Auction is fast approaching!

Dear STEM Friends,

Our annual Auction is October 9th! We are likely all feeling the strain of the pandemic; this fun event is a time for us to gather and celebrate our community that we haven’t seen since March. Your support of this event goes directly back to your students: funds raised at the auction pay for remote learning resources, teacher support, supplies for your students, and much more.

The best parts:

You don’t need a babysitter! Anyone can join in from the STEM community – there are NO tickets and it’s free to register. Anyone who cares about our kids – grandparents, aunts, uncles can be in on the fun so please send this information to your friends and family who care about your student.

Please join us by doing the following:

  1. Sign up! There is no cost to register; this is not a ticketed event: https://louisaborenstemk8.schoolauction.net/cartoons
  2. Like wine? Buy our STEM K-8 wine and we will deliver it to your door. After signing up using the link above, you can buy 2 bottles for $30.
  3. Mark your calendar for October 9th at 7 PM for the Live Virtual Auction. After you sign up, you’ll receive auction communications, including our YouTube link to participate in the live event.
  4. Consider ordering dinner to enjoy during the auction: choose from STEM Sponsor Circa (who is donating 10% back of Auction night sales) or Anju!

Circa order form (complete by October 6): https://forms.gle/S8iPX9Dk7dFL8ihi8
Anju order form:  http://www.toasttab.com/anjuseattle/v3

Our goal is to raise $60,000.

For your kid, for our students, for the teachers – for today, tomorrow, and all the amazing that is still to come. We look forward to celebrating with you – the first step is to sign up:  https://louisaborenstemk8.schoolauction.net/cartoons

Sincerely,
The Auction Team

Permanent link to this article: https://stemk8pta.org/2020/09/28/auction-is-fast-approaching/

Helpful information for Seesaw and Schoology

STEM K-8 Families,

 

I am sharing the links for three different training sessions we are offering on Wednesday and Thursday this week for STEM families to support access to Seesaw and Schoology by parents/guardians. Click on the class title below to join an online training at that time.

Additionally, self-guided and translated support videos for SeeSaw and Schoology can be found at:

SPS Remote Learning Tools.

Hope you are breathing (shallowly) and staying healthy, brilliant, and sane!

Ben Ostrom

STEM Principal

STEM Schoology and Seesaw classes for families:

Wednesday, 9/16 6-7pm:

Schoology for Middle School Families (Mr. Bleeker)

Thursday, 9/17 6-7pm: (if you have primary and intermediate students choose one to attend).

Seesaw for Kindergarten-2nd grade families  (Ms. Wasser)

 Seesaw for 3rd-5th grade families (Ms. Ollerenshaw)

Permanent link to this article: https://stemk8pta.org/2020/09/15/helpful-information-for-seesaw-and-schoology/

2020 Auction News

Dear STEM friend,

Update on the Saturday Morning Cartoons & PJ’s Auction – originally scheduled for March, then May, then October. We are changing the TV channel off of Animaniacs (it’s much to Wakk-o!) and changing it over to MacGyver!

The past six months we’ve had to be problem-solvers, innovators, flexible, and improvise under unpredictable circumstances. A swiss-army knife isn’t SUPER helpful for COVID, but it will help you open up your Auction winnings – so get ready for the STEM MacGyver Virtual Live Auction!

The silent auction items will be online before and after October 9th, and live virtual auction will be October 9th @7pm and open to all – no tickets will be needed for this event.

Just this year we are flipping things around with the Auction in the Fall and the Direct Give in the Spring.

Thank you for your patience and your understanding during this time – the students, teachers and community depends on the monies raised and we are grateful for your support. Every year we say it’s imperative – this year more than ever every line-item has been carefully budgeted for supporting the needs of our community.

If you can help with auction planning, email robingraham26@gmail.com and save September 14th @7 for a zoom auction committee meeting.  The zoom information will be on the calendar event.

We have always been the school that “made it work” and we will this year too.

We’ve got this.

