Spalding STEM Academy

Mrs. Johnson's class completed a STEM challenge to build a container to hold 253 pieces of popcorn out of paper, tape, and staples.

Mathematicians use intuition! Second grade students in Mrs. Magnuson's class were invited to make predictions about pumpkins. They had a hands-on and engaging learning experience. Making predictions and then verifying them using proper tools was an excellent way to reinforce critical thinking, measurement skills, and the scientific method. This kind of activity can foster a deeper understanding of concepts related to mathematics, biology, and observation. It's also a great opportunity for students to appreciate the importance of precision in scientific inquiry. This exercise likely encouraged active participation and curiosity among the students. This activity helped students learn about estimation, measurement, and the importance of accuracy in scientific inquiry. #SpaldingSTEMAcademy

Have you asked your Spalding S.T.E.M. student how they are doing in their keyboarding skills? We are starting to have more stars indicating students who have met some goals.

The Spalding S.T.E.M. PTO has started the next Box Tops competition. Money earned goes directly to supporting classrooms. Be sure to designate which teacher your child has in order for the teacher to receive that credit.

Spalding STEM has two Christmas Trees near the office which both have a special purpose. We are currently in the midst of our annual pajama drive benefiting children in need. Additionally, we have a giving tree which has ornaments listing current wishes of a child- the ornaments can be taken off the tree and returned on a wrapped gift. These projects benefit both Spalding STEM students and other children in the Treasure Valley.

The Spalding Robotics Team had a great time on Saturday at their second FLL scrimmage. They’re doing an amazing job learning coding and programming the robot they built to complete missions on the LEGO table.

Today is the Deadline: School of Choice lottery applications open for the 2024-25 school year from November 7th-30th. If you know of students who will be 5 years old by September 1st, 2024 or other students who would like to attend Spalding STEM Academy, please be sure to fill out the lottery application on the www.westada.org website to be considered.

Happy Thanksgiving from Spalding STEM Academy!

This week's Spalding Staff Spotlight is on our 4th grade team. Our 4 fourth grade teachers have a combined teaching experience of 50 years! This is team that knows how to move. Between them they have lived in 5 countries (including the United States), and 9 states (including Idaho). Here is all of the places that have been called home by at least one of these teachers: the United States and Idaho, 1-Italy, 1-Thailand, 1- China, 1- The Philippine Islands, 3-Missouri, 2-California, 1-Texas, 1-New Jersey, 1-Oregon, 1-Illinois, 1-Nebraska, 1-Utah. All four have taught in at least two different states and two have taught in at least one other country.

Spalding Staff Spotlight: Our 4 fifth grade teachers have a combined teaching experience of 95 years! They shared that 3 of them love to teach math, 2 love to teach social studies, and 1 loves to teach science. On this wonderful team, we have an excellent skier, someone with a relative who was accused of being a witch in the Salem Witch Trials, someone who loves to create (especially through crochet) and a bow hunter who was once recruited to become a professional bow hunter.

We are thrilled to be able to share our November Students of the Month for Spalding STEM. Each grade level chose one student who exemplified SOARing student behavior. We are so proud of these students and so glad they attend Spalding.

We are thrilled to be able to share our October Students of the Month for Spalding STEM. Each grade level chose one student who exemplified SOARing student behavior. We are so proud of these students and so glad they attend Spalding.

We are thrilled to be able to share our September Students of the Month for Spalding STEM. Each grade level chose one student who exemplified SOARing student behavior. We are so proud of these students and so glad they attend Spalding.

CTE OPEN HOUSE West Ada School District OCT 12, 2023 SAVE THE DATE!!!!!!!! WASD CTE - Career and Technical Education of West Ada School District invites you to the Career and Technical Education OPEN HOUSE on Thursday, November 9th from 5:00-7:00pm. Students currently in grades 5-10 and their families are invited to attend this event at either one of our CTE locations... Renaissance High School - 1307 E Central Drive in Meridian Programs: • Accounting • Business Management • Certified Nursing Assistant • Computer Science • Construction Trades • Culinary Arts • Digital Photo • Early Childhood Education Assistant • Emergency Medical Technician • Fire Services • Graphic Design • Law Enforcement • Pharmacy Technician • Pre-Engineering • Sports Medicine • Video Technology Meridian High School - Career Technical Center - 1900 W. Pine Avenue in Meridian Programs: • Animal Science • Automotive Technology • Collision Repair • Diesel Technology • Plant Sciences • Small Gas Engines • Welding Fabrication For more information on the vast amount of programs and offerings available to West Ada CTE students, please visit: https://www.westada.org/.../page/career-technical-education #WeAreWestAda #proudtobewasd #westadaready #westadacte

Spalding STEM Academy invites all potential incoming Kindergartener families for a tour on November 14, 2023, 4:30 to 5:30 P.M. Would you like your child to show creativity, use problem solving skills, and learn how to collaborate with others? Are you new to the Spalding community? Are you sending your child off to kindergarten? Come SOAR through the school and learn more about what makes Spalding great! The school tour will begin in the Spalding library.

All of our students spent part of their Friday cleaning up the Spalding outdoor classroom- our Garden. They worked hard and had fun! A huge thank you to our parent volunteers and staff who assisted in this process.

Here are some of our third and fourth grade students participating in our Garden clean-up last week. Spalding's outside classroom is our garden and we spent time preparing our garden for Spring planting by pulling weeds. Kudos to our hardworking kids and a huge thank you to the parent volunteers and staff that helped with this process!

Spalding's outside classroom is our garden. Each grade level spent some time cleaning up the garden last week. Our goal is to have the garden ready to plant in the Spring. Students found out that pulling weeds can be fun, a little messy, and sometimes difficult. They did a great job and seemed to be proud of their accomplishments. A huge thank you to the parent volunteers and staff that helped with this process! Here you will see our before and after pictures.

DUE by October 30. 2023: Intent to continue forms are now available in PowerSchool for current Kindergarten through 4th grade Spalding students. If you do not see the form in PowerSchool, please call the front office 208-350-4305. Applications for students new to Spalding for the 2024-2025 school year will be open November 7th thorough November 30th. Incoming Kindergarten students must be 5 years old by September 1, 2024. The School of Choice timelines are earlier than in school previous years.

Spalding STEM staff and students are working on our garden. We are looking for parents to help us. Please consider signing up to help if you are interested in assisting in sprucing up, maintaining, and/or assisting with learning activities in our outdoor classroom.