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Newsletter

October 18th, 2018

Administrative Address

Community – It’s one of the main pillars of Aspen View Academy’s Mission and Vision. A strong AVA community helps us create an ideal learning environment where our students are motivated to learn because they have all of the necessary resources that are critical to having a great education. We create this positive environment by hiring incredible staff, engaging with our parents, and allowing students to interact with the community around them through activities that extend beyond the classroom.

At Aspen View Academy, we have an incredible community with a strong foundation already built. From the amazing staff that dedicates so much of their energy every day to our kids, to the thousands of volunteer hours that our parents devote to the school every year. We are a community that is overflowing with passion and dedication.

I recently came across this quote and think it captures the essence of a successful community and how we’re focused on strengthening the experience at AVA:

A community is like a ship; everyone ought to be prepared to take the helm.

- Henrik Ibsen

While “taking the helm” may not seem possible for everyone, I think the real meaning is that everyone can contribute in some way to the overall mission, and those contributions can vary in a lot of different ways: staff luncheons, painting the gym, participation on various committees, sponsorships, donations, and much more.

Since AVA’s founding, our stakeholders (parents, staff, and surrounding community) have stepped up in a big way to make the school what it is today. And while we are thrilled with where the school is now, we know there is more that can be done to enhance the AVA experience even more.

I want to thank our staff and parents for all of the time and effort they’ve contributed to date, and encourage everyone to keep the momentum going forward. Whatever you are able to offer, regardless if it feels small or large, I can assure you it will keep us moving in a positive direction and make Aspen View Academy the premier educational institution in Colorado.

Just a quick reminder, the following committees still have openings available:

Election Committee – 2 openings
Purpose & duties: Work with the board secretary to facilitate annual board elections
Estimated meeting frequency: 1-2x month, with the first meeting planned in October, plus helping facilitate candidate forums, tally votes, etc.
If interested, please email Ryan Hybarger.
Uniform Committee – 1-2 openings
Purpose & duties: Work collaboratively with the principal, staff, and committee members to ensure a comprehensive uniform policy is in place, while balancing compliance with day-to-day reality for teachers, students, & parents
Estimated meeting frequency: ~1x Trimester
If interested, please email Jonathan Nye.
AVA Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) – 2 openings, including PTO Chair and PTO Fundraising Vice Chair
Attend 1-2 monthly meetings.
If interested, please email [email protected]

If you have any interest, please don’t hesitate to reach out for an exploratory discussion to see if one of these opportunities might be a good fit.

As always, we welcome you to join us at an upcoming board meeting. All board meetings are open to the public. The board meeting schedule can be found on the school Events Calendar.

On behalf of the AVA Board,

Ryan Hybarger, Board Secretary

A Message From the Principal

Dear Parents –

Schools having Halloween parties has been a fun activity for students for years. I still have great memories of my Halloween parties when I was in elementary school. Please be assured that these parties are simply a fun way to let kids be kids and enjoy an afternoon to let loose a little bit in a controlled environment. For those who do not wish their child to participate in the Halloween party, we will have an alternate activity planned for them, or you are welcome to pick them up early from school.

Halloween parties for PK-5 students (grades 6-8 will not have parties as they are planning a dance on a different date) will take place on Friday, Oct. 26, 1:30pm – 3:00pm. Students will have a parade through the school before the parties begin. The students' parade will follow an established route. Parties will commence immediately following the parade. Students do not have to bring a costume if they do not want to. Once the parties are done, you are free to take your child home.

PLEASE NOTE: Your child does not have to dress in costume; that is your decision. No child will be forced to be in the Halloween parade. Please let the classroom teacher know if your child will not be participating in the parade or party.

Costume guidelines:

No weapons, blood, gore, or make-up.
Costumes should be conservative in style.
Masks (for the parade only) are permitted as long as they follow the guidelines.
Kids will bring their costumes to school to change into before the parade.
Inappropriate props such as blood, plastic swords, guns, knives, and weapons of any kinds are not allowed.
Students should NOT wear their costumes to school. Time will be provided to change into costumes.
No masks are to be worn in the classrooms; they are permitted during the parade.

Bob Barber, M.Ed.

