Back to School Letter from Dr. Christopher Pearce, MV STEAM Academy Principal

Dear Parents/Guardians and Students,

On behalf of the staff at the Mount Vernon STEAM Academy, I am happy to welcome you to the 2024-2025 school year! We are looking forward to a productive partnership with you to ensure our children can achieve their highest potential and be their best selves. We recognize that to be successful in school, our children need support from both the home and school. We know a strong partnership with you will make a great difference in your child’s education. As partners, we share the responsibility for our children’s success and want you to know that we will do our very best to carry out our responsibilities.

MV STEAM Academy will have approximately 223 ninth graders, 187 tenth graders, 199 eleventh graders, and 195 twelfth graders for a total of 804 students this school year. Our scholars will engage in Project & Inquiry-Based Learning. A great emphasis is placed on Critical Thinking, Creativity, Communication, and Collaboration. We ask that you guide and support your child’s learning by ensuring that he/she:

1) Attends school daily and arrives on time, ready for the day’s learning experience.
2) Completes all classwork, and homework assignments given by teachers.
3) Reads daily to develop a love for reading and to improve literacy skills.
4) Shares school experiences with you so that you are aware of his/her school life.
5) Informs you if he/she needs additional support in any area or subject.
6) Knows that you expect him/her to succeed at MV STEAM and go on to higher education.
7) Follows the District’s Code of Conduct.
8) Follows the Dress Code Policy – (Appropriate clothing must be worn daily. Flip-Flops, durags, and bonnets are not permitted at MV STEAM).

MV STEAM has a rigorous and culturally relevant academic program with a focus on Reading, Analyzing, and Writing. There is a strong emphasis on Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics. We place great emphasis on strengthening foundational knowledge with the Imagine Edgenuity online learning resource, strategic reading, and transitional mathematics. All students are expected to achieve academic success and well-being in a safe, fun, nurturing, and positive learning environment at MV STEAM.

Breakfast will begin at 7:30 a.m. and classes will begin at 7:50 a.m. This is not an option. The official day ends at 2:49 p.m. This will allow students ample time to arrive at Mount Vernon High School to participate in sports after school and/or participate in various after school activities at MV STEAM.

Please consider joining our Parent Teacher Association as our students can greatly benefit from your involvement and contributions to the PTA and its operations. It is said that involved parents understand the challenges schools face and become part of the solution. Moreover, more than 85 research studies conducted over the past 30 years prove that kids do better when parents are involved. Grades are higher. Test scores improve. Attendance increases.

As we begin the 2024-2025 school year, let us all make the commitment to work together to make this a successful and enjoyable year. MV STEAM rises to new levels of excellence.

Please note that grade-level orientations will occur on the dates and times as specified below. All students must attend. Also, Wednesday, September 4, 2024, is the first full day of school.

We are inviting all incoming 9th grade students and their parents/guardians to a New Student and Parent Orientation and Ice Cream Social on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.

• 9th Grade Parents / Students’ Orientation: September 3, 2024, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• 10th Grade Students’ Orientation: September 10, 2024, from 8:44 a.m. to 9:27 a.m.
• 11th Grade Students’ Orientation: September 11, 2024, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:13 a.m.
• 12th Grade Students’ Orientation: September 12, 2024, from 10:16 a.m. to 10:59 a.m.

Sincerely,

Dr. Christopher Pearce