Monthly update
From the Head of School
October 2018
Monthly theme: Cooperation
Parents,

Too often, we don't take time to celebrate the good things. Walking around our campus, it is amazing to see the beautiful buildings with the backdrop of mountains and the sound of the river. Now with the Castle Creek building complete, we are officially done with construction. Our campus is truly spectacular! As we think about the student community, at a time when enrollment is on the decline at many independent schools, ACDS has gone from 190 to 260 students. In addition to all of the terrific new children and parents from out of town and within the valley, this strategic growth has allowed for the hiring of additional extraordinary faculty.
 
As we look at other recent accomplishments at ACDS, I also want to highlight our successful navigation through the accreditation process. The Association of Colorado Independent Schools has acknowledged our progress as a model for other schools, and this was a school-wide effort. Internally, we have created a strategic plan that is our "road map" to the year 2020. Also last year the faculty proposed and the Board of Trustees adopted a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement to accompany the school's mission statement. 

There are so many accomplishments, and as we start to think about October's monthly theme of cooperation, I am reminded that we are all working together for a common goal - to provide the best possible educational foundation for your children.  

I recently asked the faculty, "What makes a good school even better?"  To me, there are two important elements working together that make a school shine.
  1. Faculty growth
  2. A strengthened sense of faculty community
How do we foster faculty growth here at ACDS? One way is by giving our teachers autonomy to create and deliver outstanding curriculum. Autonomy, however, doesn't mean teachers should do whatever they want, and I want to thank Lower School Head Jennifer Bohnen and Middle School Head Brenda Stockdale for their hard work with a new curriculum platform, Atlas, which will be implemented during the course of the year. Though we will be doing a better job documenting curriculum and looking at vertical alignment of content from grade to grade, something I truly feel strongly about is diversity in teaching style and curriculum. This is one of the real strengths of independent schools, and definitely true at ACDS. Teachers are encouraged to choose new novels, try different projects, spend more or less time on different topics, and always strive to improve the learning experience. I believe this leads to a greater growth for students and for teachers.

Teacher autonomy is balanced with a thorough and comprehensive system of teacher evaluation. This is a process we do WITH teachers, not TO teachers. Fostering the professional growth of our teachers is an effort that comes not just from from division heads or myself, but also from peer review and peer coaching. The end result of teacher growth is that it has a positive effect on the students. That is what we are all here for -- we adore your children.

I want ACDS to be a community where caring, respect and kindness radiate throughout. That will bring the classrooms and the school alive. There is no question for me that when teaching and learning are exciting and interesting for teachers, students will thrive. One of our most powerful traits as a school is the connection between a student and many caring adults, whether homeroom teacher, advisor, member of the arts or outdoor programs, or Leadership Team member.
 
We can have fancy buildings, events, etc., but it is the classroom and faculty that make the school what it is. All this is possible because of the Annual Fund that supports teaching excellence, student enrichment, and financial assistance. Already this fall, every single member of our faculty and our Board of Trustees has made a gift to the Annual Fund. We now turn to October as our month to emphasize the importance of the Annual Fund. I want to personally thank all of you in advance for your support, and I hope you will join me in making Aspen Country Day School your philanthropic priority.

With warm regards,
Josh

PS: Curious about how fundraising at ACDS works? Here's a short video: