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Head of School Update

November 21, 2025: Issue #14

Head of SchoolUpdateNovember 21, 2025: Issue #14

From the Office of Art Campbell, Head of School From the Office of Art Campbell, Head of School

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Mr. Art Campbell, Head of School

Ms. Kelly Stauffer, Admin. Asst. to the Head of School


Upcoming Events/No School Days

  • November 10: Immaculata University Dual Enrollment Registration goes LIVE at 7:00 pm (information from Dr. Podell included in this newsletter)
  • November 18: Class of 2027: Winter '26 SAT Prep Registration Opens (This letter was emailed to parents and students. Registration closes on December 19, 2025. Class sizes are limited so sign up early!)
  • November 25: No School for Students/ Parent-Teacher Conferences: Families should have received an email on 11/5 which is also included in this newsletter. The link to sign up opened at 3:00 pm on November 12 and will close at 3:00 pm today, Friday Friday, November 21.
  • November 26-28: No School For Students/Thanksgiving Recess
  • December 3 and 4: Winter Wave Keystone Testing (Algebra 1)


Many events, including college visits for the senior class during the school day, have been added to our STEM Academy website calendar and will be updated throughout the school year.

Parent/Teacher Conferences Parent/Teacher Conferences

🌟Conference scheduling will close today, Friday, November 21 @ 3:00 pm!🌟

We would like to inform you that Parent/Teacher Conferences will be held on Tuesday, November 25 during the following times:


  • 8:00 am -11:00 am
  • 12:30 pm - 3:30 pm
  • 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm


Conferences with your student's teachers will be held in-person but you can request a virtual conference if needed.


  • **If you would like to request a virtual meeting please indicate this by including the words “Virtual” next to the student’s name when you sign up.

As in past years, we will be using the PTC conference system to schedule individual sessions on this day.


The link to schedule conferences went LIVE on Wednesday, November 12 at 3pm, and will close on Friday, November 21 at 3pm.


Please log on to schedule an appointment with your student’s teacher. Teachers will be sharing Google Meet links with parents and guardians once sign-ups are complete if you requested a virtual meeting.


Please click the following link to schedule an appointment PTCFast Conferences Site


If you are unable to schedule a time or have a question that may not require a conference, I encourage you to reach out to the teacher via email so they may assist you. If you any questions, please contact Ms. Schell; mschell@dasd.org.

STEM Academy Class of 2026: Important Reminders STEM Academy Class of 2026: Important Reminders

Have commencement questions or any questions with regards to any of the information below? Please contact Kelly Stauffer.


If you have not yet placed the Cap and Gown Order for your Class of 2026 graduate, please do so asap. While the month of June seems so far away, it will be here before we know it!

Caps/Gowns and Stoles: Each graduate is responsible for purchasing a cap, gown and stole for graduation. The cost of this package is $38.00 including tax. Other items are available for sale as well through the website.

The Cap/Gown Stole orders should be placed as soon as possible to ensure we have the bulk shipment for STEM students delivered after January 1, so that items can be properly prepared for graduation. Once shipped, grad packs will remain at STEM until graduation in June.

  • Online Ordering steps:Go to: Herff Jones SHOP Grad Products Website.
  • Click the Cap and Gown Grad Pack tab (located next to Announcements & Accessories)
  • Choose Basic Cap, Gown, Tassel and Stole Package: $35.85 +tax ($38.00 total)
  • Includes Cap, Gown, Tassel and Silkscreen Stole. Be sure to enter height and weight information that is requested when you clik on the picture of the package. After that information is added, then click add to cart.

Should there be any questions, please contact sbgerhart@herffjones.com


Senior Early Dismissal/Late Arrival Form (Senior Privileges) 25-26: This form grants Early Dismissal/Late Arrival permission for Senior Class students. Students are responsible for printing out this form and obtaining all necessary signatures. Mr. Campbell will provide his signature after all others have been obtained. Once final approval is given, students will receive a notice to come to the office to see Ms. Sokso.


