Upcoming Events
STEM All-Events Calendar
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.
NHS Holiday Toy Drive
November 28-December 19
This year our National Honor Society chapter is organizing a toy drive! We will collect toy donations from Elementary, Middle, and High Schools from November 28th to December 19th. After all the donations have been collected, they will be donated to the Toys for Tots foundation. We hope everyone is willing to send in their donations!
Please drop off new toys at either the Elementary or the Secondary School Lobby.
Contact: Lasya Gudur: at lasya.gudur@s.https://stemk12.org or Mischa Dvoretsky: at mischa.dvoretsky@s.https://stemk12.org with any questions.
News and Updates
Intent to Return/Not Return Form
It’s that time of year! We’re starting to prepare for the 2023-24 School Year (can you believe it?!?) and we need our CURRENT STEM Families to complete the Intent to Return/Not Return process.
This information will help our Leadership Team plan for the new school year as it pertains to budgeting, facility use, staffing and more. This process also helps us to know how many new students we will have openings for in the upcoming school year so that we can invite students off our waitlist in December.
Please complete a separate form for each of your CURRENTLY ATTENDING STEM students so that we know your student is either returning or not returning to STEM. Completing the form does not require your student to attend STEM for next year should you change your enrollment plans. The form allows you to update your submission should you change your mind over the next few months.
Current Families with Siblings Wanting to Attend STEM
Does your current STEM student have a sibling who is interested in attending STEM for the 2023-24 school year? Did you know that they have priority on our waitlist? Please add them to our waitlist now. STEM’s open enrollment is open and we will begin notifying families of accepted spots for the 2023-24 school year beginning December 1, 2022.
DCSD Open Enrollment Window Information
The Douglas County School District’s Open Enrollment Window is now open, however current STEM families who wish to stay at STEM for next year DO NOT complete that process. Your student(s) will be automatically enrolled. The DCSD Open Enrollment Process (via their website) is if your student is interested in attending their neighborhood school, or another school that uses the DCSD Open Enrollment Process.
The First Round of the Open Enrollment Window for DCSD will close on December 1 at 4 p.m. The Second Round of the Open Enrollment Window will open on January 23 at 8 a.m. and close on August 1, 2023, at 4 p.m.
(Note: Parents of any students who wish to go back to their neighborhood middle school for their 7th-grade year must file an intent to return form, by January 10, 2023; applicable also for parents of 6th-grade students whose attendance area is within the Cimarron Middle School, Rocky Heights Middle School and Sagewood Middle School boundaries.)
Parking and Loitering in the surrounding Business Park
The Building Manager for the Office Building where the Center for Strength is located has informed the Center, as well as STEM, that several students have been caught inside of the empty offices that are being renovated. They are asking us to inform families to please speak to their students about this behavior and to refrain from “hanging out” inside the building. Students should only be inside the building if they are visiting the Center. If this behavior continues, the Building Manager has indicated that it will ask the Center to vacate its offices and the building.
Additionally, the Building Manager has indicated that students and parents are parking in their lot in the morning, throughout the day and in the afternoon, which is in violation of their business park rules. If you or your student is doing this, please stop. They have indicated that they have been very understanding neighbors but they feel as if their requests to the community to stop this behavior have not been heeded. They do not want to resort to towing and ticketing cars because they do not want to put that expense on the student or parent, but if the behavior does not cease, they will be forced to move forward with ticketing and towing.
Please help be good neighbors and stop parking in their parking lot. This also goes for the Hotel Parking Lot.
Free Chromebooks for Free-Reduced Lunch Students
We are happy to share that we will be offering students who are part of the Free and Reduced Lunch program the opportunity to get a Free Chromebook if the following parameters are met:
- Chromebook is signed out by a parent
- The student must remain enrolled at STEM for three years. (if the student leaves STEM during those three years, they will need to return the laptop)
Laptops can be kept over the summer. For more information, please email ashley.westfall@https://stemk12.org to confirm your Free and Reduced Lunch Program status. Not sure if you qualify for Free or Reduced Lunch? DCSD recommends that you apply regardless so that they can assist you further. Click the button below to access the application.
Calling all Industry Experts, Parents and Community Members!
Don't forget to order your school photos
School photos have been uploaded for families to view. Families can access their photos by visiting the link below, selecting the School Portrait Proofs link, and when prompted enter their private password in the following format: studentid#.
