Weekly news & updates
Friday, Sept. 11, 2020 | Newsletter Archive | View as Webpage
Farewell Message from Dr Weyman
A Message from Dr Eucker
Thank you to Dr Weyman for her years of service to our entire STEM Community. I know she will do great things and her new organization is fortunate to have her as part of their team. 
She will bring tremendous positive energy, to raise opportunities for students and staff in the charter community. 

I will cherish all of the wonderful moments we have had together and I smile knowing that she will do great things in her new role. Her strong character and convictions will lead to many successes in the years to come, and I can’t wait to hear what she will accomplish. 

I want to personally congratulate her as we all join to wish her all good things on her new adventure.

Sincerely,

P.J. Eucker PhD
Executive Director
FEEDBACK FOR STEM/COMMUNICATIONS PATHWAYS
Have feedback for STEM? Use the button below to access the Feedback Form to help STEM improve.
Have a question? Check out our Communications Pathways that outlines the Communication Process for specific questions.
NEWS AND UPDATES
A Check-In with Stephanie Mendrala, Director of Professional Development
As our teachers, students and families continue to navigate this Hybrid/Virtual environment,
Helpful tips for a successful school week
  • Click here for the Attendance Correction Form.
  • If your student needs IT assistance (locked out of accounts, etc.), please contact our IT Department by submitting a support ticket to [email protected]. You can also call 720-864-0255.
  • Click here for the K-5 Lunch Menu
  • Click here for the 6-12 Lunch Menu
  • Attendance Hotline: 303-683-7836; Please call the line before class begins to let us know if your student will be late or absent. Please visit the student/parent Handbook to review the attendance policy.  
  • Parents MUST let the teacher know when their student will not be following their assigned Academic Plan that was chosen, for an extended period of time.
  • Click here to view a Creating a Canvas Account tutorial from our IT Department. (included pairing information)
  • We are aware that parents are not able to log into the Canvas parent app. We have reached out to Canvas to help us get this issue resolved. We will update you once we know this is fixed.
  • Reminder, no students should be staying after school for clubs at this time.

Canvas Parent Resources
The following resources should be helpful for parents who are using Canvas to observe their child:
Attendance Reminders:
  • Attendance Line - 303-683-7836
  • Please call the line before class begins to let us know if your student will be tardy or absent for hybrid OR virtual students - otherwise they will be marked unexcused.
  • Please visit the student/parent Handbook to review the attendance policy.
  • Virtual students that opt to attend in person classes must do so on their assigned cohort days only. The student must check in at the front office before attending class.
  • Early Dismissal - Students will be excused to leave class with an Early Leave pass from the office. The student may exchange a note from the parent for the pass at the office. Younger Elementary students may need to rely on their parents calling the office ahead of time to set up an early release. 
  • Students will still need to be signed out by a parent at the respective office (Elementary or Secondary).
  • The course of action that will cause the least amount of disruption to the classroom is to:
  1. Pick your student up during passing period
  2. Send a note in with your student to receive an Early Dismissal Pass (students will be able to show this to their teacher before class begins, and leave at the appropriate time).
  3. NO unscheduled early pickups will be allowed after 1:15 pm.  
*Parents MUST call the attendance line when student is not following the Academic plan that was chosen.

Volunteer/Donation News
*Due to COVID 19, no visitors or volunteers are allowed in 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.
  • Upcoming Opportunities
  • Driveline still needs volunteers, click here to sign up.
  • Donation items are still needed, click here to view.
  • We would like to invite parents to help during outdoor recess time each day.
  • Recess starts at 10:50 a.m. and ends at 1 p.m. If you are interested, please enter through the ES lobby.  Register as a visitor and complete the health screening form.
  • After completing the registration form, we ask that you meet grade levels at the ES playground on the backside of the school. Please sign up here.
  • For more opportunities, click here.

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. This includes one breakfast (where available) and one lunch per day. Signage will be posted in all schools showing what is included in a free meal. Free meals include all entrees (except Subway at High Schools) with fruit/veggies and/or milk.

For Virtual/Online Learners, DCSD will begin weekly remote meal bag pick-ups at all neighborhood Elementary and Middle Schools in Douglas County (pick-up not available at STEM) every Friday from 1-2 p.m. Start date for remote bag pickups is Friday. Sept. 18. 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. Click here for the DCSD flier.

Yearbooks
  • Secondary Yearbooks: All Secondary Students can pick up their yearbooks from last school year at the Middle School Front Office.

Senior Photo Information
The last date to submit a senior picture for the yearbook is October 30, 2020. Aaron Guggenheim ([email protected]) is our new Yearbook Advisor. Click here to view a helpful flier with important date and information on photos.

