ASD Superintendent Tharyn Mulberry is excited to introduce a new ongoing feedback form click here. 

This is a platform for you to share your thoughts, ideas, and concerns. The form is anonymous unless you choose to attach your name, and submissions will be reviewed weekly.

Each quarter, we will issue reports that outline how we addressed the suggestions or concerns raised. Your continued participation is invaluable in shaping the future of our district.

A three-pack goes for $15 and a single pair is priced at $5. The club will sell socks Oct. 14-18 at lunchtime in the AMS Cafeteria.

It’s that time of the year to ditch the sandals and flip-flops and jump into a pair of cozy socks.

Aspen Middle School students can help you out. It’s Socktober!

The 8th Grade Leaders Club is hosting its annual “Socktober” – a fundraiser for the Shining Stars Foundation.

“Shining Stars supports kids with cancer,” explained Hayden Bailey, 8th Grade Leaders Club student leader.

The club will be selling, wait for it . . . SOCKS!

They will set up a table at AMS with all colors and styles of socks. This year, they are working on a little more public relations to raise the interest, they said.

“Last year, we just said, Ok – It’s Socktober. This year we were more involved,” said Elijah Knight, 8th Grade Leaders Club student leader. “We had a great presentation (at the AMS school pep rally) and we threw socks out to the kids. It makes getting involved exciting.”

Children diagnosed with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses will participate in a variety of activities, including the Aspen Winter Games Program where they hit the slopes in Aspen and are given everything they need to ski or ride, including lift tickets, gear, lodging, meals, transportation, and one-on-one adaptive lessons. 

More than 200 participants -  including children, their medical team, instructors, and volunteers - participated last year in the adaptive snowboard and ski recreation program hosted by the Shining Stars Foundation.

“It shows them they are not alone with cancer,” Hayden said. So, buy a pair, or three, of socks, Elijah said. “Socktober does not Sock.”

** For more about the Shining Stars Foundation** click here.****

National experts and local therapists will present strategies for discussing substance with children of all ages 

Details: 5:30 - 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 10 at Aspen Middle School

ALL are welcome.

Click here for more details.

National substance prevention experts and local therapists will discuss strategies for preventing substance use and misuse for parents and guardians of children of all ages at a workshop hosted by Aspen Family Connections.

The event, titled “Building Family Resilience: Substance Use and Misuse Prevention Strategies for Families with Children of All Ages,” will feature experts from the Soundcheck Prevention Network—an organization inspired by students of all ages who express a genuine desire to be healthy, support their peers and learn unbiased facts about alcohol and other drugs. Local therapist and addiction specialist Coulter Burch will also join the discussion.

“We invite all families in the community to join us for an open and compassionate conversation about substance use, substance misuse, and how we can set our children up for success in a complex and pressured world,” said Katherine Sand, Director of Aspen Family Connections, a family resource center on the Aspen School District campus. 

Issues that will be discussed:

• Parenting strategies for our youngest children to prevent early initiation and later substance use - because it’s never too soon to think about these issues

• Understanding how family history, environment and modeling can impact children’s attitudes to substance use

• How to talk to children about substance in an age-appropriate way

• Setting kids up for connection, engagement, success and healthy choices

• Preparing ourselves with confidence for our children’s futures 

• Understanding the connection between substance use and mental health

• What are our local resources?

School Bus Safety is Everyone’s Responsibility

Every fall, you see us back on the roads: big yellow school buses filled with students, a sign that school is in session and that slow-moving student transport is back on the roadways.

After a few months without school bus traffic, it’s easy for motorists to forget bus-related laws, so here’s your annual reminder.In the United States, around half of our children rely on school buses for transportation.

These buses are among the safest vehicles on the road, but there’s a critical time when students are particularly vulnerable—loading and unloading. Strict traffic laws exist around bus stops for precisely this reason. School buses are allowed to control traffic with alternating flashing red lights and a stop arm to protect students during these moments.

Bus drivers aren’t just responsible for transporting children from point A to point B; they also ensure that young students are met by approved guardians, verify pickup lists, manage student behavior, and direct safe crossings. This process takes time, and we understand that waiting can be frustrating. Our routes overlap with peak times for commuting to work and returning home, adding to the pressures of a busy day. But whether these children are yours or your neighbors', they are the future, and ensuring their safety is a collective responsibility.

The law is clear: all motorists—including bicyclists—must stop for a school bus with flashing red lights and an extended stop arm. In Colorado, vehicles are required to stop at least 20 feet away and remain stopped until the lights are turned off. Unfortunately, passing a stopped school bus illegally is not uncommon, either nationally or in our community. Across the U.S., there are around 100,000 illegal school bus passings every day, leading to roughly 2.4 student fatalities annually. In our community alone, we see 5-10 illegal passings each week, with bicyclists increasingly among the most frequent offenders, often passing on the door side while children are disembarking.
We know that waiting for buses can feel like an inconvenience. But no one wants to live with the tragedy of injuring a child because they didn’t take an extra minute to wait. Please help us keep our community's children safe by always stopping for a stopped school bus. Even one incident is too many, and with dual-facing cameras on every bus, violations are actively being reported.
Let’s work together to ensure the safety of all our students—whether we know them personally or not.

