Secondary News and Updates (11/13/20)

Secondary-School News

Now is the Time to Think About Next Year for Your Student!

Please complete the Intent to Return to STEM form by November 30, 2020

Do you Intend to Return for the 2021/22 School Year?

For enrollment planning purposes, please let us know, either way, if your child plans to return to STEM School Highlands Ranch next year.

Please complete this form for each of your currently attending STEM students. If you are currently enrolled at STEM please let us know that your child is returning. You do not need to “open enroll” to remain at STEM. If your child is currently attending STEM, they will be automatically enrolled for next year. Please also complete the form if your student is planning to seek enrollment at another school so that we can have an accurate count of returning students.

Do you Have a Sibling Who Wants to Attend STEM Next Year?

Does your current STEM student have a sibling who is interested in attending STEM for the 2021/22 school year? Did you know that they have priority on our waitlist? Please add them to our waitlist now! STEM’s open enrollment is now open and we will begin notifying families of accepted spots for the 2021/22 school year beginning December 1st.

Now Accepting Names for the 2021/2022 School Year!

STEM is now accepting names for the waitlist for 2021/22 and beyond. Please spread the word to your family and friends. They can add their child to the waitlist here! We will begin notifying families of accepted spots beginning on December 1, 2020. Please note that STEM does not follow the Douglas County Open Enrollment process.

Intent to Attend Your Neighborhood School

If you wish to attend your neighborhood school, you must return this form to that school no later than January 5th. This will allow your child to attend that school in the fall of next year (2021/22).

Questions? Please call the MS office at 303-683-7836 or check the website for more enrollment information.

Secondary News and Events

Spart Mart - Fall Sale

Check out our Fall Clearance Sale of various STEM swag items! Also, we are freshly stocked with our classic Blue & Gold STEM hoodies, we have childrens size shirts and sweatshirts, and don’t forget we have custom made face masks & gaiters. Order online and pick up at the MS office once you receive fulfillment confirmation via email. Thanks for your support!

Start Mart – Student Staff Team

Spart Mart Fall Sale

Student Forum Coming Up!

Wednesday, Nov. 18, from 3-4 p.m.

Student Forums are open to STEM Students only and is their opportunity to ask questions, get to know our STEM Leadership Team and make recommendations on how STEM can improve. STEM students that would like to take part should sign-up via the button below. A Zoom link will be sent via email prior to the event.

Middle School Hand Turkey Contest Announcement

Hello Middle Schoolers!

In honor of Thanksgiving coming up we are gonna raise those holiday spirits with a Virtual Hand Turkey Contest. The contest begins on Thursday, Nov. 12 and you will need to submit your picture by Thursday, Nov. 19.

All you have to do to enter is draw a picture of a hand turkey, take a photo of it, and email it to mail to: msstudentgovernment@s.stemk12.org with your name and your grade. Then the Middle School student government will decide the top 5 winners based on the creative and the best drawings.

The winner will receive a prize if you are virtual or in person. We hope you will submit your picture. Good Luck and Happy Thanksgiving!

STEM SAC Meeting Coming Up

Wednesday, Nov. 18, from 6-8 p.m.

The School Accountability Committee (SAC) will hold their monthly meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 18 from 6-8 p.m. via Zoom. In addition to its advisory role, SAC provides recommendations to STEM Leadership on initiatives that the STEM Parent Community would like to see implemented.

Recent SAC-Led Initiatives:

  • Parking Lot Repaving
  • ES Lunchroom Sound Proof (renderings produced; implementation on hold due to COVID)
  • Playfield

Middle School Fall Festival

Thursday, Nov. 19, from 4-5 p.m.

Hello Middle Schoolers! We are so excited to announce that the MS student government has put together a super fun Middle School Fall Festival. There will be a bunch of super fun activities such as, kahoot, bingo, pictionary, among us, and much more. It will be on Thursday, Nov. 19 from 4-5 p.m. on Zoom. The meeting link is below. We all really hope to see you there for a fun afternoon of super fun fall games.  If you have any questions you can email colette.rubin@s.stemk12.com.

MS Fall Festival Poster

Virtual Fall High School Showcase

Thursday, Nov. 19, from 5-7 p.m.

The Virtual Fall High School Showcase is our opportunity to showcase all of what STEM High School has to offer. Typically in-person, this year’s event will be virtual and is highlighting STEM’s innovation. STEM has invited all eighth-grade families within the Douglas County School District to attend virtually. This event is also open to STEM eighth graders and their families.

DCSO Y.E.S.S. Parent Academy

Thursday, Nov. 19, from 5:30-7 p.m.

Join the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office for the Y.E.S.S. Parent Academy on Thursday, Nov. 19 from 5:30-7 p.m. via Zoom. Topic that will be covered is Teen Drug Use. Email mmithuen@dcsheriff.net. See the flier to the right for more information.

Y.E.S.S. Parent Academy

STEM PTO Meeting Coming Up

Thursday, Nov. 19, from 6:30-8 p.m.

The monthly STEM PTO meeting will be on Thursday, Nov. 19 from 6:30-8 p.m. via Zoom. STEM PTO helps to support our school through teacher-appreciation events, fundraising for teacher grants and more.

Recent PTO Initiatives:

  • Teacher Conference Meals
  • Restaurant night at Freddy’s

Giving Tuesday coming up on December 1

On December 1st, millions of people across the globe will join the #GivingTuesday movement. It’s a day to celebrate the act of generosity and give back to those in need. Click the button below to take part.

SteMed Starfish Dissection

Calling all Middle and High school students! SteMed and SteMed Jr. will be leading a hands-on at home starfish dissection on Thursday, Dec. 10 from 3:30-4:30 p.m. via Zoom. Students will have the opportunity to participate in a real dissection at home while being guided through each step on Zoom. Dissection kits must have been pre-purchased.

