STEM Updates
February 2021
Our monthly STEM newsletter is designed to communicate upcoming events, important information, ask for help, and share good news. We hope parents will be able to find answers to many of their questions in the information provided. We have updated our website www.utpbstemacademy.org to include past newsletters on the landing page for you to refer to if needed. Please reach out to us by phone or email if you have any questions, we are here to help!
Upcoming Events
Click the link to view our STEM Academy Calendar online.
February
03 8th grade Academic Planning
05 Gear Up Graduation
05 3rd Grade Fair
05
- 8th grade Science Benchmark
- 9th Grade Biology Benchmark
- 3-8 Math Benchmark
- 8th graders in Algebra will take Algebra I
- 9th-10th grade English I and English II
- 11th grade US History (includes Dual Credit US History)
- 12th grade: Digital Learning
- 3-8 Reading Benchmark
- 8th graders in English I will take English I
- 9th-12th grade: Digital Learning
- 4th grade Writing Benchmark
- 5th grade Science Benchmark
- 7th grade Writing Benchmark
- 8th grade Social Studies Benchmark
- 9th grade Algebra I (9th graders ONLY)
- 10th-12th grade: Digital Learning
10 The Zoo Crew is coming!
11 Normal Rotation Schedules. All makeup testing will be facilitated.
12 Student Holiday/Teacher Professional Development
15 Bad weather make up day/NO SCHOOL
19 Kona Ice $3 snow cones
20 Honor Society Work Day
24 Kinder Celebration Pictures
Academic Planning
03 8th grade Academic Planning
Snack Attacks
Every Wednesday during lunches.
Coffee Cart Fridays
Every Friday at 7:30am Founders
March
TBD Book Fair
04 Spring Pictures
05 Student Holiday/Teacher Professional Development
08-12 Spring Break
15-19 STEM Re-enrollment
19 Kona Ice $3 snow cones
April
30 Senior Banquet
May
14 Top 5 Breakfast
28 2021 Senior Graduation! 7pm at the Wagner Noel
Benchmark Information
We highly encourage our remote students to come in person to take their benchmarks. Reach out as soon as possible if this is not an option for your family, the testing coordinator can work with you on alternative proctoring options. You can contact Mrs. Sikes at sikes_c@utpb.edu.
It is important that your child is on campus to take these benchmarks as STAAR will also require in-person testing.
2021-2022 STEM Application (not re-enrollment)
The 2021-2022 NEW Student Application is now available on our website at: https://utpbstemacademy.org/apply/.
This application is only for NEW students who are not currently enrolled in the STEM Academy.
Siblings who are currently on the waiting list MUST fill out an application.
Please share the application link with your family and friends so they can apply.
For currently enrolled STEM students, the 2021-2022 Re-enrollment Form will be sent out the week following Spring Break.
Mrs. V's For the Love of Reading
Click the picture below.
Science Club is back!
Mrs. Grametbaur's Biomed COVID Artifacts
Two seniors make district Science Fair!
I am super proud of them and cannot wait to have them represent us at the end of February in a virtual competition where they will compete by sending in a presentation of their science fair project. Being a busy senior and still finding time for science fair is fantastic! Way to go! Congratulations, Natalie and Edmund!
~Mrs. Grametbaur
These 2 brothers made it to district science fair!
They have worked so hard and I can't wait to have them represent the STEM Academy. Way to go, gentlemen!
~Mrs. Grametbaur
Counselor's Corner
STEM Family,
The 2020 year has brought upon us many challenges as not only a nation but as a STEM community. During this time, I am thankful to be part of such a strong STEM family. Many of our students need basic necessities such as shoes, socks, underwear, food, glasses, school supplies, hygiene materials, etc. Many people do not realize that we as a school provide families in need with these supports with no additional funding. This is why we need your help. Please donate to the UTPB STEM Academy counseling fund, your money will supply students with these basic needs. Also, know that your money will go to families who have come across hard times with Thanksgiving turkeys, Christmas presents, and coats for the winter season. I appreciate all your generosity. Please reach out to our PTO at stem.academy.pto79762@gmail.com and let them know you would like to donate to the Counseling Fund.
