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Newsletter Direct Links
*Note: Please make sure to click on "[Message clipped] View entire message" at the bottom of this e-mail so you can view the full newsletter.
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 Important Upcoming Dates
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Now's the Time to Think about Next Year for Your Child!
Do you Intend to Return for the 2018/19 School Year?
For enrollment planning purposes, please let us know, either way, if your child plans to return to STEM next year.
Fill out this form for each currently attending STEM student. If you are currently enrolled at STEM please let us know that your child is returning, though you do not need to "open enroll" back to STEM. If your child is currently attending STEM, they will be automatically enrolled for next year.
Do you Have a Sibling Who Wants to Attend STEM Next Year?
Does your current STEM student have a sibling who is interested in attending STEM for the 2018/19 school year? Did you know that they have priority on our waitlist? Please add them to our waitlist now! STEM's open enrollment is now open and we will begin notifying families of accepted spots for the 2018/19 school year beginning December 1st.
Now Accepting Names for the 2018/2019 School Year!
STEM is now accepting names for the waitlist for 2018/19. Please spread the word to your family and friends. They can add their child to the waitlist here! We will begin notifying families of accepted spots beginning on December 1st. Please note that STEM does not run on the same open enrollment system as Douglas County.
Intent to Attend Your Neighborhood School
If you wish to attend your neighborhood school, you must return this form to that school no later than January 5th. This will allow your child to attend that school in the fall of next year (2018/19).
Questions? Please call the HS office at 303-683-7836 (Press 3, and then 2) or check the website for more
enrollment information.
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Network Outage from this Week, Update from IT Department
We had a network outage on 11/8, affecting all Internet connections. Our core switch which connects all of our infrastructure to the outside world decided to quit working. We anticipated that this machine was at the end of its life and had purchased replacement devices. The intent was to move to the new core switch over the December break so as not to disrupt classes.
A vendor helped us migrate all of the network traffic to the new devices and we were up and active by early morning on 11/9.
You may also be aware that we have had some WiFi issues. We are currently working with two vendors looking at the problem from a couple different angles. We are confident that we will find a resolution and get our network back to the operational state we had last year. Last year we had a total of only 2 hours and 40 minutes of downtime for the entire school year.
We would like to gather a team of WiFi and network professionals who can help us problem solve these issues. If you have business or school experience with WiFi or LAN networks, please
email us a link to your LinkedIn profile or a copy of your resume.
Thank you for your patience. We are grateful for the opportunity to make a positive impact on your students.
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Why are there Cameras in Driveline?
In the coming weeks, Fox-Tuttle will be collecting Driveline data for the 2018-2019 Traffic Management Plan (TMP) submittal. The TMP must be submitted this spring for the following year. They will count cars and the amount of time the Driveline operates with cameras.
They will collect data for one or two days.
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What Happens in the Event of Inclement Weather?
With colder weather settling in, it's important that you are aware of our school's policy regarding Snow Days and Virtual Days.
In the event of inclement weather, our school's operation and instructional expectations will be determined by one of these three scenarios:
- Snow Day - Douglas County Schools (check www.dcsdk12.org) calls a snow day - our school is closed. You can download the DCSD app to your phone and check school closures as well.
- Late Start Day - Douglas County Schools calls a Late Start day - our school is closed and implements a Virtual School Day.
- All Schools Open - Douglas County Schools declare Highlands Ranch area schools open - our school is open and operating with our regular schedule.
Looking for more details? Check out the Virtual Days page on our
website.
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Keeping Up with Social Media at STEM!
Social media is a key way to hear/learn/see what is happening at STEM in a timely matter.
Currently, both the school and STEM PTO have their own Facebook Pages.
There is also a STEM Parent FB Page that many parents follow.
Here is a hint to help you keep the STEM news at the top of your feed:
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Log into your home page
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Look for News Feed under your name on the left side of your page and and click the three dots.
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Select
Edit Preferences.
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Select
Prioritize Who to See First.
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You can select several
"see first"
preferences and these will always be at the top of your feed!
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Black Friday
Spart-Mart
Deals
Bundle options:
#1: Long Sleeve T-shirt and Sticker for $20.00 (online code Bundle#1)
#2: Hoodie, Fidget Spinner and Sticker for $30.00 (online code Bundle#2)
#3: 1/4 Zip, Fidget Spinner, Drawstring Bag and Sticker for $35.00 (online code Bundle#3)
#4:
School Supply Bundle: STEM Sticker, Pen, Mechanical Pencil, and Highlighter for only $4.00! (Available only at the Spart-Mart store in school)
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General Office Updates
Lost & Found
We have collected a lot of lost coats with the changing weather. Please have your student check the Lost and Found for missing items as we will be donating the items left over Thanksgiving Break!
Volunteering/Donation Opportunities
Afternoon Volunteers
Seeking volunteers to help monitor our neighbor's parking lot at 9135 S. Ridgeline Blvd. during afternoon Driveline. This would entail guiding our students that are unsafely crossing through their property.
We would need a couple volunteers from 2:45 - 3:15pm.
More info.
Do you have Camera Gear Collecting Dust?
We are in the process of ramping up our photography program to provide more opportunities for students. If you have any Canon camera mounts that you no longer use, please consider donating to the school. We will happily accept other types of cameras as well but are in particular need of Canon mounts. Remember, every $20 donated is equal to one volunteer hour!
