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 Important Upcoming Dates
| August 17 |
Back to School Night - High School
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| August 17,18 |
Blast Off 5K Run/Walk Packet Pick Up
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| August 20 |
STEM Blast Off Family Event and 5K Run |
| August 22 |
Career Mentor Program "Meet and Greet" Event - HS Commons Invitation Only |
August 23
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SAC Meeting
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| August 29 |
Picture Make-ups
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| September 4 |
Labor Day (No School) |
| September 6 |
High School JET College Fair
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| September 12 |
BOD Meeting (Quorum pending)
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| September 13 |
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Solar Eclipse:
Options for August 21st School Day
Opportunities for real-world experiential learning are an important part of a comprehensive and rigorous education. Toward this goal, your student's classroom may be participating in an organized activity to view the highly-anticipated solar eclipse on August 21st.
Some of our teachers will want to take their students outside to experience this special event, hence safety is a prime consideration. For viewing, all students and staff will be required to use special eclipse-viewing safety glasses, provided by parents. If eclipse viewing glasses and other safety procedures are properly followed, viewing an eclipse can be a safe and rewarding learning experience.
Please note that it is up to individual teachers to decide on whether their classroom will participate. If the teacher chooses to participate, waiver forms will be distributed to students in that class.
View your options for August 21st here.
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STEM School Highlands Ranch in the News!
CBS4 follows a STEM School Highlands Ranch
family carpooling to STEM using SchoolPool
.
Watch the video
here
.
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Last Chance to Register! STEM Blast Off 5K Run/Walk
Register Now... There are only a few days left! Register here.
When: August 20th - 5K Run/Walk (7:30 a.m. - 10 a.m.)
Family Event (10 a.m. - 3 p.m.)
Where:
Redstone Park
, 3280 Redstone Park Circle, Highlands Ranch
What: A 5K run/walk, food, and fun for all ages
Looking for Volunteers
As our STEM Blast Off 5K approaches, we are searching for two volunteers to staff our first aid tent for the event. Please contact the school office to sign up if you are a licensed medical professional who is comfortable with this important assignment! Also, please enjoy this sneak peek at our great-looking race day shirts!
4th Annual STEM Blast Off Family Social
Directly after the Blast Off 5K, join STEM-PTO and the whole
STEM School Highlands Ranch
Community for our 4th Annual STEM Blast Off Family Social! This great
FREE
event will be full of fun, activities, and food, but more importantly, friends. Visit here
for more details.
WE NEED YOUR HELP!
There are still many items and day-of volunteer opportunities for STEM Blast Off. Click here for donating items and click here for "Day of" volunteers. Many of our activities rely on volunteers to run. Your help will make Blast Off a thrilling day for all students and families.
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General Office Updates
Picture Make-ups
If your student missed student check-in and did not have his or her school picture taken, make-ups will be on August 29th. Students will be called down by classes. Parents will receive an email directly from the photographer with information to purchase pictures.
Upcoming Drills
Next week we will be conducting four emergency drills. As you know, safety is our number one priority and we are dedicated to making sure every student on campus knows what to do in every kind of emergency. We will not need to disrupt classes for lockdown, shelter, or lockout drills for the rest of the semester after next week because everyone will be trained. We will continue our monthly evacuation drills throughout the semester, and will drill all others again during second semester.
Flu Shot Clinic September 19th
We will once again be hosting a flu shot clinic this year for faculty, students and their families. It will be held on
Sept.19th
from
7:30 a.m.- 8:20 a.m.
in the Middle School Health Office. All information about the Flu Shot Clinic is on our website, including an announcement flier
which contains a list of insurances they accept, an
informational
sheet on the vaccine
(VIS Flu Shot) and the
consent form
. Please have the consent form completed and your insurance card ready before arriving at the clinic. Add your name to the sign up sheet if you want the vaccine. The high dose vaccine is for adults 65 and older. The "Shot" is for individuals ages 4-64. Circle the vaccine that applies to you. Again, the flumist vaccine is
not
available this year.
Sign up here
.
Volunteering At STEM
If you haven't already done so, y
ou can create your Volunteer Account in the
HelpCounter.
Last chance to pick up your gift if you completed your volunteer hours last year. Come by the office or send your student to pick it up!
Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities:
Earn DOUBLE Volunteer Hours with Driveline
Parent supervisors needed during AM & PM Driveline! Log two hours for only one hour of your time. Park in the elementary lot and avoid Driveline (Please park along the grass closest to Barrons Rd - opposite the doors). Your elementary students can wait in the west playground while you work.
A.M. Supervision is
7:15-8:00. Help students unload safely from cars and help the little ones to their classes. Monitor vehicles for violations.
P.M. Supervision is
2:10-3:10. Help students find and load into cars safely. Monitor for violations.
Just show up at the Elementary entrance or sign up
here. Arrive 10 minutes early to find parking and grab a vest.
