AES Community Connection 1/13/25

AES kicked off 2025 by welcoming visitors from Shimukappu, Japan one of the Apsen Sister Cities. Visitors visited many of our classrooms for games, a book tasting and art. We are hoping to have other groups visit while in Aspen to inspire our youngsters for the exchange program in 8th grade.

Last week students also began our mid-year assessments. Last week students took the STAR Early Literacy, Reading and Math assessments. This week students will complete STAR and DIBELS. Click here to learn more about Renaissance STAR and here to learn more about DIBELS (Spanish). Results will be sent home at the end of the month.

Finally, please join me in welcoming our new families who started in the new year. We are looking forward to a wonderful week of learning at Aspen Elementary School! Please look through this newsletter for other important updates.

Warm regards

Ashley Bodkins

As we all know Los Angeles is going through a devastating time right now. Families and businesses have lost their whole lives due to the wildfires. As they are in our hearts more than ever right now, Pathfinder's goal is to provide relief in this terrible time. They will be setting up donations boxes in the lobbies of AES, AMS and AHS. Please consider donating toiletries or gently used clothes or games. They will be sending these items to different shelters and relief centers all around California. On behalf of Pathfinders, thank you for all of your help.

The first shipment will be sent on January 23rd, so please send in your donations.

Normal Weekday Schedule for AES:

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 8:00-3:15

Wednesdays 8:00-1:45

EVERY WEDNESDAY IS EARLY RELEASE AT 1:45!

Monday, January 13- PTO Meeting AES Conference room or virtual with THIS link. 12:00 PM. All are welcome!

Friday, January 17- Staff Work Day- NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS

Monday, January 20- MLK Holiday- NO SCHOOL

All Week Jan 27-31:

• Swim Week on the days your child has Physical Education!

Swim Weeks: Your child's swim day will be the day they have Physical Education

• Jan 27-31
• Feb 24-28
• Mar 17-21
• Apr 14-18

Looking Ahead: 3rd and 4th grade CMAS testing

Thursday, April 17th, Monday, April 21 and Tuesday, April 22

Please do not schedule appointments or vacations during this window. Thank you!

We would love to include a picture of your 4th grader as a baby in the Yearbook. Pick your favorite picture (only one per child) and send it to us via THIS FORM. The deadline to receive baby pics is January 31st- no late entries can be accepted so please get those pictures in!

We will not be doing family photos in the Yearbook this year and will be focusing on student life!

Battling the winter illnesses? Check out this resource, "Keep your child healthy and in school!"

click for English or Spanish

Click below to view great videos teaching ASL!

Functional Communication Signs

Winter Activities Signs

Join the many AES families who have already taken the pledge to Wait Unitl 8th grade and delay giving children smartphones. Interested in learning more? Click here.

Check out this recent Aspen Daily News Article:

Margo: How Roblox robbed our child of his innocence

Grades 3-5

Wednesdays 4pm-6pm

January 15 & 19

February 5 & 19

March 5 & 19

Click HERE for the flyer.

AVSC has a new FREE youth skimo program for ages 8-11 after school Fridays January 17th through March 14th. Coaches include olympian Simi Hamilton!

Learn to skate during National Skating Month!

Mondays 4:00-5:00 pm Aspen Ice Garden

Fridays 4:00-5:00 pm Aspen Rec Center

Click HERE for the flyer.

Click HERE for the flyer in Spanish.

This year, every Wednesday at AES is an early release Wednesday. Students are released for the day at 1:45. Please mark your calendars and prepare accordingly. We will not be sending weekly reminders.

Keeping students safe is our number one priority at ASD. Therefore, during the school day you will find all AES doors locked. However, please know you are WELCOME to visit and volunteer at AES.

• Visiting - Please remember your ID (driver's license) if you are visiting the building for any reason. Virginia and Carrie will meet you in the office with a smile and issue you a sticker/ visitor badge that must be worn while in the building.

• Volunteering - We love including "fingerprinted" parent volunteers in the classroom or on field trips. If this interests you, be proactive and get ASD Fingerprinting for Volunteers Procedure completed ASAP. This certification will last five years and you can get it done up at the District Office connected to the High School.

Below are the protocols we follow in an emergency. Families will be notified in the event of an emergency. Please do not come to or call the school.

• Standard Response Protocol
• Spanish Version

• Academic achievement: Students who attend school regularly are more likely to succeed academically. Research shows that attendance is a strong indicator of success.

• Learning: Students who attend school regularly are able to learn more and participate in classroom discussions and activities. They can ask questions and get clarification from their teachers.
  
• Building relationships: Students who attend school regularly can build relationships with their peers and teachers.
  
• Developing good habits: Regular attendance helps students build routines and develop good habits for the future.
  