More information soon,

Robin Graham – Auction Chair

Permanent link to this article: https://stemk8pta.org/2020/08/26/2020-auction-news/

Back to school bash 9 Bingo!

Back to Back to School Bash 9 at Lincoln Park where we sneeze all over a Potluck Dinner?! Nope! It’s Bingo!
We are taking our oldest community event online!
Join us for a family/friends Bingo night!
You can join for a few rounds, or for the whole night.
Prizes include t-shirts, stem swag, trinkets, owl swag, and a night of fun.
Free to play!
1. RSVP by 9/10 @5pm via the facebook event
OR
You can use the same card the whole night, but each family member will want their own. Pre-readers will need support for this activity – the BINGO cards are “STEM themed.”
2. You will receive an email with a Bingo link for either; 1. following along online (you can “daub” the bingo numbers online and then reset each game) OR 2. you can print out your card(s) and go old school by printing out copies of how many games you would like to play.
3. You will receive a zoom call invite from the PTA. Join us when it works for you and play as many or as few games as you would like. PTA meeting / school rules in affect so please no swearing, etc… since a bunch of owlets are on zoom call / chat.
4. If you win: enter your email into the chat section of the zoom call OR email: robingraham26@gmail.com to connect about your prize!

Permanent link to this article: https://stemk8pta.org/2020/08/11/back-to-school-bash-9-bingo/

Looking for someone to fill our new Race & Equity Committee Chair

Greetings STEM Community,

Our PTA statement on anti-racism: “Louisa Boren STEM PTA is an anti-racist organization. Our PTA is enaged in anti-racist work and will continue to listen, learn, and speak out against racism and violence. We seek to center the voices of the Black community and communities of color at STEM, and look to them for guidance and leadership in achieving our mission and staying true to our values.

In the coming 2020-21 school year, we will explore concrete actions to identify systemic racism and the ways it affects families of color. The PTA will review all policies and procedures, including stating this position on our enrollment form, prioritizing engaging with anti-racist vendors, and educating our students and families on racism. We will review resources, including statements by Superintendent Juneau, the district and school board, national and state PTAs, the Academy of African American Male Achievement, and other respected sources, to inform our decisions.

We strive to remove all forms of racism–structural, institutional, and individual–at STEM. This work will never finish, but will be ongoing.”

While our Advocacy Committee has supported and led many initiatives in the past, we feel our community would be better served and the work taken further with a dedicated Race & Equity Committee. The Chair of the committee will be a member of the PTA board and be highly influential in steering the entire PTA to a more equitable space. A rough outline of the volunteer duties is below, but the Chair will be able to shape the role as they see fit.
We STRONGLY ENCOURAGE a BIPOC (Black/Indigenous Person of Color) of our community to take on this role. If more than one person is interested, there will be a vote as required by PTA by-laws. If there’s only one person interested, there is a perfunctory vote, but it’s all yours! All members of our community are encouraged to join the committee. The time commitment of the Race & Equity Committee Chair will vary; estimated to be around 2-10 hours per month, depending on the Chair’s availability.
Description:
The Louisa Boren STEM K-8 PTA Race & Equity Committee Chair works to bring equity and justice to the students and families of our school committee. This may include community education, leading letter writing campaigns, and holding events at school or elsewhere. The Race & Equity Committee Chair will seek to further the anti-racist work of the PTA and view all decisions through an equity lens. The Race & Equity Committee may work with the Advocacy Committee and the LGBTQ+ Committee on events and initiatives. The Race & Equity Committee Chair will serve as a liaison to the school’s Race & Equity Committee (comprised of school staff and community members, separate from the PTA).

The Race & Equity Committee Chair may and is encouraged to attend local conferences and educational events that further their work and understanding, as funds allow.

