STEM Head of School Update
December 23, 2022, Issue 18
From the Office of Art Campbell, Head of School
Mr. Art Campbell, Head of School
Ms. Kelly Stauffer, Admin. Asst. to the Head of School
Winter break will begin at the end of the school day today, and school will resume on Tuesday, January 3, 2023. On behalf of all of the teachers and staff, I would like to wish everyone a great winter break.
On behalf of Dr. Justin Staub, I would like to take a moment to congratulate the team of 145 STEM students that competed at Albright College in their first round of the DECA competitive season. Across 27 different events, we had a total of 103 students qualify for the state competition. In the 27 different events, STEM won first in 24 first place awards, 18 second place awards, and 18 third place awards. Many others qualified for states by winning fourth, fifth, or sixth.
If you want a more overwhelming account to see where particular students placed, please see this spreadsheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1GoA-GGPN7nlc7BMXbEmlDNHIF3QgdRMf4GP_rNKgwd8/edit?usp=sharing
The next DECA competition is Feb 22-24 in Hershey, PA.
Internships & Partnerships: Speakers in the Classroom: Det. Trautman and Officer Coyle from the Dowingtown Police Dept.
Detective Trautman and Officer Kevin Coyle from the Downingtown Police Department were recently invited in to speak to the Senior Forensics Pathways class. STEM Teacher Summer Perez, wanted to be sure that her students could hear from the local experts about forensics! The officers shared their forensic techniques used in law enforcement, their career paths, and cases they’ve worked on, all that were solved with the help of forensics.
Students were also given advice on how to pursue a forensics or a law enforcement career. Students were showed photos of crime scenes while learning how they were processed. The students were especially intrigued by how cases were solved and appreciated the real life application of what is learned in Ms. Perez’s class.
Student Life
On Monday, December 19th, our wonderful STEM HSA served hot cocoa, cookies, candy canes and more for our students at our annual Winter Fest! Students were given the opportunity to relax, bond with their advisory classmates, and enjoy their tasty treats.
Senior Class Tribute - Order Deadline Extension
Job # 13813
Last day to Order is January 13th!
Contact Ms. Jocelyn Long, or Ms. Janette Romano with any questions.
Addtional IB Updates
Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS) Updates
Senior CAS/Graduation Project Spotlight:
Meghaa Gobi, Avneet Sidhu, Grace Pothen, and Alexis Montgomery have been cleaning, organizing, and rearranging the DHS West band room since the summer and throughout senior year. This cleaning includes sweeping, mopping, dusting and wiping shelves, vacuuming and reassigning instrument lockers, clearing out unused and broken instruments, moving the old props for marching band and indoor percussion/guard shows, and cleaning out all three of the closets that the band room contains (drums, color guard, and uniforms).
Class of 2023 [Seniors]:
Seniors continue to upload evidence and reflections for CAS to ManageBac, and those working on Graduation Projects should have started on their presentation slides.
Class of 2024 [Juniors]:
Juniors should have an overall CAS Plan in place by Jan 3, summarizing what they will do for Creativity, Activity, and Service (“Aims and Goals”). Students should also be working with their peers to organize and plan CAS Projects.Extended Essay (EE)
Class of 2023 [Seniors]:
Between Schoology resources and time to meet with their EE Advisor, Seniors have everything they need to write the final version of their Extended Essay by the end of January.
Class of 2024 [Juniors]:
Juniors should select an EE subject from the drop-down menu in ManageBac for Jan. 3 and read the IB guide and exemplars for that subject on Schoology. Students can keep track of research sources by adding them under the “Researcher’s Reflection Space” tab.
Student Life Reminders
Ms. Katherine Cole,Dean of Academics & Student Life
Ms. Cory Butler, Admin. Asst
Family Trip Approvals
Please be reminded that if you are planning a family trip, be sure to complete the Request Form for Educational and Family Trips, no less than 2 weeks prior to the request and return to stemattendance@dasd.org for approval.
Reminder for those with Senior Privileges
- You MUST sign in at the main office when you arrive to school, and out prior to leaving for the day.
- You should enter through the main office.
- You must have completed the Early Dismissal/Late Arrival Permission form for Seniors
- Once approved, you will receive a message to see Ms. Sokso in the main office.
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
STEM Counseling Department
STEM Academy Counselors:
All counselors see students in grades 9-12.
