AES Community Connection 11/2/26

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.

Please take a few moments to review the rest of this week's newsletter below for upcoming school events, calendar updates, and community announcements.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership in making AES such a vibrant community!

Warm regards,

Ashley and Dana

• Monday, November 2 - Last Day to bring for for the Food Drive with Lift Up!
• Monday, Nov 2- last day of celebrating Dia De Los Muertos, more info below!
• Thursday, November 5 - PTO Meeting 12:00-1:00 AES Conference Room or remotely with THIS LINK. All are welcome!
• Week of November 9 - Swim Week - bring swimsuit and towel for swimming lessons during Physical Education classes at the ARC.
• Thursday, November 12- IB PYP Parent Workshop 5:15-6:30 Details and sign up below.
• Week of November 23 - Thanksgiving Break- NO SCHOOL
• Tuesday, Dec 8 - Family Literacy Night at the Book Fair

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)

Get your boogie shoes on! We’re heading back to where it all began – the glitter, the music, the magic of Studio 54 – to dance the night away.

Please join us for an unforgettable night to support our public schools! 12.12.26

Click HERE for more information and to buy tickets!

Original: Sawyer Stern

Scariest: Odin Freeberg

Silliest: Renata Marcos Sanchez

Thank you everyone for participating!!

Thank you for embracing this new tradition with us. Students honored family members (both human and pet) and learned about Dia De Los Muertos. Thank you to the PTO for the beautiful display

Last chance to order keepsakes and gifts that feature your child's artwork!

DEADLINE: 11/12/2026
Shop Online square1art.com/shop

Need to find your child's art?
Use the online Art Search.

Do you know you can upload additional art and make an order?
Use the online Art Upload

Thank you for supporting Aspen Elementary!

We hope that you are enjoying your TinCan phones!

Weekly Tip: Leaving a Message

Have fun role-playing how to leave a message with your kids. Has your child memorized their phone number? In a digital-first world, these skills don’t always come naturally, but a little practice goes a long way!

“Hi, this is (your name) calling for (friend’s name). I was wondering if (friend’s name) could play today. Please call me back at (your phone number). Thanks!”

📒 Join the AES Directory! Click here to add your phone number.

🎨 We’re looking for cover art! Check out the details of our Directory Cover Art Competition here.

Reach out to dwc.roaringfork@gmail.com if you’re interested in getting involved or learning more about the Digital Wellness Coalition (DWC).

K-4 Spanish with Maestra Emily:

We are putting into practice our social skills while we inquire about our units of inquiry. Students are sharing and inquiring about the concepts of their grade level units. Take a look to see where our focus will be for Unit 2 of our PYP.

Click HERE for more information from Emily!

Arts & L Arts & Letters empowers all students to build knowledge and skills through productive struggle, engaging students through high expectations and offering opportunities for extension. Explore the resources below to learn how you can support your student's learning at home.

Curriculum Overview for Families

Tips for Families

• Level 1 Nivel 1

• Level 2 Nivel 2
• Level 3 Nivel 3
• Level 4 Nivel 4

Home Support Packs (Levels K–4): Unit-by-unit packets provided by teachers containing unit overviews, letters to families, trick words, sound lists, and practical practice activities.

The Family Support Hub is a one-stop destination for parents and guardians seeking educational resources tailored to their child's Illustrative Mathematics learning journey.

• Kindergarten
• Grade 1
• Grade 2
• Grade 3
• Grade 4

Check out this article from Scholastic, "5 Tips to get your Child Reading at Home."

1. Create a reading space at home
2. Set a schedule - "Relaxing Family Time"
3. Use a calendar or monthly reading tracker
4. Talk about it - discuss the books your child is reading with them
5. Let your child choose - level matters less than interest (easy books build fluency, read harder books to your child)

IB PYP Parent Workshop
Join us on Nov. 12 from 5:15 – 6:30 PM for another IB PYP parent workshop! This virtual, inquiry-based workshop will focus on Approaches to Learning skills (ATLs), conceptual understanding, and Learner Profile Traits. Learn not only the elements of the PYP, but experience learning the PYP way through inquiry.

Please use this LINK to sign up for this virtual workshop. We will use Google Meet link to join. Please note that the workshop will be canceled if fewer than 3 people sign up.

• AEF Supported Programs & Initiatives
• AES Innovation Lab
• AES School Counselor Support
• ODE Coordinator & Ex Ed Scholarships
• Free & Reduced Breakfast Program
• After-School Robotics Club
• Anderson Ranch Creative Programming
• The International Baccalaureate (IB) Program
• Aspen Family Connections Alliance
• Mr G! Classroom Support

Please click HERE for the Back to School Nutrition Newsletter!

Please click HERE for more information and menus.

• 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.

Help raise money for AES and get a discount for yourself doing something you may be doing anyway! If you shop at Minted, use code FUNDRAISEASPENES when you check out to get 20% off your order AND have 10% of the purchase donated to AES with no effort on your part! You can shop for Holiday Stationary and gifts all season. Some exclusions apply.

An exciting after-school program called the maker space is starting soon at the Pitkin County Library! We will have classes after school on Wednesdays from 3:00pm to 4:30pm, led by High School Students. Please click HERE for the flyer with more information!

Unplugged Afternoon at Explore Books

Winnie the Pooh’s 100th Anniversary

Monday, Nov 16 · 3–6pm · Explore Books

Story time, art making, and books. Phones go in the box at the door. Pop in anytime!

Sign up to contribute by Monday, Nov 9

Click HERE for the flyer.

Screenagers: Generation AI Screening + Q&A

Saturday, Jan 9 · 4–6pm · Anderson Ranch

Warm up after a day on the mountain. Free childcare next door at Snowmass Chapel.

Sign up to contribute by Monday, December 21

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.

Bill Koch League (BKL) and Pre-Devo.

Grades K-5

Click HERE for the flyer.

Hello from across the street at the ARC!

Did you know we offer swim lessons for ages 18months-12 years old?

Classes run for 4 weeks and are only $52!

Classes are available to register the 2nd -4th Wednesdays of the month

Click Here to register!

After School Art

Early-Release Wednesdays

Aspen Elementary School Art Room

Monthly Registration; 7-10 year olds

1:30pm – 3:30pm | Wednesdays | Nov. Dec. Feb. Mar. Apr.

Join us after school on early-release Wednesdays for hands-on artistic exploration! Young artists will experiment with painting, printmaking, ceramics, sculpture, photography, and mixed media while building creativity and confidence.

Additional community programming coming up:

Anderson Ranch Arts Center

Free; Open to all Ages

3pm – 5pm | Friday, October 30th

Bring the whole family to Anderson Ranch to celebrate Halloween! Dress in your Halloween costume and make a spooky craft, go trick-or-treating through our artist studios, and compete in the costume contest while you enjoy hot chocolate and Halloween treats. It’s hair-raising fun for the whole family! The costume contest will take place at 4:15PM. Awards will be given out for “Most Creative” and “Best Homemade Costume.” Free and open to the public. Don’t forget to BYOB (Bring Your Own Basket)!

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

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.