Tiger Tales

Welcome Back to Aspen!

It is hard to believe another school year is here! Whether your family is returning to Aspen or joining us for the first time, welcome. We are excited to open our doors and begin another year of learning, growth, and new opportunities together.

At Aspen, we believe every child deserves to feel safe, valued, and inspired to learn each day. Our staff has been hard at work preparing classrooms, planning meaningful learning experiences, and getting everything ready to welcome students back. We can't wait to see our hallways filled with our smiling Tigers again.

One of the greatest strengths of Aspen is our partnership with families. Your support, communication, and involvement make a tremendous difference in your child's success. We encourage you to stay connected throughout the year by attending school events, communicating with your child's teacher, and reaching out whenever you have questions or need assistance.

Thank you for trusting us with your children each day. It is a privilege to be part of their educational journey, and I look forward to another fantastic year together.

We can't wait to welcome our Kindergarten - 6th grade students back on Monday, August 10th, and our Pre-K students on Wednesday, August 12th. Here's to a wonderful school year!

Warmly,

Liz Janusz
Principal, Aspen Elementary

If you have a 5th or 6th grade student planning on participating in band for this school year, please take a minute to fill out the form below. Our band teachers are working on getting updated rosters for the school year.

5th Grade Band Registration

6th Grade Band Registration

Our Aspen Family Handbook has been updated and should answer many of the questions you may have regarding our various policies and procedures. Please read through it as a family to ensure your understanding.

If you have further questions or concerns, you can reach out to Mrs. Janusz, or our Assistant Principal, Mrs. Trujillo.

I want to highlight a few key policies that we have here at Aspen that help ensure we maintain a safe learning environment for our students and staff.

Food and Drinks

To help students start the day ready to learn, please do not send your child to school with drinks from outside restaurants or coffee shops (such as Starbucks, McDonald's, or similar establishments). These cups are more likely to spill and can be distracting during the school day. If a student arrives with one, they will be asked to either finish it during breakfast in the dining hall or dispose of it before heading to class.

Students should also avoid eating during instructional time unless there is a documented accommodation or other special circumstance. Food should be saved for breakfast, a teacher-approved snack time, or lunch.

Cell Phones and Smart Watches

Students may use the school telephone in the event of an emergency. Cell phones and watches are permitted at Aspen. However, they both must be turned off and in the student's backpack once the student arrives at school. All devices are allowed to be turned back on and used by students after 2:40 pm (1:40 on Fridays). If devices are found on during the day, they will be brought up to the principal/office for a parent to pick up.

Hoods and Hats

For safety reasons, hoods are not allowed to be worn inside the building. This policy helps ensure that staff and students are easily identifiable and can be safely monitored at all times. Students will be asked to take their hood down in the building. They are able to have them on when they are outside.

Students are allowed to wear their hats during the school day in the building as long as it doesn't cover the sides of their face and staff can still identify the student.

Personal Items

We ask that students do not bring toys, art supplies, games, make-up, or any other personal items to school unless it is for a special event or purpose. They can cause safety concerns and social disagreements, get lost or taken, and are generally a distraction to the business of school.

We have 9 new staff members joining our Aspen team for this school year!

• Kara Dean - Library
• Marci Richardson - 3rd Grade
• Jenn Naes - 4th Grade
• Beth Ziomek - 4th Grade
• Jenna Rosenberger - 5th Grade
• Bethany Gartz - ILP
• Jenny Pearson - Psychologist
• Akiko Shiina - GATE
• Yelena Mealy - EA

*We are still actively hiring for two more EA positions. If you or anyone you know may be interested in working at Aspen, please apply at https://laschools.schoolspring.com/.

We will have our Meet the Teacher/Supply Drop-Off time on Friday, August 7th!

Class lists will be posted on the front doors at 2:00pm. The doors will open at 2:00 for students/families to meet their teachers and drop off their supplies. This is meant to be a casual opportunity to introduce your child to their teacher and for them to see their room. We will have an open house at a later date for families to learn more about the curriculum and classroom procedures.

In order to alleviate the large crowd outside to find out which teachers your children have, all teachers will send a welcome email to you at noon on Friday. This way you can just walk right into the building instead of waiting in the large crowd.

Meet the Teacher will promptly end at 3:00 to give teachers and staff enough time to prepare for the first day of school.

Breakfast:

Students can receive a free breakfast everyday starting at 7:30 in the cafeteria. While we do serve after the bell, we encourage all students to arrive at school EARLY for an on time 8:10 start in class. Bus students will be given the opportunity to grab a quick breakfast item before heading to class.

