AES Community Connection 8/17/26

Normal Weekday Schedule for AES:

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 8:00am-3:15pm

(There is no supervision for students before 7:45 am- if you

arrive before that time you must stay with your child until 7:45.)

Wednesdays 8:00am-1:45pm

Empower an innovative, mindful community of learners in a challenging and nurturing environment that promotes inquiry and academic excellence!

and

The International Baccalaureate® aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.

What an extraordinary opening week of school! Walking through our hallways and stepping into classrooms over these past few days has been nothing short of inspiring. Across every grade level, our building has been filled with vibrant energy, curiosity, and the wonderful sound of learning starting anew. It was great to observe our students so thoughtfully engaged in community building, establishing daily routines, and collaboratively creating their classroom agreements. Everywhere you turned, bright smiles filled the rooms as children reconnected with friends and eagerly shared stories of their summer adventures. The warmth, care, and intentionality across our school have set a strong and welcoming foundation for the year ahead.

Important Reminders & Dismissal Logistics

• Summer Work Final Call: If your child has not yet turned in their summer work, please send it in with them as soon as possible. The final deadline for all summer reading and math work to be submitted is Wednesday.

• Afternoon Dismissal Plans: Please make sure your child knows their afternoon plan each morning before arriving at school. Additionally, be sure to complete your child’s teacher-specific pick-up document. If anything changes or an unexpected update arises during the day, please communicate directly with Carrie Milton in the main office.

Back to School Night for Parents & Caregivers

We warmly invite all parents and caregivers to join us next Wednesday from 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM for our Back to School Night.

• This evening offers a valuable opportunity to meet your child’s teacher, learn about our curriculum, and hear key classroom news and expectations.
• We will also convene for a schoolwide meeting in the District Theater to share our overarching school goals, review campus procedures, and highlight meaningful ways you can get involved in our school community.
• Many of our community partners will have tables set-up in the front of the building for you to explore their offerings.

• Adult-Only Event: Please note that this evening is structured specifically for parents and caregivers. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide childcare for this event, so please plan accordingly.

Gathering Information on Student Growth: STAR Screening

As part of our commitment to supporting every learner, we are already gathering meaningful insights to guide our instruction. This week, students will be taking our STAR Early Literacy, Reading, and Mathematics screening tests.

These screeners provide us with important baseline data at the beginning of the year (BOY). We measure student performance across three checkpoints (beginning, middle, and end of the year) to track individual progress over time. Because our primary focus is centered on measuring and celebrating ongoing student growth throughout the year, beginning-of-year baseline scores will not be sent home.

Looking Ahead...As we embark on this brand-new school year together, we are filled with incredible gratitude and optimism. Every new school year holds boundless opportunities for learning, growth, resilience, and joy. Thank you for your continued partnership, trust, and dedication to our Aspen Elementary family.

Together, let's make this year our most inspiring one yet!

Warmly,

Ashley and Dana

Ashley Bodkins, Principal

Dana Alderman, Assistant Principal

• Wednesday, August 26 - Back to School Night for Parents & Guardians, 5:30-7PM
• Monday, September 7 - Labor Day No School
• Tuesday & Wednesday, September 8 & 9 - AES Professional Development Days - No school for students
• Thursday, Sept 17 - Picture Day! (K-3) 4th Grade will be on October 29th.
• Wednesday, Sept 23 - Boosterthon Fun Run!

Aspen School District Calendar - 2026-27 (Updated and approved as of 5.13.26)

All students will be assessed an $100 supply fee and a $25 technology fee on August 7th.. The Supply Fee covers all the supplies your child will need for the year. The technology fee covers your child’s device and licenses for the year. These can be paid through e~Funds, or you can bring cash or check attention Virginia to the front office. (please be sure to mark with your child's name)

Please click HERE for more information about ASD fees.

Please click HERE to apply for Free or Reduced Lunch.

We know that many families rely on schools for meals. We encourage families to submit a Free & Reduced Meal application, which provides families with access to additional benefits as well. Please know that even if you qualified in previous years, an application must be submitted every school year. To access the application and instructions click HERE. Families may apply for financial assistance before the October 1st deadline (unless there is a change in circumstance; then the deadline will be extended). If you have any questions or problems please reach out to the finance department, or, if you need a paper form, please reach out to Virginia.

