ALUM NEWS:

Congratulations to Simon Margules!

From the International Academy West

High School Band Conductor

Simon Margules, one of our last year’s graduates, now attends high school at International Academy West (the International Baccalaureate program in White Lake).  When choosing an enrichment supplement to academic coursework, he chose to join the Band since there was no orchestra.  Simon played the violin while at Steppingstone, and since Band instruments do not include the violin, Simon chose percussion.

At their Spring Concert last week, Simon (see below) was given this award for the 9th grader with the “BEST ATTITUDE”!

Our congratulations go to Simon as well!  We are all very proud of you!

KIDS' AUCTION LUNCHES

Jaxson was the lucky winner of two certificates to go out to lunch with staff or faculty members.  Last week, he and Edward enjoyed lunch at Burger Spot with Dr. and Mrs. Morse.  

This week, Jaxson chose Victoria to accompany him to lunch with Mrs. Dudek at Mr. Kabob.  This certificate included a ride in her Jeep with the roof panels off (pictured below).  It was a beautiful, sunny day for a breezy ride!  On the way back to school, Mrs. Dudek was sure to take the kids on a very bumpy dirt road to experience a little taste of "off-roading" in a 4x4.

Owen won the certificate for lunch out with Mr. Liou and chose Aliya to join him at a restaurant in Plymouth.  They took a short walk to the downtown area from school and enjoyed a picnic pizza lunch from Bigalora Wood Fired Cucina at Kellogg Park (pictured below). On the way back to school, they also grabbed a little dessert from Bakehouse 46!

AUCTION BASKETS

The Auction Committee is asking for baskets for next year’s auction! If you’ve purchased a basket item this year and would like to “recycle” the basket, feel free to drop it off at the school.

CHESS CLUB

The following are the remaining dates: May 15th, 22nd, 29th, and June 5th.

3D PRINTING/ROBOTICS CLUB

Our next 3D Printing/Robotics club will be on Tuesday, May 14th. The remaining dates are as follows: May 28th and June 4th.

FINE ARTS FEST: The Magic of the Music of Disney

Time has flown by and our Fine Arts Fest is almost here! Our students have worked hard making props as well as rehearsing and memorizing lines and lyrics. Next Friday, May 17th, is our annual event.  

Please meet in the classroom at 6:45 PM. Parents will walk as a group to the band room to be seated for the performance. Students will follow in time to start the show at 7PM.

ATTIRE: Students should wear dark pants/skirt and a brightly colored solid top (no stripes or other designs). No jeans or sneakers, please.

SNACKS & SOCIALIZING: Please bring a finger food to share such as a fruit or veggie tray, crackers and cheese, etc. After the performance, we will return to the classroom to enjoy refreshments and some social time.

Invite your families (grandparents, aunts and uncles, etc.) to the show! Your children love to see supportive, friendly faces in the audience, and so do we!

END OF SCHOOL TRIP

HOWELL NATURE CENTER

Wed., June 12th

We can’t believe the school year is almost over! For our end-of-the-year trip this year, we will be going to the Howell Nature Center. We will provide more information as we are closer to the date but the logistics will be similar to our Toledo Zoo trip. This trip will be for the whole day and we will be doing the following activities: Skins and Skulls, Predator and Prey Games (no body contact!), Wild Rehab, and Zip Line (Adventure Play for the Early El students who don’t meet Zip Line requirements).

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