Newsletter
October 10th, 2019
Admin Address
IS AVA TOO HARD? 
  
I overheard a conversation between a couple of parents who were discussing whether or not AVA is too hard for their kids. The conversation even went to the point that one parent said they were thinking of sending their child to one of the traditional neighborhood middle schools next year because it would be easier for their child. Unfortunately, this is not the first time I have heard mention that there is a perception among a group of parents that AVA is too hard. I processed everything I heard and have an undeniable answer to the question about AVA being too hard. The answer is, NO! It is not too hard! 
  
AVA offers students the opportunity to achieve and grow academically in a safe and caring environment. It is a school where students are challenged to do their best and given the resources to meet all challenges. When I hear the comment that AVA is too hard, I interpret that to mean that school is impossible, burdensome, exhausting and overly frustrating. Instead, I believe AVA is appropriately challenging for students. 

  • We set high expectations. 
  • We hold students accountable; and 
  • We recognize and reward students for their accomplishments. 
  
A challenging curriculum can be fun and exciting especially when students and parents see just how well prepared they are for high school. 
  
WHAT IS RIGOR? 
  
Academic rigor is determined not just by what is taught, but how it is taught and how it is assessed. To prepare students for the future, schools need to not only be able to teach complex concepts in a way that students with various learning styles can understand, but they need to ensure testing adequately gauges an understanding of the curriculum. This is what teachers at AVA strive to do every day. 
  
A rigorous curriculum is "focused, coherent, and appropriately challenging." The Core Knowledge Curriculum (not to be confused with Common Core) is a challenging curriculum, one that will prepare students to be successful in high school, college and throughout their life. 
  
But curriculum design is only part of what defines rigor. What actually happens in classrooms is hugely important, too. Students are introduced to new concepts and skills in the classroom and given plenty of opportunities to practice and master those skills. At AVA, classroom learning is supplemented with hands-on learning to reinforce concepts.
  
It is worth noting that many educators equate rigor with pain, rigid thinking, and harshness - they think it means HARD. Too often, rigor becomes 'Let's give more homework.' Rigor does not mean more homework. Rather, it means giving students relevant and appropriately challenging work to further their reasoning and critical thinking skills. A rigorous and relevant curriculum requires students to use knowledge to create and apply solutions to complex, real-world problems.

Bob Barber
Principal

Message to PreK Families
Enrollment for K-8th grade for the 20/21 school year will be open

November 1st at 8am-December 2nd at 4pm

Please be sure you visit the school website to complete the open enrollment application during those times. AVA PreK students do get a higher priority for enrollment. In order to get that priority, you must apply using your current Infinite Campus Parent Portal login. If you’re not sure about your login, please attempt to login on our website (click the link IC Parent Portal). If you’re not able to login, please email [email protected].
Announcements
Come enjoy a night of entertainment showcasing the talents of our own AVA middle schoolers! The show will be on October 22 at 6:30 in the gym. Acts include everything from a rock band to vocals to a Rubik's Cube act—and even some talented teachers. If you missed auditions but would still like to be in the show, it’s not too late to send in a video audition. Click here to sign up . Hosted by the AVA PTO.
Rylie's ARK (Acts of Random Kindness) is collecting gently used Halloween costumes for families that may not be able to purchase new costumes this season. There is a collection box in the AVA lobby until October 21st.

If you are struggling or are not able to purchase new costumes, please stop by the office or contact our school counselor, Kim Ness for an invitation to the Halloween Emporium. This event will take place on 10/23 from 6-7:30 at Castle Rock Elementary.

For more information, visit www.ryliesark.org/events.
On November 5 and 6 we will be conducting vision and hearing screening for students in grades Kindergarten, 1, 2, 3, 5 and 7, as well as new students and those receiving special education services. Students who missed last year's screening and are in these grades now will also be included. 

We are also looking for volunteers for our Vision and Hearing Screening. Please click here to sign up to volunteer.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our School Nurse Consultant Karin Gardner, RN at [email protected].
Kids Night Out

Need a date night? Maybe a little quiet time? If so, be sure to sign up for the October Kids Night Out.
  • When: Friday, October 25th
  • Time: 6-10pm
  • Ages: 4-14 years
  • Where: AVA Cafeteria
  • Click here for more information.
Beginning October 21st, 4 year old’s will be able to attend BASE on school days only. Unfortunately, we cannot take 4 year old’s on full days or during summer camp due to busing restrictions.

