The Weekly Line

Wednesday, April 22, 2026

Dear AMS Students, Parents/Guardians & Staffulty,

We have exactly 23 more contact days with kids. 11 red and 12 black. Depending on whether a class meets daily on red and black days, or only on red or black days. That's it. 23 days or less, to be the voice in a child's head that says “you can,” and maybe, "you will." 23 days or less, to offer an "undo" to a student who struggled today, yesterday, or all year. 23 days or less, to offer a "redo" to a student who succeeded today, yesterday, or all year. 23 days or less, to make a difference simply by how we choose to frame their stories, and how we choose to be a part of them. We have the power to change a kid's trajectory and create a happy ending before the May 22, 2026 dismissal bell rings. 23 days or less, that's it.

Teaching kids, truly caring about other people’s kids, is HARD work, at school and at home, but even more so it’s HEART work. Finish strong AMS F-A-M-I-L-Y (Forget About me I Love You).

All In,

Dr. Tom

Tom Dodd, PhD

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

ANNOUNCEMENTS 4-22-26

Bella Maupin’s 8th Grade Community Project AI Usage Public Service Announcement

In ASD, there is a prevailing problem where students use AI to write papers and do homework. This is because of the time and pressure to create higher-level work. This takes away their individuality, creativity and critical thinking skills. To use AI properly and to their advantage, students should utilize AI tools to create learning aids that enhance their understanding of the subject matter, for background research and gathering information only when necessary. THE FINAL WORK and THEIR INTERPRETATION should showcase THEIR OWN analytical SKILLS and critical THINKING. Make sure they cite AI as a source, and make sure the information AI gives them is trustworthy by cross-referencing it with established, reputable sources.

Thank You to all that have donated to our fun staff regifting day in May. We are still accepting donations of items until May 2nd.

Standing Announcement Per the AMS PTO’s Request

This AMS Staffulty Favorite Things 25/26 document helps parents know teachers' birthdays, and what gifts or in kind gestures staffulty might appreciate around the holidays, during teacher appreciation week, etc.

AMS is still accepting out-of-district open enrollment/school choice applications for the 2026-27 school year. Click here for ASD Open Enrollment/School Choice application. Priority is given to applicants with siblings already attending an ASD school. ASD does not provide busing/transportation to students who live out of district.

AMS is offering student shadowing and school tour opportunities to new families interested in enrolling in 5th, 6th, 7th, or 8th grade at AMS for 2026-27. Email Principal Dr. Tom Dodd (tdodd@aspenk12.net) if interested.

AMS 2026 / 2027 School Year

If your child will NOT be attending AMS next school year 2026 / 2027. Please contact Catherina Lemons, clemons@aspenk12.net and she will provide a Withdrawal Form.

Current AMS Vacancies:

Gifted and Talented Coordinator, Reading Interventionist/Specialist, Special Ed. Teacher and Special Ed. Paraprofessional. Apply here and email Principal Dr. Tom Dodd (tdodd@aspenk12.net).

4/8/2026

In March, students in Grades 5 and 6 will continue participating in weekly community time lessons using The Social Institute. These lessons will focus on topics such as What Use Your Mic for Good means, Protecting our Earth, Accessibility helps everyone, and Kind words and ideas. Family Huddle links are included with each lesson to help continue conversations and learning at home.

The next counseling lesson for Grade 5 this month will continue building on choosing kindness and being an upstander, with students practicing what to say or do if someone is being treated unkindly, using common scenarios they might encounter as 5th-grade students.

This month’s counseling lesson for Grade 6 focuses on boundaries and self-control, with goals that include helping students identify situations where their boundaries may be challenged, apply a three-step strategy to manage impulses, use assertive communication to protect themselves, and reflect on how their choices influence their relationships.

In weekly community time, students in Grades 7 and 8 will continue to engage in lessons from The Social Institute on topics such as AI & Plagiarism, Protecting our Earth, Accessibility helps everyone, and End-of-year Reflection.

Grade 7 received three counseling lessons on coping strategies, healthy responses to challenging emotions, and boundaries with impulse control. Students explored why coping strategies matter, identified signs of emotions like anger and anxiety, and practiced pausing, choosing healthy responses, and making respectful decisions.

Grade 8 received three counseling lessons on gossip and rumors, community, and future planning. Students examined the impact of gossip, reflected on their role in building a positive community, and explored their interests, strengths, and goals related to high school and future careers.

Check out which clubs we offer at AMS throughout the year!

