Head of School Update

Mr. Art Campbell, Head of School

Ms. Kelly Stauffer, Admin. Asst. to the Head of School

Attention all Junior Class Families: The STEM Academy SAT Prep Course information was shared with all families on Monday, November 18. Please be sure to review the 2025 SAT Prep Letter and register for the course no later than December 16, 2024. If there are any questions about the information in the letter, please reach out to the counseling office directly. This information is also available on our website for future reference.

Early Dismissal Procedures, Tardy Notes, Absences, etc: Please be reminded that if a student will be picked up early, an email should be sent to stemattendance@dasd.org . Students should stop by the office to pick up an early dismissal slip to show their teachers, and then should report to the main office at the designated dismissal time to check out in the front office. Students will be dismissed to meet their parent/guardian along side of the building that exits back to Manor Ave. If your student is absent, those notes can also be emailed to stemattendance@dasd.org

Traffic: Please review the student pick up and drop off procedures located under School Day on our Website. Please allow enough time for traveling to school in the morning.

Volunteers: We would like to welcome volunteers throughout the school year. Please take a moment to review the Volunteer Requirements. The Annual DASD Volunteer Disclosure Form should be completed and returned each school year. All volunteer clearances and forms can be emailed to Kstauffer@dasd.org.

Medication Reminder: Please be advised that any and all medications that students are required to take throughout the course of the school day must be left with the school nurse in the morning, and administered from the nurses' office as needed. Any questions, please contact Ms. Jennifer Mikulich.

Pertussis and pneumonia are on the rise in Chester County and nationwide. Please review the common symptoms and recommendations if your child has a cough.

Common symptoms of Pertussis:

• Pertussis starts with cold-like symptoms and a mild, occasional cough.
• The cough becomes more persistent, causing coughing fits.
• The cough may become violent, causing vomiting, the skin to appear blue, or difficulty catching your breath.
• Some people experience a whooping noise, but many do not.
• The cough may last up to 8 weeks or longer.

Common symptoms of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection:

• Fever
• Worsening cough
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Scratchy or sore throat
• Potential mild shortness of breath

We strongly encourage the following recommendations if your child has a cough:

1. Visit a healthcare provider if your child has respiratory symptoms and follow recommendations for prescribed treatment.
2. Keep your child home if he/she is symptomatic.
3. Keep your child from passing the infection to others. Cover coughs and sneeze with a tissue, upper sleeve, or elbow.
4. Wash hands. Hands should be washed after using the bathroom, before eating, preparing or handling food, and after blowing the nose.

Sincerely,

Downingtown Area School District

The deadline to register for the opportunity to earn credit from Immaculata University for your DASD Courses has been extended to this Sunday, 12/8.For a complete list of eligible courses, and answers to frequently asked questions, please consult this link: DASD/Immaculata Dual Credit Program.

Here is the link to register. This link is exclusive for DASD students: https://admissions.immaculata.edu/register/dualenrollmentDASD

Here's a brief overview of the registration process:

1. The application page collects demographic information and requires FERPA sign-off from parents.
2. On the second page, students can view the courses offered and select the ones they wish to register for.
3. The payment page completes the registration process.

Once registered, students will receive an email with their MyIU portal username and instructions for setting up their password. The email also includes contact information for the Immaculata University Help Desk if they encounter any issues. Please note Immaculata’s refund policy: refunds are available if a student withdraws before the course begins. No refunds will be issued after the course has started.

If you have any further questions or concerns, please reach out to me directly at tpodell@dasd.org.

Best,

Dr. Troy Podell

Downingtown STEM Academy Internships and Partnerships
Supervisor of Teaching & Learning:

K-12 Social Studies, Career Readiness, and Dual Enrollment

335 Manor Avenue | Downingtown, PA 19335

P: 610-269-8460 xt.11314 | E: tpodell@dasd.org | W: http://www.dasd.org/

DASD IS HIRING

Everybody Belongs Night

The DWHS Best Buddies Club is thrilled to invite you to join us for DWHS Best Buddies inaugural "Everybody Belongs," basketball game in partnership with the DWHS Girls Varsity Basketball team!

