Ready to retire your outgrown Santiago Spirit Wear? Moving on from Santiago? We can help!

This month STEAM GREEN is collecting all styles of Santiago Spirit Wear which will be recirculated to new owners this fall.

Carefully place clean, gently used items in the green tub near the Health Office and we'll help them find a new home.

Email santiagosteamgarden@gmail.com with questions or for larger items.

It's not too late to purchase your 2023-2024 Santiago STEAM Magnet yearbook! Visit www.treering.com/validate and enter the school's passcode: 1016536853534071.

Santiago STEAM Magnet Elementary School and Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream are teaming up to raise money by selling everyone’s favorite ice cream! We are really excited about this tasty fundraising opportunity and hope you are as well. Spirit Nights are super fun so be sure to bring all your friends!

Santiago STEAM Magnet Elementary School will receive 20% of all menu items purchased by their supporters at Handel’s Ice Cream in Lake Forest. All you need to do is go to Handel’s Lake Forest the day of the Fundraiser, make your purchase, and be SURE to say you are there for the Fundraiser.

National Geographic’s Top Ten Best of Everything named Handel’s Ice Cream #1 in the World. Handel’s Ice Cream was also named Best of OC by the OC Register for the second year in a row.

We would like to thank you in advance for all your efforts to support Santiago STEAM Magnet Elementary School. We are extremely grateful for all your support in the past, and we hope that you will be able to participate in this Fundraiser as well.

This whole week is Staff Appreciation Week!

Send a kind message to a staff member on Parent Square, drop of individually wrapped treats for the staff lounge, or encourage your child to make a card. Our teachers and staff go above and beyond. Show them how much we appreciate them!

• Wednesday: Bring a flower or flowers to your teacher or a staff member

• Thursday: Make a card for your teacher or staff member

• Friday: Wear your teacher's favorite color

For our Peace, love and a groovy run! this year, we're using an awesome web based fundraising system that makes it much easier for you to request pledges from your family and friends, and for them to make secure credit card donations online. It's fun, it's easy, and people who use it typically raise twice as much as those who don't!

Remember, our Peace, love and a groovy run! is April 26, so please register now to help our school raise as much as we can for STEAM Project Materials, Campus Improvements, Staff Appreciation Gifts, and other PTA Programs.

Using your computer's browser:

• Go to http://pledgestar.com/santiago

• Click “Not Registered For This Year’s Event”

• Enter your name and email address, then click “Submit”

• Follow the instructions on-screen to register Runner(s) and add family and friends

Using your Android or Apple phone or tablet:

• Go to the Apple App Store on IOS or the Amazon App Store on Android and search for "PledgeStar" to download the Family App, or go to https://pledgestar.com/santiago/downloadapp.html

• On the home screen enter your event code: “santiago” to locate your event

• Click “Not Registered For This Year’s Event”

• Enter your name and email address, then click “Submit”

• Follow the instructions on-screen to register Runner(s) and add family and friends

When you finish, the system emails pledge requests to your family and friends, and allows them to make secure credit card donations online. You get notified each time a pledge is made, and you can track your pledge progress online.

Call 1-888-598-7510 if you need help.

Our first Garden Build Day of the year, the perfect way to celebrate Earth Day! 

Join us Sunday, April 21 from 10-2pm to break ground on the new Wonderwalk Garden, plant trees, and more! We have projects for all ages and abilities, no experience or special skills needed.

We’ll be helping the Earth, and helping build outdoor learning environments for Santiago students! It’s a fun day of community for a cause for the whole family. Bring gloves if you have them, and water/snacks. Restroom access will be available!!

It’s BACK!! It’s our third annual SHOE RECYCLING event!

All this month we’re recycling your old shoes! Spring Clean the closets and drop your old, outgrown, or over-it sneakers in our green tub for recycling - located near the shoe art wall.

While you’re there, shop the bin! We love when shoes get some extra miles on them. Grab some new-to-you favs just in time for the Jogathon! 

All shoes remaining in the bin at the end of the month will be recycled with our partner GotSneakers.

Remember to design your 2 FREE custom pages by March 29th!  These will be printed only in your own yearbook.  

