Dear families, 

As we enter November, it’s a great time to reflect on the progress our students have made during the first quarter of the school year. In the 2025-26 academic year, we have witnessed our teachers igniting learning in the classroom. Our students have shown endurance, adapting to new schedules and tackling challenges with determination and enthusiasm. They are laying the groundwork for a successful year ahead. I am incredibly proud of how our students have embraced learning opportunities both inside and outside the classroom.

October was a busy month for us! We held a successful athletics raffle, along with a homecoming pep rally, game, and dance, where our high school students truly embodied the spirit of the Swamp Owls. Our elementary and middle school students participated in various activities designed to keep learning enjoyable and engaging. Across all Discovery campuses, we celebrated our first-quarter HEART awards, recognizing students who exemplify our HEART tenets of Honor, Endurance, Academic Achievement, Responsibility, and Tolerance.

I am looking forward to this month and all the exciting events that lie ahead, especially the Swamp Fest hosted by our wonderful PTO, which will take place on November 8 and 9. I can't wait to see performances by the Swamp Owls, as well as live music from the Topcats and Alt'r Ego. The Swamp Fest is sure to be a fantastic display of the Swamp Owl community.

As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, I encourage all of you to take some time to celebrate with family and friends, reflect on what we are thankful for, and recharge for the next chapter of the school year. This break is an excellent opportunity to bond, relax, and appreciate the growth we have seen so far. Thank you for your continued support and partnership in your child’s education. 

With Discovery Pride, 

Sharon Preen, M.Ed.

CEO & Head of School

Our Head of School Student Advisory Group is already making a positive impact! Students have expressed how much this opportunity means to them. They view it as an opportunity to express their opinions, enhance the student experience, and shape the future of Discovery. Many students shared their desire to ensure that future Swamp Owls have even greater opportunities and feel a strong sense of pride in their school. 

Senior, Olivia Lasalle said, "We talked about many things dealing with school culture, like potential ways to raise school pride, why we think students don't want to participate, and how to fix that." 

Others highlighted the importance of connecting with school leaders, sharing feedback, and helping new students feel welcome. Most importantly, they see this initiative as a way to uphold Discovery’s HEART values and continue its legacy of excellence. Their insights remind us that when students take the lead, our schools grow stronger together.

At DJOD, Ms. Paxson's 4th grade class is learning about energy conversions in science. Ms. Paula invited Dr. Mel to explain chemical energy to the students, focusing on how food is converted into energy for the human body

Many of the plants in our network have blossomed and reached the fruiting stage. Students have been actively monitoring water levels, nutrient levels, temperature, and overall growth. In Ms. Zelden's class, the students harvested their first cucumbers, which they pickled and enjoyed, tasting the literal fruits of their labor. These activities provided valuable lessons on sustainability, chemical and physical changes, mixtures and solutions, as well as the seasons of Earth. DiscoveryFlex students are documenting growth data. Throughout this project, the students have experimented with the conservation of mass and learned about controlled environmental agriculture, daily trends, and the role of artificial intelligence in hydroponics.

In our computer pathway program, students have the opportunity to take an IT Fundamentals class. In this class, they can earn advanced certifications and gain valuable workforce experience. Lyndsey Griffith mentioned that she learned a great deal while upgrading the computers in Mr. Johnson’s lab, using detailed coding techniques. Caleb Silizar particularly enjoyed the hands-on activities involved in replacing the computer screens and batteries. They both also appreciated the opportunity to work at the middle school, helping prepare for the computer distribution days.

The athletics raffle was a great success, raising over $21,000 for our physical education and athletic programs. Each year, we add more teams to provide students with a wide variety of options. The school supports these programs, and fundraising is essential for their sustainability. We appreciate everyone who participated. In case you missed it, hereare the full details of the athletics raffle fundraiser. 

Our band and orchestra program provides a variety of opportunities for middle and high school students, including small ensemble performances and participation in community events. These experiences not only foster musical growth but also cultivate teamwork and leadership skills among students, making our program a vital component of our school culture. 

The High School Orchestra and Marching Band recently held a successful Fall Concert, showcasing students from 6th to 12th grade. Additionally, they had an impressive turnout for the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra's Open Rehearsal. Students in grades 5 through 12 received compliments for their respectful behavior, especially from our younger middle school students.

The Swamp Owl Marching Band performed exceptionally well at both the Dutchtown High School Invitational and the LMEA District VI Marching Assessment. The Band earned an overall Superior Rating, along with a Superior Rating in Percussion!

Boys' Wrestling Coach

Girls' Wrestling Coach

At Kenner Discovery Wrestling, our commitment goes beyond the sport itself; we aim to cultivate character, discipline, and resilience in our athletes—attributes that will serve them for a lifetime. We believe that through hard work, respect, and teamwork, our wrestlers can tackle challenges, learn from setbacks, and lead with integrity both on and off the mat. Our ultimate goal is to develop not only skilled wrestlers but also confident and compassionate individuals who are ready to face life's challenges beyond the competition.

We’re excited to share the remarkable growth of our program! From just 18 participants in our inaugural year, we have expanded to 52 athletes in our fourth year. Our hard work has paid off, as we proudly won the parish championship for the last two years, in both 2024 and 2025.

Individually, our wrestlers have also excelled on the state level. Kevine Green made an impressive mark by securing 3rd place in the state competition in both 2024 and 2025. In 2025, Daniel Aguilar joined Kevine in the top rankings, finishing 6th, with two other teammates also placing in the top 8. As a team, we scored 64 points at the state tournament in 2025, and we are ambitiously aiming to surpass the 100-point barrier this year!

