Elementary News and Updates (10/06/23)

Dear Elementary School Families,

I can’t believe we finished our first week in October. This month, we are celebrating kindness. Each week, we have a different theme and activities to promote kindness. This week’s theme was “Kindness to Others”. We started our Random Acts of Kindness Challenge, where students are given a challenge each morning on the announcements. We also introduce our Compliment Box. Students and staff can write compliments or shoutouts to each other to also be read on morning announcements. We also have mystery readers scheduled monthly to read books about kindness to our classes. Next week, our theme will be “Kindness to our Community.” We will start by celebrating with a kindness spirit week. Spirit days are listed below. We will wrap up our kindness month after fall break with the theme of “Kindness to Yourself.” Please continue conversing with your students about ways they can be kind.

Thank you, everyone, for all your support during our October count. Attendance matters when it comes to academic growth. Also a huge shout out to PTO for putting on an amazing Bubble Run. Our students had a blast. There is still time to donate. All the proceeds go to PTO to help support our staff and students at STEM. As we head into the final week of school before fall break, I just want to say this has been an amazing start to the school year, and I thank you for entrusting us with your students every day.

Be Kind Spirit Week

• Monday, Oct. 9 – Peace, Love and Kindness! – Wear Tie Dye
• Tuesday, Oct. 10 – We’re Crazy About Kindness! – Crazy Hair Day
• Wednesday, Oct. 11 – H.E.R.O. Day (Helping Everyone Respect Others) – Dress like a SuperHero
• Thursday, Oct. 12 – We’re on the Same Team! – Wear STEM gear or STEM colors (Blue and Yellow)

Parent-Teacher Conferences

Parent-teacher conferences are this week (October 9-13). If you have not done so already, please sign up for a time with your student’s teacher. I look forward to seeing everyone next week.

Lost and Found

Our lost and found is very full, and we are now just entering coat season. Please check lost and found when you enter the building for conferences this week. We will be donating unclaimed items during fall break.

Thanksgiving Food Basket Drive

I want to put on everyone’s radar that the elementary student council will be hosting a Thanksgiving Food Basket Drive after fall break. We will be collecting food to create Thanksgiving baskets for families in need. Please be on the lookout for information after fall break.

Important Dates:

• October 9-13 – Parent Teacher Conferences
• October 16-20 – Fall Break
• October 23 – Nov 14 – Thanksgiving Food Basket Drive
• October 23 – Love and Logic Parent Night (5 p.m.)
• October 27 – Trunk or Treat (5-7 p.m.)
• October 31 – Halloween Parade and Class Parties
• Nov 20 -24 – Thanksgiving Break

Have a wonderful weekend. Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns.

In Partnership,

Amie McElroy, Elementary Director

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.

Wednesday, Oct. 11, at 5:30-7:30 p.m. – KOSON/P-TECH Building (Mechatronics Lab)/Zoom (until 6:30 p.m.)

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 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, Oct. 11, from 6:30-8 p.m. – Middle School Cafeteria/Zoom

Join the STEM PTO for their monthly meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 11, from 6:30-8 p.m. in the Middle School Cafeteria or via Zoom.  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.

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.

Webinar: A Parent’s Guide to Understanding Depression in Teens – Hosted by ADDitude

Tuesday, Oct. 24, at 11 a.m.

Register to receive link (webinar will be recorded)

Depression in teens has grown increasingly common since the COVID pandemic began and rates of adolescent mood disorders remain concerningly high. Depression and ADHD frequently co-occur, and both conditions must be recognized and treated effectively. When depression is not recognized, the consequences can be serious: Teens are at risk for poor school performance, substance use, early pregnancy, and self-harm.

During this webinar, caregivers and teachers will learn:

• How to differentiate typical sadness from depression in adolescents and teens
• How to recognize the symptoms of depression in adolescents and teens
• How symptoms of ADHD and major depression overlap
• About the current treatments for adolescent and teen depression
• Supportive strategies that caregivers and others can provide

Dyslexia Awareness Month

The Colorado Dyslexia Handbook is a resource for reliable information for educators, students, families, and community members about dyslexia, comprehensive literacy instruction, and the evidence-based practices for identification, instruction, and accommodation of students who have reading difficulties. This handbook covers everything from the definition of dyslexia, structured literacy practices, assessments, wonderful articles written by respected researchers, and important legislation.

Visiting your pediatrician regularly helps ensure that your child is healthy and happy. In addition to covering basic wellness exams, these visits are also important for vaccinations, vision and hearing tests, mental health screenings, physical development and so much more. Plus, these visits are a key part of disease and illness prevention throughout childhood. Learn more about the importance of wellness checks from our friends at Children’s Hospital Colorado.