Secondary News and Updates (02/23/24)

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.

Monday, Feb. 26, from 5-7 p.m. – via Zoom or in-person in the High School Commons

Join us on Monday, Feb. 26, from 5-7 p.m. for our fifth installment of Love and Logic, focusing on Guiding Kids to Own and Solve their Problems. Participants will learn:

• Why problem-solving skills are so critical for success in life
• How to apply five steps for helping children learn to own and solve their problems
• Practical examples of how to apply these steps to common problems, such as bullying, teasing, problems with teachers, etc.
• What to do when children refuse to own and solve their problems

Tuesday, March 5, and Wednesday, March 6, from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Colorado law (C.R.S. 22-1-116) states that grades K, 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, and 9th shall be tested for sight and hearing. We also screen students who are new to a school district and any referrals. C.R.S. 22-1-116 “The sight and hearing of all children in the kindergarten, first, second, third, fifth, seventh, and ninth grades, of children in comparable age groups referred for testing, shall be tested during the school year by the teacher, principal, or other qualified person authorized by the school district. Each school in the district shall make a record of all sight and hearing tests given during the school year and record the individual results of each test on each child’s records. The parents or guardians shall be informed when a deficiency is found.

The provisions of this section shall not apply to any child whose parent or guardian objects on religious or personal grounds.”
It is important to note that this is a screening, not a complete exam. If your child wears prescription glasses or contacts, it is necessary that he/she wear them during the screening.

You will receive a referral letter if your child does not pass the vision screening. Children with concerns should be evaluated by a Vision health care professional. Please take the letter to your appointment and have the provider complete the bottom
of the form and then return it to your school’s health office/school nurse. Students who do not pass the hearing will be rechecked by DCSD Audiology Department, and they provide follow up communication.

Standards for hearing and vision are available at:

• http://www.cde.state.co.us/healthandwellness/visionscreeningk122016
• http://www.cde.state.co.us/healthandwellness/guidelinesforchildhoodandyouthhearingscreeningrogramspdfjune2017

Tuesday, March 5, 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, March 5, 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.

Tuesday, March 5, from 5-7 p.m. – Dress Rehearsal for students at Mission Hills Church

Thursday, March 7, from 6-9 p.m. – Show time at Mission Hills Church

Do you have a student who is planning on taking a Concurrent Enrollment (CE) course next school year? If so, please see the important information and deadlines below.

All CE Students

If you are enrolled in a CE course at STEM or one of our partner institutions, you and your parents/ guardian will need to complete the STEM CE agreement. Please read through the agreement carefully, and reach out with any questions.

• STEM Concurrent Enrollment Agreement

Rising 9th Graders and Students taking a CE course

Our CE classes are Arapahoe Community College (ACC) courses taught at STEM. If you are enrolling in a CE course and have not completed a CE course before, you will need to apply to ACC. You can access the application below.

• ACC Application Process

CE courses at a partner institution

Students can enroll in concurrent enrollment courses at one of our partner institutions. Registration for most of our partner institutions is in March. For all schools except ACC, please reach out to Nicole Ryan at nicole.ryan@stemk12.org for instructions on applying/ registration.

For ACC courses, if you plan to take a course at ACC in the Fall, you will need to complete an advising and registration session. ACC will be hosting two advising and registration sessions for STEM students. A virtual session will be offered on March 11, and an in-person session on March 13 at STEM. Both sessions will begin at 3:30 p.m. The advising and registration session is required to register for courses at ACC. Please register in advance for the ACC advising and registration sessions using the link below.

• STEM Advising & Registration Session

As a reminder, if you plan to enroll in a course at a partner institution (on-campus or online), there may be additional student fees. STEM will pay for the tuition, but students are responsible for any fees associated with on-campus enrollment. Please refer to the partner institution’s fee schedule for more information.

If you have questions on Concurrent Enrollment, please do not hesitate to contact Nicole Ryan at nicole.ryan@stemk12.org.

As a part of the College Board (the SAT 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, as well as scholarships and other educational programs. Click here to learn more about the Student Search Service.

Completion of the student data questionnaire and participation in Student Search is optional and voluntary for all students. Your child will have the opportunity to choose whether to complete the Student Search Service questionnaire. The Colorado Department of Education and the College Board have created a consent form for students if they choose to complete the questionnaire and participate in the Student Search Service.

There is also a list of information that is collected by the College Board in the Student Search Service Questionnaire for your review if you choose to have your student complete the optional questionnaire. Please review the consent form and discuss it with your child 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 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 SAT!

Julie Adamek, Testing Coordinator

As a part of the College Board (the SAT 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, as well as scholarships and other educational programs. Click here to learn more about the Student Search Service.

Completion of the student data questionnaire and participation in Student Search is optional and voluntary for all students. Your child will have the opportunity to choose whether to complete the Student Search Service questionnaire. The Colorado Department of Education and the College Board have created a consent form for students if they choose to complete the questionnaire and participate in the Student Search Service.

There is also a list of information that is collected by the College Board in the Student Search Service Questionnaire for your review if you choose to have your student complete the optional questionnaire. Please review the consent form and discuss it with your child 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 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 SAT!

