Upcoming Events
STEM All-Events Calendar
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.
KOSON/STEM Board of Directors' Monthly Meeting
Tuesday, Sept. 5, from 5:30-7 p.m – Mechatronics Lab in P-TECH/KOSON Building
The KOSON/STEM Board of Directors will be holding its Monthly Meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 5, from 5:30-7 p.m. 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.
Student Advisory Information Meeting
Tuesday, Sept. 5, from 3-3:30 p.m. – E2224
Student Advisory is looking for new members. We are open to 8th-12th graders. Join us for an interest meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 5, from 3 – 3:30 p.m. in room E224. Please email studentadvisory@s.stemk12.org with any questions.
National Honor Society Induction Ceremony
Friday, Sept. 8, from 5:30-6:30 p.m. – High School Commons
Invited members and their families will be invited to the National Honor Society Induction Ceremony on Friday, Sept. 8, from 5:30-6:30 p.m. in the High Shcool Commons. Email kathy.dwyer@stemk12.org with any questions.
News and Updates
Access Update
Looking ahead to the month of September, students will be busy with a variety of things during their ACCESS periods. They will focus on getting into the routine of utilizing their independent time to monitor their grades and work completion, get ahead on studying and organizing their tasks, and get the opportunity to visit various teachers to get further support as needed. Students can travel between classes to visit teachers if they need help getting make-up assignments, need further support with specific concepts, continue working on a project, and more. We will also have some colleges on campus for students to meet with and learn more about. Students will be able to access these college visitors during the second half of the ACCESS periods. The visiting colleges for September and October are scheduled as follows (and subject to change) and will be in Ms. Myrick’s office from 11:00-11:40 a.m.:
September
- Wednesday, Sept. 6: Oklahoma State University
- Wednesday, Sept. 20: Colorado College
- Thursday, Sept. 21: Elon University
- Thursday, Sept. 28: Colorado School of Mines – There will be a presentation from the admissions counselor in Ms. Graham’s room starting at 11:05 am!
October
- Wednesday, Oct. 4: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
- Thursday, Oct. 5: University of California – Irvine
- Wednesday, Oct. 11: Hofstra University
- Thursday, Oct. 26: Regis University
In addition to getting going with independent work time and teacher support and taking advantage of our college visits, students will also participate in social-emotional lessons focused on executive functioning. They will also receive a follow-up on Standards-Based Learning and Mastery Connect. Finally, we get to kick off Homecoming 2023 with our Pep Rally and celebrate our students at our Spring 2023 Awards assembly.
AI & Quantum Computing Courses
The Coding School will be offering two award-winning courses at the forefront of the technological revolution: Introduction to Artificial Intelligence & Introduction to Quantum Computing. Registration deadline is September 15th! Click the button below to register and view the flier.
Secondary Yearbooks are On Sale!
Now is the time! Don’t delay purchasing your Secondary Yearbook for the 2023-24 School Year. Click the button below to place your order by October 31 and only pay $50. After October 31, yearbooks will be $60.
Special ads are also due on October 31 and can be purchased via the link below. Portraits and quotes should be sent to yearbook@s.stemk12.org.
SpartMart needs your feedback!
The SpartMart is looking for feedback on apparel, accessories and food options that it currently sells and what it could sell in the future. Please click the button below to complete the feedback survey. You’ll be helping The Business Club Students improve what SpartMart has to offer so your feedback is greatly appreciated. Thank you!
STEM France and Germany Trip Information
Exciting News! Students who are currently in a French Class or who have taken French 4, are eligible to go on a class trip to France and Germany. The trip will take place from March 16-24, 2024. Click the button below to view the PDF for more information about the trip. Those who qualify should look out for a parent information meeting that will be coming up soon!
Setting up Canvas Parent Observer
One way to do this is to first be logged into your child’s account. Go to “Account” and then “Settings” on the left side. Then on the right side you should see a gray box that says “Pair with Observer.” This will give you a code that you can then enter in your parent Canvas account. You will need to do this from a computer, not a mobile device.
If that does not work for you, email support@stemk12.org, title the email “IT Canvas Observer Support” and include your child’s name and student ID number in the email so that IT can generate a code for you.
Update from IT Department about Securly
For any device at STEM to connect to our network, a certificate needs to be installed. A certificate or digital certificate is a unique, digitally signed document that authoritatively identifies the identity of an individual or organization. In our case, it associates the certificate with the STEM email. To download the certificate, go to https://securly.com/ssl and download the file associated with the operating system. The file is a program to run on the machine, but it only installs the certificate.
Once the certificate is installed and the computer is on STEM’s network, Securly Filter will ask once for the person’s identity. Once logged in with the STEM email account, Securly matches the email and the certificate and it then knows who it is and how the computer should be filtered. This system of identification using a certificate is the same that we have had in the past. We are just using a different vendor for that certificate. If students have issues installing the certificate, please send them to the IT office in RM 164.
NMSQT Information for 11th graders
Tuesday, Oct. 10, from 7:50 a.m. to 12 p.m.
On October 10, 2022, STEM juniors will take the PSAT/NMSQT and STEM seniors will be virtual. The NMSQT is used as a qualifier for the National Merit Scholarship Program. For more information about these assessments, please visit www.collegeboard.org.
K-8 Typical School Day
- 6th, 9th, 10th, 12th will have a Virtual day – students will log into Canvas and/or Zoom to complete attendance and coursework per their teacher’s instructions.
- 11th and 12th-grade students must opt-out
- Those testing will be responsible for knowing missed content, missed tests or quizzes and project work but will be excused from afternoon assignments/homework.
