Weekly news & updates
Friday, April 3, 2020 | Newsletter Archive | View as Webpage
Update on COVID-19

We are working closely with the Douglas County School District (DCSD) in regards to providing information about the COVID-19 virus. We also closely follow all recommendations from the Colorado Department of Health with regard to student and staff safety.

We recommend all families familiarize themselves with the information provided by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) to avoid confusion. Additionally, Tri-County Health has set up a webpage for residents of Douglas County with helpful information from a local level. Additionally, stay up-to-date with the latest DCSD news about COVID-19 by visiting dcsdk12.org/coronavirus .
Message from Dr Eucker about STEM School Closure
​Dear STEM School Highlands Ranch Families,

Today, the Douglas County School District, along with 13 other major school districts in Colorado, announced that the students will continue their education remotely for the rest of the 2019-20 school year. We understand this will continue to impact all of our community so we want to once again remind our families of the resources that are available.

Please check the Weekly Parent Newsletter that will be emailed out today for these resources for accessing free meals for children under the age of 18, as well as mental health resources. 

Living through an unprecedented and rapidly-changing world pandemic requires tremendous resilience. Together we will get through this health crisis. Send your questions to our communication manager at communications@stemk12.org. We will continue to provide our students with access to our teachers and to the high-quality education they provide.  

Take care and stay well,

P.J. Eucker PhD
Executive Director
SCHOOL UPDATES
Elementary Updates
Click here to read more about important Elementary Updates as we head into another week of Virtual/Online Learning.

Helpful Elementary Links
Secondary Updates
Click here to read more about important Secondary Updates as we head into another week of Virtual/Online Learning.

Helpful Secondary Links
Information about the One-Year Mark

Dear STEM School Highlands Ranch Families,

We want to let you know that plans for the one-year mark will shift as we navigate COVID-19. At minimum, whether we are able to have school in person or not, we want to invite our entire STEM community to participate in STEM Shares by doing acts of kindness. This could include donating to a charity or non-profit, volunteering, helping a family member, reaching out to a friend you haven’t connected with in a while, or anything else you can think of to provide a moment of connection with others.

If you are able to participate in an act of kindness during the week of May 4-8, please click here to complete our online form to let us know how you or your family have chosen to help others..

Please also know that people may exhibit increased stress and anxiety as we approach the one year mark, which may be further heightened by COVID-19. Some things you can do to help your student are:

  • Consider limiting the amount of exposure to coverage on television or other media (including internet and social media).
  • Talk to your children about what has happened and how they are feeling.
  • Share any concerns you have with someone in your children’s school and let that person know about any relevant personal/family experiences (such as losses or trauma).
  • Stay connected--virtually. Encourage your students to facetime their friends, play board games with family, and go old-school by writing letters to friends.
If you or someone in your family needs help, please refer to our mental health resources page.

Sincerely,

Hannah Reese
Crisis Recovery Coordinator
ADDITIONAL UPDATES
MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORTS AND ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
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.
SHARING OUR GOOD NEWS
Hello from Deputy Gabe!
MATHCOUNTS "The Dream Team" advances to Quarterfinals
Congratulations to STEM's MATHCOUNTS "The Dream Team" who advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2019-20 Math Video Challenge. STEM had eight teams that worked very hard to create videos during their Math Explorations class.
Chinese Students Continuing to Learn Online
Check out some of Ms Kaplan's students speaking Chinese about their favorite hobbies. Great example of how we're innovating to continue to reach our students wherever they are.
Hana Lee Recognized by Kiwanis Club
STEM student Hana Lee was chosen as a finalist in the 15th annual Kiwanis Club of Castle Rock's Stars of Tomorrow Talent Competition that was to be held at the Lone Tree Arts Center on Friday, April 3. Finalists in the show represent the very best talent among Douglas County students.
STEM Student Serves as Master of Ceremonies
STEM student and Eagle Scout, Ryan Montgomery had the honor of being the Master of Ceremonies at the March 6 Denver Area Council BSA Class of 2019 Eagle Banquet. Over 600 people were in attendance.
Gitanjali Rao named a 2020 Recognized Carson Scholar
Congratulations to Gitanjali Rao on being named a 2020 Carson Scholar. She was previously honored with a scholarship award and is now receiving recognition to acknowledge her continued academic and humanitarian achievements. She is among 8,600 gifted students from across the country who have received this honor.
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