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Monroe Public Schools

Every Child, Every Day

What's the Scoop at Stepney School May 10, 2026 Volume 35

Posted Date: 05/10/26 (05:00 PM)
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Text reads 'What's the Scoop at Stepney School' with a cartoon Dalmatian dog.

Volume 35: May 10, 2026

 

Stepney Reads Together

A shared reading experience!

A pink flamingo in a red jersey with an 'S' logo stands next to text promoting "STEPNEY Reads Together" and summer goals.
STEPNEY Reads Together 2026: Books that will inspire us! features "The Power of Yet" and "The Thing Lou Couldn't Do".

Throwback to the start of the year!

Read, Reflect and Return!

The bags are moving through classrooms and students are settings goals! We are very proud of Stepney.

Two smiling girls stand outside, each holding a canvas tote bag with handwritten text.
A smiling young boy sits on a school bus, holding a canvas tote bag with red writing.
A young girl with long blonde hair smiles, holding a canvas tote bag that reads 'STEPNEY Reads Together ROOM 13 Ms. Martinsky'.
A young boy smiles while holding a canvas tote bag with names written on it.

Celebration of Reading 2026

Thank you, to our readers and Monroe Rotary for the book donations.

A diverse group of adults poses for a photo, each holding a children's book.

Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week

Many thanks for an amazing week!

Thank You, Stepney PTO!

A huge thank you to our incredible Stepney PTO for creating such a thoughtful and fun Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week! Throughout the week, our teachers and staff were celebrated with wonderful treats, relaxing surprises, creative themes, delicious food, raffle baskets, and so many special touches that made everyone feel truly appreciated.

From the beach-themed kickoff to the daily surprises and celebrations, every detail reflected the care and support our PTO shows to the Stepney community.

A very special thank you to the amazing mothers who came in early each morning to set up, decorate, organize, and help make each day so special. Your time, energy, and dedication helped create such a welcoming and joyful atmosphere for our staff.

We would also like to thank everyone who donated raffle baskets and contributed to the week in any way. Your generosity and kindness brought so much excitement and appreciation to our staff members.

We are incredibly grateful for the continued partnership and support of our PTO and Stepney families. Thank you for helping make Stepney such a special place to learn and work!
A group of smiling teachers gather around a red-covered table in a school cafeteria.
A group of women sit around a red-covered table, reviewing papers and smiling.
Four women smile at a table covered with a red tablecloth, with papers and a vase of yellow tulips.
A group of women are gathered around a red-clothed table, smiling and interacting.
A group of adults sit around a red-covered table in a room with a colorful mural on the wall.
A group of women are seated at tables covered in red tablecloths, some smiling at the camera.

Stepney School Counselor Update

Stepney School Counselor 2026-2027

I am writing to share that Mrs. Petrafesa, our School Counselor, will be transitioning to a new role next year as a school counselor at the high school level in Monroe.

Over the past several years, Mrs. Petrafesa has made a meaningful impact on the Stepney community through her care, compassion, and dedication to supporting students and families. She has built strong relationships with our children and has played an important role in helping students grow socially, emotionally, and academically. While we will miss her greatly, we are excited for her as she takes this next step in her career.

As we look ahead, I am also excited to share that Mrs. Ashley Gilbey will be joining us as our new School Counselor. Mrs. Gilbey is currently a Grade 4 teacher at Stepney and has been working closely with Mrs. Petrafesa this year as her counseling intern. Through this experience, she has already been supporting students both individually and in groups while building strong connections within our school community. Her passion for social-emotional learning and care for children shine through in all she does, and we are excited for this transition.

We are grateful for all that Mrs. Petrafesa has contributed to Stepney Elementary School and wish her continued success in this exciting new chapter. We look forward to celebrating her during these final weeks of the school year.

Warmly,
Ashley Furnari
 

Superintendent’s Student of the Month – May


Congratulations to Paola Castro Garcia for being recognized as Stepney’s Superintendent’s Student of the Month for May!

Paola is a thoughtful, hardworking, and kind student who consistently leads through her actions, positivity, and determination. Her teachers describe her as creative, articulate, supportive of others, and always willing to challenge herself and grow.

We are so proud of you, Paola! Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition!

Monroe Kids Vote

Infographic celebrating the 2026 MPS Kids Vote, showing voter participation and vote results with colorful illustrations and text.

Thank you, Nurse Quigley, for all you do!

A smiling young boy with a backpack stands next to a woman holding a bag of York Peppermint Patties.
This week, we celebrated Nurse Quigley and all she does for our Stepney community.

We also want to share that Nurse Quigley will be retiring at the end of this school year.

Nurse Quigley's detail-oriented approach has played an important role in helping keep students healthy and safe each day. She consistently prioritizes what is best for children while ensuring alignment with health guidelines and expectations.

Nurse Quigley has been a valued member of our school community, and she will be greatly missed. We wish her all the best as she looks forward to spending more time with her family, enjoying a more flexible schedule, and hopefully visiting us from time to time as a substitute nurse!

Flamingo Fridays Starts this Friday!

Grab your gear as we countdown to the end of year!

Poster announcing 'Flamingo Fridays ARE BACK!' starting May 15, 2026, with pink flamingos and tropical leaves.
 

Thinking Ahead, Planning Ahead

Graphic announcing "Thinking Ahead for Planning" with school dismissal dates.
 

Days of Appreciation

We have several days coming up to celebrate important people.


  • May 20 (Wed) – School Psychologist Day
  • May 18–22 (Mon–Fri) – Speech Pathologist Week

Monroe ECIC Preschool Open House

Monroe ECIC Preschool Program Open House on May 12th from 3:15pm-3:45pm.

PTO News

This will update at 7:00 p.m. each week.

Click: PTO `Weekly Post
An architectural rendering of Stepney Elementary's proposed outdoor classroom with tiered seating.
Outdoor Classroom Website