February 19, 2026 | Volume 44, Issue 22

PLAN FOR IOWA TESTING

Feb. 23-26, M-Th Mornings

NO SCHOOL Fri., Feb. 27

Dates: Feb. 23–26 (Mon–Thurs mornings)

No School: Friday, Feb. 27

• Administered annually to students in grades 3–8
• Not given to younger grades due to research on accuracy and stress
• Measures student achievement against national norms
• Confirms teacher assessments and overall academic progress
• Variations in Social Studies/Science scores may reflect curriculum sequencing differences
• No test prep required — testing week is intended to be low-stress
• Generally viewed by students as a positive change of pace

How Parents Can Support Students

• Maintain consistent attendance the week prior and during testing
• Keep sick children home (no make-ups; illness affects accuracy)
• Ensure early bedtimes before and during test week
• Provide a high-protein breakfast and snacks (avoid high-sugar options)
• Offer reassurance — effort matters more than perfection

🗿✨ Auction Item of the Month

Bring Home a Little Wisdom & Whimsy — Register to Bid Today! ✨🗿

Looking for something charming, meaningful, and delightfully unique? This week’s featured Silent Auction item is a whimsical set of four expressive stone figurines—each with its own personality and mood!

Buy Your Auction Tickets Now for Your Chance to Bid on This and Other Items!

UNLOCKING the MEANING of IQ EVALUATIONS:

Join Us for Our Final SPARCler Parent Support Forum

Thursday, February 26th 7pm on ZOOM

As we approach the end of the school year, we invite you to join us for our final SPARCler Parent Support Forum—a valuable opportunity to connect, learn, and support one another on the journey of parenting gifted children.



📅 Date: Thursday, February 26th

🕖 Time: 7:00 PM

📍 Location: ZOOM

Registration is required to receive the link. RSVP today!

ATTEND the MI PHILHARMONIC

CONCERT for the YOUNG!

Looking for a fun and educational way to introduce your children to classical music? Tiny Tunes - Music for Little Ears was designed to take your kids on a magical musical journey featuring musicians from the Michigan Philharmonic along with other artistic partners. These short, 45-minute programs are held on Saturday mornings at the Plymouth Arts & Recreation Complex. Tickets available on-line and at the door.

This season the Tiny Tunes concerts include:

Saturday, February 21, 2026 Dancing to the Rhythm - Music from all over the world showcases different beats and rhythms highlighted by dancers from the Artistry Dance Studio at PARC.

Saturday, May 9, 2026 - Michigan Philharmonic Youth Ensemble - Young Maestros The Sinfonia Ensemble of the Michigan Philharmonic Youth Orchestra features elementary and middle school aged string players performing a variety of fun music for kids. A great way for kids to meet and hear young student musicians

Events will be held here at the PARC, in the Jack Wilcox Theater. For more information or for tickets, please visit:

https://michiganphil.networkforgood.com/events/89640-tiny-tunes-music-for-little-ears-2025-2026?hid=MTIwNTA1MjU=&utm_campaign=dms_email_blast_4505076

SENSATIONAL SILK ROAD

This week, our Upper Elementary students experienced just a taste of what it may have been like to trade on China's ancient Silk Road.  Not only did people trade silk, gold, glassware, spices, and other products from across the continent, but also ideas!  Buddhism first spread to China from India via the Silk Road.

Pictured above, Francis closed his eyes to protect them from a sandstorm while crossing the Taklamakan desert.  Behind him, Finley climbed over the mountains to reach his trading post.  Pictured below, Finnley demonstrated a crab walk to avoid being spotted by bandits as he carried his goods along the Silk Road.  Other dangers included lions, scorpions, and mirages.

Students could only move from one trading post to an adjacent one.  They were required to trade for one of each of five products (pictured below), then make their way back to their "home" location.

Annual Giving 2025-2026

We would like to thank everyone who made an Annual Giving donation in the 2025-2026 school year.

$5,000 to $9,999

$1,000 to $4,999

Chong & Yong Son

Dorothea Coffin

Fran Eldis

Shuh Yuan Liou & Shau Ching Tang

Yong Pan

$500 to $999

David Liou

Hedy Zablocki

Michelle Belt

Stepping Stones Wellness Center

$100 to $499

Chris Isberg

Joanne Chang

Joyce Li

Liqun Yang

Minghung Hsu

Simon Margules

$50 to $99

James & Alicia Phillips

Kroger's

Up to $50

Jason Roder

In-Kind

Volunteers

Auction Chair

Barbara Malnar-Styke

Auction Acquisitions

Michelle Belt

Dena Nehme

Brad Styke

SMART Center Chair

Dr. Reef Morse

Marketing

Jorge Contreras

WISHLIST



A subscription to Highlights Children's Magazine

https://shop.highlights.com/

Donated by Barbara Malnar-Styke

OMAX 1.3MP USB 2.0 C-Mount Microscope Camrea for Windows, Mac OS, and Linux

https://omaxmicroscope.com/products/a3513u

Donated by the Schiff family



ADOPT-A-SALMON

Thank you to our Adopt-A-Salmon donors ($10 per adopted salmon):

Dorothy Linzell -- adopted Fin & Barb

Aliya -- adopted Summer & Aggro

Mrs. Coffin -- adopted Angela, Ray, Nick & George

Dr. & Mrs. Morse -- adopted Isabella, Harrison, Sawyer, Rory, Oliver, Jax, Colette, Nadia & Sophie

Jacob - adopted Waffles, Pom Pom, Blanket and Major Meowser