Elementary News and Updates (01/28/22)

Tuesday, Feb. 1, in the morning

STEM will be offering COVID Testing for students and staff again on Tuesday, Feb. 1 in the morning.

ELEMENTARY FAMILIES: Elementary students whose parents have consented to testing will be pulled from their classes by the Health Assistant. No sign-up form (aside from the Consent form) is needed.

The on-site testing program will conclude on Tuesday, Feb. 1. Following February 1, we will no longer have COVID testing on-site.

Tuesday, Feb. 1, from 5:30-7 p.m – High School Commons

The monthly STEM Board of Director’s Meeting will be Tuesday, Feb. 1 from 5:30-7 p.m. in the High School Commons. The STEM BOD is comprised of parents and community members who volunteer their time. The Board’s role and purpose is to provide oversight of the Executive Director, who implements the policies set forth by the Board. The Board also provides support and direction of STEM’s long-term vision and mission. Additionally, the Board is active in making sure that STEM remains in compliance with all DCSD, state and federal compliance requirements, as well as STEM’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, Feb. 2, from 10-11 a.m – Secondary School Entrance

Each Wednesday, STEM opens up its doors from 10-11 a.m. for a building tour to interested families who would like to learn more about our school. We’d like to encourage our families to spread the word to anyone they know who might be interested in having their student(s) attend STEM. Interested tour participants should arrive 10 minutes early to get checked in and badged. They must bring a valid ID in order to get checked in.

Wednesday, Feb. 2, from 5:30-7 p.m. – HS Commons

STEM Parents and Students are welcome to join us for an informational session on STEM’s efforts to replicate. Dr. Carletta Stewart, Compliance and Replication Officer will be doing a brief presentation on where STEM is so far in the application process and next steps. Following, she will open it up to questions from the community, and also provide a way for families and students to get involved in the replication efforts. Join us in the High School Commons.

Wednesday, Feb. 9, from 6-8 p.m – Skate City (5801 S. Lowell Blvd.)

All staff, families and students are welcome to attend a private Valentine Roller-Skating Party at Skate City on Wednesday, Feb. 9 from 6-8 p.m. STEM’s Elementary Student Government is planning a fun night of activities for all K-12. Admission is $7 and skate rental is $3.

Wednesday, Feb. 9, from 6:30-8 p.m – Zoom

STEM PTO is comprised of parents from the STEM community who work together to help foster a strong sense of community, 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 for the purpose of enhancing the quality of each students’ education, the school as a whole, and the entire community through the development of resources and participation of parents, school staff, and the community. Meetings are open for anyone to attend. Please park in the High School Parking lot and enter through the High School doors.

Thursday, Feb. 10 and Friday, Feb. 12, from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day

Colorado law (C.R.S. 22-1-116) states that grades K,1,2,3,5,7 and 9th shall be tested for sight and hearing. We also screen students that are new to a school district and any referrals. Click here to learn more.

Virtual Learners can also be tested in person via the dates and times below. Please check-in at the respective Front Office.

• ES (K,1,2,3,5) – February, 10 at 7:30 a.m.
• Secondary (7 & 9) – February 11 at 7:30 a.m.

Want to volunteer?

We are in need of 12 volunteers on those dates, from 7 a.m. – 2 p.m. There will be a 30-minute training session from 7-7:30 a.m. because volunteers will be completing the vision/hearing screening and need to be comfortable doing so. We will also be asking for lunch donations for our volunteers and workers. Click here to access the sign-up sheet.

For enrollment planning purposes, please let us know, either way if your child plans to return to STEM School Highlands Ranch next year. Please complete the form below for each of your currently attending STEM students. If you are currently enrolled at STEM please let us know that your child is returning. You do not need to “open enroll” to remain at STEM. If your child is currently attending STEM, they will be automatically enrolled for next year. Please also complete the form if your student is planning to seek enrollment at another school so that we can have an accurate count of returning students.

Douglas County Libraries is now accepting applications for our spring term of Reading Buddies. This program pairs a trained teen volunteer with a current 1st- through 3rd-grade student who is having challenges with reading.

Sessions take place weekly Tuesday or Thursday from February 28 – April 28, from 4:15-5:15 p.m. Parents may find more information and fill out an application for the program via the button below. Applications are due Sunday, Jan. 30.

For questions, please email hireadingbuddies@dclibraries.org, call 303-791-READ, or stop by a branch and talk to any of our friendly staff members!

In the event that DCSD determines that the district should follow the DCSD Delayed Opening protocol, STEM School Highlands Ranch will abide by its Virtual School Day Policy. When it snows, our school’s operation and instructional expectations will be determined by one of these three scenarios:

1. Snow Day – Douglas County Schools (check www.dcsdk12.org) calls a snow day – The STEM building is closed and implements a Virtual School Day with 20% of the learning being synchronous. (NEW; STEM will not have Snow Days morning forward)
2. Late Start Day – Douglas County Schools calls a Late Start day – STEM is closed and implements a Virtual School Day with 20% of the learning being synchronous.
3. All Schools Open – Douglas County Schools declare Highlands Ranch area schools open – STEM is open and operating to our regular schedule.

Click the button below to access the prepayment site for the Elementary Yearbook. Soft Cover books are $20 and Hard Cover books are $30.

Due to the construction, the West side of the Elementary Parking Lot (active loading zone area in front of the Elementary School Doors) will be closed through Monday and will impact the Elementary morning and afternoon driveline.

Elementary Driveline will be rerouted through the parking lot, along the East side of the Elementary Building, exiting through the Secondary exit.

This will cause delays during the morning and afternoon driveline. The drop-off in the morning begins at 7:10 a.m. Secondary Driveline begins picking up at 7:30 a.m. We are asking all Elementary families to please arrive prior to 7:30 a.m. to avoid a conflict with the Secondary Driveline. In the afternoon, we are asking parents for patience during pick-up as students and staff will be getting used to a different pick-up pattern.

Thank you so much for your understanding.

The Colorado School Nutrition Association will be holding their annual conference this summer on June 15-16. Part of the conference is the One Plate Challenge at the Embassy Suites in Loveland, Colo. Check the flier to the right for more information.

Families can access their photos by visiting the link to the right or going to dr-photo.com, selecting the School Portrait Proofs link, and when prompted enter their private password in the following format: Student ID#

The Best Peaceful Parenting “One-Liners”

Want to parent with more empathy but can’t think of what to say? Here are some no-fail sentences to get you started in any situation.

Colorado Reading to Ensure Academic Development Act (READ Act) Resources

The Colorado READ Act was passed in 2012 and provides the guiding philosophy, structure, and resources to get children reading at grade level by the time they enter the fourth grade. Find out how parents can support literacy in elementary and secondary readers.

The Family Dinner Project

No matter your family make-up, where you live, or what your dinners are like right now, you can be a part of The Family Dinner Project. The only thing you need to do is share a meal with the people closest to you. Choose from many free resources to help you improve your family dinners and meet your mealtime goals.

The Youth Award recognizes teenagers between the ages of 13 and 19 who have overcome personal adversity and created positive change in their lives. Nominations are due Friday, March 4.

Supporting Our Students Forum: Mental Health Resources and Supports in DCSD Schools
Hosted by the DCSD District Accountability Committee (DAC)
Thursday, February 17 | 5:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Rock Canyon High School
More information >>

Parents, guardians, students and community members are encouraged and welcome to attend this free event. Breakout sessions will include topics like Social Emotional Wellness and Learning, The Role of the School Counselor, Calming Strategies and Interactive Sensory Experiences, and more