STEM Academy Class of 2026 Senior Class Parking Permit: As a reminder, the parking permit application for the Class of 2026 must be completed by the student using their DASD student email address. For future reference, this information can also be found on our website, under "Backpack."

College visits are being added as they are scheduled and confirmed to the STEM Calendar on our website. These visits are subject to change as colleges change availability. Visits will be scheduled during lunch and learn times, and some seminar dates. If there are any questions, students should check in with the counseling office.


STEM Class of 2026 IB Exam Schedule as of July 30, 2025: Be sure to check for updates throughout the year, as the schedule changes from time to time.

STEM Student Life STEM Student Life

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Ms. Katherine Cole, Dean of Academics & Student Life

Ms. Kaitlin Brinker, Admin. Asst.


Anticipated Advisory Club Dates for 25-26SY: December 2, January 15, February 3, February 20, March 11, March 24, March 30, April 20, May 6, May 22

Another great STEM Pep Rally! Thank you to all of the class advisors, teacherand students for working together to make this another successful event, even with the wind!

STEM Pep Rally 2025
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Some of the moments from the STEM Powderpuff Game last week.

STEM Powderpuff Game 2025
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STEM Class of 2026: Parents Night Out Fundraiser

Parents Night Out: The Senior Class is hosting a Parents Night Out on Friday, December 5th, from 6 to 9 PM. If you have younger siblings or neighbors who you would be interested in attending, please share our infographic! Thank you!

Interested in Ordering a Yearbook?? Interested in Ordering a Yearbook??

Please visit: https://yearbookordercenter.com/job/13813 and enter order code 13813

Any questions? Please contact Ms. Dunn or Ms. Romano.

Upcoming Community Event Upcoming Community Event

Chester County Turkey Trot Thanksgiving day...register here!
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Upcoming Trip Interest Meetings Upcoming Trip Interest Meetings

Summer of 2026 and Summer of 2027 with Ms. Sokira-Smith

Interested in traveling with Ms. Sokira-Smith? Our upcoming international tours are designed to support classroom learning through real-world experiences. Students will engage with history, culture, and local communities across multiple countries.

Summer 2027 tour: www.eftours.com/2931915EC.

Summer 2026 tour: www.eftours.com/2828115DT.

2027 Tour Highlights:
● Explore Wawel Hill and St. Mary’s Church in Kraków
● Discover Budapest’s Castle Hill and soak in the thermal baths
● Walk through Dresden’s historic center
Want to travel sooner? Our 2026 European Quartet tour includes:
● A visit to the European Union buildings in Brussels
● Guided tours of the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, and Arc de Triomphe
● A ride on the London Eye and tour of Westminster Abbey

Enroll by October 24th (tonight) with a $95 Enrollment Fee to receive a $200 discount and receive an additional $100 off if you’re among the first ten to enroll. Raffle alert for the 2027 travel opportunity: If over 10 travelers enroll by October 24th, one student will win $500 toward their tour cost!

Don't want to make monthly payments? You can register with manual payments ($100.00 charge), but that LOCKS in the price and you get the discount special.

EF’s Parent Guide to Travel covers payment plans, academic credit, and what to expect. Fundraising tools and scholarships are available after enrollment. Check EF’s booking conditions here. Questions? EF’s Traveler Support Team is happy to help at 800-665-5364.

For more details please email Ms. Sokira-Smith.

Summer of 2026: The Netherlands, Belgium, France, England

Summer of 2027: Berlin, Prague, Krakow, and Budapest

Summer of 2026 and Summer of 2027 with Ms. Sokira-Smith
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Summer of 2027 Tour of Germany, Switzerland and Italy with Ms. Long

Please contact Ms. Jocelyn Long if you are still interested!


