Head of School Newsletter |
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A Message from the Head of School |
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| Dear Families,
I am excited about the opportunities this month brings. February is often associated with love and kindness, and at Discovery, we strive to embody the HEART tenets of Honor, Endurance, Academic Achievement, Responsibility, and Tolerance in our school community.
We have several exciting events planned for this month. Valentine’s activities will encourage students to express appreciation for one another, fostering friendship and understanding. February is also Black History Month, and we will celebrate with curriculum integrations, guest speakers, and art projects. Our goal is to educate on Black heritage while promoting inclusivity and tolerance. Additionally, February brings the celebration of Mardi Gras! Our Swamp Owls will be marching in several carnival parades, so be sure to keep an eye out and cheer them on! I hope everyone has a fun and safe Mardi Gras break.
As always, I want to extend my gratitude to you, our families, for your unwavering support. Your involvement in our school not only enhances our programs but also plays a crucial role in nurturing a thriving environment for our students. It truly makes a difference. Wishing you all a wonderful month filled with joy and positive experiences. Thank you for being a vital part of the Discovery community.
With Discovery Pride, Sharon Preen, M.Ed. CEO & Head of School |
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Step Right Up! Discovery Bash Gala |
You are invited to attend the Discovery Bash on March 27, 2026! The event will take place at the beautiful Discovery Arts and Athletics Performance Center. With a general admission ticket, you’ll enjoy dinner, an open bar, a silent auction, and live entertainment. Purchasing a ticket not only allows you to have a fun night out, but also helps Discovery Schools enhance educational programs and create a richer learning experience for our future leaders. So why not treat yourself while contributing to a great cause? Grab your tickets today!
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Sponsorship Opportunities |
If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please reach out to Faith.Broussard@discoveryhsf.org |
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This past month, 5th graders at DJOD partnered with Ochsner Outreach for an exciting program called STEM Explorers focused on flight care careers. Students assumed various roles within a flight care crew and responded to a simulated 911 emergency. Through hands-on stations, they learned essential skills for patient stabilization and culminated the experience by presenting their findings to a professional flight care team member. Each student earned wings and a certificate for their hard work. A big thank you to the Ochsner outreach team and employee volunteers for making this unforgettable experience possible!
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The Black Student Union (BSU) at Kenner Discovery will host a weeklong series of events in celebration of Black History Month from February 2–5, 2026. The student-led events will highlight Black history, culture, leadership, and community through interactive activities, a guest speaker, and cultural programming. |
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Pathway Spotlight: Biomed |
Mia Fuentes, Class of 2026 |
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We are excited to highlight Mia's journey in the Biomedical pathway! She has made significant strides by earning her Patient Care Technician Certification (PCT) and is currently pursuing her Medical Assistant Certification (CCMA). Mia expresses her appreciation for the knowledge and skills she has gained, which will undoubtedly prepare her for future STEM and health sciences courses in college. Looking ahead, the certifications she has obtained will be invaluable as Mia prepares to enter a Physician's Assistant (PA) program. With most programs requiring 500-1000 hours of hands-on patient care experience, her PCT and CCMA qualifications will not only enhance her resume but also provide her with the opportunity to work part-time in these roles during her college studies, allowing her to accumulate the necessary clinical hours. Mia’s passion for STEM and the medical field has guided her to the Biomed/Pre-Nursing pathway, making it a perfect fit for her aspirations. We are excited to see how her journey unfolds as she continues to pursue her goals in healthcare!
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KDHSA and DJOD Recognized for Academic Achievement |
KDHSA and DJOD received recognition during the Jefferson Parish School Board meeting held on January 7th. Superintendent Dr. Gray, along with the Jefferson Parish School Board, celebrated the exceptional achievements of schools within the district, honoring traditional, magnet, and charter schools.