Parents of 7th & 8th Graders, Sign Up for PSAT!
On October 6, STEM seventh and eighth grade students in Cohort A will take the PSAT 8/9, and on October 8, seventh and eighth grade students in Cohort B will take the PSAT 8/9. This assessment is not part of the state-mandated accountability testing, but an opportunity for parents, students ad teachers to see what skills students need in order to prepare for high school and college. More information about the PSAT 8/9 can be found here. Also, click here to view the PSAT 8/9 Overview that includes the schedule for October 6 & 8, as well as FAQs.

SAT for Seniors on Wednesday, Sept. 23
On September 23, seniors will take the SAT or SAT with Essay; students have already selected which version of the assessment to take. No lunch will be provided, as the cafeteria will not be open. Students in grades 9-11 will complete remote assignments from home. Students who have selected the 100% Virtual/Online Learning as their Academic Plan will attend at their scheduled cohort time. Testing rooms will be capped at 15 students, and social distancing will be maintained. Masks are required. Click here for the day's schedule. Click here to access Click here for a letter from Hannah Reese about the opt-in Student Search service from The Colorado Board.

STEM PTO Info
Click here to view the latest STEM PTO Newsletter.

Help Us Build Ships!
Partnerships, Friendships, Mentorships, Internships, Relationships, Sponsorships
Our industry, business, and educational partners at STEM School Highlands Ranch are essential to student success. They help us understand real-world problems and solutions. As subject matter experts and community partners they empower student learning, support teachers, and help us prepare students for the future.

In an effort to update our contacts and clarify the level of involvement that best fits your availability for the 2020-2021 school year, we are asking industries and businesses to complete a short survey.

First Robotics Information Meeting
Hello STEM High School students! Are you interested in building robots, working with a team and learning more about engineering topics? Team 4418 IMPULSE is proud to be part of the FIRST community and be the varsity robotics team at STEM. The engineering labs at STEM provide all of the tools our team needs to build our FRC robot. In addition to the standard hand tools and power tools found in most technology education labs, STEM is also equipped with such tools as: a 3D printer, a laser engraver, a CNC milling table, a vertical mill, a TIG welder, etc. Hands-on learning with these tools gives students not only technical knowledge but also confidence in their technical abilities.

We are hosting an introduction to Team 4418 on Zoom this year instead of in person. We will talk about what we do on the team and the competition season. The Zoom meeting will be on Monday, Sept. 14 at 7 p.m. Please stop by to learn more about our team and what we do! See you there!

Election Art Contest Open to DC Youths
The Election Division of the Douglas County Clerk and Recorder's Office invites local youths to explore and express what America and our democratic process means to them through art. All K-12 students residing in Douglas County are eligible to submit their original drawings, paintings or graphic design pieces to the Election Year 2020 Student Art Contest. Entries in four age divisions (each with a unique theme) must be received by September 18 to be eligible. Winning pieces will be professionally displayed in Douglas County School District and Douglas County government offices. Students should electronically submit the contest entry form and a digital photo of their artwork to [email protected]. Students without digital means may call the county at 303-660-7444 to arrange for delivery of their artwork.

Seeking Members for the Curriculum Committee 
We are seeking members for the Curriculum Committee which represents K-12 teachers, parents, students, administrators, and board members. This committee meets once per month in order to engage in conversations and understand curricular related issues and processes pertaining to the school. This year the committee will be focusing on a review of academic data, course offerings, instructional materials, while highlighting the various opportunities in each department and grade levels across the school. We will also be focusing on providing recommendations related to equity across all aspects of curriculum while aligning to the STEM Instruction Model (Problem Based Learning). If you are interested in serving on the Curriculum Committee or have further questions, please contact Dr. Karen Johnson ([email protected]), Director of Curriculum and Accountability. 

School Accountability Committee - Wednesday, Sept. 16
Mark your calendars! The SAC will hold its first meeting of the school year on Wednesday, Sept. 16 from 6-7:30 p.m. Click here to access the calendar invite.

Volleyball Open Gym for Spartan Volleyball Athletes
Spartan Volleyball open gyms are starting soon. These sessions are optional for the spring season. We will also be providing at-home conditioning for interested student-athletes. All interested student-athletes should complete the Sports Engine forms and a sports physical signed by a doctor.

