Weekly news & updates Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020 | Newsletter Archive | View as Webpage

Upcoming Events See what's happening this month . STEM Town Hall Coming up on January 30 The STEM Town Hall is our community's opportunity to provide feedback on the goals of our Strategic Plan. Please sign up to attend to help shape the direction of our school. Read More STEM School Highlands Ranch TedX Talk 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) Read More Thank you to Avaya Congratulations to Avaya as they won their international competition among all Avaya branches for their Month of Giving. They will be writing a check to STEM for $10,000! THANK YOU AVAYA! Securing our Financial Future At our next Board Meeting on February 4, 2020, Star Acke, our Chief Financial Officer, will present about our finances. In addition to overseeing our business office, Star is a certified public accountant and spent her early years as an auditor with Arthur Andersen.  A veteran of the U.S. Navy, where she met her husband, Star has a strong sense of service to finding funding to keep our faculty and staff well compensated above the DCSD. She is also passionate about providing a safe and clean environment that is necessary for our students to optimize their instructional environment.  STEM School Highlands Ranch is one of the highest-rated charter schools in the country for academics and finances. Moody’s Corporation sent their analysts to fully understand our operations, finances, academics and governance. Moody’s considered the relevancy of our school over the next 20 years, while also taking into account the risks of the May 7 incident. With all of the considerations, Moody’s raised our investor rating to allow STEM School Highlands Ranch to use Colorado’s investment rating. Click here to read the rest of Dr. Eucker's message

CELEBRATE CHINESE NEW YEAR WITH US!

Each Year, STEM School Highlands Ranch celebrates the Chinese New Year with students and families organized by the Chinese Program. Not only is this an important cultural event, but it serves to bring our families together and support the Chinese Program for our school. Please join us in welcoming 2020, the year of the Rat! The event will run from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in the Middle School Cafeteria. Games – Middle and High School students will design/create fun Chinese games (and prizes) for kids of all ages. Activities -- Middle and High School students will design/create fun Chinese activities, including arts and crafts for kids of all ages. In addition, there will be plenty of delicious food and beverage items. Please purchase the food and beverage through the link below before January 28. Come join the fun and support our school community! If you can help at this event, please email Abbi.kaplan@stemk12.org. We really appreciate any parent volunteers! Thank you for your support!!!

Click here to purchase food and beverages in advance

VOLUNTEER/DONATION NEWS

STEM Creative Writing Student Published Junior Hank Rohling had his story, "The Hungry Dark," recently accepted to the 2020 edition of Hot Dish Magazine. He took creative writing in the Fall 2019, and this is his first publication. From the magazine's website: Hot Dish Magazine is an annual online literary journal taking submissions from teens attending high school. We look for work that is full of passion and unique perspectives. We also like work that provides insight into the lives of High School students. We are looking for students who want to learn how to become better writers and who ultimately want to share their voices with the world. Bryce Howard honored by Rotary Bryce Howard won the Rotary Student Recognition Award. This award recognizes a student who demonstrates excellence in leadership, community involvement, academics and character.

VOLUNTEER/DONATION NEWS

Volunteer/Donation Opportunities Check out all the opportunities to volunteer at/donate to STEM. Read More Space Foundation Event Lockheed Martin has asked the Space Foundation to provide an opportunity for a week-long class immersion on January 13-17 with the Space Foundation’s education team. It's called the Jr. Space Entrepreneur Program, and we are looking for parent volunteers. To sign up, click here. Graduation Meeting for Seniors There is a meeting on 1/17/20 for senior students, and we are seeking snacks. Please click here to view sign up sheet.

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. Read More 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. Read More Enrichment Updates Find out more about our Enrichment Programs, including how students can get involved and the latest news. Read More Athletic Updates Find out more about our High School Athletics, including how to get involved and how they are doing. Read More STEM's Got Talent Auditions Coming Up on February 6 Come audition for our Eighth Annual Stem's Got Talent show on Thursday, Feb. 6 from 3-6 p.m. in Middle School Music Room (Room 149). Read More Providing More Supports to Staff and Students As we start the 2020 year, we are pleased to announce additional supports that are available for our students, staff and community. I am happy to announce that Hannah Reese will be transitioning into the role of Recovery Coordinator and will be leading the planning efforts around the one-year mark. Hannah will continue to assist with her role as Assistant Director of Special Programs as we transition her duties to other staff members. As the Recovery Coordinator, Hannah will work directly with the Resiliency Center Coordinator, Suzi McKay to make sure that the needs of our students, staff, families and community are being met. I am also pleased to welcome Maddie Huzenis to our team as the new Recovery Social Worker. She obtained her masters degree in social work from Loyola University Chicago and has been working in child welfare since moving from Chicago a year ago. Maddie is excited to start a new chapter at STEM working with students experiencing emotional dysregulation and other social-emotional needs. Maddie will work closely with Hannah and the rest of our mental health support team. Click here to read the rest of Dr. Weyman's message 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.

ADDITIONAL UPDATES

Read the latest from the Student Support Team

Walking the Beat with Deputy Gabe Uribe

Read the latest edition of the STEM PTO Newsletter

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.

What to help raise money for STEM? The Foundation for DCS has exciting upcoming community events for our STEM School Highlands Ranch Community. There are great discounted tickets to see the Nuggets (3 options!), National Western Stock Show events, the Mammoth (2 options!) and the Avalanche (2 options!). With every ticket purchase, we get a percentage of the proceeds. Thanks to your help and support, we are breaking ticket sale orders for all events so far this year!

Click to view the Flier of Upcoming Events

STEM School Highlands Ranch| stemk12.org

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