Stepping Stones Academy

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR
MEET THE TEACHER NIGHT
ON THURSDAY, AUGUST 27TH FROM 5:00-7:00 P.M.

Aloha Stepping Stones Academy `Ohana

Last September we invited everyone to find their Hawaiian shirts, polish their surfboards, put on their flip flops, and join us in this Year of `Ohana! We then spent the year learning about the words of Lilo and Stitch,

“`Ohana means family, and family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten.”

As the 2007-2008 school year comes to an end, we reflect on all that the Stepping Stones Academy `Ohana accomplished. We remember roller skating on the first day of school, dressing wild-n-crazy for Spirit Week, winning purple ribbons at Field Day, and getting wet at Water Day and Water World. We remember decorating pumpkins at the Mustang County `Ohana Luau in October, “Taking a Field Trip to Hawaii” at the Winter Festival in December, and eating lots of spaghetti at the `Ohana Luau in March. We remember bringing in cans of food for the Food Drive, reading lots of books for the Read-a-Thon, doing experiments for the Science Fair, rolling pennies for the Penny Drive, and picking out books at the Book Fairs. We also remember shopping at Mustang Village Marketplace, going on field trips, having classroom parties, and cheering at awards assemblies. And amidst all of these fun and exciting events we still managed to learn reading, writing, math, science, and social studies skills, as well as make new friends and work together as a successful `Ohana!

Being a small school, we are often asked how Stepping Stones Academy is able to successfully accomplish so many events and still maintain such a high academic program. Our answer is simple,

“A’ohe hana nui ka alu’ia!”
“No task is too big when done together!”

This phrase was once again proven during the 2007-2008 school year, as members of the Stepping Stones Academy `Ohana – children, parents, staff members – worked together to successfully host many spectacular campus events along with all kinds of thrilling classroom activities. Through the year, the children learned the meaning of `Ohana as they talked about it in the classroom, plus they practiced `Ohana as they worked with each other, family members, and staff members on the many projects. Though the official theme of, “Year of `Ohana” is over, the spirit of `Ohana will continue to live on at Stepping Stones Academy! Thanks for a fantastic Year of `Ohana, and may you now go forth and have a successful summer! See you in September!

Mrs. Short and Mrs. Alliger

Yearbooks

Remember your
school year
with pictures!

$22.00 PER BOOK

Yearbooks are available
in the School Office
through July 18th.

Yearbooks will arrive in August.
A Yearbook Party will be planned at school once Yearbooks arrive!

A minimum number of orders
are needed, so families are
asked to purchase Yearbooks

SCHOOL OFFICE OPEN DURING THE SUMMER

Though it is summer, the School Office is still open during June, July, and
August. The official hours for June and July are 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Monday through Thursday; however, Miss Stewart, Mr. Alliger, and
Mrs. Short and Mrs. Alliger are usually on campus before and after
hours, including Fridays and week-ends. For August the official office
hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Parents are welcome to stop by during School Office hours or contact the School Office to schedule a time. The school’s voicemail is Monday through Friday, so parents are invited to leave messages as needed. Parents may also contact Miss Stewart, Mr. Alliger, or Mrs. Short and Mrs. Alliger via email. Stepping Stones Academy wishes everyone a successful summer!

GOOD-BYE MRS. OLIVERIO

With the end of the school year, Stepping Stones Academy must say “good-bye” to Mrs. Oliverio, the second grade teacher. This summer Mrs. Oliverio and her husband, Robert, are moving to Indiana, so Robert may continue pursuing his doctorate degree. The school thanks Mrs. Oliverio for her sharing her teaching talents at Stepping Stones Academy and wishes Mr. and Mrs. Oliverio much success in Indiana!

INTRODUCING MRS. DEGRUCCIO

Stepping Stones Academy is happy to announce the hiring of its new second teacher, Mrs. Robbin DeGruccio. Mrs. DeGruccio received her B.A. degree in Elementary Education in 1999 from ASU West and received her Masters degree in Elementary Education with a Reading Specialization in 2004 from ASU West. She most recently taught an after school Art Explorers program in the Cave Creek Unified School District. Mrs. DeGruccio Spent time on campus during the last month of school,
so many of the K-3rd graders had the opportunity to meet her. Though Mrs. DeGruccio comes to Stepping Stones Academy with many positive references, the best recommendation comes from one of our very own second graders. After meeting Mrs. DeGruccio, this second grader went home and reported to his mother, “Mom, her eyes glitter when she walks in the sun and her teeth light up when she smiles!”
Welcome Mrs. DeGruccio to Stepping Stones Academy!

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WELCOME BACK TEACHERS!

Stepping Stones Academy is delighted to welcome back all of its
staff members from last year except for Mrs. Oliverio, who is
moving to Indiana with her husband. Welcome back …

Miss Stewart
Mrs. Holwerda
Mrs. Conley
Ms. Fisk
Ms. Hummell
Mrs. Johnson
Mrs. Toel
Miss Anthony
Ms. Delmer
Mr. Flock
Ms. Miles
Mr. Alliger

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SCHOOL SUPPLY LIST and UNIFORM GUIDELINES WERE INCLUDED IN REGISTRATION FOLDERS.

If additional copies are needed, please stop by
the School Office or visit the school’s web site at steppingstonesacademy.org.

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SHADE STRUCTURE FUNDRAISING UPDATE

Thanks to the fundraising efforts from the 2007-2008 school year , students earned $8351.48 towards the new shade structure for the playground. The needed amount of money is $30,000, which provides the school with a shade structure large enough to cover the sandbox. The shade structure will be a colorful sail style, which is a style commonly found around public parks, outdoor eating areas, and water parks. Not only is this style extremely durable, but it is also provides excellent protection from the sun. Stepping Stones Academy is excited to add to its shade structure fund in the 2008-2009 school year and plans to purchase the shade structure as soon as enough money is earned. Thank you to the many families who contributed to this year’s fundraising efforts!

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THANK YOU STEPPING STONES ACADEMY `OHANA

Dear `Ohana Families,

We would like to say thank you for the gifts
And more thanks for the thought.
The greatest thing we can thank you for
Is all of the joy you brought!

Mahalo (Thank you),
Stepping Stones Academy Staff Members

This poem was originally intended to be published immediately after Teacher Appreciation Week – that week where the teachers were treated like royalty thanks to the students and parents – but it was decided to wait and publish the poem at the end of this Year of `Ohana, because the gifts and joy have actually been given to us throughout the year. MAHALO for joining Stepping Stones Academy in this Year of `Ohana, MAHALO for helping make this such a successful year, and MAHALO for sharing your children with Stepping Stones Academy!

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ENROLLMENT FOR PRE-K CLASS
STILL BEING ACCEPTED!

AStepping Stones Academy offers a morning and afternoon Pre-K class. To enroll, children children must be four years old by September 1st, 2008. For more information or to enroll, contact the School Office.

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