Wilckens STEAM Academy

Hello STEAM Families,

September... the weather is slowly getting cooler, the sun is setting earlier, and rituals of a new school year are becoming part of our routine. We are so glad that YOU and YOUR FAMILY are part of our STEAM family. We are thankful to have such an incredible school community.

As a reminder, please report all absences to the STEAM office. We must account for each absence by 10:00 am. You are welcome to call before and after school hours. Simply leave us a voicemail as we check them each morning.

Additionally, if your child is a car rider, please adhere to the traffic flow we have provided on the back of your car rider sign. Do not jump the line as a courtesy to other families who have been waiting. Here is the link to our car rider procedures.

This month, the newsletter contains information on a variety of topics, including our 1:1 initiative, PTO, student handbook, and a few other things.

We wish you well!

Dr. Roxanne Pearson - Principal

Mr. Blaine Adams - Assistant Principal

This year, there is a new policy impacting how students are allowed to use their phones (and other devices, like smart watches, earbuds, etc.) while at school. Under the new policy, no personal communication device can be used by students at any point in the school day, from arrival to dismissal. This rule applies to “personal electronic communication devices”, any portable item used to initiate, receive, store, or view communication, information, images or data electronically.

This update ensures BSD #124 is in alignment with a Missouri law that was recently passed, Senate Bill 68, Section 162.207. Students can keep their device with them, but it must be out of sight and cannot be used at any time. However, there is an exception to this rule in case of emergencies, or for some other special circumstances. Our school handbook has been updated to reflect the changes, please take some time to familiarize yourself with our policies: beltonschools.org/family.

Most of the important documents and information related to STEAM can be found on the school website. Here is the link to our Student Handbook - which can also be found on the left hand side our our school website!

If you have any suggestions for enhancing the website, reach out to the office!

School attendance and punctuality is a very important factor in student academic progress. We wish to work together with parents and guardians to ensure your child’s continued success.

Please be sure to call the school office each day your child will be absent by 9:15 am. Our goal as a district is to keep lines of communication open with families to impact student attendance and education positively.

Acceptable absences are defined in Board Policy as extenuating circumstances, such as severe illness and/or injury; religious observances; or visits with a parent or legal guardian who is an active duty member of the military who has been called to duty for, is on leave from or is immediately returned from deployment to a combat zone or combat support posting, with permission of the superintendent or designee.

The pieces listed below are not the only actions the district and Belton Police Department will pursue; other interventions and supports will be enacted to assist the student and family as needed.

All absences for illness must include a doctor’s note to be excused.
Acceptable absences (listed above) may be excused if accompanied by documentation.
All absences not covered above are considered unexcused.
When children reach five (5) days, eight (8) days and eleven (11) days of excused and/or unexcused absences, a note from the school district will be sent to the family.
When a student reaches 8 days of unexcused absences, documentation will be given to the School Resource Police Officer, and they will make direct contact with the family.
When a student reaches 11 unexcused absences, a citation will be written by the Belton Police Department, and the student’s parents will be required to appear in Municipal Court. (See City Ordinance Section 15-289, Truancy)
If a student continues to accrue absences, parents/guardians will continue to get ticketed at 16, 21, and 26, etc. unexcused absences.
If a student accumulates more than 11 absences, additional actions will be taken including the possibility of Education Court with the Juvenile Office.

This link will take you to the attendance portion of our district website: Attendance

Please save the date! Friday, September 19th will be school picture day at STEAM. Please check your child's backpack sometime in the next couple of weeks for the picture order form.

Online ordering is only available for a short time! Avoid the late fee...ORDER TODAY!!!

Visit our website www.pearcephoto.com

Click on Order Pictures
Click on your school district
Click on “25 Fall” with your school’s name
Enter your email address
Click LOGIN
Take a look at the menu of school portrait items available
Click on what you want to order
Scroll down and click “Add to cart”
Follow the prompts to see additional items
Click on “Go to Shopping Cart”
Follow the instructions to order and pay for your selections (You will be asked for student information at checkout.)