KDHSA was recognized as an "A" school and as a Top Gains Honoree, achieving an impressive School Performance Score (SPS) and demonstrating commendable student progress and growth. DJOD was also acknowledged as a Top Gains Honoree, showing significant improvements in its SPS and a remarkable growth of 5 or more points in the English Language Proficiency Test (ELPT). |
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Soccer Swamp Owls Soar to Playoffs |
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Both the girls' and boys' soccer teams have qualified for the state playoffs! This is the fourth consecutive year that the girls' team has qualified. The girls' team has an impressive record of 17 wins, 5 losses, and 3 ties, scoring a total of 102 goals this season. Standout players include Jordan Valdes and Lillian Leitch. Senior goalkeeper Isabella Romero boasts a goals-against average of 1.28 and has achieved 14 shutouts. Additionally, senior Rand Hashi leads the team with 57 steals.
The boys' team, with a record of 8 wins, 11 losses, and 1 tie, is also heading to the first round of the playoffs, celebrating the dedication of 11 senior players. Let's cheer for both teams as they begin their playoff journeys! |
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Swamp Owls on The Parade Route |
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| KDHSA Pep Squad at the Driftwood Parade! |
Krewe of Isis Parade Parking Fundraiser |
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On Saturday, February 14, 2026, the Krewe of Isis parade will take place in Kenner. KDHSA HOSA is organizing a parking lot fundraiser, offering parking spots in the Kenner Discovery parking lot for $20**. If you arrive wearing Discovery attire or present a Discovery ID, you will receive a $5 discount. All funds raised will go toward supporting students attending the State Leadership Conference.
**A $1.00 convenience fee is added if paying with credit card.** |
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What's happening across Discovery Campuses |
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| On January 23rd, the Pep Rally created an electrifying atmosphere in the PC, with students showing their school spirit and showing support for the winter sports teams.
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| Ms. Moore prepares her students for the week by reviewing both the school-wide and classroom expectations. |
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| In Ms. Boineau's science lab, the 4th grade students created an edible model of an eyeball, and then learned what each part of the eye does. In this picture, the students are preparing to attach the retina and the optic nerve. |
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BROD students were on point for "Dress as Your Future Career" day. Our future doctors, managers, pop stars, aestheticians, police officers, and professional football players showed up and showed out. |
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DJOD 3rd graders enjoyed a visit from exotic animals. This experience offered engaging, hands-on educational experience bringing conversations about wildlife, biodiversity, and conservation to the classroom. This tangible connection to their learning enhances retention and can ignite a passion for subjects like biology and environmental science. |
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DiscoveryFlex student and budding astronomer, Lily Beatty met scientist, Dr. J. Wayne Wooten, on her birthday and he allowed her to take a photo of the sun through his telescope. The photo was published on a NASA website called Space Weather Gallery |
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Meet the Dedicated Network Staff, aka "The Hub" Working Behind the Scenes! |
Meet the Development Team! This team drives financial growth and community engagement by raising funds, hosting and supporting events, and marketing Discovery to the community. Every day brings new adventures, fresh challenges, and plenty of excitement for this dynamic krewe!
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Congratulations to our recent staff spotlights! Thank you for your dedication to our Swamp Owls! Follow each of our schools' Facebook pages to see our staff spotlights. |
Kaylei Abate, Ashley Bourg, Carol Breaux. Erin Bruno, Jenn Champagne, Andy Estrada, Michelle Gallegos, Beverly Gossett, Jen Harris, Billie Leblanc, Lixy Orellana, Alicia Turk |
Robyn Tiamat, Cindy Thibodeaux, and Cynthia Waguespack |
John Williams, Amy Maranto, and Loretta Richmond |
Landin Bencaz, Lisa Larkin, Megan West, Katy Tonglet, Jessica Stepherson, Gabby Voorhies, Jennifer Sclafanni, Kaitlyn Arena, Annie Hennessey, and Monique Wilbanks |
Linda Monacelli, Jacqueline Walker, Rachelle Haley, Anne Pourciau, Cecile Martin, Jerrold Johnson, and Ja'Kyrin Connor |
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| KD and DJOD Application Deadline is February 6 @ Noon |
If you have a child who is a sibling of a current Discovery student and is planning to apply a Discovery School for the 2026-2027 school year, you will need to complete the online application by Friday, February 6, at noon. Please visit the admissions webpage to access the application.
The lotteries for BROD and DiscoveryFlex are complete. Students can be added to the end of the waitlist for BROD and Flex. This is for new students only. Current Discovery students to not need to reapply. |
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| Learning Support Resources |
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