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From the Desk of Executive Director
P.J. Eucker, PhD
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A very warm welcome to our new and returning STEM School and Academy families!
2016-2017 is about to launch with our expanded K-12 campus including 50,000 square feet of brand new classrooms, activity room, K-5 engineering labs, cafeteria with kitchen, and a library with expansive views of the Front Range. Our new and returning faculty and staff have been hard at work preparing for the school year.
Our students continue to build our brand as the most outstanding academic and creative school in Colorado. We have accumulated many accolades over the past year including top academic scores as measured by SAT, PSAT, AP and state tests as well as national recognition for art, music, technology and other creative competitions. Our students are accepted to the most competitive universities and receive the most coveted scholarships. Details in future newsletters.
As with all newly expanded schools, we will have a steep learning curve with driveline and other details. Please be patient the first week. We have many opportunities for our families to be part of the solution to refining all aspects of our operations. Safety is our highest priority in every decision.
You are about to begin the adventure as part of the most transformative school in Colorado.
P.J. Eucker PhD
Executive Director
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Transportation:
Does your student need transportation to and from school? The Highlands Ranch Call-n- Ride may be
your answer. The RTD Call-n- Ride service is teaming up again with Stem Academy to provide rides.
Trips are available within a specified area of Highlands Ranch and this service is open to the general
public. If you are interested, contact us to reserve a trip for your student! The service is available on a
first come, first serve basis on weekdays from 6:00am-6:00pm.
For next year, STEM School will be changing to an "opt-in"
system with WayToGo SchoolPool. Look for information in your Parent Portal to sign up. You must choose a student from the drop down and then
click on Transportation on the left hand column.
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Express Check-In will be open on July 18th.
Express check-in allows you to access and update all parent and student information in Infinite Campus and to complete any remaining registration paperwork electronically. Fees will be listed.
Student Check-In is where student photos and ID's are completed, parents turn in any outstanding registration paperwork, speak with the counselors, pay student fees and receive information packets. Student fees are due before August 9th. See dates times below.
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Upcoming Dates:
July 18 Express Check-In Begins
Aug. 1 6th Grade MAPs Testing
Aug. 2 7th & 8th Grade MAPs testing
Aug. 3 9th & 10th Grade MAPs testing
Student Check-In & pictures
Aug. 4 K-12th grade & Launch (New Student Orientation)
Student Check-In & pictures
Aug. 5 11th & 12th Grade MAPs testing
Student Check-In & pictures
5th Grade Math Placement testing make-ups
Aug. 8 MAPS Testing Make-ups
Aug. 9 First Day of School
Click here to
view school calendar and view times.
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From the Desk of Principal Cody Blackburn
The summer is winding down, so I hope everyone has a chance to enjoy the few weeks left. I am very excited to start this new school year and look forward to connecting with our returning Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors. Also, I am excited to get to know all of our Freshmen!
Please note student schedules will be posted in Parent Portal by July 29th.
See you all in a few weeks!!
Seniors and Senior Parents -
Senior photos are due for the yearbook by October 21. Please find the requirements below. Email your photo to
yearbook@stemhigh.org
Resolution Requirements: 3800 pixels x 3200 pixels
Background Requirements:
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Outdoor settings are generally best. Avoid distracting backgrounds.
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Outdoor lighting is also preferred. Avoid fluorescent lighting.
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From the Desk of Middle School Principal
Leanne Weyman
We hope you are having a fantastic summer! Please be sure to check out our STEM calendar for information about Spartan Launch, Student Check-in and MAPs testing!
Important field trip information:
2016-2017 FIELD TRIP INFO for 7th Grade Families:
SeaCamp
is a marine science camp in San Diego, CA. Students experience a week of hands-on, interactive learning covering a wide scope of marine information. STEM School has attended for the past three years and it has been a wonderful opportunity for students to learn real-world, relevant ocean science!!
The two weeks secured are November 14-18, 2016 and April 24-28, 2016. More detailed information will be sent via email in late July. We will be having a parent information meeting on or before back to school night, August 17th for a brief explanation of the trip, requirements to attend, and questions. Though we have two separate weeks secured, spots still are limited with the total number of 7th grade students this year. In order to remedy this while maintaining fairness, we will have a lottery.
All documentation and a $400 deposit will need to be submitted by Thursday, August 25 at 4pm for your student to be eligible for the lottery. This early deadline is due to deposit deadlines with the camp for the fall dates. If selected, you will receive an notification email. The remaining full payment will need to be received by early October. The total will be an amount anywhere between $1,100-1,200. Unfortunately, an exact total cannot be given without the deposits paid which is necessary to secure the flights.
2016-2017 FIELD TRIP INFO for 8th Grade Families:
Mark your calendar for this year's Engineering and Manufacturing Field Trip to Kansas City! The trip is specifically for 8th grade students and will take place November 15-19th. The estimated cost of the trip is $700, to be collected by early October. There will be more information sent via email in late July and then an informational meeting to occur once school has started.
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Elementary School Updates
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From the Desk of Elementary School Principal
Karen Johnson, PhD
We hope that you are enjoying these beautiful summer days! Construction is almost completed and teachers are excited to begin the school year. As the new school year approaches, please mark your calendars with the following dates:
K-5 Meet and Greet: August 3rd
We would like to welcome all of our incoming K-5 families to our community! On August 3rd, we will have a Meet and Greet Open House. Join us from 5:00 - 6:30 pm, to learn more about starting your student in the fall, and meet other families and our new staff.
