Secondary News and Updates (05/20/22)

Tuesday, May 24, from 4:30-6 p.m. – HS Commons

The annual National Honor Society Induction Ceremony will be on Tuesday, May 24 starting at 4:30 p.m. in the High School Commons. This event is for incoming National Honor Society members. This event is open to students and families being inducted into NHS. Contact Aubrey.white@stemk12.org with questions. Please park in the Secondary Parking Lot and enter through the Secondary Entrance.

Tuesday, May 24, at 5:30-7:30 p.m.

The meeting will also be available to watch via Zoom as a trial. 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 parent 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 for prioritizing the spending of school money.

Thursday, May 26, from 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m. – Playfield

Middle School students will be taking part in a Field Day event on Thursday, May 26 from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on the Play Field. Fun activities and a Kona Ice Truck will be available to all participants.

Friday, May 27, at 11:30 a.m.

Secondary’s last day of school is Friday, May 27 and it is a half-day. Click the button below to access the Secondary Early Release schedule.

Friday, May 27, from 8:30-11 a.m. – Central Park

On Friday, May 27, High School students and 8th-grade students will be dismissed at 8 a.m. and walk with their teachers to Central Park. Fun activities, along with music and yearbook distribution will take place. There will be an 8th-grade award ceremony and a Welcome message. Students will walk back to STEM in time for dismissal at 11:30 a.m.

Students MUST have a completed waiver to participate in the party.

Over the last two years, the USDA has provided school waivers that provide meals at no cost to the students. Those waivers will expire after the 2021-22 School year ends. This means that a return to paid meals will begin August 8, 2022 for students that do not qualify for Free or Reduces Meal Benefits. DCSD is asking that ALL families please complete the Free or Reduced Lunch Application by July 25, 2022.

If a family does not qualify for FRL, the meals will cost the following:

$3.25 – Elementary

$3.75 – Middle School

All meal prices include an entree, fruit, veggies and milk. Ala carte options are available at all schools and prices vary by option. Students pay for school lunches through their MySchoolBucks account.

Do you like planning events and giving back to the school? MS Student Government is looking for student representatives to join us for the 2022-2023 school year.

Student Government is a student-led organization that plans events for the student body. We are in charge of events like dances, movie nights, Candy-Grams, Coat and Clothing Drives, Crush for a Crush, Door Decorating, Stemfest, Spirit Weeks, and much more! Next year we will meet every Thursday from 3:00-3:45

If you are interested in joining the MS Student Government, please complete the application by Wednesday, May 25. For questions, please contact michelle.gasser@stemk12.org.

We desperately need to hire to support the STEM community, any assistance is greatly appreciated.

We are looking for two Senior Program Leaders and one Program Lead to work in a busy and fun program. If you, or someone you know, is looking to develop management skills and gain experience in a growing program with a fun, experienced, and dedicated staff, this is the right move for you. Hours would be M-F 1:30-5:30/6. Part-time and full-time hours are available during school breaks. I am happy to coordinate with BASE Managers who have staff looking for more hours.  Feel free to call ( (720) 688-2928) or email (amy.dupays@dcsdk12.org) for more details or questions.

Thank you,

Amy Dupays

We are hosting three summer camps at STEM and registration is open!

• Camp Invention (K-6th) – June 6-10
• Lego Robotics Camp (4th-6th) – June 13-17
• Girls Persist Summer Program (6th) – July 18-22

Visit our Enrichment site to register or email Sara.Phelps@stemk12.org with questions.

Want your students to experience a Harvard class while still in School?

We bring to you several unique and insightful programs in experiential learning and project-based learning in collaboration with our revered list of global organizations. We are excited to share with you the details of our upcoming programs in the month of May by Harvard Student Agencies (HSA) at Harvard University.

• The Future Doctors Program by Harvard Student Agencies
• The Future Lawyers Program by Harvard Student Agencies

Yearbooks are expected to arrive at STEM soon and will be distributed to your student during their lunch on May 11, 12, and 13. Your student should come to the Yearbook table located in the cafeteria on one of those dates to receive their book.

If you haven’t yet purchased a yearbook, they are sold at yearbookforever.com for $55. Contact Michelle Vitale, yearbook advisor, at michelle.vitale@stemk12.org with any questions.

Families can access their photos by visiting the link to the right or going to dr-photo.com, selecting the School Portrait Proofs link, and when prompted enter their private password in the following format: Student ID#

Emotion Regulation for Adults

Teaching self-regulation skills to children at home and school is critical for overall development. These are skills that require explicit instruction and practice. When it comes to emotional regulation for adults, it is no different. We must work on mastering it daily.

Summer Reading Programs for Children, Tweens and Teens

It’s no secret that kids who read during the summer months fare better on fall reading tests than kids who don’t. A great way to keep them reading is to participate in a Summer Reading Program!

Use Responsive Parenting to Reveal the Roots of Behavioral Challenges

When we look below the surface of a behavior, we begin to see what our kids really need. That is the root of responding, not reacting. By responding with compassion, we will find ways to support our children, not punish them.