Mrs. Ridder Message

We had a wonderful week back. It has been a joy seeing and hearing all of our students back in the building. This letter is to inform you that our Secondary Back-to-School Night will take place this Wednesday, August 20th from 5 PM - 7:30 PM. This is a parents-only event. Please enter through the Athletics Entrance and head to the gym. Building Principals will greet families and provide a brief overview of the evening. Families will then follow their child’s Friday SILVER day schedule. Please be sure to print out a copy of your child’s SILVER day schedule.

Each teacher will provide an overview of their course, their classroom expectations, a syllabus, and their contact information. If time permits, they may be able to answer some questions.

Remember, please bring a screenshot or printed copy of your child’s SILVER day schedule. Below is a copy of the evening’s schedule. Please keep this handy as well.

All classes are 10 minutes with a 5 minute passing period. If your child has a study hall or off-period, you may visit counselors or parent groups in the Athletics Commons Area.

Schedule:

• 5 PM - 5:20 PM - Principal's Welcome - Gym
• 5:25 PM - 5:35 PM - Period 1
• 5:40 PM - 5:50 PM - Period 2
• 5:55 PM - 6:05 PM - Period 3
• 6:10 PM - 6:20 PM - Period 4
• 6:25 PM - 6:35 PM - Period 5
• 6:40 PM - 6:50 PM - Period 6
• 6:55 PM - 7:05 PM - Period 7
• 7:10 PM - 7:20 PM - Period 8

We look forward to seeing you on Wednesday!

As we begin the new school year, we continue to prioritize the health, well-being, and academic success of our students. With that in mind, we want to inform you of a new school-wide policy: Energy drinks will no longer be permitted on campus for Middle School students.

We understand that many students reach for energy drinks to stay alert or manage early mornings. However, after thoughtful discussion and review of current research, we have found compelling reasons to make this shift.

Why We’re Making This Change

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), energy drinks are not recommended for children or adolescents due to their high caffeine and stimulant content. These drinks can lead to:

• Increased heart rate and blood pressure
• Disrupted sleep patterns, which impact attention and memory
• Elevated anxiety and mood swings
• Difficulty regulating energy and focus throughout the school day

In our own experience at STEM, we’ve also seen that energy drinks can contribute to:

• Behavioral issues, including restlessness and agitation
• Trouble focusing in class or completing academic tasks
• A negative impact on classroom culture and peer dynamics

Students are encouraged to bring:

• Water bottles (reusable preferred)
• Low-sugar beverages or electrolyte drinks, if needed
• Healthy snacks to sustain energy throughout the day

If your child needs support with sleep, nutrition, or managing energy throughout the school day, our counseling team is here to help.

Our Shared Goal:

This policy is about protecting students’ physical and emotional health and promoting a positive learning environment. We ask for your partnership in ensuring that energy drinks stay at home and that your child understands the reason behind this decision.

As always, we’re grateful for your continued support in fostering a strong, safe, and healthy school community.

In Partnership,

Maura T. Ridder

Middle School Principal

maura.ridder@stemk12.org

“Children are likely to live up to what you believe of them.” — Lady Bird Johnson, Former First Lady of the United States