The Race & Equity Committee Chair is a member of the PTA board and assumes all board responsibilities as follows:
Each board member of a local PTA unit shall be a member in good standing of that local PTA unit prior to assuming the roles and responsibilities of the position.
The board shall:
Consist of the executive committee and appointed positions as specified in the local unit standing rules;
Review the budget prior to its annual submittal to the general membership;
Approve committee plans on an ongoing basis based on current budget forecasts and financial conditions.
Transact necessary business between meetings of the membership and other such business as may be referred to it by the membership; and
Present recommendations to the general membership for action.
A majority of those currently serving on the board shall constitute a quorum.
Special meetings of the board may be called by the president(s) or upon written request of the majority of all members of the board. Written notice stating date, time, place and purpose of the meeting shall be delivered to each member of the board at least ten (10) days prior to the special meeting. If less than 10 days notice is given, documentation of each member’s consent to conduct business must be obtained in writing or via email. A quorum of the board must be present to conduct business.

The time commitment of the Race & Equity Committee Chair will vary; estimated to be around 2-10 hours per month, depending on the Chair’s availability.

For more information, contact PTA President Elect president@stemk8pta.org; or Advocacy Chair Alicia Every aliciaevery@gmail.com

Permanent link to this article: https://stemk8pta.org/2020/06/22/looking-for-someone-to-fill-our-new-race-equity-committee-chair/

Louisa Boren STEM PTA is an anti-racist organization

Louisa Boren STEM PTA is an anti-racist organization. Our PTA is enaged in anti-racist work and will continue to listen, learn, and speak out against racism and violence. We seek to center the voices of the Black community and communities of color at STEM, and look to them for guidance and leadership in achieving our mission and staying true to our values.

In the coming 2020-21 school year, we will explore concrete actions to identify systemic racism and the ways it affects families of color. The PTA will review all policies and procedures, including stating this position on our enrollment form, prioritizing engaging with anti-racist vendors, and educating our students and families on racism. We will review resources, including statements by Superintendent Juneau, the district and school board, national and state PTAs, the Academy of African American Male Achievement, and other respected sources, to inform our decisions.

We strive to remove all forms of racism–structural, institutional, and individual–at STEM. This work will never finish, but will be ongoing.

Permanent link to this article: https://stemk8pta.org/2020/06/12/louisa-boren-stem-pta-is-an-anti-racist-organization/

Our principal’s response to racial violence

This message below is provided first in English, then Spanish, then Somali. Scroll down to see translations. 

El siguiente mensaje se proporciona primero en inglés, luego en español y luego en somalí. Desplácese hacia abajo para ver las traducciones. 

Farriintaan hoose waxaa lagu bixiyaa Ingiriisiga, kadibna Isbaanish, kadibna afsoomaali. Hoos udhaji si aad u aragto tarjumaadaha. 

6-01-20 

Dear STEM Families: 

The last week provided horrifying reminders of the racism endemic to the United States and the hurt is creates for individuals, families, groups, and our country. The outpouring of pain, anger and protest is a collective call for us all to pay attention to the inequities our way of life is built upon and become explicitly antiracist. Heavy things are happening in the world right now, and I am thinking about you. The deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and so many others must not be meaningless in the sustained struggle for justice. How we live our lives has repercussions on people near and far. We are interconnected whether we know it or not. 

As anger and dismay break through isolating social distance boundaries, STEM K-8 must continue to take steps towards addressing the vital, ongoing change that needs to come. As school moves towards June 19, I am asking staff to acknowledge the visceral events that have occurred in Seattle and across our nation, and provide students opportunities to address and respond to the personal and social justice issues they raise. Communities of color are strong and resilient, and the urgency of white families talking with their children and joining the struggle for justice is as clear as it ever has been. I am sharing two resources with this newsletter, relevant for both white families and families of color. The first addresses racial stress because the mental and physical health affects of racism are frighteningly real. The second is a letter from a black woman to white families about the importance of explicitly addressing racism. 

Racial Stress and Self Care 

A Letter to White Parents 

Another community update will come with important school information for this week and next. 

