Director Update
A Message from Mrs. McElroy, Elementary School Director
Dear Elementary School Families,
We had a wonderful week celebrating all things reading. Students could participate in a bookmark contest, we had guest readers every day in our classrooms, our Book March Madness is still ongoing, and we ended the week with pajamas and a snuggle-up and read event. The students had a blast. Next week, we will be joining the secondary for a whole school Wish Week. There are many fun events planned for our elementary students. Most notable is we will be hosting coin wars. Classrooms will be competing against each other. The class who raises the most money will win a pizza party. We are currently accepting milk jug donations to collect our coins. We want to raise $3000.
We are asking for volunteer support during our lunch, recess and driveline. We are down a couple of IAs and would greatly appreciate the assistance for the next couple of weeks until our IAs return after spring break. Please reach out to Mona Loptein if you are available to help.
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.
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
- 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 12 – Spring Class and Individual Photos
- March 13 – STEM PTO Meeting
- March 13 – 1st-grade trip to the Museum of Nature and Science
- March 14 – Kindergarten field trip to the Museum of Nature and Science
- March 15 – Teacher Work Day – NO SCHOOL
- March 18 – 22 – Spring Break
- March 27 – 2nd grade field trip to Doktor Kaboom!!
- March 28 -29 – 2nd-grade Animal Presentations
- March 29 – 3rd-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, ES 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.
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
Spring Photo Make-Up Day, Portraits and Class Photos
Tuesday, March 12, from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. – Elementary Gym
DR Photo will once again be at STEM to photograph any students who missed photo day in the fall or any students who would like their photo retaken. Additionally, students can get portraits taken and will also get their class photos done. Families will receive proofs and ordering information after photo day.
STEM PTO Monthly Meeting
Wednesday, March 13, from 6:30-8 p.m. – Zoom
Join the STEM PTO for their monthly meeting on Wednesday, March 13, 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.
News and Updates
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@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@stemk12.org with any questions.