STEM Head of School Update
January 6, 2023, Issue 19
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
Welcome back everyone! We hope everyone enjoyed their Winter Recess.
Please be reminded that next Wednesday, January 11 is an early dismissal day, and all students will be dismissed at 12:40.
As a reminder, yesterday, all families should have received an email communication from DASD with the following important information regarding weather related closures. Please be sure to note this on your calendars:
- With the weather closures that occurred December 15th and 23rd, please be mindful of the schedule for the Snow Make Up Days, as noted on the District approved 22-23 calendar. As a reminder, school will now be in session, Friday, February 17 and Wednesday April 5, 2023 to make up those days.
- If schools are closed again due to inclement weather, approved snow make up days will be used first, in the following order: April 6 and June 9.
- If we incur any other weather related closures beyond those days, DASD will then consider the use of Flexible Instruction Days (FID).
- Please make sure contact information is up to date, as weather-related communications are sent via email, phone and text, as well as posted on the district website and social media.
**The end of the second marking period will now take place January 25. Please continue to encourage your students to make the best use of time during Lunch and Learn days, and to reach out to their teachers to get any extra help they may need.
2023-2024 Course Selection Information
We are coming to that time of year, when students will choose their courses for the 23-24 school year. An email with specific details will be sent to families early next week, but in the mean time, we would like to share the following important dates with you:
- January 20th – Students will view a presentation during the school day about the available options and further instructions for choosing their courses.
- January 23rd – Virtual Parent Information Night will be held online from 6-8pm. More information on this night, including links will be sent next week.
- February 1st – Virtual Class of 2027 Welcome Night. Specific details of this night will be shared soon.
Pictured: Dive Design Co-Founder and CEO Alex Toll, Trip, and STEM Academy Alumni Class of 2018, Lydia Mindek.
The IB Engineering students had a special opportunity on December 19, to meet Co-Founder and CEO, Alex Toll, of Dive Design. Lydia Mindek, STEM Class 2018, graduated from Thomas Jefferson University in Industrial and Product Design where she met Alex. She has been a Project Management intern at Dive Design and organized this visit to speak to the STEM students. Lydia’s dog, Trip, is the star of this visit, showing off his new prosthetic in addition to Alex sharing his career story and current work he is doing with Dive Design.
If you want to check out more of the work being done at 3DPets, here is their website: https://www.3dpetsprosthetics.com/about-us
Student Life: What's Happening At STEM: Winter Edition
HSA Winterfest was a success! Students enjoyed the event...Thank you!
Internships and Partnerships: Speakers in the Classroom
Submitted by Ms. Susan Boardman
The IB Engineering students had a special opportunity today to meet Co-Founder and CEO, Alex Toll, of Dive Design. Lydia Mindek, STEM Class 2018, graduated from Thomas Jefferson University in Industrial and Product Design where she met Alex. She has been a Project Management intern at Dive Design and organized this visit to speak to the STEM students. Lydia’s dog, Trip, is the star of this visit, showing off his new prosthetic in addition to Alex sharing his career story and current work he is doing with Dive Design.
If you want to check out more of the work being done at 3DPets, here is their website: https://www.3dpetsprosthetics.com/about-us
STEM Academy Senior Class of 2023 Tribute Ads: Deadline to order is approaching!
Job # 13813
Last day to order is Friday, January 13th. Please contact Ms. Jocelyn Long, or Ms. Janette Romano with any questions.
STEM Academy HSA presents, the 12th Annual "Fore the Kids" Golf Outing
The 12th Annual Downingtown STEM Academy HSA
“FORE the KIDS” Golf Outing will be held Monday, April 24, 2023 at Whitford Country Club, Downingtown, PA.
The “FORE the KIDS” fund provides business-critical soft skills training for all STEM Academy students, delivered by the Mid-Atlantic Employers Association (MEA), scholarship funding for students in financial need to cover fees associated with the International Baccalaureate diploma and HSA Book Scholarships awarded at the Senior Awards Ceremony.
Please email Kathy Cattell for more information about sponsorship for the 2023 Golf Outing.
Addtional IB Updates
Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS) Updates
Senior CAS/Graduation Project Spotlight:
Vansh Luthra, Evan Dow, Amaan Syed, Shreyas Singh, Aditya Kadiyala, and Rishi Kamtam have established a car detailing service for people in the area looking for a detail, with profits being directed to a charity of the group’s choice. This will include interior and exterior cleaning, with multiple options to fulfill the customer’s needs. Their plan needed to include finances for materials, marketing to spread information on the service, a system for organizing customers, and connecting with an appropriate charity.
Class of 2023 [Seniors]:
IB Diploma students should continue to update their CAS Portfolios for what they completed in 2022, and have planned through March 2023.
IB Course Candidate students may send Mrs. Sherlock their finished Graduation Project presentations any time now!
Class of 2024 [Juniors]:
Students should have an overall CAS Plan in place (“Aims and Goals”) as of January 3, and can continue to add experiences for each strand.
Extended Essay (EE)
Class of 2023 [Seniors]:
We’re down to less than a month remaining for Extended Essays. We reviewed EE formatting together on November 30th, and students are scheduling meetings with their Advisors.
RPPF #3 and Viva Voce Interview #3 Due by January 31st.
Final Extended Essays are due to BOTH ManageBac and Turnitin by February 1, 2023. The document that is uploaded to Turnitin is what will be sent to the IB for assessment.
Class of 2024 [Juniors]:
Students were to have selected a subject in ManageBac to start exploring as of January 3, and should be looking at the example essays for ideas for a specific topic.
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. Guest speaker and HSA Treasurer, Ms. Darah Filidore, will be discussing Federal and State Financial Aid programs, as well as valuable scholarship and loan information. The presentation will be beneficial to all.
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!
___________________________________________________________________________________________
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