STEM SPOTLIGHT

Get ready for the new school year by joining our Kickstart the Year: Family Prep Zoom webinars! This is a great opportunity to hear directly from STEM’s school principals as they share what to expect on the first day and beyond. You’ll receive important information and have a chance to ask your questions in real time.

• Elementary with Mrs. McElroy (K–5): Wednesday, August 6th at 4 PM

• Middle School with Mrs. Ridder (6–8): Thursday, August 7th at 4 PM

• High School with Mr. Alsup (9–12): Thursday, August 7th at 5:30 PM

Zoom links are available directly in the calendar entries on the School Activities and Events Calendar, linked below. If you can’t attend the live webinars, recordings will be posted on the Parents Page afterwards. We’re excited to help your family start the year strong!

Express Check-In opened July 24th, and the deadline has been extended to August 6th. Express Check-In is a two-step process that must be completed for each K–12 student. The Express Check-In process requires a desktop or laptop (mobile devices are not supported). Full instructions are available on the Parents Page and in the Express Check-In Parent Email. If you need help with Express Check-In, please complete the STEM Express Check-In Help Request Form and a member of our team will follow up with you directly.

THE EXPRESS CHECK-IN PROCESS REQUIRES A DESKTOP OR LAPTOP

(MOBILE DEVICES ARE NOT SUPPORTED)

Please check these pages regularly for the most accurate event dates and times.

Join us on Monday, August 11th from 3 PM to 5 PM for Elementary Meet the Teacher (Grades 1–5). STEM is excited to welcome families to campus to meet Elementary teachers for the 2025-26 school year and drop off school supplies before the first day.

The Pikmykid app is mandatory for Elementary driveline and pick-up dismissal. Click the button below to view STEM's Pikmykid Guide. You'll learn how to set up your account, announce your arrival, make pick-up changes, and more. Please take a moment to download the app and set up your account this week—this will give us time to assist with any troubleshooting, if needed.

Please note that Pikmykid is mandatory for driveline and picking up Elementary students. While Secondary pickup does not require Pikmykid or a placard, it’s important that families with students in both grade levels are fully prepared.

Even if you’re already familiar with the driveline process for older students, you’ll still need to download the Pikmykid app, set up your account, and be ready to use it on day one for your Elementary child. This ensures a safe, smooth, and efficient pickup experience for everyone.

Have questions or need support? Please fill out the Pikmykid STEM Support Form linked below.

Elementary placards can be picked up at the Elementary entrance during the following times:

• Monday, August 4th – Thursday, August 7th: 8 AM – 2 PM

• Monday, August 11th: 3 PM – 5 PM

Students must attend SPARTAN START on August 11th to get their school photo taken and pick up their student ID. For safety, all 6th–12th grade students are required to wear their school ID on campus at all times. This is the only photo/ID session before school begins on August 12th. Please prioritize completing this task so your student is prepared for the first day.

All 6th and 7th grade students are required to use school-issued computers during the school day. Personal devices are not permitted. School computers will be distributed at SPARTAN START.

A parent of each 6th and 7th grade student must attend SPARTAN START with their child to sign the required technology waiver. Your presence is essential—thank you for taking this important step with us!

We’re looking forward to seeing our Secondary students back on campus for SPARTAN START on August 11th! Parents and guardians are encouraged to attend alongside their students during the designated time window.

• A–L: Open House from 8 AM to 12 PM | Counselors available from 8 AM to 11:30 AM

• M–Z: Open House from 12 PM to 3 PM | Counselors available from 1 PM to 3 PM

New to STEM? Join us for SPARTAN LAUNCH, a special event for all new Middle School and High School students during SPARTAN START—no registration required!

• 10 AM to 11:30 AM OR 1:30 PM to 3 PM

We’d love your help to make SPARTAN START a welcoming and smooth experience for our students and families! If you’re available on August 11th, please consider signing up to volunteer. Whether you can assist with greeting, directions, or event support, your time makes a big difference. Thank you for supporting our STEM community!

Kick off the school year with food, games, and fun alongside your fellow STEM families! Join us for a Back-to-School STEM Family Event at Main Event on Friday, August 8th and help us welcome the 2025-26 school year with energy and excitement! Please RSVP by August 4th using the link below!

Pricing:

• Kids (ages 0–17) are $28 each– Ticket includes pizza buffet + unlimited soft drinks.

• Adults are $55 – Ticket includes unlimited games, buffet, drinks (2 alcoholic), swag, & access to private tables. Arcade pass is shareable with your child.

• If an adult is only attending to chaperone and does not wish to eat, drink, or play, they may attend at no cost, but will not receive access to the buffet, beverage options, swag, or games.

All STEM families welcome! Non-STEM siblings may attend at the same kid ticket price. Adult supervision is required throughout the event.

Join us on September 17th for a fun-filled family carnival night to launch the new school year and support our STEM clubs and Student Government! Our amazing clubs will be hosting a variety of carnival games as part of this exciting fundraising event. Enjoy bounce houses, food, music, and more as we kick off 2025-26 with energy, fun, and community spirit. Ticket link coming soon!

STEM has been nominated in five categories for the 2025 Colorado Parent Family Favorites awards! To win, we need our amazing community to vote daily through August 15th.

Please share this link with everyone you know: go.stemk12.org/VoteSTEM

• Best Charter Elementary School
• Best Charter Middle School
• Best Charter High School
• Best Charter Middle School Principal
• Best Charter High School Principal

Let’s rally together and flood the ballot—this is our moment to shine! It’s time to spotlight the impact of STEM School Highlands Ranch—our incredible students, teachers, and families. Let’s prove STEM deserves every award. Vote daily, share daily. We can win—if we act now!

BELL SCHEDULE

Secondary School (6-12): 8 AM - 3:30 PM

Elementary School (K-1): 8:10 AM - 3 PM

Elementary School (2-5): 8:10 AM - 3:10 PM

AFTER-CARE HOURS

B.A.S.E. (K-5) 6:30 AM - 8:05 AM and 3 PM - 6 PM

Secondary (6-12) After School Care: 3:35 PM - 5:30 PM