Principal’s Perspective:
Determined! As we closed out the second quarter, I can without question say that both our students and teachers were determined to “finish strong,” and indeed they did! SMBR teachers and staff were committed to our small group and intervention sessions on Wednesdays, while our students who experienced challenges used the grade extension time wisely. The ultimate goal is always student achievement, and I was happy to see the determination of both our teachers, students AND parents in ensuring that we did our best to support student success, as we ended the second quarter. I believe that we have all now found our rhythm, as we work together, in being STEMmersed; resulting in the best STEM Scholars that our students can be!
Please enjoy our 2nd quarter newsletter, as it will highlight our many successes, during not only the last nine weeks but for the entire first semester. I am especially proud of the relationships that we had the opportunity to not only create, but to nurture during the 2nd quarter. Our STEM Service Committee, led by Ms. Davis working in partnership with our Reynoldsburg community, held a successful Toy for Tots “donation drive-thru,” that raised over $1,000 for our Reynoldsburg community. Kudos to our STEM Service teachers and staff and thanks to all of you who supported such a purposeful endeavor. We could not have done it, without you!
The winter break season also allowed us to form partnerships with local Divine 9 organizations (historically black sororities/fraternities) and the local chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc., whom graciously adopted 10 of our families over the winter break, providing them with a little extra, much needed TLC. We look forward to the continued building of new relationships, as well as nurturing our current partnerships.
Our first SMBR Parent University was held during the 2nd quarter as well! Parent University was an informative, virtual evening where our parents rotated between the following workshops:
iMake it: STEM at Home – Get Fit with your Family!
Monitoring Student Progress – An overview for parents, on how to navigate PowerSchool, Playlists and Landing pages.
Connecting Families and School and Staff – An overview of our communication sites ( school web page and social media).
Supporting Social Emotional Health in a Virtual Space – Recognizing the signs of depression and mental health support.
Ms. George and the Parent University committee did an excellent job and I am encouraging our families to be on the lookout for our 3rd quarter Parent University. You won’t want to miss it!
Our new PBIS initiative was successfully kicked off during our 2nd quarter! All of our STEM Scholars who had displayed STEM Scholarship, received a certificate as well as having their name thrown in the STEM Pool, with a chance to win a DoorDash gift card! Five deserving students won a $15 door dash gift card, compliments of our SMBR PTO! Thanks goes out to our PTO President, Ms. Harmacek and the amazing executive board, for supporting our PBIS program and rewarding our students! We are looking forward to rewarding more of our STEM Scholars, at the end of the 3rd quarter.
STEM Kit pick-up days became a part of our new normal, 2nd quarter! These kits allow our virtual students to participate in hands-on learning, as we continue to offer the highest quality of instruction for our STEM Scholars. Be sure to check the calendar on our web page, for upcoming 3rd quarter STEM kit pick-up days.
First semester also brought the introduction of our School Wide Book Reads! I am excited to see the culminating projects; the tiny houses and windmills, just to name a few! Parents can expect to receive notification in the coming weeks regarding the second semester school wide books.
This week kicks off our signature school fundraiser: The Double Good Popcorn sale! It lasts for only four days, so be sure to get your order placed! The fundraiser is super safe, in that it is all online and the popcorn is delivered directly to your home, from Double Good. Did I mention that the popcorn is DELICIOUS? The popcorn is delicious!
Happy Black History Month! Although lesson planning inclusive of culture and diversity is a priority for SMBR, your SMBR teachers will be enriching their lesson plans this month with Black History, in honor of Black History Month. This will culminate in a virtual tour of projects and essays that will line our halls. Stay tuned! Weekly, students will have the opportunity to participate in trivia questions for prizes! AP Ross is presently collaborating with one of neighboring schools, in the planning of a fabulous program! More information will be forwarded to students and families, as the program is solidified.
One final word about our return to hybrid…please review with your students not only District but SMBR policies, in regard to dress code and cell phones. As I am sure that your students will tell you, we hold STEM Scholarship in the highest regard, and expect the best from our STEM Scholars! We appreciate your continued support on this.
Yours in Education,
Principal Wilson