We still need photo submissions for activities like field trips, fall festival, Ignite the Day/Ignite the Night, career day, glow party, etc.  You may upload photos using the below link or email photos to PTALynseydouglas@gmail.com by March 29th.   

6th grade yearbook dedications are needed!  Design your own 1/8 page FREE ad and include baby photos, words of wisdom, etc. by March 29th.  

March 12th is picture day.  The photographers have a list of students who still need a yearbook picture.  Feel free to also remind your child to let the photographers know they still need a yearbook photo.

Students can still turn in a hand drawn or painted image for the yearbook cover contest until March 13th (guidelines were provided in a separate ParentSquare post).   

Thank you for helping make this year’s yearbook special for our students.   

We’re thrilled to announce our 3rd annual Haiku in the Garden contest, which starts today!

Santiago’s annual Haiku in the Garden contest is an invitation to celebrate Spring through poetry. Our school gardens are abloom and filled with inspiration!

Entries will be judged by a panel of guest experts, winners and participants will receive a special prize plus all entries will be eligible for publication in our annual book of poems! New this year, by popular demand, grown ups are invited to join the fun.

Please clearly note the poet’s name, teacher, and submit to the office by March 29.

Happy writing,

Santiago STEAM Green Committee

This month we are collecting household batteries. Help us reduce waste in landfills, and drop off your household batteries in the blue bucket by the front office!

Our Glow Party is ON! We've got a DJ cranking tunes, black lights turning the place into a glow-in-the-dark wonderland, and the best part? It's all FREE and fabulously fun!

Bring your family, meet up with classmates, and let's light up the night with some seriously awesome dance moves! Save the date, Santiago crew – it's gonna be a glowin' good time!

Join the STEAM Green Team in taking a step towards a greener planet. Even families who live far from school can participate. Take the bus, carpool, or drive part way to school, and walk the rest of the way with friends. We can’t wait to see you all making a difference for our environment. 

Click here to review the safety map for suggested routes and safety tips!

Join us on Tuesday, March 12th for our monthly STEAM Green Speaker Series. This month's topic will be Teens Against E-Waste! This event is FREE, no need to RSVP! Just grab a seat on the front benches at dismissal and ENJOY! 

Join us for our March PTA Meeting! This meeting will include our annual election to vote in the 2024-2025 PTA board members. 

The meeting will be held via Zoom on Thursday, March 7th at 6:30PM.  Please refer to Mrs. Thomsen's ParentSquare communication for the registration link.

Start saving those empty bottles and cans! 

Instead of tossing them in your home bins, set them aside for a good cause! The first Friday of each month we’re collecting your recyclables. Simply take the “recycling” side of the drop off lane and hand them off to our friends from @pinkrecycling - so easy!

It takes just a minute to raise big money for Santiago’s green programs. Plus, did you know when you recycle for CRV your waste has a better chance of getting reused? Good for the planet, good for our school…let’s do this! 

Accepted items: Beverage cans, Plastic bottles, Electronics, Scrap metal (please contact us for items larger than a toaster). Presorting helpful, but not required. 

Get ready for CAREER DAY here at Santiago STEAM. The PTA is looking for 17 parent volunteers to speak to our students about their careers on Thursday February 29, 2024. Speakers need to be at the school from 8:15 – 10:15 AM and will speak to three classes.

Please email PTALynseyDouglas@gmail.com if you are interested (include the grade + teacher’s name of any classes you would like to speak to).

All careers are welcome!

Join the STEAM Green Team in taking a step towards a greener planet. Even families who live far from school can participate. Take the bus, carpool, or drive part way to school, and walk the rest of the way with friends. We can’t wait to see you all making a difference for our environment. 

Click here to review the safety map for suggested routes and safety tips!

The STEAM Green Team will be collecting pet shelter items in February! Stay tuned for more information to come. 

The school spirit wear ordering window is open now through February 9th. This will be the last shirt sale of the school year, so be sure to get your orders in before the window closes!

Spirit wear will be delivered to school on February 22nd.

An interactive discovery of edible plants, a tasting session, and a giveaway. Event will be held at school at dismissal (2:30PM) at the front benches, weather permitting. Event is FREE and OPEN TO ALL.

