It may seem odd to have me explain about charter schools in a newsletter coming from the charter school your child attends, however, I find it important to provide this valuable and interesting information. I feel it is important for everyone to have a minimum understanding of what charters really are and what we represent. You never know when you will have the opportunity to show off your charter school knowledge. I hope you find this information valuable and reinforce your decision to have your child attend a school of choice.
In 1993, Colorado became the third state in the U.S. to enact a charter school law. In fall of 1993, the state's first two charter schools opened their doors.
Over the years, charter schools have fought many battles for equity, funding and even survival. Below are a few great facts about charter schools.
What is a charter school?
Charter schools are public schools
- Charter schools in Colorado are funded in the Public-School Finance Act, along with all other public schools.
- Charter schools receive per pupil revenue (PPR) on the same basis as other public-school students enrolled in the district that granted its charter except that districts may retain up to 5% of charter school students’ PPR for actual administrative costs. Douglas County does not retain this 5%.
- Charter schools are subject to all State and Federal provisions prohibiting discrimination and must enroll students in a non-discriminatory manner.
Charter schools are open to all students. They are:
- Free
- Public, nonsectarian, nonreligious, non-home-based schools.
- Non-selective in enrollment. There are no admission tests or admission requirements.
- Often designed to meet the needs of under-served populations.
- Appealing to students whose needs are not being met by traditional schools.
- Frequently over-enrolled; that is, more students apply than the school can accommodate. In that event, a lottery is held to determine admission.
Charter schools are pioneers and innovators.
- Charters allow parents, teachers and educational leaders to design schools that better serve particular populations.
- Charters can limit class and school sizes. Charter designers often heed to the research that states that smaller schools are generally safer and better able to nurture a community of learners than larger schools.
- Charters select their own curriculum design. They can establish achievement-oriented cultures and choose staff that best support these structures from day one.
- Charters are mission-driven schools created by parents and educators who envision a school committed to a particular purpose and philosophy.
- The tenor of relationships between charter schools and their districts vary widely. Ultimately, accountable implementation of a charter’s schools mission is what best serves students. However, accountability need not be sacrificed for the very spirit of educational innovation and flexibility that the Charter School Act was intended to foster.
Charter School Facts:
- More K-12 students are enrolled in Colorado Charter Schools than any other school district in the state:
- Colorado Charter Schools 120,513
- Denver Public Schools 91,794
- Jeffco. Public Schools 86,112
- Douglas County Schools 67,597
- Cherry Creek Schools 55,657
- There are 250 charter schools in Colorado (there were 2 in 1993).
- The percentage of public-school students attending Colorado Charter Schools during the 2017-2018 school year: 13.2%
- Colorado has the second highest percentage of charter public school students in the country relative to total state enrollment at 13.2% (Arizona has 17%)
I congratulate you on exercising your right to choose a school for your child. You have made an excellent decision by enrolling your child at Aspen View Academy. Your child will be challenged, encouraged, supported and grow in a safe, caring environment. They will know it is OK to take chances and to make mistakes. They will be taught, coached and nurtured by a dedicated and amazing staff. We will challenge your kids but will always give them the tools and resources to be successful. My goal is that your child should love coming to school because they know they belong at Aspen View Academy.
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16 Days of Gratitude - Poem Writing Contest
AVA Middle School is focusing on 16 Days of Gratitude for the month of September by taking time in homeroom class each day to reflect on what we are grateful for.
Additionally, we are having a Gratitude Poem Contest as part of our September House Challenge.
Any middle school student who would like to participate can write a poem about gratitude and submit it to Mr. Gordon. Poems can be
emailed or turned into the main office. The last day to submit a poem is Monday, September 16.
Poems will be read by school leaders and students will have the opportunity to earn points for their House. Good luck!
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Morning Carpool Reminders
We are seeing an increase in the number of tardy students in the morning. As a reminder, the morning drop-off begins at 7:45am (5 minutes earlier than last year) and continues to 8:10am. If your child arrives in the building after 8:12am they will be marked tardy.
We added the extra 5 minute drop-off window to accommodate the increase in student enrollment. We have, however, noticed very few cars arriving on the property between 7:45am and 7:50am. Also, we have observed quite a few cars arriving on AVA property after 8:10am meaning your child will be tardy. School officially begins at 8:15am so it is important to have kids in class and ready to go.
Thank you for making Aspen View Academy the best school!
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We hope to see all K-5th grade parents
TONIGHT September 12th at our K-5 Curriculum Night! From 6:15-7:25 come out and get better acquainted with the school, staff, and curriculum specific to your child’s grade level.
Teachers will discuss discipline procedures, classroom expectations, how to volunteer, curriculum, and how best to communicate with them. If you have children in more than one grade, please feel free to divide and conquer!
