October 2018
Calendar of Events
October

1-5: Fall Break (No School)
12: Fall Festival, 4pm-7pm
16: Fall Picture Day;
First STEAM night, time TBA
29: Scholastic Book Fair Begins
31: Book Character Parade


November

1: Parent-Teacher Conferences (No School)
6: Election Day; Inservice (No School)
15: Thanksgiving Music Program
21-23: Thanksgiving Break: (No School)
December :

​6: 3rd Grade and Choir Performance
20-January 4: Winter Break (No School)

January :

8: Students return from break
21: MLK Day (no school)
Calendar
New and Notable
Fall Festival, October 12

This year, the Fall Festival will be organized by the teachers and administration, not the PTA. Why? Because we are transitioning to a PTO on November 1, we must spend down our PTA budget by October 31. Therefore, we are not engaging in any additional fundraising activities until after that transition. Funds raised by the Fall Festival will be held and spent by the school administration rather than the PTA. As parents, we on the PTA board are excited to attend Fall Festival and assist with booths and activities. If you would like to find out more about your class booth, please contact your teacher. And if you have other questions about Fall Festival, please contact Ms. Maddux.

We look forward to planning new fundraisers and family events like this as a PTO beginning in January.
Fall Book Fair, October 29th through November 2nd
"Let Your Imagination Grow!"
Explore our Enchanted Forest Book Fair and get swept away in some magical books! You'll be able to cozy up to some fantastic new titles during our Fall Book Fair, October 29th through November 2nd. The book fair will be open: 

  • Monday the 29th through Wednesday the 31st, 7:30am-4:30pm
  • Thursday the 1st ALL DAY during Parent/Teacher Conferences
  • Friday the 2nd 7:30am until we pack up the fair at 3:00pm

We need parent volunteers to make our book fair the best it can be! We have opportunities to help with setup, take down, running registers, assisting shoppers, and donating items. For more information about volunteering click here: https://volunteer.scholastic.com/#/signup/NAwtUHMRP

Look for more information to come home after fall break. Can't wait to see you at the fair!
Save the Dates! Discovery Music Performances
November 15th: 1st & 2nd Grade Thanksgiving Program

December 6th: 3rd Grade & Choir Performances

February 14th: Kindergarten Performance

April 25th: 4th Grade Recorder Concert

May 9th: Choir Performance
Science Fair Winners


Thank you to all the Science Fair students and families for participating. The projects were amazing!
Congratulations to the 2018 Winners!
Katherine Salter
Samuel Deaton
McKenna Samples
Daphne Dieringer
Elijah Brownlow
Townes Christensen
James Johnson
Nora Bahloul
Ally Beckman
June Sohrabi
Joseph Rowell
Evelyn Phillips
Peyton Roeder
Greyson Kekelis
Piper Dye
Kira Coleman
Chloe Roeder
Maliyah Allen
Phoebe Pitts
Joel Boles
Camila DeCaso
Sidney Gentry
Ava Odette
Dylan DeLuca
Lucy Jordan
Zoey Boston
Rebecca Fernandez
Ashmi Patel
Caroline McKissick
Jasmyn Stevens
Welcome, New Explorers!
Sia Phillips, Assistant Principal
I’m enthusiastic about being back at Discovery school. I previously taught ESL in Shelbyville. Then I accepted a position as a third grade teacher at John Pittard Elementary. While teaching I received my masters degree in Administration and Supervision and an education specialist degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a minor in ESL. Later I became an instructional coach at Discovery School and Scales. After being a coach, I became an Assistant Principal at Reeves Rogers and now I am at back at Discovery.

My husband and I have an 18-month-old son named Greyson, whom we love and adore. I enjoy spending time with my family, running, and traveling.

I look forward to an amazing year with our explorers!

Fran Jackson, 3rd Grade
I'm originally from Demopolis, Alabama, a small town similar to Murfreesboro. I earned a B.A. in English from Ole Miss. I attended Belmont University where I received an M.A. in Teaching. I am certified to teach Pre-K - 8th grades. I am also certified to teach English as a Second Language. Currently, I'm working towards National Board Certification in the area of Literacy in Elementary and Middle Childhood. I love learning new things. 

I am new to Murfreesboro. This is my first year at Discovery, but it's my 12th year teaching. I previously taught in MNPS at both Haywood Elementary and Westmeade Elementary. I have taught 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grades. I have also taught Pre-K in the corporate setting. The special people in my life are my parents Ann and Bobby, my sister Marci, my boyfriend Jay, and Jay's daughter Chanci and her family. I love playing tennis, and I also enjoy backyard gardening. I'm grateful for the opportunity to teach at Discovery under the leadership of Ms. Maddux and in the company of the wonderful students and families that make up the Discovery community. Thanks for bringing me aboard the ship! I can't wait to set sail with you!   
Vance Babies!
Congratulations to Mrs. Vance and her husband on the birth of their twin baby boys! We will miss her while she is on maternity leave, but we couldn't be more thrilled for them.
Mobile Health Unit @ Discovery, October 30
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday!
Birthday Cake 2
October
 3 - Amy London (EA)
17- Karen Tyson (3rd)
18- Karen Cook (Academic Coach)
22 - Michelle Farley (MDA)
Teacher and Staff Favorite Things
PTA Board, 2018-2019
Officers*/Executive Committee
President*
Ayat Abu Halimah
Vice President*
Laurel Parkerson
President-Elect*
Genevieve Borendame
Secretary*
Julie Phillips
Treasurer*
Anthony Brownlow
Committee Chairs
Activities
Leslie Kekelis
Communications/Newsletter Editor
Amy York
Volunteers
Rachel Zelenak
Hospitality
Jen Straka
Membership
Holly Holton
Members-at-Large
K-2 Member-at-Large
TBA
3-6 Member-at-Large
Amy Roeder