May 9, 2024 | Volume 42, Issue 33

Table of Contents

  • Salmon Release Sat., May 4th @ Belanger Park
  • Congratulations to Steppingstone's Volunteer of the Year, Jorge Contreras
  • Well "Done"
  • Chess Club Dates
  • 3D Printing/Robotics Club Tue., May 14th
  • Steppingstone Open House
  • Fine Arts Fest: The Magic of the Music of Destiny
  • 2024 Summer Camp

Volunteers

Chris Phillips

Auction Chair


Yuliya Koval

Acquisitions Chair


Michelle Tan

SPARC Chair


Fran Yturri

Keepsake Catalog


Jorge Contreras

Marketing


Dan Engerer

& Robert Schiff

3D Printing/Robotics Club


Holly Drouin

Yearbook


SALMON RELEASE Sat., May 4th @ Belanger Park

Last Saturday, May 4th, Dr. Morse along with Mr. Lee and our student adopters released the Chinook salmon that we nurtured since last November, 2023 into the river at Belanger Park. This was part of the SIC (Salmon in the Classroom) partnership that Steppingstone has with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. One of the related projects promoted through this project is the "Adopt-a-Salmon" FUN'd RAISER. We were able to raise to finance the care and feeding of next year's fingerlings in addition to the upkeep of our tortoise and saltwater tank. 


Pictured below (left to right) are our student adopters Cassie, Finnley, Edward, and Victoria assisting in releasing the salmon.

This year, we were able to release over 80 salmon fingerlings into the river! Thank you to Mary Gage, Fran Eldis, Finnley, Cassie, Victoria, Brody, and Edward for adopting!

CONGRATULATIONS TO STEPPINGSTONE’S Volunteer of the Year, JORGE CONTRERAS

At this year’s 2024 Showcase & Taste of Plymouth, we were provided the opportunity to recognize our volunteer of the year, Jorge Contreras (pictured below).

From the beginning of the year, Jorge has not only offered his digital marketing consulting services, but he has also helped redesign our website and newsletter. Jorge has contributed over $9,000 through in-kind services.

WELL "Done"


As the school year begins to wrap up completed folders, spirals, and workbooks will start coming home.  If you see "DONE" written across the cover, that means the work is correctly completed and does not need to return to school. 


What should you do with these items?  Here are some options:

  1. Save them for posterity
  2. Use as kindling
  3. Make paper airplanes
  4. Put on a bookshelf as reference material
  5. Use as wrapping paper for small gifts
  6. Cut up to use for decoupage 
  7. Recycle


What creative ideas do you have?

CHESS CLUB DATES


The following are the remaining dates: May 15th, 22nd, 29th, and June 5th.

3D PRINTING/ROBOTICS CLUB Tue., May 14th


Our next 3D Printing/Robotics club will be on Tuesday, May 14th. The remaining dates are as follows: May 28th and June 4th.

STEPPINGSTONE Open House


Our next Open House will be on May 28th at 11 AM. If you know of anyone who might be interested in learning more about our program, please help pass along this information. To attend, please RSVP at: 


https://bit.ly/SteppingstoneOpenHouse2024

FINE ARTS FEST: The Magic of the Music of Destiny


Time has flown by and our Fine Arts Fest is almost here! Our students have worked hard making props as well as rehearsing and memorizing lines and lyrics. Next Friday, May 17th, is our annual event.  


Please meet in the classroom at 6:45 PM. Parents will walk as a group to the band room to be seated for the performance. Students will follow in time to start the show at 7PM.


ATTIRE: Students should wear dark pants/skirt and a brightly colored solid top (no stripes or other designs). No jeans or sneakers, please.


SNACKS & SOCIALIZING: Please bring a finger food to share such as a fruit or veggie tray, crackers and cheese, etc. After the performance, we will return to the classroom to enjoy refreshments and some social time.


Invite your families (grandparents, aunts and uncles, etc.) to the show! Your children love to see supportive, friendly faces in the audience, and so do we!

END OF SCHOOL TRIP

HOWELL NATURE CENTER

Wed., June 12th


We can’t believe the school year is almost over! For our end-of-the-year trip this year, we will be going to the Howell Nature Center. We will provide more information as we are closer to the date but the logistics will be similar to our Toledo Zoo trip. This trip will be for the whole day and we will be doing the following activities: Skins and Skulls, Predator and Prey Games (no body contact!), Wild Rehab, and Zip Line (Adventure Play for the Early El students who don’t meet Zip Line requirements).

2024 SUMMER CAMP

With summer quickly approaching, we want to highlight some of our upcoming summer camps. Camps other than the SMART Center are for ages 6-13 (or with special permission from the instructor).


Our current camps (subject to change):


Platform 9 3/4 ($400), July 8-12

Instructor: Shari Dudek

Embark on a magical journey with us for a week of enchanting classes, including Transfiguration, Potions, and Care of Magical Creatures. Get sorted into a House on the first day and accumulate points for your house throughout the week. Experience daily Owl Post deliveries and test your skills to become the Seeker for your house. Cap off the week with an end-of-term celebration where you can savor the favorite recipes of house elves. Don’t miss out on the magic!


