AMS Principal Newsletter
September 12th
Hello Parents
Early Release this Wednesday, September 14th.
AMS students will be released at 2:00pm. Please ensure your child knows their after-school plan before coming to school! We have an adjusted schedule on Early Release Wednesdays, which includes core classes and a school-wide assembly.
8th Grade ODE is underway!
Outdoor education is a big part of the Aspen School District, and it takes the support of our entire school community to make this happen. Our 8th grade students are currently backpacking to Marble Base Camp, where they will participate in Ropes Course Team Building, Climbing, Rappelling and Zip Lining. Thank you to everyone who helped with purchasing and packing the food, transporting kids and their packs, as well as substitute teaching during this trip. This is the 55th year for the 8th grade trip for AMS.
Spanish Teacher Update
Miguel Hernandez has been hired to be the new Spanish Teacher at AMS. Human Resources will determine his start date. Miguel is an experienced teacher and we are overjoyed for him to join AMS! I appreciate all the support Nuria Galiepinso-Spanish Teacher and our Guest Teachers have provided to our students during this transition. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we filled this position.
Volleyball, Football and Cross Country season are well underway
Please review our new athletic code here. It is great to see so many students representing their school with pride, gaining athletic skills and learning good sportsmanship. Thanks to our coaching staff and student athletes!
Attendance Assistance needed!
Please help us support your children with good attendance. Our school day is 8:45am - 3:45pm. With all of the Aspen construction, we are seeing extremely high numbers of late arrivals. This is disruptive to all of our learners, please try to leave early to account for traffic, bike or walk to school when you can. Also, please avoid end of day early pick-ups.
School Safety and Emergency Response Protocols
Aspen School District will continue to utilize the Standard Response Protocols for Student and Staff Safety. We practice drills once per month at school, as well as use these response protocols when needed during the school day.
I want to remind all families that we take student safety very seriously here at AMS.
Students play an important role in keeping our school safe, and will be counted on to act in a safe manner at all times on campus. Simple things like following directions, keeping hands and feet in your own space, and caring for school property go a long way.
Students are expected to report any accidents, injuries, illness, or any hurtful or harmful behavior to an adult immediately. Finding a trusted teacher, counselor or administrator allows us to begin problem-solving immediately. If you as parents hear something of concern, please reach out and share with us. Working together to support our students
is the goal!
Hot Chip Challenge
Please speak with your students and discourage them from participating in the “Hot Chip Challenge”. Paqui chips will be confiscated at AMS.
The challenge, popularized by the brand Paqui, asks participants to stomach a lone chip “made with the hottest peppers on the planet” — the Carolina Reaper and the scorpion pepper, according to the company's website. Then, they wait as long as they can to eat or drink anything, striving to hold off for up to a full hour after consuming the chip, the website said.
Aspen Family Connections Information
If you would like support with navigating community-based resources and activities for your student, please reach out to Aspen Family Connections.
Aspen Family Connections Website Link: https://www.aspenfamilyconnections.org/
The Aspen Science Center will be at the Aspen Youth Center every Tuesday supporting STEM exploration from 4:15pm - 5:15pm.
Anderson Ranch is hosting a Hispanic Heritage Event on Saturday, September 17th from 1:00pm - 5:00pm. Anyone is welcome to attend and it is FREE for families! There will be lunch, music, dancing, and games. See below for flyers.
There are also 2 more spots available for the Climate Change and Photography Workshop. Please contact Anderson Ranch for sign up
Katherine Sand, Aspen Family Connections Program Director - ksand@aspenk12.net
Emily Cackett Michel, Teen Resource Connector - ecackett@aspenk12.net.
Upcoming Dates
Wednesday, September 14th ~ Early Release Wednesday - School Out at 2:00pm
Thursday, September 15th ~ 8th Grade ODE returns
Friday, September 16th ~ No School for 8th Graders
Monday, September 19th ~ 7th Grade Girls Volleyball Game 4:30pm - AMS Gym Glenwood
Monday, September 19th ~ 8th Grade Girls Volleyball Game 4:30pm @ Glenwood
Tuesday, September 20th ~ AMS SAC Meeting @ 11:00am at AMS
Wednesday, September 21st ~ World Peace Day
Wednesday, September 21st ~ 7th Grade Girls Volleyball Game 4:30pm - AMS Gym Carbondale
Wednesday, September 21st ~ 8th Grade Girls Volleyball Game 4:30pm @ Carbondale
Thursday, September 22nd ~ 7th & 8th Grade Football Game @ ASD Turf - Grand Valley
Friday, September 23rd ~ AMS Picture Day
Thursday, September 29th ~ Parent Coffee @ 8:30am / AMS Library
AMS School Accountability Committee will have our first meeting on September 20th at 11:00am. This is a committee designed to review and make suggestions for improving our academic success and monitoring our financial status. If you are interested in attending, please join us.
Principal Coffee will be held on September 29th at 8:30am. This is an informal time to ask questions and hear about current school issues.
Lunch Information / Please Read
5th grade parents, your children are loving all the extras in the cafeteria. Please talk with them about the extra's they can purchase.
As part of the Food Service Department we serve a hot lunch daily to our students and staff:
● High School $6.50
● Middle School $5.50
● Elementary School $4.50
● The Cottage $4.50
● Staff $6.50
This includes; Hot lunch, Fresh fruit & Vegetables, Salad Bar and Milk. Daily vegetarian and gluten free options are included with lunch.
All other items are classified as a la carte and come at an additional cost to students and
families. We would like to encourage parents and caregivers to have conversations with your student/s regarding you and your families lunch and a la carte participation. You can also check your student/s lunch and a la carte activity via powerschool as needed.
Fresh Baked Goods Cookies / Bread $2.00
Granola Bars $2.00
Fresh Baked Muffins $3.00
Fruit Cups / Granola & Yogurt Cups $3.00
Organic / Soy Milk $3.00
Breakfast Burritos $5.00