Aspen High School

Para la versión en español, haga clic en este correo electrónico. Haga clic en la palabra "Traducir" (arriba a la derecha) y seleccione Español o el lenguaje de su preferencia en el menú.

Dear students and families,

We are nearly at the much deserved Winter Break! Our students have worked incredibly hard, and this change in our calendar is a well-earned opportunity for them to rest, recharge, and enjoy time away from school. Our teachers are diligently completing grading, and grades will be finalized with report cards sent home during the week following the break. Student S2 schedules are nearly complete and will be fully finalized by Friday, December 19th.

As we enter this season of reflection and gratitude, I want to extend my heartfelt appreciation to our entire school community. As Ralph Waldo Emerson wisely wrote, “Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously.” Wishing all of you a joyful Hanukkah, a Merry Christmas, and warmest wishes for a happy, healthy, and peaceful New Year.

I look forward to seeing everyone in 2026!

This week’s IB spotlight is on Zoe Juarez-Martinez! She has been incredibly focused and organized in her preparation for the IB DP Psychology practice Paper 1. She understands the material on a complex level and has been a huge help to her peers as they prepare for their final exam. Yay Zoe!

Thank you to our SAC moms for providing Fuel for Finals today!

Also a round of applause for student Azariah Gonzalez for showing empathy to another student. Secondary Counselor, Karen Hawkes, witnessed Azariah helping an injured student up the Mezzanine stairs to the Secondary Counseling offices. Go Azariah!

Snow Tech: Students made custom skis! WOW!

Winter Break is upon us and this means a time for celebration and relaxation with family and friends, but it also means we do not have many events happening. Basketball won their last tourney with a buzzer beater for 3 over Lamar! The Dance Team made the podium at States and the Girls’ Basketball team keeps getting better. The Ski Teams kick off their races after the Break and the Hockey Team is looking strong and physical. The Girls’ Basketball and Swimming Team are the only kids playing this week and Boys’ Basketball has another Tourney at the first of the new year. I have also included the Weekly Schedule for the week before we get back from Break.

If you have any questions, please contact AD Brett Beville or Assistant AD Bryce Sandoval. bbeville@aspenk12.net and bsandoval@aspenk12.net

Thanks to the generosity of the Normandy & WWII Education Fund at Aspen Community Foundation (ACF), there is another opportunity in 2026 for high school students to apply for a scholarship to receive tuition assistance to attend the Normandy Academy summer tour with the National WWII Museum. Aspen Community Foundation’s vendor for this scholarship program is the National WWII Museum. Learn more on the museum’s website: Normandy Academy 2026 | The National WWII Museum | New Orleans

If accepted for this scholarship program:

• This scholarship covers 80% of the total cost of the trip. This scholarship fund will award $4,695.00 in tuition assistance for the student to attend the National WWII Museum’s “Normandy Academy” summer tour.
• $1,200.00 is the cost to the student. This partial tuition is required to be paid to Aspen Community Foundation by all students accepted to the Normandy Academy.
• Full tuition cost is $5,895.00, which includes your airfare, lodging, meals, and museum admission during the full tour. All flights are planned in/out of Denver Intl Airport.
• ACF handles all museum payment processes on behalf of our scholarship students.

Normandy Academy 2026 tour dates:

• June 24th – July 5, 2026, or,
• June 30th – July 12, 2026

How to apply – Deadline for submissions is January 23, 2026 at 5:00 PM Central Time

• Go to application website: The National WWII Museum Submission Manager
• Select “Normandy Academy 2026 Application - High School.” Sign up and register an account with the National WWII Museum website
• Complete all application requirements, select preferred tour dates, answer all required questions.
• You are required to have a letter of recommendation submitted on your behalf.
• This year, students need to apply first through the National WW2 Museum’s website. We are in coordination with the National World War 2 Museum to review the applications.

Tell ACF that you’re interested – All interested students/parents should email scholarships@aspencommunityfoundation.org or call the ACF Grants Manager on 970-925-9300 (extension 214) to let us know you have applied or plan to apply through the museum’s website. Send anyone with questions our way!