Click Here for the BASE handbook and pricing.
Click Here to Register.
We're looking for volunteers in two areas:

  • Lunch Volunteer (double hours for volunteering in the lunch room)
  • WatchDOGS-our goal is to always have 2 per day (if you see a day that's already full, please email Sheri Cahill)

Please consider volunteering in either of these areas.
Wild Blue Yonder AVA Social Night
October 23rd at 6pm 

Bring your families to a night out with the AVA community and enjoy amazing food in a great setting! Sign up here to RSVP your spot. No entry fees. See you there! 
Mad Science Presents: M3 Magic, Mysteries, Movies!

Day: Tuesdays
Time: 3:45 - 4:45 PM
Dates: 10/29 - 12/10/2019
Grades: K-5
Price: $94

Click here for more information and to sign up.
Ponderosa Wrestling Club
     Parent Meeting/Registration    
            FOLKSTYLE

  • When:  October 24th, 2019 at 6pm
  • Where: Ponderosa High School Cafeteria
      7007 Bayou Gulch Rd, Parker, Co 80134
  • Click here for the flyer
Papa John’s Spirit Nights coming this month! Help Raise money for AVA, and get a pizza party for your class! 

October 24th and October 25th from 10am to 10pm, order Papa John’s and 20% of your order will be donated to the PTO. The teacher with the most orders wins a pizza party for their class! MUST TURN IN FLYER WITH YOUR ORDER. Flyers went home in last Thursday’s folders. Stop by the Wolf Shack to purchase Papa John’s giving (gift) cards and help our school earn even more! 
Make a Wish Colorado randomly selected for the next Pay to Dress of Choice! 

Thanks to everyone who submitted charity suggestions for Pay to Dress of Choice. All unselected charities will remain in the pool for future Pay to Dress of Choice. Make a Wish Colorado will receive proceeds from our Pay to Dress of Choice on November 20th. More details to come, shortly.
Shop and help our school! 

We’ve made it easier for you to shop for others and help raise funds for our school. Stop by the Wolf Shack and stock up on various retail giving (gift) cards, and each purchase gives back to the school.  

Business Owners -- consider taking advantage of the Wolf Shack's gift cards as end-of-year or holiday gifts for your employees!  You'd be giving a gift to your employees and, at the same time, giving a financial gift to our school. If you'd like to purchase a large order of gift cards, please contact the PTO and we will place a special order for you.   

Can’t make it into the school, shop on AmazonSmile and 0.5% of proceeds from your purchase go to AVA! Simply type in our school name at check out. Happy Shopping! 
Let’s Celebrate! 

The Fun Run school profit came in at $50,000! We had 48 states participate, 5 countries, and 65% non-parent giving. Big kuddos to the students, parents and AVA staff for making this year’s fun run a success and helping raise funds for our outdoor recreation area! 
Yearbook Photos Needed! 

Have some great photos from this school year? Email them to [email protected] and help contribute to the 2019-2020 Yearbook! 
PreK for the 20/21 School Year

It’s hard to believe but fall is upon us and that means it is time to start thinking and planning for next school year's enrollment. The Intent to Enroll online form is open for PreK students for the 2020-21 school year. To find this page, please go to the AVA website, select programs, PreK and then follow the prompt to the Intent to Enroll page or you can click here. Please be sure to complete all boxes. Enrollment offers are based on priority-Siblings of current AVA families and staff. After that, spots are open to the community based on the date stamp of the online form. 

If you have any questions or would like more info please feel free to reach out by email to [email protected] 

Happy Fall Y’All

Debi and PreK Team
Spring Fundraiser Help Needed! 

PTO is looking for help with the spring fundraising efforts. If you are interested, please contact [email protected]. Thanks! 
Box Tops are Going Digital, Soon! 

Box Tops is an easy way for you to help AVA buy what it needs. Box Tops are each worth 10¢ and they quickly add up to real cash for our school.  

