September 29 Owl Post

We are days away from October. We are learning and relearning routines that focus on safety and kindness. Next week, we will hold our grade-band assemblies (K/1 and 2/3. 4/5 will be held the following week). At that assembly, we will focus on our value of inclusion. When we are inclusive, we make sure that everyone feels safe, welcomed, and like they belong in a group or activity, regardless of their differences.

Ipads and laptops have been delivered to K8 classrooms. SPS will no longer implement a remote instructional delivery model in response to inclement weather. We will no longer be sending home devices for remote learning.

Common Sense Media is a resource that helps families understand some of the online tools our children can access. Family engagement for digital well-being means all the adults and caregivers in a child's life share responsibility as partners, to cultivate a mindset that will serve that child for life, no matter what new technology emerges. Here are some resources from their website around Healthy Habits Healthy Habits English | Healthy Habits Spanish | Healthy Habits more Languages (Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Russian, Tagalog, Urdu, Vietnamese). There is a lot of free information along with some membership content.

As a reminder: It is an expectation that students do not use personal devices at school. This includes phones, tablets, smart watches. If seen out during the day, we will hold for them in the front office.

I want to thank everyone that came out for Curriculum Night. At the beginning of the evening, teachers introduced themselves and shared one thing they loved about STEM. It was great hearing how many staff members acknowledged that it is the community that makes this school a special one. Thank you for the ongoing support. We couldn't do what we do without you.

Adrienne/Ms. O

From district website

Welcome! We are glad you are here.

As an LGBTQ+ student, or a parent/caregiver in an LGBTQ+ family, you are not alone. The Health Education Office is proud to be your contact for all things LGBTQ+ in SPS. Our LGBTQ+ families are a vibrant and loving community of hundreds who add tremendous value to our district.

Join our Rainbow Families Mailing List to be updated on gatherings, opportunities, and other information.

Vaccine Clinic at Louisa Boren STEM K–8
Seattle Visiting Nurse Association will host a vaccine clinic at Louisa Boren STEM on Friday, October 4, from 9 a.m.–3 p.m.

Flu vaccine available for ages 4+
COVID vaccine available for ages 5+
Insurance required (most plans accepted) or self-pay

Find more school clinic dates and register

Our 6th and 8th Graders will participate in the Healthy Youth Survey (HYS) on October 7. The optional survey will be given during your ELA class and will take about 45 minutes. The survey asks about how youth are doing in a number of areas. The results are used to plan state policies and programs designed to support youth well-being.

10-6: Picture Day! Pre-order school photos with keyword: Louisa Boren

10-9: Middle School hosts Fall Fest during the school day

10-10: No school for students

10:12: Skate Party at Southgate Roller Rink 5-7 p.m.

10-13: Indigenous Peoples' Day

11-11: Veterans Day No School

11-13: Cultural Night at STEM

Link to SPS School Calendar

The week of November 24, there will be no school. Teachers will be meeting with families to discuss student progress on the 24 and 25 of November. Be on the lookout for an invite from your teacher. Our goal at STEM is to meet with every family. Parents are a child's first teacher and we couldn't do what we do without the support of you and our greater community.

Attendance is a huge part of your child's success. Our school's attendance rate for the week of September 19th is 91.4 percent. There are some reasons to keep students home. They are below:

Keep Children Home if...

• If sick with a fever of 100° or higher
• Can return when 24 hours fever-free without the use of fever-reducing medicine
• If child has diarrhea (2 or more watery stools in 24 hours)
• Can return when 24 hours diarrhea-free
• If child threw up 2 or more times in 24 hours
• Can return 24 hours after last time vomiting
• If child has a rash (A body rash that is Not an allergic reaction, diaper rash, or heat rash)
• Can return when rash is gone OR doctor says it is OK
• If child is not feeling well (More tired than normal, pale, not eating much, cranky, or crying more than normal)

Can return when feeling better & able to fully participate in school

If your child is not going to make it to school, please let our attendance office know. 206-252-8450.

