AES Community Connection 8/28/24

Haga clic AQUÍ para obtener instrucciones sobre cómo traducir este boletín.

We have had an outstanding first week of school! What a joy to meet our new Kindergarten Class of 2039. In every classroom students are building the foundations for a successful year. This begins with relationships, routines and expectations. Our teachers strive to create a classroom community in which all students feel welcomed, respected and cared for. At AES our mission is to empower an innovative, mindful community of learners in a challenging and nurturing environment that promotes inquiry and academic excellence.

Safety is also a top priority for us at AES. We will regularly practice Standard Response Protocol drills. These include Hold, Secure, Lockdown and Evacuation. After each drill, you will receive a communication from the school. When visiting the school, please be sure to sign-in at the front office. You will need your license or ID to obtain a visitors badge.

Thank you for sharing your precious children with us! I am confident 2024-25 will be a remarkable school year.

Kindly,

Ashley Bodkins

Principal

Normal Weekday Schedule for AES:

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

Wednesdays 8:00-1:45

Monday, September 2 - Labor Day - School Closed

Wednesday, September 4 - Back to School Night 5:00-7:00 PM

• 5:00-5:30 - Single Subject Open House (Art, Music, Physical Education, World Language, Library, SEL and Environmental Education)
• 5:30-5:45 - Principal's Welcome in the District Theater
• 5:50-6:20 - Classsroom Session #1
• 6:25-6:55 - Classroom Session #2

Monday, September 9 - PTO Back to School Meeting- ALL ARE WELCOME! AES Conference Room or with Google Meet.

Tuesday, September 17 - AES Booster Fun Run!

Tuesday, October 1 - Noche Latina- information session for all Spanish speaking families. 5-7PM AHS

Thursday/Friday, October 24 & 25 - Parent, Teacher, Student Conferences (in person)

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.

• 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.

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.

The PTO would love for you to join them for their first meeting of the year!

When: 9.9.24 12:00-1:00

Where: AES Conference Room or Google Meet.

Our Aspen Elementary School Fun Run fundraiser kicked off and you can now sign up at MyBooster.com! We’re raising $75,000 for a new kiln & art supplies, teacher wish lists, outdoor seating, and community events and we need your help. Please save the date and stay tuned for more details on how you can support our cause.

Sign up online at MyBooster.com – Today!!!

Fundraiser Kickoff in school – 09/09/2024

Event Day – 09/17/2024

• K-2: 9:30 AM-10:30 AM
• 3rd & 4th: 10:45-11:45

USE THIS LINK TO SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER!

WHAT IS THE FUN RUN?

This school wide event is an unforgettable experience for all students, staff and spectators. On September 17th, all students will participate by running/walking/skipping/dancing around a fun race course on the Aspen High School track. In a casual, fun setting, they will compete as many laps as they can and in doing so they will help raise money for our school! As a family, you will work together asking friends and family to donate on your student’s Donation Page at MyBooster.com. To help us get started, head to MyBooster.com today to get your student signed up. Thank you for your support!

IT IS NOT TOO LATE TO BE A SPONSOR!

If you are interested in being a sponsor of the AES Fun Run please reach out to Vanessa Adam.

Highlands Bowl Donors:

Brodsky Family
Vandeboom Family

Cirque Donors:

Cooper Street Capital

Borchert Family

Walsh’s Donors:

Aspen Air
Paradise Bakery

Gilmore Family
Decorative Materials
Weihs Family
Calle Family

Tiehack Donors:

Rossmore
Andrew Turchin - The Ageless Smile
Sohn Family
Timberline Bank
Kelly Family
PJ Bory
Della and Zella
Waldron Family
Klug Properties
Mahedy Family

Hartman Family

F&M Architects

AES Skiers Donors:
Hechtkopf Family

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.

Sign up for beginning fencing classes!

Click HERE for the flyer in English.

Click HERE for the flyer in Spanish.

Casino Night - Stirling Cup Kickoff Party

Dinner-Drinks-Casino Games- DJ Naka G - Prizes

Friday, September 13th, 2024

Buttermilk Lodge “Bumps”

Dinner Event 6:00 PM - 11:00pm (includes after party)

After Party & Casino night 8:30 - 11:00 PM

BUY TICKETS HERE

Click HERE for the flyer.

