Aspen High School
Student and Family Weekly Update
May 8th
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Dear Students & Families,
We are very busy at Aspen High School this week! Between the cold temps and snow flying, we have hosted playoff games for girls’ and boys’ lacrosse (both victorious and advancing to the next round); have had more IB DP Exams; have had our first ever group of 10th graders sit for IB MYP Exams; and we are hard at work on the master schedule. We have girls’ soccer going into their first playoff game and we have one student advancing to state for girls’ tennis (Congratulations, Greta Holton!). Finally, we have purple flags planted in the front of Aspen High School to highlight Fentanyl Awareness Day, which was May 7th. The flags were brought to us by Cath Adams, Aperture of Hope, in memory of her daughter Emily Adams. It is reported that someone dies from a drug related overdose every 11 minutes. Let’s work together to keep our community safe! If you see something, say something: www.Safe2Tell.org
IB DP News
IB Exams continue this week through May 17. Check the schedule and come prepared. We are so proud you are representing team Aspen High School! Hip, Hip IB!
Although IB Visual Arts & IB Music do not have sit-down exams, both have culminating IB Assessments.
To wrap up IB Visual Arts, Julie Trahon’s students completed their Process Portfolio. Students submitted carefully selected materials which evidenced their experimentation, exploration, manipulation and refinement of a variety of visual arts activities during the two-year course.
In IB Music, Erica Nottingham’s students learned to practice and prepare finished pieces that will be performed or presented to an audience. In working towards completed musical works, students expanded their musical identity, demonstrated their level of musicianship, and learned to share and communicate their music as researchers, creators and performers.
Senior Athlete Signing Ceremony
Have you committed to play sports at the next level? Please email John Castrese (jcastrese@aspenk12.net) to confirm that you are on his list to celebrate on May 21st during SET.
Peer Tutoring!
Any student interested in being a peer tutor next year can apply now! Applications are due May 10th.
Tutors do not need perfect grades. They DO need to be welcoming, excited at the prospect of helping others, and able to take initiative.
Peer tutoring is an elective class, and peer tutors receive credit and a grade. Tutors will be trained at the beginning of the year and can decide the subject areas in which they'd feel most comfortable helping others.
Students can find details and the application in their email. Reach out to Christin Kay ckay@aspenk12.net with questions!
AI SUMMER LEARNING OPPORTUNITY AT AHS!
Aspen High School will be hosting an Inspirit Artificial Intelligence Program for 8th-12th grade students, taught by instructors from Stanford and MIT.
Class will meet in-person, daily from June 17 - June 28, weekdays only.
Morning Session: 9:00am-12:30pm
Pricing: $1,600
For questions, contact Jared Greene, Program Director, jaredgreene@inspiritai.com
New Chromebook Initiative at AHS
Please click here to learn about the new 1:1 Chromebook Initiative at Aspen High School for 2024-25.
Parent Virtual Coffee with AHS Principal
Join us for Parent Virtual Coffee
with AHS Principal Sarah Strassburger
Friday, May 17th, 9:00 – 10:00 am
Google Meet joining info
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/men-szre-vqc
Past recordings can be found on our website.
In Need of Student Exchange Host Families!!
Abetone exchange alumni and families, or anyone wanting a great opportunity:
Over the years, Aspen Sister Cities has hosted a number of high school foreign exchange students from our sister cities in Argentina, France, Germany, and Italy. The students have spent the full academic year at Aspen High School and have lived with local families for either the entire academic year or for one semester before transferring to a second family for the second semester. Our exchanges have been extremely successful for the exchange students and for the hosting families as well. We are pleased to note that these exchanges have also resulted in lasting relationships with the hosting Aspen families. Not only do hosts maintain contact with their exchange students, but often even travel abroad to visit the exchange student and their families.
Aspen Sister Cites is now looking for one or two families to host a high school student from Abetone, Italy for the 2024/25 school year. While the next school year seems to be far away, now is the time for us to secure housing for this student because of visa application and other formalities.
If you might be interested in hosting a student from Abetone, Italy, please contact Jill Sheeley at: jillsheeleybooks@gmail.com and/or 970 379-2224.
Please visit the AHS Website for more information about Sister Cities Exchange Program.
