ASPEN SCHOOL DISTRICT

TO HONOR THE SCHOOL LUNCH HEROES SERVING HEALTHY MEALS CELEBRATING SCHOOL LUNCH HERO DAY ON MAY 2, 2025

BETWEEN PREPARING HEALTHY FOOD, ADHERING TO STRICT NUTRITION STANDARDS, NAVIGATING STUDENT FOOD ALLERGIES, AND OFFERING SERVICE WITH A SMILE, ASPEN SCHOOL DISTRICT NUTRITION PROFESSIONALS HAVE A LOT ON THEIR PLATES. TO CELEBRATE THEIR HARD WORK AND COMMITMENT, ASPEN SCHOOLS WILL CELEBRATE SCHOOL LUNCH HERO DAY ON FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2025. SCHOOL LUNCH HERO DAY PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PARENTS, STUDENTS, SCHOOL STAFF, AND COMMUNITIES TO THANK THOSE WHO PROVIDE HEALTHY MEALS TO OUR STUDENTS, STAFF, AND GUESTS AT SCHOOL.

“SCHOOL NUTRITION EMPLOYEES MUST BALANCE MANY ROLES AND FOLLOW NUMEROUS REGULATIONS TO ENSURE SAFE AND HEALTHY MEALS ARE AVAILABLE IN SCHOOLS. SCHOOL LUNCH HERO DAY PROVIDES THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE COMMUNITY TO THANK THESE HARD WORKING HEROES,” SAID TENILLE FOLK SCHOOL NUTRITION DIRECTOR. THE IMPORTANCE AND NUTRITIONAL VALUE OF SCHOOL MEALS ARE WELL DOCUMENTED. FOR MANY CHILDREN, SCHOOL LUNCH IS THE MOST IMPORTANT AND NUTRIENT-RICH MEAL OF THEIR DAY. ASPEN SCHOOL DISTRICT FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM SERVES HUNDREDS OF MEALS A DAY TO STUDENTS, STAFF, AND GUESTS. GET THE DETAILS ABOUT

SCHOOL LUNCH HERO DAY AT WWW.SCHOOLLUNCHHERODAY.COM.

We’re so proud of our Aspen Middle School robotics team, Lightning Strikes Twice!, for representing our community at the 2025 FIRST LEGO League World Championship in Houston! Out of 30,000+ teams worldwide, they made it to the top 160 and wowed the judges with their innovative project—a robotic turtle named SHELTN, designed to help marine biologists study coral reefs.

From building waterproof robots to collaborating with teams from around the world, these students showed that teamwork, creativity, and STEM can truly change the world. Congratulations, Sam, Hailey, Ember, Lorelei, Tamir, and Nicco!

A Special Screening of the Award Winning Film "COUNTED OUT"

4/29/2025 at 5:30 pm Aspen District Theater

FREE RSVP here.

With over 15 years of experience in education, Nina brings a passion for student growth, instructional leadership, and staff development.

Nina’s journey in education began as a second-grade teacher in Garfield County, Colorado before she expanded her expertise in Kansas City, Missouri. She has served as a Teacher Leader, Staff Development Coach, and Instructional Leader, guiding educators and students toward success. Her leadership played a pivotal role in helping Lakeview Middle School earn and maintain National Demonstration School status.

Holding multiple degrees in English, Special Education, and Educational Leadership, Nina is committed to fostering a culture of continuous improvement at Aspen High. She believes in the power of relationships, collaboration, and growth, encouraging both students and staff to become "1% better every day."

Beyond her professional role, Nina is excited to bring her family to Aspen and become an active part of the community. She looks forward to immersing herself in all that Aspen has to offer, from outdoor adventures to local traditions. Passionate about building and sustaining meaningful relationships, she is eager to connect with students, staff, and families to create a school culture where everyone feels supported and empowered.

Dr. Tom Dodd takes the reins from AMS Principal Amy Kendziorski, who is retiring after 35 years of public education at the end of this school year. Dodd served as Assistant Principal at Aspen High School from 2001-2003.

Dodd comes to ASD with more than 30 years of experience in public education. He currently serves as Assistant Principal of Castle View High School in Castle Rock. He has served as Principal at Windsor High School in Windsor and Lesher Middle School in Fort Collins. He also has worked with Solution Tree Consulting as an educational speaker and leader. He has served as president of the Colorado Association of School Executives and as an International Baccalaureate leader.

ASD hosted a meet and greet with four candidates and received feedback from students, staff and parents. Two AMS students were included on the interview panel that met with all four candidates.

“Dr. Tom Dodd is a proven leader with a deep understanding of what makes middle school students thrive,” said ASD Superintendent Tharyn Mulberry. “His experience with the IB program, his track record of success at the middle school level, and his appreciation for our unique mountain community make him the perfect fit for Aspen Middle School. We are excited to welcome him and look forward to the impact his leadership will have on our students, staff, and families.”

Dodd holds an undergraduate degree from Susquehanna University in Pennsylvania; two Master’s degrees from Adams State University and a Doctorate from Penn State University.

