STEM SPOTLIGHT

Every Spartan counts! 💙💛

While attendance matters every day, October Count Day is especially important for STEM. Our official student enrollment count helps determine the per-pupil funding our school receives, making attendance on this day incredibly important.

Please help us set STEM up for budget success by making every effort to have your student at school and on time on Thursday, October 1.

Of course, if your student is sick, please keep them home to rest and recover.

Thank you for helping ensure every Spartan is counted!

Thank you to everyone who took the time to provide feedback on our 2027–28 Academic Calendar!

We received 273 parent responses, with Calendar 1 receiving the most first-choice selections at 57.9%, followed by Calendar 2 at 24.2%. Families also shared valuable written feedback regarding start times, late-start Fridays, schedule consistency, and other calendar considerations.

The results of both the parent and staff surveys have been shared with the STEM Board of Directors for review. The Board will consider the feedback and vote on the 2027–28 Academic Calendar at the October Board meeting.

Check out the survey results above for a closer look at what we heard from our community.

Get those costumes ready and join us on Friday, October 30 from 5–7 p.m. for a fun-filled night of Trunk-or-Treating at STEM!

Our trunks will be hosted by student clubs, grade levels and the PTC!

WE NEED CANDY!

Between now and October 30, keep an eye out for our Monster Candy Collection Boxes in each lobby! Please consider donating a bag of individually wrapped candy to help our clubs, teachers, and trunk hosts keep our trick-or-treaters stocked throughout the night.

Whether you're hosting a trunk, donating candy, or just coming to trick-or-treat, we can't wait to celebrate with our STEM community!

Important information regarding upcoming testing for students in grades 6–12, including schedule adjustments and late-start information, was sent to Secondary families on Friday.

If you missed the communication, please take a few minutes to review the important message from our Testing Coordinator linked below so your family is prepared for the upcoming testing days.

Get ready to PACK THE GYM IN PINK as STEM Girls Volleyball hosts Pink Out Night in support of breast cancer research! 🩷

This year, our volleyball players are adding a little friendly competition off the court as they battle for the title of STEM’s Best Baker! Stop by the Greatest Bake Sale Ever to purchase some amazing homemade treats, cast your vote for the best baker, and help support an incredible cause.

Proceeds will benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF), the world’s largest private funder of breast cancer research—and donations are currently being triple matched, making every contribution go even further.

Pink Out is about more than wearing pink. As CHSAA shares, the initiative is an opportunity to create greater awareness among young women participating in volleyball and encourage important conversations between mothers and daughters about breast cancer.

Wear your PINK, bring your sweet tooth, cheer on our Spartans, and help us turn a night of great volleyball into an opportunity to make a difference! 🩷🏐🎀

It’s time to start planning for winter! Elementary Winter Club registration is officially LIVE!

Explore this winter’s club offerings and find the perfect fit for your student.

Visit STEMK12.org to view available clubs and register today! 💙💛

Space may be limited, so don’t wait to secure your student’s spot!

Beginning the week of September 27, Secondary Open Gym will move to Tuesday and Wednesday mornings from 7:30–7:55 a.m.

Students planning to participate should make note of the new days and times. We look forward to seeing our Spartans in the gym!

9/29: Grades 9-12 | Medical Career Interest Meeting hosted by Red Cross
10/1: 8th-12 Grade | Career Discovery Day | PTC Meeting
10/3: Grades 7-12 | Stellr Space Design Challenge | MS Student Government Dance
10/5-10/9: Elementary Conferences

10/5: Volleyball Pink-Out
10/6: STEM Innovation Invitational | Elementary Make-Up Picture day
10/7: Secondary Late Start | MS/ HS Parent Teacher Conferences | Last Names A-K
10/8: MS/ HS Parent Teacher Conferences | Last Names L-Z
10/9: K-12 Early Release
10/13-10/16: Fall Break
10/19: 7th Grade | Seacamp Informational Meeting
10/20-10/23: 8th Grade | Boston Trip

Please click the button below to read full updates from Ms. Manzanares, Elementary Principal.

Elementary families, it’s time to order your 2026–27 STEM Elementary Yearbook! Capture all the memories from another great year with your K–5 Spartan.

