Middle School News and Updates (08/30/24)

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.

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.

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.

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.

Dear STEM School Highlands Ranch Eighth Grade Families,

Please complete the form via the button below if you would like to opt your student(s) out from taking the PSAT 8/9.

The PSAT 8/9 is an opportunity for parents, students, and teachers to see what skills students need in order to prepare for High School and College.

Please complete by Friday, Aug. 30, at 5 p.m.

Thank you,

Maura Ridder, Middle School Director

Dear STEM Families of 8th and 11th-Grade Students,

As a part of the College Board (the PSAT/NMSQT testing vendor) resources, students can choose to complete a voluntary data questionnaire and opt-in to Student Search. The College Board’s Student Search Service is a free, voluntary program that connects students with information about educational and financial aid opportunities from nearly 1,900 eligible colleges and universities, and scholarships and other educational programs. Learn more about Student Search Service.

The following information on the data questionnaire is required by the College Board to generate a PSAT/NMSQT score report for your student: Student Name, Date of Birth, Gender, School, Grade Level, and State Assigned Student Identification Number. Completion of the Student Search Service portion of the data questionnaire is optional and voluntary for all students. Your child will have the opportunity to choose whether to complete the Student Search service portion of the questionnaire.

There is also a list of information that is collected by the College Board in the Student Data Questionnaire. Please review the consent form and discuss it with your student so he/she will know how to fill out the consent form at school and complete the questionnaire. There is no need to fill out the consent form at home. Students may also choose to complete the Student Search Service questionnaire at a later date through their College Board student account. If you filled out this questionnaire last year when you took the PSAT, there is no need to fill it out again unless you wish to update any information about your student’s future academic plans.

Your child’s school will be able to answer questions about taking the PSAT/NMSQT. If you have questions about the Student Data Questionnaire or student consent form, please contact:

Colorado Department of Education Assessment Unit: (303) 866-6929
College Board: (866) 433-7728

Thank you – and best of luck to your student on the PSAT!

Bill Phalen, Testing Coordinator

Dear STEM School Highlands Ranch Secondary Families, 

We are writing to inform you that a service dog will be accompanying one of our students at STEM School Highlands Ranch starting Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024. The service dog is trained to perform specific tasks to help the student navigate their school day more effectively. The student’s right to be accompanied by the service animal while at school is protected by law. 

Here are a few key points to keep in mind: 

• Role and Purpose: The service dog is a trained service animal and will be working alongside their handler to provide support. 

• Interactions: While the dog is on campus, we ask that students and staff respect the boundaries around the service animal. It is important not to approach, pet, or distract the dog during school hours. 

• Training and Supervision: The dog has undergone extensive training and will be under the supervision of their handler while at school. 

There will be information sessions at school to integrate the service animal into our daily routines, and all students will be informed that the service animal is a working animal and not a pet. As such, all students will be instructed on the proper procedure, conduct, and etiquette pertaining to the service dog.

If you have any questions or concerns about this new addition, please feel free to contact Ryan Alsup (ryan.alsup@stemk12.org) or Kaeli Sandhoff (kaeli.sandhoff@stemk12.org). 

Thank you for your understanding and support in making STEM School Highlands Ranch a welcoming place for everyone. 

In partnership,

Ryan Alsup, High School Director

Kaeli Sandhoff, Director of Student Support