Colorado STEM Academy Newsletter

October 30, 2026

Updates for the Week Ahead

Dear CSA Families,

What an extraordinary week at Colorado STEM Academy!

Today’s Fall Celebration was an absolute blast. It was wonderful seeing our hallways filled with cozy fall colors as students dove into hands-on pumpkin projects, creative crafts, and festive STEM challenges. Thank you to everyone who helped bring the spirit of autumn into our classrooms today!

We also want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to every parent, guardian, and family chaperone who joined us for our whole-school field trip to the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. Coordinated events like this simply aren’t possible without your time and support—thank you for making it such a safe and memorable experience for our learners.

To make the trip even more incredible, our students witnessed a piece of living science history:

🦖 A Historic, Once-in-a-Lifetime Discovery at DMNS!
During our visit, DMNS officially unveiled the first-ever adult T. rex trackway in history—a sequence of four 3-foot footprints spanning 23 feet, capturing how a T. rex walked 66.5 million years ago. This groundbreaking specimen was discovered by local Northglenn High School science teacher and DMNS volunteer Kent Hups, alongside museum paleontologist Dr. Tyler Lyson.
Making the moment unforgettable, several of our own CSA students were among the very first people in the world permitted to touch the fossil! 🖐️

Moments where real-world scientific discovery meets hands-on learning are the very core of STEM education. It is an experience our young scientists will never forget!

Thank you again to our staff, chaperones, and families for making this week one for the record books. Have a safe, restful, and wonderful weekend!

🚨 Action Items & Important Reminders

November 2nd: Early Release

No School: Monday, November 9th is a holiday.

🍂 Upcoming School Events

Open House & Astronomy Night (Tue, Nov 17):

Open House (2027–2028 School Year): 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM (Preschool – Level 8). Know a family interested in STEM? Invite them to attend!
Astronomy Night: 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM. Stargaze on the track, check out telescopes, and view student projects.

🚘 Pick-Up, Dismissal & Campus Rules

Monday, Nov 2: Early Release — Pick up by 1:40 PM.
Tuesday – Friday: All students must be picked up by 3:40 PM.
Need an extra or replacement pick-up tag? Stop by the Irving Office.

Parking Rules: Please do not park along the Irving playground fence, as it blocks traffic flow.

Student Belongings: Please keep toys and non-essential items at home.

Friday Dress-Down Days: Every Friday is a dress-down day! Pay $1 per Friday or $20 for the full semester.

🛡️ Campus Safety

Corner Property Updates: We are working with authorities regarding safety concerns near the Irving Lot entrance. Please report any suspicious activity directly to the Westminster Police Non-Emergency Line at 303-658-4360.

Building Access: Never hold exterior doors open for anyone. All visitors must ring the front doorbell so office staff can properly screen and grant access.

🌐 Asistencia en Español

Para cualquier ayuda o información en español, por favor llame a la oficina al (303) 487-2853.

📅 Mark Your Calendars: November & December

Nov 6: Level 1 Zoo Field Trip (9:00 AM – 1:30 PM)

Nov 9: No School (Veterans Day)

Nov 12: PTA Meeting (4:00 PM – 5:00 PM) | BAAC Meeting (5:00 PM – 6:00 PM)

Nov 13: First Trimester Awards Assembly (Details coming soon)

Nov 17: Level 7 JA Finance Park (9:00 AM – 1:30 PM) | Open House (5:00 PM) | Astronomy Night (6:30 PM)

Nov 23 – 27: No School (Thanksgiving Break)

Nov 30: Winter Gift Shop Preview

Dec 1 – 3: Winter Gift Shop Open (8:20 AM – 12:00 PM daily)

Dec 3: Kindergarten Field Trip to Children’s Museum

Dec 4: Team A Field Trip to Aquarium

Share Your Voice Community Workshop

Comparte Tu Voz

Free Irving Street Library November Events

Community Workshop Registration: Twin Lakes & South Westminster | monday.com forms

Picture Retake Day

Please have your student return their package to the photographer on retake day. We will reprint your package with your retake day image at no additional cost to you. If you are a Digital Download only customer, please provide the photographer with a printed copy of your receipt in lieu of a picture package. We will also reprocess your digital order at no additional cost to you. If your student(s) will be attending retake day, please make sure their teacher is aware your student(s) will be sitting for retakes.

Yearbooks On Sale, Price Goes Up October 30th

Students are back at school making new memories! Be sure to order the one book that captures the activities, spirit, and unique qualities of your child’s school. Visit www.jostensyearbooks.com to order the 2026 - 2027 Yearbook by October 30th for the BEST PRICE!

¡Los estudiantes han vuelto a la escuela creando nuevos recuerdos! Asegúrese de pedir el libro que captura las actividades, el espíritu y las cualidades únicas de la escuela de su hijo. Visite www.jostensyearbooks.com para pedir el Anuario 2026 - 2027 antes del 30 de octubre al MEJOR PRECIO.

Language and Culture Spotlight

Language & Culture Spotlight: Initiative Overview 🌍

Colorado STEM Academy is excited to launch the Language & Culture Spotlight—a family-led initiative created to strengthen belonging, honor our community's rich diversity, and ensure families have a genuine voice as partners in shaping our school. Starting with a dedicated display space in the Irving building, families across all grade levels (PK–8) can partner with us to share home languages, stories, traditions, art, or classroom learning opportunities. This initiative belongs to our community: families decide what is shared and how we connect, learn from, and celebrate one another.