I hope you’re getting excited for our upcoming travel info session about the Summer 2027 tour through Germany, Switzerland, and Italy! Students will explore the BMW Museum, Porsche and Mercedes-Benz Museums, and the Alfa Romeo Museum. They’ll tour a live production facility and walk the Autodromo racetrack, connecting classroom learning to real-world STEM and engineering experiences.


We’re traveling with EF Tours, and they have over 60 years of experience helping students explore the world with confidence. With 24/7 emergency support, trusted local guides, and flexible payment options, this is a secure and well-structured way for students to experience something truly life-changing. We’ll cover all of this at our info session, along with the full itinerary and how to enroll.

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IB Program IB Program

Mr. Michael Sheehan, Dean of Currciulum and Instruction

Ms. Meghan Schell, Administrative Assistant


2025-2026 Program of Study


STEM Class of 2026 IB Exam Schedule as of July 30, 2025: Be sure to check for updates throughout the year, as the schedule changes from time to time.


STEM Academy Class of 2026 IB Fees Letter: Fees have been uploaded to all STEM Academy Senior Class members Payschools accounts. Please contact Ms. Meghan Schell or Mr. Mike Sheehan with any questions.

Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS)/Extended Essay(EE) Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS)/Extended Essay(EE)

Ms. Alyssa Sherlock CAS/EE Supervisor


Senior CAS/Graduation Project Spotlight:

Aidan Moghaddam, Jack Hrzic, Matt Ryan, Abhijay Singh, Mark Duffy, Lola Roberts, Ryner Boone, Liam Ciaciak, and Caleb Moore conducted a mail call for the Honor Flight network of Philadelphia in order to honor veterans. They arranged a day where kids across the STEM academy can come together and write thank you letters to American veterans. These letters are then mailed to Honor Flight Philadelphia in April and will be given to the veterans on their next mission to Washington, DC, where they will be visiting memorials dedicated to their service and sacrifice. These letters and this tour symbolize a token of our appreciation for their brave efforts and the pride our nation holds because of them.


Class of 2026 [Seniors]:

Students continue to upload evidence for their experiences and projects to ManageBac,

December 1st is the last day that Class of 2026 CAS or Graduation Project Proposals can be accepted because the projects must span at least one month/40 hours.


Class of 2027 [Juniors]:

The CAS Plan (“Aims and Goals”) section is due for completion by Dec. 1.

Now that they have a good basis of experiences in ManageBac, they can start to brainstorm collaborative CAS Projects. Once they have a group and plan established, they may complete a CAS Project Proposal Form from Schoology.


Class of 2026 [Seniors]:

Advisors and students have begun meeting to discuss EE Rough Drafts, and fine-tuning the students’ work for the Final Paper that is due February 1. Students have access to the assessment criteria/grading rubric on Schoology, and are encouraged to evaluate their own work, or with a peer.


Class of 2027 [Juniors]:

Students should be narrowing down a subject area, and then coming up with a focused topic of research within that subject. Once this is in place, they can begin researching what information is available to see if it is something they want to pursue.


Internships and Partnerships Internships and Partnerships

Dr. Troy Podell

Downingtown STEM Academy Internships and Partnerships
Supervisor of Teaching & Learning

Ms. Kaitlin Brinker, Admin. Asst.

If you are a parent of a STEM Freshman or Sophomore, and you’d like more information about Dual Enrollment, Internships and Partnerships, or Career Exploration programs, please reach out to Dr. Troy Podell.


As a reminder, all DCCC students will be checking in with Dr. Podell during 5th period of L days in the First Floor Mezzanine.

Immaculata University Dual Enrollment Registration goes LIVE Monday November 10 Immaculata University Dual Enrollment Registration goes LIVE Monday November 10

Greetings Downingtown High School Students and Families,

I hope this message finds you well. Below is the link to access the dual enrollment courses available to Downingtown Area School District students for the Spring 2026 semester at Immaculata University.

I will be hosting a virtual information session about the program on 11/12 at 7PM. The link to attend is here: https://meet.google.com/yeq-sjdh-kqr

The complete list of courses in the program is located here: DASD Immaculata Dual Credit Program. Please remember to only register for Immaculata courses that correspond to your current DASD schedule.