Aspen High School Athletics is proud to announce the launch of an exciting new initiative: a Digital Wall of Fame. Using state-of-the-art software from Rocket Alumni Solutions, Inc., this platform will celebrate the accomplishments of our past and present athletes. Located in the Aspen High School Gym Lobby, the interactive Wall of Fame will also be accessible online, making our athletic history available to everyone.\ Over the years, Aspen High School has unfortunately lost valuable records, photos, and other documentation of our athletic achievements. This project aims to recover and preserve these pieces of history. We are reaching out to alumni, parents, and the Aspen community for help. If you have team photos, broken records that were not documented, or other memorabilia, please share them with us to contribute to this lasting tribute.\ This project is about more than preserving history; it’s an opportunity to engage and empower our students. Sarah Ward and her journalism classes are gathering photos, yearbooks, and any related documentation, while Anita Moose and her Skier TV classes are filming, conducting interviews, and designing the visual elements of the Wall of Fame. Together, they are researching archives to uncover forgotten milestones and achievements. Through this collaboration, students are gaining invaluable real-world skills in journalism, digital organization, and historical research while contributing to a meaningful initiative that celebrates Aspen High School’s athletic excellence.\ The Digital Wall of Fame will feature a searchable database where users can explore athletic achievements by year, sport, athlete, or team. The platform will include dynamic content such as photos, videos, social media integration, and opportunities for sponsorship. Regular updates by students, faculty, and community members will ensure the Wall of Fame remains a living document of Aspen’s athletic excellence.\ The Wall of Fame is not just for Aspen High School; it’s for the entire Aspen community. By sharing stories and achievements, we aim to strengthen the bond between the school and the community. This initiative will inspire current and future athletes while preserving the legacy of those who came before them.\ We invite everyone to participate in this exciting project. Whether by contributing memorabilia, sharing stories, or supporting the initiative in other ways, your involvement is vital. Together, we can celebrate the accomplishments of Aspen High School athletes, preserve our athletic history for generations to come, and inspire pride and engagement within the Aspen community.

We want to take this special opportunity to express our heartfelt gratitude for the Aspen Booster Club unwavering support in making this incredible project a reality. Their dedication and generosity have been instrumental in bringing this vision to life, and it simply would not have been possible without them.

For those interested in learning more about the Aspen Booster Club or enrolling as a member, we are excited to share that this information is now readily accessible via our new interactive TV as well! Their support continues to make a meaningful impact in our community.

For more information or to contribute, please contact Aspen High School Athletics. Let’s come together to honor our past and build a bright future for Aspen High School Athletics!

CLICK TO SEE AHS WINNING ART

Six Aspen High School Students recently brought home eight awards - including four Gold Key awards - for their artwork presented in the regional contest of the prestigious national Scholastic Art & Writing Awards program.

The regional contest, the Colorado Art Region of Scholastic Art and Writing, draws more than 5,000 pieces of artwork into the contest, which is open to students in grades 7-12. It is the nation’s longest-running and most prestigious recognition program for creative teens in grades 7–12, ages 13+ and has been a program in Colorado since 1947.

“I think it’s incredible to get recognition as an artist within the community, and I am very appreciative of that!” said Evie Dziedzic Szostak, AHS student who won two awards last year and two this year. “I have had amazing experiences working on art at the high school and have been consistently encouraged to try new things, expanding my skill set and enjoyment of creating.”

Judges, who are industry leaders in the visual arts, look for work that exemplifies originality, technical skill, and the emergence of a personal voice or vision. The awards are: Gold Key, Silver Key, Honorable Mentions, and American Visions & Voices. The Gold Key winners’ work will advance to the national competition. National awards are expected to be announced in March.

“I’m so incredibly proud of all of my students but right now I’m especially proud of the students who entered their work to Scholastics and received recognition,” said AHS Art Teacher Julie Trahon.

Aspen High School Student winners are:

• Elizabeth Foster, junior, won a Gold Key award in the Painting category for work titled “Piscis Forum.”

• Gia Galindo-Bartley, senior, won a Gold Key in the Photography category  for work titled “LOCK IN!” She also won an Honorable Mention in the Mixed Media category titled “The Pool.”
• Aurelia Tunte-Stuck, junior, won a Gold Key award in the Mixed Media category for work titled “Channel:Life.”
• Graceann Viola, senior, won a Gold Key in the Ceramics & Glass category for work titled “Doofus the Clown.”
• Evie Dziedzic-Szostak, senior, won two Honorable Mentions in the Painting category and the Printmaking category for works titled “An Observer's Echo” and “Polarities.”
• Kirilee Eklund, senior, won an Honorable Mention in the Painting category for work titled “Magpies.”

"Don't feed the plants!" Aspen High School and Theatre Aspen present the Spring musical, Little Shop of Horrors.

Don't miss this human-eating plant and all the shenanigans.\ Flyer design by AHS student Mateo Tafferelli.