Director's Update
A message from Mrs. McElroy
Dear STEM Families and Community,
August has flown by, which means fall is right around the corner. Fall in Colorado means cool, crisp mornings followed by hot afternoons and, who knows, maybe a snowstorm. This is the time of year when our lost and found begin to grow. Please help us keep it manageable by labeling your child’s items with their names. That way, if they end up in our lost and found, we can help return them to their rightful owners.
Our students did wonderfully on their beginning-of-the-year iReady assessments. Scores will be shared during fall conferences. This week, teachers created their math rosters based on iReady and other data. Math rotations will start on Tuesday, September 3. Families will be receiving a welcome letter from their child’s math teacher next week.
Our first early release day was a success. Teachers were able to dive deep into data and develop goals to support student learning this year. We are very excited to continue this important work throughout the year on early release days.
Here are a few other important reminders:
IC and Emergency Contacts
Please make sure the contact information you have in IC is correct. This is the information teachers and office staff use to communicate with you. Correct phone numbers and/or emergency contacts are extremely important if there is an emergency at school. If you need your contact information updated, please email registrar@stemk12.org to get it corrected. Thank you for your attention to this.
Driveline
Please make sure you pick up your student(s) at the appropriate times. Dismissal times are based on your oldest child. K/1 – 2:25 p.m.; 2nd-5th – 2:35 p.m. and 6th-12th – 2:55 p.m.
We stagger release times to help with the flow of the driveline. Families who show up late hold up the process for everyone else. Per our parent/student handbook, we will begin charging families $1/minute who do not pick up their student(s) at appropriate dismissal time.
Important Dates
- September 2 – Labor Day – No School
- September 9 &11 – 3rd grade to Carson Nature Center
- September 10 – STEM Board Meeting (5:30-7:30 pm)
- September 11 – STEM PTO Meeting (6:30 – 8 pm)
- September 18 – STEM SAC Meeting (5:30-7:30 pm)
- September 19 – 1st grade to Majestic View Nature Center
- September 19 – PTO Blast Off (4-7 pm)
- September 19 – DEI Committee Meeting (4-5 pm)
- September 20 – Professional Development NO SCHOOL
- September 23 – 27 – Homecoming Spirit Week
- September 27 – 4th grade to the Denver Zoo
- September 30 – October 2 – 5th grade to Estes Park Outdoor Ed
Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns.
In Partnership,
Amie McElroy, Elementary Director
Upcoming Events
No School - Labor Day
KOSON/STEM Monthly Board Meeting
Tuesday, Sept. 10, 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, Sept. 10, 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 PTO Monthly Meeting
Wednesday, Sept. 11, from 6:30-8 p.m. – Secondary Commons (Athletics Entrance)
Join the STEM PTO for their monthly meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 11, from 6:30-8 p.m., in person in the Secondary Commons. 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.
Third Grade Picnic
STEM School Accountability Committee (SAC)
Wednesday, Sept. 18, 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 to prioritize the spending of school money.
STEM PTO Blast Off
No School - PD Day
News and Updates
Hands Free Announcing with PikMyKid
New! If you use our West (Elementary) Driveline, you can now set up your PikMyKid to auto-announce for you as soon as you enter our parking lot. Please click the button below to view the flier that has the instructions listed on how to set up your account.
Want to learn about School Funding in Colorado?
Policymakers recommended that the Colorado Department of Education examine the costs necessary to adequately provide Colorado students with a thorough and uniform public education. The Department has contracted with AIR to conduct this research. Click the button below to find out more.
Join STEM's Parent Facebook Pages
Want to connect with other families in your student’s grade? Join your student’s class page on Facebook to connect with other parents, get class-specific info, and more. Click the button below to visit our Get Connected back on the website that lists all of the Community Facebook pages. Be sure to answer all required questions in order join. Email info@stemk12.org with any questions.