Make sure to write down your pick-up date, depending on your cohort/e-learning schedule. Pick-up day for kits are on Monday, Dec. 7 for Cohort A and Wednesday, Dec. 9 for Cohort B. Full-time virtual students may pick theirs up on either of these days from the Middle School Front Office. Once you purchase your kit, please check your email around Thursday, Dec. 10 for the Zoom code and link.

Calling All STEM Super Spellers in 4th through 8th Grade

Thursday, Dec. 18, from 3-5 p.m. in the Elementary School Cafeteria – Students only

Our top 20 fourth through 8th grade students will be competing for a chance to compete at the district level in the Spring.

NHS Tutoring Available

NHS is partnering with other STEM honor societies to offer tutoring for Middle and High School students. Students can request tutoring in different subjects or with time management and organization, and they can also specify how often they need tutoring (one-time, weekly, etc.). Tutors will not assist with any graded work to avoid violations of the academic integrity policy. Click the button below to sign-up.

School Photos Update

To view your student’s school photo proofs, visit DR Photos and select the link School Portrait Proof. Use your student’s ID number to access their proofs and place any orders that you’d like.

Students may make an appointment to have a photo taken at our photographer’s studio. DR Photo – 8110 W Brandon Dr, Littleton, CO 80125. Click here to set up an appointment.

Enrichment News

Middle School Boys Basketball
As in previous years, we will be partnering with Highlands Ranch Rec Center to offer Boys Basketball through their youth league. Click the button to the right to express interest.

TSA – Middle & High School
TSA (Technology Student Association) Meetings have begun! It’s not too late to join. This year’s meetings and state conference will all be virtual. Click the button to the right to sign-up.

MathCounts Club

Is your Middle Schooler interested in joining the MathCounts Club? Click the button to the right to complete the interest form.

2020-21 Future Leaders Program Accepting Applications

Applications for the 2020-21 Future Leaders program presented by CBS 4 and PDC Energy are being accepted, to recognize Colorado High School students excelling in STEM. Teachers, parents, mentors and others are encouraged to nominate students who they believe will be Colorado’s future STEM leaders. Nominations will be accepted through April. One student will be selected each month for the award that includes $1,000 and a student profile on CBS4. Nominations should include basic information on the student and their STEM field of study/focus, and any extraordinary circumstances/obstacles that student has had to overcome in order to pursue their studies.

Secondary Yearbook Info

All Secondary Students can pick up their yearbooks from last school year at the Middle School Front Office. People who have yet to purchase their yearbooks from the 2019-2020 school year and would like one can email sherry.wise@stemk12.org to request and get payment information.

Online ordering is now available for 2020-21 Yearbooks. Click here to purchase yours today!

Volunteer News!

*Due to COVID 19, no visitors or volunteers are allowed inside the building at this time. Volunteer requirements will be adjusted as needed. If you are making a donation, please keep track of your donated items for the time being until we provide additional instructions on how to log your hours.

Volunteer opportunities below are all outside of the school building.

STEM Santa Program is Back!

Our STEM Santa Program continues to be a HIT so we will bring it back again, just in time for the holiday season. The program allows STEM families to donate toward the purchase of gift cards to be given to STEM teachers and staff. Participating in the STEM Santa Program is the PERFECT way to thank all of our hard-working teachers and staff!

Here’s how the program works:

Place your order using the “STEM Santa Gift Card order button to the right.

  • Using the “ STEM Santa Gift Card” order link, you can donate $$ to a general fund (used to purchase gift cards for ALL STEM teachers and staff). The STEM SANTA will do the gift card shopping!
  • Gift cards will be delivered to teachers before winter break along with a card “signed” by all families who donate to purchase staff gift cards.
  • Be sure to place your order (NO CASH) via the button to the right by Monday, Dec. 7.
  • Gift cards will be ordered on Tuesday, Dec. 8.
  • Teachers will receive their gifts on Wednesday, Dec. 16.

Remember all orders must be placed by Monday, Dec. 7, so don’t delay,

ORDER TODAY!

Work at home volunteer opportunity

We are in need of a new volunteer to be trained on running this program (spreadsheet work – ordering). Click the link to the right to sign-up.

We need Driveline Volunteers

If you have some extra time in the mornings or afternoons, please consider signing up to volunteer for our Secondary School Driveline. We need volunteers to help from 7:20-7:50 a.m. with unloading students from their cars and directing cars through the parking lot. In the afternoon, we need volunteers to help from 2:30-3:15 p.m. to assist with student safety and traffic in the parking lot.

If you are interested, please enter through the Middle School lobby, register as a visitor and complete the health screening form. Masks are required.

Donations Needed!

Additionally, we have an ongoing need for classroom and healthroom donations. Click the link to the right to see all of the donation items that we are collecting for, and to sign up.

FREE Meals for Hybrid and Virtual Learners from DCSD

Nutrition Services is excited to announce that, effective immediately, ALL meals served in school are now free for all students. Free meals include all entrees (except Subway at High Schools) with fruit or veggies, and/or milk. As a reminder, STEM does not serve breakfast.

For Virtual/Online Learners, DCSD will be providing weekly remote meal bag pick-ups at all neighborhood Middle Schools in Douglas County (pick-up not available at STEM). These bags will contain five breakfast/lunches for Virtual/Online Learners and three breakfast/lunches for Hybrid learners. Meal pick-ups do NOT require pre-order. Simply pull up to our curbside pickup locations and request a meal for kids, just like our Summer Feeding sites. Kids do not need to attend DCSD Schools and do not need to be present for pickup. Please see the flier to right right for more information.

Canvas Parent Resources

The following resources should be helpful for parents who are using Canvas to observe their child:
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