Aspen Parent News
Preparing Today's Learners for Tomorrow's Opportunities!
January 24, 2020
We are totally enjoying your children and care deeply about them! We use inclusive strategies to build school family, which was influenced by the staff reading of the book, Conscious Discipline. There are parent resources at the link, https://consciousdiscipline.com/about/parents/
The video below for parents is titled, "Siblings raised with Conscious Discipline have skills to handle rivalry, bullying, schedules, and more!"
Please note important dates below like our spirit days next week, 1st/2nd music performance, and President's Day. Remember that February 14 will be a regularly scheduled school day, not a planned snow day. We used the day last Friday for the real snow day!
I invite you to send me topic ideas for my parent newsletters.
I wish you well!
Mrs. Altherr
Peaceful Parenting Book Club
The LAPS Prevention Program is facilitating a book group for parents who want to come together and learn, reflect, and support each other using the tools in Dr. Laura Markham's book, Peaceful Parents, Happy Kids. This book provides great insight and useful tools for self-regulation, fostering connection, and coaching our children. This book aligns well with the Conscious Discipline materials that Aspen staff are using in their classrooms. JJAB has purchased books which can be checked out by participants.
If you are interested in joining, please email b.seekins@laschools.net to sign up and indicate whether you live in White Rock or Los Alamos.
Kindness Week, 1/27 -1/31
I am really looking forward to Aspen's annual Great Kindness Challenge! The theme is "Kindness Builds Bridges" . This year, all the elementary schools will be joining us in hosting the same Spirit Days!
Spirit Days
- Monday, 1/27: "Kindness" Wristband Day, (All students will receive these wristbands from their teachers on Monday morning)
- Tuesday, 1/28: Twin Day, "Kindness X2!"
- Wednesday, 1/29: Stuffy Day, "Care and be kind to all creatures great and small!"
- Thursday, 1/30: Pajama Day, "Be kind and cozy!
- Friday, 1/31: Green and Gold Tiger Spiritwear Day, "Aspen Tigers are Kind Cats!"
- Friday, 1/31: Turn in Kindness Checklists
Kindness Checklists
- Students will receive "Kindness Checklists" and wristbands on Monday, January 27th. they check off any acts of kindness they do throughout the week.
- Throughout Kindness Week, students may turn-in their checklists outside of Kim's room (either complete or "in-progress") by Friday morning (1/31) for a chance to enter into a raffle prize drawing.
Try Extra Acts of Kindness In the School Parking Area Next Week
A lot goes on during the 15 minutes of arrival and dismissal. We ask that you not be in a hurry and try not to worry. Your child will find you or we will help them connect with you.
- Keep pulling all the way forward in the drop off/pick up line. This helps the drivers and busses behind you to get through the intersection.
- Follow the directions of the crossing guard and do not pull through the intersection when people are in the crosswalk.
- Say a kind word or write a note of appreciation to the staff on duty at arrival and dismissal.
The Aspen Staff Appreciates it!
Tiger News Bites!
Smith's Shopping Rewards for Aspen!
Smith's Inspiring Donation, Linking your Rewards Card to Aspen School
Please tell families about this opportunity to support Aspen.
We have 76 people signed up for Smith's Inspiring Donations Program.As of the October through December 2019 period, we raised $803.71.
Smith's Food & Drug donates 0.5% of every eligible purchase made by participants to the organization their rewards card is linked to. You do this by setting up a Smith's digital account to link your rewards card to Aspen.
The FAQ is here. https://www.smithsfoodanddrug.com/topic/community-rewards-9
Music at Aspen!
Mr. Lucero has been enjoying teaching your children. He is looking forward to the Spring performances. Mark your calendars!
Music Class Performances
- Thursday February 13th 2:00-2:30 and 5:30-6:00, 1st/2nd "Winter and Spring" Performance
- Wednesday, May 6th 10:30 am and 5:30pm, 3rd/4th Performance (NEW DATE)
- Wednesday May 27th Kindergarten Performance
Orchestra News!
Orchestra students are thriving and growing! Those who continue to “practice their age” (for example, a 9 year old should be practicing 9 minutes/day, minimum) are excelling. Don’t forget about the two Smartmusic assignments. While not due until May, much fun and many learning opportunities will be lost if waiting until May to submit. Congratulations to those students who have already completed their assignments! Thank you parents and guardians for all you do for your children.
From Michelle Rosette
Avoiding Performance Anxiety
Encourage positive self-talk
Cognitive reframing is a great way to help young children cope with their anxious thoughts. We can teach kids to “boss back” anxious thoughts by replacing negative thoughts with positive ones. So when their brain signals that something is too hard, they can say, “You don’t worry me! I know how to do this!”
