Originally delivered on 10/10/2019 3:48 pm

SUBJECT: Book Fair, PumpkinFest and more - Discovery PTA Newsletter 10/10


 

October 10, 2019

Fall weather has finally arrived - the leaves are starting to turn, the pumpkins are out, and fall festivities are underway at Discovery. We hope you'll be able to join us for the Book Fair, PumpkinFest fun, and more...

In This Issue:

  • Calendar of Upcoming Dates
  • Book Fair Starts Friday
  • All About PumpkinFest
  • Sign Up for Baroody Camps
  • Scrabble Spirit Day
  • Picture Day is Next Week
  • Military Families Coffee Hour
  • Parent/Teacher Conf Hospitality Stations
  • PTA Reflections Contest
  • Community News

Don't forget to take a few minutes to join or renew your membership in the Discovery PTA. The Discovery community needs you!


 

Calendar

10/11 - Book Fair Begins
10/14 - No School
10/16 - Scrabble Spirit Day & Early Release @1:26 pm
10/17 - School Picture Day
10/18 - Military Families Coffee at 9 am
10/20 - PumpkinFest
10/23 - Unity Day (Wear orange to support Bully Prevention)
10/24 - Early Release @1:26 pm - Parent/Teacher Conferences
10/25 - Parent/Teacher Conferences - No School
11/1 - PTA Reflections submission due

Check the PTA Calendar for more information.


Discovery Book Fair starts Friday, October 11

Books will be available for purchase throughout the day through October 18, and also at Pumpkin Fest on  October 20. Classes will visit the fair throughout the week, but parents can also shop before or after school, or during the school day. You can send money in with your child or stop by yourself to take a look at the many wonderful offerings!

This is a great time to stock up on birthday or holiday presents. If you have time, please consider volunteering to help out with set up, breakdown, or sales at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090a4aa4ad29abf58-discovery1.


PumpkinFest
Sunday, October 20th
12 pm to 3 pm, Costume Parade starts at 11:30 am

Join us for Discovery’s 5th Annual PumpkinFest, rain or shine! The festivities kick off with a Halloween Costume Parade & Contest followed by carnival games, inflatables, bake sale, food trucks, Pumpkin Carving Contest, Cake Walk, Prize Room, Kids Raffle and more! Below is what you need to know this week, but VISIT THE PUMPKINFEST webpage for more information!

COSTUME PARADE & CONTEST starts promptly at 11:30 am on the Veranda outside the Dining Commons! The parade is lead by the Grand Marshall (congratulations again...Virgina Gomez !) and the YHS Marching Band. All costume contestants must arrive on Veranda by 11:15 am. You must be in the parade to be eligible for awards.

PUMPKIN CARVING CONTEST - Bring your pre-Carved or pre-Decorated Pumpkin for contest submission to Discovery on Saturday October 19th from 1-4 pm and Sunday October 20th, no later than 11:45 am. Student voting begins at 12 pm!

There will be 5 Prize Categories this year:

  • Ultimate School Spirit Pumpkin
  • Best Decorated Pumpkin
  • Best Carved Pumpkin
  • Scariest Pumpkin
  • Best Use of Recycled Materials Pumpkin

SENSORY ROOM - New this year, the Sensory Room is for kids ages 4 and up whose caregivers can remain with them or relax in a nearby waiting area, and is designed to give children who may be overwhelmed by the sights and sounds of PumpkinFest, a place to take a sensory break. Low lights and calming activities will help your child reset their sensory system, so you can both return to the fun!  The Sensory Room will be open from 12 - 3 pm and located in Room 134.  If you have any questions about the Sensory Room or the use of the Sensory Room, please contact Leslie Humes at coquina_@msn.com

KIDS RAFFLE EVENT - Have any new unwanted toys, games or crafts around the house that you’d love to share? Consider donating It to our Kids Raffle. Contact sinclairjen@comcast.net.

WRISTBANDS - Online Wristband sales will go LIVE this week. Please look for the link in the Discovery Download and on Facebook! Wristbands cost $15 per child for ages 5+ and $10 for ages up to 4. No charge for parents or caregivers.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED - The Volunteer Sign-Up Genius will be live this week! It will be posted on the PumpkinFest page as well as on social media. We need lots of volunteers, but want to put out a special call today for: 

  • PHOTOGRAPHERS - We are seeking a few parents to take key photos at the event and LIVE Tweet them during PumpkinFest.
  • DJ NEEDED - Calling all amateur DJs! Would you consider being DJ at PumpkinFest! Interested? Contact sinclairjen@comcast.net.

Get all these details and more online!

Thank you to Moss Building and Design for their support.



 Sign up for Baroody Camps 

Did you know that there is no school Monday, October 14 and early release Wednesday, October 16? Sign up now for Baroody camps taking place at Discovery both days! https://bc-arl-discovery.jumbula.com/#/camps


Scrabble Spirit Day

On Wednesday, October 16th Discovery will be having its Scrabble Spirit Day. For those new to our community, Scrabble Spirit Day is an Explorer favorite. We ask that students come to school dressed as Scrabble letter. This could be as simple as a piece of cardboard, with a letter on it, attached to your Explorer’s shirt. The best part of this day is seeing all the W-O-R-D-S our Explorers are able to form in their classrooms, the lunchroom and even in the halls.