Aspen Elementary School is an authorized International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme. The International Baccalaureate® aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. To this end the organization works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop challenging programmes of international education and rigorous assessment.

These programmes encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.

A Great Start to the School Year!

We hope your children have enjoyed their first few days of school! It has been wonderful to see students settling into their classrooms, reconnecting with friends, and jumping into learning. So many amazing things are already happening throughout our school!

This year, we are excited to introduce a new schoolwide positive behavior system centered around our IB Learner Profile attributes. Classes can earn Learner Profile Tickets when students demonstrate attributes such as being caring, principled, open-minded, reflective, and more. When a class earns 10 tickets together, they will receive a special shout-out during our morning announcements!

Our PreK–Grade 4 students are also beginning their first Units of Inquiry for the year. Through these units, students will ask questions, explore important concepts, make connections across subjects, and develop the skills and Learner Profile attributes that help them grow as learners.

Try It at Home!

One simple way to reinforce the Learner Profile at home is to notice and name it! When you see your child demonstrating a Learner Profile attribute, point it out: “You were a great communicator when you explained your thinking,” or “That was very caring when you helped your sibling.” You can also ask, “Which Learner Profile attribute did you use today?” This helps children make connections between what they are learning at school and who they are becoming outside of the classroom.

We are off to a fantastic start, and we look forward to sharing more of the learning and celebrations happening throughout our school!

AES is ready to make our Mark!

The AES Art Studio is kicking off the school year with Collaborative Pencils. Keep an eye out for your student's class pencil in the hallways and ask your artist to point out their piece of the pencil puzzle. Students learned about collaborative art, pattern, and different art-making techniques.

Coming up, all grade levels will begin creating their Square 1 Art and then beginning their first units of inquiry! Looking forward to another year of creating and experimenting in the AES Art Studio!

Would you like to help us create? Please sign up to be an Art Studio volunteer here.

Click here for more information. Click here for the Spanish version. Please stop by the main office if you need a hard copy of the recording sheets.

Are you concerned about your child's digital wellness? The Digital Wellness Coalition began in January 2026 to address these concerns from a community wide lens. Intersted in getting involved or learning more, reach out to Mary Bloom (bloom.mary@gmail.com) and keep an eye out for more information.

Coming soon... AES Digital Committments and Guidance for Families

Check out these policies which support digital wellness at school:

AES Personal Device Policy

School Bus Electronic Device Policy

We know many families are thinking carefully about when to introduce personal devices. We encourage you to consider joining the Wait Until 8th pledge, which supports delaying smartphones and social media access until at least 8th grade. This helps students build strong social skills, independence, and healthy habits before navigating the digital world more fully.

Here is a social story, "My Device Stays in my Backpack," (English and Spanish) you can share with your child at home to support our commitment to a focused, safe and engaging learning environment.

Please click HERE for the Back to School Nutrition Newsletter!

Please click HERE for more information and menus.

At Aspen Elementary School, we use a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) to ensure that every student receives the academic, behavioral, and social-emotional support they need to succeed. MTSS is a proactive, team-based framework.

Please click HERE to learn more.

• Please keep your students home if they are sick! They should be free of fever, vomiting, and diarrhea for at least 24 hours without the use of medication, and symptoms should be improved before returning to school.
• Friendly reminder: Per school policy, all medications including prescription, over-the-counter, creams, and cough drops require a physician’s order signed by a parent or guardian before administration. Medications must be delivered directly to the health office by a parent or guardian. Students may not transport or self-carry medications. When in doubt, please contact the health office for clarification.

Thank you for caring about the health of your students and our school community.

• Your student/s should have come home this week with paperwork in their backpacks. We are excited to share information about the Smiles for Students initiative, brought to Aspen Schools through Garfield County Public Health and the University of Pennsylvania.
• Smiles for Students provides preventative dental care directly in schools at no out-of-pocket cost to families. This program is available to students who currently have a dentist as well as those who may not have regular dental care.