Principal

Announcements

Veterans Day Assembly

When? Friday, November 9
PreK-4th Grade 9 am-10 am
5th-8th Grade 1:30 pm-2:20 pm

Please feel free to attend! Fill out the attached form to recognize a special Veteran in your life. We will create a display of all submitted forms. Forms can be dropped off at the AVA front office no later than Friday, October 26.

Trunk or Treat hosted by Cub Scout Pack 786

On October 28th from 3-5 pm, come support Cub Scout Pack 786. They are hosting a Trunk or Treat at AVA. The flyer is attached for more information. The Scouts are also looking for volunteers; if you would like to help them with this community service project, sign up here.

Do you have some extra time during the hours 10:50-1:05? We are hoping to find more cafeteria volunteers. Click here to sign up to volunteer. Thank you for all that do!!

With the weather turning cold, time to stock up on warmer clothes!! Lands’ End is offering 40% off regularly priced items (excludes buy more and save pricing, monogramming, gift boxing, gift cards, shipping, taxes, duties, Lands’ End Buisness Outfitters and excludes items as marked). Discount will be applied at checkout. Click here for the flyer with more information.

Box Tops for Education

It’s BOX TOPS submission time! The class with the most Box Tops collected will win their choice of a pizza or cupcake party. The Deadline to turn in your Tops is Friday, October 22nd. 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. Turn in your Box Tops to your child’s teacher or to the collection box located near the front office.

If you have any questions please email Kelly McNeil, the box top coordinator. Earn even more cash for AVA by downloading the NEW BOX TOPS BONUS APP:

The Scholastic Book Fair is coming to AVA! This year’s theme is Enchanted Forest! You are invited to join your child and help him/her find the books he/she will enjoy reading. Our classes will preview the Fair throughout the day on Monday, November 12th. Book Fair sales will begin on Tuesday, November 13th and run through conferences on Friday, November 16th at noon. Click here for the flyer with more information and click here if you would like to sign up to volunteer.

From the home office in Castle Rock, Colorado, here are the top 5 carpool reminders (Letterman fans will understand this):

5. Please use the crosswalks.

4. Watch your speed – there are some cars going too fast during carpool.

3. No phone or handheld electronic use – this means your 100% focus is not on the kids.

2. Pull forward as far as you can so we can fit as many cars in the drop off/pick up line as possible.

And the number 1 reminder for carpool…

1. Smile – you and your kids are part of an amazing school community!!!

Casino Night at Cielo

Come roll the dice at the AVA PTO red, black, and white themed Casino Night. There will be blackjack, craps and roulette, prizes and more! This will be a catered event with an additional cash bar. Entry ticket price is $50.00 per person.

If you would like to donate toward sending a staff member please click here and select the donate option in the drop-down (each staff member you send is worth 2 volunteer hours)

When: Friday, November 9th, 6 pm - 10 pm
Where: 485 W Happy Canyon Rd, Castle Rock, CO 80108

The PTO is looking for prize donations . If you can help with donations, please email [email protected]

This event will sell out quickly; get your tickets today!

Hello AVA families! We have our annual vision and hearing screenings planned for October 23rd and October 24th. During this time, we screen all students in Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, and 7th grades, as well as new students and those who receive special education services. If you would like to discuss the screenings further or sign the opt-out form, please email Brittney Black.

Click here for the Events Calendar

After School Activities

After School Clubs are now open for sign up for grades K-8. Please click here to see what we are offering this session.

Here are a couple of new clubs that have just been added.

Sports News

Students in Middle School (beginning with 6th Grade) are encouraged to participate in at least one sport per year. Students may only participate after the following have been submitted to and verified by the Front Office:

Athletic Packet (This includes three pages: AVA Participation, Physician Permit, and DCSD Participation.) Please submit completed packet.
$115 per player, per sport

STUDENTS MUST HAVE AN UP-TO-DATE ATHLETIC PACKET TURNED IN TO THE SCHOOL NURSE BEFORE YOUR SON OR DAUGHTER CAN TRY-OUT. Click here for the packet.

Click here for our sports page.

**AVA Sports are for students in grades 6-8**

PTO News

Up-coming PTO Events with Volunteer Opportunities

Take a peek at all the up-coming AVA PTO events here. Dates are subject to change. The AVA PTO is only successful with the help of our dedicated parents. If you would like to become a PTO volunteer, please view current opportunities and sign up here!