STEM Head of School Update
February 17, 2023, Issue 25
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
There will be no school on Monday, February 20. Enjoy your extended weekend!
Yesterday, 30 students at MC6GC were trained an certified in BLS CPR+AED as a result of a partnership between Aidan's Heart Foundation and local EMS teams. We would like to congratulate Maycie Kulp, junior at STEM, for her work with Aidan's Heart Foundation. Fox 29 was onsite and ran a feature story, in which Maycie was interviewed. The full story can be viewed on Fox 29 News.
Aidan's Heart Foundation Club is at all 3 High Schools in the DASD. In addition to volunteering with Aidan's Heart, Maycie is also an EMT.
Campus Safety Reminders
Please be reminded that students are to be dropped off behind the school. No students should be dropped on Manor Ave. We appreciate your cooperation. Safety is always our first priority.
Also, beginning Monday, February 6, for the safety of all students and staff, crossing back and forth, 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.
Upcoming February DEI Programming and Community Events
- Downingtown Area School District is excited to announce a virtual event featuring professional soccer player Zack Steffen, taking place on Feb. 27, in honor of Black History Month. The event will focus on the importance of community and how it has played a role in Steffen’s personal and professional journey. A 2013 graduate of Downingtown High School West, Steffen is an American professional soccer player who currently plays goalkeeper for Manchester City F.C. and the US Men's National Team. He has had a successful career and is known for his strong leadership and community involvement. He is the founder of VOYCENOW Foundation, an organization dedicated to providing equal opportunities and resources for minority students; a co-chair for the Philadelphia Soccer 2026 bid committee for FIFA World Cup 2026; and a co-founder of Parichute app. Registration is required.
Over the past few years, Downingtown Area School District (DASD) has seen an increase in the number of student civil service projects within the district. As we continue to see this number rise, the DASD Culture Equity Task Force will welcome award-winning philanthropist Nahjee Grant for a district-wide training about the importance of these community ventures and how they can best benefit those who are most in need. This virtual event will be held on Tuesday, February 28, 2023 at 3:45 pm. Registration is required. Grant is a motivational speaker, published author, TV host, and celebrated storyteller who has shared his amazing life story to full-capacity rooms filled with people of all ages. He shares his personal journey of failure-turned-into-hope through his books, online courses, school assemblies, leadership conferences and workshops. Grant is also an entrepreneur with over 10 years of experience as a community organizer providing an array of services to community members of all ages.
DCEF (Downingtown Community Education Foundation) presents the Harlem Wizards, Thursday, March 23, 2023 at Downingtown High School West. Flyer and ticket info below.
Internships and Partnerships: The Financial Reality Fair is Coming!
Wishing your student knew a little bit more about the concept of managing money?
The Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union will be addressing that topic by bringing their Financial Reality Fair to the STEM Academy on Wednesday, April 12th. This is a fun yet educational day for all Juniors, who are each assigned a random “life scenario”. They will learn how to make financial decisions based on a monthly salary and budget to meet basic needs, such as housing, transportation, food and child care. Students visit 15 booths with options for using their money to save, spend, share and earn–plus–get lucky on the “Wheel of Possibilities”. FMFCU Financial Counselors are available throughout the experience to help balance the budgets and offer advice. This fair is open to all 11th grade students.
Want to be a Financial Reality Fair Volunteer? We need 20 parent volunteers
(brief training provided morning of event; no preparation needed)
Please fill out the attached survey!
Financial Reality Fair Volunteer Interest Form
Questions? Contact Ms. Susan Boardman or Ms. Cory Butler
Additional IB Updates
Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS) Updates
Senior CAS/Graduation Project Spotlight:
Nick Viscomi and Andrew McGeehan planned, organized, and ran a spikeball tournament that raised money for Kevin Jr., a local man that suffered an unexpected brain bleed and has been in a coma ever since. He has been under constant hospital care and underwent multiple surgeries. As a result, the family has a lot of medical bills to pay, and this is one way the students saw that they could help.
Class of 2023 [Seniors]:
CAS Portfolios must be complete by March 1st (nothing new after this date)!
The questions for Interview #3 are posted on Schoology for students to make a copy, and responses may be sent to Mrs. Sherlock in advance of the meeting. Students may email Mrs. Sherlock to schedule their final CAS meeting.