Read Porter's NFL Picks, Week 4

It was Jan. 14, 2018, when Porter Hopson fell in love with professional football.

He was 7.

“It was the Minnesota Miracle,” he said when asked what was the moment that made him a huge NFL fan. “I remember watching that game at home.”

It was the play-offs. The Saints were winning by one point. There were 25-seconds left in the game.

“Vikings’ Stefon Diggs scored,” he said.

Porter shakes his head and smiles. That was it. He was hooked.

This week, the Aspen Middle Schooler, who is now 14-years-old, will send his weekly “NFL Picks” report, along with a brief rationale for his picks, to the AMS teaching staff. 

“I look at the strengths of the team to see what the quarterback is doing and see if they are good enough. Quarterback is key,” he said.

He has become the (unofficial) AMS sports analyst and aficionado of sorts. 

There is no betting or no brackets to fill out. It’s just a great conversation starter. And Porter can talk about football with anyone, says AMS Principal Amy Kendziorski.

She recalls one of the first serious conversations she had with Porter was about her beloved Packers. Now, she asks him questions about different teams and quarterbacks and wants to get his opinion.

Porter’s NFL Picks report started last school year with a few teachers on his mailing list, she said. Now, it’s a weekly anticipated must-read among the whole teaching staff.

“Porter is a kiddo who has grown up a ton since coming to Aspen Middle School,” she said. “That is the most fun celebration, is Porter taking on projects like this that are pretty special and schoolwide.”

Porter, who is from St. Louis, is a huge Kansas City Chiefs fan - he even dressed up one year as Chiefs Quarterback Patrick Mahomes for the AMS Halloween Fun Run. And, he’s been to a Chief’s game, where he got to watch from the box suites.

“My dad pulled off some magic,” he said, recalling the famous athletes who were among those in the nearby suites. He even planted a kiss on the cheek of the Mom of the Chief’s Defensive Tackle.

Porter works with Occupational Therapist Walker Mills at school. She is part of the Exceptional Student Services Team of special service providers, including school psychologists, physical therapists, speech therapists, counselors, paraprofessionals and behavior interventionists, who work closely with teachers and district administrators to support students and promote student self-esteem, self-efficacy, and sense of well-being by increasing performance, participation, and independence in meaningful student activities. 

Each week, she looks forward to her meeting with Porter, where no doubt they talk football.

“Porter knows more about football than anyone I have ever met,” Mills said.  “His expertise, passion, and willingness to share his knowledge of the NFL with friends in the Aspen School District make my heart smile. He is a joy to work with, and I am very proud of him.”

He’s not shy. He knows everyone. And he is kind hearted, fun and charismatic. Teachers write back to Porter and tell him what they think about his picks and conversations are born.

“It’s just fantastic,” Mills said. “Porter’s Picks  is a highly motivating and meaningful activity that enables Porter to engage with friends and Aspen School District staff while working on  several academic skills such as typing and editing, composing formal emails, as well as content writing- using persuasive and expressive language.”

And for those keeping score, in Week One of this NFL season, Porter was 12 and 4 in his picks.

Football is his favorite, but he likes other sports too. Last March, he did a podcast with a teacher during March Madness. And at the end of last school year, he did play-by-play announcing at the annual AMS Teachers vs Students Basketball Game. He models his delivery after Joe Buck of ESPN, his favorite sports commentator. And, he plays a game called Madden NFL, a football series sports video game with detailed playbooks and player statistics, that helps him hone his game winning predictions, he said.

Porter has not ruled out being a sports announcer in the future. “Maybe,” he said.

But for now, he leaves us with this for Week Four of the NFL season: “Give me the Lions,” he said, over the Seattle Seahawks. 

His thinking: They are playing at Ford Field. The Lions have not beaten the Seattle Seahawks since 2012. 

“This is the year they will win,” he said.

Aspen High School Principal Sarah Strassburger announced today that five AHS students have been named “Commended Students” in the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program (NMSC).

AHS students Henry Hurd, Sharif Khan, Camron Lapointe, Morgan Phillips and Audrey Woodrow have earned the commendation from NMSC. 

“These students represent not only academic excellence, but also the IB Learner Profile traits of  kindness, integrity, inquiry, risk taking, and so much more,” Strassburger said. “Each of these students excels out of the classroom as well; these are student athletes, innovative thinkers, and service oriented students who exemplify the very best of our learning community.  We are so proud of these students and cannot wait to see all that they accomplish to make our world a better place.” 

