Middle School News and Updates (02/23/25)

Dear Middle School Families, 

I am thrilled to share some fantastic news about our Technology Student Association (TSA) team! It was my honor to once again chaperone our students who recently participated in the TSA State Competition at the Denver Tech Center for three days last week. I am incredibly proud to announce that they achieved remarkable success!  Out of 80 middle schoolers who competed, 65 are eligible to attend Nationals in June!   

This is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and creativity of our students. They have spent countless hours preparing for this competition, demonstrating their skills in coding, design, problem-solving, technology information and integration, building,  speech and debate, and much more. Further, they were organized, polished, and diligent in meeting their deadlines.  

We want to extend our heartfelt congratulations to each and every student who participated. Their passion for technology and their commitment to excellence are truly inspiring. We are also deeply grateful to Ms. Fitz, Ms. Shapiro, Ms. Nason, Mr. Blue, Mr. Reichmuth for their guidance and support; to Mr. Sweeney, Mr. Barrios, Mr. Alsup, and our countless family volunteers for their help. 

This victory is not just a win for our TSA team, but a win for our entire school community. It highlights the importance of STEM education and the incredible potential of our students.

Thank you for your continued support of our students and our TSA program. We are incredibly proud of their accomplishments and look forward to their continued success.

Bathroom Vandalism

On a not so high note, we have a serious concern regarding ongoing incidents of vandalism in our school restrooms. Recently, we have experienced repeated instances of damaged fixtures, clogged toilets, trash being dumped, etc.].

This behavior is disruptive, disrespectful, and creates an unsanitary environment for all students. It also diverts valuable school resources away from educational programs and maintenance.

We understand that these actions are likely the work of a small number of students. However, it is essential that we address this issue as a community to ensure a safe and respectful learning environment for everyone.

We are asking for your assistance in having a conversation with your child about the following:

• Respect for School Property: Emphasize the importance of treating school facilities with respect and care.
• Consequences of Vandalism: Explain that vandalism is a serious offense that can result in disciplinary action, including suspension, restitution for damages, and potential involvement of law enforcement.
• Responsibility and Accountability: Encourage your child to take responsibility for their actions and to report any incidents of vandalism they witness.
• School Pride: Discuss the importance of maintaining a positive and clean school environment for all students and staff.

We are committed to working with our students to promote positive behavior and a sense of community. We are also taking steps to increase supervision in the restrooms and to educate students about the consequences of vandalism.

We believe that by working together, we can address this issue and create a more positive and respectful learning environment for all.

If you have any information regarding these incidents, or if you would like to discuss this matter further, please do not hesitate to contact me. 

Important dates and events: 

• February 28th – March 2 – Wish Week  
• Thursday, March 6 – Our 13th annual STEM’s Got Talent Show and Staff Lip Sync

• Wednesday, March 12 –  4:30-7:30 –  Conferences – Last Name A-L
• Thursday, March 13 –  4:30 – 7:30 – Conferences – Last Name M-Z  
• March 14 – 23 – Spring Break 
• March 24 – 26 and March 26 – 28 – 6th Grade Keystone Science Camp Trips

Thank you all for your continued support. 

In Partnership, 

Maura Ridder

Middle School Director

March 12-13th

• Wednesday, March 12 –  4:30-7:30 –  Conferences – Last Name A-L
• Thursday, March 13 –  4:30 – 7:30 – Conferences – Last Name M-Z 

February 27th

Dear STEM Families,

We are dedicated to maintaining a safe environment for our students and staff. Safety is our number one priority and is a layered approach. One of the measures is to ensure that all students, staff, and visitors are identifiable on campus. Student IDs also alert office staff to who has off-campus permissions and allow students to quickly check in and out using our automated system. We ask for your continued support in ensuring your child is wearing an ID to school each day.

As time goes on, we understand that students will misplace their IDs and lanyards. We ordered another shipment of lanyards and ID holders, but our students are going through them pretty quickly.

After Fall Break, students will be charged $5 for replacements. This charge will run through their Myschoolbucks account. Please monitor the account and speak to your child about these charges if they occur.

Spartmart is looking into purchasing nicer, higher quality lanyards to sell as well and you may also purchase lanyards online.

Finally, because IDs are part of our dress code, if a student is not wearing an ID and does not have a temporary ID, they may be assigned a detention. Students have been made aware of this expectation.

Once again, we really appreciate your support. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to one of our building directors.

In partnership,

The STEM Admin Team

Our Math Society students are volunteering to assist with math homework during access periods (11-11:40 a.m.) on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Help will be available in both the Middle School and High School commons. Students who need support or want to catch up on homework should feel free to take advantage of this opportunity. Students should contact either their math teacher or access teacher to add their name to the list for help.