September 5, 2024 | Volume 43, Issue 1

ALUM HIGHLIGHT

EDWARD KOVAL

Over the summer, Edward has joined the Plymouth Fife and Drum Corp. (PFDC)  He has been on an unforgettable journey to visit historical places and perform with the corp.  Edward is a part of the guard.  He strives to play the fife instrument this upcoming fall.  

The group has been on the 10-day trip visiting Old Fort Niagara, Fort Ontario, and West Point Havens, they slept in the first parish of Sudbury, MA, performed at the concert, and spent the night at the USS Massachusetts, headed out to Kingston Rhode Island, and finished with the National Muster - Fort Adams at Newport Rhode Island. It has been the highlight of Edward's summer.  

You can have a chance to see Edward perform as the PFDC will be performing this Saturday, September 7th 3pm at the Plymouth Fall Fest. 

Pictured below, Edward is holding the American Flag.

FIELD DAY AND WELCOME PICNIC

Friday, September 13th, 2024

ACTIVITIES & HOW THEY ENRICH THE CURRICULUM: Students will learn the rules and how to play group games in the morning. They will also have a chance to bike, hike, and fly kites, which will encourage a lifelong interest in recreational sports.

DATE: Friday, September 13, 2024

ARRIVAL TIME: 9 am (NO Extended Morning Program) at Maybury State Park, Walnut Shelter (same as last year)

DEPARTURE TIME: Students may stay at park until potluck at 6:00 pm when parents will join them without being charged for Extended Day services. Please make sure that you make time to come to the picnic by 6 pm (the students will be hungry). This is the first event of the year and an important social event for your child. When s/he misses these events, an important social and bonding experience is lost. This is also an opportunity for new parents to meet returning parents and to have some fun!

LOCATION: Walnut Shelter, Maybury State Park

ADDRESS: 8 Mile Road, west of Beck Road

DIRECTIONS from I-275: Exit at 8-Mile Rd and go WEST. Cross Beck Road, then turn left into park (on South side of 8 Mile Rd)

CONTACT & PHONE: School Office (248) 957-8200, or teacher's cell (see planner)

MEAL ARRANGEMENTS: Pack substantial lunches. Students get very hungry and thirsty.

• 2-3 sandwiches (5+ snacks)
• 3-4 bottles of water or juice (freeze the night before)
• Hand sanitizer (Will be washing hands at bathroom prior to lunch as well)

Please label all non-disposable items that you wish returned, especially water bottles. You'd be surprised how many water bottles go unclaimed after lunch.

APPAREL: Loose, weather-appropriate clothing.

• Waterproof shoes (grass will be wet in the morning)
• Socks (we will be hiking in the woods)
• Poncho/umbrella (if it looks like rain)
• Jacket/sweatshirt (if it is going to be cool)

Bug Spray & Sunscreen--please apply prior to arrival.

ASSIGNMENTS: Unless otherwise noted in planner by teacher (have your child call his/her teacher if unsure), students must bring planner and assignments for check-in.

OTHER NEEDS:

• Picnic blanket or towel for Power Reading time
• Power Reading books of your choice
• A pre-assembled kite (optional)
• Bikes (optional) & HELMETS (if biking)
• $11 for parking if you're chaperoning or your MICHIGAN RECREATIONAL PASSPORT sticker (there is no charge for drop-off)
• If it looks like rain, please feel free to pack a deck of cards or a board game (make sure each piece is labeled with your child's name or initials) since we will be under the shelter if this happens, and an extra set of clothes because biking after the rain is wet business.

POTLUCK:  

• Last Names A-P: Please bring a side dish/salad/veggies to share.  
• Last Names Q-Z: Please bring a main dish to share
• The school will provide hot dogs and marshmallows for roasting.

In addition to your Potluck contribution, be sure to pack:

• Serving utensils for your Potluck item
• Beverages for your family.



TRIP ACTIVITIES: Group games, kite flying, bike riding, and hiking

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

SCARECROWS IN THE PARK DECORATING

Fri., Sep. 20-27

Steppingstone was chosen again to participate in this year’s Scarecrows in the Park event, and we are looking for creative volunteers!

Scarecrow decorating begins Friday, September 20th, and the Scarecrow should be in place in Kellogg Park no later than Friday, September 27th, which is the kick-off date of the event! Scarecrows will need to be taken down by Monday, November 4th. 

If you are interested in participating, please let Mr. Liou know so we can start planning the scarecrow and also coordinate the decorating time. The decorating will take place right after a school day and is typically completed within 2 days. 

Pictured below is last year’s SMART Center scientist scarecrow with the slogan “Where Minds (and other things) Are Grown!”

Pictured below is our previous robot scarecrow with the quote “The best way to predict the FUTURE is to INVENT it!”.

SMART Ctr. FEATURED

In Bruker BioSpin Newsletter #16,

Published Internationally for

Research Scientists

Steppingstone School’s Faculty can boast an internationally known scientist, Dr. Reef Morse, who was featured recently in an article in the internationally published newsletter by Bruker, the major manufacturer of EPR (Electron Paramagnetic Resonance) scientific research equipment such as those provided in the Steppingstone School’s SMART Ctr.  One of these was donated by Bruker upon the addition of the SMART Ctr. to Steppingstone School many years ago.

Over the summer, Dr. Morse helped Bruker kick-off their latest video series dedicated to advancing education in Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR)!  If you’d like to see the video and/or learn more about Bruker, you can read their latest newsletter here.

In this newsletter #16, they have added this video series called "EPR IN EDUCATION” which features Dr. Reef Morse, Director, Steppingstone Magnetic Resonance Training Center at Steppingstone School, Plymouth, MI, USA.

To see the first video and read the first article featuring Dr. Morse, go to: https://goto.bruker.com/3MxfM2Z.

KROGER COMMUNITY REWARDS:

SIGN UP for STEPPINGSTONE

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 participation each year.

Volunteers

Chris Isberg

Auction Chair

Michelle Belt

Anthony Bonanni

Dena Nehme

Auction Acquisitions

Michelle Tan

SPARC Chair

Jorge Contreras

Marketing

Michelle Belt

Yearbook