About 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Although they will not continue in the 2025 competition for National Merit Scholarship awards, Commended Students placed among the top 50,000 students who entered the 2025 competition by taking the 2023 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT).

"We are so proud of these students for their demonstrated academic success," said ASD Superintendent Tharyn Mulberry. "They embody all of the qualities we strive to cultivate in our learners. These students are risk-takers, caring individuals, and knowledgeable, critical thinkers who approach challenges with confidence and curiosity. They exemplify the spirit of lifelong learning and represent the core values of our district. Their success is a testament to the dedication of our educators and the supportive environment we’ve worked hard to create in Aspen."

ASD loves and thanks its volunteers.

Now, ASD is thrilled to introduce its new volunteer management system, enhancing campus safety for students and staff and making it easier for you.

Additionally, it will make it easier for family members to volunteer at their child's school and streamline the background check process required for volunteering in our schools. This will save family members time and make it more accessible and equitable for them to participate in and support their child's education and school.

Thank you for volunteering with the Aspen School District. Volunteers are crucial in helping us provide better services to our students and are valuable members of the Aspen community. Ensuring the safety of all students is our top priority. Part of maintaining student safety is always being aware of everyone in our buildings.

Volunteer Opportunities:

• Classroom 
• Athletics
• Outdoor Education & EX Ed
• Lunch & Recess
• Office Support

ASD embarks on a new Outdoor Education adventure with endorsement from the Association of Experiential Education.

Click here to listen to ODE Coordinator Katherine Gleason talk about ASD's ODE tradition.

When the Aspen Middle School 8th-graders packed their camping gear last week for their week-long outdoor education trips, they became part of a cherished Aspen School District tradition.

It was AMS 8th-graders who launched the ASD Outdoor Education program with a hike to Marble Colorado in1967.

This year’s group of 8th-graders head out making their own history: first group of ASD middle schoolers to be under the accreditation umbrella of the Association of Experiential Education (AEE).

AEE is a nonprofit professional membership association dedicated to experiential education and the students, educators, and practitioners who utilize its philosophy. They believe in the process of learning by doing.

So does Aspen School District.

Earning the accreditation means the district will continue to build its cherished experiential and outdoor educational programs. The mission of the School District's ex ed has been embedded and woven throughout the programming. There is a strong belief in ASD that education can and must expand beyond classroom walls.
ASD’s team set out last year to become accredited. They had to prove the program met 150 minimum standards and show that its program is well-managed and fosters a deep relationship between students and their surroundings while introducing them to various outdoor skills and activities.
They did it. 
“There is no way we could have achieved this accreditation without the hard work and dedication of all ASD staff, students, alumni and community volunteers,” said Katherine Gleason, ASD Outdoor Education Coordinator.  
Since that first 8th-grade trip, ASD has expanded and developed its program for all students, PreK to Grade 12.  

“Each group of students from pre-schools to high school seniors has at least one overnight in our beautiful surroundings,” Gleason said.

At Aspen Elementary School, teachers use local surroundings to foster a deeper relationship between students and their homes while introducing them to various outdoor skills and activities.

At AMS, students are exposed to various outdoor experiences in their four years at AMS.  And Aspen High School students begin their school year with a wide range of experiential education activities and courses they select using an auction process.

Across all divisions, activities and courses have been developed, refined, and taught by passionate, committed educators over many years. Programming is sequenced and progressive to achieve educational objectives and maximize student learning. Aspen High School students start the school year with their week-long outdoor education. 

“Most public schools have maybe one or two outdoor experiences or maybe a partnership with someone like ACES (Aspen Center for Environmental Studies)," Gleason said. "Our program is unique. We do this with every single student in our public school system. We make accommodations as necessary, as we do with all students, so they can have their best opportunity for success.”

Here is what the AEE reviewers said: The demonstrated depth of experience and longevity of teaching staff allow for deep institutional knowledge and culture. 

• ASD has a strong sense of community, a unified purpose and strong communication among staff and students.
• ASD has an Outdoor Coordinator, Katherine Gleason, who is passionate about and committed to the ASD outdoor and experiential programs. She understands the complexities, management and coordination of a multifaceted program, which will continue to inform the next development steps.
• By adopting the international Baccalaureate, PYP, MYP, and DP curriculums, Aspen School District has a solid foundation to incorporate Outdoor and Experiential learning into many facets of learning at the school. 

Gleason said former ASD students always comment to her that outdoor ed was among the best school experiences they had, typically followed by a story of their great adventure. 

“It's a really special opportunity for teachers to have lasting connections with their students,” Gleason said. “The stories you hear from alumni about their outdoor experiential education events in their lives when they went through the program are memorable, meaningful and inspiring – that is something every Aspen graduate I've ever met has talked about – is their experience in this program.”