STEM Updates
January 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
January
13 Senior cap and gown presentation 8:45am
13 Snack Attack!
15 Parents can order caps and gowns.
20 Snack Attack!
27 Snack Attack!
February
10 The Zoo Crew is coming!
May
28 2021 Senior Graduation! 7pm at the Wagner Noel
NHS Fundraiser!
Mrs. V's Leap into Litercy
Click the picture below.
Mrs. Grametbaur's Biomed COVID Artifacts
Students were asked to make an artifact to showcase their feelings about this pandemic so that in 100 years when students are studying the effects of our pandemic, they will be able to see how we felt during this time. Below are some of the results.
Front Line Responders by Autumn Daniels
Locked World by Annabelle Anderson
Grocery Store by Brea
Keep away by Mia Quiroz
Isolated till whenever time will tell
COVID-19 outbreak turned to pandemic
A virus that keeps everyone indoors
Days turn into months
Not a lot to do
Webcams are now communication
Seperated from friends and family
Those we love
Not being near them
Hardly able to have fun
Nor go outside
Not for a while
Unless you must
People walking outside
Waving if possible
Keeping their distance
Self protection
Wanting to talk
Wanting to interact
Being cautious to the limits
Taking precautions not to get sick
A two sided coin, keep your distance or risk infection.
by Abby Paredes
Click below to view Abby's video.
by Kelly Zhu
Click below to view Kelley's video.
Please click on each picture to view the entire flyer.
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
PTO VIPS
Click below to sign up for volunteer opportunities!
Yearbook Pictures
Parents of Kinder through 8th-grade students,
In an effort to be as accommodating as possible and due to timing constraints sending in a picture is the only option to ensure your child's picture in the yearbook. If your child missed pictures but you would like them to be in the yearbook, please fill out the following Google Form. You will be able to attach one picture.
Please submit a clear picture of your child with appropriate attire from the chest up and facing the camera. You will have from January 11th until January 15th to do so. If we do not receive your child's picture during this time unfortunately your child will not be pictured in our yearbook for this school year. We want all our students to be in it.
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,
In previous years, the student promotion/retention process followed the board approved policy found HERE on page 42. For UTPB STEM Academy students, promotion/retention is based on the following factors:
- Demonstrated proficiency in grade-level subject matter (passing coursework)
- Performance on state-mandated testing (STAAR/End of Course scores)
- Attendance compliance of the 90-10 rule (in attendance 90% of days per semester)
However, with the 2020-2021 school year, adjustments due to COVID-19 must be made. We want to make sure our students and parents are aware of these requirements as we enter the second semester of the school year.
1. Demonstrated proficiency in grade level subject matter
- passing the course with at least a 70%
- Priority is given to English Language Arts and Mathematics
2. Performance on state-mandated testing
- 8th grade SSI (passing STAAR was waived this year as a state requirement for promotion)
- UTPB STEM Academy will use state testing as a consideration of promotion/retention
3. Attendance compliance of the 90-10 rule (in attendance 90% of days a semester).
- UTPB STEM Academy will still use attendance as a consideration of promotion/retention.
As always if you have questions about promotion/retention I encourage you to reach out to me via email or call the school office. I will be happy to discuss your concerns with you.
In Service to others,
Mr. Cody Griffin
Principal STEM Academy Middle/High School
432-552-2580
@UTPBSTEMAcademy
@PrincipalStem
Beginning of the Year Assessment Information
Students in 4th grade up through EOC grades, took a benchmark assessment to gather information on their current academic needs. This test covered content from the previous year (for example, a 6th grade took a benchmark that covered 5th grade content from last year). This data allows our teachers and staff to see gaps in learning and adjust this year's curriculum to meet the needs of the students. As the parent, you have access to their results and other helpful information provided by TEA. Open the document for a step-by-step guide to "How to Access" you child's benchmark information.
Attached is the information for parents to access their child's BOY/benchmark information.
It is two pages:
- Page 2 is the step by step instructions for accessing.
- Page 1 explains the test and the process.
Elementary Updates
Dear Elementary Parents,
2020/2021 Promotion/Retention:
As we enter our Spring Semester, I wanted to give you information on the tools we will be using to determine whether or not your elementary child is promoted to the next grade.
- STAAR Results
- Reading level based upon End of Year (EOY) TPRI results as well as EOY Running Record results
- Grades in each content
- Attendance (attended 90% or more of the school year)
Please see the attached document that explains the EOY reading level your child should be at for his or her grade level. If you have any questions regarding your child's reading level, please contact their homeroom or reading teacher. I believe we are all in agreement that the best place for your student to learn is on campus. However, our current health situation in our community has made many of us choose remote learning. If your child is failing a core content, I am requesting that you reconsider and switch your child to 100% on campus. Many of our children who failed first semester did so because of missing assignments and not making up failing grades. Thus, I ask each of you to ensure that your child completes his or her assignments as we all know the only way to learn is to engage in and complete the assignments.
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