Elementary News and Updates (09/29/23)

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, Oct. 3, 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, Oct. 3, 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.

Wednesday, Oct. 4 – Tuesday, Oct. 10

Encourage students to earn their Junior Ranger badge. Due to Katmai’s remote location, students living anywhere have the opportunity to earn their Junior Ranger badge virtually by downloading, completing, and mailing in the official Junior Ranger workbook. The book includes information not just about bears; it also explores the history and culture of the park and southern Alaska.

Junior Ranger experiences don’t have to be relegated to the elementary grades alone. Katmai also has a way for older students and adults to earn a Not-So-Junior Ranger badge. The short booklet delves into additional disciplines, such as geology, history, and Earth science, expanding the possibilities for interdisciplinary connections or folding in other standards within the NGSS. A great activity for middle school students that can run concurrently with Fat Bear Week is for them to investigate how volcanic activity helped sculpt the Katmai area through videos and readings provided by the USGS and the National Park Service (Disciplinary Core Idea MS-ESS2-2).

Thursday, Oct. 5, from 8-11 a.m. – Playfield

HEY K-5th Graders – Who is ready for our 2nd annual BUBBLE RUN? On Thursday, Oct. 5, ALL Elementary kiddos will get to enjoy a fun, short walk, skip, roll, or run to celebrate the changing season! Get your family to sponsor you! The top three classes with the most funds win a Pizza Party!  Donations collected help the PTO fund teacher grants. Click the button below to donate and sponsor your student. Want to volunteer? Sign up via the button below.

Friday, Oct. 6, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. – Elementary Gym

School Photo Retake Day will be this Friday in the Elementary School Gym. Click the button below to order photos. Please use the student ID number for the passcode when placing your order.

If you wish to speak with our elementary counselor, please stop by her office when you’re in the building or reach out to Ms. Rivera by email at libby.rivera@stemk12.org to schedule an appointment. If your child works with any special service providers, please look for an email from them directly to sign-up for a conference time.

On Tuesday, the DCSD Board of Education voted unanimously to place a $66M Mill Levy Override and $484M Bond on the November 2023 ballot (see the press release). All seven Board directors expressed their strong support and personal dedication to our students and our staff. During public comment the Board heard from students, teachers, neighborhood school principals, charter school principals, business leaders, elected officials and more – and all expressed strong support for additional funding. I hope you will take a few minutes to listen to the public comment – the support for YOU, our teachers and staff, from every part of our community was overwhelming.

• Click here to watch the public comment portion of the meeting.
• Click here to watch our presentation to the Board where we outlined staff recommendations for a Mill Levy Override and Bond.

The Board also unanimously adopted a compensation resolution that will automatically trigger if the MLO passes. For school district staff, this means pay increases would happen automatically should the MLO pass (with increases being paid retroactively back to July 1). For charter school staff, exact details about pay increases will come from your school’s board and leadership.

To learn more about how additional funding would benefit our schools and our staff, visit www.dcsdk12.org/funding. I also encourage you to read through our MLO/Bond plan.

We are looking for 2 Program Leaders to work in a busy and fun after-school program. If you or someone you know likes working with kids, has some experience working with children ages 5-12, and is eager to develop and learn new skills in a growing program with a fun, experienced, and dedicated staff, this is the right move for you. Program Leader hours are M-F, 1:30-5:30/6 p.m. Part-time and full-time hours are available during school breaks. This position is a “Select Charter Position” and offers an additional 10% (to hourly base rate) monthly stipend. If you are interested but need more flexibility, we are hiring Program Leader substitutes. Substitutes can work 2-3 days each week. We are also happy to coordinate with STEM who are looking for more hours. Feel free to call or email me for more details or questions at amy.dupays@dcsdk12.org, or (720) 688-2928.

Save the number, save a life.

Add the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (988) to your phone now—it could save a life later. Trained crisis counselors are available to talk 24/7/365.

Writing SOS: What are some everyday things I can do to help my child’s writing skills?

Literacy specialist Kyley Pulphus encourages parents to make writing fun and purposeful. With her own daughter, she sees more enthusiasm for writing when asking her to write lists, letters, emails, greeting cards, and text messages.

Recorded Webinar: Concussion Process and School Sports

This Parent University Webinar discusses components of DCSD’s student concussion protocol and how our school district’s support and practice aligns with the Colorado High School Activity Association (CHSAA). We are excited to have Chris Mathewson, DCSD’s Lead Athletic Trainer as our panelist for this September webinar. Coach Mathewson will share insights, best practices and the latest research in this field. Additional information is also provided by DCSD’s BrainSTEPS Committee.