Application and Registration Link: https://admissions.immaculata.edu/register/dualenrollmentDASD

Registration Dates:

• Opens: Monday, November 10, 2025

• Closes: Friday, January 23, 2026, at 11:59 PM

Registration Process Overview:

1. The application page collects basic demographic information and requires a parent’s FERPA acknowledgment.

2. On the second page, students can review and select available courses. Please remember to only register for the Immaculata course(s) that correspond to your current DASD schedule. If you are not enrolled in the DASD class, do not enroll in the IU equivalent.

3. The final page completes registration with payment.

Once registration is complete, new students will receive an email with their MyIU portal username and instructions for setting up their password. Returning students who have previously taken courses with Immaculata should already have access to their MyIU portal. The email will also include Help Desk contact information in case any issues arise.

Please also note the refund policy: a full refund is available if a student withdraws before the course begins. Once a class has started, the Immaculata University withdrawal/drop policy will apply to any withdrawal requests.

Please feel free to reach out to Dr. Podell directly with any questions or concerns.

STEM Class of 2026/LeadX

The initial cohort of participants in the University of Delaware’s LeadX program at STEM are continuing through the first module of the course. Students are engaged in thorough self-examination, seeking to understand themselves before seeking to lead others. Students have identified core values, taken an inventory from the VIA Institute to gauge their strongest character traits, and have reflected on their individual Leadership ‘Why?’ The next module will begin to delve into Leadership Theory, as students prepare to enact an action plan to put theory into practice.

One the primary goals of the STEM Academy, and our district, is to prepare students for a future of their choice. At STEM, we take pride in intentionally cultivating the skills, habits, and dispositions that our partners in industry inform us are integral to success. In addition to integrating this into our classes, we offer our students specific targeted training in partnership with the MidAtlantic Employers Association and this year, Dr. Troy Podell will also be presenting on a variety of topics as noted below.

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STEM Counseling Department STEM Counseling Department

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Ms. Stephanie Rockowitz, Counseling Secretary/Registrar

  • To schedule an appt. to visit your school counselor, please complete the following form: Counseling Appointment Request Form
  • Additional Resources from the STEM Counseling Department


Ms. Jennifer Stull, Prevention Specialist

Guide to Districtwide Mental Health Resources


If you are in need of a work permit, please find the application located in the STEM Back Pack at the bottom of the page under Work Permits. Permits can be obtained in the counseling office. Please be sure to review and provide the necessary documentation listed on the website.


Additional Resources

College App Workshop presentation

Common Date Set Overview

US Dept. of Education College Scorecard

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The DASD High School Counseling Departments hosted "Show Me the Money!", a financial aid evening for students and families that included workshops on FAFSA completion, scholarships, dual enrollment, and other savings strategies.  Slide decks from the night can be accessed on the Counseling Dept's College Resource Drive.
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The DASD High School Counseling Departments hosted "Show Me the Money!", a financial aid evening for students and families that included workshops on FAFSA completion, scholarships, dual enrollment, and other savings strategies. Slide decks from the night can be accessed on the Counseling Dept's College Resource Drive.

PSAT/NMSQT Update for 10th and 11th Grade Students

On Thursday, Nov. 6th, our 10th and 11th grade students who took the PSAT/NMSQT on Oct. 16th will be able to access their score reports. Please note that the score release date is set by College Board and is based on the date our school gave the test.


If your student provided their mobile number on test day or during test set-up, they will receive a text message with access to the BigFuture School mobile app to view their scores. If your student didn’t provide a mobile number, or prefers to access their score report online, they can do so by logging into their College Board account (studentscores.collegeboard.org). Students will need to create an account if they don’t already have one.


