STEM
Owl Post February 23, 2026
A Note from Ms. O
Hello STEM Community!
I hope everyone had a relaxing break. I got to spend some quality time with my family and feel rested and ready for the upcoming weeks at STEM.
Your child should have finished (or is close to finishing) an opinion writing piece. All K8 students are completing an opinion writing piece. This writing will get assessed and then the scores get uploaded to our district platform. Teachers should be sharing and conferencing with students about their assessment results. If you do not hear anything from your teacher or child about this work, reach out! We do better when we all work together!
We have six weeks school without any breaks or holidays built in. This is one of my favorite times of the year because this is when children show a lot of growth and before we enter into an intense block of testing.
On the 14, Ms. Stowell and I attended the boys' basketball game against Pathfinder. STEM played a great game and earned the win! Not only did they show their strength as players, they also showed good sportsmanship on the courts. Great job representing STEM!!
Thank you for partnering with our school to help us do right by our children. We are always learning and improving. If you have any questions or feedback, send it along.
Adrienne/Ms. O
STEM Career Day! Can you help?
STEM will be holding their career day on Friday, April 10 beginning at 8:30. We are looking for professionals in the following fields (this is what students have asked to learn more about).
Careers in: Healthcare & Medical, Science, Space & Environment, Engineering, Technology & IT, Arts, Design & Creative Careers, Sports & Entertainment, Food & Culinary Fields.
Representation matters, and our objective is to expose our diverse population of students to a variety of jobs being done by people they can identify with. If you are able and interested, we hope you will be willing to help inspire our PK through 8thgrade students by sharing your career journey, your interests, and hobbies as a child and how they influenced your career choice, a typical workday, education requirements, and more. We invite you to bring artifacts, tools, or takeaways. We want students to have the opportunity to hear from someone whose career choice interests them and to explore career fields they may not have considered before.
We ask that speakers commit to at least 90 minutes. The 90-minute period will allow you to speak to three classes of students, twenty minutes per class in grades 6-8 and fifteen minutes per class in grades PK-5. If you would like help preparing your presentation, just let us know. We will be happy to help you.
If you are interested in participating, or know someone who would be interested, email Adrienne Ollerenshaw amolllerensha@seattleschools.org or Jessica Shamburger jlshamburger@seattleschools.org
Thank you !
School Budget Feedback Survey
Our school would like to gather your input early on what you believe to be Louisa Boren's budget priorities. This will assist in preparing a budget proposal for our 26-27 school budget. We will not receive our actually budget and staffing allocations until the end of February, so the goal of this survey is to just gather your input around priorities. Included are some of the things we prioritized for this current 25-26 school year, as well as the average cost. Please help provide your insight by responding to this short survey before February 27
Superintendent Listening Sessions
Superintendent Shuldiner will be hosting community meetings in each of the seven board director districts across the city and one online, starting Thursday, Feb. 26. Learn more about upcoming Superintendent listening sessions. You are invited to ask questions and share your experiences as a Seattle Public Schools community member.
ICE Communication
Updated Procedures and Supports Regarding Immigration Control and Enforcement
Seattle Public Schools has policy and procedure both when there are rumors or a report of immigration enforcement activity near a school campus as well as on campus activity and direct requests to schools. At STEM we are following these policies and procedures.
Seattle Public Schools School Leader Protocols: Responding to Immigration Enforcement Activity:
If a school leader is made aware of a rumor or report of immigration enforcement activity near one of our campuses, they will notify the district’s Safety and Security office. The report will be assessed by Safety and Security, and next steps will be determined in partnership with the school leader.
If immigration enforcement agents attempt to access our school buildings, they will not be granted access unless Seattle Public Schools legal counsel is able to verify a judicial warrant. More information can be found in Superintendent Procedure 4310SP.B – Limiting Immigration Enforcement at Schools.
Resources for Families
Families and community members can find resources and supports on our website. These include links to know your rights materials, the City’s rapid response program, legal resources, and family preparedness planning.
Emergency resources can also be found by calling 844-724-3737 to report immigration enforcement activity or get connected to emergency resources.
