STEM Owl Post

The header is a picture of our woodshop teacher and middle school students working with 5th grade students. Ms. Thompson has welcomed all elementary school school students into the woodshop to help middle school students think about ways to create a curriculum to teach woodshop to younger students while growing their own leadership skills. Thank you to Ms. Thompson and the middle school students for giving this opportunity to our students.

On Thursday, we had our first PBL Night of the year. PBL is short for Project Based Learning and it is one of the things that I think sets us apart from other schools. Project Based Learning is when we give students opportunities to work in groups to learn about and answer questions about complex, real world problems and then present their solutions to the community. Here are some of the questions that our students worked towards answering:

• What do animals of the Pacific Northwest need to survive and how can we help them thrive?
• How do we make real change for the betterment of people in our community?
• What are the parts of my identity and how can I recognize and celebrate connections and differences I find with others in a global community?
• How can we use magnets to make something levitate and help our community?

Walking around the building, I saw unique solutions to different problems, parents listening to their children as they shared their work, and a group of Mr. Jeff's class earning money for the 8th grade camp. If you were able to come out, thank you! If not, I have attached the flyer (created by Ms. Hall-thank you!) for you to help learn about what is happening in your child's classroom. Our next PBL Night will be held on June 4. That's going to be here before we know it!

In Middle School, Second Semester will begin on Wednesday. Teachers and staff are reflecting on what we can do to make sure students are learning at high levels. If you have feedback for us, there is a link below. You can also call or drop by if that is more your style. My office is always open (although I'm not always in it).

I'm looking forward to this week and being able to settle into a regular schedule for a little while. Thanks for all that you do to support our school.

Adrienne/Ms. O

National African American Parent Involvement Day (NAAPID), observed on the second Monday in February, highlights the important role African American parents and families play in student success. NAAPID is an opportunity to strengthen relationships, build trust, and reflect on how we partner with African American families throughout the school year—not just on one day.

Extending NAAPID at Louisa Boren STEM K–8 At Louisa Boren STEM K–8, we recognize that while NAAPID centers African American families, not all families of color have historically felt welcomed or included in public school systems. In that spirit, we will be extending this recognition and invitation to all families of color (BIPOC families) as part of our commitment to belonging, connection, and partnership.

This is not intended as a replacement of NAAPID, but as an extension—an opportunity to honor family voice, build relationships, and reflect on how our school shows up for families of color in meaningful ways.

Event Details

Purpose: For teachers and admin to connect with families and begin to develop a deeper understanding of different families' experiences at STEM

Date: 2/9/2026

Time: 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Schedule:

9-10 a.m. | Connect with other families and provide feedback to admin

10-11 a.m. | Brunch (food provided)

11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Class or lunchtime with their child (families do not have to stay the entire time)

RSVP

If you have not been invited by us and would like to attend this event, please fill out this Community Engagement Day for Families of Color survey or calling the school and letting us know by calling 206-252-8450.

Our children have been in school for over four months! The school wants to hear from you about how it has been going. Your feedback is important and valued. Please fill out the following form. It will be shared with our Race and Equity Team and other committees. I appreciate your collaboration and partnership in making our school better.

Parent/Caregiver Feedback on STEM – Fill out form

Seattle Public Schools (SPS) remains steadfast in our commitment to providing safe, welcoming, and inclusive learning environments for every student, regardless of race, religion, national origin, immigration status, gender identity, or sexual orientation. We have a constitutional obligation to educate all students. No matter where you’re from, you are welcome here.

We are keeping watch for new policies that may affect our district. As new orders are introduced, we will work to provide as much clarity, calm, and stability as we can. Below are some resources shared by Dana, our school social worker.

• What To Say To Kids About ICE
• Qué Decirles a Los Niños Sobre I.C.E.

Red Cards:

• Red Cards - Amharic
• Red Cards - Chinese
• Red Cards - English
• Red Cards - Oromo
• Red Cards - Somali
• Red Cards - Spanish
• Red Cards - Vietnamese

Family Preparedness:

• Plan de Preparacion Familiar
• Family Preparedness Plan

To raise money for outdoor education at STEM. 5th Grade is hosting our first annual Elementary School Dance Party and Raffle next Friday (1/30) in the Cafeteria, from 6pm-8pm. This is a family event, and activities will include games, coloring, temporary tattoos, photo booth, and possibly, dancing. We have a DJ with a fog machine! A suggested $10 donation comes with 3 snack tickets, or pay what works for your family. Raffle prizes include hand carved trays, homemade jewelry, gift cards to Easy Street, West Seattle Nursery, PCC, Paper Boat, and much more! We hope to see you there!

This is not a drop off event - thank you!

School safety is very important. If you hear about any concerning or suspicious activity in the neighborhood, please let the school know. Information from families, neighbors, and students helps us understand what is going on in the community and help us to make informed choices. If you have concerns, please contact the main office. Thank you for your help in keeping our school safe.

Seattle Public Schools invited students that scored less than 60 percent on the MAP standardized tests in reading and/or math to take part in Summer Learning. We recognize that standardized tests capture a student's ability on that given day and does not necessarily reflect their overall ability. If you would like more information as to why your child was selected or if you think this is a good fit for you and your family, reach out to your child's teacher or the front office. We want to make sure that you are supported.

Summer School Dates:

• June 29–July 31, 2026
• Student Hours: 8 a.m.–4 p.m.
• Schools open at 7:30 a.m. for bus arrival.

All school breakfast at 8 a.m.

Please reach out if you have questions about appeals,

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.

• 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
• January 26: Winter Enrichment Begins
• February: Black History Month
• February 16-20: Mid-Winter Break
• April 2nd: All School Spring Concert
• March 13: Pi Night at STEM
• April 13-17: Spring Break

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)

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 tomorrow for our last tour! SPS Choice School Enrollment ends January 31st. We've hosted tours for prospective new families every Tuesday this month. If you know a family who is interested in STEM and missed previous tours please share our email and we can hopefully find time to show them around: tours@stemk8pta.org. Thank you!

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

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

Show your STEM pride with adult & youth tees + hoodies, available thru this Friday, 1/30!

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 to purchase

• Special Education Support Group - Wednesday, 1/28, 7-8 p.m.: Families and caregivers are invited to join our PTA Special Education Chair Erin Mich (who works in the Distinct pathway at STEM & is a STEM parent!) to talk, listen and meet others. All are welcome! Join the Special Education Support Group Zoom meeting. Qs: sped@stemk8pta.org
• Elementary Dance- Friday, 1/30, 6-8 p.m.: To benefit the 5th grade camp trip to Islandwood!
• Next General PTA Meeting- Thursday, 2/5, 6:30-8 p.m.
• Staff Appreciation- Thursday 2/12: Help celebrate our amazing staff with yummy food and treats! Signup Genius to come. staffappreciation@stemk8pta.org
• Movie Night- Friday, 2/27: Showing My Neighbor Totoro, to benefit the STEM Woodshop!

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

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!

STEM's Lost & Found is full! Please check out the rack just inside the front doors of school- items will be donated soon.

• 10th annual University of WA Introduce a Girl to Engineering Event- Saturday, 2/21, 12:30-4:45 p.m.: Introduce a Girl is an annual STEM outreach event geared towards youth ages 5-15. Students have the opportunity to explore science and technology through a variety of interactive demonstrations and hands-on activities hosted by UW students. This event is free for all participants and is a great way to get youth excited about STEM! Additional info and to register for University of Washington Introduce a Girl to Engineering Event.
• 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.

Current Full Board open positions: Co-Race, Equity & Inclusion Chair, Co-Special Education 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, 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