The PSAT/NMSQT score can be useful to students in several ways. It gives them valuable practice for the SAT, insight into how to prepare, and opens opportunities for scholarships and recognition. You can read more about these opportunities here: https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt/scores/using-your-score. College Board has also created a helpful video to walk you through accessing scores and how to use them: https://youtu.be/LJEeKZxLjpA?si=9RQXa9F9oWrnXRwG



If your student is not able to view their scores on Nov. 6th, please contact College Board directly at their customer service number (866-630-9305). The most common reason a student is not able to access their score is because they provided an incorrect name and/or birthdate, and College Board is not able to verify their identity. As counselors, we cannot correct this for the student – they need to reach out to College Board to correct the issue.

SAT Prep: Class of 2027 SAT Prep: Class of 2027

SAT Prep
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JUNIORS- The STEM Academy will be offering 6-week SAT Prep Courses for the Class of 2027 this winter. Cost is $60 per course and includes an SAT practice book. Class size is limited so EARLY registration is recommended! Registration will close on December 19, 2025 and families will be notified via email when registration fees are available on PaySchools.

SAT Prep Schedule Winter 2026
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The transcipt request form is now live!  Please allow 10 school days for process your request.
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2026-2027 FAFSA Opened October 1!

The 2026-27 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) is live! This is the first step towards applying for federal, state, and college-based financial aid. Families are encouraged to start their application in early October to ensure all deadlines are met.

See the FAFSA Tip Sheet for details about what documents you need in order to complete.

(HSA) Home and School Association (HSA) Home and School Association

2025- 2026 STEM Academy HSA Board

Co-Presidents: Kerri Roberts and Kelly Sears

Co-Vice Presidents: Heather Steiger and Jennifer Zori

Secretary - Marcie Epstein

Treasurer - Kousalya Alapati


Meetings will be held throughout the school year, on the dates designated below each month in the STEM Academy Knowledge Commons at 7:00 pm, unless otherwise noted.

  • December: No Monthly Meeting
  • January 12, 2026
  • February 9, 2026
  • March 16, 2026
  • April 13, 2026
  • May 11, 2026


🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂


✨ You can always see the full lineup at STEMHSA.org—and trust me, you’ll want to be part

of what’s coming up next.


🌟 Join the HSA Board!

In addition to this great evening of information, we’ll also be holding elections for our

Freshman and Sophomore Parent-at-Large positions on the HSA Board.

If you’ve been thinking about getting more involved or want to help shape the programs

and direction of our Home & School Association, this is a wonderful opportunity to join

the team. We’d love to have your voice and ideas at the table!


🎉🎉Post Prom Trivia Night has been POSTPONED/RESCHEDULED: Due to conflicting events, we have decided to postpone our Trivia Night. The new date will be January 22, 2026! Save the date! We will share information for the event in the future.


🌟Post Prom planning is underway. We need YOUR help!


Can’t make it to planning meetings but still want to be involved? We’d love to have you onboard! Please contact Kate Cloyd at postprom@stemhsa.org so that you can be added to our volunteer list.

Thank you for helping make Post Prom possible for our students!


💖 Annual Family Donation Drive

Our yearly Family Donation Campaign is underway! If you haven’t donated yet, would you consider a one-time suggested gift of $100 per family?


Your generosity directly funds the programs, activities, and events that enrich life at STEM—and your donation is tax deductible.

Every contribution matters and helps minimize (or even eliminate!) the need for additional fundraising later this year. 👉 Make your donation here.


Thank you for your continued support and partnership.

With gratitude,

The Downingtown STEM Academy Home and School Association

STEMHSA.org


Post Prom planning is underway. We need YOUR help!

Can’t make it to planning meetings but still want to be involved? We’d love to have you onboard! Please contact Kate Cloyd at postprom@stemhsa.org so that you can be added to our volunteer list.


Please visit the external STEM HSA website!

DASD Athletics DASD Athletics

All students at STEM are encouraged to participate in athletic programs offered at their home schools.

An activity bus is available for students heading to East to participate daily, and is located in the bus loop at dismissal.

