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District celebrates STEAM nights, winter guard and indoor winds achievements
Summary
Board heard recognition of STEAM nights attended by over 300 families, a foundation grant supporting materials, and winter guard/indoor winds competition successes including multiple first-place finishes and regional participation.
The board opened its meeting with celebrations highlighting district STEAM nights and performing-arts programs, including winter guard and a new indoor winds activity.
A staff presenter said STEAM nights at Allen Elementary (grades K–2) and Southside Elementary (grades 3–4) drew more than 300 families and included 22 activity stations such as stomp rockets, circuit blocks and engineering challenges. Presenters said a grant from the Silent Springs Public School Foundation (named in the meeting) funded many reusable materials that will remain in classrooms.
Teachers Martha Whittington and Stacy Hoehne (STEAM instructors) described activities and thanked building administrators and classroom volunteers for event support. Student comments shown or played at the meeting described favorites including catapults, stomp rockets and tower-building challenges.
Band director Daniel Hodges and several staff described winter guard and indoor winds, extracurricular programs that operate outside the school day. Melissa Leso, the winter guard director, described participation in the Mid-Continent Color Guard Association (MCCGA) circuit spanning multiple states and said the program has existed in Siloam for about 20 years. Leso outlined competition placements (fifth place at Ozark, second at Missouri State, first at Fayetteville, and an MCCGA championship) and noted a varsity rehearsal schedule of two days per week plus weekend staging blocks.
Indoor winds director Tyler Osterin described the first-year indoor winds program, which drew nearly 40 students and earned several first-place finishes including the Lake Hamilton WGI regional and MCCGA championship placements. Osterin said the format allows teachers to tailor music and drill to individual student strengths.
Board members and administrators publicly thanked teachers, parents and volunteers for support of STEAM and performing-arts programs.
No formal action was taken; the presentations were recognition and celebration.
