Weekly news & updates
Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020 | Newsletter Archive | View as Webpage
Dear STEM School Highlands Ranch Parents,

By now, hopefully you've had a chance to see the message from the STEM Board of Directors and the STEM Executive Director that they believe STEM can continue to maintain a safe environment for in-person learning through the end of the first semester, and hopefully spring semester as well. Click on the button below to read their message.

We want to keep our students and staff as safe as possible when they are accessing their in-person learning at STEM. In order to do that, we'd like to remind you of the following critical items that we need ALL families to review and follow:
  • DO NOT SEND YOUR STUDENT TO SCHOOL if they have any symptoms on the At Home COVID-19 Screening Flier.
  • If your student has a low-grade fever (below 100.4) they may be sent home out of an abundance of caution. (sending your student with any symptoms to school increases the risk to, and anxiety for, our staff)
  • Use the COVID Staff/Child Assessment Flowchart to assess next steps for your student.
  • Use the COVID Staff/Child Return to Learn Flowchart (View R2 on page 2) to determine when your student can return to School.
  • Please review DCSD's updated Health and Safety Mitigation Measures for the most recent updates.
  • Please check-in with our School Nurse Karen Lewis (karen.lewis@stemk12.org) if you have any questions.
  • Families have the option to switch their student to 100% Virtual/Online Learning to meet their needs. We ask that you please inform Stephanie Webb via email at stephanie.webb@stemk12.org as soon as possible. If your student has transitioned to 100% Virtual/Online Learning and you have not notified Stephanie Webb, please do so as soon as possible.
  • REMINDER: In the event a teacher is out due to illness or personal reason, your STEM Leadership Team will make every effort to fill that position with a substitute teacher. Please keep in mind that there is a nationwide shortage of available substitute teachers so there is the possibility that we may have to move your student's class to remote learning.
  • We will make every effort to make the announcement with as much notice as possible. However, we may receive a sick notification during the night, or early in the morning, so we may have to make a quick decision in the morning. All notifications will be sent via an Infinite Campus message.
  • Please make sure that you have a daily childcare backup in place.
COVID-19 Exposure Notifications - From the CDPHE
CDE urges school leaders to promote the use of the statewide COVID-19 exposure notification system launched recently in partnership with Google and Apple. The system works if users opt-in to the free service on their Android and Apple phones, which share anonymous tokens with other users through Bluetooth technology. If another user tests positive for COVID-19 within a 14-day period and chooses to upload their results, users who were within range of exposure will receive an alert on their phones. The tokens are not associated with any phone number, name, location, IP address, and they change every 15 minutes to add an extra layer of anonymity.
 
The notification system automates the contact tracing process and complements the existing statewide health safety protocols without compromising the privacy of Coloradans and can be critical to prevent further spread of COVID-19. CO Exposure Notifications also provides individuals who receive an exposure alert with instructions on recommended next steps, including information on quarantine and contacting their local public health agency.
 
Learn more about CO Exposure Notifications at addyourphone.com and watch a video of Gov. Jared Polis explaining the system. For additional resources on COVID-19, visit covid19.colorado.gov.
NEWS AND UPDATES
Mark your calendars! State of STEM Coming Up on Tuesday, Dec. 8
We hope you can join us for our virtual State of STEM event on Tuesday, Dec. 8 from 6-7:30 p.m. State of STEM is where we provide our community with accomplishments and highlights over the last year. A Zoom link will be provided in the coming weeks.
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.
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.
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
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!
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.