Aspen Parent News
Preparing Today's Learners for Tomorrow's Opportunities!
April 9, 2020
Dear Aspen Tiger Families,
I hope this finds you settling into a bit more of a routine with staying at home, working, and helping your children with learning opportunities. By following the stay at home protocol we are helping each other get past the pandemic without illness. I hope this newsletter not only provides helpful information, but also brings you some cheer!
The Pajarito Plateau Safari
It’s a Safari! The Pajarito Plateau Safari! This activity is similar to a scavenger hunt.
We are asking everyone to place a stuffed animal(s) in their window. Any stuffed animal will do. Hunters might even spot a tiger or two!
- If you don’t have a stuffed animal, you can put up animal drawings or photos instead of stuffed animals.
I will send more ideas and details on the scavenger hunt in the next couple days. Our Pajarito Plateau Safari is like a silent visual message that families get to send to each other from their windows and it says, ‘We’re all in this together. I’m experiencing what you’re experiencing. From Time Article.
I wish you well,
Mrs. Altherr
Staff Office Hours and Contact Information
Hey Tiger! Song
Based on the book, The Tiger Who Came to Tea by Judith Kerr
LAPS Foundation, The Superintendent’s Project Challenge
The Superintendent’s Project Challenge
- Kindergarten, First, Second and Third Grades ($50 prize to winners)
- Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Grades ($50 prize to winners)
- Middle School ($100 prize to winners)
- High School ($100 prize to winners)
- Group Category ($200 prize to winners) (Students may work together online or remotely and must follow the current New Mexico pandemic guidelines for reducing the spread of COVID-19.)
All projects will be judged by a committee with cash prizes to the winners. At least one winner in each category will be selected on April 17th, May 1st, May 15th and May 29th.
Project Ideas:
The possibilities are endless! We encourage students to use their imagination. Some examples of types of projects include: video, poetry, essay, student-designed hand-built model, music production or performance, cartoon drawing, science experiment, photograph collage, clothes using recycled material, the design of a machine or structure, a project that reflects mindfulness, song, advice column, editorial, dramatic performance, dance, drawing or other artwork, storybook, debate, speech, short story, how-to lesson, etc.
We welcome projects that relate to the current COVID-19 pandemic and school closure experience; however, that is not a requirement and any original and student-created project qualifies. Students are encouraged to ask for help from a teacher or a parent as long as the student is doing the work. Be creative and have fun!
Specials
Now your children can join specials classes through Google Classroom! You will need to use the codes below to get into each special's teacher classroom.
Google Classroom Codes
Art, Get Creative with Ms. Williams
Kindergarten Art: kcmjn4l
1st grade Art: ar64ebu
2nd grade Art: mimxz73
3rd grade Art: m7skwfe
4th grade Art: 7fuq7zc
5th grade Art: lcfgirh
6th grade Art: b7g7hbc
Library, Read Aloud with Mr. Lloyd
All Grade Levels: c4f4m7w
Music, Feel the Beat with Mr. Lucero
All Grade Levels: rdvbzhv
PE, Stay Fit with Mr. Guider
All Grade Levels: o633i5g
NM PBS Learning Channel
Beginning today, APS @HOME will begin broadcasting from 8 a.m. - Noon weekdays. Please see programming information for your local viewing station. If you're unable to catch the programming during the live broadcast, lessons will also be posted to the APS YouTube Channel.
APS@Home News Release
APS@Home Programming Schedule
Chartwells Free Emergency Meals
Chartwells and Los Alamos Public Schools are participating in the Free Emergency Meals program for any child 18 and under. Beginning Friday, April 10, the program will include both a breakfast and lunch meal distribution twice a week.
The meals will be packaged together for one single distribution. Friday meals will be packaged for use on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Tuesday meals would cover Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Meals may be picked up curbside Tuesday and Friday:
- 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Aspen Elementary School in Los Alamos;
- Noon to 1 p.m. at Piñon Elementary School in White Rock; and
- Noon to 1 p.m. at Chamisa Elementary School in White Rock.
For menu details, click here.
Other sites in NM Click Here
PTO School Supplies
#FindHopeLosAlamos during COVID-19
Coming Soon, Aspen Virtual Book Fair, April 20-May 1
We know during the school closure, many of you may be craving books for your child to read or books to read together as a family.