Picture Day is Next Week - October 17!

Make up picture day is November 21.


Discovery Military Families - Join Us for Coffee

Discovery PTA invites all military parents, active duty and veterans, to join us for a coffee hour on Friday, October 18 from 9 to 10 am on the back patio by the dining commons. We look forward to connecting across all branches of service to share experiences and resources. Coffee and doughnuts will be served. If you have questions, please contact President@discoverypta.org.

 


Help with Parent/Teacher Conference Hospitality Stations!

While you’re baking for Pumpkin Fest, why not make an extra batch to share with our teachers and staff at our Parent/Teacher Conference Hospitality Stations? We are hosting a snack station on Thursday, October 24, and lunch and dessert on Friday, October 25z if you can help setup or clean up, provide some homemade treats, or pick up some fruit/snacks/drinks, we would love your help! Check the sign up for more details!  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0849aaa829a3f58-parentteacher


 
PTA Reflections Contest

The National PTA Reflections contest allows students to explore their feelings, develop artistic literacy, increase confidence and go beyond to show and share their passions. Students of all grades and abilities may participate and explore the arts based on the 2019-2020 theme: Look Within.

Students submit their completed works of art in one, several, or all of the available arts categories: Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, Visual Arts.

The deadline for entries is November 1, 2019. Get all the details

REMINDER: APS School Safety Forum

APS is sponsoring a School Safety Forum on Tuesday, October 15 from 7- 9 pm at Thomas Jefferson Middle School Theater (125 South Old Glebe Road).  The forum will include presentations by APS staff and partners on what APS is doing to keep our schools safe.  There will also be a 30 minute audience Q&A.


Invitation for 5th Grade Boys Interested in Scouting

Learn about Troop 106! Troop 106 emphasizes scout leadership and outdoor activities, including hiking, white water rafting, backpacking, canoeing, biking, and camping.  The troop is one of the oldest in Arlington, with a year-round program that emphasizes the scout values of leadership, character development, outdoor skills, community service, environmental preservation and personal growth. The troop participates in at least one outing per month and attends high adventure camps such as the Philmont Scout Ranch and the Northern Tier.  The troop has a complete merit badge program to facilitate advancement toward the Eagle Scout rank. 

The troop invites 5th grade boys and parents interested in scouting to learn more about the troop on Sunday, October 27, 10:00-11:30 am at Potomac Overlook Park, 2845 Marcey Rd, Arlington. 

For more information, please contact Jeff Totten at jeffrey.totten@finnegan.com


To submit community news for publication in the Discovery PTA newsletter, please email a short blurb to newsletter@discoverypta.org.

Sponsorship


We are currently offering sponsorship opportunities on the PTA website.  Becoming a sponsor allows you to advertise your business at an event, on our website, or in our newsletter while supporting our PTA. If you know anyone that is looking to do a little more marketing of their business or may be interested in becoming a sponsor, please let us know at fundraising@discoverypta.org


Seasonal Roots CSA Delivered to Your Home!

Kids love veggies – if they’re SEASONAL ROOTS veggies! Sign up here for freshly harvested local produce that’s packed with flavor and nutrients, plus pastured eggs, grass-fed dairy and meat, and wholesome artisan fare, all local and home-delivered. Save $15 on the annual membership AND get $20 for Discovery PTA when you use the code: EATLOCALDES. 


AmazonSmile for Android Users

If you are an AmazonSmile customer, you can now support Discovery Elementary School PTA in the Amazon shopping app on your Android device! Simply follow these instructions to turn on AmazonSmile and start generating donations.

  • If you have the latest version of the Amazon Shopping App, open the App on your Android device.
  • View Settings and select AmazonSmile.
  • Follow the in-App instructions to complete the process.

Grocery Cards-one of our biggest fundraisers! 

Harris Teeter
Link your Harris Teeter VIC Card to Discovery.  Visit harristeeter.com/together-in-education to sign up.  Please note that you need to link your account annually, and credit is given for purchases of Harris Teeter branded merchandise from August through May of each school year.

Giant
Please register your Giant cards to benefit Discovery. Go to Giant's website, click on Savings & Rewards, then "A+ School Rewards." Discovery is school #40035.
 

Amazon Smile

Link your Amazon account to Amazon Smile, and Discovery will receive 0.5% cash back on all eligible purchases.  Visit smile.amazon.com, sign into your Amazon account, and link to Discovery Elementary School PTA.  Please note that in order for Discovery to receive credit for your purchases, you must access your account and make the purchase via smile.amazon.com in a browser... not the Amazon App.  As of August 2019, Discovery has generated nearly $2500 through this program!

 

Box Tops

Physical Box Tops can be turned into the main office.  Box Tops also has a new App that allows you to photograph your receipt and immediately receive credit for Box Top labeled merchandise.

CONTACT THE PTA

 



Discovery Elementary PTA
5241 N. 36th St.
Arlington, VA 22207