Director's Update
A message from Mrs. McElroy, Elementary School Director
Dear Elementary School Families,
I hope your family has a wonderful four-day weekend. On Friday, Feb. 16, our teachers engaged with each other during our professional development hosted by Courageous Conversations. I am excited that our staff had the opportunity to engage with experts on how to address the best hard conversations that may occur within their classrooms. Teachers walked away with skills that are applicable to their students at every level.
Love of Reading Week
Our annual Love of Reading Week will be from February 26 to March 1. We will be celebrating all things reading. Our students will have an opportunity to participate in our Book Exchange (we DO NOT need donations this year), our Book March Madness bracket, the Bookmark contest, and the Snuggle up and READ event. On Friday, March 1, we will have a schoolwide Pajama Day as part of our Snuggle Up and Read Day.
Wish Week
STEM will host its annual K-12 Wish Week from March 4 – March 8. This year, we are supporting Bella. Be on the lookout for more information about events during this week.
Parent/Teacher Conferences
Parent/teacher conferences will be held the week of March 11-15th. This is a time to communicate and partner with your student’s teacher to ensure a successful end of the year. Please be on the lookout for communication from your student’s teacher on how to sign up.
Yearbooks
Families can order the 2023-24 yearbook by visiting this link. Orders MUST BE PLACED BY FEBRUARY 29.
Volunteers
We are always looking for volunteers in the cafeteria, playground, or driveline. Please reach out to Mona Loptein (mona.loptein@https://stemk12.org) for questions and log into the Raptor Volunteer portal to sign up for spots.
Lost and Found
Each year, we donate 100’s of clothing items (coats, hoodies, sweatshirts, hats, gloves, etc.). 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 items your child may have lost. We also encourage students not to bring items of monetary or sentimental value.
Important Upcoming Dates
- February 19 – Presidents’ Day – NO SCHOOL
- February 22 – March 1 – grade field trip to the Children’s Museum
- February 26 -March 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!!
- March 29 – 1st grade field trip to Skate City
- April 2-5 – Elementary CMAS Testing
- April 12 – 5th grade Move Up to Middle School
- April 12 – 2nd grade field trip to Denver Aquarium
Have a wonderful weekend. Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns.
In Partnership,
Amie McElroy, Elementary Director
Upcoming Events
STEM All-Events Calendar
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.
STEM SAC Monthly Meeting
Wednesday, Feb. 21, at 5:30-7:30 p.m. – KOSON/P-TECH Building (Mechatronics Lab)/Zoom
The meeting will also be available to watch via Zoom. 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 parents 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.
Love and Logic Parent Night
Monday, Feb. 26, from 5-7 p.m. – via Zoom or in-person in the High School Commons
Join us on Monday, Feb. 26, from 5-7 p.m. for our fifth installment of Love and Logic, focusing on Guiding Kids to Own and Solve their Problems. Participants will learn:
- Why problem-solving skills are so critical for success in life
- How to apply five steps for helping children learn to own and solve their problems
- Practical examples of how to apply these steps to common problems, such as bullying, teasing, problems with teachers, etc.
- What to do when children refuse to own and solve their problems
Vision and Hearing Screening
Tuesday, March 5, and Wednesday, March 6, from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
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 who are new to a school district and any referrals. C.R.S. 22-1-116 “The sight and hearing of all children in the kindergarten, first, second, third, fifth, seventh, and ninth grades, of children in comparable age groups referred for testing, shall be tested during the school year by the teacher, principal, or other qualified person authorized by the school district. Each school in the district shall make a record of all sight and hearing tests given during the school year and record the individual results of each test on each child’s records. The parents or guardians shall be informed when a deficiency is found.
The provisions of this section shall not apply to any child whose parent or guardian objects on religious or personal grounds.”
It is important to note that this is a screening, not a complete exam. If your child wears prescription glasses or contacts, it is necessary that he/she wear them during the screening.
You will receive a referral letter if your child does not pass the vision screening. Children with concerns should be evaluated by a Vision health care professional. Please take the letter to your appointment and have the provider complete the bottom
of the form and then return it to your school’s health office/school nurse. Students who do not pass the hearing will be rechecked by DCSD Audiology Department, and they provide follow up communication.
Standards for hearing and vision are available at:
KOSON/STEM Board of Directors Meeting
Tuesday, March 5, 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, March 5, 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.
STEM's Got Talent Rehearsal and Show
Tuesday, March 5, from 5-7 p.m. – Dress Rehearsal for students at Mission Hills Church
Thursday, March 7, from 6-9 p.m. – Show time at Mission Hills Church
News and Updates
Yearbook Cover Art Contest
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.
Elementary Yearbooks Available for Purchase
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.
Driveline Reminders for Elementary Families
- 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@https://stemk12.org to request a placard. Please include your student’s name, teacher’s name and number of placards requested.
CMAS Testing Information
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@https://stemk12.org with any questions.