The event will take place on December 10th when the basketball team will be taking on Penn Wood High School! This night promises to be filled with basketball, fun, and, most importantly, inclusion and friendship.

Rally Towel Order

This month's newsletter contains the second installment on Belonging: Five Benefits Of Belonging. Belonging is not about fitting in. It is about building community, not assimilation. Educators must build a community on connectedness, support, compassion, collaboration, problem solving, and respect. Our sense of belonging has much to do with our environment. In education this means our schools, classrooms, offices, playgrounds, extra curricular spaces, and virtual spaces.

Check out "Building A Belonging Classroom" - https://youtu.be/Q6niuYToam4?feature=shared

Next CETF Meeting will be February 24th 2024 at 3:45 pm

Join our team by contacting JBrown@dasd.org.

Mr. Michael Sheehan, Dean of Currciulum and Instruction

Ms. Meghan Schell, Administrative Assistant

2024-2025 Program of Study

STEM Academy Class of 2025 IB Fees Letter: IB Fee Payment #6 is due January 15, 2025.

2024-2025 IB Testing Schedule: Mark your calendars! (Updated schedule as of 10.28.2024)

Ms. Alyssa Sherlock, CAS/EE Supervisor

Senior Mantle Design Winner: J. Nolan Dobry

Quote: “Throw me to the wolves, and I'll return leading the pack.”

Congratulations to the winner of the 2025 Senior Mantle Design Contest, Nolan Dobry! Nolan’s design was voted by the senior class as the winner out of 23 entries. The Senior Mantle is a Downingtown tradition, unbroken since it was established in 1908. The Mantle is a cloak of honor (graduation robe) worn during graduation. Each year, the outgoing senior class president removes the robe and places it on the shoulders of the incoming senior class president, as a symbolic transfer of the honor and distinction of Downingtown High Schools to the next class. The three Downingtown Mantle robes are decorated with emblems representing the hopes and aspirations of each graduating class since 1908. To read more about this unique legacy, you can visit a website created by Sara Hallahan, DEHS Class of 2023.

Downingtown High School Senior Mantle Designs Through the Years

https://www.downingtownseniormantle.org/index.html

Class of 2025 IB Fees Letter with Payment Schedule : IB Fee #5 is due 1/15/2025

2024-2025 IB Exam Schedule: Mark your calendars! (Updated schedule as of 10.28.2024)

Upon reveiwing the Cap and Orders received by Herff Jones thus far, it has come to my attention that we still have a large number of the senior class that has not placed their order.

In order to make sure everyone has all of the items needed for commencement, it is important that orders for Caps and Gowns be placed as soon as possible. The initial suggested deadline was November 1. Please place any outstanding orders before December 15, 2024.

Follow the instructions below to place your order:

• Caps/Gowns and Stoles: Each graduate is responsible for purchasing a cap, gown and stole for graduation. The cost of this package is $32.55. Other items are available for sale as well through the website. The Cap/Gown Stole orders should be placed as soon as possible. Once shipped, they will remain at STEM until graduation in June.
• Online Ordering steps:
  Go to: Herff Jones SHOP Grad Products Website.
  Click the Grad Gear & Apparel tab (located next to Announcements & Accessories) Scroll down to Grad Essentials.
  Choose Cap, Gown, Tassel and Stole: $32.55 (includes sales tax)
  Includes Cap, Gown, Tassel and Silkscreen Stole. Be sure to enter height and weight information that is requested.

Senior Early Dismissal/Late Arrival Form (Senior Privileges) 24-25: This form is for Early Dismissal/Late Arrival permission for Senior Class students.

All of this information for the Class of 2025 can be found on our website throughout the year: STEM Academy Class of 2025 Important Reminders.

Dr. Troy Podell

Downingtown STEM Academy Internships and Partnerships
Supervisor of Teaching & Learning

Ms. Kaitlin Brinker, Admin. Asst.

Members of the Class of 2026 will have their next MEA Session: Presentation Skills, on Tuesday, December 10. During this session the Junior class will partake in a hands-on-workshop which will help the students assess their skills and be able to articulate what they do well.