Ms. Mary Wallin: Last names A-C
Mr. David Stratton: Last names D-Kl
Ms. Kellie McGavin-Wiedlich : Last names Ko- Ra
Ms. Leanne Glowik : Last names Re-Z
Ms. Stephanie Rockowitz, Counseling Secretary/Registrar
Ms. Jennifer Stull, Prevention Specialist
Guide to Districtwide Mental Health Resources
Winter SAT Prep Course: STEM Academy Class of 2024
- On Dec. 5th, students across the state of PA will be able to log into College Board and view the results of the Oct. 2022 PSAT/NMSQT. The Counseling Department created the following video as an overview of this process and how to use your results. 11th grade students were shown this video during Advisory on 11/30/22: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Fux4AAcgqeAQmZNtzS_AR5LVmVXJWH7K/view?usp=sharing
- The STEM Academy will once again offer SAT Prep Courses for junior students who are planning to take the Spring SAT. The course will prepare students for the mathematics and/or reading sections of the SAT. Attached, you will find specifics about the prep course in addition to registration information. For scheduling purposes, all winter SAT Prep courses will be held in an in-person format and after school hours. We encourage your child to sign up by December 19 , 2022. Any questions about the prep course or for more information please contact Ms. McGavin-Wiedlich in the Counseling Department via email at kmcgavin-wiedlich@dasd.org.
- SAT-ACT-PSAT Prep Courses are available. There are session dates available throughout the fall and winter. Please email pschmidt@prepareforthesat.com
- STEM Academy 11th Grade College Night – after a three year hiatus, we are bringing back our very own college night on Wed, Feb. 15th. 11th grade parents and students are invited to attend this informative session which will include a presentation from your school counselors and a panel discussion with several colleges including Penn State, Drexel, and Quinnipiac University. More information to come in the new year!
From the Nurse
- Online Registration: Please remember to complete the Online Registration for your child(ren). This will provide me with updated health information as well as give permission for over the counter medication this school year. Go to Infinite Campus Parent Portal to complete the process.
- Medication: Students are only permitted to carry emergency medication (Epinephrine, Asthma inhalers, and diabetes medication). Any medication to be administered during the school day, should follow our current medication policy (attach board policy) and complete the authorization for medication administration
- Please contact Ms. Jennifer Mikulich with any questions or concerns.
Important Attendance information
Ms. Dana Sokso: Attendance Secretary DASD STEM Academy
Please help us in reminding your student of the following:
- Whether your student is arriving late to school, has Senior Privileges, or has a parent note to leave early, they must sign in/out of the main office for attendance.
- All attendance inquiries throughout the school year can be directed to stemattendance@dasd.org
- Students should scan the QR Codes located outside the main office, and then upload their notes for Absence, Tardiness, and Trips.
- Please review the attendance policy in the Student Code of Conduct: Upon 3 unlawful offenses a written notification will be sent to parent; upon 6 unlawful absences, a 2nd notification will be sent, and a School Attendance improvement plan meeting will be required.
- If you are planning a family trip, please be sure to turn in the Request Form for Educational and Family Trips, no less than 2 weeks prior to the request.
Home and School Association
2022-2023
STEM HSA Board
- Mark your calendars. The next HSA meeting will be held on Monday, January 9th via Zoom.
- Due to the weather day on Thursday, December 15, Winterfest has been rescheduled to Monday, December 19.
Upcoming Fundraisers
A great way you can contribute to all our activities is to Shop Amazon Smile and have *free* money donated to the STEM Academy with every qualified purchase! Every little bit adds up! Amazon donates a percentage of sales back to the school if you place your order from the 'smile' page. The page looks and acts exactly the same and there is NO COST! Just free money donated to the school!
Use this link to auto-select STEM Academy Home & School as your supported organization.
https://smile.amazon.com/ch/45-2446765
If you use the Amazon App on your phone, you can turn on Amazon Smile in Settings and select ‘Stem Academy Home & School Association’ or your school. Thank you for your support!
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Post Prom Fundraiser:
Hams down, your favorite fundraiser is here!! Help support STEM’s Post-Prom Party by purchasing a gift card for Honey Baked Hams. All you have to do is follow the fundraising link, purchase a gift card, then use it for any holiday or event. You can use it this holiday season or use it next year (Easter, etc), whenever you like. Don’t like ham? No problem! Honey Baked Ham has turkey, a variety of incredible sides, and delicious desserts. The gift card can be used at any Honey Baked Ham location, nationwide, so share with your friends and family! We'd love your help raising funds to support this free, safe, and FUN event! Please check out our fundraising site at:
https://honeybakedfundraising.com/fundraisers/STEM_Post_Prom
Any questions? Contact Chryssa Moyer moyerce@yahoo.com
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