Thanksgiving Food Baskets
The Elementary School is donating Thanksgiving food baskets to families in need. Classrooms are asked to provide four baskets. Donations will run from 11/7 - 11/16. Parent volunteers will sort and verify complete baskets on 11/17. Parent volunteers will load up and deliver baskets on 11/17 in the afternoon after Driveline.
More info.
Please visit the volunteer page to view current opportunities here.
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Student Support Corner
College Search for Juniors and their Parents
What: An overview of the college process and finding a good fit. Topics include: researching self, researching colleges, college admission factors, standardized testing and suggested timeline. Open to STEM Juniors
and their parents.
Where: HS Commons; Please enter through HS entrance
When: November 14th from 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Click here
to read more news from the Student Support Team, including:
- Sources of Strength Mentors and Muffins
- Second semester schedule changes for Middle and High Schoolers
- 2018 Prudential Spirit of Community Award
- Parents Encouraging Parents
To find out more about Student Support, programs and offering and to learn more about the team, please visit our
website.
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Parents, Want to Save on College Tuition? Parents of 8th-12th grade students: Join us on December 7th from 5:30-7 p.m. More info on our website.
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LATEST High School News
Click here
for the
most up-to-date High School news on our website
.
Also Mr. Blackburn updated his website page with a recap on the Showcase Night. Be sure to
subscribe here.
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6th Grade "Fun with Mentors"
Sixth graders: as you know, each of you have been assigned and notified of your teacher mentor. Please join together on Wednesday, November 29th during 10th Period (2:55-3:45pm) for food, friends, and fun with your mentor! You will go to your individual mentor's room. Stop by for a few minutes, or stay the entire time. Questions? Please e-mail Jenny Johnson. |
Parents, Want to Save on College Tuition? Parents of 8th-12th grade students: Join us on December 7th from 5:30-7 p.m. More info on our website.
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Don't Miss the LATEST Middle School NEWS
Click here
for the
most up-to-date Middle School news on our website.
Also, subscrib
e
here for updates from Ms. Weyman.
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Don't Miss the LATEST Elementary School News
Also, subscribe to Dr. Johnson's elementary school news. here.
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It's a big week for STEM PTO. We hope to see you at one of our events (or all of them!)
K-5 Moms' Movie Night - Tues. 11/14
Restaurant Night at Chipotle -
Wed. 11/15
Join us for food, fun and camaraderie! Grab your dinner at Chipotle Mexican Grill at
2209 W. Wildcat Reserve Parkway in Highlands Ranch on
Wednesday 11/15 from
4-8 p.m. Tell the cashier you are supporting STEM and 50% of your bill will be donated back to our school! Be sure to wear your STEM spirit wear!
Skate City -
Thurs. 11/16
The next Skate City party is
Thursday, November 16th from 3:30 - 5:30 p.m. Admission is $5 per student. Roller skates are $2.50 and inline skates for $3.50. You must sign up your child by
November 15
here.
Your child can ride the FUN BUS one way to the party. Payment and bus permission forms are available through the online registration. One form per student. There are only 65 spots on the bus, so sign up soon. If we get 125 skaters we get an extra $100! Read
more details here.
Join the STEM PTO Board
The STEM PTO Board is currently taking nominations for open board positions. Please contact
[email protected] if you are interested. Board position voting will occur at the
December 13 meeting. Read more about the board positions
here.
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Check out the Enrichment page of the website and view the most recent
Enrichment newsletter. Some highlights below. Contact Sara Phelps with questions about all things Enrichment.
FIRST Robotics Informational Meeting - Nov 15th
Interested in FRC? There is a student/parent info meeting at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, November 15th in the MS Commons. Please come with questions if you are interested, no commitment required.
Speech and Debate Club
The next meeting will take place Wednesday, November 15th, after school in room 105 with Mr. Haydel. This is a new program for MS and HS students.
BEST Robotics at Barnes and Noble MiniMaker Faire
STEM's BEST Robotics team is participating in the Barnes & Noble MiniMaker Faire on Saturday 11/11 from 12-4 p.m. at the Barnes & Noble at Wadsworth and Bowles. Watch the team's robot demonstrations, in addition to launching paper rockets, the opportunity to donate books to STEM teachers, and family-friendly activities with virtual reality, coding, technology, and more!
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The Douglas County School District is Colorado's third-largest school district, serving more than 67,000 students in preschool through twelfth-grade.
Visit the
DCSD website.
Click here for the Gifted and Talented newsletter.
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The Foundation for Douglas County Schools
(formerly the Douglas County Educational Foundation) 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.
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DCSD Winter Community Events
- Community Night with Denver Nuggets - Nov. 11th, 7 p.m. View Flier.
- "The Snowy Day" - Denver Center for the Performing Arts - Now through Nov. 18th
- Park Meadows Holiday Shopping Event - Dec. 3rd
- "A Christmas Carol" - Denver Center for the Performing Arts -
Nov. 24th - Dec. 10th
- National Western Stock Show - Jan. 6th-21st
View
all upcoming winter events
here.
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STEM School Highlands Ranch | 303-683-7836 | www.stemk12.org
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