Attention STEM students in all grades! The Greater Philadelphia Youth Conference will be held on Sunday, December 22, 2024, at 3 p.m. at Great Valley High School. This is an amazing opportunity for high school students to build their resumes, connect with industry leaders and college mentors in a variety of careers, participate in panel discussions, learn about internships and more! The cost to attend is $10, but the first 100 signups will be sponsored at no charge–use the code FIRST100 in the payment section to claim this offer. Dinner is included, plus a Bollywood DJ, a band, and stand-up comedy! Check out the website for more information and to register:http://gpyc.us/

Attention 10th -12th Grade High School Students

2025 PARS Program now accepting applications for a free research experience in Penn labs!

Ever wonder what an embryo look like as it develops? Want to know how the environment effects development and how clinicians treat patients with infertility? Want to gain research experience and network with scientists and doctors? If so, then you should apply to the Penn Academy for Reproductive Sciences (PARS)! We invite high school students (grades 10-12) who are interested in science and medicine, to apply. PARS will run 4 consecutive Saturdays (March 1, 8, 15, and 22), from 9-1 each day at the University of Pennsylvania. Participants must be able to attend all four sessions of the workshop to apply. PARS is free and transit cards can be provided. Teacher are asked to complete a brief recommendation survey HERE. Find out more information on the curriculum and how to apply HERE. Deadline for applications is Jan. 17th.

The schedule below outlines additional MEA Softskills trainings that will take place during the 2024-2025 school year. Thank you HSA for the funding provided for these events.

Ms. Katherine Cole, Dean of Academics & Student Life

Ms. Kaitlin Brinker, Admin. Asst.

12/18 HSA Winterfest (Advisory)

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12/2 - 12/20 Class of 2026 Candy Gram Sale

12/7 DECA - Chipotle 3203 E. Lincoln Hwy. Thorndale (Flier and code below)

12/7 BSU - Ice Skating at The Campus 7:30-9:00 pm (Flier and rebelow)

12/14 DECA - Bowling Night at Bowling Palace

12/16-12/19 DECA - Exton Kiwi Yogurt

Key Club is hosting the annual American Red Cross Blood Drive! Blood Drive

Tuesday, December 17, 2024

8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Please call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter:

STEM to schedule an appointment.

Maximize your blood donation. Help more patients.

If you are an eligible type O, B - or A - donor, consider making a Power Red donation.

Red blood cells are the most commonly transfused blood component.

Streamline your donation experience and save up to 15 minutes by visiting

RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass to complete your pre-donation reading and health history

questions on the day of your appointment. Must be 16 and older to do so and must be a student or staff member of the STEM Academy.

Any questions? Please contact Ms. Janette Romano or Ms. Megan Dunn, Yearbook Advisors

Ms. Stephanie Rockowitz, Counseling Secretary/Registrar

• To schedule an appt. to visit your school counselor, please complete the following form: Counseling Appointment Request Form
• Additional Resources from the STEM Counseling Department

Ms. Jennifer Stull, Prevention Specialist

Guide to Districtwide Mental Health Resources

College visits for the senior class during the school day, have been added to our STEM Academy website calendar and will be updated throughout the school year.

If you are in need of a work permit, please find the application located in the STEM Back Pack at the bottom of the page under Work Permits. Permits can be obtained in the counseling office. Please be sure to review and provide the necessary documentation listed on the website.

Additional Resources

College App Workshop presentation

Common Date Set Overview

US Dept. of Education College Scorecard

Each counselor has a link to their own personal sign-up page. Please use the table below for reference:

**If you prefer to meet via Zoom, you can indicate this option when you sign up, or contact the counselor separately.

Students are asked to please complete the Junior Meeting Questionnaire available here: https://goo.gl/forms/lm5KolppSgYlozgF3 prior to the meeting. The information provided in this survey is very helpful for your counselor.

Parents are also invited to complete a parent questionnaire: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfJH13aHQrLH01G4dWzmPlZuFGI2N6qAXSpCwOfeDSmUlBVnQ/viewform?usp=sf_link

If you have any difficulty signing up for an appointment, please contact Stephanie Rockowitz at srockowitz@dasd.org.

