The Weekly Line

Monday, November 17, 2025

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

I first heard of Clint Pulver, the undercover millennial, about 6-7 years ago after watching the inspirational video Be a Mr. Jensen.

Pulver is now a speaker, entrepreneur, and generational workforce expert whose new book, I Love It Here, reveals why some employees have lasting loyalty to their organizations and some run for the exit door. My goal is to make AMS a destination school for staff, students and parents, and in the process make ASD a destination school district. A place that people run to and never want to leave, because of what we do, how we do it, and most importantly, why we do it. Like Pulver, I believe a single moment in time can change a person’s life. It’s about empowering people to dream, excel, connect, believe in themselves and in the power of others. As a young teacher and coach I went to the Nike Football Coaches Clinic in Denver. Hall of Fame Grambling State University Head Coach Eddie Robinson, was the keynote speaker. The Gilman blocking sled company was there promoting their products and handing out posters with Coach Robinson leaning against a Gilman sled. After his keynote, I went up to Coach Robinson and asked him what one piece of advice he would give a 25 year old teacher and coach. He looked me square in the eye and wrote, “You must believe in yourself” on the poster, and shook my hand. That poster hangs in my office.

At age 10, Pulver’s life was forever impacted because a teacher named Mr. Jensen saw Pulver’s “problem” as a solution. The single moment in time when Pulver learned first hand that if educators are truly connected with their students, test scores improve, students thrive, lives are changed, and average schools turn into award-winning schools. Pulver says, “It’s not about being the best in the world… it’s about being the best FOR the world.” I’m down with that. How about you? Let’s go ALL IN and be the best FOR our AMS F-A-M-I-L-Y (Forget About Me I Love You)!

Shine on,

Dr. Tom

Tom Dodd, PhD

#AMSAllIn #AMS F-A-M-I-L-Y #The AMS Difference

ANNOUNCEMENTS 11-17-25

AMS Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO), Tuesday, 11/18, 8:15am - 9:30am, AMS Conf. Rm.

Our next PTO meeting is Tuesday, 11/18, 8:15am- 9:30am in the AMS Conference Rm. The agenda will be a review of PTO’s proposed 2025-26 budget, additional student and staffulty culture building activities in the spring, etc.

Standing Announcement Per the PTO’s Request

This AMS Staffulty's Favorite Things document helps parents know teachers' birthdays, and what gifts or kind gestures staffulty might appreciate over the holidays, during teacher appreciation week, etc. Just an FYI.

AMS School Accountability Committee (SAC) #2, Thursday, 12/11, 4:00pm - 5pm, AMS Conf. Rm.

We had a great SAC meeting #1 on Thursday, 10/16: AMS SAC Mtg. Agendas 2025-26. The next AMS SAC quarterly meeting to discuss school performance will be December 11th. Dr. Tom will email a calendar invite to the parents/guardians who let him know of their interest in serving on the AMS SAC.

Lost & Found is full of lost sweatshirts, jackets, lunch boxes, water bottles and more. We have moved it up in the front vestibule as you walk in the main AMS doors. If your child is missing an item please have them check Lost & Found.

Dear 7th grade Parents & Students,

Informational meeting for Aspen Sister Cities student exchanges. Exchanges will take place when students are in 8th grade to Abetone, Italy; Shimukappu, Japan; and Bariloche, Argentina (we host the Bariloche group in April of 7th grade).

Please join virtually:

Wednesday, November 19th from 7:30pm – 8:30pm

OR

Thursday, December 4th from 7:30pm – 8:30pm

Google Meet link: https://meet.google.com/zwp-vhyu-rzw

Applications will be due on Wednesday, January 7th. You can find more information on the AMS Sister Cities page and the Aspen Sister Cities website as well. You are encouraged to attend before applying, but it is not mandatory.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

el miércoles 19 de noviembre de las 7:30pm - 8:30 pm

O

el jueves 4 de diciembre de las 7:30pm - 8:30 pm

Enlace de Google Meet: https://meet.google.com/zwp-vhyu-rzw o para información en español, conéctese con Sarah Graber, sgraber@aspenk12.net o 970-315-3491.

Se debe entregar la solicitud de participación el miércoles 7 de enero de 2026. Puede encontrar más información en la página de AMS Sister Cities y también en el sitio web de Aspen Sister Cities. Se le recomienda asistir antes de presentar la solicitud, pero no es obligatorio.

Sarah Graber

Aspen Middle School CLD/ELL & Spanish

Aspen Sister Cities - Student Exchange Coordinator

sgraber@aspenk12.net

970-925-3760 ext. 2208

970-315-3491 - text or call

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!

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

• Tuesday, November 18th ~ 7th / 8th Grade Boys Basketball Games 4:30pm vs Glenwood Springs - 7th Grade AMS Gym / 8th Grade at Glenwood

• Wednesday, November 19th ~ Informational meeting for Aspen Sister Cities Student Exchange - 7th grade parents & students ONLY 7:30pm - 8:30pm Goggle Meet Link: https://meet.google.com/zwp-vhyu-rzw

• Thursday, November 20th ~ 7th / 8th Grade Boys Basketball Games 4:30pm vs Riverview - 7th & 8th Grades both at AMS Gym - No Black Teams Games

• November 24th - 28th ~ THANKSGIVING BREAK / NO SCHOOL FOR STAFF & STUDENTS

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.

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

Start gathering your old shoes. Soles4Souls will be returning to AMS December 1st - 15th

Soles4Souls turns unwanted gently used shoes into opportunity by keeping them from going to waste and putting them to good use. It is hard to believe, but millons of children around the world go barefoot because they can't afford shoes. Make a difference, collect your slightly used shoes and bring them to the AMS drop off starting December 1st.

By donating you helping the planet and changing someone's life!