Welcome Back to School!
I am thrilled to introduce myself as the principal of our wonderful school. I am honored to have the opportunity to serve as your principal and contribute to the growth and success of our students.
As we begin this new academic year together, I am filled with a deep sense of commitment to provide an exceptional educational experience for each and every one of our students. I believe in fostering a positive and inclusive learning environment where all students feel valued, respected, and supported.
Our dedicated team is committed to creating a learning environment that ignites curiosity, promotes critical thinking, and encourages creativity. We will focus on developing strong foundational skills, cultivating a love for learning, and empowering our students to become confident and independent thinkers.
I am a firm believer in the power of collaboration between families, teachers, and the school community. We value your involvement and partnership in your child's education. I encourage you to participate in school activities, attend parent-teacher conferences, and engage in open and frequent communication with our teachers and staff. Together, we can create a strong support system that will maximize each child's potential and ensure their success.
I am excited about the journey ahead and the opportunities that lie in store for us this year. Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to me or our dedicated administrative team. We are here to support you and your child every step of the way.
Once again, I extend my warmest welcome to all students and families joining our Aspen family!
Sincerely,
Liz Janusz, Aspen Principal
We have 17 new staff members joining our Aspen team for this school year!
- Brittney Vollans - PK
- Ashley Moff - Reading Interventionist
- Daisy Gorman-Nichols - 3rd grade
- Charity Cannon - 2nd grade
- Kim Carian - 1 on 1 EA
- Megan Mayers - K-2nd SPED EA
- Jessica Gray - 3rd/4th SPED EA
- Mary Fields - ILP EA
- Natalie Butcher - PK EA
- Aarti Mishra - IELP EA
- James Salazar - 4th-6th EA
- Johanna Jaworski - Kinder EA
- Lyza Sanchez - IELP EA
- Amelia Epperson - Clerk
- Hailee Baer - OT
- Erin Moran Shields - Psychologist
- Danna Pelland - SLP
We will have our Meet the Teacher/Supply Drop-Off time on Tuesday, August 6th!
Class lists will be posted on the front doors at 2:15pm. The doors will open at 2:30 for students/families to meet their teachers and drop off their supplies. This is meant to be a casual opportunity to introduce your child to their teacher and for them to see their room. We will have an open house at a later date for families to learn more about the curriculum and classroom procedures.
Meet the Teacher will promptly end at 3:30 to give teachers and staff enough time to preapre for the first day of school!
Each student that meets the requirements to ride the school bus must complete a 2024-2025 Student Bus Card. LAPS provides bus service for all Los Alamos County elementary students who live at least 1 mile from the school, for middle school students who live 1.5 miles from the school, and for high school students who live 2 miles from the school. Check out LAPS Transportation website for more information and to review bus routes.
If you have any specific transportation questions, please reach out to our Director of Transportation, Keith Rosenbaum: k.rosenbaum@laschools.net
With our new schedule, we have adjusted our Early Bird program. Students can begin to get dropped off at 7:45. They will go straight to the dining hall where they will have the option to eat breakfast. We will have staff in the dining hall supervising during this time.
At 7:55, the first bell will ring. At this time, students that have already been dropped off can choose to stay in the dining hall for breakfast, or go outside for recess. If students arrive between 7:55 and 8:10, they will also have those two options.
**There are no more half days. All school days, even including the first week, are all full days - 8:10am-2:40pm.**
LAPS will continue to offer a free breakfast and lunch to all of our students. This year LAPS will be utilizing the Offer Versus Serve (OVS) model pertaining to USDA and NSLP requirements. This
model will provide students with more of a choice for both breakfast and lunch service.
If a student has a dietary need (this includes vegan requests), this must be communicated to the school site nurse. The school site will inform our food service partner so they can prepare the
requested meal for the student. You can view menus online at
https://laschools.nutrislice.com/menu.
Even though all students can participate in the breakfast and lunch program we encourage all
families to complete the free and reduced meal program application. These applications are
used for other important funding opportunities which support the district and our students.
Also, students become eligible for reduced fees at school sites based on these applications.
Please use the online option at www.schoolcafe.com.
If you are unable to complete the online option please download a copy of the Free and
Reduced Meal Program Application. Instructions for this application can be found
at USDA Application Instructions.
Email the completed form to the Assistant Superintendent for Operations and Safety at m.johnson@laschools.net.
Drop Off Procedures
If your child will be dropped off, they will need to get out in the circle area of the parking lot. Before students can get out of the car, parents will need to pull all the way forward. If parents do not pull all the way forward in the circle, your child cannot get out of the car.
In order to keep the surrounding streets free of traffic and to get busses in and out, we need to be able to move as many cars as possible through the drop off line.
If you would like to walk your child up to the front of the school, you will need to park your car either in the lot, or on a side street, and walk them up.
You may NOT park your car in the circle. We will take a picture of your license plate and give it to LAPD.
Pick Up Procedures
PK and Kindergarten only: Car riders will be dismissed at 2:30. In order to pick up your car rider, parents will need to physically walk up to the line (at the ramp) to get your child. The classroom teacher has to see you before releasing your child.
Parents may not wait in the circle for their children to be released to the car. Teachers have been instructed to keep kids in line until a parent/guardian physically walks up to the line.
In the past, our circle has been backed up due to PK and K parents waiting in their car after they get their child, for the older sibling to arrive. Family members of these students will now either need to park in the parking lot or on a side street and walk up.
1st-6th grade: Car riders will begin dismissing at 2:35. Parents can pull all the way up into the circle to get their child. Children will be instructed to not get into the car until it has pulled all the way up.
If you chose to park in our lot to get your child, you may NOT instruct them to walk through the pick up line to meet you in the lot. Parents will need to physically walk onto the sidewalk to meet their child. Please be mindful that we need to move all the cars forward before you walk across.
***Please remember our staff is out there every morning and afternoon to ensure students are arriving and dismissing safely. They are here to help and please treat them with kindness and respect during this time.
Email: l.janusz@laschools.net
Website: https://aspen.laschools.net/
Location: 2182 33rd Street, Los Alamos, NM, USA
Phone: (505) 663-2306
Twitter: @mrs_janusz