We’d also like to invite you to check out our Junior Meeting Resources Google drive. We have added a ton of great information on this drive, including information about college majors, financial aid, college admissions, and how colleges view the International Baccalaureate program. We are constantly updating this drive with relevant information for our students and families.

We look forward to partnering with you in working towards your child’s post high school goals! Thank you!

The STEM Counseling Department

The Counseling Department hosted Dr. Sonya Mann-McFarlane from our higher education partner PHEAA on Monday, November 4. She discussed the financial aid process and shared important updates related to the 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) with STEM seniors and parents. Families should be aware that the FAFSA application opens on December 1st this year.

More information on the financial aid process is available on the Federal Student Aid/FAFSA website, and in the slides from Monday night’s presentation.

Students can also stop into the Counseling Office to pick up hard copies of the PA Student Aid Guide 2025-26.

The 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) Form is now live!

Check out the below tutorial to assist in maximizing your student’s eligibility for Federal, State, and College-Based Aid.

2025-26 FAFSA Form

FAFSA Completion Guide

2024-2025 STEM Academy HSA Board

President: Kerri Roberts

Co-Vice Presidents: Mary Gasser and Heather Steiger

Secretary - Marcie Epstein

Treasurer - Kousalya Alapati

The holidays are officially upon us! We hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving break.

December is crazy for everyone so we do not hold a December meeting but we are looking forward to seeing you all in January when Holly Copeland will be joining us for our meeting to discuss mental health and how we may support our kids. A little bit about Mrs. Copeland (in addition to being a former STEM parent):

• Holly Copeland is a Licensed Professional Counselor with over 30 years’ experience guiding adolescents, adults, children and families. She is an adept listener who has worked extensively in private practice and in a variety of clinical settings including outpatient clinics, residential treatment facilities and schools.
• Holly is trained in a variety of modalities, including Transpersonal, Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. She is skilled in using deep breathing, meditation and relaxation techniques to help clients better cope with stress, anxiety, trauma, depression and pain.
• Holly has served as the Clinical Director of a residential facility for traumatized adolescent girls. She has also served as Clinical Director for outpatient clinics located in the Philadelphia suburbs as well as the Lancaster and Harrisburg region. In these directorships she was charged with creating new programming as well as supervising and training masters and doctoral level therapists. She holds her Master’s in counseling psychology from Immaculata University. Holly has been a close collaborator on community education projects with Fish Leadership for over fifteen years and is working as the mental health expert on public school initiatives in Chester County, PA.

Please join us on January 13 at 7:00pm in the KnowCo.

Upcoming events:

Annual International Dessert Tasting

The HSA Faculty Appreciation Committee is excited to host our Annual International Dessert Tasting for our amazing faculty and staff on Wednesday, December 11th.

We invite you to contribute a special treat for the event! Whether it's cookies, bars, or any other sweet delight, all contributions are welcome—homemade or store-bought. If your treat has a special story or you'd like to share the recipe, feel free to include it on a piece of paper. Our faculty and staff would enjoy learning about it!

Sign up to contribute using the link below:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0849AEAB2AA6F58-53621646-2024

Thank you for helping us make this event extra special!

Help Spread Holiday Cheer at WinterFest!

On Wednesday, December 18th, the Student Life HSA Committee is bringing back WinterFest, a beloved tradition at the STEM Academy. It’s our way of celebrating the winter holidays and giving students a chance to relax and enjoy a well-deserved treat before Winter Break.

Our hardworking STEM students look forward to this event every year—after all, who wouldn’t love a warm hot chocolate, complete with all the fixings, paired with cookies and other tasty goodies?

To make this magical day happen for over 960 students, we need LOTS of volunteers to help set up and staff the stations throughout the school. This is a fun and festive way to connect with the STEM community and spread holiday joy!

💻 Sign up here to volunteer:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0849AEAB2AA6F58-53189177-2024#/

If you have any questions, reach out to Mary Gasser at marygasser@gmail.com.

Thank you for helping us celebrate our amazing students in such a sweet way! 🎄☕🍪

For more details on these events and everything else we have going on, head to our website: STEMHSA.org.