EXTRA INCENTIVE: Log 60 hours in Driveline (that's 30 actual volunteer hours) and earn a carpool pass!
You can see these and other current opportunities
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Yearbook Orders?
Seems a bit early to be thinking about yearbooks for the 2017-18 school year but Kimberly Worth, our Yearbook Advisor suggests that student and families buy their yearbook NOW and SAVE!
Until September 1, 2017 you may purchase your 2017-18 yearbook for $40. After that, the price rises to $45 for the remainder of the year.
Want to get ahead and save some money?
Link here and search for STEM School and then click on yearbook.
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Counseling Corner
Friday, August 18th is the LAST day to request a schedule change.
Middle School Students: Please complete a Schedule Change Meeting Request Form, which can be found at the middle school main office.
High School Students: Please email your counselor to request a change.
News from the Student Support Team
- Screenagers film showing
- E-mail information for High School students
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College and Career Planning
ALL HS Students: Forward Your DCSD Email:
Please remember to
follow these instructions
to forward your DCSD email to your STEM email address. That is the ONLY way you will be sure to get messages sent through Naviance. You will miss important college/career related information if you do not forward your email or at least, check your DCSD email on a regular basis. Please
email Mrs. Ewing
if you have any questions.
Upcoming Events
Application Boot Camp (ABC) for Seniors
The ABC workshop is a "boot camp" for seniors applying to college. The workshop will be offered in three parts and cover the various steps needed to apply, request recommendations and other school documents, writing essays/personal statements, etc. The syllabus and link to sign up were sent via email to every senior through Naviance. If you are interested, but did not get the email message, please
email Mrs. Ewing
.
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Career Mentor Meet and Greet
Don't miss the Career Mentor Program "Meet and Greet" on August 22nd from 6:30 - 7:30 pm in the HS Commons. This event is by invitation only.
Make sure to read through the All-School Update section of this newsletter to learn more about the STEM Blast Off and 5K run and general office updates.
Principal's Page
Visit the High School Principal page,
Principal Cody Blackburn, as he will be updating it with news particular to the High School.
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Are you a middle school girl interested in Science? Technology? Engineering? or Math?
Girls in STEM meets on Thursdays after school during 10th period
(2:55-4:30 p.m.) once per month. Our schedule can be viewed
here
.
Sign up
here
so we can determine our level of interest and make sure we can meet everyone's needs for the club time.
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Make sure to read through the All-School Update section of this newsletter to find out more about the STEM Blast Off and 5K run and general office updates..
Principal's Page
Please make sure to subscribe to Principal Weyman's
Principal Page as she will be updating it with news particular to the Middle School.
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Solar Eclipse: Monday August 21, 2017
Please take note of the options available for families during this event. Information is posted on the website and in this newsletter in the All School Updates section. Teachers are also sending home specific information related to this day.
Option 1: Students participate in an optional Virtual Day. Teachers will
communicate the expectations for this day.
Option 2: Students attend school and participate in teacher led solar eclipse
activities, with prior signed permission from parent and parent provided
glasses.
Option 3: Students attend school and follow the school day as normal except
indoor recess/lunch will be implemented.
Keep in mind that safety is our priority and many of the glasses have been recalled or will not fit young students in a safe manner. The majority are made for adults in mind.
Upcoming
CogAT Assessment: 3rd and 5th Graders
All 3rd and 5th grade students will be taking the Cognitive Abilities Test during the week of September 5th. Additional information will be coming home with your student this week.
Click here
for more information and read more about the CogAT test on our website.
School Directory
We have a school directory this year! This is an opt-in option for parents to communicate with other families and teachers. Join here. The school code is STEMSchoolandAcademy.
Elementary Driveline
Please visit the
website for full explanations of the driveline processes and procedures. Here is a
summary specific to Elementary students.
BASE (Before and After School Enterprise): We will be starting BEFORE SCHOOL CARE!
BASE will be beginning the Before School Program for families needing care from 6:30 a.m. - 7:30 a.m. If you are in need of before or after care, please contact Morgan Wheeler. You can also visit the Spartan BASE website
for general information related to this program.
Nutrition Services
Douglas County Nutrition Services will be providing lunch to our elementary students. Please visit the
DCSD Nutrition Services website for additional information.
Technology
Elementary students do not need to bring their own devices at this time. The school is providing tablets, Chromebooks and laptops for K-4 students. Fifth grade students can begin bringing their own device.
K-4th grade students will be using Google Classroom as a parent and student learning platform. Fifth grade students will be using Canvas. Parent information for logging in will be provided during the first week of school.
Enrichment
We will be offering a variety of before and after school activities for students through the Enrichment. Visit the website for additional information after the school year kicks off.
Principal's Page
Please make sure to subscribe to Dr. Karen Johnson's
Principal Page as she will be updating it with news particular to the Elementary School.
