Colorado STEM Academy Newsletter

🎉 Celebrating Our Students & End-of-Year Updates

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Our continuation ceremonies were absolutely beautiful! We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of our families for your incredible support, dedication, and partnership throughout this school year. We couldn't do this without you.

A huge congratulations to our Preschoolers, Kindergarteners, and 8th graders as they take this exciting next step on their educational journeys! We are so proud of you all.

🧥 Don’t Forget to Check the Lost & Found on Wednesday May 27th!

Before we head into summer, please make sure to check for any missing items.

• Where: Tables will be set up outside of the Union Gym (in the hallway to the left of the gym entrance). Please take a look on your way to our awards assemblies.

• When: We highly recommend arriving a few minutes early to browse the tables on your way into the upcoming awards assemblies, or stopping by on your way out.

• Please Note: Any items left behind after summer break officially begins will be donated to charity.

Thank you for a wonderful school year, and let's finish these last days strong!

Awards Assemblies — May 27, 2026

Please mark your calendars for our upcoming Awards Assemblies. This is a special time for our community to gather and celebrate the successes of the 2025-2026 school year.

• 9:30 AM | Levels 6 & 7 (Union Students): Ceremony held at the Union Gym.

• 10:05 AM | Levels 1–5 (Irving Students): Ceremony held at the Union Gym.

• 2025-2026 Yearbooks: Don't miss out on the memories! Order yours here: https://tinyurl.com/mvczndra

• You can order Yearbooks still stop by the Irving or Union Office to grab yours.

• 📅 Looking Ahead: At-A-Glance

• May 27th: EOY Awards Assemblies & Last Day for Students

• 9:30 AM | Levels 6 & 7 (Union Students): Ceremony held at the Union campus.
• 10:00 AM | Levels 1–5 (Irving Students): Ceremony held at the Union campus.

Please note that the correct phone number for the Union office is 303.487.2834

📱 School Phone Policy Update for Next School Year!

Great minds think alike! You may have heard that our school district just passed a new district-wide phone policy. Because we’ve already seen the positive impact of limiting distractions in our classrooms, our school will be maintaining our current phone policy for the upcoming school year with some updates.

We are proud to be ahead of the curve in keeping our focus exactly where it belongs: on student learning, engagement, and building a strong community!

Parents and students, please take a moment to review the district's newly released policy here to see how it aligns with our campus expectations: Link Below

Thank you for your continued partnership in creating the best possible learning environment for our kids! 🦅✨

WPS CTE will be hosting it’s first CTE/STEM Camp this summer. This camp is no cost to families. Space is limited so sign-up now!

When? June 9th – 11th from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Where? Westminster High School

What? CSI Westminster: The Case of the Missing Mascot

Why? This camp will focus on solving the case of the missing mascot through skills learned in our Biotechnology, Aviation Engineering and Cybertechnology pathways.

Who? This is open to any 6th-8th grade students at no cost to the student/family (lunch will be included)

Sign up today for our 3-day detective-themed summer camp at Westminster High School. Middle schoolers will learn how to use Aviation, Biotech and Cyber skills to solve the crime of the missing mascot!

“Join us for multiple interactive, hands-on activities through the WELCOME Program at the University of Colorado Anschutz. Students will have the opportunity to observe and dissect real human organs, explore the human body in extended reality (XR), and view 3D -printed models used for professional medical education. It’s a fun and engaging way to learn about science, medicine, and the human body!” Please note that this will require families to complete a permission slip from Anschutz for students to attend. You will receive that form in your email once you sign your student up for the camp.***

Who? This is open to any 6th-8th grade students at no cost to the student/family (lunch will be included)

Please see attachments for important immunization information and requirements for the 2026-2027 school year.