Teach relaxation strategies
Visualization exercises are great for little kids because they tend to have active imaginations. Practice these when your child is calm. Ask him to close his eyes and identify a place he feels happy, confident, and relaxed. Encourage him to share details about the sights, sounds and scents in his calming place. As he shares, cue him to take deep breaths. Then on test day, remind your child to close his eyes and visualize his calming place when he feels anxious.
Bolster confidence
The bottom line is that performance anxiety can feel like a confidence killer. Instead of focusing on the actual tests being taken, help your child find their inner strength in other ways. For many children, increasing free play and outdoor play is a confidence booster. In the context of play, kids challenge themselves and work through their fears. This builds confidence that can positively impact your child across all areas of life.
Performance anxiety can feel overwhelming for little kids, but if it’s addressed quickly, you’ll find that your child will likely build test confidence over time.
LAMS Sixth Grade Transition Events
Registration for the 2020-2021 school year will occur during late spring and summer via InfoSnap. This is different then entering your course request choices (electives) in January/February. You will receive an email at that time to register your student for 2020-2021. Parents will need to complete both PowerSchool Course requests and SchoolMint registration for the student to attend LAMS.
- January 29, 5:30-7pm, Hawk Sampler Event for Families
- January 29th 5:00pm to 5:30pm, for GATE parents, in Library
- January 29th 5:00pm to 5:30pm, for SPED parents, in room 117
- January 30th-Friday, February 7th, Online Course Request/Selection Window
- February 3rd, 9:15-11:30, Elementary Schools visit LAMS
- April 27, Middle School 101 for
- August TBD, Registration, Textbook/Computer pickup
- August 12th, 7th Grade Orientation
- August 13th, First day of school
Link to Course Catalogue
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XGA1gXDLRnsp8emPsj0UrINnkaEETfukk7WDqvxscQA/edit
Aspen Kids Made Green Resolutions
Flashing Red Lights, Stop for the School Bus!
Los Alamos Public Schools is asking for the community’s help with student safety. Last semester, 100 vehicles in Los Alamos drove past school buses picking up or dropping off students. From Barranca Mesa to Pajarito Acres, vehicles of every description failed to obey the law, creating danger for students going to or from school. And, bus drivers have already reported six violations in January 2020.
“Los Alamos Public Schools wants to remind drivers that it is unsafe for students and illegal to pass a school bus when the stop arm is extended and red lights are flashing,” said Supt. Kurt Steinhaus.
The New Mexico School Bus Law states that you must stop for a school bus that is stopped with its red lights flashing whether it is on your side of the road, the opposite side of the road or at an intersection you are approaching. After the school bus red lights have stopped flashing, watch for children along the side of the road and do not proceed until they have completely left the roadway and it is safe to proceed.
Full Press Release: https://losalamosreporter.com/2020/01/15/laps-please-stop-for-school-buses-loading-and-unloading-students/
Boxtops, Monthly Competition Deadline, February 17
Calendar
Upcoming Events
January 27
3:30 PTO Meeting, Teacher's Lounge
January 27-31
The Great Kindness Challenge (see Spirit Day Themes Above)
January 29
5:30-7:00pm LAMS Hawk Sampler for Incoming Families
February 1
County Science Fair
February 3-7
School Counselor Appreciation Week
February 3
1:00pm 6th grade field trip to LAMS
February 5
Global School Day of Play
February 7
LAMS Course Request Window Closes
February 12
120th Day, Ride the Bus to School Day
February 13
2:00 (and 5:30) Grades 1st/2nd Music Performance
February 14
This is regular school Day
8:30 AM Playground Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
February 17
Presidents' Day (no school for students or staff)
Boxtop February Deadline
February 27
3:30 PTO Meeting, Lounge
4:00 GATE Advisory Meeting, Aspen Library
March 11-13
Parent Conferences
End of 3rd Quarter, Mid-Semester Reports
March 16
9:30-12:00 Aspen Speech Contest (4,5,6)
March 17
5th Grade Assessment of Science Readiness Test (ASR)
March 23 -27
Spring Break
April 3
Aspen School Spring Fling!
Aspen NM-MSSA for grades 3-6
April 27 - May 1
Aspen NM-MSSA for 3-6
Aspen is a student-centered learning community that prepares today’s learners for tomorrow’s opportunities.
Michele Altherr
Aspen Elementary School Principal
Aspen Absence Line: (505) 663-2276
Aspen Information Line: (505) 663-2277
Email: mi.altherr@laschools.net
Website: http://laschools.net/aspen/
Location: Aspen Elementary School, 33rd Street, Los Alamos, NM, USA
Phone: 505-663-2321