From the IB Coordinator's Desk

Look for this newsletter every other week, where we will share and celebrate what the students are learning and doing in their classrooms and in the outdoors. Aspen Middle School (AMS) is an International Baccalaureate (IB) school and all of our students are a part of the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP).

• Invitation to support our Community Fair
• Pathfinders LA Relief Donations
• Parent Drop-In: Toddle and Grading Questions
• AMS Parent Coffee: IB Grading Focus
• Grading at AMS
• Market Days
• Recent photos

8th-grade students at Aspen Middle School will soon embark on their IB Community Projects! This project provides all 8th grade students with an opportunity to identify ways to give back to our valley community through meaningful action. To inspire and guide them, we’re hosting a Community Fair and we are inviting you to share your passions and possibly partner with a student, or group of students.

Who: Amazing 8th grade parents. You can inspire 8th graders! If you give back to our community—whether through research, advocacy, volunteering, or other service—this is your chance to inspire the next generation. Volunteers can include parents, school staff, high school students, local non-profit representatives, and other community members.

What: Share your knowledge, experience, and stories as students visit various tables to learn more about how they can contribute to their community. Possibly connect with 8th grade students to partner to make a difference in our community.

Where: Aspen Middle School Cafeteria

When: Monday, February 3, 2025 from 2:30pm to 3:15pm.

How to Participate: If you are able to share your expertise with 8th graders during the fair, please email Sarah After at safter@aspenk12.net and provide her with your name and topic or organization that you are connected with. She will send you more info and make arrangements.

We look forward to showcasing the many ways our community comes together to make a difference!

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 rapidly growing wildfires. As they are in our hearts more than ever right now, Pathfinder's goal is to provide relief in this terrible time. We will be setting up a donation box right by the front office. Please consider donating gently used clothes or games. We 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.

Have questions about Toddle or IB grading? Join us for a drop-in session on Tuesday, January 14, from 3:30 to 5:30 in the AMS entryway. Sarah After can assist with logging into Toddle, navigating the site, or understanding the feedback and grades.

The next AMS parent coffee's focus is on the AMS IB Grading system. If you are available and would like to learn more about it, please join us in the AMS library on Thursday, January 16 from 8:05-9:15.

The end of the semester is on January 16th. Student report cards will be available on Toddle on January 24. Teachers are currently updating the Toddle grade book with feedback on the students' achievement toward the IB criteria. AMS's grading model is growth-oriented. Students may initially receive lower achievement-level numbers, but as they learn and gain the skills, they will be able to show evidence of higher levels of achievement. The teachers look for evidence of student learning through the assessments and student work, and the report card grade represents a snapshot in time of the level the student reached by the end of the term. The following table shows some of the differences between an A-F Percentage-Based-Grading Model and an IB-Criteria-Based Grading Model. Please zoom in to see the table better.

Would you like more information about the grading system? Check out this AMS grading and reporting info sheet, and here is the sheet in Spanish.

Many 7th graders have studied entrepreneurship in their WIN classes and have made the bold decision to sell their products at Market Days next Wednesday and Thursday (Jan. 15th and 16th) to all students during lunch recess. Many of the offerings are dessert oriented and will be less than $5.00, but there are a few that are sandwiches or larger items. If you want to consider letting your child support the young entrepreneurs, please send some money to school (cash only) on one or both of those days since different products will be sold on different days. If you would like to have your child participate but finances are tight, please email glevey@aspenk12.net for support... We want everyone to have the chance to support the 7th graders without cost being a setback

Lastly, consider having your child take a look at this digital catalog ahead of time to be more thoughtful with purchases and know that all entrepreneurs are expected to donate at least 20% of their proceeds to local non-profits they have decided to support.

Students from Aspen's sister city, Shimukappu recently shared about their region and culture at an all-school assembly. The Aspen Sister's Cities programs fit perfectly with IB, because they both foster international-mindedness by encouraging students to embrace diverse perspectives, develop cultural understanding, and engage as responsible global citizens.

The AMS Choir recently gave an outstanding performance at the Winter Concer. Performing arts, such as choir, play an integral role in the IB framework, fostering creativity, collaboration, and cultural expression.

The AMS A Cappella Club delivered an exceptional performance!

In the IB, students are encouraged to explore their interests and apply learning in real-world contexts. Our 7th and 8th grade Aviation course offers a unique opportunity for hands-on learning, as students engage with flight simulators to develop critical thinking and technical skills.

These 7th-grade students are engaging in Gingerbread Math, where they applied mathematical concepts in a fun activity that promoted critical thinking and problem-solving.

In the IB, students are encouraged to take meaningful action and contribute to their communities. Here, students are helping to load shoes that AMS collected for Soles for Souls.

In their Individuals & Societies class, 7th-grade students brought history to life during "Morning at the Museum," where they showcased their research on ancient civilizations. Family members, staff, and both middle and elementary students explored the exhibits

These 6th-grade students are embracing adventure and collaboration during their Outdoor Education season as they prepare for a winter hut trip. This experience fosters personal growth, strengthens connections with peers and the natural world, and develops essential outdoor skills. Aligned with the IB Learner Profile attribute of balance, Outdoor Education exemplifies growth in mind, body, and spirit.

Team AMS won "Most Artistic" for their "Rockin' in a Winter Wonderland" snow sculpture at Winterskol. They demonstrated the IB "approaches to learning" skills of creative thinking and collaboration to achieve this honor!

Email for IB Middle Years Coordinator (Grades 5-10): safter@aspenk12.net

Website: https://aspenk12.net/en-US/ib-a817fc32

An archive of "From the Coordinator's Desk Newsletters" are located on the website, and this one will be added soon.