AVA Newsletter - November 16th 2023

November 16th, 2023

Admin Address

"Teachers who inspire realize there will always be rocks in the road ahead of us. They will be stumbling blocks or stepping-stones - it all depends on how we use them."

- Author Unknown

This week's lead article is a time for me to praise the amazing teachers and staff we have at Aspen View Academy. All of our teachers and staff inspire our students daily. They also realize that there are stumbling blocks that must be overcome. We all have the same end goals in mind - to make sure all of our students are loved, grow academically and emotionally, and move on to high school well prepared to be successful. All of this is done in a safe and caring environment. Our teachers and staff go way above the call of duty. They are not just people who work from 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. and then are done. They sacrifice family and personal time to plan lessons, and complete countless other activities that must occur outside the normal work window. Most importantly, our teachers and staff show students how to turn those rocks in the roads into stepping-stones. They are taught how to overcome disappointment and failure and how to turn those things into positive, life lessons.

All too often, our teachers and staff hear when people are upset. I am asking everyone in the AVA community to please take a minute and send a positive note to a teacher or staff member to show him/her your appreciation.

I would like to start with a positive note to all of our teachers and staff: To some people in the world, you may be a teacher or someone who works in a school, but to your students you are a HERO!!!

Bob Barber

AVA Principal

Middle School Only News

If your 8th grader would like to attend a high school other than their neighborhood school you will need to complete the 24/25 Open Enrollment application. The first round of open enrollment is open now and will close on December 1st at 4:00 pm.

Middle School Fall Sports

Check out the Athletic calendar on our website and come cheer on our AVA Wolves!

General Announcements

Order your 23-24 Yearbook Today!

Click on the image above to order

Tomorrow, Friday November 17th is Dress of Choice-Grade Level-Color Day

PreK= white

K = light blue

Grade 1 = orange

Grade 2 = yellow

Grade 3 = green

Grade 4 = royal blue

Grade 5 = purple

Grade 6 = pink

Grade 7 = black

Grade 8 = red

Pedestrian Safety

There seems to be an increasing number of students crossing Prairie Hawk Drive from Low Meadow Boulevard to Limelight Avenue. This major roadway is a high traffic area with low visibility. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), fatalities among young pedestrians most often occur during after school hours. All pedestrians are encouraged to follow these walking safety tips:

1. Follow the rules of the road and obey signs and signals.

2. Walk on sidewalks whenever they are available.

3. If there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic and as far from traffic as possible.

4. Cross streets at crosswalks or intersections. Look for cars in all directions, including those turning left or right.

5. If a crosswalk or intersection is not available, locate a well-lit area where you have the best view of traffic. Wait for a gap in traffic that allows enough time to cross safely; continue watching for traffic as you cross.

6. Watch for cars entering or exiting driveways, or backing up in parking lots.

No School November 20th-24th

Enjoy your Thanksgiving Break

PreK News

PreK is preparing offer placements for school year 2024-25. Current AVA students with PreK age siblings have first priority if intent to enroll is completed on our website under PreK. The deadline for completing is Thursday Nov 30th.

PreK placement offers will be made 2nd to 3rd week of December. PreK students must 4years old by Oct 1st 2024 and must be fully potty trained. More information can be found on the AVA website.

Sibling Priority for 2024-2025 Lottery

First Round of OPEN Enrollment Begins NOV. 1st

The Lottery for 2024-2025 will be held the first week in December. Please be sure to read all instructions before applying.

Current AVA Parents - if you have a child who is eligible to attend AVA next year and is not currently enrolled as a K-7th grader, please go to the AVA website or the DCSD website to complete the Open Enrollment Tool on November 1st. Be sure to use your current parent portal login (DO NOT create a new one). This is the only way we can ensure they receive "Sibling Priority." The first round of open enrollment is available until December 1st at 4:00pm.

There is no need to complete this for current AVA students who already attend AVA as an elementary or middle school student. They will automatically be enrolled the following year.

Current AVA PreK students must complete the Open Enrollment Tool which can be found on our AVA website or the DCSD website on November 1st.

IMPORTANT - YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO USE A HANDHELD DEVICE OR IPAD TO OPEN ENROLL.

If you have any questions, please stop by the front office or email enrollment@aspenviewacademy.org.

Board Meeting

November 16th 7pm

AVA Library

Happy Holidays from your AVA Wolf Shack! From November 24th-December 20th, enjoy 25% off your purchase, both online and in-person. For online purchases, please use code JOLLY25. Discount will be applied at checkout for in-person shoppers. IMPORTANT NOTE: For online orders that are meant to be gifts, please note this when checking out (or email wolfshack@aspenviewacademy.org) and we will leave it with the front office for pickup rather than delivering to your child’s classroom. Hours for in-person shopping are Wednesdays from 3:00-4:00pm when school is in session and our online store can be found here. Cannot be combined with any other discounts. Thanks and happy shopping!"

Parents, Please log into your parent portal and make sure that your student's photo is correct for this school year. These are the photos that will be put in the yearbook. If the picture is not correct, please email DeAnn Carson.

Have you logged your volunteer hours?

Please log your hours on the HelpCounter Website. This event is by invite only to AVA families who have completed their 10 service hours (5 for single parents) by Nov. 27th. Watch your email for your invite.

Staff Spotlight

These are the people that make up our 6th grade team. Together they work to not just teach them subjects, but help them to be better people, with good work habits. They love engaging each student each day to have a front row seat to their development during a pivotal time.

Krystalyn Rodell (Middle School Para) is new to AVA this year, but she loves working with Middle Schoolers, learning with them and about them. She loves to travel and adventure with her family. Mrs. Rodell is positive, hardworking and willing to help wherever.

Beth Weber (6th Grade Para) loves having the opportunity to see the kids everyday and support kids and in and out of the classroom. Mrs. Weber enjoys hiking and mountain biking with her family, trail running and reading. She is encouraging, reliable and faithful.

Steve Broberg (6th Grade English Teacher) loves being able to help mold kids into better people, not just better readers and writers. Mr. Broberg likes bush-craft, hiking, camping, and watching the wildlife in his backyard forest. He is genuine, empathetic and charismatic.

Jen McQuillan (Middle School Math Teacher) loves teaching and finding creative ways to reach to each student and their learning style. "Mrs. Mack" spends her free time cheering on her kids, and loves every minute. She is dedicated, passionate and consistent.

Brandi Tsuchimoto (Middle School Science Teacher) I love seeing kids get excited about science, and seeing the change in each student from the start to the end of the year. Mrs. Tsuchimoto likes reading, crafting and being in the mountains. She is inspiring, organized and insightful.

August Link (Middle School History Teacher) does not view teaching as a job, but a way of life. She finds it priceless to see students engaged in what she's teaching. Her favorite way to spend time is to be with her husband Joe, and kids, Jack & Ella. Mrs. Link is caring, fierce and intentional.

Donation Drive

Please join the 5th grade Character Education classes as they lead a donation drive to support the Dumb Friends League for their compassion project! We will be collecting new and used towels, puppy pads, and new pet toys. Donation boxes will be in the front lobby. Collection begins Monday, November 13 and runs through January 8!

Gather your family and friends for some great, discounted fun opportunities brought to you by the Foundation for Douglas County Schools. Better yet, a portion of each ticket purchased goes back to DC Schools! Click on the image above to find these opportunities.