Beginning of Year Packets came home last week. Please look in your child's backpack and return them. Our goal is to have packets and information sorted by September 26.

School Supplies at STEM

Instead of having families purchase school supplies for children, we ask that families contribute to our school supply budget. Our request is for $55 contributions for families that are able. Please purchase school supplies by signing onto the Source and going to SchoolPay.

Visitors Check in with the Office

If you have to come into the building for some reason, you will need to check in with the front office. All visitors in the building should have an visitor sticker or lanyard. There is a new kiosk to help us keep track of all of the wonderful people that are passing through.

STEM loves volunteers! Opportunities range from recess help, classroom organizers, 1:1 tutoring sessions, field trips, Enrichment parent chaperones and more! Before volunteering can begin, paperwork needs to be filled out and a background check completed through SPS. This process can take up to 3 weeks. Interested? Contact Leo, our new office assistant to get the ball rolling.

The Source is Seattle Public Schools’ online communication tool that allows parents, guardians and students access to schedules, attendance, assessment scores, and more. RIght now, less than half of our Middle School families have signed on to The Source this year.

Below are some links to some tutorials about The Source.

• Learn more about features in The Source
• How to View Grades and Attendance for Secondary Students
• How to View Attendance for Elementary Students

The PTA is kicking off our big Fall Fundraiser this Wednesday, with a goal to raise $30K for STEM! Direct Give is a opportunity for family and friends to support student(s) they know, locally or from afar. Donors are not being asked to purchase anything- just support the many ways our PTA supports STEM!

STEM PTA funds directly support our school in many ways: project based learning, Enrichment, field trips, building safety efforts, Library, Art & CTE, clubs, sports & committees, professional development opportunities for teachers and staff, community events, staff appreciation and More!

🍂 See here for class descriptions and to register.

🎲 Parent volunteers are needed! VIP’s (Very Important Parent Chaperones) receive discounts on their student’s class. Additional info on becoming a VIP, financial support and all about STEM’s Enrichment program.

🏅 Girls on the Run- registration open NOW! Fall season begins September 29. Financial assistance is available. Register and for more info on GotR at STEM.

🏆 Chess club will take place Mondays after school, 3:30-4:30 p.m., from Oct 6-Dec 8. Discount opportunities on chess classes off campus and info on tournaments at STEM!

Questions? Please reach out to enrichment@stemk8pta.org.

Join Washington Autism Alliance for a FREE informative training session designed to empower parents & guardians in advocating for positive behavior support for their children in public schools. Additional info and to register for Washington Autism Alliance. sped@stemk8pta.org

🔨 Woodshop

Our CTE and Woodshop teacher, Gretchen Thompson, is looking for donated step stools for the classroom. If you have an offering please reach out to gdthompson@seattleschools.org. Thanks!

🏀 Playground

The STEM Playground can be pretty rough on equipment and we always love to recycle! If you happen to have extra equipment from sports camps or teams that need a new home, we would love to put them to good use!

• Soccer balls - We're always in need of size 3, 4 & 5

• Basketballs - We're always in need of size 5, 6 & 7

• Other equipment - Have something else that you think we might be able to use? Reach out and ask!

If you have balls to donate or if you have any questions, please email Paula Clement pjclement@seattleschools.org before dropping off. Thanks!

🍎 Staff Lounge

We’re looking for large food storage containers for the Staff Lounge. Anything from large Tupperware style containers to cake carriers. If it can hold a lot of food and it seals, it would be incredibly helpful! If you have items to donate or if you have any questions, please reach out to staffappreciation@stemk8pta.org. Thanks!

☕ Student-run Coffee Shop

Mr. Jeff is looking to start a student-run coffee shop! If you have an espresso machine to donate or have any experience to share about working in a coffee shop, please reach out to Middle School teacher Mr. Jeff: jimckenzie@seattleschools.org. Thanks!

