October 27th Owl Post

This week our staff came together for our monthly Race and Equity Team staff meeting. One area we are trying to focus on is increasing communication from school to home. The school district. provides us several platforms to be able to communicate: Talking Points (messages from teachers and school community to your phone), Smores (these newsletters), The Source (Access to student's gradebook, attendance, and testing data).

We want to make sure that you have access to these tools. There will be a workshop for families on November 13th, from 5:30-6 p.m.. That is before the beginning of Culture Night. If you have any questions about accessing these resources before then, or you cannot attend the workshop, please reach out to teachers, the front office, or me.

I want to thank everyone that has volunteered, donated to Direct Give and/or attended a PTA/school event. Our teachers provide a lot of unique experiences for students and one of the reasons we can do that is because of the generous support from all of you. In prior years, there was State funding to support outdoor education and it has been left out of the budget. Our school prioritizes sending 5th and 8th grade students to camp (Research shows that students who participate in outdoor educational activities are more likely to graduate, are better behaved in school, and have improved relationships with their peers). Thank you to everyone that volunteers and pitches in to make this a school that supports what we are trying to do: Grow 21st Century readiness in a community that values equity, sustainability, and the whole child * Develop rigorous STREAM skills to ask and answer audacious questions *Use Project Based Learning to tackle real world challenges.​

Every week I send out an Owl Post and a staff bulletin. In our staff bulletin, there is a chance for staff to celebrate one another by selecting a staff member they want to celebrate. Reading the compliments that staff share with one another is one of many highlights in my week. Recognize a teacher or staff member!

Updates on the online menu calendar are taking place. The meals that are served at school may not be what is shared on the menu. All students at STEM receive one free breakfast and lunch per day.

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

Middle School Families! A great way to have a window into your child's experience is by logging into The Source. Last week, I signed in and saw that my son had a C in Language Arts. I was able to look at his teacher's grade book and see that he hadn't turned in all of his assignments. Together, we are working to improve his grade. It is important that parents have access to this information. Currently, only 50 middle school families have signed onto this platform. At 5:30 on November 13th (before Culture Night), I will be hosting a Source workshop. We will have laptops and I will be able to access your login information. I have a goal of making sure that all families access this tool by the end of the school year. More information about The Source below.

The Source is Seattle Public Schools’ online communication tool that allows parents, guardians and students access to schedules, attendance, assessment scores, and more. RIght now, less than half of our Middle School families have signed on to The Source this year.

Below are some links to some tutorials about The Source.

• Learn more about features in The Source
• How to View Grades and Attendance for Secondary Students
• How to View Attendance for Elementary Students

Sign up to bring a dish to share and serve at Cultural Night here!

Ms. Sawade’s CTE class is diving into 3D design, and we’re looking for volunteers with experience running 3D printers to help bring student projects to life! The printers take some finesse, lots of calibrating and readjusting, so we’re hoping to find someone who already knows their way around the process. While she’s starting with her CTE classes, her goal is to eventually have all of her classes (K-8) 3D printing and even learning to run the machines themselves. If you (or someone you know) has experience and would like to help, we’d love to hear from you!

Contact Ms. Sawade jlsawade@seattleschools.org

Week of 11-25: No school- Parent Teacher Conferences

Link to SPS School Calendar

The week of November 24, there will be no school. Teachers will be meeting with families to discuss student progress on the 24 and 25 of November. Be on the lookout for an invite from your teacher. Our goal at STEM is to meet with every family. Parents are a child's first teacher and we couldn't do what we do without the support of you and our greater community. If you do not hear from the school about scheduling a time to meet by the 10 of November, reach out to the front office so we can make sure we have the correct contact information.

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.

School Supplies at STEM

Instead of having families purchase school supplies for children, we ask that families contribute to our school supply budget. Our request is for $55 contributions for families that are able. Purchase supplies by signing onto the Source and going to SchoolPay.

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.

All October long, help our neighbors stay warm & healthy this winter by donating:

• New/Gently Used: Coats & jackets, hats, scarves, sweaters, socks, and blankets
• NEW: Hygiene products, underwear, and first-aid kits
• OR shop our charity wishlist

Drop off location: UHeights: 5031 University Way, Seattle, WA 98105

Schedule a drop-off with our team at info@uheightscenter.org or (206) 556-2494.

Get Warm Winter Geat

When: Sunday, November 2, 2025, 10 a.m.-1 p. m.

Where: University Heights Center, South Parking Lot, 5031 University Way, Seattle, WA 98105

What: Stop by the University Heights Center to pick up free winter essentials, including jackets, coats, hats, scarves, sweaters, socks, thermals, blankets, hygiene products, and first-aid kits. You can also get free on-site haircuts and basic health care, plus connections to other community resources.

Our Fall Fundraiser is going on Now thru This Friday 10/31, and we've raised almost $13K of our $30K goal for STEM! Direct Give is a opportunity for family and friends to support student(s) they know, locally or from afar. Donors are not being asked to purchase anything- just contribute to the many ways our PTA supports STEM!

📣 Exciting News: We have a community member who will match up to $20K! That means every donation is doubled up to $20K!!

💌 Donation Request Letter students can send to their friends and family

Many employers have an Employee Match Program! Check with your management for details and reach out to treasurer@stemk8pta.org with any questions.

STEM PTA funds directly support our school in many ways: project based learning, enrichment, field trips, building safety efforts, Library, Art & CTE, clubs, sports, committees, professional development opportunities for teachers and staff, community events, staff appreciation and More!

• STEM Day @ Ounces- Sat 11/8, 2-5 p.m.: Tables of STEM activities hosted by STEM parents with Girls Rock Math joining us too! Kids can explore all the STEM fun while parents and caregivers get the opportunity to hang out, % of sales donated back to the PTA by local partner Ounces! Brought to you by the STEM PTA and 3rd grade.
• November General PTA Meeting- Thur 11/20, 6:30-8 p.m.: All are welcome to discuss the year and participate in important discussions that help shape our school support! Meetings are in the STEM Library or via Zoom. Join the Zoom meeting. Hope to see you there! executiveboard@stemk8pta.org
• November Movie Night- Thur 11/20 @ 6 p.m.: Stay tuned for more details!

* View our up-to-date calendar *

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.

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 and MORE!

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

Ultimate Schedule (so far)

Sat, 11 Oct 2025 12:15 p.m., Ingraham High school

Soccer
11/1 -12:30 p.m., Madison vs TOPS
11/8 - 9:30 a.m., Madison vs Pathfinder

STEM partners with the YMCA to provide an on-site before and after school program. Additional YMCA before and after care 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 Shaugnhessy mrshaughness@seattleschools.org

School Social Worker: Dana Fink dmfink@seattleschools.org