STEM Launch September Newsletter

Important 

Upcoming

Dates

September 2026

Sept 1… Atom’s Pantry Opening Day 9:30-11:00am

Sept 3… Parry’s Pizzeria Fundraiser Night 4:00-8:00pm

Sept 4… Fall Secure Drill

Sept 7… No School - Labor Day

Sept 8… No School - Staff Workday

Sept 9… Fire Drill

Sept 15… PTO Meeting in the STEM Launch Library 8:15-9:15am

Sept 28… No School - Staff Workday

A Message from the Principal

Welcome back, STEM Launch families!

It has been wonderful to see our school come alive over these first few weeks. Our students are settling in, learning the routines and expectations that help our school run smoothly, and-most importantly-beginning to feel at home at Launch.

Every day, I see students greeting friends in the hallways, figuring out new classroom routines, asking questions, solving problems, and getting excited about their learning. There is a lot of energy in the building, and it is the kind of energy that reminds us why we love being a school community.

The beginning of a school year is always a time of learning-not just academic learning, but learning how we do school together. Our teachers and staff have been intentional about building relationships, establishing routines, and creating classrooms where students feel known, supported, and ready to learn. Thank you for partnering with us as we build those foundations for another great year.

Thank you for being part of STEM Launch. We are off to a great start, and I am excited about what this year will bring for our students. Here’s to a year of curiosity, growth, belonging, and lots of good learning!

With appreciation,

Principal Tracey

Updates

Important Breakfast Procedures

All students receive breakfast and lunch at no cost. We kindly ask that your student eats a healthy breakfast every day—thinking and learning require fuel!

In order to protect learning and instructional time, students who are taking advantage of breakfast at STEM Launch must arrive at school at 7:45 a.m. to enter the cafeteria for breakfast.

For K–5 students, students will pick up breakfast in the cafeteria and immediately take it to their classroom to eat. This structure allows students to begin their day with breakfast while minimizing missed instructional time, particularly for our slowest eaters.

For students in grades 6–8, students choosing the breakfast option should also arrive at school at 7:45 a.m. and go directly to the cafeteria upon arrival. Students must eat breakfast before going to their lockers or to class. Students who go to their lockers or class first will not be able to return to the cafeteria for breakfast.

Please talk at home with your children to clarify this procedure. It supports the fewest interruptions and maximizes instructional time. Thank you for helping to protect instructional time while ensuring our students have the fuel they need to think, learn, and have a successful day!

We Want Your Voice: STEM Launch Uniforms

As we begin planning for the 2027–28 school year, we are asking families to provide input about one important part of our school identity: Should STEM Launch remain a uniform school?

We know families have different experiences and perspectives about school uniforms. We want to hear from you as we consider whether our current uniform expectations continue to serve our students and families well.

Please take a few minutes to complete the STEM Launch Uniform Survey. Your feedback will be an important part of our conversation and decision-making process for the 2027–28 school year.

Uniforms at STEM Launch 27-28 and Beyond

If you would like to learn more about the reasons behind this conversation, or participate in the discussion, please join us at our first PTO meeting on September 15. This will be a good opportunity to ask questions and learn more before sharing your perspective.

Gifted Education Monitoring

At STEM Launch we are dedicated to providing an exceptional educational experience that challenges, inspires, and supports every student.

As part of our ongoing commitment to continuous improvement, our school district is currently participating in the Colorado Department of Education’s (CDE) Gifted Education Monitoring (GEM) process. This state review occurs every five years to evaluate the quality and implementation of our Gifted and Talented (GT) programming under the Exceptional Children’s Educational Act (ECEA).

We Need Your Feedback!

Your perspective as a parent or guardian is incredibly valuable. We want to know what is working well for your child and where we can continue to grow.

Please take 5–10 minutes to complete this survey by September 30.

Parent Survey Here

What’s Happening Next?

In addition to this survey, the state monitoring team will be gathering feedback through:

• Student Surveys: Gifted identified students in grades 6–12 will have an opportunity to complete a brief survey at school. If you do not wish for your child to participate in this survey, please communicate with your school’s principal.
• School Visits: The GEM team will visit our schools from October 27–29 to observe our gifted programming in action and celebrate the great work happening in our classrooms. 
• Focus Groups: The GEM team will host virtual focus groups during their evaluation window from October 27–29.

Thank you for your partnership, your time, and your dedication to supporting our gifted and talented learners!

Community 

Liaison

Atom’s Pantry is now open! Click HERE for dates and times.

Conchas and Coffee with Admin: Stay tuned for more information…

Family & Community Engagement (FACE): Stay tuned for more information…

Free & Reduced Benefits:

Apply NOW!

It’s time to complete your Free & Reduced Application for the new school year! Families must reapply each year to continue receiving benefits.

You may also reapply at any time during the school year if your household income decreases or your household size increases.

Why is the application important?

• Schools receive additional funding from the state to enhance the educational experience for all students.  
• Eligible families may receive support with certain school-related fees.
• Families may qualify for other programs and resources based on eligibility. 

Looking

Ahead

STEM Launch Athletics

Sept 8… Team 1: Girls Soccer @ Rocky Top 4:30pm

                Team 2: Girl Soccer vs Rocky Top @ Home 4:30pm

Sept 10… Cross Country Meet #2 @ NW Open Space 

                  Boys Race 5:30pm / Girls Race 6:05pm

Sept 14… Team 1: Girl Soccer vs Westlake @ Home 5:30pm

                  Team 2: Girls Soccer @ Westlake 5:30pm

Sept 23… Team 1: Girls Soccer @ Silver Hills 5:30pm

                  Team 2: Girl Soccer vs Silver Hills @ Home 5:30pm

Sept 24… Cross Country Meet #3 @ Shadow Ridge MS

                  Boys Race 5:30pm / Girls Race 6:05pm

Attendance

Matters

School Hours & Attendance Reminder

Just a friendly reminder of our school hours and attendance procedures:

• School hours: 8:00 AM–3:10 PM
• 7:45 AM: Doors open for breakfast for K–8 students.
• 7:50 AM: Doors open for all students.
• 8:00 AM: Students must be in their classrooms and ready to begin the school day. Students arriving after 8:00 AM will be marked tardy.

If your child will be absent:
Please call the Attendance Line at 720-972-5158 to report the absence.

Excused Absences:
Parents may excuse their student for up to 5 days per semester without a doctor's note. Any absences beyond those 5 days will require a doctor's note to be excused.

Please note that excuses and doctors notes have to be provided within 48 hours of the absence.

Thank you for helping us ensure our students arrive on time and that attendance records are accurate!

Feeling Sick?
We know many kids have been under the weather lately! To keep everyone healthy and support consistent attendance, please follow our district guidelines: keep your child home if they have a fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or other contagious symptoms. Mild coughs or sore throats alone don’t always require staying home—please check the full guidance here: Adams 12 Policy How sick is too sick?

Misc. Information

Media Waiver/Internet Publishing

There may be times during the school year when different media groups (newspapers, television, school production class, district public relations, etc.) will cover activities at the various Adams 12 Five Star Schools with articles, video or still photography that may be published. In addition, schools or the district may want to include school-oriented articles, video or photography on their own Websites, bulletin boards, Facebook pages, etc.

If parents DO NOT want their child(ren) to be photographed or videotaped for news media or school publicity purposes, please request an “opt-out media form” from the front office as soon as possible.

Community Flyers for Services, Activities and Resources

View this month’s flyers from community organizations offering various services, activities and resources for families.

Community Flyers