STEM NEWS - September 5, 2016
NEISD Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics Academy
DIRECTOR'S DIALOGUE
Dear STEM Families,
We are excited to share that our NEISD STEM Academy has been designated as a Role Model campus by Educate Texas! The role model distinction has been given to only two campuses in Texas, thus far.
Seven benchmarks are used to evaluate Texas STEM campuses, and the NEISD STEM Academy scored in the highest category, Role Model, in each of the domains. From mission and culture, to student and teacher preparedness, strategic alliances and sustainability, our NEISD STEM Academy has shown we are the program to emulate.
Due to this new role model designation, STEM Academy is now a professional development site for other school districts to visit and learn from about integration of science, technology, engineering and mathematics across the contents, as well as project based learning, specialized STEM electives and delineated high school course pathways. Three public school districts have scheduled site visits to STEM Academy since the announcement.
What does this new distinction mean for our students and parents? Students will see more adult guests in the building learning about what we do. From the students' perspective STEM Academy will continue their operations and educational practices, as usual. Behind the scenes, our faculty will be informing and coaching educator colleagues from across the state about our practice.
The NEISD STEM Academy opened in August 2007. This new role model designation is an excellent way for STEM Academy to begin its' tenth year of operations!
Parents, thanks to your partnership and support of education, our collaborative efforts are being recognized. It truly takes the student, parent and faculty working together to create a positive, quality educational experience within our school. Thank you for valuing your child's education and our school with your time, energy and support.
I would like to give special acknowledgement to the administration of both the main campuses, Lee HS and Nimitz MS, for supporting the goals of STEM Academy. Working in tandem we are better able to fulfill our mission; and their support is vital to our success!
As an education team and school, our work is never completely done. We are always evolving, perfecting our practice and adjusting to new research-findings, technological discoveries and the like. Yet, within our STEM Family, we will take pause for just a bit to enjoy the moment!
For the Kids,
Melissa Alcala, Ed.D.
Director
CONSTRUCTION UPDATES
With the recently passed 2015 bond, the NEISD School Board of Trustees will consider construction recommendations for the the Lee-NESA-STEM campus at the October board meeting. I have been meeting with district personnel to discuss the possibility of a new location on the Lee campus for our engineering space and STEM office. The end result, if approved, should be greater cohesion of the STEM program in regard to proximity of our classes and office for the students, parents and faculty. More information will follow after the October board meeting.
Sept 6 - First Lego League Parent Meeting (6th grade)
This meeting is for any parent of a 6th grade student interested in the MS robotics competition program. Please join us from 5:30pm - 6:30pm in the STEM Engineering Lab - room 400.
Sept 14 - MS Student Individual Pictures
The MS STEM Individual Student Pictures will take place at Nimitz MS for entire student body on Wednesday, September 14. This is typically a free-dress day. Please mark your calendar!
Sept 16 - MS/HS Progress Reports Distributed
Your child's first progress report will be sent home on Friday, September 16! Please be mark the date!
All in One - PTA Meeting, Greenback Night & Open House
MS Open House - Tues, Sept 13 at 6pm
HS Open House - Tues, Sept 20 at 6pm
Meet your child's teachers and learn about their class curriculum.
MS Parent Meeting - Tues, Sept 13
HS Parent Meeting - Tues, Sept 20
CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS
REFERENCE TOOLS
NEISD STEM Academy
HS STEM Office: (210)356-1001
MS STEM Office (210) 356-5501
Email: jshaw1@neisd.net
Website: www.neisd.net/stem
Phone: (210)356-1001
Twitter: @neisd_stem