STEM

Eid Mubarak!

We are well into March! That means that we are very much in the middle of this year but are also starting to share plans for next year. Lee Chin Chua, or school's multilingual teacher, will be retiring at the end of the year. Her commitment to students and to STEM have been apparent in all the spaces where she supports. Thank you Lee Chin! Another shift: With our approved budget, the school decided to use funding provided to K3 teachers to create an intervention position. This week, a team of three staff came together and interviewed interested STEM staff. Heidi Trudel, one of our Second Grade teachers, will be moving into that position next year. Heidi has been at STEM for 7 years and a teacher for 25. I am excited to partner with her and support students.

Below you will see a letter from Andrea Stowell, our assistant principal. She won't be with us next year. Stowell has been consistent, fair, action oriented, organized, and such a pleasure to work with. I am grateful to have had this year to spend on a team with her as I believe she made me look at things differently and made sure I was doing what was best for students and staff. With that in mind, we will begin the assistant principal search soon. Look out for more information on that.

Like I said, it's a strange time of year. Thoughts of next year are rising to the surface and we still have a lot of amazing experiences and learning ahead of us. As we all get comfortable with the school rhythm and routines, we are reminding students to be kind to themselves and one another. Middle School will be starting a bullying (or better put: anti-bullying) unit next week to make sure students have clear expectations around how we treat one another. During our early release professional development day, some of that time will be spent on reviewing social emotional practices that staff can use in classrooms. A school goal is that all students feel safe when they come to school. We will continue to work together to make sure that they all do.

(Picture above is from Ms. Morgan's class of famous pilot Amelia Earhart-Thank you Ms. Morgan's class!).

I hope you have a good week!

Adrienne/Ms. O

Hello STEM Community,

As you know, it’s budgeting season, a stressful yet hopeful time for all of us. I’m excited to see that STEM will receive more support next year!

My goal this year has been to build relationships and help both staff and students feel supported at school. Two of my fondest memories are watching our community come together to support our middle school girls' soccer team and basketball team during their championship games. It has brought me so much joy to see how connected our staff is with the community.

After careful consideration, I have decided not to return for the 2026-2027 school year. This was not an easy decision, but I know STEM is in great hands moving forward. Over the coming months, I remain fully committed to this community and to supporting a smooth transition.

Best,

Andrea Stowell

Yuen Lui Studio will photograph class group photos at Louisa Boren STEM K-8, Thursday, April 2, 2026

• Students who are present at the time of their group photo will be pictured in their class group photos; students who are absent at the time of their photo will be listed as not pictured.

• There is no need to order at this time. Anyone who placed a portrait order will receive one 8x10 class group print at no charge. We will share a link to order class group prints after the images are processed for anyone who would like to order class group images.

SPS Seattle Preschool Program, Head Start, and Developmental Preschool Programs are accepting applications for the 2026-27 school year starting on Monday, March 16. SPS Preschool programs provide high-quality, evidence-based early childhood education for 3- and 4-year-old students.

Please see the Preschool Locations Map for SPS preschool programs offered near your home. You may be able to apply for a preschool classroom in your child’s elementary school! Families with 3- and 4-year-olds can visit the Early Learning website to learn more and apply.

Click on the preschool program links below for more information, program contacts, and how to apply.

Seattle Preschool Program

In collaboration with the City of Seattle, the Seattle Preschool Program offers high-quality, affordable preschool to all of Seattle’s 3- and 4-year-old children on a sliding tuition scale. Applications submitted between March 16 – April 15 receive priority enrollment. Please direct families to the City of Seattle preschool@seattle.gov or 206-386-1050 with questions on application. Language support is available.

Head Start Preschool Program

Head Start is a federally funded child development program for income eligible children and their families. The Head Start programs in Seattle Public Schools offer preschool curriculum, family services and education, and transportation. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis for eligible families

Developmental Preschool Peer Program

Seattle Public Schools offers half-day preschool classrooms that include peer models and students with IEPs. Peer spots are free, and enrollment is ongoing throughout the year. Contact schools directly for more information or visit Early Childhood Special Education preschool peer information to learn more.

Preschool brochures and flyers can be accessed by school staff to share with interested families.

Contact: Tisha Crumley, ticrumley@seattleschools.org

STEM will be holding their career day on Friday, April 10 beginning at 8:30 a.m.. 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 !

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:

• What to Say to Kids About ICE
• What To Do if You're Worried About ICE (for kids)
• What Deaf and Hard of Hearing People Need to Know About ICE
• Step by Step Family Preparedness Plan

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

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!

• April 1, 6-7 p.m.: Read-A-Thon Kick-off at the SW Library, details below!
• April 1-24: Read-A-Thon
• April 2: All School Spring Concert
• April 10: Career Day
• April 13-17: Spring Break

SPS School Calendar

STEM 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.

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

Join us Friday, March 27, 6 p.m. for the Lego Movie! All proceeds from Movie Night will go towards ensuring all of our 8th graders have the opportunity to participate in their annual camp trip to NatureBridge. $5-10 suggested donation for entry + snacks. If you are unable to attend Movie Night and would still like to support the 8th grade trip, you can do so!

• We're excited to bring back our big Spring fundraiser, Read-A-Thon! This is an opportunity for family and friends to support students individual and collective reading goals, while fundraising for the STEM PTA! We’ll work together to reach an all-school minutes read goal, last year we accomplished 100,000 minutes, so this year our goal is 110K, we can do it!! R-A-T will run from April 1-24, registration details will be sent home this week! Learn more about the many ways our PTA budget supports STEM.
• Join us to Kick-off Read-A-Thon at the Southwest Library Branch April 1, 6-7 p.m.! Story time with special guest readers, cookies, milk, hot cocoa and all the details about R-A-T. PJs + stuffies invited too! See here for opportunities to help with our Kick-off event!
• We're looking for community help to gather minutes read prizes! Please reach out to rojine@stemk8pta.org to join these efforts.
• Please reach out to executiveboard@stemk8pta.org for questions or to join the R-A-T team.

We're looking for participants for our annual Budget Committee to help structure the PTA's financial support for STEM for the '26-27 school year. Meetings will take place in March/April with a 3-5 hour total estimated commitment. Please reach out to treasurer@stemk8pta.org for questions or interest!

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.

• General PTA Meeting- THUR 4/9, 6:30-8 p.m.: Engage in important discussions, receive PTA & school updates and help to plan out the remainder of the school year! Join the General PTA Meeting via Zoom.

• Movie Night- FRI 4/24, 6 p.m.: Showing the live action Matilda, to benefit Read-A-Thon! Join us to celebrate our school’s reading accomplishments on the last day of our big Spring fundraiser. $5-10 suggested donation for entry + snacks.

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

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 Board positions for the `26-27 school year: Treasurer, Co-Treasurer, Secretary & Movie Nights Coordinator.

Please reach out to executiveboard@stemk8pta.org for additional info on these roles or with interest!

Udated 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

• Seattle Special Education PTSA presents Dr. Ross Greene on Collaborative Problem Solving- May 13, 6-8 p.m.: Dr. Ross Greene, renowned child psychologist and author, will be presenting on Collaborative Problem Solving. This session will focus on Seattle-specific implementation strategies designed to support children in schools and at home.

STEM partners with the YMCA to provide an on-site before and after school program. Additional YMCA Before & After STEM 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