We have the following services available to our Discovery students:

Carolyn Long, Counselor
Lanelle McKernan, Nurse
Barb Reichenborn, Secretary
Gina Weidner, Secretary

Also available in our building, are the following special education services which are available for our students with individual education plans (IEP):

Wanda Baker, Psychologist Secretary
Erin Brugman, I.R. Teacher
Diana Goebel, Physical Therapist
Renee Jones, Occupational Therapy
Janet Farrar, Social Worker
Brenda Mark, Gifted Facilitator
Dan Millar, I.R. Teacher
Debbie Moody, V.I. Teacher
Marilyn Sanders, Speech Language Pathologist
Marti Sewester, FAA
Kendra Zimmer, Psychologist

Please do not hesitate to call the Discovery Office at 794-4030 if you have any questions about services provided in our building.

Carolyn Long
Counselor
794-4040

As always, January proves to be a busy month. It always takes us a few weeks after our holiday break to get back into the swing of things, then it's off and running. Generally students are anxious to get back to school to see friends and share their holiday stories. We sure are excited for their return and eager to greet them when the buses unload!

For me, the next several weeks will be geared towards making sure everything is set up and scheduled appropriately for the state assessments. The state has added social studies to the 6th grade testing schedule, so they will be testing over math, reading and social studies this spring. Our 5th graders will continue to test over math and reading. Please see the schedule below.

On February 7th, we will be enrolling the 6th grade students for next year. I will visit their classrooms before that date so we are able to have a question/answer session before the middle school counselor comes over to lead them through the enrollment process.

Thank you for your continued support of your student and Discovery!!

2012 State Assessment Schedule
February 15th – 17th 5th grade reading
March 6th – 8th 6th grade reading
March 13th – 15th 6th grade social studies
April 3rd – 5th 5th grade math
April 10th – 12th 6th grade math

Lanelle McKernan
Nurse
794-4040

Oral health is an important part of children's overall health and is a critical component in their ability to learn and succeed at school. Prevention is the key to strong and healthy teeth. Preventive measures include daily brushing and flossing, regular dental visits, eating a well-balanced diet, and the avoidance of all tobacco products.

Brushing helps remove plaque from the outer surfaces of teeth, and flossing removes plaque from in between your teeth where toothbrushes can't reach. Plaque is a clear, sticky film formed by bacteria in your mouth. If it is not cleaned away, it can irritate your gums, leading to gum disease and also tooth decay. So don't rush your brush! Everyone should brush their teeth for two minutes at least twice a day. Brushing to a song, or setting a timer are helpful hints. Brushing after breakfast and at bedtime are usual choices, with bedtime also being a good time to floss.

A good diet equals healthier teeth. Sugary snacks and drinks can lead to cavities. Choose nutritious snacks, such as vegetables, low-fat yogurt, fruits, and low-fat cheeses, which are healthier and better for your teeth. Limiting the amount of beverages that are high in sugar can also help to maintain good dental health.

Ideally, children should visit the dentist by their first birthday with regularly scheduled checkups after that—usually twice a year or as the dentist recommends. Good dental health habits insure a lifetime of healthy smiles!

In an effort to assist in preventive cares, Dr. Coad will be performing dental screenings on all 5th graders on Friday, February 3rd, 2012. This screening is not meant to take the place of a regular dental check-up, but is a quick screening to find major abnormalities or decay. All students that are screened will receive a dental report that will be sent home with them the following week. If a student is found in need of immediate dental care, the parent will be notified by telephone.

An email with information about the screenings/opting-out was delivered on 1/17/12 to all 5th grade parents who have an active email. Please know you have the right to opt-out your child from this screening. My email address is: mckernan@goddardusd.com, or I can be reached at 794-4040. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.