Elementary News and Updates (05/26/23)

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, May 30, from 5-6 p.m – Zoom

The KOSON/STEM Board of Directors will be holding a Special Meeting on Tuesday, May 30, from 5-6 p.m. 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.

Tuesday, June 5, from 5:30-7 p.m – Zoom

The KOSON/STEM Board of Directors will be holding its Monthly Meeting on Tuesday, June 5, from 5:30-7 p.m. 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.

Monday, July 17 – Online (link coming in early July)

Express Check-in is an online application that all families, new and current, use to verify their student’s contact and household information and to complete district and STEM School required forms before each new school year. ALL families (regardless of new or returning) must complete the Express Check-in Process to ensure that their information is correct, they pay fees, sign important documents and more. Failure to complete the Express Check-in process will result in significant limitations to Internet service at STEM School Highlands Ranch. The tentative date for Express Check-in is Monday, July 17. Families will receive an e-mail from STEM in early July with a link to access Express Check-in. You will also find a link to Express Check-in on our website.

Dear STEM School Highlands Ranch Families,

With the end of the school year quickly approaching, we recommend you check to make sure you can access your Parent Portal account and/or set one up if you have not already done so. The document via the button below contains instructions on how to set up your Parent Portal account if you have not already done so.

You will need access to your Parent Portal account to complete Express Check-In for your student(s) in July.  The portal also allows you to make contact updates to your profile (phone, email) and allows you to see important information about your student with respect to grades, transcripts, and attendance, among other things.

Watch for updates about Express Check-In on our website this summer and via direct email. An email from the District later in the summer about the exact dates of when Express Check-In will be taking place will also be sent.

If you have trouble accessing or setting up your parent portal account, please contact District I.T. at 303-387-0001.

Thank you,

Stacey Lee, Registrar

Our Business Office would like to remind families to please check their MySchoolBucks accounts prior to the end of the school year to pay any remaining balances that may be in your account. The Business Office will be contacting families over the summer individually who still have an outstanding balance but would like to request families to please log into their account now and either pay or set up a payment plan now to reduce the number of families that they have to reach out to.

The summer months are a busy time of year for the Business Office as they close out the 2022-23 school year and get everything in order for the new year. Your help in this matter is greatly appreciated. Please email ashley.westfall@https://stemk12.org if you have any questions about fees or your MySchoolBucks account.

In partnership,

The STEM Business Office

Exciting news! Starting next school year, all fifth-grade students will be provided with a Google Chromebook from STEM in order to complete their work in class. Families will no longer need to provide a laptop for their students. Chromebooks will be distributed at the start of the school year in their classrooms. Please email support@https://stemk12.org with any questions.

Did you miss out on ordering a yearbook? Click the link below to place your order. The link to order will be active until June 2. Cost for each yearbook is $35 and included shipping.

FREE lunches are back for students! Starting in August of 2023, students will once again receive free lunches. Students must chose an entree, fruit/vegetable a milk for the free lunch. Snacks are not free.

While lunches will be free, it is important for families who need additional financial support to still complete the Free/Reduces Lunch application. Those who qualify for FRL status will only receive the additional benefits (free/reduced school fees, free/reduced trips, priority for scholarships in non-FRL field trips or Enrichment programs, and/or graduation fee reductions, etc.) of the program if they complete the application.

In order to assure that the District and STEM receive accurate data, DCSD and STEM are requesting that ALL families complete the FRL application that opens on July 15, regardless of financial status. A new application must be completed each school year. Families can also still apply for this school year using the link below.