State of the Aspen Community School - May 2009

School Climate Excitement is high. The Spring Musical Route 66 energized the entire student body with the power of community. We joined together to do something extremely challenging and we did it well. The success you witnessed on stage at the Wheeler proved that all of us are better and stronger then any one of us. Check out photos at this link: bobrugile.smugmug.com/gallery/8117722_wJpHf#529273599_5dxoW

May at ACS School is buzzing. The Eighth graders are in San Francisco, exploring the city. Each student responsible for guiding the class through a different neighborhood. Students will also volunteer at Glide Memorial Hospital serving the homeless. Fifth through seventh graders are at school consolidating their academic skills by engaging in a unique curriculum call “Mini –Society. Sound interesting, it is. Check the details on the 5-8 web page: 5-8learning-center.compass.acs.schoolfusion.us/. The third and fourth graders will journey to Canyonlands later this month for their backpacking trip.“ Over the years this backpacking adventure has achieved mythical status. The kindergarten, first and second graders are continuing with basic instruction and gearing up for their outdoor education trip to John Kelly’s ranch in New Castle. Soon it will be time for graduation. If you have never attended an eight grade panel presentation or graduation I highly recommend you do. You will understand, by seeing and hearing directly from the graduates, the value of an ACS education.

Academic./Artistic Achievement   Students have been working extremely hard this year to master academic/artistic and social skills. To see examples of outstanding art work from every student at ACS please visit The Kid’s Art Show at the Red Brick. The opening reception is on Thursday, May 7th from 4-7PM. We have received early notification of the 3rd grade reading scores from the CSAP assessment. Once again ACS kids proved that they are readers. 92% of ACS third graders who took the standardized assessment were either proficient or advanced. School wide results will be available in August.

Staff Despite the difficult economic times we are thrilled to be able to offer contracts to all current ACS teachers and teacher assistants. Maintaining and training outstanding teachers is at the core of our program.

Parents I salute you for your involvement in education. ACS parents are the best. Look at the Annual Fund list and all the volunteers for the Spring Musical, garage and bike sale, Canyonlands and K12 outdoor ed trip. Please take time to fill out a parent survey: /modules/cms/pages.phtml?sessionid=fc94ee635c0e431c579d4af7977e40e8&pageid=104677. We use this data to improve our program and make our school even better.

Budget We are cautiously optimistic about next year. Parents and have really stepped up by contributing to the Annual fund. Check out the massive list of this year’s parents and teachers! This week on Friday night is the Aspen Education Fundraiser, May Madness, at the Hotel Jerome. Thanks to our amazing parents who purchased staff tickets every staff member at ACS will be dancing up a storm. Come join us and support all Aspen School District Kids. Remember the garage sale and bike swap is coming up on May 16 and 17th. We take other people’s junk and sell it to support our kids. What could be better!