Director's Update
A message from Mrs. McElroy, Elementary School Director
Dear STEM Families and Community,
I can’t believe we are already halfway through the first semester of the school year. The saying “Time goes by when you’re having fun” really holds true here at STEM. Thank you, everyone, for all your support during our October count. Attendance matters when it comes to academics. All the proceeds go to PTO to help support our staff and students at STEM. Here is what’s happening in elementary.
Bullying Awareness Month
For our bullying awareness month, teachers will spend time in their class talking about bullying, what it is and what it isn’t, and how to report bullying. Students will sign a bullying pledge that we will display around school. When we return from fall break, we will spend time focusing on kindness and how to be good friends. We will end the month with an assembly about positive school culture. Please continue the conversations around bullying with your students.
Nominate a STEM Staff Member for an Apple Award!
The 2024-2025 Apple Award Nomination link is LIVE on the FoundationDCS.org website. The 2024-2025 Apple Award Nomination window will be open from Monday, Oct. 1, 2024, through Sunday, Nov. 11, 2024. We invite our DCSD students, teachers, staff, and community to join us in nominating their favorite teacher(s), principal, classified employee, and department employee. After the Nomination window closes on November 11th, we will choose two school representatives. Each school may submit one educator and one classified representative to be considered for the 2023 Apple Award!
Parent Teacher Conferences
Parent-teacher conferences are this week (October 7-11). If you have not done so already, please sign up for a time with your student’s teacher. I look forward to seeing everyone.
Lost and Found
Our lost and found is very full, and we are now just entering coat season. Please check lost and found when you enter the building for conferences this week. We will be donating unclaimed items during fall break.
Thanksgiving Food Basket Drive
I want to put on everyone’s radar that the elementary student council will be hosting a Thanksgiving Food Basket Drive after fall break. We will be collecting food to create Thanksgiving baskets for families in need. Please be on the lookout for information after fall break.
Important Dates:
- October 7 – Picture Retake Day
- October 7 – 11 – K-5 Parent Teacher Conferences
- October 9 – STEM PTO Meeting
- October 10 – Kindergarten to Anderson Farms
- October 11 – Early Release Day
- October 14 – 18 – Fall Break
- October 25 – Trunk or Treat (5-7 p.m.)
- October 29 – Prospective Spartan Night (6-8 p.m.)
- November – 1 Professional Development Day
- November 15 – Early Release Day
Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns.
In Partnership,
Amie McElroy, Elementary Director
Upcoming Events
School Picture Retakes
Monday, Oct. 7, from 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. – Secondary Gym
Students who would like to have their pictures retaken can do so on this date. DR Photo will send a link to families to order photos.
BOD Special Meeting
Tuesday, Oct. 8, from 5:30-7 p.m. – Zoom
This is a special meeting. There will be no public comment. The community is invited to observe
PTO Monthly Meeting
Wednesday, Oct. 9, from 6:30-8 p.m. – Zoom
Join the STEM PTO for their monthly meeting. STEM PTO is comprised of parents from the STEM community who work together to help foster a strong sense of community and provide enhancement activities for students, faculty, staff, and families while also helping to increase educational, social and emotional experiences for the members of their families.
STEM PTO is organized to enhance the quality of each student’s education, the school as a whole, and the entire community through the development of resources and the participation of parents, school staff, and the community. Meetings are open for anyone to attend.
Early Release Day
Friday, Oct. 11
Kindergarten and first grade will dismiss at 11:50 a.m. Grades 2-5 will dismiss at 12 p.m. and grades 6-13 will dismiss at 12:20 p.m.
Dismissal on the West side (Elementary) will use PikMyKid and follow the normal dismissal process with using placards and coming at your designated time.
Dismissal on the East side (Secondary) will follow normal dismissal process with using Pink Placards at 12:20 p.m. and Blue Placards at 12:30 p.m.
Students will receive a sack lunch to take before dismissal.
News and Updates
Hands Free Announcing with PikMyKid
New! If you use our West (Elementary) Driveline, you can now set up your PikMyKid to auto-announce for you as soon as you enter our parking lot. Please click the button below to view the flier that has the instructions listed on how to set up your account.
Parents and Friends of STEM - We need you!
Calling all parents and friends of STEM! Would you like to share about your career path, educational experiences and profession with our students? If so, we invite you to participate in our upcoming Career Discovery event.
On October 24th, we are hosting our annual Career Discovery Day event for middle and high school students. Our industry professionals will bring insight and inspiration to student learning and career exploration, allowing students to engage in career-focused conversations.
If you are interested in participating and supporting our student learning, please reach out to Nicole Ryan at nicole.ryan@stemk12.org.