Mr. Alsup Message

Dear STEM Spartan Students and Families,

Wow, it is hard to believe we are already halfway through September! It seems like just yesterday we were welcoming everyone back for the first day of school, and now we are already talking about Homecoming.

September is always an interesting time in the school year. The excitement and nervousness of the first few weeks have started to wear off, students have settled into their routines, and our teachers are well into the curriculum. For many students, the first major assignments and assessments have also started showing up in the gradebook. This is a good time for students and families to check Canvas, make sure assignments are being completed, and reach out to teachers if there are any concerns. One of the advantages of identifying a problem early is that there is plenty of time to address it.

I also want to thank all of our students and families who participated in Boosterthon over the past couple of weeks. While we fell short of our high school fundraising goal, our students really rallied at the end and helped close the gap. I truly appreciate everyone who participated and supported the fundraiser. Later this week, I will send additional information about the importance of the Accelerator Fund and how it supports our students and programs.

I also have some exciting academic news to share. Each year, the National Merit Scholarship Program recognizes some of the highest achieving high school students in the country based on their performance on the PSAT/NMSQT. Of the more than one million students who enter the program each year, only about 16,000 are named Semifinalists, representing less than one percent of high school seniors nationwide. These students now have the opportunity to continue in the competition to become National Merit Finalists and compete for National Merit Scholarships.

I am incredibly proud to announce that STEM School Highlands Ranch has three National Merit Semifinalists this year: Robyn Ballheim, Kacey Garcia, and Zach Zukosky!

Please join me in congratulating Robyn, Kacey, and Zach on this incredible accomplishment and the hard work that went into reaching this level. We are very proud of you!

October Testing Calendar

Speaking of the PSAT and National Merit Scholarship Program, October is an important testing month for our students.

On Wednesday, October 7, our 8th and 9th grade students will take the PSAT 8/9, our 10th grade students will take the PSAT 10, and our 11th grade students will take the PSAT/NMSQT.

These assessments are a great opportunity for all of our students to practice taking SAT style exams and become familiar with the types of questions and testing environment they will encounter on the SAT. For our juniors, however, the October 7 assessment has additional significance. This is the only opportunity for 11th grade students to take the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT). As mentioned above, students who perform exceptionally well on the NMSQT can earn National Merit recognition and potentially qualify for scholarship opportunities for college.

Then, on Wednesday, October 21, we will offer the SAT to students in grades 10, 11, and 12. Unlike the October 7 assessments, which all students in the designated grade levels will take, the October 21 SAT is optional and requires students to opt in. Families should have already received information regarding registration dates and the opt in process, so please make sure you review that information if your student is interested in taking the SAT.

Homecoming is Almost Here!

Homecoming is one of my favorite times of the year, and it is quickly approaching! Our Student Government students have been working hard behind the scenes to prepare for Homecoming, and the festivities will officially begin this Wednesday, September 16, with our Homecoming Assembly during Access.

I cannot give away the Homecoming theme or Spirit Week days just yet. Our Student Government students will reveal those during the assembly. I can, however, give you a preview of some of what is coming.

Homecoming Spirit Week will take place Monday, September 21, through Friday, September 25. On Wednesday, September 23, we will hold our second annual Homecoming Bonfire in the high school parking lot. Last year's bonfire was a great addition to Homecoming, and I am excited to bring it back again this year.

Then, on Thursday, September 24, we will head over to Marcy Park for our ever popular Homecoming Powderpuff Game. This is always one of the highlights of the week, and I am looking forward to another great game this year.

We will finish the festivities with our annual Homecoming Dance on Saturday, September 26, beginning at 7:00 PM here at STEM.

Homecoming is one of those weeks that reminds me that high school is about more than what happens in the classroom. It is an opportunity for our students to have fun, build memories, show some school spirit, and enjoy being part of the STEM community. I encourage all of our students to participate in the Spirit Week activities, come to the bonfire and Powderpuff game, and join us for the dance.

This is set up to be a very fun week! However, I would like to remind everyone to please be careful. As I mentioned in previous newsletters last spring, the Prom to Homecoming season is one of the most dangerous times of the year for teen drivers. I know we have really good kids here, but they are kids. Parents, please know where your students are, talk with them about their plans, and remind them to slow down, wear their seat belts, put their phones away, and never get into a vehicle with someone who should not be driving. Homecoming should be a fun and memorable week, and we want every one of our students to make it home safely.

There is a lot happening over the next couple of weeks, and I am looking forward to seeing our students show their Spartan spirit!

Thank you very much, everyone.

Sincerely,

Ryan Alsup
High School Principal
STEM School Highlands Ranch