• Skate Party, Southgate Roller Rink- Sun 10/12, 5-7 p.m.: Join us for roller skating at Southgate Roller Rink, brought to you by the PTA and 2nd grade! Cost is $5-$25 per skater, pay what works for your family and any additional proceeds will benefit the STEM PTA. See here to Pre-pay for a skater. Please reach out to president@stemk8pta.org for financial assistance.
• Staff Appreciation Event- Tues 10/14: Help celebrate our amazing staff with yummy food and treats! Signup Genius to come. staffappreciation@stemk8pta.org
• Game Night with Meeples- Tues 10/14, 5-7 p.m.: Join us with co-host Meeples for an evening of games and community in the STEM Cafeteria! Light snacks provided. vp@stemk8pta.org
• October General PTA Meeting- Thur 10/16, 6:30-8 p.m.: Join us in the STEM Library or via Zoom to discuss the year and participate in important discussions that help shape our school support! Join the General PTA Zoom meeting. Hope to see you there! president@stemk8pta.org
• SPED Support Group- Thur 10/23, 7-8 p.m.: Families and caregivers are invited to join a Zoom meeting to discuss, support, listen and share resources. Join the SPED Support Group Zoom meeting. sped@stemk8pta.org
• STEM Day @ Ounces- Sat 11/8, 2-5 p.m.: Join us & Girls Rock Math for STEM family friendly activities, community fun and good brew & food at local partner, Ounces! % back to our school.

If you have experience applying for grants and are willing to donate some time on behalf of Louisa Boren STEM, please reach out to executiveboard@stemk8pta.org. Thanks!

Get involved, stay connected and participate in important school conversations by becoming a PTA member and joining our monthly General Membership meetings. Meetings will be held in the STEM Library and via Zoom. General membership is open to all teachers, staff, students, parents, caregivers, grandparents and community members.

If you're interested in ways to be more involved and support our STEM community, we're looking for folks to join our team!

Current Full Board open positions: Co-Race, Equity & Inclusion, Co-LGBTQ+, Membership, Field Trip Coordinator (grades 5-8) and Garden Club Coordinator. We're looking to grow our Fundraising Committee! If you'd like to join us for one or a few fundraising efforts this year, or have ideas you'd like to share, let us know! Please reach out to executiveboard@stemk8pta.org for additional info on these roles or with interest.

Updated PTA & school activities, contacts for our Executive & Full Board, our PTA's Mission & Values, financial details, ways to support our PTA, updated Enrichment info and MORE!!

🦉 stemk8pta.org | Facebook | Instagram | communications@stemk8pta.org

Soccer and Ultimate Frisbee have already begun. Please come out out and support!
Ultimate Schedule (so far)

• Sat, 4 Oct 2025 2 p.m., Garfield High school
• Sat, 11 Oct 2025 12:15 p.m., Ingraham High school

Soccer

• 10/4- 8 a.m., at Jane Adams vs. Blaine
• 10/18 11a.m. at Madison vs. South Shore
• 10/25 9:30 a.m. at Whitman vs. Hazel Wolf Varsity
• 11/1-12:30 p.m. at Madison vs. TOPS
• 11/8-9:30 a.m. at Madison vs.

Updates on the online menu calendar are taking place. The meals that are served at school may not be what is shared on the menu. Thursday and Friday of last week were accurate. All students at STEM receive free meals.

Fill out the The School Meals Application. It collects household income information that helps our school receive federal and state funding. It does more than just support our cafeteria.

Principal: Adrienne Ollerenshaw amollerensha@seattleschools.org

Assistant Principal: Andrea Stowell anstowell@seattleschools.org

Administrative Secretary: Latisha Ellis ljellis@seattleschools.org

Office Assistant: Leo Shaugnhessy mrshaughness@seattleschools.org

School Social Worker: Dana Fink dmfink@seattleschools.org

STEM partners with the YMCA to provide an on-site before and after school program. Additional YMCA before and after school information or contact our Site Director, Anna Hofmann, at ahofmann@seattleymca.org.