Aspen High School
Student and Family Weekly Update
September 3rd
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Dear Students and families,
We hope that all enjoyed a lovely Labor Day weekend! Course schedules have been solidified; fall sports are well underway; and we are really getting the groove of school. We look forward to welcoming families to our annual Back to School Night this Thursday. This is an opportunity to meet all of your student’s teachers, learn about the courses, and see the school environment.
Back to School Night
Thursday, September 4th at 5:30pm. Doors open at 5pm!
Please arrive early to grab your student’s CMAS/PSAT/SAT scores, buy some Skier Swag from the AHS Booster Club, and find a seat. We will begin our program promptly at 5:30pm.
Skier Spotlight
Kudos as well to the following students for receiving the Pitkin Country Cares Rising Star Award: Alexis Berger, Anna Dangler (class of 2025), Josie Cole, Molly McPhee, and Harry Spitteler.
IB Spotlight
Annual Clubs' Fair
Aspen High School's Annual Clubs Fair will take place on Wednesday, September 17th, during lunch in the Skier Dome.
Completed applications are due to Josh Berro by Friday, September 12th, 2025.
All Clubs must have an ASD staff member as an advisor.
Anyone may start a club!
All Clubs must have a specific meeting day/time and meet at least 4 times a semester.
Eligibility
We will run our first grade check on September 9th.
Students must have a passing grade in all classes to be eligible.
Eligibility applies to all athletics, field trips, clubs, and performances.
Picture Day- September 17th
Mark your calendars! Picture Day is coming up on Wednesday, September 17th. All students will have their photos taken for the yearbook and school records. Be sure to dress your best and bring your smile—these are the photos you’ll remember for years to come!
Reminder: Attendance & Tardies
Students may only have 7 unexcused or parent excused absences per semester, or they risk losing credit (either WF or F).
The Tardy policy has changed: students have 10 minutes to be marked tardy. At 11 minutes they are absent.
NEW THIS YEAR!
Attendance & Tardy will impact Eligibility.
Eligibility will apply to all Aspen High School Activities (athletics, choir concerts, band concerts, theater performance, field trips, Model UN, FBLA, etc.)
Students may not have an F in any course or they are ineligible.
In addition to grade checks, we will have a weekly attendance check, too.
Once a student has 4 tardies in a week, they are ineligible.
Once a student has 2 unexcused absences in a week, they are ineligible.
We will be rolling this out slowly so that teachers, students, families, and coaches have time to understand the system and its consequences. No one will be held ineligible until late September.
Reminder: Cellphones, Headphones, Personal Computers
We are a cellphone free school. No phones may be visible in the building until after 3:20pm; students may not use personal devices like Mac Books; and students may only use wired headphones during class time at a teacher’s direction.
Reminder: Doors
To ensure the safety and security of our school, students and visitors may only enter the high school via the main doors facing Tiehack. The buzzer at the staff doors behind the school has been disabled.
Senior Recognition Ads & Business Ads Now on Sale!
Celebrate your graduating senior with a personalized recognition ad, or promote your business in this year’s Aspen High School yearbook! Spots are limited, so reserve yours early. Detailed pricing, sizes, and submission instructions can be found below. Don’t miss the chance to be part of the 2025-26 yearbook!
- Yearbook Recognition Ads Are Now for Sale! Click here for instructions.
- Yearbook Business Ads Are Now for Sale! Click here for instructions.
Robotics Announcement
The 2025-26 AHS Robotics season opens on September 6, and we invite all potentially interested students to check out the club and see if it is a fit for them. There are a variety of technical and nontechnical roles, and no experience is necessary! We compete in the First Tech Challenge and our season includes scrimmages, at least two qualifying events in January, and usually the Colorado State Championship in February. We operate on a drop-in basis after school Mondays through Thursdays. (Most team members attend one to two days each week.)
If you are interested, please complete this short form, and we'll contact you soon.
Post Secondary Counseling- See Below for Important Dates for Juniors & Seniors
All juniors are registered to take the PSAT during the school day on October 22nd.
This PSAT also serves as the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. Even though many colleges and universities have adopted test-optional policies, Post-Secondary Counseling recommends that all juniors take this PSAT/NMSQT.
If you would like to opt out, click here.
