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From the Desk of Executive Director
P.J. Eucker, PhD
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The Ingredients for Our Success in the New School Year
My favorite part of returning to our school each August is witnessing how our faculty, staff and students thrive to push the boundaries of what is possible. I believe it is truly unique and unlike any other school nationally. This is one of the primary reasons why we have 1,200 families on our waitlist with a projected 2,000 by January.
With growing interest from the Denver metro area, across our state, and now nationally and internationally, the most common question I get from educators, parents, politicians, and reporters, is: "What is the secret sauce?"
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STEM in the Media:
Highlands Ranch Herald:
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Canvas for Middle and High School parents
For parents that have students who have just started at STEM, you can get your own Canvas account that allows you to observe their progress in our Learning Management System (LMS) called Canvas.
To start your account and add your first student, follow the directions
here.
Once you have the account set up, you can add additional students with the directions
here.
Once you have a Canvas account, you can modify the notifications that you receive from your students teachers. You log into your Canvas account and click on "Account" located in the left hand menu bar. Choose "Notifications." You can then detail how you want to be notified. For more detail on "Notifications," you can use
this link
.
For those with students in k-4, we are using Google classroom. As this is our first year using Google classroom for an LMS, we are finalizing the best approach for keeping parents informed of their children's status. We will provide more detail on this new process in the newsletter next week.
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Did you miss getting your school picture taken?
If so, make-ups will be on August 30th and students should listen for an announcement that will invite them to come to have their picture taken.
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Upcoming Dates:
Aug. 18 High School Back to School Night
Aug. 23 Meet Your Match Reception - Career Mentor Program
Aug. 25 GAME: Women's Volleyball @ Cresthill vs. Victory Prep
Aug. 30 Picture Make-Ups
Aug. 31 8th Grade Kansas City Trip Information Parent Meeting
Sept. 05 Labor Day - No School
Sept. 15 Flu Shot Clinic
Click here
to view school calendar and view times.
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From the Desk of Principal Cody Blackburn
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Senior's Corner
Graduation dates are set!
- May 18, 2017 Graduation Rehearsal
- May 19, 2017 Graduation at 10 am
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From the Desk of Middle School Principal
Leanne Weyman
The year is off to a fantastic start! Thank you to everyone who has been patient during our first weeks of driveline. It is steadily improving!
One important tip for Middle School Families:
If you arrive at 3:30pm
(once your student has had time to visit their lockers and get outside) you will have a much shorter wait in driveline. Students with elementary students should retrieve their siblings from the elementary school and then wait for pickup.
Other reminders:
- 7th graders interested in SeaCamp - please speak with your Science teacher for more information.
- At this point, schedule changes are complete with the exception of balancing a few class sizes.
- Please remember that school opens for regular start students at 7:45am. Students who arrive before this time will need to enter through the cafeteria doors.
- Remember that our driveline staff will not allow students to meet parents in the parking lots of our neighbors. Please use the driveline process.
Thank you and please let me know if you have any questions!
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Student Government:
The Middle School Student Government is eager to begin the year with some great events, including movie nights, dances, game tournaments, fund raisers, and so much more!
It's now time to gear up for the Middle School Government elections!
In the next couple of weeks, students will be seeking signatures to run for a leadership position in the Student Government. Officer positions include: Student Body President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Public Relation Officers. Look for campaign posters in the Middle School over the next couple of weeks.
VOTING WILL TAKE PLACE ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2. Please look for a survey in your email. It will contain the candidates' video speeches. Please take the time to listen to the candidates and cast your VOTE!
Thank you for your participation! If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Ridder at
maura.ridder@stemhigh.org.
It's going to be a great year!
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Elementary School Updates
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From the Desk of Elementary School Principal
Karen Johnson, PhD
What a wonderful turnout for Back to School Night! Students were excited to show off their classrooms and share their STEM adventures. Thank you for supporting our students and staff!
