AES Community Connection 9/21/26

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.

We hope you are had a wonderful weekend! As autumn colors begin to show across the valley, our school calendar is packed with vibrant learning, community events, and special traditions. Below are key updates and details about several exciting events taking place this week and in the coming weeks.

Boosterthon Fun Run — This Wednesday!

• Get ready to cheer on our runners! Our annual Boosterthon Fun Run takes place this Wednesday, September 23rd on the school track and field.
• This high-energy event brings our entire school together for health, community building, and active fun. As our primary fundraiser of the year, all contributions directly support student experiences, classroom resources, Innovation Lab materials, field trips, and school-wide community celebrations.
• Ways to get involved
• Cheer & Volunteer: We love seeing families line the course to support our students!
• Donations & Support: Thank you to all who have registered, donated, or shared their student’s fundraising page.

Visiting Authors & Aspen Literary Festival: We have a thrilling week ahead for young readers and aspiring writers!

• Friday Author Visit: On Friday, we are honored to host visiting authors, Peter Reynolds and Matt de la Pena, at AES to engage our students in creative storytelling and inspire a lifelong love of reading. Special thanks to our PTO and community partner, Aspen Words, for helping to make this enrichment possible.
• Aspen Literary Festival — Next Gen Weekend Events: The literary celebration continues all weekend with the Aspen Literary Festival Next Gen series, offering free programs for young readers and local families in partnership with the Pitkin County Library and Roaring Fork Valley schools.

Highlights for Saturday include:

• Matt de la Peña – Stories Are Everywhere | Saturday Morning (9:30 AM – 10:30 AM) at Pitkin County Library
  Newbery Medal winner Matt de la Peña (author of Last Stop on Market Street) will explore how everyday moments open up extraordinary worlds. Book signing to follow.

• Books to Art: Creative Craft Stations | Saturday Afternoon (2:00 PM – 3:30 PM) at Red Brick Center for the Arts
  Drop in for book-inspired craft stations for kids in K–8th grade, including Dot-making for the Next Gen Tent mural!

• Author Ice Cream Social & Mural Unveiling | Saturday Afternoon (3:30 PM – 4:30 PM) at Red Brick Next Gen HQ Tent
  Enjoy sweet treats from The Dreamery while meeting featured authors Matt de la Peña, Kelly Yang, Peter H. Reynolds, and Paul A. Reynolds. Help unveil "The Dot" mural and pose for photos alongside your artwork!

Explore the full schedule of weekend activities and register on the Aspen Literary Festival Next Gen Website.

Upcoming IB PYP 3-Way Conferences & Sign-Ups

• Looking ahead on our calendar, we are preparing for our 3-Way Student-Parent-Teacher Conferences.
• In the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP), 3-Way Conferences bring together the student, parents, and teacher in an active, collaborative dialogue. Rather than a traditional adult-only meeting, students take the lead in reflecting on their growth, sharing portfolio work, and co-setting meaningful goals for the school year.

• Student Agency & Voice: Because student agency and voice are central to this process, students attend and participate directly alongside their parents.

• Sign-Up Details: Details and online sign-up instructions will be sent out to all families shortly. Please keep an eye out in your inbox to reserve your conference time.

Thank you for your continued partnership, enthusiasm, and dedication to our school community. We look forward to seeing you at the Fun Run on Wednesday!

