Weekly Parent Newsletter

Dear STEM School Highlands Ranch Parents,

I am delighted to bring you fantastic news – our Five-Year Charter Renewal has been approved by the DCSD School Board at their meeting this past Tuesday. This success is a direct result of the unwavering dedication and hard work put in by our outstanding faculty and staff, showcasing the remarkable achievements of STEM!

I want to highlight some standout improvements that did not go unnoticed in this process and that deserve celebration:

• Continued Excellence in STEM Education: Our commitment to providing high-quality education for STEM students has been consistently recognized.
• Enhanced Support Services: We have made significant strides in improving support services for students facing learning challenges.
• Focus on Holistic Learning and Mental Health: Our intentional focus on student mental health and holistic learning is evident.
• Increased Staff Retention: The increased retention of school administrators and teachers reflects the positive work environment we have collectively fostered.
• Commitment to Satisfaction: A stronger commitment to parent satisfaction and a genuine approach to addressing student, teacher, and parent concerns.
• Enhanced Collaboration: Our school leadership actively seeks increased collaboration with stakeholders, surrounding schools, and the school district.
• Commitment to Board Best Practice: Significant gains have been made in board make-up, policy governance, training, and committee work.

Communication and Collaboration

As a community, we strive for excellence and are committed to creating an environment where our students can thrive, lead, and succeed. We believe that feedback plays a crucial role in shaping the future of our school. The thoughts and insights of our staff, students, and parents help us determine the opportunities for growth and development that support our efforts to create a positive and enriching environment for our students.

Why is your feedback important?

1. Continuous Improvement: Your opinions help us make informed decisions to enhance the overall educational experience.
2. Tailored Solutions: Your unique perspectives enable us to understand the diverse needs of our school community. By participating in surveys, you contribute to the development of solutions that are tailored to meet those needs.
3. Positive Impact on Students: Your insights directly impact our students' educational journey. Your feedback guides us in refining teaching methods, introducing new programs, and fostering a supportive atmosphere for optimal learning.

How can you get involved?

1. Participate in Surveys: Keep an eye out for surveys sent via email or linked in our newsletters. Your participation ensures that your voice is heard and considered in our decision-making process.
2. Attend Feedback Sessions: We value open communication. Attend parent-teacher meetings and other feedback sessions to share your thoughts directly and engage in constructive conversations.
3. Stay informed: Read our weekly newsletter and check our website and social media sites regularly for updates on initiatives, upcoming events, and general information.

Click on the STEM Events Calendar to see everything that is happening at STEM. We've added Enrichment and Athletic Events to the calendar as well. Upcoming events include:

• Saturday, Jan. 27 (7-10 p.m.) - High School Winter Formal (Secondary Gym)
  
• Monday, Jan. 29 (4-6:30 p.m.) - Middle School "Sleep-In" Movie Night (Secondary Gym)
• Friday, Feb. 2 (4:30 & 6 p.m.) - Boys' Basketball vs. Rocky Mountain
• Friday, Feb. 2 (6-8 pm.) - STEM PTO Elementary Sweetheart Dance
• Tuesday, Feb. 6 (3:15-4 p.m.) - Student Forum/Information Session
• Tuesday, Feb. 6 (5:30-7 p.m.) - KOSON/STEM Board Meeting (KOSON/P-TECH Building)
• Wednesday, Feb. 7 (3-6 p.m.) - STEM's Got Talent Auditions (Room 149)
• Wednesday, Feb. 7 (4:30 & 6 p.m.) - Boys JV and Varsity vs. DSST: Green Valley Ranch
• Thursday, Feb. 8 (10:45-11:25 a.m.) - Mikron Technology Internship Info Session (HS Cafe/Commons)
• Thursday, Feb. 8 (3-6 p.m.) - STEM's Got Talent Auditions (Room 149)
• Thursday, Feb. 8 (4:30 & 6 p.m.) - Boys' Basketball vs. Mile High Academy
• Monday, Feb. 12 (5:30-6:30 p.m.) - College Night for Junior Students and Parents (HS Cafe/Commons)

The 3rd annual Dutch Bros Day! Please visit the Dutch Bros at 7960 S Broadway, Littleton, on Saturday, Jan. 27, where $1 from every drink sold will be donated back to Make-A-Wish Colorado and added to OUR school’s fundraising total!

In this week's Elementary News, you can find information about:

• STEM PTO Elementary Sweetheart Dance
• STEM's Got Talent Auditions
  
• Middle School Academic Course Selection Presentation
• Center for Strength Newsletter and Upcoming Events
• Important Elementary School Driveline Reminders
  
• And more
  

In this week's Secondary News, you can find information about:

• High School Winter Formal
  
• Middle School "Sleep In" Movie Night
• STEM's Got Talent Auditions
• France & Germany Logistics Meeting
  
• Middle and High School Academic Course Registration Parent Information Night
  
• Center for Strength Newsletter and Upcoming Events
• FBLA District 11 Conference Judge Request
  
• February Access Update
• College and Career Newsletter
• 2024 Douglas County Outstanding Youth Award Nominations
  
• Announcing BOLT Summer Camp - June 10-13, 2024
  
• So Much More!
  

The Backpack Society is an organization that partners with schools in Douglas County and Littleton Public Schools to reach students in need. They are a 100% community supported nonprofit based in Highlands Ranch. They collect food donations and raise funds for students who are sturggling with food insecurity.

• Click here to learn more about the Backpack Society
• Click here to sign-up to receive food

Want to see all the Good Things happening at STEM? Check out our Sharing Our Good News post. Each week we share photos, videos and information about the Good News that has happened that week.

Each week we'll share important Athletics News with our community. Updates are written by Athletics Director Susan Jones. In this week's update:

• Next Boys' Basketball Game:
• Friday, Feb. 2 (4:30 & 6 p.m.) - Boys' Basketball vs. Rocky Mountain
• Wednesday, Feb. 7 (4:30 & 6 p.m.) - Boys JV and Varsity vs. DSST: Green Valley Ranch
• Thursday, Feb. 8 (4:30 & 6 p.m.) - Boys' Basketball vs. Mile High Academy
• Basketball Tickets Being Sold Online
  
• New Athletics Website!
• Watch Spartans Live!

Enrichment at STEM is the place students can find all of the school’s after-school, summer, and other enrichment offerings.

• Donate to STEM's Enrichment Program
• Elementary, Middle and High School Club Registrations

We ask that all families contribute 30 hours (or more) of volunteering to STEM. Families can give of their time or make a Volunteer-Hour Donation. See all the opportunities available:

• Volunteer sign ups in Raptor Volunteer Portal
  
• Lunchroom helper
• Driveline helper
• Vision and Hearing Screening Volunteers (Need 24)
• Click here to sign-up to donate fleece for TSA Blanket Drive
• Click here to sign up for Vision and Hearing Screening Food Donations
• Click here to sign-up for TSA Snack Donations
• Click here to sign-up for CyberPatriot snack donations
• Our Health Room needs donations - Click here for the Amazon Wishlist
  
• Donate snacks for Enrichment Clubs
  
• Staff's Amazon Wishlists
• Make a Volunteer-Hours Donation via MySchoolBucks

Volunteering is easy. Once you're approved in our Raptor System, browse the Upcoming Events in the Volunteer Portal and sign-up! Your Volunteer Hours will automatically be logged when you sign-in for the event.

Each week our very own DCSO School Resource Officer Deputy Gabe Uribe, writes a newsletter for our community about important topics as it relates to safety and security.

Each week our STEM PTO puts together a newsletter for our community, sharing information about upcoming events and opportunities to get involved.