Aspen High School

Student and Family Weekly Update

December 11th

Para la versión en español, haga clic en este correo electrónico. Haga clic en la palabra "Traducir" (arriba a la derecha) y seleccione Español o el lenguaje de su preferencia en el menú.

Dear Students & Families,

Wow! Thank you to all of our families & community members who donated to support the ASD at the Flamingo last weekend. We are so fortunate to be a part of such a generous, supportive community. We have home athletic contests this week, as well as the Holiday Band Concert, and the first of two Booster Club Skier Gear Sales. Students are working hard to get work completed as they head into the holiday break next week.

IB Spotlight

⭐In the IB Spanish Language B class, students are working on their intercultural communication skills in which discussions around traditions and celebrations in the Latin world and in contrast to American traditions have given students the opportunity to learn about other cultures and feel proud of their own. Likewise, second year students are giving their best ideas and opinions to keep us healthy and avoid having a life of addictions. This while we read the book "Campos de Fresas" which talks about the problems of drug addictions in adolescence, the problem of poor nutrition and possible solutions to overcome these problems in our communities today. A few days before Thanksgiving break, students in both grades have been taking an internal oral mock exam. Fantastico trabajo chicos.

⭐We are thankful for our 41 IB Diploma juniors who are embarking on the Extended Essay and Creativity, Activity, Service during first semester. Please ask these students about their EE inspirations!

IB MYP 10th Grade Personal Project

10th-graders have completed Criterion A of their Personal Project reports!

Students are working to make final edits for Criterion B and finish their products. Both Criterion B and student products are due by December 20th.
Once students return to school after winter break, they will reflect on their products and their process as they write Criterion C of their report. They are required to submit their report no later than January 16th.
The 10th-graders' hard work will be celebrated on February 12th when students present their projects and products at a Community Showcase in the Skier Dome.

Skier Spotlight

Students in Anita Moose’s STEM classes are building their own computer!

Headphone Reminder

Students must use wired headphones at school; they may plug these into their chromebooks during class time or even on free periods. Students may not use airpods or wireless headphones in keeping with our cell phone free learning environment.

Colorado Digital Learning Solutions (CDLS) for the 2024-25 School Year

Aspen High School offers the opportunity for students to take online classes through Colorado Digital Learning Solutions (CDLS) for the 2024-25 school year. Students typically enroll in online classes for continuing credits for graduation or credit recovery (meaning a student has failed a course necessary for graduation and is regaining that credit).

Information for CDLS Spring Semester 2025

Información de Clases en Línea de CDLS

Email Josh Berro, jberro@aspenk12.net, or Kearstin Cameron, kcameron@aspenk12.net, individually with questions or if you need guidance selecting a course.

S1 Final Exams

- Click here for the S1 Final Exam Schedule
- All Students are required to sit for exams at the appointed time. Students may not take exams at an alternate time without pre-approval from Sarah or Becky.
- Next week, students will be filling out the Final Exam Prep Sheet in all of their classes; this sheet allows students to capture the format of each final, the rubric and how it will be assessed, plans for how to prepare or study, and the expectation and deadline for any late work. Please note: all work (if the department allows late work) must be completed and turned in by January 10th.

Buddy Program

Aspen Middle School will be starting the high school buddy program (for AHS Juniors and Seniors) again on Thursday 1/9/2025.

If you would like to help mentor a middle school student during their Thursday lunch/recess 11.45 - 12.15, and earn service hours, please reach out to Sheri Smith ssmith@aspenk12.net and Andrea Williamson awilliamson@aspenk12.net.

The middle school counselors are looking for students who will eat lunch with a middle schooler, play chess or another board game, play cards, shoot some hoops, or talk about interests and goals while using encouraging and positive language. We ask that high school buddies not use devices while engaging with middle school students.

Booster Club & Skier Swag

From Post-Secondary Counseling

FIRST GENERATION STUDENTS:

Lunch with Lupita & Ricky - Fri. December 20

Students of any grade who will be the first in their family to attend college are invited to have lunch with AHS alumni Lupita Ortiz (‘21) and Ricky Saucedo (‘23) on Friday, December 20 in the BOE Room. Lupita and Ricky will share their experiences as first-generation college students, answer questions and offer words of encouragement. Students should email smorrison@aspenk12.net to sign-up.

SENIORS:

Decision Season

Now is the season when some colleges begin notifying applicants about admissions decisions. Click here for words of advice and other important reminders.

Save the Date! Wednesday, January 8th (right after winter break!)

LOCAL SCHOLARSHIP INFO SESSIONS

Learn about the 30+ Community donor groups that provide $400,000 in scholarships for AHS graduates.

During lunch in the Black Box for students
5:30pm virtual for parents

FAFSA

2025/26 FAFSA application is now open and all senior families are encouraged to submit. Click here for FAFSA and Financial Aid Tips.

JUNIORS:

Individual Meetings

All juniors are encouraged to schedule an individual meeting with their Post-Secondary Counselor. Students with last names beginning A-K will work with Karen Hawkes, L-Z with Brennan Dignan. Parents are welcome (but not required) to join the meeting either in person or virtually. Please note, meetings may not be scheduled during class time, but rather during SET, lunch or a free period. Before the 1st Individual Meeting, both students and parents are asked to complete short intake surveys. Intake for Students|Intake for Parents.

Virtual Parent Coffee

Join us December 20th for the next Virtual Parent Coffee with Sarah Strassburger.

The meeting will be recorded, and posted to our website, for those who cannot join.

https://meet.google.com/bed-vnim-jqo?hs=122&authuser=0

Lost and found

Please check our lost and found located by the weight room and reclaim your belongings BY DECEMBER 18th . We will donate all unclaimed items to the Aspen Thrift Store before Winter Break.

Mental Health Support

Please remember that the holiday season can be very difficult for some people. Please reach out if you or someone you know struggles at this time of year. You may call the Colorado Crisis Service 24/hr hotline at 1-844-493-8255 or Text “TALK” to 38255, or call the Aspen Hope Center Hopeline at 970-925-5858.

Safe2Tell Update

Please use Safe2Tell to anonymously report any concerns! These reports go directly to law enforcement and school administration. Please be sure to say on the report so that the intake operator can ask more questions; there is no way for any of this information to be traced back to you!

Please Click Here to Learn More About AEF!!

Sarah Strassburger

Principal, Aspen High School

School Phone #: (970) 315-3516

Email: sstrassburger@aspenk12.net
Website: https://ahs.aspenk12.net/en-US
Location: 235 High School Road, Aspen, CO, USA
Aspen School District Main Phone #: (970) 925-3760
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AspenHighSchool