Every Student Flies
Take advantage of the incredible opportunity to fly with AFA (Aspen Flight Academy). All students are eligible to fly for free and they will actually get to pilot the aircraft with the supervision of a certified flight instructor from AFA. Click here to sign up!
AFA is thrilled to announce that three AHS students will be job shadowing airport operations at the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport! This fantastic opportunity allows them to delve into the world of airport operations, where they will learn firsthand about maintaining the airfield, snow removal, aircraft rescue firefighting (ARFF), safety, and security.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
April 25 - May 17 - IB Exams
May 6 - 10 - Teacher Appreciation Week
May 8 - Student Early Release / Staff PD
May 20 - IB Diploma Reception
May 23 - Seniors' last day of class
May 27 - Memorial Day - No school for students & staff
June 1 - Graduation
June 3 - 6 - Semester 2 Final Exams
June 6 - Last day of school for students 9th -11th
AHS Parent Group News
- Teacher Appreciation Week is May 6th - 10th!
- Parent lunch volunteers are needed for the remainder of the school year! This is a great way to support the school and get a glimpse of what high school life is like. Any amount of time you can give is greatly appreciated! To sign up for a shift click here.
For questions or additional information contact Alyssa.
Summer Reading Program at the Pitkin County Library
Join us at the Pitkin County Library this summer to participate in the 2024 Summer Reading Program.
- The Summer Reading Program consists of reading, activities and events in the Library, and amazing prizes! Earn prizes by reading books and writing short stories. Prizes are a kindle, camera, headphones, Squishmallows, water bottles, book lights, Sand Cloud towels, picnic blankets, first aid kits, embossers, bookmarks, stickers, pins, sweatshirts, and more!
- To sign-up, come to our kick off party on Friday, June 7, at 2pm-4pm in the Galena Plaza beside the Pitkin County Library. Can't make it to the kick off? Come into the library anytime between Friday, June 7, and Wednesday, August 7, to pick up your Summer Reading booklet.
- You can also participate in our Teen Art Show this summer! The Teen Art Show is a new initiative for local teenagers to gain experience in the art industry and show off their art skills. Submissions are due Friday, May 31, and the show takes place Wednesday, June 24, until Saturday, August 10. Learn more at pitcolib.org/teen-art-show.
For questions, contact Madison Ledford at madison.ledford@pitkincounty.com or 970-429-1922.
Challenge Aspen
Challenge Aspen is hosting their Music and Dance camp at TACAW this year from July 8th to 12th.
Last year, our best volunteers were high school students!!
Each volunteer is paired with a buddy for the week who has a disability, helping them learn their lines, getting them into character, and helping with their performance if they need the assistance.
The camp is Monday – Friday with rehearsal each day from about 8am – 2pm, ending with the performance on Friday, July 12th at Noon. Students will receive at least 25 hours of community service. It is open to the public and is free of charge.
For questions, please email info@challengeaspen.org.
Red Brick Arts Teen Summer Camp Opportunities!!
Camp: August 12 - 16, 9:30am - 3:30 pm
Age: 11 - 14 years old
Cost: $350
Animation Film Camp in partnership with Aspen Film
Camp: July 29 - August 2, 2024, 9:30am - 3:30pm
Age: 12 - 16 years old
Cost: $470/per week (scholarships available)
SE2 Youth Council Application
Want to make a difference in your community? Join the SE2 Youth Council!
We're a group of Colorado teens passionate about building healthy communities for ourselves and others.
We meet monthly to tackle important topics like vaping, mental health, and building relationships. Get ready for in-depth discussions, engaging projects, interactive polls, and connections with like-minded peers!
We are accepting applications on a rolling basis.
Feel free to follow up with questions to gracie@se2changeforgood.com
Best Buddies Friendship Walk: Roaring Fork
Sunday, June 2nd
Check-in: 12:00 PM
Opening Ceremonies: 1:00 PM
Walk: 1:15 PM
Celebrate Until: 4:00 PM
Location: Downtown Basalt, CO 81621
The Best Buddies Friendship Walk is the leading event in the country supporting inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
Join 50,000 participants at 70+ Walks across the globe to support the Best Buddies programs in schools, workplaces, and communities. You’ll be making the world more welcoming to people with IDD — one friendship, one job, and one life-changing connection at a time.
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