Staff Corner
The staff would like to extend a warm “thank you” to all the parents and students who volunteered their time at this year’s Open House. The Open House is an annual event hosted by Steller for perspective families. This year, in response to parent and student input, the Open House format underwent a change, and we are happy to report that is was a change for the better! As students and families arrived, they were greeted at the entrance with smiles and encouragement and directed to the MPR where Karin gave a brief presentation and Powerpoint introduction to the program. Afterward families self-selected, from a variety of options, to visit classrooms in which mini-lessons, explanations and demonstrations took place. The idea was to give a brief glimpse of what life might be like for a student enrolled at Steller. There were three rotations of “mini-sessions” and then parents were invited back to the MPR for a panel question and answer while students went to the Gymnasium and, under the direction of current Steller students, watched a student produced iMovie about Steller and had small group question and answer circles. At the conclusion of the evening the staff were available in the student lounge for individual conversations.
The staff has debriefed the event and we have suggestions for improving next year’s Open House as well. We would also like to ask that the Parent Group consider taking on the planning and execution of the Open House for next year. We feel that this will optimize both parent and staff time and talents. We look forward to working together!
On a related note, please take a moment and think about your family, friends and neighbors. Would Steller’s program be a good match for any of them? The lottery applications are due in our building not later than 3pm on March 20th! Please encourage families to apply.