December 1 Owl Post 2.0

Sorry for the double-send. Hopefully this is the last owl post of the week!! PTA updates are included in this one. Thank you!

Adrienne

I hope everyone had a chance to relax during the break from school. My trip to the coast included some heated rounds of Ping Pong with my son and husband. We also took some wonderful walks on the beach where we got to admire the wild and beautiful Oregon Coast. I included a picture above.

There are three weeks between us and another break from school. We will be reviewing routines this week and getting right back to learning. Our goal is that all STEM students are learning at high levels. We know that student outcomes are stronger when we increase collaboration amongst our grade level teams. Our grade level teams will be wrapping up their first professional learning community (PLC) unit by December 10. I will be sharing our celebrations with you during the last Owl Post of the year (this year needs to slow down).

Thank you to the families/individuals that have shared staff celebrations with me. I am excited to share them with staff in the upcoming staff newsletter. I have been inviting families to share shout outs with staff. Fill out the form. When you do that, I take the celebrations and share them in the staff bulletin. Here are a couple of examples of the comments that I have been able to share with staff:

-Lee Chin will jump in to help kids whenever and wherever we need her! She's like ChatGPT, but with a better personality.

-Amazing woodshop experience for our 4th grade students! The middle schoolers are doing a great job with them. The picture booklet at the end is such a sweet touch! Parents will be so appreciative

-Leo is just the right addition to the office team. They are a joy to talk to, upbeat, and they leave me feeling like my messages get through and needs are met. Today I had to excuse my kiddo because she's sick and Leo knew who she was and her classroom without me having to share it. The exchange was smooth, clear, and cheerful. I'm so grateful Leo is on our Owl team!

It's great getting to see and then celebrate all of the work that STEM staff do for our students. Thank you for lifting up the STEM staff. That is one of the many superpowers of this community.

With lots of gratitude,

Adrienne

During the beginning of the day and dismissal, there is a lot of congestion on Juneau Street. Please do not park where curbs are painted red so that traffic can continue to flow smoothly. Thank you!

The SPS Enrollment team is hosting community information sessions to help answer questions about

• The enrollment process
• The new School Choice lottery timeline
• Understanding school choice options and eligibility

There will be five in-person and three virtual sessions to make it easy for every family to participate.

In-Person School Events (5:30–7 p.m.)

• Tuesday, Dec. 2 – Leschi Elementary
• Thursday, Dec. 4 – John Rogers Elementary

Virtual Outreach Events

Links will be provided soon.

• Tuesday, Dec. 9, 6 -7 p.m.
• Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, 7-8 p.m.

Districtwide Enrollment Events

• Annual Enrollment Fair at JSCEE
  Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
  Learn about schools, programs, and services across the district.
• Saturday Registration Fair
  Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026 | 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
  John Stanford Center for Educational Excellence
  Get hands-on help with enrollment and school choice application.

Questions? Contact Faauu Manu, Director Enrollment & Planning Services, fmmanu@seattleschools.org

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!

Please reach out to our school Social Worker, Dana Fink, for direct support and resources: dmfink@seattleschools.org

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.

• Dec. 2 – Navigating the Changing World of Teens
• 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

12/6 4/5 and MS Robotics Competition

12/9: Orpheus and Eurydice -- a drama club production: 5 p.m.

12/12: PTA Movie Night

12/22-1/2: Winter Break

1-22: PBL Night

1/10: SPS Enrollment Fair

Link to SPS School Calendar

Attendance: One of the most important things your student can do to achieve academic success-being at school each day! Regular attendance and arriving on time are key for your student's academic success. Studies have proven that these two factors play a crucial role. Missing class not only affects your student but also disrupts the entire class. It's important for the teacher and the class to make progress, which is challenging when students are frequently absent or late. We appreciate your partnership in our mission to support your student's education and success.

For students with 3 or more unexcused absences, the school will be connecting with you to understand barriers, and come up with plans to support.

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, to get the ball rolling.

STEM is hosting a food drive for the West Seattle Food Bank. Details on donation items needed. Thank you!

Drop off boxes are located just inside the front doors of STEM.

Giving Tree is led by school Social Worker, Dana Fink, with support from the STEM PTA. Donations will go directly towards providing STEM students and families items to meet their basic needs; needs that include comfort, dignity and a sense of belonging to an inclusive learning community that welcomes and cares for ALL of our students. With help, we will be able to provide gift cards for needed food, warm clothing, hygiene products, cleaning supplies including dish soap and laundry detergent- items that don't cost a lot, but are necessary to our students' health and well-being. No donation is too small. Contribute to Giving Tree. Thank you!

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

SPS Choice School Enrollment period is one month earlier this year: January 5 - 31. We're excited to announce 5 opportunities for perspective new families to visit and learn more about what makes STEM so special! Current families play a big role in helping to share this process within the greater community. Tour + Open House dates and visit our STEM PTSA website for additional info. Thanks!

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

Middle School – Tuesdays, January 13 & January 27, 9 a.m.

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

Questions? tours@stemk8pta.org

Join us to watch Kpop Demon Hunters, suggested donation of $5-$10 for entry + snacks. All proceeds will go to the 5th grade overnight camp trip to Islandwood in the Spring. Additional movie night info!

STEM Outdoor Education gear is available for purchase thru 12/12, 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! Additional info and how to purchase STEM Outdoor Education gear.

• December Movie Night- Friday 12/12, 6 p.m.: To benefit the 5th grade camp field trip to Islandwood, showing KPop Demon Hunters!
• Staff Appreciation- Wednesday 12/17: Help celebrate our amazing staff with yummy food and treats! More info and to sign up to help make this event awesome! staffappreciation@stemk8pta.org
• General Membership meeting- Thursday 12/18: Join us in the STEM Library or via Zoom.

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

STEM's Lost & Found is filling up. Please check out the racks just inside the front door of school when you are in the building- or if your family is missing anything!

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.

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. Additional YMCA 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