Originally delivered on 5/1/2026 12:02 pm

SUBJECT: PTO Press-May 2026

A Message From the Board

THE VOTES ARE IN! Thank you to everyone who took the time to vote for our board members for next year. It was a close race, and we appreciate the strong support from our community.

We are excited to introduce your newly elected STEM Lab PTO Board Members for the 2026–2027 school year. Congratulations to these incredible women. We look forward to their ideas, leadership, and energy as we continue to keep this amazing community moving forward.

Staff Appreciation Week is May 4th-8th!

Let’s take a moment to thank our teachers and staff for their dedication and support throughout the year. Their hard work has helped get us where we are today.

We have a lot of fun planned for our amazing staff members during Staff Appreciation Week (Like a pickleball tournament, a spa day, food, prizes, and MORE!) If you’re not sure how to show your appreciation, we’ve got you covered. We’ve gathered information from most of the STEM Lab staff, so there’s no guesswork needed. Just click here 👇 to be directed to their information!

Staff's Favorite Things Lists

PRO TIP: Peek at the notes on each list for insider info like favorites, “already have plenty” items, and any food allergies or aversions. As always, a simple thank-you card from you and your child means so much. Let’s show our teachers, staff, and support teams just how much we adore them!

Traditions and Tributes
May Reflections

by Vita Malama (Cultural Appreciation Coordinator)

May includes traditions and observances that honor community, contribution, remembrance, and transition. These may include Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, which recognizes the histories and contributions of AAPI communities; Jewish American Heritage Month, which honors the cultural and historical contributions of Jewish Americans; 

Mother’s Day, a cultural observance honoring caregiving and family in many forms; and Memorial Day, which honors those who have died in military service and has roots in what was historically known as Decoration Day. Practices of remembrance and honoring those who came before us are also present in many Indigenous communities, including the Cheyenne, Arapaho, and Ute Nations and peoples, and align with STEM Lab’s commitment to learning from history while supporting students as they transition toward the close of the school year. For some families, May may also include Vesak, a Buddhist tradition commemorating the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and passing.


If you have an upcoming tradition or observance that is meaningful to your family—or if we missed one—we’d love to hear from you. Please email us at pto.stemlab@gmail.com or simply reply to this newsletter.

Community Corner
CMAS Cinema

We’re celebrating our hardworking 3rd–8th graders with CMAS Cinema on May 8th, a fun and well-earned reward after all their effort during testing!

The PTO purchases the snacks and partners with Mr. Pickens and Mrs. Noffsinger to run a point system during CMAS. Students earn points for specific efforts, then budget and “purchase” their CMAS Cinema snacks using what they’ve earned.

Volunteers Needed!

We’re looking for volunteers to help pack goodie bags for students to enjoy during the movie. It’s a quick, easy way to support our students and be part of the fun. 👉 [SIGN UP HERE!]

CLICK 👇 TO RSVP!
Epic Events
Speaking of Events....

We are looking for a few coordinators to join us next school year and help plan some of our favorite events:

  • Fall Event (typically our Fun Run)
  • Trunk or Treat
  • Family Nights and Events (gingerbread house building, Donuts with Grown Ups, game night, and more)

You will work alongside our Events Chair to plan, prepare, and bring these fun community events to life throughout the year.

If any of these sound like a good fit, just reply to this email and let us know. We will be in touch!

Fundrai$ing Festivities
May 12th Dine-out (ONLINE ONLY)

We’re excited to offer a Nationwide Panda Express Dine-Out, making it easier than ever for everyone to support STEM Lab! This fundraiser is online orders only, which means friends and family anywhere in the country can participate and help support our school. Place your order and come join us for our last PTO Meeting of the year! Click on the links for more information on how to place your order!


ENGLISH                ESPAÑOL

Summer Community Nights: Rapids Games
Passive Fundrai$ing Oppurtunity

Make sure to get your Milkcaps turned into the bin in the front lobby before the end of the school year!

Fiscal Footprint
How Your Dollars Move & Support Our Community

At this month’s PTO meeting, we will review and vote on next school year’s budget. This is your chance to share your input, ask questions, and help shape the year ahead.


Our Scholarship Committee has reviewed applications from several STEM Lab alumni and narrowed the pool down to two finalists. At the meeting, we will award each of these students a $1,000 scholarship to support their continued education.

Sponsor Spotlight

Sponsor Spotlight: Cooper Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical
STEM Family Owned and Operated! 💚

For repairs, Cooper offers 24/7 emergency service with some of the most skilled technicians in Colorado. Stay comfortable year-round with the Cooper Green Team!

School News & Updates
(Click to be directed to the STEM Lab School website)
Native Land Acknowledgement

As part of our ongoing practice at STEM Lab, we honor and acknowledge that the land we are located on today is the traditional and ancestral homelands of the Cheyenne, Arapaho, and Ute Nations and peoples. Many different Native tribes have used this land for trade, hunting, gathering, and healing. We extend our respect to Elders past, present, and future, and to all those who have stewarded the land and water since time immemorial. We invite others to join us in this acknowledgment to renew and reaffirm First Nations’ history in Colorado and to pay tribute to these traditional homelands and their people.

Find Us on Social Media!

It's the quickest way to stay up to date! 

Check out and subscribe to our social media pages 

for visual media of all the fun we have throughout the year.

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