February 6, 2025 | Volume 43, Issue 21

SCHOOL CLOSED TODAY

Always check “School Closings” for PCCS (Plymouth Canton Community Schools) because Steppingstone closes with them.  

NO SCHOOL: WINTER BREAK

FEBRUARY 14-17

SPIRIT DAY RESCHEDULED

Thurs., Feb. 13

Given today's closing due to weather, Spirit Day has been rescheduled for next Thursday, February 13th.

A TINY but MIGHTY ARRIVAL:

Steppingstone’s First Russian Tortoise Hatchling!

Exciting news from the Russian Tortoise tank in our live science habitat! Dad Archimedes (pictured left and chomping on lettuce) and Mom Azalea (pictured right) have officially welcomed their first successful hatchling! 🐢✨

Five years ago, they laid eggs, but due to insufficient calcium, the eggs were soft-shelled and didn’t hatch. This time, thanks to calcium supplements added to their diet, we have a healthy baby tortoise joining our Steppingstone family! But the excitement doesn’t stop there — we still have another unhatched egg, so fingers crossed that we’ll be welcoming a fourth member soon.

Because baby Russian tortoises require specific humidity levels, our new hatchling is currently residing in its own enclosure by Mr. Liou’s desk (pictured below), where he is providing dedicated care.

He even took it for a vet check-up, and we’re happy to report that it’s perfectly healthy! Right now, our tiny tortoise (pictured below) measures just 34mm long and weighs about 12.5 grams.

This little arrival is a big milestone for our live science program, and we can’t wait to watch it grow! Stay tuned for more updates as our newest member settles into its new home. 🌱💚

🔍 Want to learn more about Russian tortoises? Stop by and check out our live science habitat!

RESERVE YOUR AUCTION

TABLE for TEN and…

ENJOY THIS MENU

Appetizers

Fresh Fruit

Fresh Veggies &; Dip

Tortilla Chips & Salsa

Crackers & Cheeses

Sides

Crispy Green Salad w/ Vinaigrette & Ranch Dressings

Baked Beans (no meat)

Cornbread & Rolls w/ Butter

Entrees

BBQ Pulled Pork

Fried Fish

Vegetarian Option upon Request

Desserts

Peach or Apple Cobbler

Vanilla Ice Cream

Coffee Station & Bar

BID TO EXPERIENCE THE MAGIC OF BRANSON:

A Getaway to the Ozarks!

Pack Your Bags—It’s Time for an Unforgettable Adventure!

Get ready for a 5-night getaway for 4 guests in the heart of the breathtaking Ozark Mountains! With three years to plan your trip, you can choose the perfect time to explore Branson, Missouri—a destination packed with excitement, natural beauty, and entertainment for all ages.

Discover the Wonders of the Ozarks

Beyond its rolling hills, the Ozarks are home to stunning geological formations, including natural bridges, sinkholes, limestone bluffs, and hidden caves. Whether you’re up for a self-guided trek or a thrilling cave tour, there’s adventure at every turn.

Thrills, Wonder & Family Fun

Branson is filled with attractions that will leave lasting memories. Experience the Runaway Mountain Coaster, where you’ll glide through scenic slopes at high speeds, or step into a tropical paradise at The Butterfly Palace, home to hundreds of colorful butterflies and exotic plants—a magical experience for all ages!

Your Stay at Westgate Branson Woods Resort

Enjoy five nights of comfort at the Westgate Branson Woods Resort, where you’ll be surrounded by the natural beauty of the Ozarks. Please note: Airfare, meals, taxes, personal experiences, and any property-specific fees are not included in the package.

Starting Bid: Just $1,300!

This exclusive travel package could be yours with a starting bid of just $1,300—an incredible value for an unforgettable vacation.

Don’t Miss Out—Join Us on April 12!

This exclusive travel package is available through our live auction, and you’ll have until April 12, 2025, to claim and complete your adventure.

📅 Save the date: APRIL 12

🌄 Start planning your dream trip to Branson!

👉 Register Now to Bid! 👈

DISCOVER the STEPPINGSTONE ADVANTAGE:

Join Our Open House on February 12!

Are you searching for an exceptional learning environment that nurtures gifted young minds? Steppingstone School invites you to our Open House on Wednesday, February 12th, from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM at the Plymouth Arts & Recreation Complex (PARC).

This is your opportunity to see firsthand how Steppingstone provides a challenging, enriching, and supportive educational experience tailored for gifted learners in early elementary (K-2).

🔹 Explore our dynamic classroom and enrichment programs

🔹 Meet our dedicated educators and Head of School, David Liou

🔹 Learn about our specialized curriculum and individualized approach

🔹 Experience the benefits of our PARC location, including access to fencing, swimming, yoga, and more

At Steppingstone, we believe in unlocking the full potential of gifted children by fostering intellectual curiosity, creativity, and personal growth. Whether you're a prospective parent or simply curious about our mission, we welcome you to join us!

📍 Location: Steppingstone School, Room 119, PARC, Plymouth, MI

📅 Date: Wednesday, February 12th

⏰ Time: 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM

🔗 RSVP today! Contact us at info@steppingstoneschool.org or visit www.steppingstoneschool.org for more information.

Don’t miss this chance to see how Steppingstone School can make a difference for your gifted child’s education. We look forward to welcoming you! 🎓✨

BREAK IT DOWN, BUILD IT UP!

Register NOW for Our

“Tech Explorers: Take Apart & Rebuild”

Summer Camp

June 16-20, $400

Do you have a budding engineer or tech enthusiast at home? If they love figuring out how things work, our "Tech Explorers: Take Apart & Rebuild" summer camp is the perfect hands-on experience!

Led by Dr. Morse, this exciting camp will take students on a deep dive into the inner workings of desktops, laptops, hard drives, printers, and more. Campers will disassemble computers, scanners, and other devices to explore their components, learn about their functions, and challenge themselves to put them back together—sometimes even restoring them to working order!

As the camp progresses, students will have the opportunity to bring in their own tech from home to take apart and investigate, making the experience even more personal and engaging. Plus, at the end of the session, campers may get to take home components or rebuilt gadgets to continue their learning beyond the classroom.

Spots are limited, so don’t miss out on this unique chance for hands-on tech exploration. Registration is now open!

📅 Sign up today and secure your child’s spot!

Download the Brochure or Learn More Online!

To see our other camps, download the brochure here or visit our website to secure your child’s spot in their favorite session today. Share our Facebook event to those who might be interested!

Make this summer one to remember with Steppingstone School!

EXPLORING CREATIVITY IN ICE!

Steppingstone Students Visit Kellogg Park

This past Monday, our students had the exciting opportunity to visit Kellogg Park and admire the stunning ice sculptures created for the annual Plymouth Ice Festival (pictured below). These intricate works of art showcased not only the incredible talent of the artists but also the beauty of combining creativity with nature.

Experiencing these sculptures up close allowed our students to engage their curiosity, ask thoughtful questions, and appreciate the hard work and skill that goes into each piece. Field trips like this are a wonderful way to extend learning beyond the classroom and inspire young minds in new and meaningful ways.

Want to see more pictures from our adventure? Visit our Facebook page to view the highlights and share in the excitement!

Newest Donors

Frances 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