Warmly,

Ashley Bodkins, Principal
Dana Alderman, Assistant Principal

• Wednesday, Sept 23 - Boosterthon Fun Run! Volunteers needed and parents welcome! Please walk, bike or RAFTA! Extra parking available at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 50 Moore Dr. Gate will be locked promptly at 1:00pm
• 3rd grade Sylvan Lake ODE: 9/28-9/30 Leah & Lauren's classes, and 9/30-10/2 Nikki D & Kyle's classes
• Thursday, Oct 1- AES School Accountability Committee 8:15-9:45am, AES Conference Room or Virtual. All are welcome -- email Ashley if you'd like to join abodkins@aspenk12.net. See below for details.
• Thursday, Oct 1- PTO Meeting. AES Conference room or virtually with THIS LINK. All are welcome!
• Week of Oct 5 - Fire Prevention Week
• Monday, Oct 12 & Tuesday, Oct 13 - Parent, Student, Teacher (3-Way) Conferences
• Wednesday, Oct 14-16 - Fall Break
• Thursday, Oct 29 - Picture Retakes & 4th Grade
• Friday, Oct 30 - AES Halloween Parade and School Wide Treats, 2:15-3:00pm - ASD Turf/Track and AES Field.

Swim Weeks... October 19-23 ~ November 9-13 ~ December 7-11 ~ January 11-15 ~ February 8-12 ~ March 8-12 ~ April 12-16

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

The Fun Run is our ONLY fundraiser of the year and every dollar raised goes directly toward creating an even better experience for our AES students and staff. We have raised $20,761 so far- let's work this weekend to get to $50,000!!

If you’ve been thinking about supporting our school, now’s the time! We’d be so grateful for your donation and your support of our amazing school community! To bypass the Fun Run Site you can donate directly through Success Fund please click here.

Get Started on MyBooster.com TODAY:

1) Sign Up

2) Search for “Aspen Elementary ”

3) Create your student’s page

Once you're signed up, share your student's page by email, text, and social media.

Biggest Tip for Success: Share, share, share using the easy online tools at MyBooster.com!

We hope to provide:

● New playground equipment: large play structures as well as old favorites to inspire active play

● A Tin Can Phone for every AES family: creating a connected community with simple, voice-only

phones, where kids can call one another to make their own playdates and build valuable

communication skills without the screens or apps

● Continued investment in the Innovation Lab supplies and materials: replenishing resources and

supporting increased use of the space to support hands on learning, problem solving, and

exploration

● Play On! Kits for every classroom: filled with materials that invite students to build, move,

create, wonder, connect and play

● Student Ski Day lunches, enrichment activities, and supplementing student ODE fees

● Field Day, AES Dance Party, Book Fair... and so much more!

Place your order using your school's online access code:

C288

ORDER NOW

Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns.

Customer Service: 1-970-241-2467

support@mymjthomas.com
www.mjthomasphoto.com

We are looking for members to join our School Accountability Committee (SAC)! The SAC is a collaborative group of parents, staff, and community members who work together to support school improvement and academic success. We meet on the first Thursday of each month from 8:15–9:45 a.m. in the AES conference room, with an option to join virtually. We are also looking for a community liaison, so please let us know if you or someone you know might be interested in this role. Our next meeting will focus on discussing our goals for the 2026-27 school year—we hope to see you there!

Video call link: https://meet.google.com/hnq-hecq-gyw

The Health Office will be conducting hearing and vision screenings in October. Please see details below.

AES K–3rd grade students 10/1-10/9

AMS 5th and 7th grade students 10/19-10/23

AHS 9th grade students 10/19-10/23

If a parent/guardian would like their child to opt out of the screenings, you can reach out directly to their child’s classroom teacher or to the Health Office.

In Music class, we've had a great start to the year! We've been learning and reviewing classroom routines and expectations, playing games and instruments, and singing songs and reviewing known concepts. In addition, each grade level is making connections to the current unit of inquiry.

• Kindergarten is focusing on the five senses and sound versus silence, and how that connects to "who we are."
• In first grade, we have connected to the idea of stories and how music and songs can tell stories.
• Second grade is working on change and form and how music is organized.
• Third grade is making connections between music and whale song, and biodiversity and habitat, with conversations about soundscapes and composer Garth Stevenson.
• Finally, 4th grade is focusing on the Star-Spangled Banner and the function of government; ask your 4th grader how (not why) the Star-Spangled Banner became our national anthem!

Ad

Please click HERE for the Back to School Nutrition Newsletter!

