Superstar Spotlight: Illuminating News from Stevens PTA | September 2025, Issue #1

A Bright Start to a New School Year

Hello Stevens families,

What an incredible start to the school year! Seeing so many new and familiar faces at our first PTA meeting, Popsicles on the Playground, and hosting an amazing Welcome Back Breakfast for our teachers and staff has set the tone for an exciting year ahead. Your enthusiasm reminds us why the Stevens community is so special.

Thanks to last year’s incredible support, we’re able to invest even more in the programs our students love — from arts and enrichment and family fun nights to Monster Mash, Spring Fling, and enhanced staff appreciation, including a $75 reimbursement to each teacher for classroom supplies.

This year’s PTA membership drive theme, “All Stars Welcome,” celebrates our Superstars and team spirit — because the best season starts with all of us! We invite every family to join the PTA and take part in our Classroom Showdown contest, running through September 30. Each membership counts toward your child’s class, and the winning room will enjoy a Cider & Donuts Party (with allergy-friendly options). Plus, everyone who joins by October 31 will be entered to win a Thanksgiving turkey dinner from Mazzone Hospitality. Families who sign up at one of our Back-to-School Nights (September 23 or 25) will also be entered to win a Family Movie Night gift basket!

Whether you volunteer for an event, lend a hand from home, or simply join as a member, you’re helping us make Stevens an even brighter place to learn and grow. Let’s make this a year of teamwork, connection, and fun for our students, staff, and families!

-Nichole Harrell

September 9 PTA Meeting Recap

The Stevens PTA opened its first meeting of the school year with a warm welcome from President Nichole Harrell, who introduced the Executive Board and thanked families—especially kindergarten parents—for a record turnout. Recent events, including Shining Stars: Popsicles on the Playground and the Welcome Back Breakfast, were celebrated as a great start.

Strong fundraising last year allowed the PTA to increase support for arts and enrichment, family fun nights, Monster Mash treats, Spring Fling vendors, and staff appreciation. A new line item now gives teachers a $75 Amazon reimbursement for classroom supplies and funds PTA participation at events like Field Day and the kindergarten celebration.

Around $20,000 in reserve remains for future purchases, with repairing the front sign among the suggestions. Plans for Arts & Enrichment include Jared Campbell’s November visit, the 4th-grade movie project, a new K/1 dance program, and the 5th grade SPAC residency. The PTA’s balance stands at $43,735.

Principal Bill Vacca introduced several new staff members and polled parents about communication preferences—most favored Parent Square, with fewer emails planned for this year. Staff are addressing crowded lunch lines and a reminder about staggered parent pickup times (A–H at 3:00 p.m., I–Z at 3:10 p.m.). Mr. Vacca also shared that state test results imporoved in nearly all areas, and the Building Council is considering changes such as doing away with supply drop-off.

Families were encouraged to complete the volunteer interest form, watch for the launch of Spirit Wear through Val’s Sporting Goods, and take advantage of Student Banking on Thursdays, where kids earn prizes and report-card bonuses. Ski Club registration is now open for West Mountain’s six-week session starting January 5 for students age seven and up.

The “All Stars Welcome” PTA membership drive is in full swing. Every membership through September earns points for classrooms in our Classroom Showdown, and everyone who joins by October 31 will be entered to win a Thanksgiving turkey dinner from Mazzone Hospitality.

Plans are underway for a fall parents social at Galway Rock. More details to follow.

The next PTA meeting is Thursday, October 9, 6:30pm, Stevens Library.

Read the full meeting minutes via Google Docs here.

All Stars Welcome Membership Drive on Fire!

Stevens parents, you’ve come out STRONG for our kids — and we are fired up! Our All Stars Welcome PTA membership drive is on a roll with 104 members already signed up, so we’ve raised our sights to a new goal of 150 memberships. Let’s keep the momentum going and show what Team Stevens can do!

Every signup through September 30 scores big for your child’s class in the Classroom Showdown, and the top team will earn a sweet Cider & Donuts Party (allergy-friendly treats included). But the fun doesn’t stop there — all memberships purchased by October 31 go into the running for a Thanksgiving turkey dinner from Mazzone Hospitality, and anyone who joins at our Back-to-School Nights (September 23 & 25) will also snag an entry to win a Family Movie Night gift basket.

The stands are packed, the energy is high, and we’re just getting started — join the PTA, help your child’s class climb the leaderboard, and let’s make this the best season yet for Stevens Superstars! ⭐🏆

Here’s how the scoreboard looks right now:

🥇 4–Durrant – 14 points
🥈 K–Gregory – 13 points
🥉 1–Latter – 12 points
Close behind: K–McCormack, 2–Maggs, 3–D’Angelo (11); 2–Bennice (10); 4–Pfeifer (10); 5–Rzeszotarski (9); 5–Sherwood (8)

Way to show up and show out Stevens Fam!

Keep an eye on our Facebook page for scoreboard updates!

📢 ParentSquare is Here! 📢

We’ve officially made the switch to ParentSquare, our new platform for school news, texts, and updates. Stay in the loop and make communication easy by downloading the app, if you haven't done so already:

Even without the app, you’ll still get emails and texts — but the app keeps everything in one place!

First-Round Pick Volunteers Wanted

Step onto the field and help make Stevens sparkle! From the Book Fair and Monster Mash to the Holiday Shop or Student Banking, volunteers keep our team strong. Explore upcoming opportunities or tell us what you enjoy — we’ll match you with the perfect play.

👉 Complete the Volunteer Interest Form »

We’re asking families to start setting aside paper bags with handles now so we’ll have plenty for our student shoppers when the Holiday Shop arrives in early December. Clean, gently used small, medium, or large bags are perfect for helping students carry their holiday treasures home — and they’ll be put to great use wrapping up goodies for our kids! We will collect bags as the date draws closer.

Find Your People

Make sure your Stevens Family Directory details are up to date — it’s the key to staying connected!

👉 Join or update your Directory info »

Save the Date: Scholastic Book Fair!

Get ready, Stevens families — our Scholastic Book Fair is just around the corner! Join us:

Monday, October 20 | 5–8pm
Wednesday, October 22 | 5–8pm
Friday, October 24 | 4–6:30pm, during Monster Mash

Students will preview books with the librarian during library time, and families can shop at one of our evening events or during Monster Mash. This is a profit fair, helping us purchase magazines for classrooms — and if we hit our sales goal we’ll enjoy a BOGO Book Fair in the spring!

We need lots of volunteers to assist during library previews, help students with wish lists, and support confidential purchases for students in need (volunteer link coming soon). Families can also purchase books for teachers’ classroom collections.

Ski You There? Club Registration Open

Join us at West Mountain for a 6-week ski program starting January 5, 2026! Sessions will be on Mondays (1/5, 1/12, 1/26, 2/2, 2/9, 2/23) with optional lessons from 4:00-5:00 PM. Open to kids 7+.

Parents are responsible for transportation. Registrationis open until December 15, 2025. Sign up by October 15 to avoid the price increase.

Already have a West Mountain RFID card? Start at the WTP Reload page before registering.

For details or questions, contact Christine Blair at cblair518@gmail.com.

Click here to enroll!

SUBJECT: Stevens Superstar Spotlight | September 2025, Issue #1