We are happy to announce we are partnering with Scholastic to have a "Virtual Book Fair" from April 20 - May 1. You can safely shop online and have items sent directly to your home address. Scholastic is offering free shipping on orders $25 or more. As will ALL Scholastic Book Fairs, every purchase made during the "virtual book fair" will earn rewards which are used to purchase and replace books for the Aspen Elementary Library.
Remember to shop April 20 - May 1
https://www.scholastic.com/bf/aspenelementaryschool1
We will send a reminder as the time gets closer!
Tech Tips
Chromebook Support
The Chromebook distribution went well. You received an instruction sheet with your Chromebook. If you need tech support please email: aspenhelp@laschools.net or call: 663-2480
LAPS Digital Learning Resources Website
LAPS Digital Learning Resources is a website to house lists of resources with tutorials. Originally, it was designed for teachers, but parents can all access parts of it. To visit the site click on LAPS Digital Learning Resources
Map of Hotspots
YouTube
YouTube is now available to students in grades K-6. YouTube is restricted to the “Educational” category and those videos that teachers have requested to be unblocked. If a teacher would like a video unblocked please have them complete this form:
Gmail
Gmail has also been made available to students in grades K-6 so teachers may contact them. Students can only email within our domain and cannot receive emails from anyone that doesn’t have a school account.
The Lion Sleeps Tonight, LAPS Music Teachers
New Mexico Information Links and Phone Numbers
- NM Hotline for health questions: 1-855-600-3453
- NM Hotline for everything else: 1-833-551-0518
- COVID-19 FAQ from the NM DOH (Department of Health) https://cv.nmhealth.org/faq/
NM Department of Health Social Distancing and Travel Information:
Supporting Families and Children
- New Mexico Kids, Links Child Care Finder and More https://www.newmexicokids.org/
- Children Youth and Family Department, for Child Care Assistance Applications, https://cyfd.org/child-care-services/child-care-assistance
- Los Alamos Helping Each Other During COVID-19 Facebook page for help with a variety of needs including childcare and food. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1415112578673222/
- All Together Los Alamos, complete form to request help. https://sites.google.com/view/alltogetherlosalamos/home
- New Mexico Education Page for COVID19 Resources https://www.newmexico.gov/education/
- Los Alamos JJAB, Resource Specialists Help Families Navigate the Maze of Public and Private Resources, https://www.losalamosjjab.com/
- Los Alamos Family Strengths Network, Provides Resources and Programs to Strength Families, https://www.lafsn.org/
- Meal Sites for Children, https://www.newmexico.gov/education/meal-sites-for-children/
- LA Cares, Contact LA Cares at (505) 661-8015 for emergency food.
- The Food Depot, Locations in Los Alamos, Española, and Santa fe, https://www.thefooddepot.org/get-help/
The New Look of a Staff Meeting
Young Artists Bring Cheer!
Spotting a Tiger
Spotting a Flamingo
Tigers Everywhere!
Google Classrooms at Aspen!
Are you playing board games?
Stay Home! Stay Safe!
Calendar
For Your Calendar
The most current public health alerts will impact many events. So please stay tuned for changes.
Ongoing
Kindergarten Online Registration
Preschool Lottery Online Application Submission
April 10
Deadline for ordering yearbooks online
April 20-May 1
Aspen Scholastic Book Fair
April 22
Earth Day!
May 4
New student application opens online
Returning student re-enrollment opens online
June 1
NM PreK Lottery closes
June 3
YMCA summer program begins at Aspen, Pending Updated Announcements
June 8
NM PreK Lottery conducted
July 1
School Supply Kit Orders Due
Google Translate
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Aspen School . . .
Mission
Aspen is a student-centered learning community that prepares today’s learners for tomorrow’s opportunities.
Vision
All students will achieve mastery of core subject knowledge and thinking skills at each grade level as well as the dispositions and habits to use it.
The Aspen School community believes in . . .
Supportive Culture: OUR school teaches, models, and provides opportunities to practice kindness, empathy, and compassion.
- Engaged Learning: OUR teachers use differentiated learning strategies that promote students’ curiosity, critical thinking, and passion to learn.
- Challenges as Opportunities: OUR school fosters a growth mindset by encouraging resourcefulness and resilience in response to challenges.
Helpful Links
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