The STEM Weekly Stream
STEM Academy Family Newsletter
STEM WEEKLY STREAM
Week of January 3
Happy New Year and Welcome to 2023! I hope your Winter Break was happy and healthy. Please be aware that Masks are Required in all CUSD schools until Friday, January 13, and Health and Safety information is below. Also in this edition are reminders of important upcoming Academic Dates and Exams. There are several Parent and Family Trainings coming up over the next few weeks as well.
STEM CALENDAR
MASKS REQUIRED
January 3 - January 13
Dear CUSD staff/personnel and families --
Due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases, the flu, and other respiratory illnesses, CUSD will require ALL staff and students to wear masks for the first 10 days after the winter break.
This is a proactive health measure that we hope will keep many of us healthy and in-person learning.
Everyone should be prepared to mask on Tuesday, January 3, 2023. We do not anticipate mask requirements beyond January 17, 2023.
We are also encouraging everyone to take preventative measures which include:
- Using hand sanitizer
- Handwashing, covering mouth and nose when coughing/sneezing
- Staying home if you’re feeling sick
Also, households can now order FREE at-home COVID-19 tests through the federal government.
January Academic Dates to Know - Updated
Now that the New Year is here, there are very important exams coming up over the next two weeks. Please note that the Literature Keystone Exam will begin tomorrow, Wednesday January 4.
January 3: Students Return from Winter Break
January 4: Literature Keystone Exam (10th Grade Students currently taking English II)
January 5: Literature Keystone Exam (10th Grade Students currently taking English II)
January 9: Algebra Keystone Exam (10th Grade Students currently taking Algebra I)
January 9: MAP Reading Benchmark #2 (All Students Grade 9-12)
January 10: Algebra Keystone Exam (10th Grade Students currently taking Algebra I)
January 10: MAP Math Benchmark #2 (All Students Grade 9-12)
January 11: Biology Keystone Exam (9th Grade Students currently taking Biology)
January 12: Biology Keystone Exam (9th Grade Students currently taking Biology)
January 9-13: Semester One Final Exams and Projects (All Students)
January 13: First Semester Concludes
ACADEMICS
8 Days Left in Semester One!
If your student is struggling in one or more classes, the next few days are very important for their success. They must be highly focused over the next two weeks in order to finish their courses strong.
New Classes on January 17
Please encourage your student to check Home Access Center to see which class they will have for Semester Two.
Academic Probation
Students on Academic Probation will be provided with extra supports designed to help them improve their grades, such as tutoring, mentoring and remediation. Academic Goals will be established which must be achieved by the conclusion of the School Year. Students on Academic Probation who do not meet those goals may not be permitted to return to STEM for the 2023-24 School Year.
9th Grade Students
We continue reminding 9th Graders that the grades they are earning now will be reflected on their Transcript when they apply to college in a few short years.
Home Access Center
If you do not have your HAC set up yet, email Ms. Misha Memon (mmemon@chesteruplandsd.org). She will reply with your username, password and a link to the log in page.
We encourage All Students and Families to check HAC every day!
PLEASE SEE BELOW FOR PARENT WORKSHOPS AND HAC TRAININGS COMING TO STEM IN JANUARY!
PARENT AND FAMILY TRAININGS
HAC and FAFSA Training for Families
In order to assist more parents in utilizing HAC, we have volunteers ready to train those who need help logging in and navigating the system. Check the schedule below for walk-in times.
Additionally, the time is now for Parents of Seniors to complete the FAFSA, the federal application for student financial aid. We are fortunate that we have parents who are experienced in this process willing to help. If you'd like to set up an appointment for FAFSA training, see the schedule below.
HAC Training (Walk-In): January Wednesdays (1/4, 1/11, 1/18, 1/25) 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM in the Maker Space. More dates may be added if needed!
FAFSA Training (Appointment Needed): January Thursdays 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Financial Workship
CELL PHONES
Reducing Distractions
- Reduced interpersonal conflicts among students: Our staff is spending less time this year mediating conflicts that arise between students during the school day
- Increased engagement in class: Teachers are reporting that, without the distraction of their phones, students are more engaged in class than last year
Although we are seeing progress, enforcing this rule has not been easy, and like any new program, we are experiencing challenges. We know reducing cell phone use is a positive for students' academic success, and we're continuing to search for ways to achieve this goal most efficiently.
Yondr Pouches
After School Program
After School Program Accepting Registrations!
Academic support and tutoring is available daily, and is extremely beneficial to students who need extra help, as well as those who just need a good setting for doing homework and studying.
Additionally, there are a number of popular extra-curricular opportunities, including Robotics, Drama and Gymnastics with Mr. Harris, which is getting great reviews from students. The link to sign up for After School is below.
After School Programs
- Reading Olympics
- Gymnastics
- Drama
- Robotics Team
- Physical Fitness
- Choral Group
- Hi-Q Team
- School Newspaper
- Art Workshop
Additionally, daily tutoring is available in Math, ELA and Science, as well as College & Career Planning.
Click Below to Sign-Up!
PTSA
Parent Teacher Student Association - Get Involved!
If you're interested in helping out, please be in contact with Ms. Anita Littleton (alittleton341@msn.com) and/or Ms. Karla Beaver (beaverkarla66@gmail.com).
ATHLETICS
Winter Sports are Here!
Games This Week
Contact STEM
Email: bbell@chesteruplandsd.org
Website: https://www.chesteruplandsd.org/sas
Location: 1100 West 10th Street, Chester, PA, USA
Phone: 610-447-3650