To find more information about what sports are offered at your students’ homeschool, please choose one of the following that links directly to the correct Athletics page:

Downingtown East High School Athletics

Downingtown East High School Athletics Schedule

AND

Downingtown West High School Athletics

Downingtown West High School Athletics Schedule

🎵Downingtown Music Parents Association (DHS-MPA) Weekly Update 🎵Downingtown Music Parents Association (DHS-MPA) Weekly Update

What is the DHS-MPA?

The DHS-MPA is made up of parents and guardians of students involved in any of the Downingtown High School music programs, including Marching Bands, Concert Band, Symphonic Band and ensembles, String Orchestra and ensembles, Vocal Choirs and ensembles, Indoor Drumline, and Color Guard. Our mission is to provide program support to maintain the existence and the integrity of the music programs at all of the Downingtown High Schools, including the Downingtown East Campus, the Downingtown West Campus and the STEM Academy. In the 2024-2025 year we supported over 650 music students!

Recent News

🎉🥁 Congratulations to Downingtown East & West Marching Bands! 🥁🎉

A huge round of applause to both Downingtown East and Downingtown West Marching Bands for their outstanding performances at the USBands Open Class Championships at MetLife Stadium!

🥈 🌟 Downingtown West earned a Silver Placement with a phenomenal score of 97.350 — their highest of the season and the program’s highest in the past 9 years! A remarkable milestone for the Whippets! 💙🥁

🔥 Downingtown East delivered an incredible performance as well, scoring 87.900 and proudly representing Cougar Nation with excellence, spirit, and artistry! ❤️🎶


We are so proud of the dedication, passion, and talent shown by both ensembles — you continue to make Downingtown shine! 👏🎺✨

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🛍️🎶 Support & Shop Local at the West Indoor Percussion Craft Fair! 🎶🛍️

Join us tomorrow, November 22 from 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM at Downingtown West High School for the annual Fall Craft Fair hosted by Downingtown West Indoor Percussion!

Browse 40+ local vendors, unique handmade gifts, treats, and more — plus, be sure to check out tables featuring talented DASD students and teachers showcasing their own creative work!

Every purchase directly supports our student musicians and helps keep this incredible program thriving. 💙🥁✨


Come shop, explore, and show your Whippet pride!

Downingtown West HS Indooe Percussion Annual Craft Fair November 22 11:00 am - 4:00 pm in the West Cafeteria.
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🤝MPA Sponsorships / Community Business Partnerships

The MPA is still open for local business sponsorships to help support our music programs for the 2025–2026 season.

As a thank-you for your support, we’ve created a Sponsorship Benefit Program that promotes your business and services not only to our band community but to the entire school district.

🔗 Sponsorship Details

✅ Sign up as a sponsor

Music Program Reminders & News

East Band

  • 📅 East Band Calendar

West Band

  • 📅 West Band Calendar

💵 Current MPA Fundraiser

  • The profit for every purchase you make goes directly to the association and the funds are used to support the music programs in Downingtown East, Downingtown West and the STEM Academy.
  • Krispy Kreme Doughnuts DSF Fundraiser - ORDER HERE
  • Charleston Wrap Fundraiser - Order by Dec 8 to get everything in time for the Holidays! CLICK HERE TO ORDER
  • Wawa Shorti Coupons – $5 each, never expire

📩 Contact Cheryl Wendt (East) or Tina Ayala (West of STEM) or email DHSMPA.waysmeans@outlook.com

📢 Volunteer Opportunities

  • Concession Stands – Sign up and join us! Training is provided by seasoned volunteers. Any student 12+yr can volunteer and earn volunteer credit hours. Anyone can volunteer in concessions at any game hosted by a D'town “home” high school. The best part? All of the funds go right back to support every student in every music program, no matter which school is hosting. 🎶 SIGN UP HERE

  • SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER

Go to https://dhsmpa.membershiptoolkit.com/volunteer/105706 to sign up
For non-band members who want to volunteer email dhs.mpa.volunteers@gmail.com
PLEASE NOTE: Student volunteers are welcome and hours can be used toward NHS/NJHS service hours.