Buddy Program Outdoor Leadership Camping Trip to Sylvan Lake! This program is offered and chaperoned through a partnership with Aspen School District, Aspen Family Connections, and The Buddy Program. Outdoor Leadership is a group experiential mentoring program aimed to get Aspen Middle Schoolers in 7th and 8th grade outside to work on outdoor skills, team building, communication, and leadership! If you are interested in hearing more about this program or want to know how your child can be involved, please email Mel Thulin at mthulin@aspenk12.net

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

• Wednesday, April 22nd ~ AMS Spring Choir Concert 6:00pm - ASD Theater

• Friday, April 24th ~ 5th Grade Kindness Retreat

• Tuesday, April 28th ~ AMS Jazz Band@ JAS Showcase TACAW 6:00pm

• Friday, May 1st ~ National Lunch Hero Day

• Monday, May 4th ~ Rising 9th Grade Parent Night ~ AHS Commons 5:30pm

• Tuesday, May 12th ~ 5th Grade AMS Spring Band Concert District Theater 4:30pm

• Tuesday, May 12th ~ 6th - 12th Grades AMS Spring Band Concert District Theater 5:30pm

• Wednesday, May 13th ~ AHS Move Up Morning for 8th Graders 8:30am

• Thursday, May 14th ~ 8th Grade EOY Field Trip Glenwood Caverns

• Thursday, May 21st ~ AMS 8th Grade Continuation District Theater 11:00am

• Friday, May 22nd ~ LAST DAY OF SCHOOL

AMS Outdoor Education Spring Dates:

7th Grade ODE River Trips

• April 27th - May 1st - Week 1

• May 4th - 8th - Week 2

2026 John B. Keleher

46th Memorial Writing Contest

Open to all Aspen Middle School Students

Categories include ~ Prose or Poetry

Deadline for Entries Friday, May 1st, 2026

• Students may enter only one original piece in each category and entries can only be done by ONE writer

• Students are not entered unless they have submitted their entry electronically.

• Entries will be disqualified if requirements are not followed.

Prizes

In each category winners will receive:

First Place ~ $50

Second Place ~ $25

Honorable Mention ~ Certificate

Requirements

All Entries must be submitted electronically through our school website, www.aspenk12.net.

Formatting Directions:

Entries will be disqualified if requirements are not followed.

• DO NOT include your name anywhere on the Google Doc.
• Write the category label on front of page 1, upper left

5/6 Poetry

5/6 Prose

7/8 Poetry

7/8/Prose

· Title story or poem is required; the title must be centered at the top of the first page.

· Entry must be:

• double spaced

• 12 point font

• Times New Roman or Arial only—NO BOLD TYPE.

· Pages must be numbered at the center of the page at the bottom.

· No title pages or illustrations

· All entries must be submitted electronically by the deadline.

You may not make any changes to your document once it has been submitted.

Electronic Submission Directions:

These directions are also written on the submission link at the middle school webpage, www.aspenk12.net.

1. Complete your writing piece as a Google Doc.

2. Follow the contest requirements for formatting. What you submit must be your final and best work. You cannot submit twice and you may not make any changes to the document once it has been submitted.

3. Change your privacy settings to ‘Anyone with the link can view.’

• Click on the blue ‘Share’ button.

• Under ‘Link sharing on’ change the settings to ‘Anyone with the link can view.’

• Then select the copy button next to ‘Anyone with the link can view.’

• This is the link that will be pasted into the submission form when it asks for a link.

4. Using a separate tab, go to www.aspenk12.net.

5. Choose the middle school page.

6. Scroll down to find the Keleher Contest Submissions link. Click on the link and follow the directions in the Google Form.

Formatting Directions:

· DO NOT include your name anywhere on the Google Doc.

· Write the category label on front of page 1, upper left

5/6 Poetry

5/6 Prose

7/8 Poetry

7/8/Prose

· Title story or poem is required; the title must be centered at the top of the first page.

· Entry must be:

• double spaced

• 12 pt font

• Times New Roman or Arial only—NO BOLD TYPE.

· Pages must be numbered on the center of the page at the bottom.

· No title pages or illustrations

· All entries must be submitted electronically by the deadline.

Pre - Order AMS 2025 - 2026 Yearbook for $32.00. Students will not receive until May 2026.

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.

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.

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

Aspen High School volleyball coach, Niki Lee, is offering a volleyball clinic for 5th and 6th grade girls every Tuesday and Thursday from April 28th until May 19th. The clinic will run from 3:30pm - 5:00pm in the AMS gym.

For questions, please contact Niki Lee at nikiandylee@yahoo.com.

Registration link: https://coaspenweb.myvscloud.com/webtrac/web/iteminfo.html?Module=AR&FMID=26163504