STEM Owl Post

Thanks to everyone that has been sending in shout outs to celebrate STEM staff members. If you have something positive you want to share about our staff, send it to me or use the form linked below and I will make sure it gets to the staff. I know they appreciate it.

STEM Staff Shout Outs

Creating strong collaborative practices amongst staff is one of our big goals this year. Our staff just finished their first professional learning communities (PLC) cycle. Our goals were to strengthen our practices around planning together, agreeing upon the most important things that students should learn, and determining how to assess students along the way. Once those things are in place, teachers and staff collaborate with one another on how to create interventions to support students that need a little extra help as well as extend learning for students that already understand the content. On Dec. 10, we will wrap up and reflect on what students learned and position ourselves for another PLC cycle.

There is always something to o at STEM! Here are some of the upcoming and exciting events: Kindergarten is taking a field trip to the zoo. Our school's drama club is presenting Orpheus and Eurydice to a sold out audience on Tuesday. 5th grade team and PTA are hosting a movie night to pay for the 5th grade field trip to Islandwood. Thank you to everyone for all of the support to keep events like these happening.

Have a great week!

Adrienne

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.

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.

Virtual Outreach Events

Links will be provided soon.

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

Districtwide Enrollment Events

• Annual Enrollment Fair at JSCEE
  Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
  Learn about schools, programs, and services across the district.
• Saturday Registration Fair
  Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, from 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!

Recently, President Trump made public statements that were disrespectful and harmful toward Somali immigrants and the nation of Somalia. We want our Somali families to hear directly from us: his rhetoric does not represent our school or our ideals. You belong here and are valued members of our STEM community. We are grateful for the culture, wisdom, and strength you bring. Your children enrich our classrooms, and our school would not be complete without them or you.

Fariin Ku Qoran Af-Somali

Waxaan ognahay in Madaxweynihii hore Trump uu sheegay hadallo dhaawacaya dadka Soomaaliyeed. Waxaan rabnaa in ardaydeena iyo qoysaskeenna Soomaaliyeed ay tan naga maqlaan: halkan waad ku soo dhow tihiin, waad muhiim u tihiin dugsigeenna, aadna ayaan ugu faraxsanahay inaad qayb ka tihiin bulshadeenna. STEM sida ay maanta tahay ma ahaan lahayn idinka la’aantiin. Iyadoo aanay jirin bulshada Soomaaliyeed, waxaan ahaan lahayn wax ka yar waxa aan nahay. Waxaad dugsigeenna ka dhigtaan mid xooggan, aad ayaana idiinku qiimeynaa.

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.

• 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

• Dec. 9: Orpheus and Eurydice - a drama club production: 5 p.m. Sold Out!
• Dec. 12: PTA Movie Night, showing KPop Demon Hunters!, 6 p.m.
• Dec. 16: Staff Appreciation
• Dec. 18: PTA Meeting, 6:30-8 p.m. Zoom and in STEM Library
• Dec. 19: 1-hr early dismissal
• Dec. 22-Jan. 2: Winter Break
• Jan. 22: PBL Night
• Jan. 10: SPS Enrollment Fair

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)

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!

Details on donation items needed.

Thank you!

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

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

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.

🌳See here for additional info and to purchase.

We have the most amazing staff in the land! Help us to celebrate these incredible humans with yummy food and treats for our Winter Staff Appreciation!!

* Please see here for additional info and to sign up to help make this event awesome! *

Questions: staffappreciation@stemk8pta.org

SPS Choice School Enrollment period is one month earlier this year: January 5-31. We're excited to announce 5 opportunities for prospective new families to visit and learn more about what makes STEM so special! Current families play an important role in helping to share this process and our school within the greater community- help us by sharing your personal experiences and promoting STEM throughout the Seattle and greater Seattle area!

Please see here for opportunities to help with our many Enrollment events in January!

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

Middle School (6-8) – Tuesdays, January 13 & January 27 at 9 a.m.

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

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

• December Movie Night- Friday 12/12 at 6 p.m.: To benefit the Spring 5th grade camp field trip to Islandwood, showing KPop Demon Hunters! Additional info about Islandwood fundraiser.
• Staff Appreciation- Tuesday 12/16: 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 *

Current Full Board open positions: Co-Race, Equity & Inclusion, 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. Contact our Site Director, Anna Hofmann, at ahofmann@seattleymca.org for more information

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