December 5, 2024 | Volume 43, Issue 13

THANK YOU for Making

GivingTuesday a Success!

We are deeply grateful for your incredible generosity during our GivingTuesday campaign. Together, with the support of our community, matching partners Stepping Stones Wellness Center, and our dedicated Board of Trustees, we achieved something extraordinary!

✨ Thanks to you, we raised a total of $10,875!

This incredible contribution will go a long way in supporting our mission to nurture and develop the whole gifted child. Your commitment to making a difference in their lives is truly inspiring.

Thank you for your kindness, generosity, and unwavering support.

📣 Let’s continue building a brighter future, one step at a time!

CHECK OUT Our Giftedness Blog:

Insights, Resources, and More!

We’re excited to announce that our Giftedness Blog is back up and running! At the start of the year, we kicked things off with articles highlighting the founding of Steppingstone School, our program, and the values that drive us. Recently, we shared a recap of our first SPARCler Parent Support Forum, where we were honored to have Kristin Cotts as our guest speaker. The forum followed the MAGC Fall Virtual Conference, diving into the academic, social, and emotional needs of gifted children.

We invite you to explore these posts and share the blog with anyone who may benefit from this information. If you have topics you’d like us to cover or if you’re interested in contributing to the blog, please contact David Liou, Head of School, at dliou@steppingstoneschool.org. Your feedback and involvement are what keep our blog meaningful and impactful.

Read the blog here: Steppingstone School Gifted Blog

FINAL CALL - One Week Left

Buy Early Bird Auction Tickets!

The clock is ticking! There’s just ONE WEEK left to snag your early bird tickets for our 32nd Annual Benefit Auction: “A Western Hoedown”! Don’t miss your chance to save on this incredible night of fun, food, and philanthropy.

Early Bird Pricing (Ends December 13, 2024):

• Individual Tickets: $80
• Table for 10: $750

After December 13, ticket prices will increase to $85 per person and $800 for a table of 10. Lock in your savings today and be part of this unforgettable evening!

Here’s what’s in store:

🍽️ A delicious dinner

🎶 Live entertainment

🎁 Exciting auction items

🎉 Plenty of fun with our amazing community

Every ticket purchased supports our mission to provide exceptional education for gifted students. Let’s make this hoedown one for the books!

Don’t Wait—Early Bird Pricing Ends December 13!

SECURE YOUR TICKETS HERE!

STAY WARM & PLAY ON:

Send Students w/Appropriate Winter Wear!

As winter settles in, it’s essential to ensure your children have the right outdoor gear for their daily fresh air breaks. Please check that your student brings the following items to school each day:

• Insulated Jackets
• Waterproof Mittens/Gloves
• Hats & Scarves
• Insulated Snow Pants
• Insulated Boots

Students enjoy outdoor time every day unless it’s raining. These fresh-air breaks are vital for helping them recharge and focus during afternoon enrichment activities. 

Even on bitterly cold days, students will head outside for a brief walk-around, but rest assured - our teachers feel the chill before the kids do and will keep outdoor time short if necessary. 

Let’s keep our students warm!

Get Ready for

Winterfest Magic!

Our students have been working hard this fall on multicultural folk songs and stories to present at our annual Winterfest, held next Thursday, December 12th. One song is a traditional Celtic folk song, tying in to our study of Ireland in Social Studies. Mark your calendars and join us for a night of music, dance, and community fun at Winterfest! Our talented students have been hard at work preparing a special evening to celebrate the season with performances you won’t want to miss.

When: Thursday, December 12th at 7 PM

Where: Classroom

✨ What to Expect:

• Song & Dance Performances: Yes, they’ll be singing and dancing!
• Individual Talent Acts: Be ready to cheer for some amazing solo moments.
• Mandarin Demonstrations: See how our students are mastering their foreign language skills.

Student Attire:

• Black pants (or a black skirt for young ladies, if preferred)
• A solid-color top in a bright shade like red, green, purple, or blue (no pastels, please).
• Please choose something polished — no T-shirts!

Arrival Time:

To ensure a smooth evening, please arrive by 6:45 PM. The show will start promptly at 7 PM, and you don’t want to miss a moment!

Bring a Treat to Share:

Let’s make this a festive community event! We’re asking each family to bring light snacks to share—fruit, veggies, crackers, cheese, or cookies are all great options.

📣 We can’t wait to see you there! Let’s make this Winterfest a night to remember.

Embrace the Holiday Spirit

at the Tollgate Farm

Sat., Dec. 7th

Mark your calendars for December 7th and bring the whole family to the farm for a day filled with holiday cheer and memorable experiences. Here's what’s in store:

• 🐐 Meet Adorable Farm Animals: A hands-on opportunity for kids to learn and interact with gentle, furry friends.
• 🚜 Enjoy Scenic Hay Rides: Take a nostalgic ride through the picturesque farm landscape.
• 📸 Capture Holiday Moments: Snap cherished family photos in front of beautifully decorated holiday backdrops.
• 🎨 Kids' Crafts: Let little ones unleash their creativity with fun and festive craft projects.
• 🎅 Special Guest Appearance: Santa Claus might just stop by to spread extra holiday joy!

Don’t miss the magic! Join us for a day that will warm your heart and create lasting family memories. 🎁

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER TODAY!

SPIRIT DAY

Thu., Dec. 5

Today we celebrated November achievements. While no one was awarded High Stepper for the month, we did have one Honorable Mention: Finley had just one tardy for the month. We also chose a High Stepper button design. The winning submission was drawn by Owen (pictured below). He depicted a turkey telling folks to "Get out of my yard!" with festive Thanksgiving banners in the background.

Once again, we have two Runners of the Month! Finley (below right) ran the most laps, totalling 18.5 miles. He ran six extra laps to earn this distinction. Owen (below left)ran the most extra laps with seven, for a total of 16.75 miles for the month. Our Kindergarten and first graders are required to run three laps (3/4 mile) each day, while second grade and up run four laps (1 mile). This explains why Owen ran more extra laps, but fewer total miles.

During lunch today, we were also joined by Finley’s mom and great-grandma!

CONGRATULATIONS, FINLEY!

Second Winterfest Ticket-Selling

Student Winner!

Congratulations to Finley (pictured below) for selling 26 Winterfest pre-auction raffle tickets! The second round winner was given a Rubik’s Magic Star. The cumulative ticket-selling student winner will be announced during Winterfest and will have an opportunity to choose a new fish for our saltwater tank!

Volunteers

Auction Chair

Chris Isberg

Auction Acquisitions

Michelle Belt, Chair

Dena Nehme

Brad Styke

SMART Center Chair

Robert Schiff

SPARC Chair

Michelle Tan

Marketing

Jorge Contreras

Yearbook & Keepsake Editor

Barbara Malnar-Styke