Elementary News and Updates (09/09/22)

Dear Families,

We have had a wonderful start to the school year. Students came back to school ready to learn, and the staff wasted no time in developing relationships with their students, as well as helping them to learn the classroom expectations and routines that will lead them toward a successful school year. During the first few weeks of school, we have a heavy emphasis on behavior expectations and our Spartan characteristics.

At the end of every month, we have a K-5 assembly where we celebrate each other and our accomplishments for the month. Each assembly also has a theme. On August 26th, we had our first monthly assembly, and our theme centered around RESPECT, one of our Spartan Characteristics. During our assembly, we discussed what respect is and what it looks like, sounds like, and feels like. For the entire month of September, we then focus our SEL (social/emotional learning) around respect. At home, you can help by having conversations with your students about how to be respectful and what to do if they see someone not being respectful (either to them or others). You can also help by reviewing our behavior expectations with your student(s).

A special thank you to all the volunteers we have had during the first few weeks of school. We love having you in the building. Our biggest need for volunteers is during our lunch hours from 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., but we will take all the help we can get. Please contact info@stemk12.org if you have any questions about volunteering opportunities or how to log your hours.

A few reminders:

• School starts at 7:40 a.m. If you are arriving after 7:40 a.m., you must sign your student(s) in.
• Afternoon dismissal is staggered. K/1 is dismissed at 2:20 p.m. (cars are allowed in the parking lot at 2:15 p.m.); 2-5 (with K-1 sibling) is 2:35 p.m. (cars are allowed in the parking lot at 2:30 p.m.); K-5 with a Secondary Sibling dismissal is 2:55 p.m. Please pick your student(s) up during the appropriate pick-up window.

I look forward to working with you and your student(s) this school year. Have a great weekend.

In Partnership,

Amie McElroy, Elementary School Director

Please take a moment to check the STEM All-Events Calendar on our website.

There are lots of events already scheduled so please take a moment to take a look at the calendar to familiarize yourself with some of the events at the start of school. This calendar will continue to be updated throughout the summer as we get closer to the start of school.

Monday, Sept. 12, from 8:30-11:30 a.m – Elementary School Gym

DR Photo, our school photographer, will be at STEM on Monday, Sept. 12 from 8:30-11:30 a.m. in the Elementary School Gym to take school photos of our kindergarten students. Families can order photos using the link below. There will be a make-up date in October for all students who missed our photo day on the first two days of school, and for any students who would like to have their photo retaken.

November 10 & 11, at 6:30 p.m., & November 12, at  3 p.m. & 6:30 p.m.

Mark your calendars!

Jo March isn’t your typical Victorian lady. She’s indecorous and headstrong, and one day she will be a great American novelist. As she and her sisters grow up in the middle of the Civil War, they strive to be brave, intelligent, and imaginative young women. But as adulthood approaches, each sister must negotiate her private ambitions with society’s expectations. In a war-torn world defined by gender, class, and personal tragedy, Jo March gives us her greatest story: that of the March sisters, four dreamers destined to be imperfect little women.

Tickets are $10. Links to purchase tickets will be provided soon! Contact Max Schwartz (max.schwartz@stemk12.org) with any questions.

I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself. My name is Michelle Gasser and I am the Director of Professional Development. Part of my role is providing support to our community on Standards Based Learning (SBL). Over the past two years, we have worked hard to support our parent community on why we are switching our grading system to Standards-Based Learning and what that will mean for your students.

For our elementary school students, not much is going to change. Our K-5 teachers have done SBL in some form or another since the elementary school opened its doors. What we will be doing differently this year is that we will provide more details as to which standards students have mastered and which standards they are still struggling with. Through the use of MasteryConnect, an SBL grade book through Canvas, teachers can report on each standard for each subject area. This allows a teacher to determine exactly what a student needs to work on and communicate that with parents.

For our secondary parents, I have created this handout that helps break down what you will see on canvas for your child. In each unit, the teacher will determine which standard or standards they are assessing and then will provide feedback to students along the way. Teachers will collect assignments and assessments throughout the unit demonstrating knowledge of the standard and enter them into the Canvas grade book. Students should monitor their grade book for feedback and their demonstration of knowledge grades.

Please have grace with our teachers while they are learning our new grading systems, as there might be a few hiccups along the way. We ask students to politely email their teachers with grading questions and clarification. If you have any questions about grading or Standards-Based Learning, please check out our webpage for more information. You can also email me directly at michelle.gasser@stemk12.org.

In case you didn’t know, families have specific Class Pages on Facebook where they can connect with other families from their student’s grade. You can find all of the different class pages on our Get Connected page of the Parent section of our website. Click the button below to see them.

Please note that these pages are administered by other parents and not by STEM.

Our IT/Technology Support Team is hiring! They’re looking for a part-time IT technician to help during the school year from 7:30-11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday, and then from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Wednesday in the summer months. If you or someone you know is a good fit for this position, please check out the job description via the button below and follow the steps to apply.

Girls in Aviation Day event will be at Wings Over the Rockies Exploration of Flight at Centennial Airport on Saturday, Sept. 24, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Unlike some of the past events that had structured activities, a large portion of this year is geared more toward giving girls the opportunity to get a closer look at career opportunities in aviation and aerospace. There will be representatives from airlines, flight schools, and aerospace colleges and companies to talk one on one with and learn from like a career fair. This event is free for girls 8-18, so please RSVP, any parents who wish to accompany them throughout the event will need to pay the $12 entrance fee for Wings Over the Rockies.

Over the last two years, the USDA has provided school waivers that provide meals at no cost to the students. Those waivers expired after the 2021-22 School year ends. This means that a return to paid meals will begin August 8, 2022 for students that do not qualify for Free or Reduces Meal Benefits. DCSD is asking that ALL families please complete the Free or Reduced Lunch Application. While you’re completing the application, please make sure to check the box that allows for the information to be shared with your student’s school. Sharing this information with STEM allows for your student to be eligible for more benefits throughout the school year.

If a family does not qualify for FRL, the meals will cost the following:

$3.75 – Elementary

$4 – Middle School

All meal prices include an entree, fruit, veggies and milk. Ala carte options are available at all schools and prices vary by option. Students pay for school lunches through their MySchoolBucks account.

STEM BASE is URGENTLY hiring! We are looking for 1 Program Assitant Manager and 2 Senior Program Leaders to work in a busy and fun program. If you or someone you know is looking to develop management skills and gain experience in a growing program with a fun, experienced, and dedicated staff, this is the right move for you. The Assistant Manager position is a “Select Charter Position” that offers an additional 10% monthly pay stipend, 30 hours per week and full time hours on school breaks. Sr Program Leader hours are M-F 1:30-5:30/6. Part-time and full-time hours are available during school breaks. Happy to coordinate BASE managers who have staff looking for more hours. Feel free to call or email me for more details or questions. amy.dupays@dcsdk12.org /(720) 688-2928.