Mr. Alsup Message

Happy February everyone! For those of you who follow Groundhog Day, Punxsutawney Phil (the groundhog) will soon make his prediction for the remainder of winter. While I do not know much about that, I do know that calendar spring is just around the corner!

We kicked the month off with our annual Winter Formal Dance on Saturday, 1/31. Our Student Government worked hard, and the dance was amazing. I would like to give a shout out to our faculty and parent chaperones for spending the evening at the school, and our Student Government for putting in countless hours planning, setting up, and tearing it down. Thanks everyone!

February is Black History Month

As the High School Principal, one of the things that I am really proud of is our diversity. Our total minority enrollment is around 46%, which is significantly higher than the neighborhood schools around us. Our diversity is an important part of who we are as a school, and is something that is embraced by our students and faculty.

As I mentioned, February is Black History Month. As a former history teacher, I always enjoy reading about things that happened today in history. So, in the spirit of Black History Month, here are a few notable items that happened today in history:

February 1, 1960- The Greensboro Sit-Ins
February 2, 1839- Edmond Berger patented the spark plug
February 2, 1897- Alfred Cralle patented the Ice Cream Scooper
February 2, 2009- Eric Holder was confirmed as the first African American Attorney General.
February 4, 1913- Rosa Parks was born.
February 5, 1934- Hank Aaron was born.

Other notable figures in Black History:
Alice Ball, chemist- Developed an injectable treatment for leprosy.
Benjamin Banneker- mathematician and astronomer
Patricia Bath- Ophthalmologist who developed laser technology to treat cataracts.
Otis Boykin- Inventor and Electrical Engineer- developed resistor technology that made the first pacemakers possible.

Cell Phones

As you know, the DCSD School Board is currently discussing a district-wide ban on cell phones in schools. While we wait for them to work out the details, I would like to remind all of you that we already have a cell phone policy at STEM.

I was in a class a couple of weeks ago and a student actually answered a call from his mom. Imagine his embarrassment when I asked him to hang up the phone and took it back to the office with me. Parents, please do not call your students on their cell phones. If you have an emergency and need to talk to them, please call the main office and we will get them a message.

As a reminder, all students are expected to turn off their phones and place them in the phone holders in the classrooms. They can use them during passing periods, off periods, or lunch. If a student does not follow these instructions and their phone rings, then it is confiscated and brought to the office.

Studies have shown that cell phones are addicting, and even a ding or a vibration will draw their attention away from the learning in the classroom. Thanks for helping us with this.

Driveline and Parking Reminder

As we continue through the winter months, I want to remind all families and students of the importance of following our driveline rules. Safe and efficient drop-off and pick-up procedures help keep everyone safe and keep traffic moving smoothly for all families. Additionally, high school students who drive to school are expected to purchase a parking permit and park in our designated STEM parking lot. We have received notice that the business park across the street will begin ticketing and towing vehicles that park on their property. Please help us avoid any unnecessary fines or towing by following our parking expectations and using the appropriate parking areas.

Looking ahead…

Monday 2/2
STEM’s Got Talent Auditions (2/2, 2/4, 2/5)
4:00-6:00pm

Tuesday 2/3
High School Spring Athletics Mandatory Preseason Parent Meeting
6:00-7:00pm (Middle School Cafeteria)

Friday 2/6
High School Speech and Debate State Tournament
3:00-8:00pm (Pueblo Central High School)

Thursday 2/12
STEM’s Annual Multicultural Event
5:00-7:00pm
Please come and join us to see multicultural presentations, dances, and sample some amazing food!

Kindness

Kindness is a critical part of our school culture, and is something that we generally are really good at. Generally speaking, I would say that our student body is the kindest students that I have worked with. However, there have been a few situations that we had to deal with. Please help us by reminding your students that teasing, bullying, harassing, or using racist or anti semitic slurs is never funny and will not be tolerated. Consequences will be given, including suspensions from school.

Last year, we hosted an anti-bullying assembly where I asked the students to be upstanders anytime they see something happening. Watching the behavior, laughing at the joke, or simple indifference is part of the problem. We need everyone to take a stand to prevent this type of behavior.

February is also National Random Acts of Kindness Month

Have you ever gone through the drive through, and pulled up to the window to find that the person in front of you paid for your meal? Do you remember how that made you feel? Sometimes small acts of kindness can make a big difference for people.

So, in honor of this month, I will close this letter by encouraging all of us—students, parents, and community members—to do something kind for someone. If you stop and buy a coffee on your way to school, buy one for a friend. Give someone an unexpected compliment. Any kind act will make that person’s day, and will have a positive impact on yours as well.

Thanks everyone!

Sincerely,

Ryan Alsup

High School Principal

STEM School Highlands Ranch

Go Spartans!