AVA Newsletter - November 9th 2023

November 9th, 2023

Admin Address

As I search through the closet for matching mittens to keep little fingers warm this winter, I’m reminded of Mr. O’Bryant’s article last week on Capturing Kids Hearts. The significance of hands in a child’s education cannot be overstated. When I first started here at AVA, Mr. Bodiker summarized the mission of Capturing Kids Hearts for me with this saying; “We capture their hearts to teach their heads to train their hands to form their habits.” While the heart of our school culture is about emotional buy-in, the hands are the action that empowers their independence.

As Mr. O’Bryant stated last week, when our students come to school, Capturing Kids’ Hearts is an important part of their success. A relational connection that makes our students eager to learn and willing to take risks is at the foundation of our work. To create a positive and inclusive environment where our educators connect at a deeper level with students, we use hands as we build these meaningful relationships. Greeting students at the door with a handshake, high-five, fist bump, or hug is a quick morning check-in so our students know they are valued and respected. In our first days of school, teachers give explicit instruction with hand signals so students can express their needs which fosters a sense of cooperation to honor the learning environment. These proactive systems create a strong bond of understanding and trust between students and their teachers.

From the moment they are born, children instinctively use their hands to explore the world around them. This tactile exploration does not stop in K-8 education. Once we have this open door to a child’s cognitive development, teachers can engage their students with opportunities in sensory exploration, artistic expression, and hands-on challenges that teach problem solving and emotional regulation. Hands play a crucial role in a child’s cognitive, emotional, and physical development. Using their innate curiosity, our children explore with their hands and develop a foundation for understanding the world.

The use of Capturing Kids’ Hearts by using hands connects our staff and students on a personal and emotional level. Educators can create an environment where students feel safe, valued, and motivated to learn and grow. This program demonstrates the power of human connection expressed through simple interactions that have the potential to shape the lives of students and enhance the educational experience.

Kristen Krieger Ed.S.

Grades K-2 Assistant 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

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.

Families and veterans are welcome to attend both assemblies.

Immediately after the second assembly, we will be hosting a reception in the middle school commons for all veterans, active duty members and their families (AVA students will not be able to attend). The reception will include light refreshments.

Next week, Nov. 13 -17th, AVA Student Council is sponsoring a Spirit Week and all students are invited to dress according to each day's theme:

Monday = 80's theme

Tuesday = Fall Colors

Wednesday = Hat Day (must wear uniform)

Thursday = Twins Day (dress alike w/someone else)

Friday = Grade Level Color

PreK = white

K = light blue

1 = orange

2 = yellow

3 = green

4 = royal blue

5 = purple

6 = pink

7 = black

8 = red

Volunteers are what make the Scholastic Book Fair possible. Sign up today to volunteer!! Book Fair volunteers will receive a voucher to use at the book fair.

Don't forget to sign up for an eWallet for your student(s) and help keep our book fair cashless and efficient. We do accept cash and checks made out to Aspen View Academy. Visit our book fair homepage for all the information you need. Please read the letter from the principal here.

Board Meeting

November 16th 7pm

AVA Library

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.

We are seeing an increase in the number of tardy students in the morning.

For Middle School Students, If your child arrives in the building after 7:58am they will be marked tardy (they should be in their seats by 8:00).

For Elementary Students, If your child arrives in the building after 8:12am they will be marked tardy (they should be in their seats by 8:15). After 8:15am you need to park your car and walk your child into the building to sign them in.

Parents, Please remember if your student is arriving late to school from a doctor's appointment, they will need to show a note from the doctor for this to count as an excused tardy, otherwise it will be marked as an unexcused tardy.

It is important to have kids in class and ready to go. Classes begin at 8:00am for MS and 8:15am for Elementary and having students arrive to class tardy is a distraction that can easily be avoided.

A reminder from the handbook:

Students who accumulate five or more tardies in a month will lose dress of choice privileges.

Thank you for making Aspen View Academy the best school!

November PTO Pipeline is live & updated. Check it out for upcoming events + volunteer opportunities.

Have you logged your volunteer hours?

All AVA families who have completed 10 service hours by Nov. 30th or (5 hours for single parents) are invited. Please log your hours on the HelpCounter Website.

What is the Birthday Book Club?

Birthday Book Club invites families to recognize their child’s birthday by donating a book to the school library. Each donation is recognized by placing a bookplate with the child’s name on the front endpaper of the new book.

Staff Spotlight

These ladies are the 1st Grade Team! What a big year first grade is for our kids, as they take off with reading, writing, and learning more about relationships. These ladies are perfect to guide them, as they are all fun, warm and energetic!

Karalyn Marzo (Front Left - 1st Grade Para) enjoys being outside and visiting new places. Mrs. Marzo is caring, loving and empathetic. She loves to make sure each kid feels comfortable in their learning environment, so they can focus on learning.

Susie Gant (Front Middle - 1st Grade Para) loves all activities outside - hiking, skiing, and even yard work. Mrs. Gant is great at talking and enjoys listening to kids to see how their minds work. She is loving, hard working and so sweet!

Maggie Hemminger (Front Right - 1st Grade Para) loves spending time with her family! "Mrs. H" says it’s impossible to have a bad day when you’re working with first graders, they are always so full of happiness & love! She is loving, nurturing and dependable.

Jessica Miller (Back Left - 1st Grade Teacher) enjoys reading, traveling and spending time in the mountains. Mrs. Miller enjoys watching new concepts and reading "click" with her students. She is funny, supportive and enthusiastic.

Cassia Spivey (Back Middle Left - 1st Grade Teacher) likes being outside, hiking, running, reading, hanging out with family and friends. Miss Spivey loves getting to know her students' personalities and their outlooks on life. She is creative, reliable and giving.

Shana Coffelt (Back Middle Right - 1st Grade Teacher) enjoys spending time with her family and visiting her grandson, and has another on the way. Mrs. Coffelt loves getting to know each child, watching them learn and grow. She is thoughtful, sweet and loving.

Pamela Robertson (Back Right - 1st Grade Teacher) spends her free time baking and cooking. Mrs. Robertson loves "Everything!" about being a teacher, but especially loves to watch students learn and be amazed at what they can do. She is magical, compassionate and welcoming.

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!

Saturday, November 11, 2023

5:00-9:00pm

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.