🎵 LEARN MORE ABOUT THE MPA AND WHAT WE DO

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Campus Safety Reminders: Code of Conduct, Parking Permits, Traffic, Buses Campus Safety Reminders: Code of Conduct, Parking Permits, Traffic, Buses

Traffic: Please review the student pick up and drop off procedures located under School Day on our Website. Please allow enough time for traveling to school in the morning.


School Safety: Safety and Discipline are an essential component to any school. Students and parents are required to read the bullet points below as you will be held responsible for following school and school district policies.

All students are required to follow all school and district policies and procedures.


  • Student Code of Conduct Policy- please review prior to the start of school.
  • Student Rights and Responsibility- please review prior to the start of school.


Student Drop Off

Please be reminded that students are to be dropped off behind the school. No students should be dropped off on Manor Ave. We appreciate your cooperation. Safety is always our first priority.


Also for the safety of all students and staff crossing back and forth during lunch time, the entrance to the STEM Academy on Campbell Drive will be closed during all lunch times for the remainder of the school year. Please use the West entrance to access the campus during that time.


Traffic:

Parents are not permitted to park, drop-off, or pick-up students from the left side of the Academy or on Manor Avenue.

  • All parent pick-up vehicles must enter from Manor Avenue on the right side of the building (Campbell Drive). Parents will be directed by the traffic guard to loop around the building in order to pickup students.
  • Bus pick-up for students from the Downingtown East High School attendance area will be along the fence that faces Kottmeyer Stadium. Bus pick-up for students from the Downingtown West High School attendance area will be at Downingtown West High School and Downingtown Middle School. Students will then walk to the Academy.
  • Please make sure students are prepared for inclement weather. Parents are not permitted to park, drop-off, or pick-up students from the left side of the Academy or on Manor Avenue.
  • For the safety of our students, it is essential that all drivers adhere to traffic patterns and regulations

Please review the student pick up and drop off procedures located under School Day on our Website.


Bus Passes are for Emergency use only. All bus rosters are full and only in the event of an emergency will a student be allowed to ride a different bus home. The request for a bus pass should come to the main office and will need approval from Mr. Campbell.


The 25-26 Parking Permit application opened for the Senior Class on Monday, August 4, and for the Junior Class on Monday, August 11. Please be reminded that students should use their DASD student email address to apply, as the permit is issued to the student driving the car on campus. Information regading parking permits can be found on our website in the Backpack. Any student that purchased a parking permit should make plans to pick up in the main office after school. Students will not be ticketed during the first two weeks of school, but should make every effort to pick up their permit as soon as possible. We are not able to issue a parking permit in the morning, before school begins. Thank you for understanding.


Permit Pickup Requirements:


  • All obligations listed in Payschools must be paid and up to date.

  • Seniors: Must have IB Fee 1 and 2 cleared.

  • All outstanding physical forms must be turned in.

  • Students should bring their valid drivers' license, car insurance and registration form when picking up the permit.

Attendance Reminders, Volunteer Requirements, etc. Attendance Reminders, Volunteer Requirements, etc.

Early Dismissals, Excuse Notes and Educational Trip Forms: Emails can be sent to stemattendance@dasd.org for any student requiring an early dismissal or in the event that your student was absent for any reason. Students should report to the office in the morning to pick up their early dismissal slip to show their teacher and should check out in the main office prior to exiting the building. Students should not leave out of any door other than the main office. Excuse notes should also be emailed to stemattendance@dasd.org. If your student will be missing school for a family trip please be sure to fill out the family trip form ahead of time. Request Form for Educational and Family Trips. All notes will be processed by Ms. Sokso, attendance secretary.


