CAST STEM Parent Newsletter

Dear CAST STEM Families,

One of the guiding practices for CAST STEM is Project Based Learning (PBL). PBL allows students to work on real-world problems and develop solutions to them. Students work in groups throughout the year and through feedback and coaching, create products that can positively impact our community and beyond. Yesterday, we launched our PBL theme for this year, "Law & Order, The CAST STEM Unit". Students were introduced to the theme then worked with grade level groups to generate ideas for the work they will soon begin.

Attendance remains a top priority for CAST STEM. It is important for students to be present every day so they are learning and not missing out on important content. If your child will be out, please make sure they turn in a note upon their return and communicate with their teachers for any work missed. Yesterday, our superintendent, Dr. Ball, sent out a letter to inform families about Attendance Awareness Month. If you have not had a chance to read the letter, you can read it here.

There will be no school on Monday, September 4 in honor of Labor Day. I hope everyone has an enjoyable Labor Day weekend and we'll see everyone back on Tuesday, September 5!

• September 4: No School/Labor Day Holiday
• September 12 & 13: MAP Testing
• September 13: Palo Alto College Census Day
• September 13: Parent Meeting/Focus Group for Palo Alto Transition
• September 14: Senior Sunrise

Please join us for a parent meeting on Wednesday, September 13 at 5:30 p.m. We are looking for feedback from parents regarding our campus transition to Palo Alto College. Please note the date change from September 6 to September 13. We are asking anyone who would like to attend to RSVP so we know how many will be in attendance and can plan accordingly. RSVP using the link or QR code.

If you have any questions that you would like to address, please submit them using this link.

If your child still has questions about their schedule, our counselor, Mrs. Frausto, has created a google form for students to fill out. She will follow up with students at her earliest convenience. The google form will help her prepare and minimize the amount of tine students are out of class.

CAST STEM Schedule Change Request Form 2023

Students will be taking the beginning of the year MAP test next week. The test measures what students know, regardless of their grade level. It also measures growth over time, allowing teachers to track progress throughout the school year and across multiple years. Results from the test will be used to help our teachers guide instruction. Please visit the following site to access the Family Toolkit which provides helpful information: https://www.nwea.org/family-toolkit/

Enrollment Verification (also called Back-to-School Verification) is required for all students returning to SWISD each year. This ensures your child's information is current.

Login to your Parent Self-Serve account and complete the ENROLLMENT VERIFICATION for each student attending a SWISD campus this year. New students do NOT have to complete this.

Link to complete forms and get information: https://www.swisd.net/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=2633937&type=d&pREC_ID=2349078

NASA’s High School Aerospace Scholars (HAS) application is now open! HAS is an authentic learning experience for Texas high school juniors to engage with NASA’s mission to become the next generation of Artemis explorers. Students learn different STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) related fields of study they might want to pursue in college. Following a series of online lessons, all students who pass the online experience are invited to attend five-day summer Moonshot virtual experience. Selected students plan a team-based Artemis themed mission to Moon and Mars with the guidance from NASA scientists and engineers. Both the online and summer portions are free to students. Students from top teams from each Moonshot week will be invited to a 4-day residential experience at Johnson Space Center.

Online application window for students is August 28 through October 19, 2023.

• Visit this website for more infomation: www.nasa.gov/has

Students can contact NASA STEM Gateway Helpdesk at hq-nasa-stem-gateway@mail.nasa.govfor application assistance.

We're embracing technology to stay connected with you! SWISD has launched a new communication tool. Rooms, which is housed in the SWISD Mobile App, will serve as a communications hub for school updates, announcements, and community engagement. The District will also use this communication tool to send emails and direct text messages to your phone. Please ensure your contact information is updated in Parent Self-Serve and with your campus. For more information on the SWISD Mobile App and Rooms please visit: https://bit.ly/SWISDMobileApp

Our campus attendance goal is 97%.

Our yearly average is 93%.

SWISD has proudly unveiled a brand-new Mental Health Center - The Southwest CARES Center! SW CARES is here to provide a warm, confidential, and comforting haven for FREE mental health services to ALL SWISD students and families.

The dedicated SW CARES Center team consists of licensed therapists and graduate interns who specialize in offering: One-on-One Therapeutic/Counseling Session, Psychoeducational Group Counseling & Screening/Assessment to Identify Potential Mental Health Needs. There are NO out-of-pocket expenses for any counseling sessions conducted at the SW CARES Center. Call for more information: 210-622-4340.

Email: jarodriguez@swisd.net
Website: www.caststem.swisd.net
Phone: (210) 622-4810
Facebook: www.facebook.com/swisdCASTSTEM
Twitter: @swisd_caststem