Join the STEAM Green Team in taking a step towards a greener planet. Even families who live far from school can participate. Take the bus, carpool, or drive part way to school, and walk the rest of the way with friends. We can’t wait to see you all making a difference for our environment. 

Click here to review the safety map for suggested routes and safety tips!

Outgrown your winter jacket or coat? Has your style changed?

We’re collecting clean, gently used winter clothing for local families, such as jackets, coats, sweaters, sweatshirts, socks, beanies, scarves, and blankets.

Adult and child sizes are welcome. Please leave items neatly in the bin near the front office, and take home any you’ll enjoy!

Join us for the first PTA Meeting of 2024! The meeting will be held via Zoom on Thursday, January 11th at 6:30PM.  Please refer to Mrs. Thomsen's ParentSquare communication from January 7th for the registration link.

Save the dates for our winter spirit week! This spirit week is going to be a "mini" staff appreciation week to help show our teachers and staff how grateful we are for them!

• Monday: Bring a handwritten note for your teacher or favorite staff member.

• Tuesday: Bring a flower to your teacher or favorite staff member.

• Wednesday: Paint/draw/color a picture to give to your teacher.

• Thursday: Bring your teacher their favorite snack.

• Friday: Help clean up/organize the classroom. Reminder - today is schoolwide pajama day as well!

Drop off games to trade and recycle! Take your pick at Outdoor Movie night (December 8th), we’ll send the rest for recycling or donation.

Have you been meaning to plan a playdate with friends from school but you keep kicking the idea down the road? Why not make it happen, and meet up at this free family movie night! 

The event will be setup in the Kindergarten Yard at school. We will be showing the Polar Express movie, along with providing several 5 STEAM activities kids can enjoy, such as making your own snow or building a reindeer!

This is a free community event, but please be sure to bring the following:

• Picnic dinner (Note: Popcorn will be available for purchase)

• Chairs or lawn blankets

• Mug for hot chocolate (while supplies last)

• Wear your pajamas!

Join the STEAM Green Team in taking a step towards a greener planet. Even families who live far from school can participate. Take the bus, carpool, or drive part way to school, and walk the rest of the way with friends. We can’t wait to see you all making a difference for our environment. 

Click here to review the safety map for suggested routes and safety tips!

 The Santiago Steam Elementary PTA is organizing a get-together where we will have the wonderful opportunity to chat and get to know each other better! We will be meeting in the MPR at 8:15AM right after school drop-off. Join us for some coffee, pastries, and holiday cheer!

Thank you so much to all the families and groups who entered the Scarecrows for STEAM Contest this year. The scarecrows were absolutely amazing. The students had a blast exploring each one and voting for their favorites!! What wonderful examples of exploring STEAM skills with an emphasis in ART through community and play.

These scarecrows will remain on display through the Fall Festival THIS FRIDAY from 5PM-8PM to line our Scarecrow Forest. Please come check them out if you haven't already. Individual scarecrows will remain on display in the MPR alongside the Book Fair.

Full-Sized Family Scarecrow Winners:

• 1st Place: Corbin W

  • Scarecrow Entry: Minecraft Zombie, Chicken & Minecraft Scarecrow

• 2nd Place: Wyatt, Owen & Amelia G

  • Scarecrow Entry: Roz - The Wild Robot

• 3rd Place: Harley A

  • Scarecrow Entry: Five Nights at Freddy

Full-Sized Group Scarecrow Winners:

• Dominic L, Miles L, Andres Q, Makayla Q

  • Scarecrow Entry: Spooder-Man

Family 1st Place winner received a $50 Target Gift Card

Family 2ndPlace winner received a $40 Target Gift Card

Family 3rd Place winner received a $30 Target Gift Card

Group Winner received 100 Packets of Seeds

Leading up to the Fall Festival & Silent Auction we will be hosting spooky monsters at Santiago STEAM. Don’t be scared, they can be tamed by a simple trick. Feed them candy! Help our scary monster collect candy for the trick-or-treat trail by feeding it unopened bags of candy.

Save the dates for our upcoming Book Fair! The Book Fair will be setup in the MPR from October 30th - November 3rd and will be open during the evening of Fall Festival as well. 

Join us for our November General PTA Meeting! This month we will be meeting on Zoom. Please be sure to pre-register to join. 