If a student is sent home by Mrs. Mikulich, our school nurse, they will be dismissed through the main office as well. If a student is feeling ill they should ask their teacher if they may go to the nurse and the nurse will assist in next steps. Parents, please do not allow your student to text or call you to come get them and then pick them up and leave. Please tell them to go to the nurse and the nurse will be in contact or please call the school to let us know your child isn’t feeling well. This is extremely important for student safety and accountability. If there are any questions, please reach out to Ms. Mikulich.


Arriving at School on Time: We have a lot of work to do each day with our STEM Academy students. Therefore, it is critical for students to arrive on time whether they are riding with a family member, friend, or driving themselves to school. The school day begins promptly at 8:00 am. Students are expected to be in their classroom by 8:00 am each morning in order to maximize their experience with us. We will be lenient the first week but students driving or obtaining a ride are expected to be to school on time. If students ride the bus and their bus arrives late, they will not be marked late due to a late arrival of the bus.


Traffic: Please review the student pick up and drop off procedures located under School Day on our Website. Please allow enough time for traveling to school in the morning.


School Safety: Safety and Discipline are an essential component to any school. Students and parents are required to read the bullet points below as you will be held responsible for following school and school district policies.

All students are required to follow all school and district policies and procedures.


  • Student Code of Conduct Policy- please review prior to the start of school.
  • Student Rights and Responsibility- please review prior to the start of school.


Volunteers: We would like to welcome volunteers throughout the school year. Please take a moment to review the Volunteer Requirements. The Annual DASD Volunteer Disclosure Form should be completed and returned each school year. All volunteer clearances and forms can be emailed to Kstauffer@dasd.org.

From the School Nurse From the School Nurse

  • Medication: If your child requires prescription or non-prescription medication this school year, please complete the Authorization for Medication and bring in both the completed form and medication. This form can also be accessed on the DASD website. Your child’s physician may also use their own form for medication administration.

    Epinephrine Auto Injector and Nasal Epinephrine: Nasal Epinephrine/Neffy is currently only approved for licensed personnel (nurses) to administer in school and students may not self-carry/self-administer this medication in school or on field trips. Please request your child’s physician to prescribe an auto-injector for school.

    Immunizations: Please review your child's immunization information via Infinite Campus Parent Portal. Accessed via MORE > HEALTH > IMMUNIZATIONS. If your child has non-compliant immunizations, please provide updated immunization documentation or an updated immunization exemption to the school nurse at jmikulich@dasd.org

  • Please contact Ms. Jennifer Mikulich with any questions or concerns.

Important Links for Parents & Students Important Links for Parents & Students

Useful Links For Parents & Students
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    • 2025-2026 School Year

      The DASD 2025-2026 was board approved on Wednesday, January 2025.. Please review the school start times as shared on the district website and noted below:

      The schedule for the 2025-2026 school year is as follows:


      • Elementary (Grades K-6): 9:00 a.m.-3:35 p.m.
      • Secondary (Grades 7-12): 8:00 a.m.-2:45 p.m.

    • Infinite Campus: Student schedules, report cards, and access to updating the annual registration verification can be accessed here.
    • Payschools: All Activity, Technology and Food services fees can be paid quickly and easily in this portal. (All parking permit fees should now be showing in student accounts.)
    • Schoology: Many courses and classes are updated daily. This is a very important tool for communicating!
    • Service Desk: Technology support can be accessed here.
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Downingtown STEM Academy

The Downingtown STEM Academy is the third high school in the Downingtown Area School District. The STEM Academy opened in the fall of 2011 at 335 Manor Avenue, Downingtown, PA 19335.

The Academy is an IB World School offering every student the opportunity to earn an IB Diploma. The curriculum offers Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Pathways. Students are engaged in rigorous, challenging academic work that requires a mindset of growth and effort.

Email: stinfo@dasd.org
Website: https://st.dasd.org/
Location: 335 Manor Avenue, Downingtown, PA, USA
Phone: 610-269-2420

Kelly Stauffer
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