You are important and loved, 

Ben Ostrom STEM Principal 

Esta comunicación traducida con google translate. Por favor disculpe cualquier error. 

6-01-20 

Estimadas familias de STEM: 

La última semana proporcionó recordatorios horripilantes del racismo endémico de los Estados Unidos y el daño que se genera para las personas, las familias, los grupos y nuestro país. La efusión de dolor, ira y protesta es un llamado colectivo para que todos prestemos atención a las desigualdades sobre las que se basa nuestra forma de vida y nos volvamos explícitamente antirracistas. En este momento están sucediendo cosas pesadas en el mundo, y estoy pensando en ti. Las muertes de Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor y tantos otros 

no deben tener sentido en la lucha sostenida por la justicia. La forma en que vivimos nuestras vidas tiene repercusiones en las personas cercanas y lejanas. Estamos interconectados, lo sepamos o no. 

A medida que la ira y la consternación rompen el aislamiento de los límites de la distancia social, STEM K-8 debe continuar tomando medidas para abordar el cambio vital y continuo que debe venir. A medida que la escuela avanza hacia el 19 de junio, le pido al personal que reconozca los eventos viscerales que han ocurrido en Seattle y en toda nuestra nación, y brinde a los estudiantes oportunidades para abordar y responder a los problemas de justicia personal y social que plantean. Las comunidades de color son fuertes y resistentes, y la urgencia de que las familias blancas hablen con sus hijos y se unan a la lucha por la justicia es tan clara como siempre. Comparto dos recursos con este boletín, relevantes tanto para las familias blancas como para las familias de color. El primero aborda el estrés racial porque los efectos del racismo en la salud mental y física son terriblemente reales. La segunda es una carta de una mujer negra a familias blancas sobre la importancia de abordar explícitamente el racismo. 

Estrés racial y autocuidado 

Una carta a los padres blancos 

Otra actualización de la comunidad vendrá con información importante de la escuela para esta semana y la próxima. 

Eres importante y amado 

Ben Ostrom 

Director de STEM 

Wadahadalkan ayaa lagu tarjumay google tarjubaan. Fadlan raali haka ahaade wixii khaladaad ah. 

6-01-20 

6-01-20 

Qoysaska qaaliga ah ee STEM: 

Toddobaadkii la soo dhaafay waxay soo saareen xusuusin naxdin leh oo ku saabsan cunsuriyadda u nugul Mareykanka iyo dhaawaca wuxuu u abuuray shaqsiyaadka, qoysaska, kooxaha, iyo waddankeenna. Bixinta xanuunka, xanaaqa iyo mudaharaadka waa baaqa wadajirka ah ee loogu talagalay dhammaanteen inaan fiiro gaarno u yeelano sinnaan darrada qaabkeenna nolosheenna ku dhisan yahay oo aan u noqonno mid si cad uga soo horjeedda. Waxyaabaha culus ayaa adduunka ka dhacaya hadda, waana ka fekerayaa adiga. Dhimashada Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, iyo kuwa kale oo badan waa inaanay micno u yeelan halganka joogtada ah ee cadaalada. Sida aan ugu nool nahay nolosheenna waxay ku leedahay dib-u-eegis lagu sameeyo dadka ku dhow iyo fog. Waan isku xirannahay haddii aan ognahay iyo in kale. 

Maaddaama caro iyo jahwareer ay ka gudbaan go’doominta xuduudaha masaafada bulshada, STEM K-8 waa inay sii wadaa qaadista tillaabooyin wax looga qabanayo isbedelka muhiimka ah, ee socda ee u baahan inuu yimaado. Markii iskuulku u wareego dhanka Juun 19, waxaan weydiisanayaa shaqaalaha inay qiraan dhacdooyinka muuqaalka ah ee ka dhacay Seattle iyo guud ahaan ummaddeena, oo ay siiyaan ardayda fursado ay wax kaga qabtaan oo ay kaga jawaabaan arrimaha shakhsiyadeed iyo caddaaladda bulshada ee ay kor u qaadaan. 

