The Weekly Line

Friday, September 11, 2026

Dear AMS Students, Parents/Guardians & Staffulty,

Today is the 25th Anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on America, hence our flags flying at half-staff from sunrise to sunset. By a joint resolution approved December 18, 2001 (Public Law 107-89), Congress designated September 11 annually as “Patriot Day.”

It was about 7am. I was listening to Imus In The Morning, a radio talk show out of NYC, while driving from West Ranch ASD employee housing in Woody Creek (then known as the “monopoly houses” for their dark green color) past the shale bank between Brush Creek Road and the airport to AHS where I was then vice principal. Imus announced a plane crashed into the North Tower. Then a second plane hit the South Tower. Both were loaded with people and jet fuel. 2,606 died in the Towers, including 343 fire fighters and 71 law enforcement officers. The first was on its way to LA from Boston. The second was also on its way to LA from Boston. A third plane to LA from Washington, DC crashed into the Pentagon. 125 people were killed at the Pentagon. A 4th plane to San Francisco from Newark, NJ intended to hit the Capitol building or White House, crashed in a field in Shanksville, PA after the passengers rushed the cockpit to take out the 4 hijackers. 246 passengers and crew members died across all 4 hijacked flights. I grew up 80 miles north of the World Trace Center where the 9/11 Memorial and Museum now stands. A high school buddy who retired as CEO of The Heisman Trophy Trust last year ran with staff from their offices in Lower Manhattan to the Battery Park Ferry Terminal at the tip of the island and hid under the docks. Two people I went to college with died in the twin towers that day and a principal colleague of mine in Fort Collins wrote this book: Overcome: Rebuilding Hope After Losing My Brother on 9/11. I wore my Fall 2002 AHS Dedication shirt today in remembrance because September 2001 was the beginning of the new AHS building renovation that we have today.

With the help of 8th graders Emma Somers and Emily Bassion and 7th graders Beatrice Muresan and Josie Anderson, who were reading today’s morning announcements, we took a 5-second moment of silence to remember the 2,977 individuals lost, families and communities impacted, and first responders who ran into danger doing their jobs. Last year we installed 12 American flags in the classrooms that didn't have one. Colorado Revised Statutes Section 22-1-106 provides information on honoring and using our American flag, i.e. each public school shall provide an opportunity each day for willing students to recite the pledge of allegiance and any person not wishing to participate shall be exempt and need not participate. So Emma, Emily, Beatrice and Josie recited the pledge with me over the intercom and students in classrooms could participate. God bless America! F-A-M-I-L-Y. Forget About Me I Love You!

All In,

T. DODD

Tom Dodd, PhD

Principal

#AMSAllIn #AMSF-A-M-I-L-Y #TheAMSDifference

• If you want to watch your child compete in the 2nd Annual AMS Tough Middler High Altitude Obstacle Course Race Thursday, 9/17, 10am - 3pm on Lower Moore Field see the Modified Tough Middler Bell Schedule for their grade level go time:

Tough Middler Grade Level Go Times

• 8th Grade: 9:50 - 11am

• 7th Grade: 10:50am - 12pm

• 6th Grade: 11:50am - 1pm

• 5th Grade: 12:50 - 2pm

• All School: 2 - 3pm

• Help Clean Up: 3pm

If Every Family Gives $40 We Will Reach Our Goal

Click for donations of any size (checks eliminate transaction fees= more money to school)

CLICK HERE FOR SUCCESSFUND

***Warning students will get DIRTY!!!! Wear appropriate clothing and bring a change of clothes. Tough Middler t-shirt will be provided***

• 2026-27 AMS Weekly Bell Schedule

• 2026-27 ASD Calendars UPDATED

• 1st period starts at 8am with traditional classes. Please BE ON TIME. :)

• Main office open: 7:30am – 4:00pm

• Cafe breakfast M – F: 7:45am – 7:55am

• Cafe lunch M/T & Th/F: 11:25am - 12:10pm & Early Release Wed. (ERW): 11:35am - 12:20pm

• Student school day: 8:00am – 3:20pm

• Teacher work day: 7:45am – 3:45pm

• Early Release Wed.: Student dismissal 1:50pm & Staffulty PD 2:05pm - 3:50pm

CAMPUS SAFETY Please stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk at our main entrance, pull as far forward as possible in the drop off/pick up line to keep the line moving, obey traffic signs and speed limits, do not park in handicapped spaces, double park, or leave a vehicle unattended.

