Weekly news & updates
Thursday, Feb. 20, 2020 | Newsletter Archive | View as Webpage
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WHAT'S HAPPENING AT STEM
Upcoming Events
See what's happening this month .
Executive Functioning Training for Parents on Tuesday, Feb. 25
Parents and staff are invited to attend an Executive Function Training for parents with students in grades k-12, conducted by Cary Colleran on Tuesday, Feb. 25 from 5:30-7 p.m. in the High School Commons. Cary Colleran, AACC, will be at STEM to share information on how to identify executive functioning needs at all ages, and to provide families with tools to support their students.  Check out this flier  for more details.
STEM School Highlands Ranch was chosen as an official host for a TedX Talk, which will take place on Saturday, Feb. 29 from 4-8 p.m. at the Wildcat Auditorium at Southridge Recreation Center (4800 S McArther Ranch Rd., Highlands Ranch, CO. 80130)
STEM Staff Wellness Challenge
Did you know that our staff is doing a Wellness Challenge? The challenge began in January and will last until March 14. If you'd like to help our staff members make healthy choices, consider donating healthy snacks to the front offices. Let's Be Healthy!
Welcome Subba Pratti, New Secondary Math Teacher
I am Subba Pratti and am excited to begin this amazing journey. I have lived in Seattle, Westchester and India. When not at school, you will find me enjoying time with my family, singing, dancing, or volunteering my time in the community. I am happily married and am privileged to be the mother of two beautiful young children. I graduated with a Bachelors in Sciences (Chemistry, Botany and Zoology) in Montessori Elementary Education, (AMS and NAMC) Computer science and Technology from NICC. I started my career as a Certified Montessori teacher. After 10 years teaching with multiple age groups I moved to Middle School to pursue my passion for science and math education. I taught Middle School Science and Math, including honors courses, implemented Singapore math and science curriculum and coached Yoga and Bharatanatyam. Currently, I am pursuing my (post-graduation) MAT in math through Relay Graduate school of education. 
STEM WISH Week from March 2-6
STEM WISH Week is coming up from March 2-6. Wish Week is STEM's annual spirit week where our STEM community works with the Make-A-Wish Foundation to raise as much money as possible for children with life threatening illnesses. This week consists of multiple after school activities for all ages as well as restaurant nights. Check out the STEM Events Calendar to see all of the activities that are happening that week.
STEM's Got Talent Show Coming Up on March 5
Come out to support our amazing students (and some staff) in the eighth annual STEM's Got Talent Show on Thursday, March 5 from 6-9 p.m. at St. Andrew's Church. Tickets are $10 in advance, or $12 at the door. Click here to purchase tickets. STEM students and staff are free.
Save the Date for STEM PTO Gala
Save the date for the STEM PTO Gala on the evening of Saturday, March 7 from 6-10 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn & Suites. This event is open to all STEM Parents of any grade level. Cost per ticket is $25. Use the discount code COUPLE to receive a $5 discount per ticket. Please check the STEM PTO Newsletter below for more information.
STEM Spring Concert Coming up on Tuesday, March 10
Families and students are invited to come out to the STEM Spring Concert starting at 6 p.m. at Ranch View Middle School. Students, families, staff and STEM community supporters are all invited to attend. Cost per ticket is $10.
Welcome to Meg Tokunaga
Meg Tokunaga is in her first year at STEM School Highlands Ranch, serving as the K-8 Dean of Students. Prior to working at STEM, she spent 5 years at Eagle Rock School and Professional Development Center as the Music Instructional Specialist, where she taught music, theatre, and dance, and was also a House Parent. She also served as a founding member of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee, a member of the Restorative Action Support Team (RAST) and was the founding Lead Houseparent. Prior to teaching in Colorado, she taught PK-8 Music in Chicago Public Schools and various educational settings around the city including Catholic Schools, private vocal and instrumental lessons, and is a certified KinderMusik Teacher. 
One-Year Mark Information
As the one-year mark approaches, Hannah Reese has begun the process of planning what that day will look like and the events that will encompass that day. If you have any feedback on who you'd like STEM to partner with for any community-related activities, please complete  this form . Additional information will be shared in the coming weeks. Questions can be directed to [email protected].
SCHOOL UPDATES AND REMINDERS
Elementary Updates
Elementary updates include good news of the work that our students are doing, important reminders for parents and students and upcoming event information.
Secondary Updates
Middle and High School updates include good news of the work that our students are doing, scholarship/internship opportunities and upcoming event information.
Enrichment Updates
Find out more about our Enrichment Programs, including how students can get involved and the latest news.
Athletic Updates
Find out more about our High School Athletics, including how to get involved and how they are doing.
Reminder! Complete the Intent to Return form
If your student is planning on returning, but you have not let us know, please complete this Intent to Return form as soon as possible.
Early Dismissal Reminders
A student 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. Also, a phone call to the office may be needed for younger Elementary School students.

The course of action that will cause the least amount of disruption to the classroom is to:

  • Pick your student up during passing period
  • 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).

