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Newsletter

November 1st, 2018

Administrative Address

A key component of our AVA culture is affirmations. In our fast-paced and challenging lives it is easy to miss, or fail to focus on, the countless good things happening around us each day. We all have peers, coworkers, family members, and even strangers passing through our days who are working hard, committing acts of kindness, or just being decent fellow humans. It's simple to gloss over those nuggets of goodness and focus our energy on the problems and challenges. As the old saying goes, "the squeaky wheel gets the grease," and sometimes we forget to squeak until we are unhappy.

While it can be difficult to find the time to affirm the people around us, there are powerful benefits to doing so. After all, being good is not always a simple task either. Each day the students, parents, teachers and staff of AVA are putting tremendous effort into doing the best that we can, and that deserves a bit of recognition.

In walking the halls at Aspen View it is not unusual to sees notes of praise, encouragement, and gratitude taped to a locker, a classroom, or even an administrator's door. Small as they may be, these acts of encouragement are nourishment for the spirit. Whether it is a parent getting a positive email about their child, a teacher getting a thank you card, or a student earning a Wolf Buck, it is a wonderful feeling to know that members of your community notice and value what you are doing. It is easy to fire off an email when we are upset or concerned, but much more difficult to remember to do this when things are going well, when needs are being met, and when people are happy.

In addition to the benefit it has on others, there is great personal benefit in practicing gratitude. When we slow down and focus on who/what we appreciate, we are reminded of the many aspects of life for which we are grateful.

As we continue on another excellent school year, I encourage everyone to take stock of that for which we are glad and spend a moment sharing that gratitude. Let's lift each other up and encourage those around us to continue their good work.

In partnership,

Bruce Gordon, MS Assistant Principal

2019-2020 Lottery for Enrollment

Sibling Priority for 2019-2020 Lottery

The Lottery for 2019-2020 will be held the first week in December. Please be sure to read to these entire 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 click here to complete the Open Enrollment Tool. This is the only way we can ensure they receive "Sibling Priority." The first round of open enrollment is available from today (November 1st)-December 3rd at 4:00pm.

There is no need to complete this for 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.

Click here for the step by step instructions. Please be sure to follow the instructions with the headline " Current DCSD Parent (Parent who has a current or previously enrolled student or sibling of a current or previously enrolled student) steps"

If you have any questions, please stop by the front office or email [email protected].

Middle School News

8th grade students entering high school for the 19/20 school year will automatically be enrolled into their neighborhood high school. If you would like your 8th grader to attend a school other than their neighborhood school, you must go through the Open Enrollment Tool.

Announcements

Veterans Day Assembly

When? Friday, November 9
Time?
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM Prek-4th
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM 5th thru 8th

If you have a special Veteran in your life you would like to honor, please fill out this form. Families are welcome to attend the assemblies.

The town of Castle Rock has a program that helps purchase presents for the children of families in need during the upcoming holiday season. Our school has a limited number of slots to nominate students and their families. If you feel you could benefit from this program please reach out to our school counselor, Kim Ness at [email protected]. The deadline is approaching, so don’t wait long.

Middle School Choir Concert!

Students in 6th and 7th grade choir will perform the evening of Wednesday, November 7 in the AVA cafeteria! Sixth grade will perform at 6:00 PM and seventh grade will perform at 7:00 PM. All are welcome. We hope to see you there!

Donuts with Dads

Wednesday, November 14, starting at 7:15 am in the AVA Cafeteria

Back by popular demand! Start your morning off with donuts, drinks, and smiles at AVA. In addition, after you've enjoyed your tasty breakfast treats, make sure to check out the Scholastic Book Fair. Please be sure to RSVP HERE!

Click here for more information.

Book Character Pumpkin Decorating Contest

The AVA Book Character Pumpkin Patch is growing!! Continue to bring in your pumpkins for the contest. Please drop them off in the library with your entry form completed. All pumpkins must be submitted by Monday, November 5.

All students are invited to participate!
Click here for the flyer with contest rules

Girl Scout Troop 416 will be hosting the 4th annual Halloween Candy Buy Back. Protect those healthy smiles from the cavity monster and send smiles to our troops! Bring your unopened candy to the school on the mornings of November 1st and 2nd. Collected candy will be taken to Dr. Benzley at Castle Rock Smiles who will give AVA $1 per pound!

Yearbook

This year we will be working with a new vendor, DR Photo. Yearbooks will go on sale January 2019! As always, we will be looking for pictures from class parties, school activities, field trips, athletics, and after school clubs. Stay tuned, as we will make submitting yearbook pictures easier this year! In the meantime, if you have questions, please email [email protected]. As always, we are looking for volunteers. If you would like to be a part of the Yearbook Committee, please sign up here. We are looking for editors, layout assistants, and photographers!

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. We still have openings to volunteer at the Book Fair. Please click here if you are able to sign up to volunteer.

Click here to read our Principal Letter regarding the Book Fair.

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.

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

Boys Basketball

Thursday, Nov. 1 AVA @ Sky View 4:15/5:15 pm
Tuesday Nov. 6 North Star @ AVA 4:15/5:15 pm
Thursday Nov 8 AVA @ Littleton Prep 4:15/5:15 pm

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!