High School News and Updates (08/23/24)

Dear STEM Spartan Students and Parents,

Wow, I cannot believe we have completed three weeks of school! The past three weeks have been fantastic. I have enjoyed reconnecting with the students and hearing about their summer breaks. I also enjoyed seeing most of you at our annual Back to School Night. I want to thank the parents, students, and staff for the great opening of the school.  Teachers and students have spent the past few weeks establishing relationships with each other and exploring the new curriculum that every student faces as they move up in grade level and subject to the next. Each brings with it exciting new challenges as students use the prior knowledge gained with the new knowledge learned. This connection is important to both students and staff members as we strive to reach our full potential as life-long learners.

Last week, we hosted two very important events for our seniors: the senior class meeting and senior parent night. The senior meeting was geared toward graduation. We talked to our kids about the importance of finishing strong and introduced them to Jostens, where they will order the caps, gowns, class rings, etc. The students were given a packet to bring home, so if you have not seen that, please feel free to ask! Then, the senior night focused on what students need to do over the next few months for college applications. If you were unable to attend, please see the emails from Mrs. Myrick for more information!

This month, we have had a couple of safety drills. We started the school year with a routine fire/evacuation drill and also conducted a lockdown drill earlier this week. While we have already communicated about those events, as the administrator in charge of safety for our school, I want to emphasize how important safety and security are to all of us. I recognize how difficult these drills can be for our students, staff, and community, but they are really important to practice. Practicing these drills is not just important for school safety, but the routines learned can be used in other emergency situations should they arise. I would encourage you to talk about safety with your students at home as well. For more information on our safety drills, please visit the I Love U Guys Foundation site.

This year, we will have seven early release days. Our first early release day is next Friday, August 30th. The schedule can be found below. It can also be found at the bottom of the Academic Calendar on our website:

Early Release Blue Day Schedule

August 30, November 15, March 14 & April 25

Early Release Gold Day Schedule

October 11, January 24 and April 11

Thank you very much, everyone.

Sincerely,

Ryan Alsup, High School Director

Go Spartans!

Tuesday, Aug. 27, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Elementary School Gym

Secondary students who need to retake their school picture or who missed photo day at the beginning of the school year can go to the Elementary School Gym during their Lunch Break to get their photo taken. A link to order photos will be sent directly from DR Photo. Please email info@stemk12.org with any questions.

Wednesday, Aug. 28, from 3-4 p.m. – Zoom

Learn about the trip details, costs, experiences, how to earn college credit on the trip, and much more! Please attend our virtual information meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 28, from 3-4 p.m. A recording of the meeting will be sent out after with a place to ask questions if you cannot attend. Please email kent.schnacke@stemk12.org. This trip is open to any student who is in or has taken Biology or AP Biology.

Thursday, Sept. 5, from 6-7 p.m. – Zoom

Come learn about this incredible opportunity (and get to know the teacher leading your students abroad!).

Hi families! We’re excited to tell you more about the trip we’re planning with EF Tours, our educational partner. Please register for our info session to be considered for our upcoming travel opportunity.

In our session, we’ll cover everything from how this opportunity will benefit your child, what’s included in the experience, how we’ll keep the trip safe and affordable, and much more. Plus, if we haven’t met yet, it’s a good chance to learn more about me as both an educator and a Group Leader.

Registration for this session is mandatory to help organize our meeting, and a parent or guardian must attend. Can’t make it? Choose “No, but send info” so you don’t miss out.

Tuesday, Sept. 10, from 5:30-7 p.m. – Mechatronics Lab in P-TECH/KOSON Building & Zoom

The KOSON/STEM Board of Directors will be holding its Monthly Meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 10, from 5:30-7 p.m. in person and via Zoom.  The BOD is comprised of parents and community members who volunteer their time. The Board’s role and purpose is to provide oversight of the KOSON Schools Chief Innovation Officer, who implements the policies set forth by the Board. The Board also provides support and direction for STEM’s long-term vision and mission. Additionally, the Board is active in making sure that KOSON Schools remains in compliance with all DCSD, state and federal compliance requirements, as well as STEM School Highlands Ranch’s Charter Contract.

Meetings are open to anyone to attend. Anyone who would like to address the Board Members must sign-up in advance by completing the Public Comment Form no later than 12 p.m. the day of each Board meeting. If written testimony or a handout is submitted, presenters are asked to supply one (1) copy via email to communications@stemk12.org.

Dear families,

We’re going to France in Spring 2025, and all students who are enrolled in French classes are invited.

