Originally delivered on 5/16/2026 12:00 pm

SUBJECT: Mid Month Memo-May 2026

Business Brief
We’re Already Dreaming Up Next Year! ✨

While school may be ending, PTO won't be completely quiet over the summer. You’ll still hear from us with updates and communication as we begin preparing for the next school year. Our PTO Board will be meeting on May 29th to start planning all the fun, events, and exciting things ahead for next year. We already know one thing for sure... we’ll need LOTS of helping hands to make next year just as successful as this one. Keep an eye out for opportunities to jump in because many hands truly make light work. Have an amazing summer, Lynx families!

A Special Thank You!

As we wrap up this school year, we want to give a very special THANK YOU to Christina Cooper, our Fundraising Chair, and Wendy Kish, our Finance Chair, for serving on the PTO Board over the past two years. Serving on the board means countless hours behind the scenes: meetings, planning, problem solving, organizing, budgeting, fundraising, and so much more that often goes unseen.

Christina and Wendy, thank you for sharing your time, talents, and hearts with STEM Lab. We are so grateful for everything you have done for our students, staff, and families. Your impact will continue to be felt long after your board terms end.

Community Corner
Summer Grade Level Meet-Up Helpers Wanted!

We’re looking for a few parent volunteers who would be willing to coordinate one or two simple grade-level summer meet-ups. Think easy and low-key: playground meet-ups, popsicles at the park, splash pads, or just a chance for kids and families to connect or stay connected before the new school year.

Interested in helping bring your grade level together? Email pto.stemlab@gmail.com and let us know!

Community Cultural Engagement Shoutout

We appreciate those who took time out of their schedules to come together last week to share ideas, and help continue conversations around building an even more inclusive STEM Lab community.

If you'd like to be more involved in cultural engagement happenings at STEM Lab, there are still opportunities to jump in! Whether you have ideas, want to help plan, share traditions, support events, or simply stay connected, we’d love to hear from you. Please take a moment to fill out [THIS SURVEY] so we can continue building meaningful opportunities for our community.

🍎 Staff Appreciation Week Recap

What a FUN week celebrating our incredible STEM Lab staff! From treats and surprises to special activities and thoughtful touches throughout the week, we loved having the opportunity to show our appreciation for the amazing people who pour so much into our students every single day.


[CLICK HERE] to see videos and pictures

Epic Events
Burgers & Blankets Recap (watch video!)

Despite an unexpected last-minute reschedule due to police activity in the neighborhood, our Burgers & Blankets event ended up being a wonderful evening filled with food, fun, and community. Thank you to everyone (Including In N Out and Hip Pops) for your flexibility and patience as we navigated a situation completely outside of anyone’s control.

Fun Fact:

As a little treat to our families, and because our fundraising efforts have gone so well this year, PTO chose to offer meals for just $5 each. In-N-Out actually recommended an $8 meal price, but we wanted to give back and make the event as affordable as possible for our community. We wanted to share that as a little heads up that pricing could potentially increase in future years.

Fundrai$ing Festivities
SUMMER RAPIDS GAME COMMUNITY NIGHTS!
PTO Funds at Work
🎓 STEM Lab Alumni Scholarship Winners 🎓

One of our favorite traditions each year is celebrating former STEM Lab students as they take their next big steps after graduation. This year, we were thrilled to award TWO STEM Lab Alumni Scholarships of $1,000 each to two incredible graduates!

These scholarships recognize students who once walked the halls of STEM Lab and continue to demonstrate hard work, leadership, character, and a commitment to their future goals. Seeing our former students grow, succeed, and continue pursuing amazing opportunities is such a special reminder of the lasting impact of this community.

Olivia B.

Olivia will be attending CSU - Biomedical Science


Olivia's best memory at STEM Lab:

"In 2nd grade when we went on a field trip to the milkweed field. We spent the day looking for monarch butterfly eggs. After looking all day, my friend Lydia and I managed to find the only egg that day. Ms.Tennant was so proud of us, and I remember her naming the butterfly "Olydia". When I came back to STEM last year to visit her for her retirement, she brought me a painting of the butterfly that she had painted way back when I was in second grade. This gift is so incredibly special to me, and I am happy that it represents one of my fondest memories of STEM Lab." 

Connor M.

Connor will be attending South Dakota School of Mines - Electrical Engineering


Connor's best memory at STEM Lab: 

"The last day of 4th grade. Our teacher, Mr. Santella, let us sign the classroom wall since it would be demolished during the summer. Although I do not remember what I wrote, I recall everyone’s excitement. After a long year in that classroom, being able to leave a mark was incredible. Mr. Santella took a picture of the wall and even sent it to me. Looking back at the drawings brings me joy."

APPROVED 2026-2027 Budget!
Sponsor Spotlight

We’re thrilled to recognize Valhallan Esports as one of our Top Sponsors this year! 🙌

At Valhallan, your child’s passion for gaming becomes a powerful tool for building lifelong skills. Through expert coaching, competitive gameplay, and a strong sense of community, kids learn and grow while having tons of fun!

Their exclusive Legendary Path® training program helps players thrive in:
🤝 Teamwork
🗣️ Communication
🏅 Sportsmanship

All skill levels and backgrounds are welcome — and several STEMsters are already on teams! Your kiddo could be next. 💪

STEM Lab 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.

Grade Level Facebook Pages
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