ARPS Weekly Updates: May 11th- May 15th
Good afternoon, Happy Sunday and Happy Mother's Day to ALL!

This week marks our last full week of remote instruction and I know you are ready to be finished. While challenging, this time period has had it's silver linings along the way. Off the top of my head, I'm proud of:
  • The perseverance I've seen these past 8-weeks, by teachers, students AND families.
  • The way our teachers took this remote learning challenge with stride, problem solving literally overnight.
  • The group of 20-5th graders that joined an optional book club on their own will--in addition to their daily lessons and expectations for continued learning.
  • (In the same breath) Mrs. Hollis! She offered to lead this group of students and to share her love of reading and books with them. They had an amazing time together!
  • Our Virtual Art Show! It turned out to be it's own work of art. I can see us keeping this as part of our annual celebration of students. If you haven't checked it out, click HERE.
  • The 20 students who showed off their dancing, piano playing, vaulting and video gaming skills during our first Virtual Variety Show (just to name a few of the talents that were shown). Our children are amazing and have no fear! Thanks for hosting Mrs. Ravita!
  • The groups of parents that have come together to create lasting memories for our exiting 8th graders and graduating Kindergarten students.
  • Our special education staff and families who have worked through these challenging times to create differentiated opportunities to the best of their abilities, and for continuing with IEP meetings and staffings throughout.
  • Our Board of Directors who have continued to support our school, who have asked the right questions and who have continued with implementing strong systems and processes in place. (A BIG thank you to our Curriculum Advisory Committee that will recommend a science curriculum for our middle school students at our next board meeting, and who are supportive of continuing a high level of rigor and instructional opportunities that separate Aspen Ridge from other schools.)
  • Natalie (one of our middle school students) who is the first Aspen Ridge student to qualify for the state finals for National History Day! She represented our school well--even from afar.
  • Our parents and students who made our teachers and staff feel appreciated during Teacher Appreciation Week.
...and the list can go on and on. When I think about our school and the warm, loving community that we create together on a daily basis, hands down--we are the best around! Makes my heart proud.

This week, we will finish up our remote learning journey, our teachers will continue to prepare student materials for pick up for the last week of May, we will be announcing our "Time is Now" character award recipients during morning announcements and we will prepare for our last week of "school"--to make it memorable for all. Many have asked if we will have a chance to get together before the next school year begins, to celebrate each classroom and have some closure for our teachers and students. The answer... "yes, of course." (Depending on the state of our community and what is deemed safe for all.)

Let's make this last week of instruction end on a positive note and full of momentum.
It's a great day to be an Owl! Thanks for continuing to build UP our community!
Be well,
Mrs. Salmeron, Principal
Got Perspective? The End of Year is NEAR!
Click on the calendar to download a version for yourself.
Graduation is near!
Can you feel it in the air?
Mrs. Hays is ready to celebrate our Kinders in style!
Kinder families, if you haven't already read through the email sent by your teachers, please do so quickly. There are some fast approaching deadlines that we need your help with.
This year's Kinder graduation is sure to be a fun time held by all!
Emma's ready for high school. Are you??? We have a great group of 8th graders moving on next year! In fact, this class contains the FIRST group of Owls who spent Kinder-8th at Aspen Ridge! It's a special group for sure!
May 22, 2020 @ 7pm, we'll "clap them out" as they make their last rounds through the ARPS parking lot as an Owl. We are so proud of them, of their accomplishments and how they will continue to shine in high school!
This is Mrs. Zehnder’s ten-year-old nephew, Stevie. Stevie was born with CF. Stevie and other people with CF need superheroes like you to help find a cure and to help them breathe easy.

It's Super Hero week during this week's morning announcements! To keep our annual tradition strong , we are encouraging you to dress as a superhero on behalf of Stevie. For more information about CF, click on the links below.

https://www.cff.org/


This Friday (5/15) is the last day to order summer reading materials and support our school and teachers! Happy Reading!!
Order your yearbook now!
We are hoping yearbooks will be ready for pickup before we have checked out for the school year. (If not, we will find a way to get them to you.) Don't miss the opportunity to have this year's memories at your fingertips. The deadline to order is May 15th.

We are finalizing our school supplies list now. Be on the lookout for how to order supplies for the 20-21 school year through Edukit. This coming year's supplies will cost less than in year's past, as the school will be picking up a portion of the cost to help our families ordering through EduKit.
A few "finds" for your family...
Need a vacation?
https://familieslovetravel.com/category/interests/travel-from-home/

Some Innovative Opportunities from SVVSD
Innovation Academy (Elementary): Innovation Academy will continue over the summer in a virtual environment for any student interested in using design-thinking and engineering enrichment activities to solve real-world problems. Information can be found at  http://innovation.svvsd.org/ia . 

Does your child thrive in situations where thinking, solving, collaborating, and brainstorming are the norm? Innovation Academy is an exciting summer program in partnership with IBM and taught by St. Vrain Valley School District educators, IBM Volunteers, and other SVVSD High School Students. This program has brought Design Thinking and Real-World Problem Solving to St Vrain students for the past nine years. 

This is the first time that the program will be held online and will be open to all elementary students throughout SVVSD without a nomination. If your child is completing kindergarten through 5th grade this May, they are eligible to enroll. Wondering if this is a good fit for your child? Does your child display the following characteristics on a regular basis? See the attached flyer or go straight to the WEBSITE to read more about IAO and enroll your child for an exciting summer opportunity. Registration opens May 1!


Local libraries may be closed, but the New York Public Library is offering over 300,000 downloadable books (for FREE).

Virtual School Activities at your fingertips!

An in-depth daily calendar outlining a multitude of opportunities to live-stream... and engage in everything from crafts to science projects, read-alouds to cooking together. Take a look! You may love it more than your children :)

Podcasts for kids, click HERE to see a great list!
Important Links