The latest news from STEM School Highlands Ranch

Weekly news & updates

Thursday, Jan. 23, 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.

There will be a special edition STEM Student forum on Tuesday, Jan. 28 from 3-3:45 p.m. for students only, in the High School Commons. This is to provide students an opportunity to see the goals of the Strategic Plan prior to the STEM Town Hall on Thursday.

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)

Go Red Day for heart disease is February 7

If you'd like to take part, the annual National Go Red Day is on Friday, Feb. 7. This is a national initiative to increase awareness about heart disease. Click here to order Go Red apparel. If you do not want to purchase apparel, you can just wear red to support!

Two STEM Students Recognized for Perfect ACT Scores

Grace Ryan and Alison Thompson were recognized by the DCSD as one of 12 students to achieve a perfect ACT score in 2018-19. Congrats to both #STEMStrong students!

Save the Date for STEM PTO Gala

Save the date for the STEM PTO Gala on the evening of Saturday, March 7 at the Hilton Garden Inn & Suites. Please check the STEM PTO Newsletter below for more information.

Preparing for the STEM Town Hall

On Thursday, Jan. 30, the STEM community will come together to give feedback on the STEM Strategic Plan. This plan provides the roadmap forward on what matters most to our community.

There are five goals:

Create a teacher care model that promotes growth and support.
This goal was created because we want to create authentic systems that attract and retain high-caliber teachers.
Build trust within parent community.
This goal was created because we want everyone to feel Trust and Trusted. By creating a community of Collective Efficacy, we are building a shared responsibility of common trust.
Implement an independent funding strategy outside of Per-Pupil Revenue (PPR).
This goal was created because we want to develop relationships within the community that lead to supporting our mission, vision and values for our students, teachers and staff. Why is this important? So that funding is never a limiting factor on our potential. We want to take full advantage of grant opportunities and overcome all barriers.
Develop a model for distributed leadership that includes students.
This goal was created because we want to empower individuals to develop their own leadership style in order to ethically and positively impact the world.
Achieve community alignment around strategic plan
This goal was created to explore future opportunities for the implementation of the strategic plan.

Click here to read the rest of Dr. Eucker's message

Erica Carlson Joins STEM Staff as Secondary Spanish Teacher

Hello! My name is Erica Carlson and I am excited to be teaching Spanish at STEM Highlands Ranch. I am originally from Colorado and I love this state. I have a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Colorado State University and a Master of Arts in Spanish from the University of Colorado Denver. I lived in Spain for a little over 10 years and my family and I spend as much of our summer there as possible. I have 13 years of teaching experience both in the United States and Spain and I can't wait to teach and learn from our students. I look forward to meeting many of you

Welcome aboard Erica!

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, JR., VIDEO

Fiddler on the Roof JR. - STEM School Highlands Ranch

Did you miss our student production of Fiddler on the Roof, Jr.? Check out the video to watch the complete production.

Great job to all who helped to put this production together!

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, this is not only 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 [email protected]. We really appreciate any parent volunteers!

Thank you for your support!!!

Click here to purchase food and beverages in advance

OFFICE/VOLUNTEER/DONATION NEWS

Volunteer/Donation Opportunities

Check out all the opportunities to volunteer at/donate to STEM.

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.

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.

Scanner needed for Art Department

The art department has a request for a scanner. If you have one that you don't use anymore so that may be sitting gathering dust, sign up to donate it. Specifications: Stand alone scanner, 2000 or newer, 11" x 17" or larger.

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.

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).

We Practice Four Different Safety Drills

All schools are required to conduct regular drills throughout the school year to ensure that students and staff understand the latest safety protocols. Each school year we are required to conduct four different types of drills:

Lockdown
Shelter-In-Place
Lockout
Evacuation

Next week (January 29th), we will conduct the second Lockdown Drill for the school year using the Standard Response Protocol . Deputy Uribe, other representatives from the Douglas County Sheriff’s office, and Douglas County School District personnel will be on our campus to assist with this drill.

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.