Elementary News and Updates (05/26/22)

Dear STEM School Highlands Ranch Elementary Families,

As the school year comes to a close, I want to thank all of you for your continued support and dedication to our school this year. This was as close to normal to a school year as I’ve had during my time at STEM and it was truly amazing. 

Seeing our building come back to life and our students thriving filled me with so much joy and energy. I am very excited about what lies ahead for all of our students K-12 at STEM. The feeling of innovation and creativity is back in full force within our classrooms and throughout our hallways.

As I move fully into the Executive Director position for the new school year, I am comforted to know that I am leaving our Elementary School in great hands. Mrs. Amie McElroy is an exceptional leader and an asset to our team and I know she will continue to guide us forward.

Even though you may not see me every day, I will still be actively involved in our Elementary School Building and present at events. Mrs. McElroy is actively searching for a replacement for our Elementary School Dean and will share an update with our families as we get closer to the start of school. If you have any questions, please direct them to Mrs. McElroy (amie.mcelroy@stemk12.org) so that she can assist you. 

For now, I wish you all the very best summer and I can’t wait to see you all in the Fall.

Ms. LynAnn Kovalesky, Interim Executive Director

Dear STEM School Highlands Ranch Elementary Families,

Thank you all so much for your patience in allowing your Elementary School leader team to review all your feedback in regards to the change in Specials offerings for next year.

We are excited to announce that we will be offering a Technology Specials class in place of Chinese. Based on all of the feedback, we believe that this will be the best fit for our students in preparing them even more for the technology that they will be using in our STEM Secondary School.

We are also excited to share that third-grade teacher Mr. Ryan Thatcher will serve as the K-5 Technology Teacher, leading this new class of technology exploration. Mr. Thatcher brings a great deal of experience incorporating technology into his classes and is excited to begin bringing more innovation into our Elementary School.

Please help me in congratulating Mr. Thatcher on his new role.

Thank you,

Amie McElroy, Interim Elementary School Director

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.