Newsletter
February 20th, 2020
Admin Address
Dear Parents:

"The pen is mightier than the sword." Many people are familiar with this phrase that was coined by English author Edward Bulwer-Lytton in 1839. The idea behind this phrase is to indicate that communication is a more effective tool than violence. There is no denying the power of the written word. While the original phrase was coined a long time ago, I feel an updated version of it might be, 'the keyboard is mightier than the pen.' 

Social media means any form of online publication or presence that allows end users to engage in multi-directional conversations. Social media such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat, blogs and the countless other social media outlets are readily available to anyone with a computer, cell phone or other personal electronic device. The value of using social media is undeniable. It is a great way to catch up with long lost friends, brag about your child(ren)'s accomplishments, show pictures of your latest adventures, and countless other things.
 
Social media is a powerful communication tool. There really is no other way to reach the magnitude of people in such a short time. Information can be pushed out to thousands of people in a matter of seconds. As with anything that is so prevalent in society, there is great potential to misuse social media.
 
Students of all ages are very involved with social media. Kids enjoy engaging with tablets, computers, or cell phones at home, in the car, or even while the family is eating dinner at a restaurant. I have even seen kids (and some adults) text each other while they were sitting at the same table. Many students stay connected to their friends and family 24 hours a day using social media. While you take steps to ensure your student behaves in a restaurant, at church, or in other public settings, you may not have reviewed how social media rules with your child.
 
It's important that all kids follow certain rules when participating in social media. And that requires reviewing those rules with your child from time to time. To make sure your child is behaving online, review the proposed social media rules below. Add your own or personalize the list below as you see fit. You can even turn the tips below into a social media contract that your child has to sign and follow, or possibly lose his or her privileges. It is my belief that parents have an obligation to monitor what their child is doing on social media.
 
Be Polite: Unfortunately, many people who use Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, or Instagram can be rude, obnoxious or just plain mean-spirited to others. Be sure your child understands that you won't tolerate rude or ugly comments, and that you will be watching and reading what s/he posts. It's fine for your child to express his or her thoughts and individuality, just be sure they also know that it's not acceptable to single out or harass people who don't agree. This is a lesson that your child will be able to apply to other parts of his life.
 
Don't Bully: Bullies have taken to Facebook, cell phones, Twitter and other online services to harass other children. It's horrible and it shouldn't be tolerated. Let your child know that bullying others is always wrong. It hurts, and can get your child into a lot of trouble at school and possibly even with the law. Take a minute to think how you would feel if you knew your child was being bullied via social media.

Don't Expose Family Problems: No family is perfect, and while it's important to work through family issues, it's not okay to expose family challenges in a public forum. Family members deserve privacy, so your child should understand that ranting about a sibling or relative on social media is not appropriate.

Be Positive: If you spend any amount of time involved in social media you'll see that people spend a lot of their time online complaining. It can become contagious and can influence how you behave when you're not online. Try to get your child to see social media as a way to focus on the positive instead of complaining about everything that's not so perfect in life. Being positive online may help your child develop a positive attitude offline.

Select Photos Carefully: One of the biggest dangers of social media is how photos can be quickly shared and possibly even used against you. Help your child develop a strategy for selecting photos to put online. And remind him/her that they shouldn't feel the need to share everything that goes on in their private life with contacts online. Recommend your child follow this rule: If s/he wouldn't want Grandma to see the photo or read an update, then they probably shouldn't put it out there for everyone else to read.

Know Your Limits: Social media should be a privilege and something that your child doesn't take for granted. If your child's online involvement is interfering with their life, you might want to limit his/her time online. The same applies should grades fall, or should your child withdraw from family or friends. Many parents require all devices (phones, tablets) go to a central location each night at bedtime for charging. This allows kids to 'turn off' social media and get rest without the pressure to respond to a text or Facebook post.

No giving out personal information, such as your phone number and address, online or to people you don't know: Most kids think they're pretty safe from potential dangers online. This can make them more likely to share their personal information with strangers. They may knowingly hand out their information to someone who "seems harmless" or they may accidentally give out information by posting messages such as, "I wish I didn't live next door to the school." Set clear rules about information you don't want your child giving out. This includes having conversations about the importance of not sending inappropriate pictures.

Never feel bad about "getting in your kid's business" by insisting on checking their social media devices. My guess is that you pay for their cell phone/device and any data plan that goes with it. You have every right to know what they are doing, saying or texting. Set up a regular time each week to review their posts and texts. Finally, remember that teaching kids how to interact via social media is an ongoing process and not just a one-time conversation or listing off a set of rules. It requires parents to engage with their kids on a regular basis and use real-life situations as learning experiences.

Bob Barber
Principal
Middle School Only News

Parents of eighth graders can now purchase spots in the yearbook to post messages or pictures of their eighth grader through the wolf shack. Due March 13th. Click here to order a yearbook.
Announcements
Board Meeting Tonight
The working session will be from 6pm-7pm and the Board meeting is from 7pm-9pm.
Crazy Costume Challenge: Design a Fuzz Costume!

Contest details will be shared with K-5 students! For any student wanting to enter, they will receive a packet with the design form and a permission slip.

Students can submit one of two ways:
  1. Parents can submit their student’s design personally. (Instructions are located on the bottom of the design sheet).
  2. Return design sheet with the permission slip to Ms. Orness by Thursday, Feb 27th to be entered.*

*AVA Contest - Students who bring their design back to Ms. Orness will also be entered into our school’s contest for 1st-3rd place prizes!!!

Good Luck ❤ Ms. Orness

Are you interested in working for DCSD Nutrition Services here at Aspen View Academy? If so, please click here for the flyer with more information.
Pay for Dress of Choice – Staff Appreciation

In order to make our Staff Appreciation week a success, we will have a pay to dress of choice on February 26th. Minimum $1 to participate. All proceeds will be used to facilitate meals and gift basket items for our amazing staff!

We still need pictures for the yearbook. Please send them to photos@aspenviewacademy.org. Deadline to submit photos is March 11th.

If you’d like to purchase a yearbook, please click here
Elementary School Talent Show

Mark your calendars for this year’s Elementary School Talent Show, Friday April 10th at 6:30. Auditions will be held on Monday, March 9 starting at 3:45 in Mrs. Ericson’s room (You may also submit a video audition). Click here to sign up audition and/or to volunteer.
DEADLINE IS TOMORROW

It is that time of the year to complete your Intent to Return. This is for all current K-7th grade students. This form must be returned to the front office or you can email it to enrollment@aspenviewacademy.org by February 21st.
February Spirit Night At Chili’s Castle Rock 

Click here and present it on February 26th, to get 15% of your sale donated to AVA. Valid on February 26th from 11am to 10pm. See you there! 
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 Sports
Girls soccer and boys volleyball season is coming! Tryouts will be March 9-10 for girls soccer, and 9-11 for boys volleyball. Please make sure your student has turned in a current physical (this school year) if they intend to tryout. If you have any further questions, please contact Lindsay Alguire for more details.
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: wolfshack@aspenviewacademy.org – 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 office@aspenviewacademy.org  
Fax: (303) 660-5959
Attendance Line: (303) 660-5940
Before/After Care: (303) 888-3040 tlund@aspenviewacademy.org
Lunch Line: (303) 660-5943 xsknight@dcsdk12.org
Student Tech Support: studentsupport@aspenviewacademy.org
Aspen View Academy
2131 Low Meadow Blvd.
Castle Rock, CO 80109