AES Community Connection 8/10/26

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 this message finds you well and that you’ve enjoyed a restful, adventurous, and joyful summer wherever your travels or time at home may have taken you. As we gear up for a brand new school year, we are excited to welcome our returning students and extend a very special greeting to our newest Kindergarten class and their families.

Assessment Days:

• We have over 75% of students signed up for an appointment on Monday or Tuesday. If you have not yet signed up, there is still time! Use this link and/or reach out to your child's teacher.
• Parking may present a challenge as both AMS and AHS in session. Ride bikes, walk or take RFTA if possible.
• This is a time for STUDENTS and TEACHERS to get to know one another. Parents/Guardians are asked to wait in the CORE or OUTSIDE.
• After visiting the classroom, caregivers and students may visit their Single Subject classrooms to greet the teachers.

First Day of School:

• Wednesday, August 12th is our first day of school.
• Breakfast will be available for those students who have permission to buy breakfast. Please let your child know if they should buy breakfast in the morning.
• Kindergarten caregivers may walk their child up to the Elementary School during the first week of school. Kindergarten teachers will meet their students in front of the school - look for their pictures under the awning. Be aware that PARKING IS LIMITED. Encourage students to be independent - we will ensure they are safe and get where they need to go!
• Morning Playtime: 1st grade play on the Little Playground from 7:45am-8am. Students in Second through 4th grade play on the Big Playground from 7:45am-8:00am

I'd like to welcome new faces on our staff and celebrate new roles for our veteran staff:

• Jessie Black, Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) Coordinator (change in role)

• Casey Cunningham - MTSS Math Interventionist (change in role)

• Meg Dangler - kindergarten teacher, from MTSS coordinator

• Kim Hayes - 4th grade teacher (change in role)

• Mac Hardin - new 2nd grade teacher

• Hannah Heron - new Physical Therapist

• Liv Legg - new 2nd grade teacher

• Lauren Mahler- formerly Lauren Smith, 3rd grade teacher. Congratulations!
• Kate McCollum - Exceptional Student Services (ESS) PeAk Program teacher and case manger (change in role)
• Frances McKnight - new Speech Language Pathologist (Laura Burke is on maternity leave until mid-September.

• Jill Pisani - returning to AES, 2nd grade teacher

• Sol Riviere - new educational support staff

There is still time to complete the summer reading and math work. Details for the AES Summer Challenge can be found below—happy reading, playing, and discovering! Students should turn the recording sheets into their new teachers the first week of school. You may stop by the main office to pick-up a packet.

Back this year... Assessment Days on Monday, August 11th and Tuesday, August 12th. More information can be found below. If you have not already done so, Click HERE to reserve your child's appointment

It is truly an honor for us to lead Aspen Elementary School. Thank you for your partnership, trust, and commitment to our school community. We’re looking forward to another successful year of learning, growth, and community here at Aspen Elementary. Our dedicated staff is ready to support, inspire, and challenge every student as they continue their educational journey.

Warmly,
Ashley Bodkins and Dana Alderman

AES Principal and Assistant Principal

• Monday and Tuesday - August 10 & 11 - Meet your teacher and student assessment days. Appointments will be scheduled once class lists have been shared. You will receive a separate letter from Dana with details and sign-up link.
• Wednesday, August 12 - First Day of School; Kinder Dismissal at 12:00PM, Grades 1-4 Dismissal at 1:45PM.
• Thursday and Friday, August 13 & 14 - Kinder Dismissal at 12:00PM,
• Wednesday, August 26 - Back to School Night for Parents & Guardians, 5:30-7PM
• Monday, September 7 - Labor Day No School
• Tuesday & Wednesday, September 8 & 9 - AES Professional Development Days - No school for students
• Thursday, Sept 17 - Picture Day! (K-3) 4th Grade will be on October 29th.
• Wednesday, Sept 23 - Boosterthon Fun Run!

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

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.

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.

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.

Welcome Back, Families!

Welcome back! We hope you had a wonderful summer and are as excited as we are for another year of learning and growth.

This year, we'll once again be offering Parent Learning Sessions to help you better understand our IB Primary Years Programme (PYP). Topics will include an introduction to the PYP, using Toddle, understanding assessment, inquiry in the classroom, and practical ways to support your child as a learner at home.