Looking forward to seeing you soon!

Warmly,
Your Downingtown STEM Academy Home & School Association

Annual Family Donation Drive Update

To everyone who has already contributed to the Annual Family Donation drive, we want to say a big THANK YOU! With your help we are almost half way to reaching our goal.

Your donation helps fund a variety of impactful events and initiatives that help motivate and engage our student body and faculty which wouldn't be possible without the generosity of families like yours. However, to create truly extraordinary events for our students and faculty this year, we still need your continued support.

Suggested Donation:

To comfortably cover the expenses for all of our planned events and programs this year, we're asking families to consider a one-time suggested donation of $100 per family for the school year. Of course, any donation, no matter the size, is greatly appreciated.

To Donate Click HERE

All donations to our Annual Family Donation Drive are tax-deductible.

Maximize Your Impact:

If your company offers matching gifts through Benevity, please consider donating through their platform instead to maximize your contribution!

With your support, we can continue fostering a vibrant learning environment for our future innovators!

Post-Prom planning is underway. We need YOUR help!
Join us for the next Post-Prom planning meeting on Thursday, January 9th at 7 PM in the Atrium at STEM! Parents of all grade levels are welcome.

Let’s make prom night unforgettable for our kids while keeping it safe and fun. Did you know after-prom events help cut down on risky behavior like accidents and substance use? Help us plan a night packed with games, prizes, and great memories! Best part? It’s FREE for the kids, but we can’t do it without you!

Can’t make it to planning meetings but still want to be involved? We’d love to have you onboard! Please contact Kate Cloyd at kate.cloyd@gmail.com so that you can be added to our volunteer list.

Stay up to date on all HSA activities by following our Facebook and Instagram pages.

The DHS-MPA is made up of parents and guardians of students involved in any of the Downingtown High School music programs, including Marching Bands, Concert Band, Symphonic Band and ensembles, String Orchestra and ensembles, Vocal Choirs and ensembles, Indoor Drumline, and Color Guard. Our mission is to provide program support to maintain the existence and the integrity of the music programs at all of the Downingtown High Schools, including the Downingtown East Campus, the Downingtown West Campus and the STEM Academy.

Come out and get into the Holiday spirit while supporting your very own Downingtown Blue & Gold Marching Band!

West Chester Christmas Parade - Friday, December 6, 2024

Tree Lighting 6:30pm

Parade 7:00pm

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Downingtown Christmas Parade - Saturday, December 14, 2024

Parade 3pm

The annual Downingtown Good Neighbor Christmas Parade follows a 1.7 mile route along Lancaster Avenue, through the heart of the Borough of Downingtown. Traveling west to east between Beaver Creek Elementary School and East Ward Elementary School, this true “hometown” Christmas Parade features local bands, dance groups, scouts, floats and of course, the arrival of Santa Claus!

NEED STOCKING STUFFERS, TEACHER GIFTS, OR A LITTLE SOMETHING TO SAY THANK YOU TO YOUR SERVICE PROVIDERS?

Order Wawa Shorti Coupons Today!

Coupons are available for $5 each and never expire. A portion of each sale is donated to the MPA to impact EVERY DHS music program!

· Reach out to Tina Ayala or email DHSMPA.waysmeans@outlook.com to get your coupons today!

The MPA is seeking local business sponsorships to help support our efforts for the 2024-2025 season. As a thank you for sponsoring and supporting our music programs, we have put together a Sponsorship Benefit Program to promote your business and services to not only our band community, but to our entire school district!

Go to MPA SPONSORS to see what it's all about. Sponsoring is easy, simply go to BECOME A SPONSOR and check out all of the sponsorship benefits.

All Parent Chaperones are required to have clearances on file with DASD. Visit DASD Volunteer Info to get started.

Thank you for joining the MPA's Membership Toolkit (MTK) Site. We are continuing to make improvements to make this system work for everyone. Have a suggestion? Email dhs.mpa.mtk@gmail.com. Know a music parent that hasn't joined yet? Share our website - www.dhsmpa.org. They can find new user information under the About Us tab.

What is the MPA?

