Happy Fall, Aspen Families!

As the beautiful fall weather rolls in, our students are fully engaged in sports, and I’m thrilled to witness the exceptional learning taking place across all grades. A standout moment came from AES third-graders, who partnered with first year high school zoology teacher Brett Gordon, an alumni teacher, to dissect a squid—what a fantastic way to conclude their unit on the sea!

At AMS, students are embracing leadership roles in over a dozen clubs and leaving a positive mark on their school and the wider campus. Don’t forget to support their efforts by participating in the Socktober fundraiser this week!

At the high school level, our students are shining both academically and in their community contributions. I couldn’t be more proud of the amazing individuals they are becoming.

Thought Exchange: Your Voice Matters

I am incredibly grateful for the insightful feedback we received regarding the opening of the 2024-2025 school year. Nearly 350 teachers, parents, and students responded to last month’s survey, which simply asked, “How did we do?” Your input is critical in helping the ASD leadership team focus on what matters most to you.

We’re already working on a few action items based on this feedback, so stay tuned for updates!

To keep the conversation going, I’m 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.

Key Suggestions for the 2025-2026 School Year from our opening Thought Exchange

Many of you shared thoughtful suggestions for the next school year, and we are taking these to heart as we plan for 2025-2026. Here are some of the key areas you highlighted:

Drop-Offs, Parking, and Traffic: Improving traffic flow and parking during drop-off times was a major theme. We will be working with city officials to find solutions and better plans for next year.

Later School Start Time: Many parents and students called for starting school later to allow for more rest and better student well-being.

Back-to-School Events: There was a strong desire for back-to-school events to be held before school starts, which would allow students and families to get oriented earlier.*

Additional Bus Routes: Many of you voiced a need for more bus routes to reduce crowding and improve transportation efficiency.

School Calendar Alignment: Some respondents highlighted the need to better align the school calendar with community events and preferences.

Campus Security: Ensuring secure campuses was an ongoing concern that we will continue to prioritize.

Fall Break and Start Dates: Finally, there were calls to reconsider the fall break and to start school after Labor Day to better align with family plans.

We’re listening closely and working on addressing these suggestions. Thank you for helping us grow and improve each year! Let’s continue to collaborate as we create the best possible educational environment for our students.

Bus Safety, Fleet Updates, and Traffic Solutions

One of our top priorities continues to be school bus safety. We have launched our School Bus Safety campaign, reminding all drivers to stop when buses display flashing stop signs. If you notice any unsafe driving near school bus stops, please inform us immediately so we can address it.

In addition to safety efforts, the Board of Education has approved the purchase of three new school buses, which will help relieve some of the strain caused by our single start time. While one older bus will be retired, the new additions will ensure that we can better serve our students. I truly appreciate the grace and patience you've shown during the busy drop-off and pick-up times, and rest assured, we are working to improve the process for everyone's safety and convenience.

Traffic around our schools has been a challenge, and I’m pleased to announce that we’ve met with city officials to collaborate on better solutions. In the meantime, we encourage everyone to carpool, take advantage of the school buses, or ride bikes while the weather allows.

Additionally, with the help of our School Resource Officers (SROs), we are actively monitoring crosswalks and working to streamline the student drop-off process. If possible, we ask parents to consider dropping off students at the high school instead of AMS, as the middle school area tends to get especially congested.

Thank you for your ongoing cooperation as we work together to make student transportation safer and more efficient for all.

IB for All: Enriching Our Classrooms

The IB for All initiative is in full swing, with teachers attending dynamic conferences and workshops focused on inquiry, action, and reflection. Watching our teachers grow in this program and, in turn, guide our students to develop essential approaches to learning has been inspiring. This programming will play a key role in our students’ long-term success, and I look forward to seeing how it evolves further.

Homecoming Week: A Time for Celebration

Homecoming Week is just around the corner, and we have a fantastic lineup of events! From exciting sports matchups to spirited campus activities, we hope to see you come out and support our athletes. Homecoming is always a special time for students and alumni alike to create lasting memories. Please see the AHS website page for a full list of events.