ALUM NEWS

Gaetjens in Germany

This name might be familiar to those of you who attended our 31st Annual Benefit Auction last April. Alum Parent Eva Gaetjen donated a long weekend at her home in Koln/Cologne, Germany.

Daughter Rebekka and son Johannes were students at Steppingstone more than a decade ago. Since their return to Germany, Rebekka now gives us this update …

… “I studied economics and statistics in Berlin and Paris and did a PhD in econometrics (that is statistics applied to economics) after that. Now I am still doing research and teaching at the university. Teaching I love, research has become frustrating sometimes because of the way the gratification via publishing research papers in journals works. What I like about my research is thinking up programming code to calculate things and writing nice texts. I didn‘t like the writing in the beginning, but now I have become better at it, and so it is more fun.”

Her update on Johannes is that he studied computer science. After that he worked for a company that was doing testing for navigation systems for Porsche. When he realized that he didn‘t want to continue doing that job for the next 10 years, he decided to quit. Now he is working in a start-up called Monta in Copenhagen. They make universal software for charging stations for electrical cars and he is very happy with his job there.”

At the same time, mom Eva added to her medical degree in obstetrics by supplementing with psychology and has taken to creating children’s books patterned after Dr. Seuss books for her grand-children to learn to read in a way similar to how her children learned while at Steppingstone. Two of her creations can be seen here (covers as images, click to open in a new window):

FENCING EXHIBITION

To wrap up our fencing curriculum this year, our Early Elementary and Upper Elementary/PHS class held an in-house fencing exhibition. This provided an opportunity for all students to showcase what they have learned this year. 

Pictured below are our Early Elementary winners (left to right): Aliya (YK) - Silver, Owen (K) - Gold, Finnley (Gr. 1) - Silver, and Vera (YK) - Bronze.

Pictured below are our Upper Elementary/PHS winners (left to right): Victoria (Gr. 5) - Silver, Jax (Gr. 8) - Gold, Edward (Gr. 5) - Bronze, and Adeleine (Gr. 5) - Bronze.

To see more fencing pictures, you can visit our Facebook or Instagram page.

PHS DEPARTURE

Wilderness Survival

Students of the PHS (Pre-High School, Gr. 6-8) class depart for their Team Building exercise w/ "Project Adventure.” They will spend a week of “low impact” camping in the woods using skills from the Eagle Scout curriculum of the Boy Scouts. Pictured below, Jax (Gr. 8) and Felix (Gr. 6) will be accompanied by Dr. Morse and Mrs. Morse. 

The PHS students will return on June 6th and will enjoy a day OFF from school on June 7th, returning for the last week of school on Monday, June 10th. Grades K-5 will remain on campus following their usual routines with Mrs. Dudek, Mr. Lee, Mrs. Coffin, Mr. Roder, and Mr. Liou.

SHAKESPEARE

This year for the PHS's Shakespeare literature unit, we read Macbeth. A favorite activity with Shakespeare is Act-It-Out, which we typically do outside. Pictured below, the kids always enjoy finding the perfect stick to use for their swordplay.

This week, we finished our unit with a dramatic re-enactment of the final scene of Macbeth (pictured below). Felix was our valiant hero, Macduff, while Jaxson portrayed the tyrant Macbeth. Felix used the opportunity to sharpen his English accent and while it was a bit on the Cockney side, the effort was appreciated!

3D PRINTING/ROBOTICS CLUB LAST SESSION

Next Tuesday, June 4th will be our last session!

CHESS CLUB LAST SESSION

Next Wednesday, June 5th will be our last session.

BUZZING FOR BEE DAYS!

Last Week of School

Mon., June 10th & Tue., June 11th

Tuesday, June 11th is our day for whole-school bees (spelling, math facts, language arts). The only items students need for these days are themselves, their brains, lunch, and a Power Reading book!

Certificates will be awarded to each of the Bee winners at the Awards Ceremony and Potluck, so don’t miss it! There will be one winner for each level (K-1, and 5-8th) for Foreign Languages.  For the Social Studies, Science, Spelling, Math Facts, Language Arts, and Math Concepts bees, there will be winners for K-1, 5th, and 6-8th levels.

There will be one additional whole-school winner for the Language Arts, Math Facts, and Spelling Bees.

Good luck to all of the students!

HOWELL NATURE CENTER

Last Week of School

Wednesday, June 12th

Wednesday, June 12th will be spent at Howell Nature Center!  We will enjoy a presentation on Skins and Skulls followed by Predator & Prey games.  After lunch, older students will use the Zip Line while younger students will do Games Galore.  Lastly, we will visit the Wild Rehab center and learn about our native wildlife and how injured animals are rescued and rehabilitated.