To purchase a yearbook for your K–5 student, visit buytheyearbook.com and use:
STEM School Highlands Ranch School Code: 737836

Don’t miss out on a year full of Spartan memories! 💙💛

Elementary Picture Make-Up Day is Tuesday, October 6, from 8 a.m.–12 p.m.!

If your student missed Picture Day on September 1, get them dressed up and ready to show off their best smile!

Students who need a make-up photo will have the opportunity to have their picture taken during the school day.

We know our STEM parents and families want to be involved, and we love having you on campus! Our Elementary School currently has several volunteer opportunities open and ready for families to sign up.

Lunchroom Volunteers: Help our students during lunch by opening drinks and packages, assisting with cleanup, helping keep the lunchroom running smoothly, and lending an extra hand where needed.

Driveline Volunteers: Help our staff safely welcome students from their vehicles to the building in the morning or help students get from the building to their vehicles during afternoon dismissal.

Whether you can volunteer once or become a familiar face around campus, we’d love to have you join us! Use the button below to view available opportunities and sign up.

Please click the button below to read full updates from Mr. Alsup, High School Principal.

Secondary Parent-Teacher Conferences are coming up! Conferences will be held from 4:30–7:30 p.m. on the following evenings:

• Wednesday, October 7: Last names A–K
• Thursday, October 8: Last names L–Z
  
  

Conferences are run open-house style—there are no scheduled appointments. Families can find the teachers they would like to speak with and get in line. To help keep things moving and give as many families as possible an opportunity to connect, each conference is limited to approximately ten minutes per teacher.

With multiple teachers to visit, it may be difficult to meet with every teacher in one evening. We encourage families to prioritize the classes where a conversation would be most helpful based on grades, behavior, student concerns or conversations at home, or other areas where additional information may be helpful.

If you need more than ten minutes with a teacher, please email them directly to schedule a separate meeting so you have the time needed for a more in-depth conversation.

We look forward to welcoming our Secondary families and providing an opportunity to connect with your student’s teachers!

Calling all Middle School Ghouls, Ghosts, and Creatures of the Night! The Middle School Student Government is bringing the spooky season to STEM with the Graveyard Get-Down Dance! 👻🎃

Join us October 3 from 6–8:30 p.m. for a night of frights, fun, and unforgettable music!

🧟 Costumes are encouraged, so come dressed for the occasion and ready to dance!

Tickets:
Presale: $10 — available in the lunchroom starting Tuesday
At the Door: $15

Grab your friends, plan your costume, and get ready for a frighteningly fun night! 🕷️🦇

The 2027 Colorado Space Design Challenge is coming to STEM School Highlands Ranch on Saturday, October 3!

The challenge is now open to students in grades 7–12 at a new reduced price of just $47 when you use code STEM2027 at registration.

Students will put their creativity, teamwork and problem-solving skills to work as they take on an out-of-this-world design challenge!

Saturday, October 3
STEM School Highlands Ranch
Grades 7–12
$47 with code STEM2027

Learn more and register now at www.stellreducation.org.

Registration also includes a 12-month Stellr Community membership and event T-shirt.

Interested students and families can use the registration information in the flyer below to learn more and sign up!

We're excited to start work on this year's yearbook and wanted to share a few important dates and details.

Senior Pictures
Senior pictures are due October 31st. Image requirements have been emailed to your student, please make sure they follow those specifications.

Preferred Name Changes
If you'd like your student's name changed for the yearbook, please email yearbook@stemk12.org. Requests must:

• Come directly from the parent/guardian
• Include the student's name as it appears in Infinite Campus
• Include the preferred name you'd like used instead
  

Senior Ads
Senior ads are due by November 9th and can be purchased here:
Order a senior ad

Please reach out to yearbook@stemk12.org with any questions. We can't wait to capture another great year!

BELL SCHEDULE

Secondary School (6-12): 8 AM - 3:30 PM

Elementary School (K-1): 8:10 AM - 3 PM

Elementary School (2-5): 8:10 AM - 3:10 PM

AFTER-CARE HOURS

B.A.S.E. (K-5) 6:30 AM - 8:05 AM and 3 PM - 6 PM

Secondary (6-12) After School Care: 3:30 PM - 6 PM