Computer Take-Apart ($350), July 15-19

Instructor: Dr. Philip "Reef" Morse

If you’re keen on unraveling the inner workings of technology, especially computers (desktops & laptops), hard drives, CDs, printers, and more, then this camp is tailored for you! Dive into the disassembly of computers, printers, scanners, and various IT equipment to explore their construction and functionality. Your ultimate test will not only involve reassembling these components but also the challenge of restoring them to full functionality, if feasible.

Asian Cooking ($400), July 22-26

Instructor: David Liou

Are you familiar with the distinctions between a dumpling, potsticker, and wonton? In this camp, not only will you grasp the nuances, but you’ll also embark on a culinary journey exploring similar dishes from across Asia! Delve into the preparation and tasting of delectable, authentic Asian cuisines representing various regions. Alongside, acquire essential skills like basic knife safety, the use of cooking utensils, and hygienic food preparation practices. Explore unique cooking utensils and styles specific to diverse Asian cultures. Why postpone your exploration of Asia when you can savor it right now? Don your apron, bring a friend, and let’s dive in! Campers will also take home a booklet containing the recipes they’ve mastered. Please note, the camp environment is nut-free.


SMART Center for Scientific Research ($450), August 12-16

Instructor: Dr. Philip "Reef" Morse

Annual Giving

2023-2024

$10,000 to $14,999

Clifton A. Ruppel


$5,000 to $9,999

 

$1,000 to $4,999

Dechen Financial Group,Inc. (Auction Sponsor)

Frances Eldis, Bd. Sec.

Michelle Belt, Alum Parent

Rebecca & Albert Tochet

Sharon Dow

Shuh Yuan Liou & Shau Ching Tang

Stepping Stones Wellness Center


$500 to $999

Chris Isberg, Alum Parent & Board Trustee

Donna Coffin, Bd. Trustee

Hedy Zablocki, Bd. Trustee

Jill Engerer, Grandparent

Yong Son, Bd. Trustee


$100 to $499

Carol Woods, Grandparent

H. Michael Sun & Hsiu-ting Huang

Joan Raphael, Friend of Steppingstone

Lori Bubash Faust

Marion Nesterenko, Alum Parent

Mary Renkiewicz

Michelle Tan & Dan Engerer, Current Parents

Robert & Jewgenia Schiff, Current Parents

Xiaoyi Wu & Tianmin Zheng

Yong Pan

Yungsen Sheng


$50 to $99

 

Up to $50

Simon Margules, Alum Grad

Yeong Jye Wu


In-Kind

Jorge Contreras - Website & Email Marketing Migration

Adopt-A-Salmon Donors

(adoption donation, $10 ea)


Victoria Contreras Sena

Salami

Cassie Schiff

Aurora

Edward Koval

Eugene

Brody Phillips

Scalina

Finnley Schiff

Bernard

Fran Eldis

Calliope, Clio, Euterpe, Melpomene, Terpsichore, Erato, Polyhymnia, Urania, Thalia, Efrosini, Aphrodite, Xenia

Mary Gage

Edward Fitzgerald, Alpena, Bannockburn, Lady Elgin, Grandpa Woo, Saucy Jim, Kamloops, Water Witch, Mary Jane, Northern Queen

Auction Sponsors

$10,000 and up


$5,000 to $9,999

 

$1,000 to $4,999

Chong & Yong Son

Dechen Consulting Group

Karen & Ross Phillips

Shuh-Yuan Liou & Shau-Ching Tang

Stepping Stones Wellness Center


$500 to $999

Bert Nisbet

Brenda Wilson & Chris Isberg

Donna Coffin

Gabriella Perez & Marty Eichman

Kuei & Chi Wang

Larry Gaynor


$100 to $499

Cindy & Michael Belt

Fran Yturri & Alan Thomason

Heather & Chris Phillips

Hedy Zablocki

Holly Druin & Brian McCluskey

Jewgenia & Robert Schiff

John & Soraya Larkin

Joyce Li & Lijun Chen

Karla Sena & Jorge Contreras

Keiko & David Woods

Lamia Nehme

Marilyn Drake

Menlo Innovations

Missy & David Somershoe

Michelle Belt & Peter Margules

Olga Mondrusova

Sue Mero & John Monk

Yonghong Guo


$50 to $99

Anne Rzadca

JoAnn & Tom Munson

Lori & Craig Warner

Plaza Veterinary Hospital

Shari Dudek

Yuliya Koval


Up to $50

Katra Stubblefield

Maya Sheth

The SMART Center offers middle and high school students a unique opportunity to engage in research just like professional scientists. Participants will be introduced to laboratory methods, gaining hands-on experience with university-grade magnetic resonance instrumentation. This high-level course involves extensive practice and problem-solving, allowing students to create, design, and analyze data for their own scientific research projects. Upon completion, students are granted the privilege to return and utilize the equipment and lab for planning and executing extended research projects. An added highlight is the chance to present their work at an International Magnetic Resonance Conference the following summer. This unparalleled STEM experience is exclusive and not replicated anywhere else on Earth! A solid foundation in pre-algebra or higher is highly recommended.


For more information on fees and registration, please visit Steppingstone School Summer Camp, download our brochure, or call the office at (248) 957-8200

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