Please click HERE for more information and menus.

Mark your calendars! On November 14th, Aspen School District will be hosting the IAC Regional Academic Bees (History, Geography, and Science) for 2nd-8th graders. Any interested students will get a chance to take qualifying exams during the school day. If they earn a qualifying score, they will be invited to attend the in-person buzzer competition. If you'd like to get an idea of what the content may be like, you can access some study guides here. Parents, we need some volunteers to help the day run smoothly. Please sign up to help for a half day, full day, or concession sales shift here!

Please click HERE for the flyer to register & learn more.

• 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.

Executive Function and Zones of Regulation: learn about the developing brain and the Zones of Regulation to support your child's nervous system and executive functions.

Wednesday, October 23, 12:00 Virtual

Connecting with your child through play.

Friday, October 23, 12:00 Virtual

Click HERE for the flyer and information to RSVP.

The Hazelden Betty Ford Children’s Program, in collaboration with Aspen Hope Center, is providing a free, 3-day substance-use prevention group for kids in 1st-8th grade. This evidence-based group is designed specifically for families with a history of substance use & has been serving children & families in Colorado for 20 years.

Please click HERE for the flyer with more information.

Looking for adventure, new friends, and opportunities to learn and grow? Come check out Cub Scouts! Join us on September 23 to learn more about what our Cub Scout program has to offer. We’d love to meet you and your family and show you why Cub Scouts is an experience worth exploring. See the flyer for event details!

Click HERE for the flyer with more information.

Registration is Open! Classes begin after Fall Break

At AES: Beginning Strings on Monday’s after-school, starting October 19

See the website for up-to-date program offerings at your school:

aspenmusicfestival.com/afterworks

Tuition and instrument scholarships are available!

Please click HERE for the flyer in English and Spanish.

After School Art
Wednesdays starting October 7, 1:30-3:30PM

*Now available for month-to-month registration*
Location: Aspen Elementary School art room

This fall, Anderson Ranch brings its creative spirit back for Wednesday programming! Students dive into a new creative project each session. From sculptural builds to intricate paper art to hands-on bookmaking. Kids explore new materials and techniques all season long, building skills and confidence one project at a time. The program is a student favorite!

For the after school flyer click HERE for English and HERE for Spanish.

Fall Art Break: Bugs and Birds: Life Below and Above!
October 12 - 16, 9AM-3PM
$75 per day or $375 for the entire week

From the tiniest beetle tunneling underground to the highest hawk circling overhead, this week takes young artists on a journey through every layer of life on Earth. We start low, sculpting clay bugs and building tiny dioramas of the hidden world beneath the rug, in the dirt, and under fallen logs. Then we climb upward, painting layered skyscapes and crafting birds, bats, and bugs that take to the air. Along the way, we study real creatures- their shapes, colors, and camouflage – and use them as inspiration for our own imaginative critters. By the end of the week, we’ve built a whole ecosystem of artwork from the ground up to the clouds!

For the fall break flyer click HERE for English and HERE for Spanish.

REGISTRATION: If you are interested in registering for single days, please reach out to our Registration Department at reg@andersonranch.org or call 970-924-5089.

Weekend Events for Kids & Families

September 26-27

Click HERE for the flyer with more information!

Click HERE for a Book Bingo card for Kinder and HERE for the card for grades 1-4.

The Farm Collaborative is offering Earth Scouts after-school programming twice a week, as well as full-day programming on select no-school days.

Please click HERE for the flyer!

Join us on Early Release Wednesdays for an afternoon of creativity at the Red Brick Center for the Arts. Students can take the bus directly to Red Brick and enjoy hands-on artmaking, exploration, and fun with friends.
Learn more and register here!

Please click HERE for the flyers!

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

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. Interested in getting involved or learning more, reach out to Mary Bloom ( dwc.roaringfork@gmail.com ) and keep an eye out for more information.

Coming soon... AES Digital Commitments 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

• 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.

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.

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