Thank you,
Jaimie Miller, M.Ed
UTPB STEM ACADEMY SCHOOL COUNSELOR
Kinder-8th grade Yearbooks!
PTO VIPS
Click below to sign up for volunteer opportunities!
Remind!
PTO is now on Remind. If you would like to join our volunteer group please text @32667b to 81010 to join.
This will help us get the word out faster when the school needs volunteers. We appreciate everyone who has volunteered already!
Secondary Updates
Dear Parents/Guardians,
This time of year is so exciting to be an educator, and also sad for many reasons. Our March To Graduation has begun. This means some very excited 17 and 18 year olds. Some of them are worried about what is next, and some sad educators that are joining parents that are not yet ready to let go. Needless to say a bag of mixed emotions all around, but very excited.
Our MS students and HS lowerclassmen have a very important benchmarking coming in the month of February. These benchmarks are incredibly significant for our students. The scores help our teachers design individual assistance for our students on state testing. Please help us make sure your students are prepared for their benchmarks to do their best.
February also means academic planning for the 2021-2022. Your child in grades 8-11 will be coming home with important information that needs to be completed. Please help us make sure those items are turned in by the required due date.
Lastly thank you all for being a part of our wonderful family here at STEM. Our campus wouldn’t make it without the wonderful partnerships that are found at this unique school.
In Service to others,
Mr. Cody Griffin
Principal STEM Academy Middle/High School
432-552-2580
@UTPBSTEMAcademy
@PrincipalStem
STEM Seniors 2021!
High School Yearbook
ATTENTION CURRENT 8TH GRADERS!
Elementary Updates
Dear Elementary Parents,
We are in full steam ahead mode! Before you know it, STAAR testing will be upon us and the spring semester will be coming to an end. Your child and child's teachers have been working hard and maximizing the face-to-face instruction time each day. Our goal is to have each child on his or her grade level's End of Year reading level (see attached form) and to boost his or her automaticity in mathematical computations and numeracy. You can help your child achieve these goals by having your child read every night for 20 (students in K-2) to 30 minutes (grades 3-5). One fun family activity is to read a novel together as a family. To improve numeracy, take your child to the grocery store. Discuss prices of produce and ask your child how much would it cost if you buy two or three apples instead of one. On the way to the grocery store or an extracurricular activity, have your child count to 100, to 120, skip count, or recite their multiplication facts. Ask children addition or subtraction questions while driving to grandma's or have them show you with their fingers 7 or 8. All of these math activities can happen anytime you drive in the car and it makes learning fun! Stay healthy and have a happy Spring!
Best Regards,
Monica Elizondo, M.Ed.
Elementary Principal
The University of Texas Permian Basin STEM Academy
"Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire."
-William Butler Yeats
Office 432.552.2580
Fax 432.552.2581
@STEMLeader
@UTPBSTEMAcademy
Technology Update!
Service Tickets:
Service tickets need to be submitted online at: https://utpbstem.on.spiceworks.com/portal. Once a ticket has been submitted and verified, the student can be issued a loaner device while the school issued device is being repaired. The student/parent will be responsible for ensuring the loaner device is returned in the same condition it was issued, as loaner devices are NOT covered by insurance.
Broken Device Payment Information:
If your student has a broken device (beyond insurance repair), payment will be required to be made to the school before a replacement device is issued. Payments for devices can be made online at: https://secure.touchnet.net/C22843_ustores/web/store_main.jsp?STOREID=4.
Examples of Non-Covered Claims:
STEM Academy Approved Calendar for 2020-2021
Reminders
Help us stay healthy!
We have a new website!
Online Learning Etiquette Tips
STEM Office Hours
UT Permian Basin STEM Academy
Email: stemacad@utpb.edu
Website: www.utpbstemacademy.org
Location: 4901 E University Blvd, Odessa, TX, USA
Phone: (432) 552-2580
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/utpbstemacademy/
Twitter: @utpbstemacademy