Last year, we introduced a girls' wrestling program, which welcomed 10 dedicated participants. Every team member won varsity matches, showcasing their hard work and determination. Jaden Newman stood out with a state ranking of 3rd before an unfortunate injury sidelined her the week before the state competition. However, she is poised to return as a top contender for the upcoming 2025-2026 season. We’re thrilled to announce that Melissa Holiday has stepped up as the head coach for the girls’ team after a year of learning under Coach Erwin.

Additionally, Jaden Newman serves as one of our Team Captains, exemplifying the leadership qualities we strive to instill in all our athletes.

This program has been developed from the ground up with the support of the Athletic Director, Jeryl Fischtziur, and Principal Kassie Cusachs, creating a strong foundation for success. The participants exemplify the values of Discovery and demonstrate HEART in all their endeavors.

Coach Dan Erwin

Coach Melissa Holliday 

On October 21st, our Homegrown Heart students, along with their parents, enjoyed a special breakfast in their honor. These 42 students started their education at Kenner Discovery in our inaugural year as Kindergarten students and are now seniors. It has been our honor to educate these students, and we are forever grateful to these families who have chosen Discovery for 13+ years. 

Student, Camden Miller, delivered a heartfelt speech and said, "Kenner Discovery isn’t about the destination, it’s about the journey. We all share countless memories with the people next to us, and we are continuing to grow and make new ones. We’ve faced so many obstacles, but we’ve remained faithful to the journey, and great things have come in return. Get involved; join clubs, sports teams, make new friends, build relationships with your teachers, coaches, and other staff, because I can tell you, time goes by fast."

It was truly a special event and a wonderful morning of looking back and sharing memories of the last 13 years. We look forward to celebrating our Homegrown Heart students and their families for many years to come!

At the Vintage campus, students have been actively participating in various PBIS events. The Vintage team connected with parents during its first annual virtual coffee chat on Tuesday, October 28. Additionally, we will be hosting a fall dance in November, so please stay tuned for more details!

The Homecoming court visited Maine campus classrooms and read books to students. 

BROD launched a "Kind Hands" campaign to teach students the importance of practicing kindness daily. We use our “Kind Hands” to celebrate our friends, offer help, and create new friendships.

On October 23rd, DJOD students celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month through music, dance, and art. The morning meeting featured a live performance by Fermín Ceballos, an acclaimed Dominican artist, along with student performances of traditional Nicaraguan and Honduran folklore dances. During art class, students created mini piñatas to showcase their creativity.

DiscoveryFlex students in 6th and 7th grade participated in an optional hands-on science activity to investigate various scientific concepts. The 6th graders explored how water temperature affects chemical reactions, honing their critical thinking and data analysis skills, and learned about hydroponics through an AI-generated growth chamber featuring a cucumber plant. Similarly, the 7th graders investigated how mass influences thermal energy transfer and discussed lab procedures while creating data graphs. Both grades engaged in discussions about their findings and observed how plants can thrive without soil, connecting their experiences to their current scientific studies. The DiscoveryFlex students can experience the flexible nature of a virtual school, combined with in-person activities and support all year long.

Congratulations and thank you for your dedication to our Swamp Owls! Follow each of our schools' Facebook pages to see our staff spotlights!

Joycelyn Branch, Hillary Canale, Blake Oestriecher, Catherine Martiny, Rahma Jodah, Lilliann Gross, Tyla Kennedy, Liz Griffith, and Julie Montgomery.

Elaisa Vanegas-Cheng, Ashlie Smith

Connie Bileci, Renee Dombrowski, Stephanie Beter, Lloyd Arbo, Jackie Caldcleugh, Cameron Johnson, Jeryl Fischtziur, Andrea Matute, and Freddy Waguespack

Nick Smith, Ashleigh Oatis, Damien Theodore, and Aimee Gilberti

Monique Jackson, Christina Robillard, RaShanda Robinson, and Jacqueline Walker

Timothy McGary

Dr. Kennedy began his role at Kenner Discovery as the first Dean of Students in 2014. He now serves as the Executive Director of Student Support Services, where he oversees the systems that influence student culture, attendance, behavior, counseling, and family partnerships across campuses. His goal is to ensure that every child feels supported and every family feels connected.

“I love getting to be part of the moments when things click for students and families—when they feel understood, supported, and proud to be part of our Swamp Owl community. That’s what makes all the work worth it.”

Ms. McCrary is a founding faculty member and currently serves as the Director of Counseling at Discovery Schools. In this role, she oversees all counseling services, counseling staff, and programs to ensure that students receive effective support in their socio-emotional, academic, and career development.

"I have known since elementary school that I wanted to be a licensed counselor. Working at Discovery has allowed me to turn that childhood dream into a reality beyond anything I could have imagined. I love everything about working at Discovery—the students, the families, and my amazing colleagues all contribute to the energy I feel every day."

Ms. Stemke joined Discovery in 2019 and currently serves as the Director of Special Education. In this role, she oversees programs and services that support students with disabilities, ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations. Ms. Stemke guides staff, manages resources, and collaborates with families and educators to promote equitable access to education and enhance student success.

"I love seeing the students for who they are and watching them succeed to their fullest potential."

If you have a child who is a sibling of a current Discovery student and is planning to attend a Discovery School for the 2026-2027 school year, you will need to complete the online application.

Please visit the admissions webpage to access the application.

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