Aspen Junior Hockey is proud to invite you to join us in celebrating the 23rd Stirling Cup. Founded by Jody Cooper along with her sons Brandon and Matt, honoring the legacy of their late husband and father Stirling Cooper. For over 50 years, AJH has been an integral part of the Aspen community, fostering a culture of respect, character, and community for generations of young athletes. The Stirling Cup is a testament to the rich heritage of youth hockey in Aspen, the love Stirling had for the game, and its impact on so many lives.

AJH has been one of Aspen's most beloved winter youth sports programs. Through hockey, AJH develops strong character, perseverance, and passion for the game. Not only do youth evolve as athletes, but AJH works to build our youth to become contributing citizens in the community. We believe every child deserves an opportunity to experience the joy of playing hockey. To keep our program thriving, our membership fees and donations help cover costs that build up our athletes through practice and competition. Unfortunately, many families are deterred by the high cost of equipment and training. In the 2023-2024 season alone, AJH provided over $25,000 in scholarships covering membership costs and coached over 200 youth who participated in our program. We aim to provide even more scholarships in the future and continuously improve our program for all members.

Thank you for considering supporting our upcoming event! By supporting the AJH program, a non-profit organization, you are ensuring that no youth athlete is left behind. Join us in making a difference and helping young athletes achieve their hockey dreams!

Ballet classes for ages 4 and older at the Red Brick in Aspen. Please visit agsballetaspen.com or email agsballetaspen@gmail.com with questions.

Connect! Social, Emotional and Ethical After School Program

Registration is open for the 2024-2025 school year for students in grades K-4.

Connect! is a cumulative program and each session has a different curriculum

Session #1 – Exploring Kindness – September 10 – October 10

Session #2 – Building Resiliency – October 15 – November 21

Session #3 – Strengthening Attention/Self Awareness – January 7- February 6

Connect! meets at Aspen Elementary School from 3:15-5:15

Students may sign up for either Tuesday OR Thursday each session

(3:15-3:45 is outdoor/snack time which allows students from other schools to join

us in time for the first lesson)

Tuition is $150 per session and scholarships are available

Please go to the Connect! website linked HERE to find out more information and register

Registration is on a first come/first serve basis, and we will post on the website if/when a session is full.

Hope to see you in the fall!

Elaine Bonds and Mimi Hauenstein, Co-Executive Directors

After-school music classes at schools throughout the Roaring Fork Valley

• In Aspen: Beginning Strings and Chamber Music Lab
• Tuition and instrument scholarships available
• Registration opens August 20 – aspenmusicfestival.com/education
• For more information, contact education@aspenmusic.org or 970-205-5059

Girl Scouts is For Every Girl!

Troops Forming Now, Call/Text Lara: 970-628-8007

Lara.verellen@gscolorado.org

Click HERE to see the flyer in English & Spanish.

Grades K-1: Minier Musical

Thursdays 3:45-5pm at Red Brick Center for the Arts

Where The Wild Things Are (Session 1) : August 29th - October 10th (7 weeks)

Harold and the Purple Crayon (Session 2) : October 17th - December 12th (7 weeks, no class Oct 31st or Nov 28th)

Grades 2-4: Scooby Doo: A Musical Mystery

Mondays 3:45-5:15pm at Red Brick Center for the Arts

September 2nd - October 21st

Grades K-4: Early Release Adventures

EVERY Wednesday 1:45-3:15pm at AES

Registration Opens Friday August 9th at Theatreaspen.org/education

Click HERE for more information

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.

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.

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!

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

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.

If your student is not returning to AES this year, please complete this Withdrawal Form. Carrie Milton, our registrar, can be reached at 970-925-3760 ext. 3001 if you have any questions regarding the withdrawal of your student.

If homeschooling is your chosen method, the district must receive a letter of notification 14 days before beginning the home school program. The written notification must include the name, age, place of residence, and number of attendance hours for each child that will be participating in the home school program. Written notification must be re-submitted to a Colorado school district each year. Please review the ASD Home School Registration requirements and submit an updated Letter of Intent to HomeSchool for the 2024-25 school year if applicable. Please send the letter to Alice Black and reach out to her with any questions at ablack@aspenk12.net.

Click HERE for more information regarding homeschool requirements.

• 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.
• 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.

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