview our second term and the goals we are setting for our students.
We will also go over Google Classroom and GoGuardian to help you support your children's progress if you want a refresher.
 
We hope many of you will have the opportunity to take a break and safely spend time with those you love.
 
 
 
 
Friday December 18
 
Good morning,
 
Homeroom starts at 9:00 am this morning, as usual. Our break starts on Wednesday December 23 and we will return on Monday January 4th.
 
On Monday, during the 2:00pm class , students will be invited to play games in different Zoom rooms. On Tuesday, we will hold an assembly at 11:20 am, and teachers will also host games in their Zoom rooms from 1:30 to 2:30pm.
 
 
 
 
Thursday December 17
 
Good morning,
 
Discovery is open (remotely) today, and homeroom starts at 9:00 am, as usual. The last day of school before the break is Tuesday December 22.
 
 
 
 
Friday December 11 2020
 
Good afternoon,
 
The Weekly COVID activity report issued yesterday indicates a higher risk, still Orange, but showing increased number of cases and increased test positivity. Discovery will continue with online classes until our winter break starts on Wednesday December 23.
 
Our first term is ending. Students are completing assessment in all their classes and the report cards will be sent on Friday December 18.
 
We try to keep all parents aware if your child has not participated in an online class. That's why you might receive a text like this one:
 
Text missed virtual classes
What does it mean?
 
During the first 15 minutes of class, one of the teacher makes sure all the children are logged in and checks with all the students, asking them to respond either on Zoom, GoGuardian, or through their assignment on Google Classroom. If the children do not respond, we record them as, "not responding," so that we can inform parents.
 
We try our best to interact with all our students, but we need your help making sure our children participate actively in all their classes.
 
THANK YOU!
 
 
 
Tuesday December 8, 2020
 
Good morning,
 
Salva Dut at a water pumpOn Wednesday and Thursday all students will take a short ELA assessment to evaluate their progress in writing short responses in which they Restate the question, Answer, Cite evidence, and Explain (R. A. C. E. model). They will work on an interview of Salva, the main character of the book we read this term, A Long Walk to Water. There is a video of this interview here.
 
On Friday our students will take a vocabulary test on lesson 4, which they can prepare by going to their Exploros account and quizzing themselves.
 
We continue to serve lunch boxes between 12:00 and 1:30 everyday.
 
Encourage your child to take advantage of Office Hours. Today between 12:30 and 1:30 at any of their ClassZooms.
 
 
 
 
 
Thursday December 3
 
We will continue remotely for ALL students this coming week, as the Weekly COVID activity report issued today shows higher positivity rate than last week.
 
Please make sure your child(ren) comes on time for their classes, and respond to their teachers, either on Zoom, or through GoGuardian, or on their work.
 
You can also encourage our students to come get help during office hour (tomorrow at 1:00pm @ ClassZooms 02, 03, or 04).
 
On Wednesday, students from group B participated in a virtual lab with Science2Students.  The children have studied how pollution can threaten our water supply with Ms. Grau and Ms. Pickrell. During this session the children observed an experiment performed by a guest scientist who demonstrated how water filtration plants can purify water and remove pollutants.
We know how challenging it is for you, parents, to support the participation of your children in online classes. We interact with your children in three ways:
 
1. Through the classZoomsClassZooms
 
2. Through their screensGoGuardian
 
3. Through their workGoogle Classroom
 
If our children do not respond to us on these platforms... it is the same as though they are not in our classrooms.
 
We need the children to respond to us and we we are grateful for all your help making sure our students do participate actively in their online classes.