Who We Are What We Do and Why We Do It

Become a Community Business Sponsor

Donate to the Music Program

Follow us on Facebook

All students at STEM are encouraged to participate in athletic programs offered at their home schools.

An activity bus is available for students heading to East to participate daily, and is located in the bus loop at dismissal.

To find more information about what sports are offered at your students’ homeschool, please choose one of the following that links directly to the correct Athletics page:

Downingtown East High School Athletics

Downingtown East High School Athletics Schedule

AND

Downingtown West High School Athletics

Downingtown West High School Athletics Schedule

Student Drop Off

Please be reminded that students are to be dropped off behind the school. No students should be dropped off on Manor Ave. We appreciate your cooperation. Safety is always our first priority.

Also for the safety of all students and staff crossing back and forth during lunch time, the entrance to the STEM Academy on Campbell Drive will be closed during all lunch times for the remainder of the school year. Please use the West entrance to access the campus during that time.

Traffic:

Parents are not permitted to park, drop-off, or pick-up students from the left side of the Academy or on Manor Avenue.

• All parent pick-up vehicles must enter from Manor Avenue on the right side of the building (Campbell Drive). Parents will be directed by the traffic guard to loop around the building in order to pickup students.
• Bus pick-up for students from the Downingtown East High School attendance area will be along the fence that faces Kottmeyer Stadium. Bus pick-up for students from the Downingtown West High School attendance area will be at Downingtown West High School and Downingtown Middle School. Students will then walk to the Academy.
• Please make sure students are prepared for inclement weather. Parents are not permitted to park, drop-off, or pick-up students from the left side of the Academy or on Manor Avenue.
• For the safety of our students, it is essential that all drivers adhere to traffic patterns and regulations

Please review the student pick up and drop off procedures located under School Day on our Website.

Bus Passes are for Emergency use only. All bus rosters are full and only in the event of an emergency will a student be allowed to ride a different bus home. The request for a bus pass should come to the main office and will need approval from Mr. Campbell.

The 24-25 Parking Permit application opened for the Senior Class on Monday, August 5, and for the Junior Class on Monday, August 12. Please be reminded that students should use their DASD student email address to apply, as the permit is issued to the student driving the car on campus. Information regading parking permits can be found on our website in the Backpack. Additional parking permits are available this school year as construction on campus is winding down.

• Online Registration: Please remember to complete the Online Registration for your child(ren). This will provide me with updated health information as well as give permission for over the counter medication this school year. Go to Infinite Campus Parent Portal to complete the process.
• Medication: Students are only permitted to carry emergency medication (Epinephrine, Asthma inhalers, and diabetes medication). Any medication to be administered during the school day, should follow our current medication policy (attach board policy) and complete the authorization for medication administration
• Please contact Ms. Jennifer Mikulich with any questions or concerns.

• 2024-2025 School Year

  The DASD 2024-2025 Calendar was board approved on Wednesday, January 10, 2024. Please note the change in school start times as shared on the district website and noted below:

  The schedule for the 2024-25 school year is as follows:

  
  

  • Elementary (Grades K-6): 9:00 a.m.-3:35 p.m.
  • Secondary (Grades 7-12): 8:00 a.m.-2:45 p.m.
  
  
• Infinite Campus: Student schedules, report cards, and access to updating the annual registration verification can be accessed here.
• Payschools: All Activity, Technology and Food services fees can be paid quickly and easily in this portal. (All parking permit fees should now be showing in student accounts.)
• Schoology: Many courses and classes are updated daily. This is a very important tool for communicating!
• Service Desk: Technology support can be accessed here. Please review the directions for the new platform for service desk request for the 24-25 school year.

The Downingtown STEM Academy is the third high school in the Downingtown Area School District. The STEM Academy opened in the fall of 2011 at 335 Manor Avenue, Downingtown, PA 19335.

The Academy is an IB World School offering every student the opportunity to earn an IB Diploma. The curriculum offers Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Pathways. Students are engaged in rigorous, challenging academic work that requires a mindset of growth and effort.

Email: stinfo@dasd.org
Website: https://st.dasd.org/
Location: 335 Manor Avenue, Downingtown, PA, USA
Phone: 610-269-2420