The Weekly Line

"PREPARATION + EXECUTION = A GREAT TOUGH MIDDLER"

Dear AMS F-A-M-I-L-Y (Students, Parents/Guardians & Staffulty),

Reflecting on what it takes to put on a great performance, Academy Award winning English actor Laurence Olivier (Hamlet, 1948) said, “The humility to prepare and the self-confidence to bring it off.” His quote speaks to the balance between humility (detailed preparation) and self-confidence (courageous execution). Our wonderful PTO (Parent Teacher Organization) put in the work preparing in just 4 meetings over 2 months to execute our 1st Annual AMS Tough Middler High Altitude Adventure Race exceptionally well and meet our $50K fundraising goal. Special thanks to the leadership of these VIPs (Very Important Parents) who “high key” get stuff done: Julie Brodsky, Missy Klug, Liz Garfield, Vanessa Adams, Kelli Cupp, Lyndsay Hainey, Jena Schmidt, Alicia Adam, Lisa Speaker Molly Gillmore and Alessandra Strickland (sorry if I missed someone), the 39 additional parent/community volunteers: too many to list, and 19 sponsor organizations/families: Kemosabe, Chris Klug Foundation, DonorDudes, AGS Ballet Aspen, Four Suns Ranch, Aspen Tire & Detail, Aspen Fire Dept., Stutsman-Gerbaz Earthmoving, Fisher Construction, Brodskys, VandeBooms, DuBoefs, Hechtopfs, Sohns, Firmans, Adams, Gilmores, Bergs, and Speakers who made it possible for 18 teams of approx. 350 students, plus a 19-person teacher team to attack the course and earn the title Tough Middler!

Grade Level Team Champions (Full Classroom)

5th - Alex McQuillan, 16:09

6th - Matt Fields, 15:39

7th - Matt McGaffigan, 17:10

8th - Mike Wessler, 15:29

Overall Team Champion

The Staffulty Team, 11:41

Grade Level Individual Champions (Coed Pair - 1 Boy & 1 Girl per Classroom)

5th - Kalli & Yair, 3:45

6th - Evelyn & Taylor, 3:26

7th - Sammie & Jackson, 3:29

8th - Carlie & Phoenix, 3:23

Overall Individual Champion

8th - Carlie & Phoenix, 3:23*

*The Staffulty Pair, DNS/DNF (Did Not Start/Did Not Finish) Time Expired

Thank you parents, students and staffulty for being risk takers, trying something new, maintaining positive attitudes, getting a little dirty, and having some fun. While this is our final AMS Tough Middler communication until next August, the Tough Middler SuccessFund Link for DONATIONS will remain open until Friday, October 24 since this is our primary PTO fundraiser of the year for student/staffulty culture building activities, spirit gear, staffulty appreciation classroom supplies, student fee support, etc. Please note, we are thinking about an April student/staffulty culture building event that might include some sponsorship opportunities. Stay tuned…

We’re now 9 weeks in, so 1/4 of the way through the 2025-26 school year. It's going fast and we’re picking up steam. Let’s FINISH the next 9 weeks of this semester STRONG with HIGH attendance, HIGH achievement, and HIGH growth. WE GOT THIS SKIERS!

Shine on,

Dr. Tom

Tom Dodd, PhD

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

Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO)

AMS Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO), Tuesday, 10/21, 8:15am - 9:30am, AMS Conf. Rm.:

Our next PTO meeting is Tuesday, 10/21, 8:15 - 9:30am in the AMS Conference Rm. The agenda will be a debrief of our 1st Annual Tough Middler High Altitude Adventure Race! Join us!

AMS School Accountability Committee (SAC), Thursday, 10/15, 4:00pm - 5:00pm, AMS Conf. Rm.:

The AMS SAC meets quarterly and to discuss school performance. Our first of four meetings is Thursday, 10/15 at 4pm in the AMS Conference Rm. during Parent-Teacher Conferences to encourage participation. Dr. Tom will email a calendar invite to the parents/guardians who let him know of their interest in serving on the AMS SAC.

AMS Parent-Teacher Conferences

All parents/guardians need to create a new 25-26 account. Click here for Instructions.

Thursday, 10/16, 10am - 6pm (IN PERSON ONLY)

NOTE: You must select "In Person" in the drop-down box at the time of booking.

Friday, 10/17, 8am - 4pm (VIRTUAL ONLY)

Conference reminders and virtual meeting links will be sent to parents the day before conferences begin.

ESCUELA INTERMEDIA ASPEN Conferencias de Padres y Maestros

Todos los padres/tutores deberán crear una cuenta. Haga clic aquí para obtener instrucciones.

Jueves 16/10 - 10am a 6pm (SOLO EN PERSONA)

Seleccione la preferencia de cita después de seleccionar a sus maestros.

Viernes 17/10 - 8am a 4pm (SOLO VIRTUAL)

Los recordatorios de conferencias y los enlaces de reuniones virtuales se enviarán a todos los padres el día antes de que comiencen las conferencias.

Lunch Information

Every week the AMS Lunchroom is looking for volunteers to support our staff by volunteering from 11:40am - 12:30pm on Mondays - Fridays. Please sign up for a volunteer shift HERE!