WHO: Whole school

WHEN: Meet at Howell Nature Center at 9:15 AM.  Please note that there is construction on the route and be sure to give yourself plenty of extra time to travel during morning "rush-hour" traffic. If your child will ride with Mrs. Dudek or Dr. Morse, please arrive at school by 7:45 AM. If you would like to caravan with the teachers, you are welcome to do so.

GPS: 1005 Triangle Lake Road, Howell 48843

LUNCH: Bring your own lunch.  There are no concessions available, so be sure to pack a substantial lunch with extra protein.  This will be a physically active day and the kids will be very hungry!  Two filled water bottles are recommended.

APPAREL: Dress in layers!  Be prepared for both the coolest and warmest temperatures of the day.  Programs run rain or shine, so a raincoat is recommended if the forecast looks like rain.  Wear STURDY CLOSED-TOE SHOES like sport shoes or hiking boots that can get dirty.  Sandals SHOULD NOT be worn.

Suggested Packing List:

- sunscreen

- bug spray

- lip balm

- hat and sunglasses

- a small backpack to carry your belongings

GAMES & READ-A-THON

Last Week of School

Thursday, June 13th

On Thursday, June 13th, our last day of school, our students will spend the morning playing board games and card games. We may even have a chess tournament if there is enough interest. We have plenty of games at school but if your child has a favorite they'd like to bring, they are welcome to do so. Please be sure to label with your last name

The afternoon will be a relaxing time with a Read-a-Thon. Students need to bring plenty of books to read. They may choose any books to read throughout the afternoon, but please no magazines, comics, or graphic novels.

Students may bring in sleeping bags, blankets, and/or pillows. They may bring one SMALL stuffed animal if they choose. Please make sure that all belongings are clearly labeled with your child’s name so we can be sure all items get back to their owners. Please do not send in more items than your child can carry in one trip.

4PM Dismissal ... NO EXTENDED AFTERNOON PROGRAM

YEAR-END PICNIC & AWARDS

Thursday, June 13th 6 PM

CLASSROOM and/or TEACHER: Whole school

ACTIVITIES & HOW THEY ENRICH THE CURRICULUM: Year-end potluck is a chance for families to have a meal together while celebrating student achievement. The Awards Ceremony will follow the potluck and students will receive recognition for their contributions and hard work this year. Bee winners will receive their certificates, and students will be performing some final songs.

DATE: Thursday, 6-13-24

ARRIVAL TIME: 6 pm (although families are welcome to come earlier to play)

DEPARTURE TIME: 9 pm

ADDRESS: 46640 W. Ann Arbor Trail, Plymouth, MI 48170

DIRECTIONS: Located on Ann Arbor Trail between Beck and Sheldon Roads and directly across from McClumpha Road.

SHELTER: We have reserved the main shelter, Shelter 2, which is the second parking lot on the right and closest to the large wooden playscape.

CONTACT: Donna Coffin

PHONE: 734-306-4603

APPAREL: There is a Splash Park so if you’d like to play in that, swimwear, towels, sunscreen may be suitable. However, students will also be performing so should bring a cover up or change of clothes as well. There is also a playscape, play structure, bike and hike trail and a stream that runs through the park so play clothes and close-toed shoes are appropriate.

POTLUCK ARRANGEMENTS: Each family should bring a dish that serves 10-12 people to share. K-2 grade students will be in charge of bringing salads and sides, while 5th-8th grade is in charge of bringing a main dish to share. All families should bring their own beverages and picnicware (plates, bowls, forks, spoons, knives, napkins, etc.).

Keep in mind we have nut allergies, so any food with tree nuts or peanuts should be avoided.

OTHER NEEDS: Parents are responsible for the safety and chaperoning of their own children at the park, especially the Playscape. Teachers will be focused on events and program. Bathrooms are available throughout the park.

PARK RULES: No pets are allowed at the park or in the shelters, no adhesive attachments (to put up signs), glitter, streamers, confetti, silly string or any items that contain glitter and/or confetti. No bull horns, radios, PA systems, alcohol, or smoking are allowed.

SIGN UP FOR COMMUNITY REWARDS FOR STEPPINGSTONE

Do you do weekly grocery shopping? Do you have a Kroger near you? If so, then consider doing some (or all) of your shopping at Kroger and as a bonus, fundraise for Steppingstone School!

It’s easy to enroll in Kroger’s Community Rewards Program. It takes just a few minutes to create an account and choose Steppingstone School (program number 91312) as your organization.

This is a passive fund-raiser which means you just have to sign up for Steppingstone to receive a percentage of what you spend. It costs nothing to help Steppingstone receive those dollars!  … just shop as usual, and thank you!

PS.  You need to renew your participation each year.

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

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