When students travel, they expand their knowledge of the world around them, discover more about themselves, and grow more confident. These skills are critical for creating the global citizens of tomorrow, and we would love to have your student join us on this adventure.

This FRENCH PROMENADE trip is going to be magical!! From one corner of France to the other, see the many shades of French culture. Paris is the center of it all—feel its significance in the intricate architecture of the Eiffel Tower and the famous smile of the Mona Lisa. Down south, Biarritz has grown from a fishing village to a world-famous seaside resort. In Provence and the Riviera, the picturesque landscapes recall France’s artistic heritage.

There is currently a $200 tour discount available, and you can see on the enrollment page the details of everything that is included on the trip! Please view the Parent Guide to Travel from EF Educational Tours, our travel partner. This guide covers all the details about EF, including options for academic credit, payments plans and what to expect on tour.

I hope you’ll join me this spring in France!

Abby Tomic

P.S. Still have questions? EF’s Traveler Support Team can help through their online chat at https://www.eftours.com/contact-us or by phone at 800-665-5364.

P.P.S. Check out the video below to learn what parents & guardians like you thought about their own children’s EF tour experiences.

Dear STEM School Highlands Ranch  11th Grade Families,

Please complete the form via the button below if you would like to opt your student(s) out from taking the NMSQT.

The NMSQT is used as a qualifier for the National Merit Scholarship Program. Please complete by Friday, Aug. 30, at 5 p.m.

Thank you,

Ryan Alsup, High School Director

Please take a few minutes to watch the short videos via the button below to get all the information you need to order your graduation order.

CAP & GOWN ORDER DEADLINE – Wednesday, August 28th

Place your order ONLINE using the link below!

The CU Pre-Health Scholars Program (CUPS) is currently accepting applications for their middle school and high school programs. Applications will be accepted from August 1st through December 1st, 2024. The program exposes students to high-impact healthcare events, research, STEAM, and healthcare careers. Programming is held at Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora. For more information, visit the CUPS website.

Hello, STEM community! Yearbooks will be available for purchase soon at yearbookforever.com. We have some important action items to make the yearbook as great as can be:

• SENIORS: Senior portraits and senior quotes should be emailed to yearbook@stemk12.org on or before October 31.
• PARENTS OF SENIORS: Baby ads are also due by October 31. They can also be purchased at yearbookforever.com as you purchase your senior’s yearbook.
• PREFERRED NAMES: If your student would like their name printed as any name other than what is listed in Infinite Campus, please email parent permission to yearbook@stemk12.org or michelle.wesley@stemk12.org.

Applications are now open for NASA’s PolCube CubeSat polarimeter virtual internship. A student will learn to run and apply the PolCube-MAPP algorithm to study sensitivity to spherical and non-spheroidal aerosols from the future PolCube satellite instrument. Interns must be age 16 and up. Applications close on February 28, 2025. For more information and to apply directly with NASA, please click the button below.

Merrick & Co is looking for a Designer Apprentice to join their team. Merrick & Co is an engineering, architecture, surveying, and geospatial firm, headquartered in Greenwood Village, Colorado. To learn more about the Fall 2024 paid apprentice program, please click the button below.

Policymakers recommended that the Colorado Department of Education examine the costs necessary to adequately provide Colorado students with a thorough and uniform public education. The Department has contracted with AIR to conduct this research. Click the button below to find out more.

Dear STEM School Highlands Ranch Secondary Families, 

We are writing to inform you that a service dog will be accompanying one of our students at STEM School Highlands Ranch starting Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024. The service dog is trained to perform specific tasks to help the student navigate their school day more effectively. The student’s right to be accompanied by the service animal while at school is protected by law. 

Here are a few key points to keep in mind: 

• Role and Purpose: The service dog is a trained service animal and will be working alongside their handler to provide support. 

• Interactions: While the dog is on campus, we ask that students and staff respect the boundaries around the service animal. It is important not to approach, pet, or distract the dog during school hours. 

• Training and Supervision: The dog has undergone extensive training and will be under the supervision of their handler while at school. 

There will be information sessions at school to integrate the service animal into our daily routines, and all students will be informed that the service animal is a working animal and not a pet. As such, all students will be instructed on the proper procedure, conduct, and etiquette pertaining to the service dog.

If you have any questions or concerns about this new addition, please feel free to contact Ryan Alsup (ryan.alsup@stemk12.org) or Kaeli Sandhoff (kaeli.sandhoff@stemk12.org). 

Thank you for your understanding and support in making STEM School Highlands Ranch a welcoming place for everyone. 

In partnership,

Ryan Alsup, High School Director

Kaeli Sandhoff, Director of Student Support