Lunch:

Students can also receive a free lunch everyday, or you may pack a lunch for them. Our food service provider will make substitutions for students with disabilities that restrict diet, on a case-by-case basis. If a student has a dietary need this must be communicated to the school site nurse. The school site will inform our food service partner so they can prepare the requested meal for the student. You can view menus online at https://laschools.nutrislice.com/menu.

Of course you may always send in a packed lunch from home to ensure that your student receives the nutrition that you feel is appropriate. We do ask that you do not send soda or energy drinks in your child's lunch.

Even though meals are free for everyone, we strongly encourage all families to complete the Free & Reduced Meal Program Application. These forms help unlock vital funding for our school/district and qualify families for reduced site fees. Please complete your application online at www.schoolcafe.com.

Each student that meets the requirements to ride the school bus must complete a 2026-2027 Student Bus Card. LAPS provides bus service for all Los Alamos County elementary students who live at least 1 mile from the school, for middle school students who live 1.5 miles from the school, and for high school students who live 2 miles from the school. Check out LAPS Transportation website for more information and to review bus routes.

If you have any specific transportation questions, please reach out to our Director of Transportation, Keith Rosenbaum: k.rosenbaum@laschools.net

At Aspen, we offer "early drop-off" for families that may need it. Students can begin to get dropped off at 7:45. They will go straight to the dining hall where they will have the option to eat breakfast. We will have staff in the dining hall supervising during this time.

At 7:55, the first bell will ring. At this time, students that have already been dropped off can choose to stay in the dining hall for breakfast, or go outside for recess. If students arrive between 7:55 and 8:10, they will also have those two options.

Drop Off Procedures

• If your child will be dropped off, they will need to get out in the circle area of the parking lot. Before students can get out of the car, parents will need to pull all the way forward. If parents do not pull all the way forward in the circle, your child cannot get out of the car.

• In order to keep the surrounding streets free of traffic and to get busses in and out, we need to be able to move as many cars as possible through the drop off line.

• If you would like to walk your child up to the front of the school, you will need to park your car either in the lot, or on a side street, and walk them up.

• You may NOT park your car in the circle. We will take a picture of your license plate and give it to LAPD.

Pick Up Procedures

• PK and Kindergarten only: Car riders will be dismissed at 2:30. In order to pick up your car rider, parents will need to physically walk up to the line (at the ramp) to get your child. The classroom teacher has to see you before releasing your child.

• Parents may not wait in the circle for their children to be released to the car. Teachers have been instructed to keep kids in line until a parent/guardian physically walks up to the line.

• In the past, our circle has been backed up due to PK and K parents waiting in their car after they get their child, for the older sibling to arrive. Family members of these students will now either need to park in the parking lot or on a side street and walk up.

• 1st-6th grade: Car riders will begin dismissing at 2:35. Parents can pull all the way up into the circle to get their child. Children will be instructed to not get into the car until it has pulled all the way up.

• If you chose to park in our lot to get your child, you may NOT instruct them to walk through the pick up line to meet you in the lot. Parents will need to physically walk onto the sidewalk to meet their child. Please be mindful that we need to move all the cars forward before you walk across.

***Please remember our staff is out there every morning and afternoon to ensure students are arriving and dismissing safely. They are here to help and please treat them with kindness and respect during this time.

This school year, LAPS will implement Early Release Fridays. This dedicated time will allow our teachers and staff to participate in meaningful professional learning, collaborate with grade-level teams from across the district, and continue strengthening the instructional practices that support student success.

Our Friday dismissal procedures will remain the same, with the only change being the dismissal time. On Early Release Fridays:

• Car riders will be dismissed at 1:35 p.m.
• Bus riders, walkers, and YMCA students will be dismissed at 1:40 p.m.

We appreciate your support as we invest in ongoing learning and collaboration that benefits all of our students.

• Meet the Teacher/Supply Drop Off - August 7th from 2-3pm
• First Day for K-6th - August 10th
• First Day for PreK - August 12th
• Open House - August 13th from 5:30-7:00
• Labor Day, No School - September 7th

Show your Aspen Tiger pride! Our Aspen Spirit Wear store is now open and has a variety of apparel and accessories for students, families, and staff. Whether you're looking for a new t-shirt, hoodie, or other school gear, it's a great way to show your school spirit all year long.

Visit our online store to browse and order: Aspen Spirit Wear Store.

Even better, every item purchased supports Aspen Elementary, with $5 from each sale benefiting our Aspen PTO!

Email: l.janusz@laschools.net
Website: https://aspen.laschools.net/
Location: 2182 33rd Street, Los Alamos, NM, USA
Phone: (505) 663-2306
Twitter: @mrs_janusz