First Discoveries
Academy

We had an amazing summer camp, and we are looking forward to an equally amazing school year!  

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Wondering about our Health and Safety Precautions related to COVID-19?  There is lots of information right at your fingertips!  Have questions?  Just ask!  We are committed to keeping children and staff safe and healthy this year!

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Here's what you need to know about the new school year:

 

Preschool & VPK/PreK​

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• VPK/PreK Virtual Open House: Monday, August 30th at 5:00 pm.

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• Meet the Teacher Stay & Play Visit: Tuesday, August 31st from 10:00 to 11:00 am.

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• First Day of School: Wednesday, September 1st. 

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• Daily Schedule: depends on the schedule that you selected during registration.

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Afterschool for Local Elementary Schools:

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• Hillsborough County Public Schools resume on Tuesday, August 10th. We will be picking up from Roosevelt and Anderson Elementary Schools; dismissal time is 1:55 pm (12:55 pm on early release days).

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• If you are signed up for afterschool care at First Discoveries, please confirm if you have any changes to your schedule as we are finalizing our bus rosters.  Remember to let the elementary school know that First Discoveries will be picking up your child.  We recommend having us pick up your child on the first day of school to prevent confusions at the school the first week.  

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• In the event of school closures this year, we will be offering distance learning support for children enrolled in our afterschool program.

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• Please remember that you need to send a Brightwheel message by noon each day if we are not picking up your child at the elementary school.

 

Stay and Play Visits:

If your child is preregistered for the the upcoming school year, you are encouraged to schedule a Stay and Play visit before the first day of school.  The visit is usually about 60 to 90 minutes, allowing your child to become comfortable in their new classroom with their new teacher.  Please email if you would like to schedule a visit.  

 

You are welcome to drop your child off (as long as we have a completed enrollment packet on file so we have emergency contact information).  If you would like to stay with your child, you may visit with your child on the playground during their playground time.  Unfortunately, due to health and safety precautions, parents may not enter the building at this time.

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School Supplies and School Shirts

We recommend that families bring their school supplies by the school prior to the first day of school if possible.  See the school supply list above.

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Don't forget to purchase a t-shirt for the new school year if you don't already have one!  We wear our school shirts on Wednesdays for our Spirit Days.  If we are able to take any field trips later this school year, every child will need to wear a school shirt on the field trip.

 

Semi-Annual Supply/Registration Fee:

Please remember that the semi-annual supply/registration fee of $100 is due on August 1st and on January 1st.  Half of the fee is used for insurance costs for the school, and the remaining funds are used to replace/purchase consumable supplies for the school, including art supplies (paint, construction paper, etc.), puzzles, and other materials.  

 

School Dress Code:

We encourage families to adhere to a simple dress code—  Children should come to school in comfortable clothes that allow them to participate in messy, busy explorations.  Please wear tennis shoes rather than crocs or sandals.  Girls must always wear shorts under their dresses/skirts.  We will wear our school shirts on Wednesdays and all field trips.  School shirts are available for $10 each (order shirt online).  School shirts ordered online will be sent home the first week of school.

 

Parking for Families

There is parking available on the east side of the building, along Hubert Avenue.  There is also a lane to drop-off without parking.  Our "Open Air Lobby" is on the porch beside the office entrance.  If you are signing your child in at the lobby and saying good-bye there, you can park briefly in the drop-off area.  If you are entering the gates to walk your child to their classroom door, please park in a parking space.  Please do not leave unattended cars in the drop-off area.

For preschool age children, parents are welcome to either drop off in the lobby area, or walk their child to the classroom door.  For children ages two and younger, an adult family member must walk the child to their classroom.  Unfortunately, due to current health and safety guidelines, family members may not enter the classrooms at this time.  Family members that enter the children's areas, including the hallway leading to the Toddler and Young Preschool classrooms, must wear a mask or cloth face covering.

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Also, to prevent air pollution please turn off your engine rather than idling your engine!  

 

For safety reasons, children may never be left unattended in vehicles.

 

Parent Communication App

If you haven't done so yet, be sure to download the Brightwheel app and login with the email you supplied to the school.  You will need your phone to scan a QR code at drop-off and pick-up each day; be sure that you know your access code.  The app will also allow you to receive messages from the school and from your child's teacher.  All families are required to have access to Brightwheel either on your mobile device (phone or tablet) or on the website.

 

Be sure to watch for the first day of school pictures on Brightwheel! 

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Late Arrivals 

Children must arrive at school no later than 8:45 am so that they can participate in all of our morning routines.  Children may only arrive after 8:45 am if they had a doctor's appointment that morning (note from the doctor's office is required) and if they notified the school in advance.

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Pick-up Procedures

Your child's dismissal time is at 12:30, 3:00 or by 5:00, depending on the schedule that you choose.  Please arrive on time for dismissal.  Staff members have specific responsibilities after those scheduled times.  If you need to pick-up later than normal, please notify us in advance.  There are fees for extended day programs and for late pick-ups.

 

See You Soon!

We are looking forward to an amazing school year!  If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to ask!

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