IB Course Candidate students may send Mrs. Sherlock their finished Graduation Project presentations before the March 1st deadline!
Class of 2024 [Juniors]:
Students may submit CAS Project Proposals to Mrs. Sherlock once they have a group and an idea established. Otherwise, they can continue to add CAS experiences in ManageBac.
Extended Essay (EE)
Class of 2023 [Seniors]:
Final EEs were due on Feb. 1 to both Turnitin and ManageBac. The document uploaded to Turnitin is what will be sent to the IB for Assessment. The 3 RPPFs from ManageBac are also sent to the IB for evaluation. EE Advisors are now doing a final reading and entering comments about the students’ performance throughout the EE process.
Class of 2024 [Juniors]:
Students are now working on creating a Research Question (Module due 2/28), and starting research on their chosen topic.
Students have until 2/28 to enter their narrowed-down topic into ManageBac.
The entire Junior class met during Advisory on Feb. 13 to learn about IB expectations and timelines heading into Senior year. Students have until March 30 to submit their Candidacy Declaration Forms to Ms. Schell (IB Diploma or IB Course Candidate).
Student Life
Ms. Katherine Cole,Dean of Academics & Student Life
Ms. Cory Butler, Admin. Asst
Parking Permit Update
We have had many inquiries recently about obtaining a parking permit. We are currently unable to issue any additional parking permits at this point in the year. We are still encouraging students to apply to be added to the waitlist, so that if a space becomes available, we will offer in the order that students have applied. The parking permit application can be located on our website under the STEM Backpack.
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.
Kindness Week and Black History Month Recap
Culture Fest: Tuesday, February 28 During Lunch & Learn
Save the date: Friday, March 3: Student Entrepeneur Expo at DHSE
STEM Academy Art Show is coming!
Join us for the STEM Academy’s annual Art Show, featuring senior IB Visual Art exhibitions, and artwork created by all our visual art students.
STEM Academy Art Show
March 16, 2023
Knowledge Commons
6:00pm – 8:00pmIf there are any questions, please contact Ms. Janette Romano, IB Visual Art & Art in the 21st Century Teacher
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. Stacey Hewitt: 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
Is your college asking you to send 1st and 2nd marking period grades? Please stop by the Counseling Office and pick up a Midyear Report Request form so your counselor can submit this report. A few important things to remember:
- Make sure your grades are correct before turning in this form.
- Make sure your college(s) actually require the midyear report (not all do!)
- The midyear report lists the letter grade for the 1st MP and the letter grade from the 2nd MP separately - they are not averaged together.
2023 Summer Programs
STEM Academy HSA presents, the 12th Annual "Fore the Kids" Golf Outing - Registration is now open!
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.
Registration is now open for the 12th Annual STEM Academy “Fore the Kids” Golf Outing on Monday April 24, 2023 at the Whitford Country Club in Downingtown. We are looking for sponsors and golfers. Take advantage of our “Early Birdie” special (until 2/28) — register for a Hole Sponsorship and get one free golfer. Visit the STEM Golf Outing registration page to sign up to sponsor and/or golf. Questions? Email stemgolfouting@gmail.com.
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.
Home and School Association
2022-2023
STEM HSA Board
- Mark your calendars: The next HSA meeting will be held on Monday, March 13th via Zoom.
CELEBRATE YOUR SENIOR WITH A PERSONALIZED GRADUATION LAWN SIGN!
These High-Quality lawn signs are 24"x48" screen-printed vinyl. This year we are offering 2 options, one with a picture of your graduate and one with the STEM Academy logo. Both can be personalized with your graduates name on them. All orders are due no later than Friday, April 14, 2023. Questions can be directed to Mary Gasser.
Order at https://dtownstemacademy.squarespace.com/graduation-lawn-signs
Upcoming HSA Post-Prom Fundraiser: Trivia Night @ Estrella see the detailed flyer below)
Think you know your trivia? Prove it! Gather up a team of your friends (up to 8) and compete for awesome prizes!
This event sold out quickly last year so don’t delay…reserve your space TODAY!
Cash and Venmo accepted for 50/50 raffle. All proceeds will go toward STEM Academy’s Post-Prom.
Ongoing Fundraiser
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!
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.
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
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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