Bulshooyinka midabku waa xoog badan yihiin oo adkaysi badan, deg degna u ah qoysaska cadaanka ah ee lahadlaya carruurtooda kuna biiraya halganka cadaalada sida ay waligeed ahayd. Waxaan la wadaagayaa laba ilo macluumaad joornaalkan, kaasoo ku habboon labada qoys ee caddaanka ah iyo qoysaska midabka leh. Waxyaabaha ugu horeeya ayaa ka hadlaya walbahaarka midab-takoorka maxaa yeelay caafimaadka maskaxda iyo jirka wuxuu saameeyaa midab-takoorku waa cabsi daran. Midda labaad waa warqad ka timid haweeney madow oo loogu talagalay qoysaska caddaanka ah ee ku saabsan muhimadda si cad looga hadlo cunsuriyadda. 

Cadaadiska cakiran iyo is-daryeel 

Warqad ku socota waalidiinta cad 

Cusboonaysiinta kale ee bulshada ayaa la imaan doonta macluumaad muhiim ah oo ku saabsan dugsiga toddobaadkan iyo kan xiga. 

Waad muhiim tahay oo waad jeceshahay, 

Ben Ostrom 

Maamulaha STEM 

Permanent link to this article: https://stemk8pta.org/2020/06/01/our-principals-response-to-racial-violence/

Calling all parents to become PTA officers

Calling all STEM adults!  Have you ever considered volunteering for a non-profit Board? Now is your opportunity! The Louisa Boren STEM PTA is seeking volunteers to fill two officer positions for the 2020-21 school year!  Our Executive Board needs a President and Vice President. Our PTA is active, organized, and committed to the well-being of our school community. Our work is grounded in equity; we support school activities to fill gaps in District funding, including annual library book purchases, project-based learning supplies, classroom resources and supplies, substitute teachers, and teacher development. Please consider offering your time to support our kids and teachers during this upcoming year! Contact Angela Wallis, nominations committee chair, at secretary@stemk8pta.org, or 206-999-2132 with questions, or to demonstrate your interest!  You can read more about them in this document

Permanent link to this article: https://stemk8pta.org/2020/06/01/calling-all-parents-to-become-pta-officers/

Virtual Spirit Week!

For more information on how to participate read this documentation 

Permanent link to this article: https://stemk8pta.org/2020/06/01/virtual-spirit-week/

Donate to our GGLOW program

This year is our fourth annual GGLOW OWLS celebration, and of course we will be doing it a little differently this year. For those of you who are new to the STEM K-8 community, GGLOW OWLS stands for gender non-conforming/genderqueer, gay, lesbian or whatever and is our school’s way of kicking off Pride month and celebrating our LGBTQ+ students, staff and families. In past years we had rainbow owl tshirt sales to raise money for new LGBTQ+ book titles for our library and classrooms, plus an AWESOME dance party on our playground with food trucks and ice cream!

STEM K-8 librarian extraordinaire, Mrs. B had a terrific idea. This year instead of fundraising to purchase books we are asking for your financial donations so we can purchase LGBTQ+ ebooks and make them available to our students by the end of June!

Being away from school for so long is hard for all of our students but it can be especially isolating for our LGBTQ+ students who rely on their school community for support. We’ll run this fundraiser from 5/18-6/18. If you are able to make a contribution, please help us make our goal of $1,350. Let’s buy more LGBTQ+ ebook titles for the Louisa Boren STEM K-8 Library!

We couldn’t let GGLOW OWLS go by without a dance party! So on Friday May 29th from 5:30-7:30, tune into our FB event page for a special Family Dance Party Spotify list, videos and more! You’ll want to take lots of pics to share with us and don’t forget the ice cream

You can visit the donation page at  http://stemk8pta.org/get-involved/donate-to-our-gglow-program/

Permanent link to this article: https://stemk8pta.org/2020/05/18/donate-to-our-gglow-program/

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