STEM Updates
December 2020
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
December
02 Snack Attack
03 TSI Workshop
04 TSI Testing
08 FAFSA Presentation with UTPB Admissions
09 Snack Attack
14-17 MS/HS Finals
18 MS/HS Finals Make-ups
18 Student Holiday/Teacher Records Day
21 Start of Winter Break
January
04 Professional Development for Teachers
05 Start of the 2nd Semester
06 Snack Attack
11 Dual Credit Start date
Ms. Villarreal's Reading Nook (click below)
Destination Imagination!
Destination Imagination is happening this year!
STEM can do VIRTUALLY anything!
4th and 5th grade will learn more about how to apply through their PE class this week and the information will be posted in their PE Google Classroom.
Secondary students can look for an announcement and instructions on their Secondary Powerschool page this week!
You can learn more about DI by visiting: https://www.destinationimagination.org/ or asking a friend that has done DI before!
Please click on each picture to view the entire flyer.
HS Science UIL
Counselor's Corner
Hello STEM Families,
With the holiday season quickly approaching, it is time we gather together as a community to support those in need. 2020 has thrown many of our families unexpected challenges. If you are interested in adopting a family this Christmas season, please email me at miller_ja@utpb.edu. If you would like to donate instead, please click the following link:
Donate to the Counselor's Fund by clicking the link or the picture.
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 Information
PTO Swag
PTO Fundraiser
These vouchers will make great stocking stuffers or appreciations gifts. You may pre-pay and pickup at dismissal on December 15th
Secondary Updates
Dear Parents/Guardians,
Our semester is coming to a close very quickly. At the end of every semester our Middle School and High School students complete semester exams.
The semester exams are typically comprised of two parts: objective and subjective. The objective portion includes questions such as multiple choice. The subjective portion includes questions such as essays, short answer, or presentations. Each portion of the exam has been set at 45min according to the schedule accompanying this email. In preparation for the exams teachers will be doing review during the week prior to testing.
All students, especially our remote and hybrid learners, will need to pay special attention to the following information.
- The exam schedule MUST be followed by ALL students. Remote or hybrid learners must keep to the daily schedule for testing.
- Everyone must sign in during the assigned testing time.
- If you are unable to login on a given testing day/time then one make up day is available. Friday December 18 from 8am – 12pm is the designated make-up day. Make-ups will need to be coordinated with your teacher.
- Students in assigned isolation due to COVID protocols will need to reach out to Mr. Griffin. Most students not suffering from symptoms will still test according to the exam schedule.
Please remember that semester exams account for 10% of our semester average. The semester average is calculated by the following - 1st six weeks avg (30%), 2nd six weeks avg (30%), 3rd six weeks avg (30%), and semester final (10%). If you have any questions please feel free to reach out.
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,
Dear STEM Family,
I love this time of year! The air is crisp and filled with the wonderful aromas of the holiday season. What a perfect time to work on reading and math skills as families read their favorite holiday stories and bake goodies for family and friends! Please join us this month for our virtual Twelve Days of Holiday Stories brought to you by Mrs. Villarreal, our Reading Coach. As we say goodbye to November, we want to recognize the following students who were chosen to be November's Student of the Month by their homeroom teacher.
Kindergarten
Adalynn Franco
Jade Lemon
Jibran Venegas
1st Grade
Maheen Kahn
Sunnie Milo-Poloai
Wyatt Snodgrass
2nd Grade
Argel Bustillos
Nevaeh Sanchez
Saben Shrestha
3rd Grade
William Carpenter
Cody Criswell
Brendyn Logan
4th Grade
Abigail Allison
Nazareth Nevarez
Haven Townsley
5th Grade
Aracelie Aguero
Laityn Wagner
Gianni Witter
Please join me in congratulating these young scholars. I wish you a very safe and merry holiday season!
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!
Tech Tips:
- A complete power down of the device at least every other day. This helps clear any apps or websites that are hung up in the background and could help the performance of the device.
- Devices should only be charged with the power chargers supplied by the school or replacements designed specifically for that model. This will prevent potential damages due to improper power being supplied to the devices.
- Remote learners experiencing freezing and slow internet connections could benefit by power cycling their internet modem/router. This can be done by unplugging the power supply to the modem/router for 2-3 minutes and then reconnecting the power supply.
- It is highly recommended to clean devices routinely for sanitation purposes. When doing so, please make sure the device is completely powered down before trying to do so.
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