Aspen High School
Student and Family Weekly Update
October 21
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Dear Skier Families,
October in Aspen is a reminder of how special this community is. The changing leaves, the first hints of winter in the mountains, and the energy that comes with fall all make this a unique time of year to be a Skier. At school, we’re finding our rhythm in the year building relationships, embracing new challenges, and continuing to learn what it means to be part of a community where we look out for one another.
One of the things I value most about Aspen is that our students are growing up in a place where community matters. We have an opportunity each day to help them see that belonging isn’t just about being part of a school; it’s about how we treat one another, how we make room for different perspectives, and how we show up for the people around us. That work happens in classrooms, in the hallways, on the field, on the mountain, and in the small moments that often matter most.
As we move further into fall, thank you for the many ways you support our students and our school. We’re grateful to be partners in this work, and I’m looking forward to all that the coming months will bring. I hope your family finds time to enjoy this beautiful season in the place we’re fortunate enough to call home.
Go Skiers!
Warmly,
Nina Pulatie
Accuplacer - TOMORROW!
Dear Students and Families,
As you may be aware, CDE has implemented graduation requirements for all students. These requirements were implemented beginning in 2021. For the class of 2027, we are finalizing our data points to ensure that students meet the graduation requirements. Please click here for the CDE Graduation Requirements.
We want to reiterate that no student is in jeopardy of not graduating from AHS; we simply need to ensure we have the correct data to share with the state. Additionally, we will offer targeted interventions for those students who may need them during SET.
Some students have a harder time testing than others, so test scores are not the only option to meet the requirements; however, they are the most efficient. If you are receiving this letter, we do not have data that meet the CDE requirements (via ACT, SAT, or Junior Year IB scores), so we need you to take the Accuplacer.
If you have test scores that have not been shared with us, please contact your counselor.
We are asking all students who have not submitted test scores that meet the minimum requirements (via ACT or SAT, or Junior Year IB scores) to take the Accuplacer Test. This is a free test.
We will administer both Accuplacer tests (Reading/Writing and Math) on Thursday, October 22nd, during Period 1 & SET in the Skier Dome.
If you need to retake one or both tests, we will offer targeted interventions and support during SET to help you. You also have the option to visit the Tutoring Center to get additional help for the Accuplacer assessment.
Each test typically takes 30-40 minutes to complete. All tests are untimed.
Practice for ACCUPLACER. Math Specific Practice Using Khan Academy based on your NWEA results.
Please contact your counselor directly with any questions or concerns. We are all here to support you as you head into the final stretch of high school.
Warm regards,
Nina
NEXT WEEK! PSAT NMSQT Test - October 28
Attendance Reminder:
Student attendance matters. We’re noticing an increase in absences during these fall months. Please log in to PowerSchool to view your student’s attendance. Reminder: 7 absences can start to impact student learning and growth in a class. 7 absences is equivalent to missing 20% of a class which is a lot of missed learning time. With block scheduling, 7 days missed is about 2 weeks of class missed.
Skier Spotlight- Student Input Matters!
This week students took a Transcend Leap survey offering their student perspective and input about learning at AHS and our AHS culture. Students’ input will support the change initiatives happening in our Transcend community meetings.
Cross Country Field Trip This Friday!
Hi AHS Cross Country Cheer Squad!
You have an opportunity to go and cheer on our AHS Cross Country team at their Regionals this Friday.
We will accept the first 50 students with a signed permission form. Field trip forms may be picked up in Brett's office or you may print this digital one.
Details:
You'll miss lunch so please bring a bagged lunch or a back up plan.
You'll be activity excused from 10:15 AM
You'll be expected back in class by 12:30 PM.
This opportunity only comes around every 8-12 years! Hope you'll join us to cheer on your Cross Country friends! They've worked hard this season and it'll be great to have a student cheer section at this event.
🏆 WEEKLY AHS ATHLETIC ROUNDUP
It was another thrilling week for Aspen Athletics!
Boys Tennis: Our No. 2 Doubles team finished an impressive fourth in the state, leading a strong showing where 7 of our 9 team members qualified for the State Championships.
Volleyball: The team kept their incredible momentum going over the break, defeating Middle Park and Wellington to improve to 16–2 on the season.
Football: While football lost a heartbreaker at Coal Ridge, we remain in a strong position to secure our first playoff berth since 2018.
Cross Country: Despite running with a limited roster, our runners competed in two races over the break and delivered fantastic performances.