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Check out the
Enrichment page
of the website. Some highlights below:
Before/After School Care Program
Middle and High School Students: This year, our Before/After School care program for Middle and High School students will be run through a new program called SmartCare.
Spartan Afternoon Program
is the after school program for Middle and High School students who are not in a club or meeting with a teacher and remain at the school after Driveline. The program allows students to drop-in whenever needed without prior registration.
The rates:
- One Time Registration Fee: $10
- Spartan Morning Program: 7:00 a.m. - 7:55 a.m. $5
- Spartan Afternoon Program, Club: 2:55 p.m. - 4:25 p.m. $6
- Spartan Afternoon Program, Extended: 4:25 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. $7
Our system is not currently up and running. Until we are up and running fully, there will be a grace period and the charges above will not apply during this period. Spartan Afternoon Program will still be available for students to use during this time. Parents and families who used our program last year should be receiving an email when we open up registration. Thank you for your time and patience as we work to improve our program and your experience. Please email
Nate Gallenbeck with questions.
MS/HS Choir
STEM School Highlands Ranch Choir will rehearse during Period 10 every Tuesday. They will perform their own program at the music festivals in December and March, including new pieces from ongoing Friday Afternoons
Project with STEM ensembles and other school choirs, even taking part in a collaborative Immersive Theatre Project with our new high school drama course. STEM's Adjunct Choir Instructor, Travis Branam, will lead the choir and involve them in as many performances as possible.
A high level of rehearsal attendance and commitment is expected in order for you to develop your individual voices, as a choir and as a performance group in the STEM School Highlands Ranch Concert Series. Be the voices of STEM!
Click here to learn more about
Travis Branam, the
Enrichment Choir Instructor.
The mission of the STEM School Highlands Ranch
Allies
in
Diversity
club is to promote awareness of social
diversity
and combat misconceptions that can lead to bullying or targeting incidents.
Allies
in
Diversity
aims to foster a culture of respect for all individuals and provide a safe space for students to come together and combat stereotypes. We will utilize partnerships
in
student council events, hands-on learning activities, and an end of year culminating event to help enhance our school community through cultivating an atmosphere of tolerance, respect, and integrity. Meets Tuesdays. More info here.
Future Business Leaders of America
We are excited to host another season of FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) at STEM! FBLA is a high school organization that promotes bringing businesses and education together through leadership opportunities, career development, and academic competitions. Join us for a kickoff meeting on
September 7th at 2:55 p.m
. Click
here
for more information.
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STEM PTO: STEM Parent Teacher
Partnership (STEP)
STEM Blast Off Family Social
When: Sunday, August 20th 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
Where: Redstone Park in Highlands Ranch (near Town Center Drive & Santa Fe)
Who: All Families and Staff from the STEM School Highlands Ranch Community
Website Link
Don't miss our school's amazing STEM Blast Off Family Social this Sunday directly after the STEM Blast Off 5K. There will be food trucks, fun activities for all ages, a book drive, a photo booth and much much more.
Want to be a sponsor?
Visit here.
Interested in donating
or letting us borrow items? Visit here.
There are still many items and day of volunteer opportunities for STEM Blast Off. Please consider lending a helping hand via the SignUp Genius links above. All donations, volunteer time and sponsorships can be logged via HelpCounter and count towards your
STEM School
Family Volunteer Hour commitment. Your help will make this year's STEM Blast Off an amazing event for everyone.
We hope to see you all there!
See the map of the event below. Full size map here.
Join the MySchoolAnywhere Online Directory
Our online contact directory enables all our
STEM School Highlands Ranch f
amilies to easily and securely input and share their contact information with fellow S
TEM School Highlands Ranch
Families. This is a voluntary directory for all our families to take advantage of if they choose.
Whether you are an existing or new family, all you need to do is click on
this link. Existing MySchoolAnywhere families will be directed to update and confirm their information. New MySchoolAnywhere families will be asked to add their information for the first time.
Send in BoxTops
Help us beat this school year's BoxTop goal of $2000! Just think, if every
STEM School
family clipped 5 BoxTops a month, we could raise $5000+ in BoxTop money for our school. These pink gems add up quickly!
STEM-PTO Help Wanted
STEM-PTO needs your help. Please email us if you are interested in any of the following positions:
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The Douglas County School District is Colorado's third-largest school district, serving more than 67,000 students in preschool through twelfth-grade.
Visit the
DCSD website
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The Foundation for Douglas County Schools (formerly the Douglas County Educational Foundation) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit which works with corporations and organizations to develop private resources to enrich education within Douglas County schools for the fulfillment of lifelong learning experiences of our students, citizens and community.
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Coming Up!
Park -
Oct 7th, 7:00 p.m.
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STEM School Highlands Ranch | 303-683-7836 | www.stemk12.org
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