Newsletter Volume 43, Number 16

December 19, 2024 | Volume 43, Issue 16

Table of Contents

Welcome! New Student: Francis Hyun
Thank You! $2,760 Raised for Future Student Adventures
Relive the Magic of Winterfest!
Prepare for a Day of Discovery at the Michigan Science Center!
Swimming Begins Tuesday, January 7th, 2025
No School - Winter Break Mon. - Fri., Dec. 23 - Jan. 3
Taste, Talk, & Learn: Celebrating Ireland with Boxty, Bread, and More!

Upcoming Events

FRI, Nov 29 - FRI, Jan 3 2025

Walk of Trees Viewing

FRI, Dec 20

MI Science Center Visit

9:15 am, group departure for Science Center

10:00 am, arrival and program start

Departure will be from the Science Center

MON - FRI, Dec 23 - Jan 3

NO SCHOOL

Winter Break

MON, Jan 6

Classes Resume

TUES, Jan 7

pm, Swimming (first session)

WELCOME!

New Student:

Francis Hyun

We are so excited to welcome a new student to our Steppingstone family - Francis Hyun (gr. 4)! If you see him or his parents, be sure to say hello!

THANK YOU!

$2,760 Raised for Future Student Adventures

A heartfelt thank-you to everyone who participated in our Winterfest pre-auction raffle! Whether you sold tickets, purchased them, or encouraged others to support, your efforts have made a lasting impact.

Thanks to your incredible support, we raised $2,760 to fund future enriching and educational field trips for our students. Programs like the Appledore IV BaySail "Science under Sail" STEM experience, which our students enjoyed in the past, show the transformative power of hands-on learning. With these funds, we’ll be able to continue offering memorable opportunities that inspire curiosity and growth.

Your dedication to our school community ensures that every student has the chance to explore, learn, and thrive.

Relive the Magic of Winterfest!

Our annual Winterfest celebration was a magical evening filled with music, dance, and heartfelt performances that showcased the hard work and talent of our students. This year’s celebration was truly unforgettable, as we gathered to enjoy multicultural folk songs, individual talent acts, and Mandarin demonstrations.

A standout moment of the evening was the traditional Celtic folk song, beautifully tying into our exploration of Ireland in Social Studies. Our students’ enthusiasm and dedication lit up the room, bringing joy and warmth to the season.

✨ Highlights of the Evening Included:

Song & Dance Performances: Lively and moving pieces that celebrated cultures from around the world.
Individual Talent Acts: Our budding stars wowed the audience with their unique skills.
Mandarin Demonstrations: A testament to the students' growing proficiency in a new language.

Thank You for Making Winterfest Special!

From the thoughtful treats shared by families to the encouraging applause from the audience, Winterfest wouldn’t have been the same without your support.

Prepare for a Day of Discovery

at the Michigan Science Center!

Schedule:

9:00 AM: Meet at school if you’d like to caravan down to the Science Center. Departure is at 9:15 AM.
10:00 AM: Arrive at the Michigan Science Center and meet in the Main Entrance.

Parking:

There is metered parking on the streets around MiSci. The Cultural Center lot and several Wayne State University parking structures are available. Prices and hours vary.
As an alternative, we recommend parking at the Rackham Memorial Parking Garage, operated by Wayne State University. You can access the garage from Warren Ave.

*There is a prediction of 1 - 3 inches of snowfall starting Thursday. Please plan accordingly and inform Mr. Liou if you will be late.

SWIMMING

Begins Tuesday, January 7th, 2025

TO PACK: One-piece swimsuit in a Ziploc bag, large towel, swim goggles (optional), and flip-flops or water shoes (to wear in the shower). Students will be instructed to place their wet swimsuits in the Ziplock to contain moisture. Please DO NOT SEND swim fins, water wings, or any toys or floatation devices. The pool will provide necessary floatation tools.

Parents, your child may appreciate an extra snack in his/her lunchbox to enjoy after the session. Swimming burns a lot of calories!

Certified lifeguards will assess all students’ abilities on the first day of class before placing them at their instructional level. Some students may move from one group to another based on their skill set. Students are all tested by certified instructors and are advanced according to their progress.

The goals of the swimming classes are to assist students in learning water safety and survival skills as well as proper stroke formation. A benefit of the classes is that students naturally progress to being able to swim as they gain more experience.

The girls' locker room will be supervised by Mrs. Coffin and Mrs. Dudek. The boys' locker room will be supervised by Mr. Liou and Mr. Johnson.

NO SCHOOL - Winter Break

Mon. - Fri., Dec. 23 - Jan. 3

We will be resuming school on Monday, January 6, 2025!

Taste, Talk & Learn:

Celebrating Ireland with

Boxty, Bread, and More!

This week we wrapped up our study of Ireland. We attempted to count from 1-10 in Gaelic (pictured below). We also twisted our tongues to say hello, goodbye, and a few other common greetings and words.

Next, it was time for everyone's favorite: FOOD! After making our mouths water by looking at some pictures of Irish stew, colcannon (mashed potatoes with cabbage or kale), and apple cake, it was time to try our hand at making boxty (pictured below)! Boxty is potato pancakes, a staple in a traditional Irish breakfast. The students grated a raw potato and mixed in flour, mashed potato, green onions, buttermilk, and a little baking soda. With a dash of salt and pepper, we were ready to fry! Some even chose to add some shredded cheddar on top.