- Softball: The girls are finally getting the recognition they deserve! After spending the last few years near the bottom of the standings, they finished 3rd in the league and 2nd in total runs scored. We also had four players named to the All-Western Slope League Team:
- First Team: Kahler Marsh
- Second Team: Kendyl Young, Hannah Chaffey, Maeve Gleason
- Honorable Mention: Emily Mavrovic
Upcoming Game Schedule & Senior Nights
This week is all about finishing the regular season strong:
Boys Soccer: Regular season wraps up with games on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. We still have a shot at the playoffs, so come out to celebrate Senior Night this Thursday and cheer the team on!
Volleyball: Plays at Basalt on Tuesday, returns home for Senior Night against Moffat County on Thursday, and finishes the week at home against Vail Christian on Saturday.
Football: Closes out the regular season at home against Basalt on Saturday at 7:00 PM. This is also Senior Night for our football players and Dance Team. A win solidifies our spot to host the first round of the playoffs—we want to see full stands!
Cross Country: Hosting the CHSAA Regionals right here in our backyard at the Aspen Golf Course. We have a great shot at a championship run! Girls start at 11:00 AM and boys run at 11:45 AM. Let’s line the course in Aspen gear and support our runners!
Important Reminders for Parents & Athletes
Live Stream & Recording Courtesy: Most of our games are live streamed, and game film is exchanged with other schools per CHSAA regulations. Please be mindful that sideline microphones pick up background audio. We ask all spectators to maintain appropriate language so clear, respectful audio is preserved on all streams and team film.
Weekly Academic & Attendance Eligibility: Eligibility reports are run every Tuesday morning. Students must maintain their grades and attendance to remain eligible. Zero Tolerance Game-Day Rule: Any unexcused tardy or absence on a game day renders an athlete ineligible to play or travel with the team that day. Punctuality is essential. If your athlete has a legitimate doctor’s appointment or unavoidable conflict on a game day, please contact me directly beforehand.
Fall Sports Fees: If you have not yet paid your student's Fall Sports Fee, please log into your account to settle your balance as soon as possible.
Thank you for your ongoing support of our student-athletes. My door is always open, if you ever have questions, concerns, or feedback, please feel free to reach out directly. All conversations are kept private and confidential.
Boys Basketball will be doing open gym on Mondays and Fridays 6:15-8pm. Please contact Coach Cory Parker at cparker@aspenk12.net
Girls Basketball will be doing open gym. Please contact Coach Brian Tauber at btauber@aspenk12.net
If your child has not been cleared to participate through the Athletic Registration or you have any questions about the Athletic Registration process, please contact myself bbeville@aspenk12.net or Bryce Sandoval bsandoval@aspenk12.net
Sincerely,
Brett Beville, AHS Athletics Director
Post Secondary
Colorado Free App Days are coming up on October 20-22. Seniors can submit applications to most Colorado public universities and colleges without an application fee. Any student submitting an application during this time needs to schedule a 20 min meeting with Karen or Mateo on Oct 20-22.
Join the post secondary team on November 12 for the Junior & Parent evening meeting at 5:30. We’ll go over how our office supports juniors, what students should be focusing on this year, the college application process, etc. Join the meeting here.
💗💗AHS Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) 💗💗
Thank you for the families that have donated to our PTO and offered to join our new AHS PTO! We have raised funds to help with staff appreciation and our next goal is to continue raising funds to support student clubs and spirit gear for student swag. Our goal this year is to bring back the SKIER SPIRIT and we would love your help with this work!
Want to help spread glimmers of joy to AHS Teachers and Staff?
⌚⌚⌚To volunteer your time click here. ⌚⌚⌚
💲💲💲To donate click here. 💲💲💲
We are still looking for a enthusiastic parent representative to head up the AHS Parent Teacher Organization for this school year.
Our teachers, administrators, custodians, and support staff work tirelessly for our students. As the Squad Lead, you’ll help organize simple, high-impact acts of appreciation throughout the year, from organizing seasonal snack drops and coffee bars to coordinating small token gifts and festive pick-me-ups.
What’s involved?
Flexible Commitment: Perfect for sharing with a co-lead and volunteers!
Core Goal: Brainstorming and coordinating year-round staff recognition events.
Impact: Direct, visible gratitude for the people who make AHS great every single day.
If you love bringing people together, spreading positivity, and showing our staff some well-deserved love, we would love to have you on board!