Enfoque de Lenguaje y Cultura: Resumen de la Iniciativa 🌍

¡Colorado STEM Academy se complace en presentar el Enfoque de Lenguaje y Cultura! Esta iniciativa, guiada por las familias, busca fortalecer el sentido de pertenencia y celebrar la riqueza de nuestra comunidad. Comenzando con un espacio de exhibición en el edificio Irving, las familias de todos los grados (PK–8) pueden colaborar compartiendo sus idiomas, historias, tradiciones, arte o actividades educativas. Esta iniciativa pertenece a nuestra comunidad: las familias deciden qué compartir y cómo conectarnos, aprender y celebrarnos mutuamente.

Celebrating Excellence is Coming

Celebrating Excellence Coming Soon!

The district’s annual Celebrating Excellence competition takes place this January! Colorado STEM Academy students will have opportunities to participate in the Spelling Bee, Math Counts, and Geography Bee.

Geography Bee: Click the images below for full details!
Spelling Bee & Math Counts: Details coming soon.
District Info: District-wide competition information will be shared soon.

Geography Bee Levels 3-5

Geography Bee Levels 6-8

Free Nov Events at IRving Street Library

Celebrations & Fun

🎤✨ Celebrating Student Talent & Achievement! 📚🐝

🤖🚘 Coding in Action! ⚡️

Our Team A students had an incredible time at the Ranum Iver Innovation Campus October 7, 8 and 9! They dove headfirst into hands-on STEM learning and programmed self-driving Zumi cars! 💻🧠

So much innovation, problem-solving, and fun! 🚀✨

🌲🔥 Hands-on learning in action!

Our Team B 7th & 8th graders took an awesome field trip to Mud Lake on Wednesday October 14th with the Wild Bear Nature Center! Students explored fire ecology, identified trees using every sense except sight, and played a tag game demonstrating the impact bark beetles have on a forest.

We love learning beyond the classroom! 🪵🍂 #HandsOnLearning #STEMinAction #FieldTrip

October 28th was our Whole School Field Trip to the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. We had so much fun. our ENTIRE school embarked on a whole-school field trip to explore the wonders of science and nature! From Preschool to 8th grade, our students dove headfirst into real-world STEM experiences:

🐾 Preschool & Kindergarten: Discovered local habitats and learned all about how animals prepare for hibernation! 🦕 Level 1 (1st Grade): Journeyed back in time to explore the fascinating world of dinosaurs! 🦊 Level 2 (2nd Grade): Uncovered amazing animal adaptations and how creatures survive in the wild. 🏺 Level 3 (3rd Grade): Stepped into Colorado’s rich history, examining real artifacts millions of years old! 🫀 Level 4 (4th Grade): Got hands-on with biology through heart dissections! 🫁 Level 5 (5th Grade): Explored respiratory systems up close with lung dissections! 🌌 Levels 6, 7 & 8 (Middle School): Traveled through the stars with an incredible planetarium experience!

While our students were exploring, our dedicated educators engaged in impactful Professional Development focused on student engagement, the power of strong relationships, and fostering a growth mindset. 🧠💡

📸 Be sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook and check out Class Dojo to see photos and more celebrations from across our school all year long. We love sharing the joy, pride, and accomplishments that make STEM such a special place to learn and grow! 💙

PTA (Parent Teacher Association) BAAC (Building Accountability Advisory Committee) DAAC (District Accountability Advisory Committee)

PTA at Colorado STEM Academy for the 2026-2027 School Year

We have many exciting events to look forward to throughout the year! If you’d like to get involved, we warmly invite you to attend one of our upcoming PTA meetings. Children welcome and food provided.

Wednesday September 2nd

Thursday November 12th

PTA Meeting 4:00-5:00

BAAC 5:00-6:00

Wednesday January 13th

PTA Meeting 4:00-5:00

BAAC 5:00-6:00

Thursday March 4th

PTA Meeting 4:00-5:00

BAAC 5:00-6:00

Shape the Future of WPS Schools! Join the District Accountability Advisory Committee (DAAC) to share your voice on budget priorities, student success, and school improvements. Parents, are invited to participate with a commitment of just 4 meetings per school year. Click the link below to apply!

¡Ayude a construir el futuro de las escuelas de WPS! Únase al Comité Asesor de Responsabilidad del Distrito (DAAC) y comparta su opinión sobre presupuestos, éxito estudiantil y mejoras escolares. Se invitan a padres a participar con un compromiso de solo 4 reuniones al año. Complete la solicitud abajo.

“Learn more about Mill Levy 4A
Visit the WPS Mill Levy 4A webpage for information about the measure, FAQs, proposed uses of the funding, and additional resources.

“Conozca más sobre la Medida 4A del Mill Levy

Visite la página web de WPS sobre la Medida 4A para obtener información sobre la medida, preguntas frecuentes, los usos propuestos de los fondos y recursos adicionales.

DAAC Application - Westminster Public Schools

2026 Mill Levy Ballot Measure - Westminster Public Schools

4A

Join the PTA

PTA Event Calendar

Futures & Fall After School Clubs

Register for Nature Club Levels 1-5 (use link below to register)

Description of Classes

Nature Club Registration Form Below

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Woodworking & Woodturning STEM Club

Woodworking & Woodturning Club

Union students will learn tool safety and techniques while crafting custom wooden projects!

Cost: $20 (Cash or IC Parent Portal)
Status: Session 1 is in session; click the link below to apply for Sessions 2 & 3.
Pick-Up: 3:10 PM at the flagpole (by 3:15 PM max)
Deadline to Apply: TBD for session 2 and 3

Note: Power & Hand Tool Permission Slip required before class 2.

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