Each student at STEAM receives an iPad. Here is some important information for our 1:1 program.

Remember to fully charge the device each night and send the device back to school daily. At home, there are a variety of apps for your student to gain extra practice on the iPad. Please reach out to your child’s teacher for more information regarding the specific apps for your child’s grade level.

Health Guidelines

Each day is an opportunity for students to learn and grow, and attending school every day is critically important. However, on days when your student has a fever of 100.4°F or greater, vomiting, and/or diarrhea, we ask that you keep them home. Please contact Nurse Katie if you have questions about when students may attend.
If you have updated immunizations, please send those in to Nurse Katie to get our files updated.
Throughout the year, our younger students might have an accident. Please make sure students have a (labeled) change of clothes in their backpacks.

We would like to thank our 5th and 6th-grade families for your patience as we adjusted the specials schedule to include band.These classes are now set for the year, so your students should be able to get into a good routine.

If you have any questions regarding the schedule, please see the contact information for our specials teachers:

Music - Ms. Mosier - kmosier@bsd124.org

Band - Mr. Martin - mamartin@bsd124.org

PE- Mr. Ryberg - bryberg@bsd124.og

Art- Mrs. McCullough- nmccullough@bsd124.org

Library - Mrs. Ryberg - mryberg@bsd124.org

Counselor - Mr. Jay - pjay@bsd124.org or Ms. Selig eselig@bsd124.org

Please see the attached link regarding an upcoming Title Parent Meeting on September 12th.

STEAM Parent Title Meeting

Join the PTO for our first meeting of the ‘25-‘26 school year on Monday, September 8th at 5:30pm in the library. Help bring ideas to life and make a difference at STEAM!

Our upcoming meeting will consist of:

· Welcome and introduction of our Board members

· Discussion on the upcoming fundraiser

· Sign-ups for committees (party, fundraising, etc)

· Any thoughts/ideas from our members!

Use the link below to join the PTO and access their Facebook page and website.

https://linktr.ee/wilckenssteampto

This form is intended to gather interest from parents about their child attending STEAM club at WSA@H for the 2025-26 school year. Completing the form does not guarantee enrollment in the club and is merely for informational purposes only. We want to hear if you would like your child to consider being a part of STEAM Club this semester or school year. Students will work on STEAM activities related to communications, technology, ELA, and math to create and explore podcasts, video planning, recording and editing of building morning announcements, stop motion animation / time lapse, and the scientific process.

STEAM club is for 3rd and 6th graders at WSA@H. This is a strictly extra curricular activity that will meet each Tuesday starting at 8:15 a.m. in the Library. The STEAM club will meet beginning on Sept. 9. Student expectations will include being on time and ready to meet at 8:15 a.m, regular attendance during the time commitment of a semester with the option to continue the spring semester of 2026. Students will not need any outside equipment or prerequisite skills, but will be expected to participate and assist with the activities.

There are a limited number of spaces. Only the first 30 students will be admitted. Students may only participate in one club at a time at STEAM.

STEAM Club Parent/Guardian Interest Form

September:

1 - No School - Labor Day

8 - PTO Meeting at 5:30 in the library

12 - Title Parent Meeting at 8:15 in the Library

19 - Picture Day

22- No School - PD Day

September 29-October 3rd - PTO fundraiser

October:

2- PTO Meeting at 5:30 in the library

10 - Dental Screenings

17- No School - PD Day

23-30 - Book Fair

29 & 30 Parent Teacher Conferences

31- No School

At Wilckens STEAM Academy at Hillcrest, we believe in fostering a learning environment that empowers every student. Our guiding principles of Equity, Perseverance, Integrity, and Critical Thinking are the compass that steers our educational journey. We strive to create a space where all students feel valued, supported, and inspired to reach their full potential.

The mission of Wilckens STEAM Academy at Hillcrest, an ever evolving leader of STEAM education, is to ensure curious, compassionate, and confident learners through an innovative school community distinguished by: