STEM Owl Post

The last few weeks I have been able to spend with family and friends. Above is a picture of my son and dog taking a hike at Chip Ross Park in Corvallis, Oregon which is where I was born and spent most of my childhood. Getting my family out it the woods and having them all enjoy it is one of those moments that fills me with gratitude. I was also able to do some reading and cooking-both things I love and both things that I forget about if I get busy. I made some resolutions too that I will hopefully stick to for longer than the first week of January.

After looking at my calendar, I've realized that there is no slow start for January! A quick review of all the events below.

Happy New Year! I'm looking forward to having students back in the building and your continued partnership.

Adrienne/Ms. O

STEM is a remarkable place. One reason that I don’t take for granted is that every child that attends our school is here by choice. We have all decided to send our children to STEM for a variety of reasons. My son attends STEM because of the school's commitment to equity and inclusion along with it's focus on Project Based Learning.

Being a choice school means that we need to take part in the district's enrollment process. We will be opening up the building on Tuesdays during the month of January for tours and participating in other enrollment events (calendar below). PTA is working hard to organize and support (Thank you thank you!!). You and your children can help show STEM spirit by wearing any STEM gear on Tuesdays in January. Please see here to join Enrollment Efforts- tour guides still needed - let's fill up those classrooms for next year!

MLK Day is on January 22. It honors civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.'s life, legacy, and nonviolent fight for racial equality and justice. It is a national day for community service, reflection on civil rights, and commitment to building Dr. King's Beloved Community where everyone is cared for, absent of poverty, hunger, and hate.

Our school is working towards putting together an event to honor MLK on the morning of the 16th. More info to come!

One thing that makes STEM K8 stand out is their dedication to Project Based Learning (PBL). PBL centers classroom experiences around a driving question where students engage in a multi-week unit that is inquiry-based, incorporates hands-on Learning, partners with community and has students answer questions that our connected to the community where they live. Projects are collaborative and driven by teamwork.

Our school will hold our first PBL Night of the year on Thursday, January 22. Classrooms will be open for you to come in and see projects, say hello to teaches, and hear firsthand from your children what they have been learning. It is always a well attended event and I am looking forward to seeing you there!

When a staff member does something that you would like to acknowledge, one way you can do that is by telling us about it. The things that staff and community have shared have brought joy to me and my staff. If you would like to share something that a staff member did, use this link: STEM Staff Shout Outs

Rainy day recesses are saved for very bad weather or smoky days. Most days we send students outside. With that in mind, please send your kids clothed in ways where they will be ready for whatever weather might be coming our way.

Being on time and at school every day is an important life skill. It is crucial to student’s success for them to learn early the routines and habits that contribute to them being successful in school and in life. Learning is greatly impacted when students are not present to receive daily instruction from the teaching staff.

Did You Know?

• All absences (excused and unexcused) have the potential of harming students academically.
• Students who miss 10 percent (18 days) of the school year, or two or more days a month, are defined as being chronically absent.
• By sixth grade, absenteeism is one of three signs that a student may drop out of high school.
• By ninth grade, regular and high attendance is a better predictor of graduation rates than eighth-grade test scores.
• It takes an average of three days for a student to catch up from one day of being absent.
• Missing three or more days of school per month can set a student back up to two full years of learning.

7-9 Absences: The Danger Zone -There is a good chance your child has fallen behind academically. Develop a plan with the school to help your child get to school on time and attend regularly.

4-6 Absences: The Warning Zone - Your child's learning may be affected. Pay special attention to make sure your child is keeping up with the work.

0-3 Absences: The Satisfactory Zone

What You Can Do

Make School Attendance a Priority

• Discuss the importance of showing up to school every day with children.
• Book appointments outside the school day or on non-school days.
• Help children stay healthy by ensuring they get plenty of sleep, eat a balanced diet, wash their hands regularly, and are up-to-date on immunizations.
• Keep children home only if they are truly sick. Complaints of headaches or stomachaches may be signs of anxiety.

Set Regular Bedtime and Morning Routines

• Help your child maintain daily routines, such as finishing homework and going to bed on time.
• Lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before.
• Develop backup plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, a neighbor, or another parent.

Help Your Child Stay Engaged

• Find out if children feel engaged by their classes and safe from bullies and other threats.
• Ensure children are keeping up with school work so they are not tempted to miss school if they haven’t done their homework or studied for a test.
• Stay on top of academic progress and seek help from teachers or tutors if necessary. Make sure teachers know how to contact you.
• Stay on top of your child’s social contacts. Peer pressure can lead to skipping school, while students without many friends can feel isolated.
• Encourage meaningful after-school activities, including sports and clubs.

Communicate with Your School

• Know the school’s attendance policy including incentives and penalties
• Talk to teachers if you notice sudden changes in your child’s behavior. These could be due to something going on at school.
• Check on your child’s attendance to be sure absences are not piling up.
• Ask for help from school officials, after-school programs, other parents or community agencies if you are having trouble getting your child to school.

We’re Here to Help

Please partner with us to ensure your student attends regularly and is successful in school. We know students may be absent from school for a variety of reasons. Our attendance office, school nurse, social worker, and teachers are prepared to help if your student is unable to make it to school regularly or on time. We will track attendance daily, document when your student is missing from class, communicate with you to understand why the absence occurred, and identify barriers and supports available to overcome challenges you may face in helping your student attend school.

If you have any questions about your student’s attendance or general questions or concerns, please email k8stem.attendance@seattleschools.org or call 206-252-8450.

All students at STEM receive one free breakfast and lunch per day- vegetarian options daily!

• The Cafeteria is open at 8:35 a.m. to serve breakfast daily
• Students can check-in with any adult in the Cafeteria to navigate breakfast & lunch service

By filling out the The School Meals Application, it helps our school receive federal and state funding. It does more than just support our cafeteria. Please fill out!

Seattle Public Schools, in partnership with PEPS, is offering a free four-part virtual workshop series for parents and caregivers of students ages 10-19.

These engaging 90-minute sessions are designed to help families better understand and support their teens during adolescence. Topics include adolescent brain development, navigating social challenges, effective communication, and more.

Families can attend any or all the workshops based on their interests and availability. Live captioning is provided, and all sessions are held virtually via Zoom.

We encourage principals to share these flyers with families and promote this valuable opportunity within their school communities.

• Jan. 22, 2026 – Effective Communication with Teens
• Feb. 10, 2026 – Adolescent Stress and Coping Strategies

Contact: Lisa Davidson, Manager of Prevention & Intervention, lmdavidson@seattleschools.org

• Jan. 5-31: SPS Open Enrollment Period (see below for ways to help promote STEM!)
• Jan. 10: SPS Enrollment Fair
• Jan. 22: PBL Night - Elementary 6-7 p.m., MS 6:30-7:30 p.m.

SPS School Calendar

STEM Calendar

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? Please contact our Office Assistant, Leo mrshaughness@seattleschools.org, to get the ball rolling.

When is your child too sick for school? (OSPI flyer)

See here for resources available now and please reach out to our school Social Worker, Dana Fink, for direct support: dmfink@seattleschools.org | 503-766-3648

Wear your STEM gear Tuesdays in January! SPS Choice School Enrollment Month is January 5-31. We're hosting tours for prospective new families every Tuesday (starting 1/6!)- help show our STEM spirit by wearing any of your STEM gear Tuesdays in Jan, students too! Please see here to join Enrollment Efforts- tour guides still needed - let's fill up those classrooms for next year!

Elementary (K-5) – Tuesdays, January 6 & January 20 @ 9 a.m.

Middle School (6-8) – Tuesdays, January 13 & January 27 @ 9 a.m.

Open House – January 8: Elementary @ 5:15 pm & Middle School @ 6 p.m.

Additional info on STEM Enrollment efforts & the SPS Choice School process: stemk8pta.org | facebook Questions: tours@stemk8pta.org

Class descriptions and to register on the 7. Our Winter session will run from January 26–April 10, 2026. Parent Volunteers still needed for a few classes! Learn more about becoming a volunteer (free tuition for your student!) and all about our Enrichment program.

Questions or to request financial assistance: enrichment@stemk8pta.org

Movie Night is Friday, January 9 @ 6 pm: Showing Sing to benefit the 3rd-5th grade field trip to the Seattle Symphony! $5-10 suggested donation for entry + snacks. Support this Movie Night fundraiser.

*This is not a drop off event - all students are required to have an adult present. Thank you!

We're extending the purchase window so more of our community have the chance to order! Show your STEM pride with adult & youth tees + hoodies!!

All proceeds from the sales of these awesome shirts and hoodies (designed by a STEM student!) will go directly to help fund the outdoor overnight trips for our ’25-26 5th & 8th graders.

🌳See here for additional info and to purchase

• Winter Enrichment Registration Opens- WED 1/7 @ 7 pm
• January Movie Night- FRI 1/9 @ 6 p.m.: To benefit the STEM Music program's field trip to the Seattle Symphony!
• SPED Support Group- THUR 1/29, 7-8 p.m.: Families and caregivers are invited to join our PTA SPED Chair Erin Mich (who works in the Distinct pathway at STEM & is a STEM parent!) to talk, listen and meet others. All are welcome! Zoom link to come. sped@stemk8pta.org
• Elementary Dance- FRI 1/30, 6-8 p.m.: To benefit the 5th grade camp trip to Islandwood!
• Next General PTA Meeting- THUR 2/5, 6:30-8 p.m.

* View our calendar here for up-to-date PTA & school events *

• MLK Day '26 March & Rally- MON 1/19 @ 11 am: Learn more about MLK Day March & Rally!
• Seattle Special Education General PTSA meeting- TUES 1/20, 7-8:30 pm: Join the Special Education General PTSA Zoom meeting!
• Sensory inclusive performances, events & activities in Seattle: Including the Seattle Aquarium with free headphones & weighted pad blanket kits available at guest services! See a full list of sensory inclusive performances, events & activity locations and details.
• Winter family fun around Seattle.

Current Full Board open positions: Co-Race, Equity & Inclusion, 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.

Check out our website for 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, Tours & Open Enrollment details and MORE!

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

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

Principal: Adrienne Ollerenshaw amollerensha@seattleschools.org

Assistant Principal: Andrea Stowell anstowell@seattleschools.org

Administrative Secretary: Latisha Ellis ljellis@seattleschools.org

Office Assistant: Leo Shaughnessy mrshaughness@seattleschools.org

School Social Worker: Dana Fink dmfink@seattleschools.org