If you have questions please reach out to amollerensha@seattleschools.org.
Talking to Students about Immigration and Customs Enforcement
In the coming days, students may have an opportunity to ask questions and participate in a brief, age-appropriate discussion related to current events involving immigration and immigration enforcement. The conversation will focus on answering student questions and sharing general information about school safety procedures.
Students will be encouraged to talk with their families about any questions they may have and to follow up with staff as needed. Our goal is to provide accurate information, reassurance, and a supportive space for students.
If your child is experiencing worries or concerns, or if your family would like additional support or resources, please feel free to reach out to myself or Ms. Dana dmfink@seattleschools.org, our school social worker.
Resources:
Basketball Schedule
Staff Shout-Outs
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
School Meals
All students at STEM receive one free breakfast and lunch per day- vegetarian options daily!
- The Cafeteria is open at 8:35 am to serve breakfast daily
- Students can check-in with any adult in the Cafeteria to navigate breakfast & lunch service
School and PTA Events
- February: Black History Month
- March 13th: Pi Night at STEM
- March 31st: Career Day
- April 2nd: All School Spring Concert
- April 13-17: Spring Break
2026-27 School Calendar
The SPS 2026–27 school year calendar is now available, giving families time to plan for the year ahead. From the first day of school to breaks and holidays, all the key dates are in one place. Important note: School will start before Labor Day in the upcoming school year.
Announcements
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?
Community Resources
Housing, Financial, Food, Clothing, Legal
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
PTA Announcements
🎬Movie Night is this Friday, 2/27!
All students are participating in Woodshop this year! Join us Friday at 6 pm to watch My Neighbor Totoro to support this awesome program at STEM! Suggested donation of $5-10 for entry + snacks. Snack donation and day of volunteer opportunities to help make this fundraiser successful.
This is not a drop off event, thank you!
*If you're unable to attend Movie Night and would still like to support our Woodshop!
🏫Superintendent Engagement Sessions
Superintendent, Ben Shuldiner, started with SPS February 1. He is hosting several upcoming community engagement sessions, Dates and additional Superintendent Engagement Session information! STEM PTA Advocacy Chair, Greg Goldstein, is collecting questions from our school community to bring to some of these sessions: greg@stemk8pta.org
🥧Pi Night at STEM is Friday, 3/13!
🌈GGLOW Kick-off to Pride!
Save the date for our annual Kick-off to Pride party- Friday, May 29! This FREE community event is put on by the STEM GGLOW (Gender non-binary/Gender Queer, Gay, Lesbian or Whatever) Club and the PTA. If you're interested in helping with planning or volunteering day of please email paula@stemk8pta.org. Thanks!
📆 Save the Dates!
General PTA Meeting- Thursday, 3/5, 6:30-8 p.m.: Engage in important discussions, receive PTA updates and help to plan out the remainder of the school year!
- Pi Night- FRI 3/13, 5:30-7 p.m.: FREE community event to celebrate International Pi Day! All the math fun- plus pizza and pie!
* View our calendar here for up-to-date PTA & school events *
Join the PTA Leadership Team!
Current Full Board open positions: Co-Race, Equity & Inclusion Chair, Co-SPED Chair, 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!
Open Executive Board positions for the '26-27 school year: Treasurer, Co-Treasurer and Secretary.
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, Open Enrollment details and More!
🦉 stemk8pta.org | Facebook | Instagram | communications@stemk8pta.org
Community Announcements
West Seattle Food Bank Clothesline re-opening & Free tax help- The Clothesline is now open for donations + distribution. All operating times and to learn more about receiving Free in-person tax help!
Black History Month family events around Seattle - Black History Month family events around Seattle
- Sensory inclusive performances, events & activities in Seattle: Including the Seattle Aquarium with free headphones & weighted pad blanket kits available at guest services! Full list of sensory inclusive locations and details.
YMCA Before & Aftercare
STEM partners with the YMCA to provide an on-site before and after school program. Additional YMCA Before & Aftercare information.
STEM PK8 Admin Team
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