INSPIRE is Westminster Public Schools’ Family Literacy and Learning initiative, created with the National Center for Family Learning (NCFL). It empowers parents as active learners and partners in their children’s education by helping families build new skills, strengthen school connections, and engage in meaningful learning experiences together. INSPIRE es la iniciativa de Alfabetización y Aprendizaje Familiar de Westminster Public Schools, creada en colaboración con el National Center for Family Learning (NCFL). Esta iniciativa empodera a los padres como aprendices activos y socios en la educación de sus hijos, ayudando a las familias a desarrollar nuevas habilidades, fortalecer las conexiones con la escuela y participar en experiencias de aprendizaje significativas juntos. Here is the link to the Interst Form Google doc: https://forms.gle/V5AjhfJ8AJ8JnrjW7

🎤✨ Celebrating Student Talent & Achievement! 📚🐝

Science in motion! 🎢 Our 7th and 8th graders headed to Elitch Gardens for a hands-on finale to their Rollercoaster PBL unit. From calculating G-forces to feeling them firsthand, it was an incredible day of learning.

A huge shoutout to our talented students who placed in the Rollercoaster Competition! 🏆 Your designs and hard work really paid off. We are so proud of our innovators. Thank you so Ms. Farrell and Mr. Lista for supporting this annual experience for our students.

Go STEM! 🚀💻

It’s been a week of big moves and even bigger drops for our middle schoolers! 🎢💰

Our 7th graders got a serious reality check today at Junior Achievement’s Finance Park. From budgeting for "real-life" expenses to navigating adult responsibilities, they handled their new "careers" like pros!

But the excitement doesn’t stop there! On May 14th, our 7th and 8th graders are taking their classroom physics to the next level at Elitch Gardens. 🎡 They’ve been working hard on their Rollercoaster PBL, and now it’s time to see that kinetic energy in action!

Hands-on learning = the best kind of learning.

Big Cheers for Our Award-Winning Staff! 🌟

We are absolutely bursting with pride to share that our very own Caitlyn Beckman (Level 5) has been named the District Teacher of the Year! This is a massive achievement and a true reflection of the heart, expertise, and dedication Caitlyn pours into her classroom every single day. She has a unique gift for reaching her students and inspiring those of us who work alongside her. If you see her in the halls, please give her a well-deserved "High Five!"

We also want to give a special shout-out to Cheyenne Stock, who was our Staff Member of the Month for March. Cheyenne has been an incredible asset to our team, consistently going above and beyond to support both students and staff with a positive attitude. We truly enjoyed the opportunity to celebrate her hard work and the "extra mile" she runs for our school community.

#MathMarathon #STEMEducation #MathIsFun #StudentSuccess #FutureMathematicians

📸 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 at Colorado STEM Academy

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.

Early Pick-up

If you need to pick up your child early we kindly ask that you do so before 3:00 PM Tue-Fri and before 1:00 PM on Mondays.

Driveline App

If your app isn't working, please request a new PIN, simply open the Driveline app, go to Settings → Personal Data → Request New PIN.

Driveline Number

For safety reasons, we cannot accept a verbal number. Families must use the app or display the blue Driveline number provided by the school. This is to ensure student safety.

Where to pick up

If you have students in both buildings, please use the driveline based on your youngest child’s grade level:

• PK–2 youngest child → Pick up at Irving

• Level 3–5 youngest child → Pick up at Union

Community Connections

As a STEM school, we love to build strong partnerships between our students and the wider community. We know our students are inspired when they see how what they’re learning connects to real-world careers and experiences.

If you are willing to share your expertise, we would love to partner with you! Opportunities could include:

• Speaking to a class about your career or industry, Hosting a Zoom session to connect with students or collaborating on a hands-on project.

If you are interested, please fill out Colorado STEM Academy Community Connections Form so we can share your information with teachers. They will reach out based on upcoming lessons and projects where your expertise might fit.

Your involvement helps bring learning to life for our students, and we deeply appreciate your support in growing these connections.

