Hello STEM Families,

The kids had so much fun last week! The staff and students dressed up each day in a winter or holiday theme. Monday we had so many little Grinches running around! Thursday night we had our 1st and 3rd grade winter concert at the high school. The kids sang so well! Thank you Ms. Griffin for organizing the program. Students and families were able to do some fun activities in the lobby while waiting for the program to start, including a Gingerbread Village created by our high school students. (If you have any pictures with Santa or the Grinch you would like to share, please email them to will.cara@mansfieldschools.org.)

On Friday, students chose to decorate cookies, play games in the gym, watch a movie, or create an art project as part of our PBIS incentive day. Each quarter, the PBIS team puts together an activity for students who have met the criteria to take part in the activity. They are already working on our 3rd nine week activity!

Wednesday is our last day of the year and the nine weeks. It is also a 1 hour early release day. All students must be picked up by 2:45 on Wednesday!

I hope everyone has a relaxing and enjoyable holiday with family and friends. Our teachers have worked very hard to make the last couple of weeks fun and engaging for the students, so they need this time too.

I also wanted to let all parents know that I will be out the first 3 weeks of January as I recover from back surgery (happening this Thursday). There will be a substitute principal, Ms. Glorioso, during the time I'm away. She and the staff will do a wonderful job keeping things on the right track in the new year. I will be available by email while I'm away if you have any questions. My plan is to return on January 22nd.

Happy Holidays!

Cara Will

Springmill STEM Elementary

Students may bring home extra books this week. These books are for your student to keep. A group of teachers have spent hours going through the books our school has in the bookroom. They've pulled out the ones that the teachers need and are the most updated for the school to keep. This week we are allowing our students to go through the remaining books and pick out the ones they would like to keep.

These books do not need to be returned. They are a great opportunity for your family to spend time together reading over the extended winter break!

Put it on your calendar! Our next family engagement night will be on March 14, 2024. The theme is "Pi Day" (because in geometry, pi = 3.14 and the date is 3/14). We will be having pie and pizza themed activities for students to do with their families. The family engagement team has begun planning, but details will be discussed at the next family engagement team meeting in January (look for that info early January).

Any students in grades 3-5 interested in having fun, meeting friends, snacking AND learning to code? Once a week, this group will meet at 3:45 on Wednesdays to spend time together having fun while learning a skill that will help them in the new job market. The group's focus is working together, learning to keep trying when things don't work out, and friendship. If you or your student have any questions, please contact Mrs. Will or Mrs. Shirk at 419-525-6348. (If transportation is an issue, please call and we can help.)

We are going to be starting a Girls Who Code Club at Springmill STEM. This is open to students of any gender in grades 3 - 5. We will meet after school on Wednesdays for 6 weeks starting January 17th from 3:45 -4:45.

In order to join, students will need to be signed up by their parents.

Sign up directions: OH54340

1. To Start, navigate to clubs-hq.girlswhocode.com. Click 3-12 Clubs, and click Sign Up
2. Enter country and birth date, select the checkbox, and click Sign Up
3. Enter Club Code provided by Facilitator [ OH54340 ] and click Continue
4. Enter username, password, first and last name, click Complete Your Account
5. Review details and click This Looks Right
6. Answer demographic questions and click Join

You can find more information about the program by clicking below. We will have snacks and drinks for members. If you want more information please contact Mrs. WIll or Mrs. Shirk.

Students that sold 15 or more items will ride to Pizza Hut for lunch in a stretch limo!

End of Grading Period & Last Day Before Break

Welcome back!

Students did a wonderful job singing and speaking!

The Grinch stole my Lesson Plans! Thanks to Mrs. Harner, the staff were all Grinchy!