NO unscheduled early pick ups will be allowed after 1:15 p.m. 
SHARING OUR GOOD NEWS!
Network Evolution - How High-Speed Internet is Driving Change
Our Middle School and High School Networking classes had an opportunity to hear from guest speaker and a STEM parent, Mr. Douglas who works for Johns Manville. Innovation fuels us and students learned about manufacturing plants, Data Center and how IT networking design works in big organizations. They also learned about network evolution from slow connections to high-speed internet. Students also had a chance to look into IT challenges of low bandwidth and discuss about VOIP (Voice over Internet Protocol). 
Congratulations to our STEM Varsity A Basketball Team!
STEM's varsity "A" team opened their conference tournament with an upset of the No. 1 seed Endeavor Academy. The team opened the first half on a 22-12 run and then relied on their defense to hold of a late-game surge to end up winning a close game 28-26 to secure the victory and move on in the tournament for the championship. They will play in the semi-finals this coming Friday at Cresthill Middle School at 5:30 p.m. The Junior Varsity team will play at 7:30 p.m. It is going to be senior night.
STEMed Gets Invaluable Experience
Stop the Bleed came in and taught SteMed how to save lives through pressure and tourniquets. After a brief presentation, we had the opportunity to practice techniques on each other and go through a bleeding simulation.
STEM Students Move on to State MATHCOUNTS Competition
STEM middle school students competed at the Denver Metro Mathcounts Regional tournament on February 1, held at the University of Denver. We are excited to announce that four students are headed to the state competition on March 14. Please congratulate Luke Gailloux, Alicia Tan, Siddhartha Aradhya and Nehal Choudhary for advancing to state in the team round. They secured third place at the regional event. The students who also represented STEM in the Denver Regional Competition are Marissa Peckham, MariaJose Miranda, Joshua Cho, Adarsh Kalyan, Joshua Asbridge and Nakul Choudhary. Great job everyone who participated. Special thanks also goes to the parents who helped put this team together, including coach Elaine Gailloux. Help us to wish them the best of luck at state.
OFFICE, VOLUNTEER, DONATION AND GENERAL NEWS
WE'RE HIRING!!
If you know of anyone who would be interested in joining our custodian team, we have several positions open. Interested applicants should complete this application and email it to [email protected] . To see all of our open positions, please visit our Employment page .
Volunteer/Donation Opportunities
Check out all the opportunities to volunteer at/donate to STEM.
Reminders from the Health Room
With cold and flu season upon us, just a friendly reminder as to when you should have your child return to school when home ill.
  • After 24 hours of medication for the following conditions: Strep throat, Conjunctivitis, or any other conditions requiring antibiotics.  
  • Free from the following conditions for at least 24 hours: Fever without the benefit of fever reducing medications (Tylenol/Motrin). 
  • Free from the following conditions for at least 48 hours: Diarrhea and Vomiting (related to stomach virus such as norovirus) with a fever. 24 hours after last bout of diarrhea and/or vomiting if without a fever.

Don't forget to wash your hands!
Following these District Policies will help keep some of the illness out of the classrooms! Please contact Karen Lewis (STEM School Nurse) at [email protected] , or call 303-683-7836 with any questions or concerns. Thank you in advance for helping us keep STEM a healthy place
Poetry Cafe
We will be holding our annual poetry cafe on February 24, and are looking for donations of coffee, hot chocolate and goodies.  Click here to view sign up sheet.
Support NEHS at Shake Shack on February 24
On Monday, Feb. 24, consider ordering your lunch or dinner from Shake Shack in Highlands Ranch to help support the National English Honor Society. From 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., 25% from of meal proceeds will be donated to NEHS.
Chaperones Needed!
CHAPERONES needed for the Middle School Student Government's Fire and Ice Dance on Saturday, March 7th. Volunteers needed from 5:30-8:30pm, please email [email protected] if you can help!
Reminder About Visitors to STEM
All secondary visitors must enter through the Middle School entrance and all elementary visitors must enter through the Elementary entrance. The High School entrance is not an entrance for visitors at any time. 

The High School entrance will be open for students to enter the school from 7:30 - 7:50 a.m. each day, and for students to exit at the end of the day. No one, including students, will be allowed to enter or exit from the High School entrance at any other time during the school day. 

All visitors MUST present identification to have a visitor badge made. Thank you!
AP Testing Proctors Needed
We are testing May 4-15, and seeking parent volunteers as proctors. Here are the requirements to be a proctor:
  • be a responsible adult
  • may not have a child taking the exam they are proctoring
  • be reliable, have attention to detail, and understand the importance of ensuring a secure testing environment
If you are interested, please contact Liz Dougan at [email protected] .
Donate to STEM via Smile.Amazon.Com
Did you know that you can donate to STEM through smile.amazon.com? Just set STEM Academy as your organization and a percentage of each of your order will be donated each quarter to STEM. To date, we have received $1,796.87 in donations.
Elementary Health Room Needs
We are in need of a few clothing items. View sign up sheet here .
Reminder to Pay Your Fees
Enrollment and AP testing fees for the 2019-20 school year were assigned to all students in July of 2019. All enrollment fees were due by August 8 as indicated in the Parent Student Handbook on page 11 and here. AP testing and special class fees were added once students schedules were complete. 

Please take a moment to log into your My School Bucks Account and check to see that all fees have been paid. If you have any questions about fees, please contact Ashley Westfall at [email protected] .

*All outstanding fees for seniors must be paid by April 1 if your student plans to walk in the graduation ceremony. 
ADDITIONAL UPDATES
MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORTS
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.
Additional Supports from All Health Network
The All Health Network has two opportunities for families and students to receive mental health supports. Click here to view the Parent Flier and click here to view the Student Flier , detailing the dates, times and locations of the support groups.
Dr. Cypers Anxiety Presentation for Parents on March 12
Dr. Cypers from Children's Hospital will present on helping students manage anxiety on Thursday, March 12 from 5:30-7 p.m. in the High School Cafeteria. All parents are welcome to attend
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.
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