Julie Adamek, Testing Coordinator

Attention Class of 2025! Are you looking for a summer internship with a leading technology company? Are you interested in learning from leaders in the industry? Mikron Group is currently accepting applications for its paid summer internship program. They are seeking 11th-grade students to participate in the program with the potential of leading to a paid apprenticeship senior year. Please review the job description for the Industrial Manufacturing Technician and Industrial Electrician roles. If you are interested in applying, please email Nicole Ryan at nicole.ryan@stemk12.org. The application period will close on March 1st.

Please click the button below to place your senior’s Cap and Gown order. The deadline to place your order is Friday, March 15, 2024. Jostens has shared with us that many families have not completed this step and are concerned that our seniors may not have their caps and gowns in time. This information was shared directly with students in the Fall during the Senior Assembly and was sent out via email. Thank you so much for completing this step in a timely manner.

Kelli Myrick, College and Career Counselor

Are you looking for something to do over the summer? Below are a few ideas to get you started. The following organizations are currently taking applications for their summer programs.

• PreFlight Aviation Camp – applications are now open for the six-day camp (July 15th – 20th) in Windsor, Colorado.
• SAME (Society of American Military Engineers) / US Air Force Academy Camp – Application is open until March 15th. The week-long, live-in STEM camp is from June 23rd – 29th.
• UC Denver, GenCyber Summer Camp – Application is currently open for the free online program being held July 15-19.
• Colorado Health Careers Academy (CHCA) in conjunction with ACC and other healthcare partners are hosting a summer program for students to explore health careers. Information sessions are available through May. If you are interested in a career in healthcare, click here to learn more.
• CU Science Discovery is offering summer classes for high school students at their CU Boulder and CU Anschutz locations. Programming includes Aerospace, Biotech, Computer Science, Forensics, Neuroscience, Biomed Research, Medical Student Experience and more! Summer Scholarships are available. Learn more on the CU Discovery website.

As a reminder, you can continue earning college credit by taking a course through one of our partner institutions. Please reach out to Nicole Ryan at nicole.ryan@stemk12.org with questions. Registration for Arapahoe Community College opens March 11th for Summer and Fall courses.

The Outstanding Youth Award recognizes teenagers between the ages of 13 and 19 who have overcome personal adversity and created positive change in their lives. The Youth Awards focus on teenagers who have triumphed over great odds and serve as inspirations and role models. If you know young people who would be good candidates for the Youth Awards, please help identify them by completing the nomination form. Award winners receive a cash gift! Nomination forms are due by Friday, March 29.

With the PSAT and SAT tests now all digital, please note how accommodations will work and see if they are still needed for your student:

Please contact Julie Fletcher at Julie.fletcher@stemk12.org for any accommodation questions.

Please contact Julie Adamek at Julie.adamek@stemk12.org for any testing questions.

Attention, current sophomore high school students! Are you interested in the healthcare industry, but not sure where to begin? The Medical Career Collaborative (MC2) is a multiyear program that provides high school students with healthcare experiences to jumpstart their careers, and provide personal/ professional support. The program is a collaboration with Children’s Hospital Colorado and Denver Health. Learn more by visiting their website. Applications must be submitted by March 6th, 2024 at 5 PM. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Nicole Ryan at nicole.ryan@stemk12.org.

July 1-August 9, 2024 – New York City

GSTEM is an NYU summer research program for talented high school juniors interested in STEM. Founded and sponsored by the world-renowned Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, GSTEM offers opportunities for an incredible summer. Our mission is to support those historically underrepresented in STEM including girls and other minorities. Application is open and early deadline is March 15. Final deadline is April 15.

The Colorado Health Careers Academy (CHCA) is an excellent opportunity to learn more about some of the fastest-growing health occupations in Colorado. If you are between the ages of 16-24 and have an interest in the healthcare industry, you are invited to join the academy this summer from June 10th through July 26th. Information sessions are being held monthly with the next opportunity to join on January 9th. More information can be found on the Arapahoe Community College’s Colorado Health Careers Collaborative website. If you need additional information or have questions, please feel free to reach out to Nicole Ryan at nicole.ryan@stemk12.org.

Friday, Apr. 26, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. – at STEM

Arapahoe Community College (ACC) will be proctoring the Accuplacer exam on Friday, April 26th, at 9 a.m. at STEM. The Accuplacer is required for certain concurrent enrollment (CE) courses being offered in the Fall Semester. Courses that require proficiency/ college readiness in Math and English are as follows:

• CE-ENG 1021, English Composition I
• CE-MAT 1340, College Algebra
• CE-MAT 1150, Technical Mathematics
• CE-CSC 1019, Introduction to Programming

Saturday, Apr. 27, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. – Room 231

Students taking the AP Statistics exam will have the opportunity to take a full-length practice test in preparation.

The Experiment Digital Leadership in STEM prepares participants to be more civically engaged and lead change. This fully funded six-week summer virtual experience teaches high school students to formulate and implement STEM projects in their local communities. The Experiment Digital is designed to connect hundreds of young people across the United States, Middle East, and North Africa (MENA) region.

Our application to the 2024 Experiment Digital program is now OPEN! To learn more about our program, click here. Spaces are starting to fill, so be sure to share the application with your students. Students and parents/guardians can apply by clicking here! Final admissions deadline: May 13, 2024

Read and share our program flyer here.

If you have any questions, feel free to reply to this email or reach out at: digital@experiment.org. We’d love to see your students at The Experiment Digital! Click here to visit the website.

Colorado FBLA State will be at the Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center this year from April 1-2. We need judges to help score students from across the state of Colorado. Please click the button below to sign up to judge.