Upcoming College Rep visits:
September 5- Villanova University
September 12- CU Boulder
September 15- Savannah College of Arts and Design
September 26- University of Mississippi
Parking
- Only seniors may park on campus. Our email distribution list was not working, so we apologize that most seniors did not receive the email; this has been rectified, so seniors should check their email.
- No other students may park on campus.
- Students who attempt to park on campus without a pass have 3 strikes and then lose parking privileges- this also goes for seniors who park illegally.
- Strike 1 - Warning sticker
- Strike 2 - Boot
- Strike 3 - Tow & Loss of parking privileges
Aspen High School Bell Schedule 25-26
- AHS classes begin at 8am and end at 3:20. Click here for the Bell Schedule.
- We will have Early Release Wednesday once a month. See the link above for the exact dates.
Closed/Open Campus Policy
- Reminder, Juniors and Seniors may leave campus for lunch; they may not come and go during free periods, just lunch. All 9th & 10th graders must stay on campus until they are dismissed for the day.
- Click here to learn more!
Booster Club!
Welcome to the 2025–26 AHS Booster Club!
Be part of something special at Aspen High School! The AHS Booster Club is a fun, parent-run group that supports our student-athletes, clubs & activities all year long. From Homecoming and Senior Celebrations to Supplemental Team Swag & Equipment—we make the magic happen behind the scenes.
Why Join?
Whether you’re a Family Member or a Business Sponsor, you’ll get awesome perks:
- Free entry to home games & events
- $20 concession card
- One-time 15% off merch
- Your name or logo on our Interactive Wall of Fame
- Business (or Family) Sponsors also get banners in the stadium & gym, shoutouts on video displays, in print, and recognition at events
Make a real impact!
Your support also fuels team gear, spirit events, banquets, rose ceremonies, scholarships, and so much more.
This year, we’re expanding our Wall of Fame in the main gym lobby—come be a part of it!
Ready to join?
Become a Business/Corporate Sponsor
Questions? Email us at aspenbooster@gmail.com
Go Skiers!
Join the Aspen Teen Giving Circle- Bridging Communities Through Education and Service
We are excited to launch the second year of the Aspen Teen Giving Circle! This unique program empowers high school students to build interfaith understanding, explore shared Christian and Jewish values, and serve the Roaring Fork Valley with compassion and purpose.
Teens will learn how faith traditions encourage service and giving, and then, with the support of the Aspen Community Foundation (ACF), put those values into action through hands-on philanthropy and volunteer work.
Program Highlights:
Monthly educational sessions led by Rabbi Sima Oster (Aspen Jewish Congregation), Dan Dangler (Young Life Area Director), and Erica Snow (ACF President & CEO).
Exploration of ethical imperatives of giving back across religious traditions.
Learn fundraising principles and practical skills.
Participate in service projects and fundraising efforts benefiting local nonprofits.
***Last year we granted three $10,000 checks to 3 deserving local nonprofits!
Session Dates:
All sessions run Wednesdays, 7–9 pm at the Chapel at the Roundabout. Dinner is provided.
Sept 17, 2025
Oct 29, 2025
Nov 19, 2025
Dec 10, 2025
Jan 28, 2026
Feb 25, 2026
Mar 25, 2026
Apr 29, 2026
May 6, 2026 – End-of-Year Grant Award Ceremony. Parents welcome!
Nutrition News Corner
Please click here for Aspen School District's Nutrition Newsletter from our very own Director of Nutrition Services, Tenille Folk! This newsletter covers all things nutrition from school menus to helpful information and instructions on how to fund your student's lunch accounts.
Family Engagement & Parent Volunteer Opportunities
Want to get involved at Aspen High School? Whether you're interested in joining the Aspen High School Parent Group, exploring volunteer opportunities, or simply staying connected to our school community, we’d love to hear from you! Please take a moment to fill out this form with your contact information and areas of interest. We are also seeking a few families to sponsor/co-sponsor our teacher appreciation back-to-school events. If you are interested in sponsoring or have any questions regarding parent involvement opportunities, please contact Alyssa at aspenhighschoolparentgroup@gmail.com.
Sarah Strassburger
Principal, Aspen High School
School Phone #: (970) 315-3516
Email: sstrassburger@aspenk12.net
Website: https://ahs.aspenk12.net/en-US
Location: 235 High School Road, Aspen, CO, USA
Aspen School District Main Phone #: (970) 925-3760
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AspenHighSchool