Elementary Yearbook Information
Elementary Yearbooks for the 2022-23 School Year are now on sale! Use the link below to purchase a soft cover ($21), or a hardcover ($31) yearbook.
Way to Go presents November Challenge
This November, we’re thankful for all the eco-friendly ways we can get around the Denver region! Whether you move by bike, foot, transit or carpool (or choose to telework and avoid the commute altogether), this month’s challenge is dedicated to you!
Track at least eight non-solo driving trips (including telework) on the MyWaytoGo platform during November and be automatically entered into a drawing to win cool prizes to help you stay warm this winter, including electric blankets, massage guns or this month’s grand prize, an electric snowblower.
The November Challenge is sponsored by AAA and its Move Over For Me campaign.
Updated Snow Day Policy
As the winter season approaches, we want to announce updates to the current Virtual School Day for Inclement Weather policy. Last spring, one of our STEM students presented a proposal and justification regarding changes to our current Virtual School Day policy. As a result, the administration and Board of Directors determined that a change is recommended to the Snow Day Policy. We appreciate the leadership and voice our STEM students display and are happy to announce that STEM will follow the DCSD Snow Day policy with a closure. STEM also reserves the right to modify the calendar, schedule, or this policy, due to unforeseen circumstances such as weather or construction that interrupts the required instructional minutes as set forth by the Colorado Department of Education. The following is a reminder of the current policies.
Late Start Schedule
STEM does not mimic the Late Start Policy and schedule put forth by DCSD. In the event that Douglas County calls for a Delayed Opening, STEM’s Virtual School Day Policy will take effect.
Virtual School Day for Inclement Weather
If DCSD determines that the district should follow the Delayed Opening protocol, STEM School Highlands Ranch will abide by its Virtual School Day Policy. When it snows, our school’s operation and instructional expectations will be determined by one of these three scenarios:
- Updated: Snow Day – Douglas County Schools calls a snow day – STEM is closed (check www.dcsdk12.org)
- Late Start Day – Douglas County Schools calls a Late Start day – STEM is closed and implements a Virtual School Day.
- All Schools Open – Douglas County Schools declare Highlands Ranch area schools open – STEM is open and operating to our regular schedule.
Connect with other Parents
In case you didn’t know, families have specific Class Pages on Facebook where they can connect with other families from their student’s grade. You can find all of the different class pages on our Get Connected page of the Parent section of our website. Click the button below to see them.
Please note that these pages are administered by other parents and not by STEM.
Center for Strength News and Events
DCSD News and Resources
Mental Health Resource of the Week
Holiday Break Mental Health Resources
Below is a list of resources should you have a concern that a loved one (or yourself) may be experiencing behavioral changes, mood swings, depression, or suicidal thoughts over the holiday break.
Call 911 if there is an immediate threat to the child or others
- Colorado Crisis Services: 1-844-493-TALK (8255)
- Trained Crisis Counselor Hotline: (844) 493-8255 or text “TALK” to 38255
- Chat online (open from 4pm-12am daily): Click Here
- Walk-in Locations (open 24/7): Location List
- Information About Types of Services and Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About Colorado Crisis Services
- DCSD Mental Health Intervention website
- Mobile apps for wellness and recovery
- Let’s Talk Colorado
- iMatter (free virtual counseling sessions)
Douglas County has an anonymous reporting syhttps://stem available at all times. Anyone with a concern for someone’s well-being or safety can use Safe 2 Tell (1-877-542-7233) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Literary Resource of the Week
Survey for Elementary School Teachers and Families
The Douglas County School District wants to hear from our elementary school educators and families about their perceptions of our new core reading programs Wonders and Benchmark. Please take a few moments to complete a short survey by the end of the day today. Thank you in advance for your participation.
Health and Wellness
RSV is on the rise: How to protect your baby or child (Sky Ridge Medical Center)
A rising number of babies and young children are being hospitalized with serious cases of RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus), flu, and other viruses. Learn more about RSV, how to protect your family, and when to contact your pediatrician.
Parent University - Teenagers and Substance Use with Author Laura Stack
Hosted by Sky Ridge Medical Center and Douglas County School District
Wednesday, November 30 | 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Join this very special Parent University Webinar hosted by Laura Stack, Author of “Johnny Stack’s Life and Death Story: The Dangerous Truth about today’s Marijuana” as we discuss Teenagers and Substance Use (Marijuana, Fentanyl, Vaping, etc.) and Mental Health (effects on teenage brain development). This is a free event. Please register to receive information on joining the webinar.