Aspen High School
Student and Family Weekly Update
March 19th
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Dear Students & Families,
Whether you plan to be relaxing here in the valley or heading farther afield, I hope that everyone has a wonderful Spring Break. April is very busy, so please be sure to read through this lengthy communication; we have the IB Art Show, FBLA, PSAT/SAT and CMAS testing, and loads of events. Enjoy the well deserved week off!
IB Spotlight
IB DP Science seniors are working collaboratively in groups to present scientific recommendations to countries based on their knowledge of Physics, Biology, and Environmental Systems & Societies. Students will present their findings in a gallery walk during SET on April 8th.
Parents, we need your help proctoring IB DP Exams!
There are 24 slots to fill with volunteers May 8th - May 21. Scroll down in the Sign Up Link.
AHS is returning to a previous practice of volunteer parents, with approved training, helping to support the proctoring of IB exams. To maintain the integrity of the testing process, all parent proctors will be required to sign a non-disclosure agreement, to protect students' testing privacy. Additionally, a mandatory 30-minute virtual training session will be held on April 2nd at 9:30 AM.
⭐Skier Spotlight⭐
Thank you to Josh Berro, Jamie Evans, and Pegi Pickett for chaperoning Model UN last week.
Currently celebrating its 51st year, the National High School Model United Nations (NHSMUN) Conference has established itself as the premier conference on the high school Model UN circuit. NHSMUN prides itself on having the largest and most diverse attendee base in the world, and the conference has hosted participants from more than 130 countries throughout its history. NHSMUN is known for its talented, prestigious attendees, world-class staff, proven substantive excellence, and accurate, engaging committee simulations. The conference exposes students to high-profile, relevant United Nations figures, including the possibility of visiting the ambassadors or representatives of the Permanent Mission of the countries they are representing. This year Aspen High School represented Iran. During the conference we were fortunate enough to attend a fireside chat hosted by former President Joe Biden. In addition, our opening ceremony's guest speaker was Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations.
Virtual Parent Coffee, THIS FRIDAY!
Join us Friday, March 21st for the next Virtual Parent Coffee with Sarah Strassburger.
The meeting will be recorded, and posted to our website, for those who cannot join.
Information about Ex Ed Fall 2025
The Ex Ed auction is now open!
- Step 1: Review course offerings here.
- Step 2: Sign up for the auction here before March 21st.
- Step 3: Apply for a scholarship here if necessary before March 21st.
- Find much more information at tinyurl.com/exed2025.
If you were unable to tune in for the Ex Ed virtual meeting held on March 3, please check out the recording. Click here to watch!
To look through the slideshow at your own pace, use this LINK!
During this meeting, families learned about all of the Ex Ed courses and how to support their students with the Auction.Please also visit our Ex Ed website page for more information.
State Testing
CMAS 11th grade- April 9th and Make-Up day is April 15th . All 11th graders will take the CMAS Science Assessment. Opt-Out form. Must fill out the Opt-Out form by April 1st.
State Assessments: Thank you for participating in these important state assessments. There will not be regular classes on April 21st. PSAT/SAT testing is entirely digital.
Important Test Day information.
SAT (11th grade) - April 21st and Make-Up day is April 24th. The School Day SAT is one assessment that can be used to satisfy the state of Colorado testing requirement for graduation. Therefore, we expect all 11th graders to take the SAT.
PSAT (9th and 10th grades) -April 21st and Make-Up day is April 24th. We strongly encourage all students to take the PSAT in grades 9 and 10 for practice prior to taking the SAT in 11th grade.
Class of 2025! Seniors ONLY!
What: Senior Graduation Performance Auditions
When: Tuesday, April 8th, 2025 at 3:30 pm
Where: Erica's choir room at AES (behind District Theatre)
Who: Any senior, or group of seniors, who is interested in performing at the Senior Awards Ceremony or at Graduation
Sign up with Erica for an audition via email: enottingham@aspenk12.net. Contact Erica with any questions or follow up.
Seniors and families! Please visit our webpage for information about graduation!
Community Baskets
Last fall we implemented a free community breakfast program for our students. This program was made possible by a small grant from the City of Aspen specifically for student breakfast. We only have a certain amount of items per day budgeted.
The breakfast snacks are set up outside the AHS kitchen in the commons for students to grab with no stigma attached. It has been a very successful program for our students. We run out every day.
If you would like help navigating resources to access food or economical assistance, please contact Aspen Family Connections on 970-205-7025
Thank you for supporting our students!
Project Graduation, Class of 2025!
Project Graduation Fundraising Links
The tradition of Project Graduation began in 1989 to provide a safe and fun experience on the evening of graduation. This event is only possible with your help.
Project Graduation is largely funded by the senior class parents. As always, our objective is to keep this a free event for our seniors. To do this, we need to raise $44,000. Our goal is for 100% participation and support from our senior class parents. No donation of money or time is too small or too big. We thank you in advance for your donations and know our students will also be extremely appreciative, when they arrive at the ARC on May 31st.
You can donate online: https://www.successfund.com/AHS2025projectgraduation
You may also donate by logging into your AHS E-funds account or bring a check, payable to Aspen High School Project Graduation, to the High School front office. Checks can also be mailed to: Aspen High School Project Graduation, 0235 High School Road, Aspen, CO 81611.
If you would like more information about specific underwriting opportunities or would like to join one of our planning committees, please email aspenprojectgraduation@aspenk12.net.
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!
TACAW: The Arts Campus At Willits
TACAW Summer Programs
The Bailey Shaw Internship program honors the legacy of Bailey Shaw, a valued local community member and one of TACAW’s first summer interns.
This is a fantastic opportunity for young adults, 16+, to gain hands-on experience in the arts, event production, and youth programming. Applications are due 4/21. Please use this Summer Internship link to apply!
TACAW's summer camps are also open for registration! Young artists can create animated films, develop puppet shows, or perform in a play about middle school challenges. Teens can write songs with local artists. With camps for ages 6-16 and bilingual instruction offered in all sessions, a summer of creative possibilities awaits. Scholarships are available and applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Spots for both camps and internships are limited, so be sure to sign up soon!
Best Buddies Friendship Walk
Sunday, June 1st
Check-in: 12:00 PM
Opening Ceremonies: 1:00 PM
Walk: 1:15 PM
Celebrate Until: 3:00 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 more than 50,000 participants at 80 events 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.
AZYEP Summer Camp Registration is Open!
AZYEP will host 3 camps for different age levels with various radio themes:
* Kids Corner | June 23rd - 26th | Grades 1-4: In this fun, hands-on workshop, elementary students will learn about radio through field trips, art projects, storytelling, music activities, and more. Each day will have a different theme: 'On the Farm,' 'Artist for a Day,' 'Outdoor Adventure,' and 'Local Music.' Students will participate in a live radio show on KDNK!
* Barely Experts | July 14th - 17th | Grades 5-7: Middle school students are invited to create a 'Barely Experts' podcast! Students will try new activities around Carbondale, including but not limited to performing arts, creative hobbies, vinyl sampling, craft making, and more. They will then create a series of short podcast episodes about their experiences trying each new activity.
* Environmental Podcasting | August 4-6 | Grades 8-12: Join AZYEP and the Sopris Sun for a 4-day crash course in radio podcasting and written storytelling, focusing on local environmental issues. Stories will be published in the Sopris Sun and/or aired on KDNK radio. Students will go on a variety of field trips to learn about local environmental organizations and issues, including water, farming, trails, and stewardship.
Register Here | Partial Scholarships available | Contact megan@azyep.org
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
