Mr. Art Campbell, Head of School

Ms. Kelly Stauffer, Admin. Asst. to the Head of School

We hope everyone had a wonderful first week of school!

As a reminder, there will be no school on Monday, September 4, in observance of Labor Day. School will resume on Tuesday, September 5. Enjoy your weekend!

Picture Day for students in grades 9-11 will take place on Thursday, September 7 during the school day and should be completed by 11:30 am. The Senior Class will have health screenings provided by our school nurse Ms. Jennifer Mikulich. The senior class should have received their 23-24 student ID already. As a reminder you will need to have that ID at various times throughout the school year. Keep it safe!

**The daily schedule for August 28-September 12 has been modified as we work toward preparing for the Lunch & Learn Schedule. The modified schedule is below.

23-24 Opening Week Schedule

As a reminder, there will be no school on Monday, September 4, in observance of Labor Day. School will resume on Tuesday, September 5.

Picture Day for students in grades 9-11 will take place on Thursday, September 7 during the school day. The Senior Class will have health screenings provided by our school nurse, Ms. Jennifer Mikulich.

Attendance Reminders:

• 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.
• If your student arrives to school late, will be leaving early, or is absent for any reason, an email should be sent to stemattendance@dasd.org If leaving early students should come to the main office in the morning to receive an early dismissal slip, which they will provide to their teacher. They should report to the office to check out. Parents are not required to come in to pick up, your student will meet you outside the building after checking out.

Transportation

• Band Students going to East for class during the school day will ride bus 72 to East and that bus will pick up at STEM promptly at 1:25. Students should be sure to be on time to board the bus.
• After School Activities to East: Bus 67 and Bus 301 will provide daily transportation to those students participating in after school activities at East. Buses are only for those participating in activities at East. Students should board bus 67 first, and use bus 301 in the event that there is no more room on 301.

Bus Passes are for Emergency use only. All bus rosters are full and only in the event of an emergency will a student be allowed to ride a different bus home. The request for a bus pass should come to the main office and will need approval from Mr. Campbell.

Lunch & Learn: Beginning September 13th, on days students have periods 1-7 we will continue our one hour Lunch & Learn. The purpose of Lunch & Learn is to provide students with the time, support, and resources necessary to be a successful student. By scheduling time during the school day, all students will have equal access to their teachers and other resources. This is a time for students to eat lunch, work on schoolwork, meet with teachers and counselors, participate in physical activity in our stadium behind the school, meet as student clubs, as well as other optional special programs for our students. This is a time that all staff and administration are available for our students. Please be on the lookout for much more information over the next few weeks.

STEM Academy Counselors:

Below is an updated counseling office schedule.

Ms. Mary Wallin:

9th Grade: A-L

10th -12th Grade: A-C

Mr. David Stratton:

9th Grade: M-P

10th -12th Grade: D-KL

Ms. Stacey Hewitt

9th Grade: R-S

10th -12th Grade: Ko-Ra

Ms. Leanne Glowik :

9th Grade: T-Z

10th -12th Grade: Re-Z

Ms. Stephanie Rockowitz, Counseling Secretary/Registrar

Ms. Jennifer Stull, Prevention Specialist

Guide to Districtwide Mental Health Resources

To schedule an appt. to visit your school counselor, please complete the following form:

Counseling Appointment Request Form

Additional Resources from the STEM Counseling Department

University and College Visits: Throughout the course of the year, the counseling department has coordinated many college visits for our Senior Class.

All scheduled visits are now listed on the STEM Academy Website Calendar

Senior Class Portraits: If you have not had your senior portraits taken over the summer, the last three opportunities will be held September 5, 6 or 7, from 3:00-8:00 pm in the STEM Academy Auditorium. You must make an appointment.

**If you need to have portraits retaken or to schedule an appt, you must now contact Lifetouch Customer Service 1800-687-9327.

Senior Panoramic Photo: The Senior Class will assemble for a Class of 2024 portrait on Tuesday, September 12.

• Orders can be placed at mylifetouch.com using Picture Day ID LW723016T0

Senior Diploma Verification: Students should complete this form using their DASD student email address. This form must be completed to verify the complete name of the student that will be listed on their diploma. The deadline to complete this form is October 13, 2023.

Caps/Gowns and Stoles: Each graduate is responsible for purchasing a cap, gown and stole for graduation. The cost of this package is $32.55. Other items are available for sale as well through the website. The Cap/Gown Stole orders should be placed as soon as possible. Once shipped, they will remain at STEM until graduation in June. Order must be received by November 1.

• Online Ordering steps:
  Go to: Herff Jones SHOP Grad Products Website.
  Or visit Highschool.herffjones.com
  Type in DOWNINGTOWN S.T.E.M ACADEMY in the box to find your school.
  Click SHOP GRAD PRODUCTS and the cap and gown packages will appear. (For the cap, gown, tassel and stole only, click GRADUATION A LA CARTE)
  Below are the Cap and Gown Packages
  BASIC PACKAGE (B): $32.55 (includes sales tax)
  Includes Cap, Gown, Tassel and Silkscreen Stole.

Act 10 Military Opt-Out: If your student does not wish to be contacted by a local recruiting agency, this form must be completed and returned to the counseling office no later than October 10, 2023.

Parking Permit: The parking permit application for the senior class opened on August 2, 2023. This application must be completed in full to be considered for a parking permit. Parking permits are limited due to construction on campus this year. Please reveiw the **This form can only be completed by the student using their DASD email address.

Senior Privileges: Also known as the Early Dismissal/Late Arrival Form, students are required to have this form completed. Once completed, the student will be notified by the main office once their privileges go in to effect.

Reminders 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. Students should not leave until they have checked out in the main office.

Ms. Katherine Cole,Dean of Academics & Student Life

Ms. Cory Butler, Administrative Assistant

Community Volunteer Requirements: To maintain a safe and health environment for staff and students, background clearances are required and should be turned into the main office. The annual volunteer disclosure form should also be completed yearly and returned to the main office. Thank you for helping us keep our schools safe!

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.