Elementary News and Updates (05/20/22)

Monday, May 23, from 8:15-9 a.m.

On Monday, May 23, Elementary students will move up a grade during this time to learn what the next school year will be like.

Tuesday, May 24, from 8-11:30 a.m.

On Tuesday, May 24, kindergarten through second-grade students will rotate through PE, Art, Chinese and music events. A picnic lunch will follow.

Tuesday, May 24, from 5:30-6:30 p.m.

New to STEM Elementary Parent Night is a chance for incoming families K-5 to get a sneak peek at what to expect as a STEM family. Parents will meet in the ES gym for an overview of everything STEM. Then parents will have an opportunity to see classrooms and meet grade-level teams.

Tuesday, May 24, at 5:30-7:30 p.m.

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.

Wednesday, May 25, from 8-11:30 a.m.

On Wednesday, May 25, third through fifth-grade students will rotate through PE, Art, Chinese and music events. A picnic lunch will follow.

Wednesday, May 25, from 5-6:30 p.m.

On Wednesday, May 25 from 5-6:30 p.m., kindergarten families are welcome to attend our Kinder Continuation Ceremony in the Elementary School Gymnasium. Please park in the Elementary School Lot and enter through our Elementary School Entrance.

Thursday, May 26, at 11 a.m.

Elementary’s last day of school is Thursday, May 26 and it is a half day. Click the button below to access the Elementary Early Release schedule. We will be doing staggered dismissal times.

• 11 a.m. – K-1
• 11:15 a.m. – 2-5

Thank you in advance for your patience. We will be doing our best to get students packed and ready to go, but we want to share that students will be very excited as well as sad so dismissal could take some time.

Over the last two years, the USDA has provided school waivers that provide meals at no cost to the students. Those waivers will expire after the 2021-22 School year ends. This means that a return to paid meals will begin August 8, 2022 for students that do not qualify for Free or Reduces Meal Benefits. DCSD is asking that ALL families please complete the Free or Reduced Lunch Application by July 25, 2022.

If a family does not qualify for FRL, the meals will cost the following:

$3.25 – Elementary

$3.75 – Middle School

All meal prices include an entree, fruit, veggies and milk. Ala carte options are available at all schools and prices vary by option. Students pay for school lunches through their MySchoolBucks account.

We desperately need to hire to support the STEM community, any assistance is greatly appreciated.

We are looking for two Senior Program Leaders and one Program Lead to work in a busy and fun program. If you, or someone you know, is looking to develop management skills and gain experience in a growing program with a fun, experienced, and dedicated staff, this is the right move for you. Hours would be M-F 1:30-5:30/6. Part-time and full-time hours are available during school breaks. I am happy to coordinate with BASE Managers who have staff looking for more hours.  Feel free to call ( (720) 688-2928) or email (amy.dupays@dcsdk12.org) for more details or questions.

Thank you,

Amy Dupays

We are hosting three summer camps at STEM and registration is open!

• Camp Invention (K-6th) – June 6-10
• Lego Robotics Camp (4th-6th) – June 13-17
• Girls Persist Summer Program (6th) – July 18-22

Visit our Enrichment site to register or email Sara.Phelps@stemk12.org with questions.

Yearbooks have arrived. They will be handed out on Monday, May 23. We will have a yearbook signing station at our Field Day picnics.

• K-2nd Grade Field Day is Tuesday, May 24
• 3-5th Grade Field is Wednesday, May 25

If you did not pre-purchase a yearbook and would like one, please use the following link to order it now. Supplies are limited so it is first-come, first-serve. If your child will not be present during the last week of school, their yearbook may be picked up on Friday, May 20 at dismissal.

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#

Emotion Regulation for Adults

Teaching self-regulation skills to children at home and school is critical for overall development. These are skills that require explicit instruction and practice. When it comes to emotional regulation for adults, it is no different. We must work on mastering it daily.

Summer Reading Programs for Children, Tweens and Teens

It’s no secret that kids who read during the summer months fare better on fall reading tests than kids who don’t. A great way to keep them reading is to participate in a Summer Reading Program!

Use Responsive Parenting to Reveal the Roots of Behavioral Challenges

When we look below the surface of a behavior, we begin to see what our kids really need. That is the root of responding, not reacting. By responding with compassion, we will find ways to support our children, not punish them.