Elementary News and Updates (01/05/24)

Dear Elementary School Families,

We had such a wonderful semester of growing and learning. Report cards were sent home with your student(s). Please reach out to your teacher or me if you have any questions. I hope you and your families had a joyful Winter Break filled with warmth, laughter, and love. I can’t wait to see all of your students on Tuesday, Jan. 9. Below are some important dates for you to review so that you and your students are prepared when coming back to school.

Important Dates

• January – 8 – No School for Students – Teacher Work Day
• January 9 – Students Return from Winter Break
• January 15 – No School Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Have a wonderful weekend. Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns.

In Partnership,

Amie McElroy, Elementary 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.

Tuesday, Jan. 9, 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, Jan. 9, 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.

Wednesday, Jan. 10, from 6:30-8 p.m. – Zoom

Join the STEM PTO for their monthly meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 10, from 6:30-8 p.m. via Zoom.  STEM PTO is comprised of parents from the STEM community who work together to help foster a strong sense of community and provide enhancement activities for students, faculty, staff, and families while also helping to increase educational, social and emotional experiences for the members of their families.

STEM PTO is organized to enhance the quality of each student’s education, the school as a whole, and the entire community through the development of resources and the participation of parents, school staff, and the community. Meetings are open for anyone to attend.

Wednesday, Jan. 17, from 3:30-5:30 p.m. – Elementary Gym

The 2024 STEM School Spelling Bee is here! Come join us as we hold the annual competition to see which student from grades 4-8 will be crowned this year’s Champion and qualify for the District Bee and maybe beyond. Herr Voorn will host the Bee in the ES Gym after school on January 17, please come by to support our school’s top spellers!

ES Students will participate in a qualifying Bee in their classes; MS students take a written qualifying test in their Language Arts class. Contact Evan.Voorn@stemk12.org with any questions.

Wednesday, Jan. 17, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. – P-TECH Mechatronics Lab (KOSON Building)

The meeting will also be available to watch via Zoom as a trial. In-person participation is strongly encouraged to help build engagement. Additionally, those who would like to participate in Public Comment must do so in person.

The purpose of the SAC is to inform, encourage and provide opportunities for parent and community members to be involved in the planning and evaluation of the school’s instructional program and quality improvement processes. The SAC makes recommendations concerning the School’s performance, improvement, priority improvement, or turnaround plan, and meets to discuss the implementation of the School’s plan and other progress pertinent to STEM’s accreditation contract with the Board of Education. The SAC makes recommendations to the director for prioritizing the spending of school money.

Thursday, Jan. 18, from 4-5:30 p.m. – Room ES 206

STEM’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee will have its monthly meeting on Thursday, Jan. 18, starting at 4:00. We will meet in ES206. We welcome all parents, students, and teachers! Email kate.jackson@stemk12.org with any questions.

Dear STEM School Highlands Ranch Families,

If you have not met me yet, my name is Libby Rivera, and I am the K-5 Social Worker at STEM. I am partnering with fellow Student Support Team members to bring a support group to STEM for Elementary students whose families are experiencing divorce or separation.

I am planning to use the Children of Divorce Intervention Program (CODIP) curriculum, which is an evidence-based program designed to help children cope with challenging family changes. The goals of this program are to provide a supportive group environment, enhance coping skills, enhance perceptions of self and family, and to encourage appropriate expression of feelings. To learn more about this program, click the button below.

Our goal is to hold the group on Tuesdays from 2:35-3:30, starting mid-January for 12 weeks. While details are still being ironed out, I wanted to send an interest form to gather information from families interested in having their students participate. If you are interested, please fill out the form via the button below and include information for all your students who wish to participate. Note that this group will be first come, first served, and early submission is encouraged.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at libby.rivera@stemk12.org.

Have a great week!

In partnership,

Libby Rivera, MSW

Our Business Office would like to request that all parents please verify their contact information in MySchoolBucks and update it if needed. Beginning November 20th, families with an outstanding balance will begin to receive late fees. Please reach out to ashley.westfall@stemk12.org with any questions.

Niche.com is an online platform that helps connect families with their future schools in their neighborhoods. It is one of the top search platforms that families use when looking for a new school. If you love STEM and what we have to offer your student(s), please consider leaving us a review. Click the button below to visit our school’s profile, where you can leave a review. Thank you in advance!