Middle School News and Updates (09/06/24)

Dear Middle School Families,

As we enter week six of the school year, I want you to know how truly grateful I am for your support in assisting our children to arrive at school on time, adhere to our cell phone expectations, and wear their student ID badges. It has been lovely receiving such strong support from our parents as we guide our children through the start of middle school. When we can partner with families, our students win!

Chain of Communication

We understand that conflict occurs in the classroom between students and teachers; this is a natural part of the learning environment, and I am here to support students and families with these conflicts. Please follow our Communications Pathways. If a student has a conflict with a teacher, we ask that the student address it with the teacher first. If he/she needs support from parents, then we encourage families to step in. If, after that step, you need support, please feel free to contact me. Again, I kindly ask that you contact your student’s teacher first. We are all here for our students to thrive, and we must partner together for their success.

Middle School Fall Awards Ceremony: Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024 at 10:30 a.m.

The Middle School Fall Awards Ceremony will take place on Thursday, Sept. 26, during Access from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. in the secondary gym. This ceremony is to celebrate those students in 7th and 8th grade who made the honor roll in the spring. If your child received a 3.25 GPA or higher, they will receive a certificate. Parents are welcome. The ceremony will start promptly at 10:30 am. Please enter through the Athletic Entrance, where you will proceed through the Evolv system. I am looking forward to celebrating our students’ achievements.

PSATS

Our 8th and 9th grade students will be taking the PSAT in October. As this approaches, I wanted to remind you that many of our students don’t do particularly well because they have not had algebra. Although our students may struggle, we think the benefits of having our students get the practice are immeasurable. Should your student get a lower score on the math portion, please do not be discouraged.

Important Dates:

• September 19 – PTO Blast Off
• September 30 – No School – Professional Development Day for staff
• October 10-11 – Fall Parent-Teacher Conferences
• October 14-18 – Fall Break

In partnership,

Maura Ridder, Middle School Director

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.

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