Eligibility Guidelines:

• To be eligible, students must be 16 years of age by June 24, 2026. ACF requires that you are currently sophomores or juniors in high school.
• Eligible high schools to receive this scholarship: Aspen, Basalt, Roaring Fork, Bridges, Yampah Mountain, Glenwood Springs, Coal Ridge, Rifle and Grand Valley.
• Accepted students will be required to pay $1,200 to ACF to cover their portion of the overall tuition cost of $5,895. The student’s payment will be due to ACF in March after confirmation of the scholarship award. Installment plans can be setup.
• Students are expected to fulfill post-trip responsibilities in fall 2026 after they return.

What we ask of you to help raise awareness at AHS:

• Print and share the attached flier for the 2026 Normandy scholarship opportunity
• Promote this scholarship opportunity in your history/social studies classrooms and where info is public shared.
• Consider writing a letter of recommendation for student(s) who are most aligned with this opportunity and trusted to travel internationally with the museum cohort. The application requires at least one teacher recommendation.
• Continue to do what you do best as an educator! Thanks for everything you do for our community!

A professor from University of North Florida (with ties to Aspen) has reached out to us as she is interested in interviewing Juniors and Seniors at Aspen High School for her research project. The goal of her research is to explore what it is like for high school students to "come of age" in Aspen: that is, how they transition to adulthood with a context that has very particular social class and status dynamics (both within peer groups, but also the town's labor and housing markets).

Interested students should reach out to Karen Hawkes at khawkes@aspenk12.net. Students who participate will need to get parental consent.

Article from Aspen Times, profiling her research: https://www.aspentimes.com/news/aspens-impossible-math/

The Shining Stars Club is hosting a toy drive from December 1st- December 19th to help the Shining Stars Foundation bring holiday joy and magic to kids and families facing pediatric cancer.

To support the toy drive, please bring in new, unwrapped toys to the drop-off box by the front office. The club would like to thank you for your support and wishes you a wonderful holiday season!

Senior Application Window- CLOSED

Junior Application Window

Opened: Monday, December 15

Deadline: Friday, December 19 at midnight

Junior applications will only be accepted during this secondary registration window. The same expectations apply: paperwork must be complete, signed, and submitted together with a copy of the student’s license or school photo ID

Click here to purchase your yearbook!

Personal Ads and Business Ads on Sale!

• Yearbook Recognition Ads Are Now for Sale! Click here for instructions.

• Yearbook Business Ads Are Now for Sale! Click here for instructions.

Aspen High School Driver’s Ed. Program will offer an in-person driver's ed “immersion” permit class starting December 20-23 that will cover the 30 hour requirement for students to get their driving permit. This class will provide the opportunity for students to complete the course approved by the Colorado DMV and take the test at the end that qualifies for the Colorado driving permit. Students must be a minimum of 14 yrs and 6 months at the start of the course (they DO NOT need to be 15 years old by the end of it…) and be in attendance for all 30 hours in order to pass the class on time.

Classes will be taught in a room at Aspen Middle School.

The cost of the course is $260 and snacks will be provided for each session. To register, please click on this link and for more information, please contact Georgina Levey (glevey@aspenk12.net)

Still looking for an affordable, family-friendly way to celebrate New Year’s Eve? The Wheeler’s got you covered! Join us for The Magic of Jen Kramer—a dazzling show packed with mind-blowing illusions and fun for all ages. Two showtimes on December 31 at 5 PM and 9 PM. Make this New Year’s Eve unforgettable without breaking the bank!
Link: https://wheeleroperahouse.com/series/jen-kramers-magical-new-year/

For Seniors: Please note that our office is closed for Winter break from Dec 20 until January 5. If you have an early January deadline, we highly encourage you to submit your application before winter break.

As you hear back from colleges, please make sure to update SCOIR with your outcome (Accept, Deferred, Denied). This is important info for our records, and also so we know what type of further support you may need. Also – If you receive an admit from your ED school, please make sure to withdraw your other applications – and congratulations! If you do not receive the decision you had hoped for, don’t fret. Make an appointment with your counselor for after the break. We are here to support you!

Everyone: We wish all students and parents a restful and joyous winter holiday break!

December issue of Nutrition News.

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