- Elementary Wish List of Donations
- Elementary School Directory
- Elementary Drive-Line
- BASE (Before and After School Enterprise)
- Nutrition Services
Kindergarten Readiness Assessments:
This
Parent Excusal Form
is only for elementary school parents wishing to excuse their elementary student from the kindergarten readiness assessments - READ Act or Cog-At. If you do not wish your student to participate in these assessments, please complete this form and return to Hannah Reese.
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Before & After School Enterprise:
What is Spartan B.A.S.E.?
The Spartan B.A.S.E. Program provides care both before and after school and for the full day during in-service days and school breaks for STEM students until their thirteenth birthday.
We currently have a wide range of students from all grades K-6 enrolled in the program.
The B.A.S.E. program is licensed through the state of Colorado Office of Early Childhood Education and run by the Douglas County School District. We are staffed with at least one qualified teacher for every 15 students on site.
We provide a safe, enriching, environment, that combines quiet time for homework with enrichment activities, as well as time for free and gross motor play.
B.A.S.E. allows for flexible drop-off anytime from 6:30am until school starts in the morning and after school from dismissal until 6:00pm.
In the afternoon, a light healthy snack is provided to students. (Students may also choose to pack their own snack or bring in breakfast in the mornings.) Students have access to a variety of enrichment activities in the cafeteria, gym, and computer lab.
Our program allows families the flexibility to book in advance only the days and times they need care. There are no attendance requirements/minimums. Registration and attendance bookings are made through our secure online site via SchoolCare
Works.
If you have any questions about BASE, please contact, Katie Burder, the BASE Program Manager, (720) 688-2928 or kjburder@dcsdk12.org.
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Updates from our Assistant Principals:
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CogAT Universal Testing Information:
In early September all STEM School students in Grade three and five will take the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT 7). This assessment indicates the level and pattern of cognitive development of a student in comparison to grade and age mates. These general reasoning abilities, which start developing at birth and continue through early adulthood, are influenced by experiences gained both in and out of school.
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IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER:
-
Week of 8/22
: SST Meet and Greet during Middle School Study Hall (days and times will vary)
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Week of 8/29
: SST Meet and Greet during Elementary School Lunch/Recess (days and times will vary)
- August 23: LAST DAY TO REQUEST A SCHEDULE CHANGE
The Importance of Self-Advocacy
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Flu Shot Clinic:
The flu shot clinic is open to all STEM families and staff that sign up below.
Click here
for Shoo the Flu! flyer
Date: Thursday, September 15
Time: 7:30 am - 8:20 am
Location Middle School Health Office
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Volunteer News:
A big thank you to the families that donated items for our classrooms and health rooms (more opportunities are available). Don't forget to log your hours!
Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities:
-
Physics
-
On-Going Opportunities
-
General Donations
You can see these and other current opportunities
(including donation items) on the
Volunteer Page of our website.
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Academy News:
First Tech Challenge (FTC) Interest Meetings:
FTC is an International robotics challenge organized by FIRST Community for Middle and High School students.
'Allies in Diversity' Club Begins Next Week: The mission of the STEM High and Academy Middle School Allies in Diversity club is to promote awareness of social diversity and combat misconceptions that can lead to bullying or targeting incidents.
FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC): STEM Academy will be hosting a FIRST Robotics Competition team this year in the STEM High School engineering labs. All STEM High School students are encouraged to sign up and we will welcome interested students from other high schools as well! Students will be taught the skills they need to be an active and productive member of the team.
Academy Programs
To view more programs, please visit our Academy page or click HERE. Do you have an idea for a club? Contact Sara.Phelps@stemhigh.org.
Newsletter
Would you like to receive our biweekly Academy newsletter? Please contact
Sara.Phelps@stemhigh.org
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STEP/PTO
SAVE THE DATE - STEM Blast Off
What: Event to celebrate the school and build parent community
When: September 22, 2016 (3:30pm-7:30pm)
Where: Civic Green Park
Stay tuned for more details . . . .
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Douglas County School District News
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Douglas County Educational Foundation
Community Events:
September 2: CU Buffs Community Night
To view the Buff's Community Night and all other events, click here
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STEM School & Academy | 303-683-7836 | www.stemhigh.org
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