Ms. Kovalesky Message

Thank you for your support and patience as we navigated our first winter weather situation of the season. I’d like to share a bit more about how weather decisions are made and the purpose behind our options.

How decisions are made

STEM relies on information from the district Weather Team, which works closely with the Colorado Department of Transportation and a large district transportation group that evaluates road conditions early each morning. STEM administration is then notified of the district’s determination, and we review it through the lens of our own community and campus needs before confirming our plan. As a K–12 charter with families and staff commuting from across the South Denver area—and with high school students who drive—we must consider a wide range of safety and access factors in every decision.

As we all know, predicting weather is never an exact science. Even with the best tools and training, forecasts can change quickly and conditions can vary across the metro area. With that said, DCSD and STEM will always do our best to make the safest and most appropriate decision for students, families, and staff.

We understand that no single decision will feel perfect for everyone, but our priority will always be safety and doing what is best for our community.

Weather options and how we apply them
STEM’s updated weather policy includes three possible outcomes: Snow Day, Delayed Start, and Virtual Day. In general:

• If DCSD determines roads are safe and holds a regular day, STEM will most often follow that decision.

• If DCSD calls a delayed start, STEM will consider either a delayed start or a virtual day based on conditions affecting our community. A virtual day would be considered if a delay is not in the best interest of the safety of our community.

• If DCSD calls a snow day/closure, STEM will most often follow that decision as well.

We also must consider instructional minutes and how many weather/emergency days are built into our calendar. Our goal is to use those days wisely while keeping safety as the priority.

Attendance and family choice
We know that driving in inclement weather is ultimately a family decision, and no student will be penalized for staying home on an impacted weather day. If your student is home and able, we encourage them to use that time to complete assignments or engage in learning activities.

Respectful communication
We work hard to maintain a community where students and staff feel safe, supported, and valued. We also understand that weather decisions can be frustrating. If you have concerns, please bring them respectfully to the appropriate person.

• You may email me, your building principal, or info@stemk12.org.

• Please do not use the attendance line to express frustrations in a way that yells at or belittles our office staff. They are supporting families and students the best they can in a fast-moving situation.

Thank you again for your partnership as we navigate winter weather together. Our goal is always to prioritize safety while providing the best learning experience possible.