Elementary News and Updates (02/02/24)

Dear Elementary School Families,

It has been an excellent start to the second semester. Students took little time to transition back to class after their winter break, coupled with two short weeks back to back. Students are doing great with our new lunchroom behavior plan. The expectations and consequences have been communicated to students, and they are doing a fantastic job in the lunchroom. If you have questions or concerns about the lunchroom behavior plan, please contact me or Jessica Manzanares.

We have many events taking place before spring break. The Love or Reading Week is scheduled for February 26 – March 1. During Love of Reading, we promote reading of all kinds through fun activities and events throughout the week. Following the Love of Reading is Wish Week (March 4-8). This is our big K-12 week-long event where we raise money for a child through the Make a Wish Foundation. More information about both these weeks will be shared toward the middle of February.

Yearbooks

Families can order the 2023-24 yearbook by clicking this link or going to dr-photo.com, selecting “Order Your Yearbook”, and when prompted, entering STEM. Soft-cover yearbooks are $21, and hard-cover yearbooks are $31.

STEM’s Got Talent Auditions

Calling all of our talented K-12 students!!! It’s time to prepare your audition for our 12th annual STEM’s Got Talent Show! The show will take place on Thursday, March 7. Auditions will occur on Wednesday, Feb. 7, and Thursday, Feb. 8, in room 149 (secondary music room).

Please follow these steps if you are interested in auditioning:

• Step 1 – Click here to complete the audition form and sign up for a time slot.
• Step 2 – Practice, Practice, Practice
• Step 3 – Show up on time on your audition date. Be sure to bring everything. You need a polished audition, including your background music and/or links.
• Contact Mrs. Ridder (maura.ridder@stemk12.org) with any questions.

Volunteers

We are always looking for volunteers in the cafeteria, playground or driveline. Please reach out to Mona Loptein (mona.loptein@stemk12.org) for questions and log into the Raptor Volunteer portal to sign up for spots.

Lost and Found

During the break, we donated over 100 clothing items (coats, hoodies, sweatshirts, etc.). I encourage you to please write your student’s name on their belongings. It helps us return the items when they show up in lost and found. I also encourage you to periodically check the lost and found for items your child may have lost. We also encourage students not to bring items of monetary or sentimental value.

Important Upcoming Dates

• February 5-8 – 5th grade to Stone Canyon
• February 6 – 4th grade field trip to Colorado History Center
• February 6 – STEM Board Meeting
• February 7-8 – STEM’s Got Talent Auditions
• February 14 – PTO Meeting
• February 15 – DEI Committee Meeting
• February 16 – Professional Development – NO SCHOOL
• February 19 – Presidents’ Day – NO SCHOOL
• Feb 26 -Mar 1 – Love of Reading Week
• February 29 – PTO Skate Night
• March 4 -8 – Wish Week K-12 Event
• March 5 – STEM Board Meeting
• March 7 – STEM’s Got Talent
• March 11 -15 – Parent/Teacher Conferences
• March 13 – STEM PTO Meeting
• March 15 – Teacher Work Day – NO SCHOOL
• March 18 – 22 – Spring Break
• March 27 – 2nd grade field trip to Doktor Kaboom!!
• April 2-5 – Elementary CMAS Testing
• April 12 – 5th grade Move Up to Middle School

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, Feb. 6, 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, Feb. 6, 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, Feb. 7 and Thursday, Feb. 8, from 3-6 p.m. – Location TBD

Calling all of our talented K-12 students!!! It’s time to prepare your audition for our 12th annual STEM’s Got Talent Show!

Auditions will take place on Wednesday and Thursday, February 7th and 8th in room 149 (secondary music room).

Please follow these steps if you are interested in auditioning:

• Step 1 – Click the button below to complete the audition form and sign up for a time slot.
• Step 2 – Practice, Practice, Practice
• Step 3 – show up, on time, on your audition date. Be sure to bring everything. you need for a polished audition, including your background music and/or links.

Contact Mrs. Ridder (maura.ridder@stemk12.org) with any questions.

Monday, Feb. 14, from 6:30-8 p.m. – Zoom

Join the STEM PTO for their monthly meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 14, 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.

Thursday, Feb. 15, from 4-5:30 p.m. – Room ES 206

STEM’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee will have its monthly meeting on Thursday, Feb. 15, starting at 4:00. We will meet in ES206. We welcome all parents, students, and teachers! Email kate.jackson@stemk12.org with any questions.

On Thursday, Jan. 25, our Middle School Counseling Teams gave presentations on the Academic Course Selection Process and the Academic Planning Guide. Below is the PDF of the presentation. If, after reviewing the presentation, you still have questions, please email info@stemk12.org. Students in fifth will receive this same presentation in their class.

Elementary Yearbooks are now available for purchase. Click the button below to place your order. Soft-cover books are $21 and hard-cover books are $31.

Elementary students have the opportunity to design the cover of the yearbook. This year’s theme is Mission Launch. Submissions are due to the Elementary Front Office by Thursday, Feb. 15. Click the button below for the flier.

• Please remember that Driveline opens at 7:10 a.m. and that students should not be dropped off prior to that time. The Elementary Aides will come out to open the car doors when we are prepared to receive students.
• School starts at 7:40 a.m., so all students should arrive prior to that time. Any students who arrive at 7:40 or later must be signed in by their parent/guardian.
• In the afternoon, please ONLY come at your designated pick-up times. Click here to review your pick-up times.
  • For families who are coming to pick up for the 2:30 p.m. time frame, please do not park on the street and/or block the business driveways along Barrons Blvd. Prior to break, we noticed many cars blocking driveways and trying to access the driveline prior to 2:30 p.m. If this continues, we will request for the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office to come out to issue tickets to anyone stopping/standing on an active roadway. Please help us be good neighbors by following the Traffic Management Plan.
• Please make sure that your PikMyKid information is up to date and that you have your student’s pick-up mode updated in the app. If someone other than you is picking up your student, please make sure to have your delegations set prior to pick-up time.
• If you are in need of a new placard, please email support@stemk12.org to request a placard. Please include your student’s name, teacher’s name and number of placards requested.

We’re heading into testing season! Parents, please be sure to check our testing calendar and the State Mandated Testing page on our website to stay in the know of all of the upcoming important dates and how to prepare. Please reach out to julie.adamek@stemk12.org with any questions.

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