The PTO Press

February 2024 - by Amber Wey

A Message From the Board

Join our school community now and be part of it next school year! Explore our ongoing volunteer opportunities, encompassing various positions. Some are currently available, while others may require additional support now and/or in the future. Signing up doesn't commit you to these roles; it's purely for information. We're building a talent pool for future endeavors. There is something, big and small, for everyone. Thank you for considering this opportunity!

Upcoming Social Events

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Click Here for the Rules

Community Updates

Leap Day Grams

Instead of organizing Valentine's Day grams this year, we have opted for Leap Day Grams to be distributed to every student in the building on February 29th. To make this possible, we are seeking volunteers to assemble the grams at home. If you are interested and would like more information, please sign up here.

Staff Pot Luck for Conferences

We are coordinating dinner for the amazing, hard working STEM Lab teachers and staff during Parent Teacher Conferences on Tuesday, February 6th. Let's show our teachers and staff that we appreciate the time, work, care, and dedication they give to our children. We can't do this without your help. Please CLICK HERE to sign up if you'd like to help.

Fundraising Updates

WOOHOO!

The January Chick Fil A Dineout event raised $452.46. Mr. Chertok's homeroom class had the highest attendance, earning them a Chick Fil A class party! We appreciate the support of everyone who joined us. Thank you!

Dine Out February 13th, 4pm-8pm

Noodles & Company gives us 25% back on all sales the night of the fundraiser. Take a break from cooking and join us while raising money for the STEM community. See the flyer HERE for all of the details.

Spirit Night February 27th, 5:30pm-7:30pm

SAVE THE DATE! and join us for another Spirit Night at Skate City. More details coming soon. Stay tuned.

Mammoth Spirit Night

Saturday, March 2nd, we will be having our FIRST-EVER spirit night with the Colorado Mammoth! and even better it's SUPERHERO night!! These games are incredibly family-friendly, engaging, and FUN! We currently have a block of seats together in the same section for our STEM Lab community. We hope you snag some tickets and come enjoy a night out. Use THIS LINK to purchase your tickets, and $5 from each ticket will benefit STEM Lab PTO! Feb 10th is the deadline to purchase to be guaranteed in the group seating area.

Passive or "No Cost" Fundraising

Milk Caps For Mooola with Longmont Dairy

Milk Caps for Mooola is a program by Longmont Dairy that helps students earn money for their school. Longmont Dairy caps are worth 5¢ each and are redeemable for cash and participating is as easy as 1-2-3! CLICK HERE to see how you can participate

Let's honor and celebrate the incredible contributions, achievements, and resilience of the Black community throughout history. From trailblazers who paved the way to visionaries shaping the future, Black history is an integral part of our shared human story. Let's take this opportunity to learn, appreciate, and uplift the voices and stories that have shaped our world. Together, we celebrate diversity, unity, and the rich tapestry of Black culture that continues to inspire us all. Happy Black History Month!

Meet Dr. Bernard Harris Jr.

Dr. Bernard Harris Jr.’s career path is a story of persistence and hard work. He overcame rejection to become an astronaut, CEO, founder, and author- not to mention, the first African-American to walk in space! After his time at NASA, he founded his nonprofit in 1998, The Harris Foundation. Dedicated to serving socially and economically disadvantaged communities, they hope to enhance the quality of education available (specifically supporting STEM/STEAM programs), improve health through specific strategies, and create and sustain wealth within those communities through education. A true STEM hero!

Teacher Feature

Becky VanHorn - 5th Grade Math

These are a few of her favorite things:

Color: Black & Turquoise

Sports Team: CSU, Oklahoma State

Favorite Drink: Coke Zero

Favorite Starbucks drink: Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew

Snacks: Jerky, Nuts, Butterfingers, Reeses

Homemade Goodies: Anything

Place to Eat: Chipotle, Parry's Pizza, Tequilla's

Hobbies: Reading, Boating w/ Family

Q. What inspired you to become a teacher?

A. "I always loved working with kids and knew this is what I wanted to do. This is my 33rd year."

Q. What is the most rewarding aspect of working at STEM Lab?

A. "The community! The staff and families are amazing and make coming to work a fun place to be"

Q. How do you engage with students who might be struggling in or out of the classroom?

A. "I usually talk to them one on one and see how I can help them."

Q. How do you foster a positive and inclusive classroom environment?

A. "I try to start the year with a lot of team building and make sure we accept all types of learners! I love doing read alouds when they fit in about different types of math students."

Q. Can you share a memorable experience you had with a student that reaffirmed your love for teaching?

A. "I think when former students come by to see me and visit!"

Q. What is your favorite thing the PTO does for the school and what can we do to better serve the STEM Lab community?

A. "There are so many! We are very spoiled here by our PTO and I don't think I could just pick one thing."

Sponsor Highlight

Locally Owned and Operated by a STEM Family

Looking for a quality Tree and Turf care service you can depend on? Well, look no further. We're Tend Tree & Turf, available where you need us when you need us. We are committed to being the best at what we do, serving clients in the northern Colorado area by not just meeting their expectations, but exceeding them. We offer commercial HOA Landscape health care, turf fertilization, weed control and tree care. We have 20 plus years of experience.

Treasurer Report

Meeting Minutes

Are you still with us?

Did you make it through the PTO Press? If so, answer these 'This or That' questions by replying to this email with your answers by February 10th to be entered to win a small prize from the PTO.

School News & Updates

Click here to be directed to the school's website

for information on news and events happening at STEM Lab.

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SUBJECT: STEM Lab PTO Press-February