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From the Desk of:
Executive Director,
P.J.Eucker, PhD
Is STEM School and Academy the Right Choice for my Child?
Throughout my work in hundreds of schools, I have always found that families universally seek the best
fit, if not perfect, school for their child. But in the last decade, as school choice has expanded in
Colorado, how do parents find the best-fit school?
Each week we meet dozens of families who tour our school, ask questions and raise concerns.
One question asked every week is: "Do introverts or extroverts perform better at STEM?"
During our tours families see students actively engaged in their learning with PBLs (problem based learning) culminating in a presentation where all participants have a role. If the student is highly introverted or profoundly gifted preferring to work alone, how will this work?
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Reminder:
Please remember that
NO
unscheduled
early pick ups will be allowed after 2:20pm.
The course of action that will cause the least amount of disruption to the classroom is to:
- Pick up your student 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).
If you are picking up on the Elementary side after 2:20pm, there will be no parking ( "whether scheduled or unscheduled pick-up") due to the drive-line. Your only option will be to park at either the Middle or High School, check in at the office to have a badge made, and walk to the Elementary to pick up your student and sign them out.
Sorry! But this will streamline the process for all!
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Upcoming Dates:
Sept. 14 STEP (PTO) Meeting
Sept. 15 Flu Shot Clinic
Sept. 23 No School - Professional Development
Sept. 28 MANDATORY Winter Sports Interest meeting
Sept. 30 HS Powderpuff Game
Oct. 01 High School Homecoming Dance
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From the Desk of Principal Cody Blackburn
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Reminder:
S
tudent cars without STEM parking tag will be fined $10/day, added to student fees.
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Athletics:
STEM Spartans Volleyball:
Come eat all the pizza and garlic knots you can handle! For only $10 per person, you can support our awesome volleyball team and have a great dinner at the Garlic Knot restaurant in Ken Caryl Village on Oct. 4
! Please see Coach Evil, Coach Cassie, or any of the team members for pre-sale tickets to our dinner. Hope to see you there!
For more info on the Inaugural Volleyball Team Fundraiser Dinner
October 4, 2016, 4-6pm
Winter Sports:
Fall sports season is barely off and running, and we are planning for winter sports already! You can register for Men's or Women's 2016-2017 HS Basketball NOW on Revtrak!
Also, STEM High School Athletics is excited to announce a joining of forces with D1 Sports for winter basketbal
l. We will be both hosting games and practicing at D1 for the winter season.
In order to get everyone on the same page with D1, if you or your high school student is interest in participating in basketball for the 2016-2017 sport season (whether you were on the team last year or not), please plan on attending the an informational meeting.
Click for details here!
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From the Desk of Middle School Principal
Leanne Weyman
Spotlight on 8th grade Social Studies!
The 8th grade Social Studies classes are concluding their Civics unit this week. For the past two weeks students have learned about our government's founding ideals, the Bill of Rights, the Branches of Government, and the election process. Students are currently developing solutions to identified issues within our political process. To collect data students have written surveys and created informational videos that will be shared on social media, and/or at school. Thank you in advance for your support as students take steps to be actively involved in their community.
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8th Grade Kansas City Trip:
The important information for the Kansas City Trip is available on the School's Educational Trips website page (
HERE
). Scroll all the way down for the 8th grade trip. The Website includes a document listing the current itinerary, cost, and how to enroll, a FAQ document and a brochure about the Trip Protection Plan offered by our travel agency. If you need further information about the trip that is not available on one of those documents, please contact Ryan Sparzak at
Ryan@globaltravelalliance.com.
Students must be enrolled for the trip by September 15th (next Thursday) to insure a spot on the trip.
I hope to see you all on this great adventure!
- Morgan Schwab, 8th grade Field trip Coordinator
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Elementary School Updates
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From the Desk of Elementary School Principal
Karen Johnson, PhD
Math Update
Teachers are continually monitoring progress and making shifts in their instruction based on the needs of students. Please keep in mind that the "grade level" that a student is working is not necessarily the most important. We are focusing on a conceptual understanding of math throughout the K-5 continuum and addressing the individual needs of students. Movement among classes may be necessary throughout the year. If you have specific questions, please contact your student's math teacher or myself.