Session Dates:
  • Tuesday, Sept. 15, 3-4 p.m. - Open Gym Team Meeting - MS Gym
  • Tuesday, Sept. 22, 3-4:30 p.m. - First Open Gym - MS Gym


Weekly open gyms will continue on Tuesdays from 3 to 4:30 until further notice. Find or email Coach Megan Lipe or Coach Dave Snow if you have questions, and help us spread the word. Click here for the Zoom Link for Open Gym Team Meeting (in case you cannot attend in person) Forms are not required for the team meeting, and players do not need to dress out.
Walking the Beat with Deputy Gabe
Check out the first entry of Deputy Gabe Uribe's "Walking the Beat" Newsletter for the 2020-21 School Year.

Each week Deputy Gabe shares some helpful tips, reminders and insights from a safety perspective.

You can also access last year's version via the same link.
SECONDARY BACK-TO-SCHOOL NIGHT INFORMATION
Hello STEM School Highlands Ranch Secondary Families,

Our Middle School and High School teachers are excited to share with you information about their courses, themselves and class expectations via their Back-To-School Night videos. Each of our teachers have uploaded a video to your student’s Canvas course. Please take a moment to view the videos together with your student. You will be able to find the video on your student’s Canvas course. (Please log in to your student’s Canvas account). Some of our teachers have also added an assignment or a discussion that you both can participate in. We hope that you enjoy this opportunity to experience Canvas and also learn more about your teachers.

Thank you,
Stephanie Mendrala, Director of Professional Development
Message from Dan Hoffman and Anna Magle-Haberek
PIKMYKID RESOURCES FOR ELEMENTARY DISMISSAL
We have launched the PikMyKid Dismissal App for our Elementary School Driveline for the 2020-21 School Year. PikMyKid is a dismissal program that provides an additional layer of safety and security to ensure that our students are be dismissed to the appropriate parent/guardian on the correct day. The use of this program also helps for us to enforce and maintain social distancing practices during the dismissal process. Click the logo to access our PikMyKid page on the website.
MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORTS AND ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
AllHealth Network Colorado Spirit Coping Tips
Click here to access some helpful tips on how to cope with feelings of stress. You can also contact a team member at Colorado Spirit free of charge if you'd like to get more support at 720-707-6789, or visit allhealthnetwork.org/colorado-spirit
Free Two-Hour Training on Psychological First Aid
Click here to access a flier with upcoming dates on free Zoom sessions on Psychological First Aid. You'll learn how to support people after an intense event by: Supporting Safety, Listening, Comforting, Connecting and Instilling Hope. Click here to sign-up.
Mental Health Supports Page
If you haven't checked it out, our Mental Health Supports page, has a number of helpful resources for students and parents.

DCSD Mental Health Support Page
Douglas County School District has a Mental Health Resources page with a variety of resources for students and families. Please take a moment to review all that they have listed.
STEM Center for Strength
The STEM Center for Strength is taking shape. Click the logo to above to visit their website to get helpful resources as we continue our journey through recovery. You can also visit the STEM Center for Strength Facebook Page.

The STEM Center for Strength is excited to open its doors--virtually--to serve the community of STEM School Highlands Ranch. We are here to support students, parents, staff, and any community members affected by the incident of mass violence on May 7, 2019. 

Please join the mailing list to get information on free services and events at the STEM Center for Strength over the summer!

The STEM Center for Strength has therapy dogs, student groups, social activities, yoga, clinicians, and a variety of programming over the summer. Please check the website frequently for updates!
SHARING OUR GOOD NEWS
Spartan Cross Country Team SkyView Academy Hawk Invitational Results
Several of the Spartan harriers raced on Saturday at the SkyView Academy Hawk Invitational 2-mile. On the boys' side, Silas Pacheco was the top finisher in the combined results, finishing ninth overall. In wave two, Jake Marlowe snagged a fifth-place finish (and a medal to boot)! The boys finished in third-place as a team, only 10 points away from second.

For the girls, Emma Slack, Olivia Staab and Ella Arendale finished 26-27-28 overall, with Madalynne Kaspar (running her first race of the year after only one week of practice under her belt) close behind. With only four runners, the girls could not put up a team score, but will in the weeks to come.

The official results and team scores can be seen here. The Spartans are in action again on Friday, Sept. 11, at Highland Heritage Park in a dual meet vs. Addenbrooke Classical. 
STEM IS CELEBRATING ITS 10-YEAR ANNIVERSARY
Check out our Facebook page to use the Camera Frame or add a Frame to your Profile Photo. Share with us how long you've been at STEM so we can celebrate together.

Click here to see STEM's history of Innovation.
THE FOUNDATION FOR DOUGLAS COUNTY SCHOOLS
The Foundation for Douglas County Schools 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. Visit the website.
STEM School Highlands Ranch| stemk12.org