Weekly news & updates
Friday, Oct. 16, 2020 | Newsletter Archive | View as Webpage
Welcome back to school! Below are some reminders for students that are attending STEM for in-person learning.
  • Students MUST wear masks to attend in-person.
  • We will follow the procedures outlined by DCSD in the event there is the presumption and/or confirmation of a positive COVID-19 case.
  • As a reminder, if a student feels ill or has a fever above 100.0, DO NOT come to school.
You can stay informed of recent cases and data via the Tri-County Interactive Data Map. Additionally, you can view DCSD's Decision Dashboard to find out more on how the district is tracking cases.
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
STEM PTO presents our 4th annual STEM Gives! fundraiser! STEM Gives! is a direct giving campaign that will run November 9, 2020 to December 13, 2020. All benefits will go to our STEM School Highlands Ranch for teacher and school grants and STEM PTO events.
MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORTS AND ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
AllHealth Network Offering FREE Support in Response to COVID-19
AllHealth Network has received a FEMA grant to start a Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program (CCP) to provide FREE disaster behavioral health support in response to COVID-19. The program is named Colorado Spirit. Colorado has set up similar programs in the past after floods and wildfires. All of our services will be by telephone or video for now. 

Areas where Colorado Spirit can help:
  • Support around feeling of worry, sadness, hopelessness, anger, isolation or disconnection that life with COVID brings up.
  • Understanding and managing stress
  • Help with coping strategies
  • Connection to resources

Anyone can access these support services by calling 720-707-6789, emailing COSpirit@allhealthnetwork.org, or filling out the contact form on our website www.allhealthnetwork.org/Colorado-Spirit
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
STEM School Highlands Ranch Teacher Earns $100,000 Grand Prize from Harbor Freight
STEM School Highlands Ranch Engineering Teacher Mike Shallenberger was chosen as one-of-three $100,000 Grand Prize winners of the 2020 Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence. One of the other winners was Brian Manley, who teaches automotive technology at Cherry Creek Innovation Campus.

“This is such an amazing honor,” Shallenberger said. “I absolutely believe in the program that we are building at STEM. Getting students access to engineering and mechatronics is crucial in preparing them for real-world, impactful careers that are relevant now.”

Shallenberger was surprised at his home on Wednesday afternoon with a check for $100,000 and a personalized tool box from US General. Of the $100,000 award money, $70,000 will be given to STEM School Highlands Ranch’s skilled trades programs. $30,000 of the award money will go to Shallenberger himself. Out of a pool of 600 applicants, Shallenberger, along with two others, were chosen for this national grand prize.
STEM Takes Top Rankings Among Public Schools by Niche
STEM School Highlands Ranch picked up some nice recognition this past week by Niche. Niche is the best place to research U.S. colleges, schools, neighborhoods, and companies. Every month millions of people use our easy-to-read and comprehensive report cards, rankings, and reviews to choose the right schools or neighborhoods for them. Niche does rigorous cleaning and analysis on large data sets, and combines them with feedback from our community for nuanced insight that can’t be found anywhere else.
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.