🔧 STEM Woodworkers & Woodturners Club (6-8)

Applications Due December 16th for January 2026 Start

Students will develop woodworking and woodturning skills while learning safe tool use and strong shop practices. Each participant will create two take-home projects.

Who: Team A & Team B students, age 12+ by January 2026
When: Mondays, 1:50–3:20 PM
Location: Irving Build Lab
Cost: $25 (paid to the office — card or cash)
Club Max: 6 students (for safety)

Session Dates: Session 2: March 30, April 6, April 13, April 20, April 27, May 4

Students will meet in Irving Gym at 1:40 pm on Mondays

Woodworking Club Application

(please try from a different browser if the link doesn't work, student can also fill out from student login)

🐛🦋 Butterfly Pavilion After-School Club (K–5)

We are excited to offer a Butterfly Pavilion After-School Club for Level 3–5 students beginning January 14th!

📅 Meets: Wednesdays
⏰ Time: 3:30–4:30 p.m. (immediately after school)
📍 Location: Irving Build Lab

Students will explore insects, habitats, life cycles, and hands-on science activities in partnership with the Butterfly Pavilion.

To register, please use the QR code below.

Link to the Butterfly Pavillion Afterschool club at STEM

We look forward to a great session of learning and discovery! 🌿🦋

♟️ Summit School of Chess - Now enrolling for Winter Session (all ages)

Want to try a free class? Email Jesse Cohen Jessecohen@gmail.com

Led by National Chess Master Jesse Cohen, Summit School of Chess has been serving hundreds of students around the Greater Denver Area since 2012. Our team of coaches is ready for students of all ages and skill levels. We specialize in having fun, respectful, and controlled environments where students can be safe to flourish.

Who: All Ages - All Skill Levels

Price: $13/class/student (e.g. $117 for a 9-week session)

Date Range:

Session Dates (9 weeks each – $117)

Fall: Sept 15, 22, 29; Oct 6, 20, 27; Nov 3, 10, 17
Winter: Dec 1, 8, 15; Jan 12, 26; Feb 2, 9, 23; March 9
Spring: March 16, 30; April 6, 13, 20, 27; May 4, 11, 18

Day and Time: Mondays from 1:50-2:50 PM

Location: Mr. Tidd’s Room

Registration Link: https://summitschoolofchess.com/schoolprograms/colorado-stem-academy/

Club minimum/Maximum: 10/30

🎮 Pokémon Club — New Session! (3-8)

Join us for a fun new Pokémon Club for grades 3–8! All experience levels welcome.

🗓 Wednesdays | 3:45–4:45 PM
🚀 Starts: Jan 21
💲 Cost: $22
📍 Location: Irving Building Gym

Important:

• First come, first served

• Mr. Jaden will confirm acceptance

• Pick-up at 4:45 PM

Catch you there! ⚡🧢

Registration Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSerj7f5I8fsq2sAv98Xugym_EHq19LxO3pRfU49FHq1vQldDw/viewform

💃🕺 Dance Club- Coming Back in the Fall!

Join Miss Amy for a high-energy, age-appropriate dance experience! Students will explore movement, rhythm, and creativity all while using fun props and dancing to energizing music.

🧱❄️ LEGO® Adventures in STEM — Winter & Spring 2025! 🌸🧱 (K-4)

Let your imagination run wild with tens of thousands of LEGO® parts! Build engineer-designed projects and use special pieces to create your own unique designs! Projects are rotated seasonally to ensure that both new and returning students can explore the endless creative possibilities of the LEGO® building system.

🌸 Lego Spring 2025 Session

🗓 Dates: 4/6/2026 – 5/11/2026 (6 classes)
⏰ Time: 1:40–3:10 PM
📅 Day: Monday
Grades: K–4
Cost: $132
Enrollment: Min 8 · Max 16
Curriculum: Adventures in STEM using LEGO® Materials

Registration Link Spring: https://play-well-registration.com/registration/new/116070