March 20, 2025 | Volume 43, Issue 27

Unleash Your Inner Chef -

A Culinary Experience Like No Other!

Have you ever dreamed of crafting your own sushi or savoring an authentic Korean feast prepared just for you? Now’s your chance! Bid on this exclusive live auction experience and bring a world-class culinary adventure to your home.

Steppingstone Board Trustee Yong Son will prepare a delectable Korean dinner for you and up to eight guests, assisted by the dedicated Steppingstone Board. But that’s just the beginning! Under the expert guidance of Iron Chef Toshi Adair and Steppingstone Founder Kiyo Morse, you and your guests will enjoy an interactive sushi-making lesson—learning firsthand how to roll, shape, and perfect this Japanese delicacy.

Worried about raw fish? Don’t be! Sushi isn’t just about raw seafood—it includes an array of cooked ingredients, fresh vegetables, and creative flavors that will delight every palate. And to make your evening stress-free, our team will provide all the necessary ingredients—all you need to do is open your home and invite your guests!

✨ Why bid on this one-of-a-kind experience?

✅ Enjoy a hands-on sushi-making class with expert guidance

✅ Savor an authentic Korean dinner made just for you

✅ Host an unforgettable evening of education, entertainment, and exquisite food

✅ Receive special recipes to recreate the magic in your own kitchen

🔥 Don’t miss out on this extraordinary opportunity to elevate your dinner parties to the next level! Place your bid at the live auction and secure an experience your taste buds—and your guests—will never forget!

👉 Register Now for an Opportunity to Bid! 👈

SUPPORT the Student

Pre-Auction Party Next Week!

Thu., March 27th

Our final Auction Money Week is here, and that means the Kids’ Pre-Auction Party is just around the corner! On Thursday, March 27th, students will enjoy a fun-filled day of bidding, games, and Glo-Golf at Zap Zone.

📢 Important Reminders:

✅ We’re looking for donations of fruit, veggie, or cheese & cracker trays for our community snack break. If you’d like to contribute, please contact Mr. Liou.

✅ The morning of the event, all parents must install student car seats in chaperone cars before departure.

✅ Parents interested in chaperoning, please let Mr. Liou know by Monday!

Thank you for helping make this event special! 🎉

A BIG ADOPTION of BABY SALMON

by Mary Gage

Mary Gage is a former Art Teacher and faithful adoptive parent of our baby salmon.  She has adopted faithfully every year that we have participated in the Salmon In the Classroom (SIC/DNR) project.  Below, she shares her chosen names and the fun and creative way she went about the naming this year.

“This year, I named my baby salmon after the rocks and stones that the salmon might see and pass on their underwater Great Lakes adventure.

1. Pete  -  for Petoskey Stones
2. Lee  -  for Leland Blue
3. Charlie  -  for the Charlevoix stone
4. Frank  -  for Frankfort Green
5. Sandy  -  for Sandstone
6. Limey  -  for Limestone
7. Honey  -  for Honeycomb Coral - a fantastic looking fossil
8. Lightning  -  for Lightning Stone - I had the thrill of finding these beautiful rocks on the shores of Lake Michigan.
9. Gabby  -  for Gabbro or "black granite”
10. Yooper  -  for Granite and fluorescent Sodalite - also recently named Yooperlites, by the locals, in the UP. They glow in the dark. How cool is that!"

Hope more adoptions occur before the Coho fingerlings are released!  Three other adoptions have already occurred and you are invited to join these adoptive parents!

Spring is Here…but Michigan

Weather Has Other Plans!

Just when it feels like spring is settling in, Michigan weather reminds us who's boss! Next week, temperatures are expected to drop back down to the low 40s, so please make sure students are dressed appropriately for the chilly conditions.

Layers are key! A warm coat, hat, and gloves will help keep students comfortable during outdoor activities. Let’s keep everyone cozy and ready to learn, no matter what the forecast brings! ❄️☀️

Newest Donors

Fran Eldis

For a full list of donors, see the Annual Giving page on our website.

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