THE END IS NEAR.....

We cannot believe this school year is coming to an end! The last weeks are always very busy for parents and students, so here are a few reminders of what will be going on this week.

The Spanish Department worked on a Fluency and Reading Project during this school year. To conclude it, they will present a “Story Teller Show” on Friday, May 31st at 8:50 in our school gym. The cost of the activity is L. 50.00 per students, which have to be brought to Ms. Marisela or Ms. Norma, no later than Wednesday May 29th. Parents are invited to attend at no additional cost!

CHOIR PARENTS’ MEETING – There will be a meeting for the new and returning choir member parents on Tuesday, May 28 at 2:15 p.m. in the school Library. This meeting is to present the New York City (Carneige Hall) project.

 ELEMETARY PARENT LUNCHEON – Once again, our school cafeteria is hosting a luncheon for parents and students this Friday, May 31. Preorder forms were sent out last week, but are also available on the cafeteria blog, and are due on Wednesday, May 29. This is a great opportunity for parents to come in and share with their child(ren), support our cafeteria or simply bring your own meal to enjoy with your child(ren).

DPTO GARAGE SALE – The DPTO will be hosting an Open Garage Sale this  Saturday, June 1. The price per stand is L.500.00, and there are still a few spaces available! Please contact the DPTO officers for further information or email discoverypto@gmail.com .

DISCOVERY ZONE 4 – Our Summer Camp is back, beginning June 10. If you are interested in enrolling your child(ren) please stop by the office to pick up the registration form or access the form on our website (www.discoveryschool.edu.hn)  Great discounts are available!

Planning Your Child’s Summer

With only three weeks of school left, it is impossible not to think about the activities that as parents you can have for your child. Whether your child’s summer is centered around summer camps, activities and/or travel, child development experts suggest that you include plenty of time for free play on the calendar.

Discovery School is hosting the DISCOVERY ZONE Summer camp for its fourth year. This camp for children 3-9 offers activities such as science activities, brain teasers, cooking, music, drama, games, arts and crafts and much more. This year, it will also be offering a Spanish Speaking Club for non-spanish speakers, and a reading club for those who want an additional (and fun) reinforcement in reading skills. Discounts for parents who bring other children to the camp are offered!

Summer vacations offers many opportunities to let children explore the world through play. Whether the child spends most days in a camp or in child care or at home with a parent or caregiver, take a look at the portion of the day available for unstructured activity that gets filled at the discretion of the child. This is not about TV or computer time. Ideally,

children should get a ‘balanced diet’ of several types of activities and play, including active physical play, arts and crafts activities, play with siblings and friends, family-centered fun, reading, outdoor time, and more.

Here are a few tips to consider for your summer:

Ø    Lighten up on scheduled activities. Taking something off the calendar frees up time for child-directed play, and can make your day as a parent easier and more fun, too.

Ø    Respect and protect your child’s playtime as much as you do their other activities.

Ø    Limit television and computer time. Plan ahead with your child the times he is allowed screen time, and stick to your plan.

Ø    Stock up on good and interesting books. Choose books that will be fun for your child to read, and they will be practicing the reading skills they need.

Ø    Visit the local children’s museum, which is designed for play suitable for many different ages. There are other museums in the city that are also worth visiting.

Ø    Make the great outdoors your family’s favorite playground! No matter where you live and how much time you have to play, there is always something new to see or do if you use your imagination.

Ø    The summertime can be a great time to provide some tutoring to build skill and confidence in academic areas of need.  Create balanced opportunities for using the summer to build academic strength, increase skills around independence, and address social skills.  .

Ø    Make a weekly craft day. Look for projects that are easy to do and simple to clean.  Focus on what you are good at, and use it to draw out your child's interests.  Remember that building skills in the small things has just as much value as a big, useful project.

IMPORTANT EVENTS AT DISCOVERY SCHOOL

MAP SPRING TESTING SESSION CONTINUES –This is week two of our spring testing session. Please continue to encourage your students to do their best in these assessments.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY will be held on Thursday, May 16, beginning at 6:00 p.m. According to our by-laws, we need a quorum of at least 57 families represented--please join us at this year’s meeting. Three of our Board members will complete their 2-year terms (Wendy Willemsen, Wendolyn Sanchez, and Arnaldo Palma). These members are all running for re-election. If you would also like to nominate someone for one of these three positions, please use the nomination form that is available at this link. http://www.discoveryschool.edu.hn/forms/2012-2013/BoardNominationForm.pdf

THE CHRONICLES OF DISCOVERY GALA  --  The Chronicles Gala is this Friday,  May 17, 2013.  This formal, black tie event is modeled after the Oscars in that there will be pomp and extravagance, live entertainment and hors d’oeuvres, photographers and a quartet.  It is a celebration of literature and art, specifically for the Chronicles of Discovery Literary and Art magazine.  The Gala begins at 7:00 p.m. May 17, 2013. Purchase your tickets for L. 100 from any AP English Composition student, Mr. Fenn, or Carolina. (EL Heraldo and TN5 will be covering the event.)

DPTO GARAGE SALE  The DPTO will have an Open Garage Sale on Saturday, May 25.  The price per stand is L.500.00 Please contact the DPTO officers for further information or email discoverypto@gmail.com

DISCOVERY ZONE 4 – Our amazing Summer Camp is back, beginning June 10. If you are interested in enrolling your child(ren) please stop by the office to pick up the registration form or access the form on our website (www.discoveryschool.edu.hn)  Great discounts are available!

THE RAINY SEASON IS UPON US!

Cold and flu season is inevitable, and it seems this year it has started off with a bang! And with the weather being so crazy and changing all the time, it is almos inevitable for children to get sick. However, you can work to prevent germs from overtaking your house this year with these 5 simple steps.

Get vaccinated. - While not all parents are in favor of the flu shot, there has been success in the past with this preventative measure.  Consult with your family doctor about the available options. 

Teach and practice effective hand washing techniques. - It's no secret that washing your hands can help keep the germs at bay. However, if you've ever watched your children "wash" their hands, you may quickly realize why this is not working. A quick rinse isn't going to keep germs away during cold and flu season. Teach your children to wash their hands effectively. Warm water, plenty of time (the time it takes to sing "Happy Birthday" is a good guideline), and soap on both sides of your hands as well as between your fingers. You may also want to provide a small sanitizer bottle for your children to use at school frequently.

Avoid those that are ill (and stay home when you're sick, too). - Keep your children home when they are ill. This prevents the spread of colds and flu.  Use the rule of thumb for a child to be free of fever for 24 hours before you send them back to school.  They should be with out a fever on their own. Don’t keep ther fever down with medicines and then assume the’re better.

Focus on a healthy diet. - Keep an eye on your child’s diet during cold and flu season. It is still not clear whether or not vitamin C can really help you fight off a cold, however there's no reason that you shouldn't give it a try. Have orange slices for an after school snack, instead of fruit snacks. Consider increasing the amount of fresh fruits and vegetables in your child's diet, too. Encourage your child to drink plenty of water throughout the day. See that they have a hearty breakfast before coming to school – students do not function well on an empty stomach.

Stop sharing – While encouraging  children to share their toys and games with others is a good practice,  cold and flu season is a good excuse to be a little selfish with your belongings. If toys are in fact shared, be sure to clean items thoroughly. Avoid sharing things that will get/have been put in someone's mouth (which happens often with babies and toddlers).