A couple of tips when submitting paper box tops:

  1. Bundle your box tops in bags of 50; write your child’s name, their homeroom teacher and the number of box tops in a baggie.
  2. Check for expiration dates and throw away any expired Box Tops.
  3. Turn in your Box Tops to your child’s teacher or to the collection box located at the front office.
  4. Please have your box tops turned in by Monday, October 21st.

The classroom with the most box tops submitted will win their choice of 
a cupcake or a pizza party!!! 

If you have any questions please email Kelly McNeil, [email protected], the box top coordinator. 
 
Make sure to download the new Box Tops App that will scan your receipt and instantly add Box Tops to our school’s earnings online.  


Morning Carpool Reminders 

Morning carpool is from 7:45am – 8:10am

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 7:55am. 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. Classes begin at 8:15am and having students arrive to class tardy is a distraction that can easily be avoided.

Thank you for making Aspen View Academy the best school!

Click here for the Events Calendar
Middle School Only News
The Middle School Student Senate is sponsoring two events this October! The first, Spirit Week, will be October 22nd-25th and Middle School students will be allowed to dress out of uniform only if they follow the following guidelines: 

Spirit Week: October 21-25
Senate Fundraiser and House Challenge!

To participate, students need to bring $1.00 per day. Proceeds will go towards Student Leadership Activities put on by the Student Senate, such as Middle School Dances, House Challenges, Movie Nights and more. 

The House with the most students participating each day will win points for their house. 

  • M- Blue and Green day- wear only blue and green AVA colors
  • T- White Out day- wear all white (shirts with a small amount of lettering are ok)
  • W- Hawaiian Day- wear your beach themed attire (must be more than a hat and sunglasses)
  • Th- Sports Day- wear your favorite sports jersey or T-shirt 
  • F- Black and Orange Day- (no Halloween costumes, makeup or masks)- The Halloween Dance is Saturday
 
Second Annual Middle School Halloween Dance
Back by popular demand is the Student Senate Middle School Halloween Dance. Saturday, October 26th from 8-10 PM. We are in need of Parent Volunteers to make this another successful event. Please click here to bring items or to volunteer your time. THANK YOU!

Students: 

  • Please wear Halloween Costumes, no masks or weapons will be allowed.
  • Prizes will be given for the most original idea, the funniest, and most creatively made costumes.
  • Food, DJ, and photo booth are included.
  • Pre-sale tickets (wristbands) are $8.00 and will be sold during Spirit Week at Middle School Lunch times, or after school until 3:45 in Ms. Spangler's office #324. 
  • Tickets at the door, the night of the dance are $10.00
  • An email will be sent to MS students allowing them to fill out a form with their top 5 song requests the week before the dance. 
International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme 
Information Night and Reception

You Are Invited!

  • WHO: Current 8th grade students and families interested in discovering more about the dynamic International Baccalaureate experience
  • WHEN:Monday, October 28, 6:00 PM or Tuesday, December 3, 6:30 PM
  • WHERE: DCHS Theater (2842 Front Street, Castle Rock, CO)

Reception will include time to meet and speak with current IB students and staff and parents. Click here for more information.
Middle School Sports
Please follow these steps to sign up for middle school sports:

  1. Login to "myschoolbucks"
  2. Using the search icon in the upper right corner, search "program"
  3. Click the "Aspen View Academy" box on the left side of the screen. DO NOT click "athletics."
  4. Select your sport from the options
  5. Register

Thank you!

Athletic Director/Physical Education Teacher
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.


PTO News
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.

Click here for the online store.

Thank you for supporting the Wolf Shack- all funds raised go directly towards AVA!
If you have questions, please 
email: [email protected] – we are happy to assist you!
Volunteer Corner
Click on this link to pre-register yourself as a volunteer in the Raptor System. 
Please click on a link below to sign up to volunteer in one of the following areas.





Thank you for all that you do.
Contact Us
General Information: (720) 733-3436 [email protected]  
Fax: (303) 660-5959
Attendance Line: (303) 660-5940
Health Room: [email protected]
Volunteer Line: [email protected]
Before/After Care: (303) 888-3040 [email protected]
Lunch Line: (303) 660-5943 [email protected]
Enrollment: [email protected]
Registrar: [email protected]
Student Tech Support: [email protected]
Aspen View Academy
2131 Low Meadow Blvd.
Castle Rock, CO 80109