We're also excited to strengthen our home-school partnership by inviting families to notice and celebrate when their children are taking action outside of school. Throughout the year, we'll provide opportunities for you to share examples of how your child is applying their learning, demonstrating the Learner Profile, and making a positive difference at home or in the community.

We look forward to partnering with you for another fantastic year!

Click here for more information. Click here for the Spanish version. Please stop by the main office if you need a hard copy of the recording sheets.

Click HERE to reserve your child's appointment

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

Coming soon... AES Digital Committments 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.

Please click HERE for the Back to School Nutrition Newsletter!

Please click HERE for more information and menus.

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.

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

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.

• 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.

Hello AES Caregivers,

Hope your summer has been well and filled with adventures. The Aspen Science Center and Aspen Education Foundation are eager to announce the Fall 2026 Competition Robotics Prep program. This program is for 3rd and 4th-graders interested in joining the competition robotics club in middle school. Participants will go through an 8 session intensive course learning competition-level robot building and coding techniques.

For the Fall Session, please fill out the interest form by the end of the day on Wednesday, August 12th. Selected students will be notified on August 13th, and you will have until Sunday, August 16th to complete the registration. Please only fill out the interest form if your child will be able to attend all 8 sessions.

After School Program!

Connect! Social, Emotional and Ethical Learning Program

Registration is open for the 2026-2027 school year for students in grades K-4.

Connect! is a cumulative program and each session has a different curriculum

Register now for Connect! Session #1, Session #2 and Session #3

Session #1 – Compassion for Self and Others – September 8 – October 8

Session #2 – We Are All in this Together – October 20 – November 19

Session #3 – Building a Better World – January 5 - February 11

Connect! meets at Aspen Elementary School from 3:15-5:15

Students may sign up for either Tuesday OR Thursday each session

(3:15-3:45 is outdoor/snack time/choice time which allows students from other schools

to join us in time for the first lesson)

Tuition is $150 per session and scholarships are available

Please go to the Connect! website to find out more information and register

https://sites.google.com/view/kidsconnect

Registration is on a first come/first serve basis

We will post on the website if/when a session is full

Please email with any questions – aspenkidsconnect@gmail.com

We look forward to seeing you in the fall!

Elaine Bonds and Mimi Hauenstein

Hello Parents!

New applicants: Please see attached for the scholarship application, in both English and Spanish. Submit complete applications directly to Lyndsey at this email address. *Please make sure you have ALL required documentation prior to submittal. Only complete applications can be processed* Don’t forget to include your requested dates for the fall when submitting your application!

Click HERE for the link in English and HERE for Spanish.

Please click HERE for the flyer with more information!

How to Be a Pirate is a swashbuckling mini-musical adventure for students in Grades K–4, held Wednesdays (Early Release), August 19–October 7, from 1:45–3:15 p.m. at Aspen Elementary School, culminating in a performance on October 7 at 3:00 p.m.

Willy Wonka KIDS is a magical musical adventure for students in Grades 2–5, held Tuesdays and Thursdays, August 25–October 10, from 3:45–5:45 p.m. at Aspen Elementary School, culminating in performances on October 8 & 9 at 6:00 p.m. and October 10 at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

NEW! Dracula invites students in Grades 6–8 to bring Bram Stoker's classic tale to life in this thrilling play, meeting Mondays and Wednesdays, August 26–October 24, from 3:45–5:45 p.m. at Aspen High School, with performances on October 22 & 23 at 6:00 p.m. and October 24 at 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

"Slow & Say Hello!" is a multimodal trail and street-safety campaign across the Roaring Fork Valley, supported by regional jurisdictions and partners like WE-cycle. The campaign encourages cyclists and e-bike riders to practice safe riding habits by slowing down, staying aware, and acknowledging others on our shared pathways. The goal of the campaign is a unified, simple, friendly, community-oriented voice that aims to reduce multimodal conflicts and increase safe travel behaviors on our pathways. Parents: please discuss this topic with your student and visit the campaign website to learn more.

Beginner Fencing Class

Click HERE for the flyer in English and HERE for Spanish.

• 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.

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

Website: https://www.aspenk12.net/Domain/8
Location: 235 High School Road, Aspen, Colorado, USA
Phone: 970-925-3760