What Does the Program Include?

Students participating in the program will receive licensed dental services at school, including:

• Dental exams twice per year, including an oral examination and cleaning
• Fluoride varnish to help prevent cavities
• Dental sealants to protect teeth from decay
• Silver diamine fluoride (SDF), when appropriate, which is painted or applied to areas of decay to help stop and block the progression of cavities without drilling or numbing

By providing these services at school, the program helps reduce the need for families to schedule additional dental appointments, helps prevent students from missing valuable instructional time, and can help parents avoid missing work for routine preventative dental visits.

Who Can Participate?

The Smiles for Students program will follow participating students in Kindergarten through 3rd grade for three years, providing ongoing preventative dental care throughout the program.

As part of enrollment, families will be asked about their child's dental insurance coverage. Only Medicaid/CHP+ information will be requested, and families will not incur any out-of-pocket expenses for services provided through this program.

We hope this opportunity will make preventative dental care more accessible and convenient for our students and families.

If you have additional questions about the Smiles for Students initiative, please contact:

Carrie Godes, Program Provider
970-665-6385

You may also stop by the Aspen School Health Office and speak with Robin Strecker or Feira Lupini.

Keeping students safe is our number one priority at ASD. Therefore, during the school day you will find all AES doors locked. However, please know you are WELCOME to visit and volunteer at AES.

• Visiting - Please remember your ID (driver's license) if you are visiting the building for any reason. Virginia and Carrie will meet you in the office with a smile and issue you a sticker/ visitor badge that must be worn while in the building.

• Volunteering - We love including "fingerprinted" parent volunteers in the classroom or on field trips. If this interests you, be proactive and get ASD Fingerprinting for Volunteers Procedure completed ASAP. Fingerprinting is done in the District Offices. (the little blue building up by the High School)

Below are the protocols we follow in an emergency. Families will be notified in the event of an emergency. Please do not come to or call the school.

• Standard Response Protocol
• Spanish Version

We love dogs!! However, only approved or authorized service animals, including dogs, are allowed on campus. Thank you for respecting our campus guidelines.

Click HERE for the poster in English.

Click HERE for the poster in Spanish.

• Haga clic AQUÍ para obtener instrucciones sobre cómo traducir este boletín.
• Click HERE for the Bus Change Request Form.
• Aspen Family Connections
• Aspen School District Absences and Excuses Policy (Click here for Spanish)
  
• AES Attendance (Click here for Spanish)
• Pre-Arranged Absence Form
• Click HERE for information about fingerprinting for volunteers.
• Click HERE for the latest document from the state about when to exclude students and staff from school/work because of illness. How Sick is too Sick Spanish version.
  
• Please click HERE to see the staff's favorite things!
  
• Order SPIRIT WEAR anytime with this link!
• Application for Free/Reduced Lunch linked HERE.
• Click HERE for the AES Student & Family Handbook.

Ballet classes for ages 4 & older at the Red Brick in aspen!

Please click HERE for the flyer with more information.

After School Program!

Connect! Social, Emotional and Ethical Learning Program

Registration is open for the 2026-2027 school year for students in grades K-4.

Connect! is a cumulative program and each session has a different curriculum

Register now for Connect! Session #1, Session #2 and Session #3

Session #1 – Compassion for Self and Others – September 8 – October 8

Session #2 – We Are All in this Together – October 20 – November 19

Session #3 – Building a Better World – January 5 - February 11

Connect! meets at Aspen Elementary School from 3:15-5:15

Students may sign up for either Tuesday OR Thursday each session

(3:15-3:45 is outdoor/snack time/choice time which allows students from other schools

to join us in time for the first lesson)

Tuition is $150 per session and scholarships are available

Please go to the Connect! website to find out more information and register

https://sites.google.com/view/kidsconnect

Registration is on a first come/first serve basis

We will post on the website if/when a session is full

Please email with any questions – aspenkidsconnect@gmail.com

We look forward to seeing you in the fall!

Elaine Bonds and Mimi Hauenstein

Hello Parents!