- Specials Rotation
- CogAT Assessment
- Wish List of Donations
- Elementary School Directory
- Elementary Driveline
- BASE (Before and After School Enterprise)
- Nutrition Services
- Academy
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Updates from our Assistant Principals:
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PSAT 8/9 Parent Overview
Overview:
On October 6, 2016, STEM 7th, 8th, and 9th grade students will take the PSAT 8/9.
This assessment
is not part of state mandated accountability testing
, but an opportunity for parents, students, and teachers to see what skills students need in order to prepare for high school and college. More information about the PSAT 8/9 can be found
here.
Schedule:
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Grade(s)
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October 6, 2016 Schedule
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K-5
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Typical School Day
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6th, 10th, 11th, 12th
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Virtual Day: Students will log into Canvas from home to complete coursework.
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7th
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Arrive at 7:45;
PSAT 8/9 Testing 8:00-11:00
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8th
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Arrive at 11:45;
PSAT 8/9 Testing 12:00-3:00
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9th Last names A-K
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Arrive at 7:45;
PSAT 8/9 Testing 8:00-11:00
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9th Last names L-Z
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Arrive at 11:45;
PSAT 8/9 Testing 12:00-3:00
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Click here for
FAQ
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High School Allies in Diversity with Ms. Reinking
Meetings take place every Tuesday, from 3:30-4:20 in Room 130
The mission of the STEM High and Academy
Allies
in
Diversity
club is to promote awareness of social
diversity
and combat misconceptions that can lead to bullying or targeting incidents.
Allies
in
Diversity
aims to foster a culture of respect for all individuals and provide a safe space for students to come together and combat stereotypes. We will utilize partnerships
in
student council events, hands-on learning activities, and an end of year culminating event to help enhance our school community through cultivating an atmosphere of tolerance, respect, and integrity.
************
National College Fair
Sunday, September 25, 1-4 p.m.
Denver Mart
Expo Building
451 E. 58th Avenue
Denver, CO 80216
- Important Dates
- Staying Motivated!
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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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Gift Card Rewards for Students
We would like to request gift cards in denominations of $5 or less to use as rewards for student who participate in our Formula for Character programming in study hall. Students will earn tickets that can be entered into a drawing for these gift cards.
Click here
to sign up.
TSA is back in action, and volunteers are needed
To volunteer for TSA or to provide snacks please
click here.
Other Volunteer Opportunities:
- Driveline Improvement Process
- Physics classroom volunteer
- On-Going Opportunities
- Classroom Donations
You can see these and other current opportunities
(including donation items) on the
Volunteer Page of our website.
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There's lots going on at the Academy!
Here's a quick overview, but for more details and information about each of these listings below, link here to
READ MORE
TSA Donations Needed
Looking for volunteer opportunities? Consider supporting our TSA Program! It started this week, and we need help in 2 different ways.
Allies in Diversity Middle School and High School
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.
Congratulations to Madisen!
Spartan Space Sciences would like to announce that STEM senior Madisen Purifoy Frie recently obtained her U.S. amateur radio Technician class license, KE0KCM!
Phoenix HighAltitude Balloon Fall Module
Project Phoenix represents the evolution we are having to Spartan Space Sciences from flying our payloads with third party balloon programs, to the actual design and launch of our own high altitude balloon (HAB).
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Website Under Minor Construction!
Please bear with us over the next couple of week as we make some minor visual changes to the website. There will be some change in the navigation to make the site a bit more visually appealing until the time comes for a full overhaul. Content will not change.
Thanks for your patience.
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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 . . . .
Click here for the August STEP/PTO Newsletter
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Douglas County School District News
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Douglas County Educational Foundation
Community Events:
- Sept. 16 - 18: Rockies Back to School Nights
- September 17: Colorado Rapids Community Night
- October 12: Denver Botanic Gardens (Chatfield) Corn Maze and Hay Rides
Link to the Foundation's recent eNewsletter
which contains complete list of upcoming events and links to purchase tickets:
click here
Click here to subscribe to the Douglas County Association for Gifted & Talented (DCAGT) Newsletter.
Click here
for DCSD story on: "STEM School and Academy Students Win National Award for Innovation."
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STEM School & Academy | 303-683-7836 | www.stemhigh.org
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