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Tomorrow, Friday September 13th is Spirit Day. Students may wear any AVA shirt (shirt purchased from the Wolfshack, Landsharks, Fun Run, etc). Students MUST wear uniform bottoms.
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Recommend the Next Pay For Dress of Choice Fundraiser
Our next trimester fundraiser is slated for November 13th. We’d love your input on which charity we should support. In August, we supported a nationwide cause, Walk and Roll to Cure FSHD. This November, we’ll support a statewide charity. Please submit your recommendations on charities to consider, by September 30th. We will randomly select and communicate the charity by mid-October. If you don’t have a state charity in mind, please note, we will be hosting a local charity Pay to Dress for the third trimester, and we will receive nominations for the nationwide Pay to Dress at the end of the school year that will take place the first trimester next school year, and will keep your recommendations when we randomly select for those causes. Please contact
[email protected] with your charity recommendations.
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Help our Wolf Fun Run!
We are just 1 week away from our Pep Rally to kick off this year’s Wolf Run. Pledges are now open on
www.funrun.com. Please share with family and friends to get your student’s laps to really count!
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One More PTO Main Staff Member Needed!
The PTO needs a volunteer coordinator for the 2019-2020 school year. This person will be the prime contact for all assigned room parents, will create sign up geniuses for the PTO activities and coordinate the monthly staff luncheons. You will also be required to attend the PTO meeting, which occurs once a month. This is a great way to get in your hours for the year, stay closely tied to the school, and be part of an amazing team. If you are interested, please contact
[email protected].
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September Spirit Night at Chipotle
Join us on Tuesday, September 24th from 4pm to 8pm. Bring the
flyer, show the facebook event on your phone or simply mention AVA, to ensure 33% of proceeds are donated to our school. See you there!
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Giving Cards Coming to the Wolf Shack soon!
The Wolf Shack will soon be stocked with giving (gift) cards from Lands End, spirit night restaurants and local retail shops. For each card sold a percentage will go back to AVA. It’s a great way to support the school, get gifts for family, friends and teachers! New inventory coming soon!
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1st-4th Grade DIBELS score reports will be coming home in Thursday Folders TODAY! Kindergarten score reports will be sent home after their assessments near the end of September.
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Sources of Strength Parent Night for 4th, 5th and Middle School Parents!
Come join us on Monday, September 16th from 6:30 to 7:30 pm to learn about the Sources of Strength Program and how we are using it to make a difference in our school this year! Sources of Strength is a best practice youth suicide prevention project with the mission of preventing suicide by increasing help seeking behaviors and promoting connections between peers and caring adults. This program will be delivered throughout our school by way of our middle school students.
We are also piloting a Sources of Strength Elementary Curriculum with our 4th and 5th grade students. The SOS Elementary Curriculum will help students identify their strengths, build resiliency, cultivate healthy connections with peers and adults, establish positive coping strategies, and develop early help-seeking in themselves and others.
We promise it will be worth your time!
Please email
Kim Ness if you have any questions.
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Shop this Saturday with your AVA friends for a good cause. Sign up
here to get tickets, chances at amazing raffle drawings and support our school all in one event! $20 of each $30 ticket sold will go directly to AVA. You don't even have to be present for some of the giveaways. The ticket includes exclusive discounts at dozens of top brand name stores, catered lunch, wine tasting, dessert bar, live musical entertainment and more!
Get tickets today!
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Third Annual AVA Family Fall Carnival
Back by popular demand, Saturday, September 21st from 2-5pm on the AVA field, we invite you to join us for a fun-filled afternoon full of games, food, music and festivities! Admission is $20 per family and you can purchase additional tickets for the bake sale and drawings for gift baskets. Please keep an eye out for sign-up genius volunteer requests, in your email, soon.
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Please follow these steps to sign up for middle school sports:
- Login to "myschoolbucks"
- Using the search icon in the upper right corner, search "program"
- Click the "Aspen View Academy" box on the left side of the screen. DO NOT click "athletics."
- Select your sport from the options
- Register
Thank you!
Athletic Director/Physical Education Teacher
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Students are required to have a complete
Athletic Packet (which includes a physician's visit). Please click
here for all of the information regarding middle school sports.
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AVA Wolf Shack
Wolf Shack hours are Fridays from 3-4 pm.
If you prefer to shop online, we will deliver to class if you provide the student's name and homeroom teacher.
Thank you for supporting the Wolf Shack- all funds raised go directly towards AVA!
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If you have questions, please
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Please click on a link below to sign up to volunteer in one of the following areas.
Thank you for all that you do.
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Fax: (303) 660-5959
Attendance Line: (303) 660-5940
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Aspen View Academy
2131 Low Meadow Blvd.
Castle Rock, CO 80109
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