New applicants: Please see attached for the scholarship application, in both English and Spanish. Submit complete applications directly to Lyndsey at this email address. *Please make sure you have ALL required documentation prior to submittal. Only complete applications can be processed* Don’t forget to include your requested dates for the fall when submitting your application!

Click HERE for the link in English and HERE for Spanish.

Please click HERE for the flyer with more information!

How to Be a Pirate is a swashbuckling mini-musical adventure for students in Grades K–4, held Wednesdays (Early Release), August 19–October 7, from 1:45–3:15 p.m. at Aspen Elementary School, culminating in a performance on October 7 at 3:00 p.m.

Willy Wonka KIDS is a magical musical adventure for students in Grades 2–5, held Tuesdays and Thursdays, August 25–October 10, from 3:45–5:45 p.m. at Aspen Elementary School, culminating in performances on October 8 & 9 at 6:00 p.m. and October 10 at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

NEW! Dracula invites students in Grades 6–8 to bring Bram Stoker's classic tale to life in this thrilling play, meeting Mondays and Wednesdays, August 26–October 24, from 3:45–5:45 p.m. at Aspen High School, with performances on October 22 & 23 at 6:00 p.m. and October 24 at 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

"Slow & Say Hello!" is a multimodal trail and street-safety campaign across the Roaring Fork Valley, supported by regional jurisdictions and partners like WE-cycle. The campaign encourages cyclists and e-bike riders to practice safe riding habits by slowing down, staying aware, and acknowledging others on our shared pathways. The goal of the campaign is a unified, simple, friendly, community-oriented voice that aims to reduce multimodal conflicts and increase safe travel behaviors on our pathways. Parents: please discuss this topic with your student and visit the campaign website to learn more.

Beginner Fencing Class

Click HERE for the flyer in English and HERE for Spanish.

• Academic achievement: Students who attend school regularly are more likely to succeed academically. Research shows that attendance is a strong indicator of success.

• Learning: Students who attend school regularly are able to learn more and participate in classroom discussions and activities. They can ask questions and get clarification from their teachers.
  
• Building relationships: Students who attend school regularly can build relationships with their peers and teachers.
  
• Developing good habits: Regular attendance helps students build routines and develop good habits for the future.
  
• Foundation for learning: School is critical to building a strong foundation for learning that will help students succeed in middle school, high school, and beyond.
  
• Missed opportunities: Each day a student is not in school is a missed opportunity to learn something they will need in order to understand more difficult material later.
  

Please check in with the front office of the building you are visiting. You will receive a badge and scan for a temporary parking pass. If you do not have a parking pass, your vehicle may get a ticket or be booted.

Parking is available in the middle school lot. The parking lot located behind the high school is for staff only.

• Be sure to stay in your car if you are in the active loading and unloading zone. Parking and walking up to the school is highly discouraged.
• All kindergarten and 1st grade students play on the Little Playground at the side of the building before the bell rings. They will alternate going into the Library if they would like.
• All 2nd, 3rd and 4th grade students will cross the plaza and go down to the Big Playground.
• Students who would like to buy breakfast may enter the front doors and go down to the cafeteria.
• The bell rings at 7:55am for students to line-up and enter the building.

At the end of the day...

• The dismissal bell rings at 3:15pm
• Teachers on duty will walk the pick-up students down to the gate and will wait with children until their ride has arrived. Please do not walk up to the school. This will help to reduce congestion and ensure we have a smooth dismissal.

Adults will be on duty to help direct students to the proper locations.

Students will be able to enter the building at 7:35am. Please be sure to talk to your child about whether or not they have your permission to purchase breakfast. The cost is $3.50 and there are NO free seconds. (if your child gets seconds there will be another charge for $3.50).

Breakfast follows Free & Reduced guidelines. If your child qualified for Free/Reduced lunch they also qualify for Free/Reduced breakfast and will be charged accordingly. We want to make sure no child is hungry during the school day.

Please click HERE for more details.

Alternatives include: stickers, pencils, extra recess, dance party, cards, star student etc.

Website: https://www.aspenk12.net/Domain/8
Location: 235 High School Road, Aspen, Colorado, USA
Phone: 970-925-3760