Book Club- October 28th
The Disengaged Teen Book Club Meeting will be meeting in the Aspen High School Library on 10/28 @ 5:30PM -7:00PM to engage in conversation around the Disengaged Teen Book
AHS Picture Retake Day- October 29th
If you missed picture day today, retake day is on Thursday, October 29th from 9am-12pm
AHS and Theatre Aspen Present: Carrie! The Musical- Tickets on Sale! Shows November 5th-8th
Carrie White is a teenage outcast who longs to fit in. At school, she’s bullied by the popular crowd, and virtually invisible to everyone else. At home, she’s dominated by her loving but cruelly controlling mother. What none of them know is that Carrie’s just discovered she’s got a special power, and if pushed too far, she’s not afraid to use it.
Click here for more information and to buy your tickets!
Attention Freshmen and Sophomores! Colorado Youth Climate Program
Empower Colorado youth for climate action! The Colorado Youth Climate Program (CYCP), led by Wild Rose Education and ACES, sparks climate leadership in high schoolers, especially from rural areas. During the annual CO Youth Climate Summit, develop climate action plans, connect with experts, and explore green careers. Fulfill Seal of Climate Literacy requirements.
Our 2027 Flight Training Scholarship Application is now open!
Hello Aspen Flight Academy Community,
We're thrilled to announce that the application for our 2027 Flight Training Scholarship is now open! Local high school students who will be 16 years old by June 30th, 2027 are eligible and encouraged to apply. If this is you, we're looking forward to hearing from you! Please help us spread the word to any potentially interested applicants.
Fall is mountain flying season in Colorado. With the aspen leaves glowing gold and cooler temps, it's a beautiful time of year to fly. Although we're founded on flying with kids, we work with students and pilots of all ages. Whether you're an aspiring pilot or a seasoned aviator, we have an experience for you. We can tailor mountain flying courses to you, work with you add a cert or rating, or simply help knock the rust off. Our adult students are really important to us and help keep our schedule full and airplanes flying during the school year.
This past fundraising gala was a huge success! We can't thank you all enough for the continued support and belief in our mission. We're excited for the year ahead. Come fly with us!
Warm Regards,
Aspen Flight Academy
2027 Scholarship Application: With your support, over the past two years we've given away over $600,000 to more that 30 local high school students to help them earn their private pilot's license!
If you're a student, earn your wings by applying today. Scholarship recipients will begin flying late winter/spring of 2027. Application deadline is 12/31/2026 at midnight.
Apply for a Flight Scholarship Here!
Mountain Flying in the Colorado Rockies: Join us for some unique mountain flying training or a discovery flight in the heart of the Colorado Rockies. We're surrounded by 14,000 ft peaks so the views will not disappoint. No matter what your flying background is, brand new or 20,000 hr pilot, we have something for you.
Book a Discovery Flight Today!
Fundraising Gala: What a night to remember! Thank you again to everyone who made the evening a success! Our annual fundraising gala was hosted by Atlantic Aviation at their Aspen Airport hangar on October 2nd. We had a great turnout, a special flyby surprise during cocktail hour, delicious dinner, a live auction, and plenty of dancing to close the night out! If you missed the party but would still like to contribute to the 2027 scholarship fund, click the button below. A 501(c)(3) tax-deductible donation receipt will be provided.
Nutrition News & Updates
Nutrition News & Updates
We have received valuable feedback from both students and parents regarding the length of our daily lunch line and the wait times during meal service. We want every student to have plenty of time to enjoy their meal, so we are addressing a few key areas to help improve the flow and speed of the line. Please click here for more.
Stay Connected with ASD!
To receive important Aspen School District text messages through BrightArrow, text YES to 79041.
This is especially helpful for anyone who may not currently be receiving district text messages or who previously opted out.
Thank you for helping us get the word out and keep our families connected!
Personal Device Policy- we are a Cell Phone and Personal Device Free School!
Reminder, cellphones and personal devices are NOT allowed to be visible on campus until after the last class ends at 3:20; this means that as soon as a student enters the building, earbuds & phones must be put away.
NEW this year: Parent or Guardians MUST be the person to pick up a device that is taken during the school day. Students will no longer be allowed to negotiate about who can pick up their device. Parents & Guardians will receive an email notification if a device has been taken.
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 should stay on campus until they are dismissed for the day. Please have this conversation at home as we are noticing several Sophomores (Class of 2029) taking advantage of this opportunity.
Nina Pulatie
Principal, Aspen High School
School Phone #: (970) 300-1786
Email: npulatie@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