K-5 Launch: August 4th
SPARTAN Launch provides students with an opportunity to spend some time with their teachers, organize their supplies, take a tour of the school, and learn more about the formula for character! All Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade students attend from 9:00 am - 11:00 am and 3rd, 4th and 5th graders attend from 12:00 - 2:00 pm. This event is for students only.
K-5 Back to School Night: August 16th
Daily Schedule
The following is a general schedule of the day. More specific details can be found
HERE
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Individual grade levels and teachers may make minor modifications to this schedule.
6:30 am - 8:10 am BASE programming open
8:10 am Soft start: Students enter and report to classrooms
8:20 am Classes begin
11:00 am - 12:40 pm Recess and Lunch
11:00 am - 11:40 am K/1st Grade Recess and Lunch
11:20 am - 12:00 pm 2nd and 3rd Grade Recess and Lunch
11:40 am - 12:20 pm 4th Grade Recess and Lunch
12:00 pm - 12:40 pm 5th Grade Recess and Lunch
3:00 pm Kindergarten/1st grade dismissal
3:10 pm 2nd - 5th grade dismissal
3:20 pm MS/HS dismissal
3:00 pm - 6:00 pm BASE programming open
BASE (Before and After School Enterprise)
We have been working with the Douglas County Before and After School Enterprise program to finalize licensing requirements and hire the Program Manager. Please visit the
DCSD BASE website
for general information related to this program. In the next few weeks, we will send out specific information for registering for this program.
Nutrition Services
Douglas County Nutrition Services will be providing breakfast, lunch, and a snack to our elementary students. The elementary cafeteria will be completed in the next couple of weeks and ready to serve our students. Please visit the
DCSD Nutrition Services website
for additional information.
Volunteer Opportunities
There will be a variety of volunteer opportunities to assist with the opening of the elementary school. Please visit the Volunteer Page on the school website to sign up for further information.
The following opportunities listed in HelpCounter as areas of interest:
Elementary Yearbook
School Directory
Room Parents
Book Room and Library
Elementary Curriculum Nights
Supply Lists
The elementary school will be providing many of the supplies needed for K-5th grade students throughout the year. We always welcome donations. A supply list for each grade level can be found
HERE
.
Technology
Elementary students do not need to bring their own devices at this time. The school is providing tablets, Chromebooks, Laptops, and 2 Computer Labs for K-5 students. 5th grade students will begin transitioning to bringing their own device in January.
K-4th grade students will be using Google Classroom as a parent and student learning platform. 5th grade students will be using Canvas. Parent information for logging in will be provided during the first week of school.
Academy
We will be offering a variety of before and after school activities for students through the Academy. Visit the website for additional information after the school year kicks off.
I am looking forward to meeting all of our students and families in August! Enjoy these remaining days of summer break!
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Updates from our Dean of Students
Hannah Reese
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Fall MAPs Testing:
All students in grades 6-12 take MAP exams for reading, writing, mathematics, and science the first week of August. Each grade has an assigned testing date and time. Please drop students off in the middle school office 5-10 minutes before their assigned testing time; students will call home once they're finished testing.
If your student cannot attend their assigned testing slot, sign up
here
for make-up testing on Monday, August 8th. These slots will be first come first serve basis.
Elementary students will take MAP exams with their classroom teachers during the first two weeks of school.
MAP Testing Schedule
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Grade
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Date
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Time
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6
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Monday, August 1
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12:00-4:00
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7
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Tuesday, August 2
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8:00-12:00
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8
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Tuesday, August 2
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12:00-4:00
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9
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Wednesday, August 3
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8:00-12:00
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10
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Wednesday, August 3
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12:00-4:00
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11
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Friday, August 5
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8:00-12:00
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12
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Friday, August 5
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8:00-12:00
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Office Updates:
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Now's the best time to order your 2016-2017 yearbook! This year it's easier than ever to order. Just click the "Yearbook" button on your RevTrak online registration to reserve your book.
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Volunteer News:
Welcome new STEM Families!
You are welcome to create your volunteer account in
HelpCounter. This is where you will choose your areas of interest to volunteer, as well as log your hours (if you use our laptop to sign in and out, your hours will automatically be logged). You will receive more information in your packet at Student Check-in, or you can view more on our website.
Returning families, please make sure your account is updated, as this is our way to contact you for Volunteer Opportunities.
Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities:
You can see these and other current opportunities
(including donation items) on the
Volunteer Page of our website.
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Academy News:
For 2016-17, STEM Academy will offer Before-School Care from 6:30-7:45am
for middle and high school, and offer After-School Care from 3:25-6pm
for middle and high school. More information, including location and rates, will be coming soon!
Also keep an eye on the website in the coming weeks for registration for Fall Academy offerings including Robotics, Fencing, Golf, Game Club, and more!
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Athletics:
Fall High School Sports Meeting
If you missed the meeting for students interested in participating in Fall 2016 Girls Volleyball, Boys Soccer, Boys/Girls Cross-Country, Boy/Girls Golf, Spirit/Cheer, and Boys Tennis, please contact
teresa.oconnell@stemhigh.org .
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Douglas County School District News
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Our Resource Officer, Deputy Rodrigue:
Deputy Rodrigue was awarded a lifesaving award at our annual awards ceremony. He and another Deputy were dispatched to a
suicidal subject at the Colorado Bridge over C-470. When they went on scene Deputy Coyle ensued conversation with the subject while Deputy Rodrigue slowly moved toward the subject. After Deputy Rodrigue got about a foot from the subject both deputies grabbed the subject so he could not jump.
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Douglas County Educational Foundation Community Events:
- August 1: Highlands Ranch Chamber 2016 Business Golf Classic
- September 2: CU Buffs Community Night
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STEM School & Academy | 303-683-7836 | www.stemhigh.org
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