Please see the details below for how to join:

• Registration Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84974704188?pwd=aHwStHRH9I8RYfwLuJ9CStCpqvckMh.1

• Meeting ID: 849 7470 4188 

• Meeting Passcode: 043271 

Join us for a night of fun during this year's fall festival! Activities will include a large inflatable obstacle course and triple-lane slide, games, STEAM booths, a trick-or-treat trail, and silent auction! Its a great way to spend time with friends and have fun!

Tickets will be used for the inflatables, STEAM activity booths, games, snack bar, and pizza dinner. To purchase tickets in advance and avoid the lines, please click here. 

Additionally, volunteers and donations are needed for the silent auction! If you are interested in contributing, please click here for more information or email santiagosilentauction@gmail.com!

Join the STEAM Green Team in taking a step towards a greener planet. Even families who live far from school can participate. Take the bus, carpool, or drive part way to school, and walk the rest of the way with friends. We can’t wait to see you all making a difference for our environment. 

Click here to review the safety map for suggested routes and safety tips!

Save up those plastic bottles! Santiago is keeping plastic out of the landfills, and raising money for a good cause!

ONE DAY ONLY, Friday October 13 from 7:30-9:00 am, bring your clean plastic containers at drop off time. Come through the drive-thru dropoff line, we’ll have a special lane dedicated to recycling and a crew ready to help unload.

Scrap material value of the recyclables will be shared between Santiago and PINK Foundation, a non-profit protecting the environment while empowering women in vulnerable situations.

Note: Please, for the safety of our students, NO GLASS. Aluminum cans will also be accepted, if sorted separately from the plastics.

Join us on October 5th from 3:30 – 8:30 pm for an exciting adventure at Pumpkin City’s Pumpkin Farm at 24203 Avenida de la Carlota in Laguna Hills. 

Families can purchase a Pumpkin City Wristband Pass, which will allow their child to ride all the carnival rides at Pumpkin City as many times as they like on their reserved Pumpkin City Wristband Night for $25 per child! 

Order by September 29th. Wristband passes will be delivered to students on October 3. This special pass is ONLY valid on October 5th, so don’t miss out!

Join the STEAM Green Team in taking a step towards a greener planet. Even families who live far from school can participate. Take the bus, carpool, or drive part way to school, and walk the rest of the way with friends. We can’t wait to see you all making a difference for our environment. 

Click here to review the safety map for suggested routes and safety tips!

Join Santiago Elementary School at Angel Stadium as your Angels take on the visiting Cleveland Guardians with tickets starting at just $16 each!

Enjoy upgraded seating choices including Field All-Star and Club MVP seats.

Tickets are limited and available on a first-come, first-serve basis. For those who want to sit next to one another, be sure to purchase the tickets together at the same time so they are assigned the best seats available within that section. Feel free to share this link with friends and family!

Join us for the first PTA meeting of the year! We will be meeting in-person in the MPR on campus. 

Come hear more about all of the upcoming activities and learn more about how you can get involved!

The school spirit wear ordering window has been extended until August 31st!

All orders will be delivered to the school by September 15th. 

Kids and adult sizes are available!

The Santiago Steam Elementary PTA is organizing a get-together where we will have the wonderful opportunity to learn more about the essential role our PTA plays in fostering a thriving learning environment for our students. This event will also mark a momentous occasion as we warmly welcome our new principal, Mrs. Thomsen, to our close-knit community. We hope to see you all there!

Santiago STEAM Magnet Teachers and PTA Delegates are in DC to celebrate our National Green Ribbon Award! Those who wish to watch the ceremony from home can do so on Tuesday, 8/8 from 6:30AM–7AM. (keynote speakers) and 11AM–12:30PM (awards presentation) on the U.S. Department of Education’s YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/@USEdGov ). 

Your Santiago STEAM PTA invites you to join our special association meeting on Monday August 7th at 12:00 PM.  We will be meeting to approve a travel expense to send the Santiago STEAM Delegation to the Green Ribbon Ceremony and events in Washington DC.

This meeting will be held via ZOOM. Please see the details below for how to join:

• Meeting Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81189556016...

• Meeting ID: 811 8955 6016

• Meeting Passcode: 915073