• Foundation for learning: School is critical to building a strong foundation for learning that will help students succeed in middle school, high school, and beyond.
  
• Missed opportunities: Each day a student is not in school is a missed opportunity to learn something they will need in order to understand more difficult material later.
  

We know that many families rely on schools for meals. We encourage families to submit a Free & Reduced Meal application, which provides families with access to additional benefits as well. Please know that even if you qualified in previous years, an application must be submitted every school year. To access the application and instructions click HERE. If you have any questions or problems please reach out to the finance department, or, if you need a paper form, please reach out to Virginia.

We love dogs!! However, only approved or authorized service animals, including dogs, are allowed on campus. Thank you for respecting our campus guidelines.

Click HERE for the poster in English.

Click HERE for the poster in Spanish.

All students were assessed an $85 supply fee and a $25 technology fee on August 15th. If you have not paid your fees yet please do so as soon as possible. The Supply Fee covers all the supplies your child will need for the year. The technology fee covers your child’s device and licenses for the year. These can be paid through e~Funds, or you can bring cash or check attention Virginia to the front office.

Are you passionate about promoting healthy eating habits and making a positive impact in our community? Come and join us as a lunchroom volunteer!

Our dedicated chef prepares delicious and nutritious meals, and we're looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help serve these wholesome lunches. By contributing your time, you'll play a pivotal role in ensuring that everyone in Aspen Elementary School has access to healthy, balanced meals.

Volunteer Responsibilities:

• Assisting in serving lunches
• Engaging with our AES community members in a friendly manner
• Collaborating with our team to maintain a welcoming lunch environment

Benefits of Volunteering:

• Being part of a meaningful initiative promoting healthy eating
• Connecting with our vibrant community
• Contributing to the well-being of our [school/organization/company]

Details: Sign up here!

Please check in with the front office of the building you are visiting. You will receive a badge and a temporary parking pass. Please make sure your pass is clearly visible on the dashboard of your vehicle. If you do not have a parking pass, your vehicle may get a ticket or be booted.

Parking is available in the middle school lot. The parking lot located behind the high school is for staff only.

• Be sure to stay in your car if you are in the active loading and unloading zone. Parking and walking up to the school is highly discouraged.
• All kindergarten and 1st grade students play on the Little Playground at the side of the building before the bell rings. They will alternate going into the Library if they would like.
• All 2nd, 3rd and 4th grade students will cross the plaza and go down to the Big Playground.
• Students who would like to buy breakfast may enter the front doors and go down to the cafeteria.
• The bell rings at 7:55am for students to line-up and enter the building.

At the end of the day...

• The dismissal bell rings at 3:15pm
• Teachers on duty will walk the pick-up students down to the gate and will wait with children until their ride has arrived. Please do not walk up to the school. This will help to reduce congestion and ensure we have a smooth dismissal.

Adults will be on duty to help direct students to the proper locations.

Alternatives include: stickers, pencils, extra recess, dance party, cards, star student etc.

• Haga clic AQUÍ para obtener instrucciones sobre cómo traducir este boletín.
• Click HERE for the Bus Change Request Form.
• Aspen Family Connections
• Aspen School District Absences and Excuses Policy (Click here for Spanish)
  
• AES Attendance (Click here for Spanish)
• Pre-Arranged Absence Form
• Click HERE for information about fingerprinting for volunteers.
• Volunteer to work in the Cafeteria.
• Click HERE for the latest document from the state about when to exclude students and staff from school/work because of illness. How Sick is too Sick Spanish version.
  
• Please click HERE to see the staff's favorite things!
  
• Order SPIRIT WEAR anytime with this link!

Students will be able to enter the building at 7:35am. Please be sure to talk to your child about whether or not they have your permission to purchase breakfast. The cost is $3.50 and there are NO free seconds. (if your child gets seconds there will be another charge for $3.50).

Breakfast follows Free & Reduced guidelines. If your child qualified for Free/Reduced lunch they also qualify for Free/Reduced breakfast and will be charged accordingly. We want to make sure no child is hungry during the school day.

Please click HERE for more details.

Last year, Aspen Elementary School became an authorized International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme. The International Baccalaureate® aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. To this end the organization works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop challenging programmes of international education and rigorous assessment.

These programmes encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.

Aspen Elementary

To empower an innovative, mindful community of learners in a challenging and nurturing environment that promotes inquiry and academic excellence.

International Baccalaureatae

The International Baccalaureate® aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.

To this end the organization works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop challenging programmes of international education and rigorous assessment.

These programmes encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.

Website: https://www.aspenk12.net/Domain/8
Location: 235 High School Road, Aspen, Colorado, USA
Phone: 970-925-3760