Colorado STEM Academy Newsletter

October 23, 2026

Updates for the Week Ahead

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Reminder that Monday October 26th is a non-student contact day and students do not come to school that day.

Whole School Field Trip Reminder (Wed, Oct 28): Signed permission slips are required to attend. Please note that no staff will be at the school during the trip. Chaperones may sign their child out directly with their homeroom teacher after the event. (Permission slip linked below)

🍂 Fall Celebration Day – Friday, October 30th! Kids will have a fun day packed with hands-on seasonal STEM learning across all grade levels! Students will dive into pumpkin science and engineering—including investigations, mini-pumpkin towers, bridges, catapults, and ziplines—alongside eco-history challenges like water clocks, leaf boats, Fibonacci patterns, and lake ecosystem experiments. Students are invited to wear cozy fall clothes or fall colors on Friday to join in the festive spirit!

🚀 Know Someone Interested in STEM for Next Year? 🔭✨Open House Nov 17

Pass the word along to friends, neighbors, or family members looking for an innovative, hands-on learning environment for their child! Invite them to our 2027–2028 School Year Open House (Preschool – Level 8) and encourage them to stay for our annual Astronomy Night right after! 🏫💻

🗓 Date: Thursday, November 17, 2026

⏰ Open House: 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM

📍 Location: Irving Building (Colorado STEM Academy)

✨ Astronomy Night: November 17th, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM

Check out telescopes, stargaze on the track, and view out-of-this-world student projects! 🌌🪐

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

Leave Toys and Non-Essentials at Home

Partner With Us in Keeping Our School Safe

Corner Property Updates: We are actively working with authorities regarding safety concerns near our Irving Lot entrance. To support these efforts, please report any suspicious activity directly to the Westminster Police Non-Emergency line at 303-658-4360.

Building Entrance Rules: Never open or hold the exterior doors for anyone entering the building, even if you recognize them. All visitors must use the front doorbell so our office staff can properly screen and grant access.

Thank you for your partnership in keeping our students safe!

Pick up Reminder:

Monday November 2: Early Release, kids picked up by 1:40 PM
Tuesday–Friday: all students must be picked up by 3:40 PM

Need an Extra Tag or Replacement? Stop by the Irving Office during operating hours.
Chromebook Insurance due by October 1st to guarantee coverage, cannot be purchased after October 1st.

¿Necesita asistencia en español?
Para cualquier ayuda en español, por favor llame a la oficina del sindicato al (303) 487-2853 (se habla español).

📅 Upcoming Dates 2026–2027 School Year
To help you plan ahead for the upcoming school year, please note our daily schedule and updates below. Our school hours remain unchanged for the new school year
Nov 6: Level 1 Zoo Field Trip 9:00-1:30
Nov 9: No School Veteran’s Day
Nov 12: PTA Meeting 4:00-5:00 | BAAC 5:00-6:00
Nov 13: First Trimester Awards Assembly -Information Shared Soon
Nov 17: Level 7s JA Finance Park 9:00-1:30 | Open House | Astronomy Night 6:30-8:30
Nov 23-27: Thanksgiving Break
Nov 30: Winter Gift Shop Preview
Dec 1: Winter Gift Shop 8:20-12:00
Dec 2: Winter Gift Shop 8:20-12:00
Dec 3: Winter Gift Shop 8:20-12:00 | Kinder to Children’s Museum
Dec 4: Team A Field Trip to Aquarium

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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

October 28th is our Whole School Field Trip to the Denver Museum of Nature and Science

Reminder Whole School Field Trip to DMNS – Wednesday, Oct 28

Permission Slip Deadline: Friday, Oct 23 (Below)
Cost: Free (PK–5th) | $2.50 cash/check to homeroom teacher (6th–8th)
Schedule: Regular arrival | Buses leave 8:45 AM | Return by 2:30 PM
Volunteers: Free admission! Note interest on permission slip (must drive separately due to bus capacity).
Whole School is attending and will be at the Museum the day of the field trip.

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

📸 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

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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

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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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