AMS ATHLETICS Visit our AMS Athletics page for fall sports info.

AMS MYP UPDATES

• Toddle Family Access: Parents who need support accessing their child’s family Toddle account can contact Harpreet Mehta (hmehta@aspenk12.net) or Catherina Lemons clemons@aspenk12.net) for their child-specific Family Invite Code. We can provide the code by email or in print. Here is a sample of what the Family Invite Code document will look like. Alternatively, we can send the Toddle login invitation directly to the parent’s preferred email address.

• New Parent Guide to MYP: For families who are new to the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP), please see our MYP One-Page Guide, which provides a quick overview of MYP and what parents can expect.

Add our AMS Family Calendar to your Google calendar and see important upcoming dates:

• Monday, September 14th ~ 7th / 8th Volleyball vs Glenwood 4:30pm - 7th AMS Gym / 8th at Glenwood.

• Tuesday, September 15th ~ EF Tours French Trip Informational Meeting 5:30pm - AMS Library

• Wednesday, September 16th ~ Student Picture Day.

• Wednesday, September 16th ~ 7th / 8th Football vs Glenwood @ ASD Turf 4:30pm 7th Grade / 8th 5:30pm.

• Wednesday, September 16th ~ 7th / 8th Volleyball vs Carbondale 4:30pm - 7th AMS Gym / 8th at Carbondale.

• Thursday, September 17th ~ AMS Tough Middler 10:00am - Lower Moore Field

• Saturday, September 19th ~ Cross Country Meet @ Avon

• Tuesday, September 22nd ~ Cross Country Meet @ Eagle

• Wednesday, September 23rd~ 7th / 8th Volleyball vs Riverview 4:30pm - 7th AMS Gym / 8th at Riverview.

• Thursday, September 24th ~ 7th / 8th Football @ Rifle 4:30pm 7th Grade / 8th 5:30pm.

• Monday, September 28th ~ 7th / 8th Football vs Carbondale @ ASD Turf 4:30pm 7th Grade / 8th 5:30pm.

• Monday, September 28th~ 7th / 8th Volleyball vs Riverside 4:30pm - 7th New Castle / 8th at AMS Gym.

• Wednesday, September 30th~ 7th / 8th Volleyball vs Grand Valley 4:30pm - 7th Parachute /8th AMS Gym

• Thursday, October 1st ~ 7th / 8th Football @ Basalt 4:30pm 7th Grade / 8th 5:30pm.

• Friday, October 2nd ~ Clubs Fair

• Saturday, October 3rd ~ 8th / 8th Volleyball League Tournament - 7th at Glenwood Springs High School / 8th at Riverside Middle School.

• Saturday, October 3rd & 4th ~ ASD College Fair - ASD Campus

• Monday, October 12th ~ AHS & AMS Teacher Workday - NO SCHOOL STUDENTS

• Tuesday, October 13th & 14th ~ AHS Parent, Teacher Conferences & AMS Student-Led Conferences

• Thursday, October 15th & 16th ~ Fall Break - NO SCHOOL STUDENTS & STAFF

• Monday, October 19th - 23rd ~ Aspen Words Poetry Workshop Week

• Friday, October 30th ~ AMS Halloween Fun Run

• Monday, November 23rd - 27th ~ Thanksgiving Break - NO SCHOOL STUDENTS & STAFF

AMS Outdoor Education Fall Dates:

5th GRADE ODE ~ Utah Camping & Hiking

• Tuesday, September 22nd - Friday, September 25th ~ Amy G & Kari S

• Monday, September 28th - Thursday, October 1st ~ Georgina L

• Tuesday, October 6th - Friday, October 9th ~ Evan W & Alex M