New SAT Testing date for 12th graders
Wednesday, Oct. 11
Those signed up for SAT’s will be taking the SATs on Wednesday, Oct. 11. Those students will be pulled from class.
PSAT 8/9 Information for 7th and 8th Graders
Tuesday, Oct. 10, from 7:40-11 a.m.
On Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023, STEM 7th and 8th-grade students that did not opt-out will take the PSAT 8/9. This assessment is not part of state-mandated accountability testing but an opportunity for parents, students, and teachers to see what skills students need to prepare for High School and college. More information about the PSAT 8/9 can be found here. Following testing, students will resume their daily schedule. Students in grades K-5 will follow their normal schedule. Students in 6th, 9th, 10th and those 12th graders not testing will follow their typical schedules virtually.
Student IDs for the 2023-24 School Year
- Replacement IDs if lost/stolen: Students who have lost their ID should complete the Secondary Student ID Replacement Form to order a replacement. IDs are free for the first one and $5 for any duplicates. Duplicates will be printed by the front office and students will be notified when they are ready for pick up.
- Lanyards and pouches: Lanyards and pouches can be picked up at the Secondary Front Office. Please show your student ID to receive one.
Common App 101 and After Grad Packet
important information below and attached for any senior applying to a 4-year university!!! Please make sure you are reading EVERYTHING!!
Common App 101 – This document walks you through setting up your Common App account, adding recommenders for letters of rec, determining additional supplemental essays you will need to write, and anything else college app related! 🙂 Make sure you are adding my contact information for ANY counselor requests in application portals. This is very important!!! If you are asking Ms. Birchfield for your counselor letter, I will still be the one uploading the letter.
I’ve also attached the After Grad Packet with this email. You MUST send me your completed AG Packet if you are requesting a letter of recommendation. I also suggest sending this packet and your resume to teachers that are writing your teacher letters of recommendation.
Secondary Student Parking Pass Waitlist
Students with valid driver’s licenses can put their names on the Parking Pass Waitlist via the button below. Parking passes cost $50 for the school year, and the fee will be added to the student’s MySchoolBucks account. The fee must be paid prior to picking up the parking pass. Students who are approved will receive an email with instructions on how to pick up.
Need Help with PikMyKid?
We are asking all families, K-12, to please download the PikMyKid Parent App and set up an account. We will continue to use the PikMyKid App for dismissal for Elementary Driveline, and will be adding PikMyKid to our Emergency Messaging platforms for all of K-12. We will not implement the dismissal component for Secondary at this time, and will release more information in the coming months.
If you have set up your account and do not see your student, please click the button below to complete the PikMyKid Help Form so that we can help you.
DCSD News and Updates
B.A.S.E at STEM is hiring!
We are looking for 2 Program Leaders to work in a busy and fun after-school program. If you or someone you know likes working with kids, has some experience working with children ages 5-12, and is eager to develop and learn new skills in a growing program with a fun, experienced, and dedicated staff, this is the right move for you. Program Leader hours are M-F, 1:30-5:30/6 p.m. Part-time and full-time hours are available during school breaks. This position is a “Select Charter Position” and offers an additional 10% (to hourly base rate) monthly stipend. If you are interested but need more flexibility, we are hiring Program Leader substitutes. Substitutes can work 2-3 days each week. We are also happy to coordinate with STEM who are looking for more hours. Feel free to call or email me for more details or questions at amy.dupays@dcsdk12.org, or (720) 688-2928.
DCSD Board Unanimously Approves MLO/Bond for Ballot
On Tuesday, the DCSD Board of Education voted unanimously to place a $66M Mill Levy Override and $484M Bond on the November 2023 ballot (see the press release). All seven Board directors expressed their strong support and personal dedication to our students and our staff. During public comment the Board heard from students, teachers, neighborhood school principals, charter school principals, business leaders, elected officials and more – and all expressed strong support for additional funding. I hope you will take a few minutes to listen to the public comment – the support for YOU, our teachers and staff, from every part of our community was overwhelming.
- Click here to watch the public comment portion of the meeting.
- Click here to watch our presentation to the Board where we outlined staff recommendations for a Mill Levy Override and Bond.
The Board also unanimously adopted a compensation resolution that will automatically trigger if the MLO passes. For school district staff, this means pay increases would happen automatically should the MLO pass (with increases being paid retroactively back to July 1). For charter school staff, exact details about pay increases will come from your school’s board and leadership.
To learn more about how additional funding would benefit our schools and our staff, visit www.dcsdk12.org/funding. I also encourage you to read through our MLO/Bond plan.
Mental Health Resource
iMatter Program
The iMatter program can connect youth (and adults) with a therapist for up to six free virtual counseling sessions that are completely confidential.
Literacy Resource
Overdrive Kids via the Douglas County Libraries
Safely search e-books for readers 12 and younger, including read-alongs for preschoolers. Filter by format, subject, device or reading level.
Health and Wellness Resource
Introducing Family Health Resources on Your Mobile Device
Healthier Generation is excited to launch the Kohl’s Healthy at Home text messaging service, designed to help families prioritize healthy living and thrive. Sign up today to receive tips, activities, and resources for parents and caregivers.
A Project of the Douglas County Youth Initiative
Tuesday, Oct. 3, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. – Colorado State Capitol
Students, grades 9 – 12 are invited to attend Youth Congress. During this event, youth from around Douglas County get to weigh in on issues that affect youth and are of interest to youth. One of the missions of the Youth Congress is to communicate your thoughts, ideas, and solutions to elected and community leaders.