Message from the Principal

Happy Holidays, Owl Families!

November flew right on by, and here we are in the month of December! This season is a wonderful and exciting time of the year as we see holiday decorations lighting up the evening sky, and plans for gatherings with family and friends beginning to unfold. While visions of sugar plums, reindeer, and peppermint mochas dance through our heads, we continue to remain focused on student academic, social, and emotional growth. We have built a strong foundation for learning and growing since August, and our students are working hard to achieve their goals. We remain on a great trajectory of success as we head into the new year!

As we scurry around preparing for the excitement of the holidays, children can also feel the stress and exhaustion brought on by this busyness. Did you know that Colorado has established a program for all children 18 and younger to be able to access three free counseling visits? If you are interested in learning more about the, “I Matter” program or to register, click HERE. 

The celebrations of kindness, generosity, and goodwill continue to shine bright throughout the school. We appreciate the parents that have volunteered their time, talent, and phenomenal baking skills to spread holiday cheer, and all of our community members that have partnered with ARPS and A Precious Child to bring the magic of the season to families and children in need. The holiday season is all about giving, and it has been a joy to witness our entire school community modeling the “We Are Connected” Mindset through words and actions. I am so grateful to be part of a school with such a big heart for building community!

Wishing you all the best this holiday season!

Rachel Miller, Principal
Upcoming Events for Your Calendar
December

12/1 - Early Release, 12:15pm
12/3 - Erie Parade of Lights
12/6 - Girls' Basketball @ Lyons, 3:30pm
12/7 - Colorado Gives Day
12/8 - New Student Lottery
12/9 - Middle School Choir, Band, and Drama Winter Performance, 6:00-7:00pm
12/13 - Girls' Basketball @ Flagstaff, 3:30pm
12/15 - ARPS Board Meeting, 4:30pm
12/17- Early Release, 12:15pm
12/20 to 1/5 - Winter Break
January

1/5 - First Day of Third Quarter
1/10 - Girls' Basketball Home Game, 3:30pm
1/13 - Parent Academy: Parenting w/ Positive Discipline, 5th-8th grades
1/17 - No school, Martin Luther King Jr. Day
1/19 - Girls' Basketball Home Game, 3:30pm
1/19 - ARPS Board Meeting, 4:30pm
1/27 - Spring Pictures, Class groups
Staff Spotlight: Owl of the Month
Bridget Shahinian
Dean of Student Engagement
Our Owl of the Month for the month of November is our excellent Dean of Student Engagement, Bridget Shahinian!

Bridget joined the leadership team this summer and quickly began contributing to the culture of Aspen Ridge. She takes the initiative and uses her wide range of experiences to connect and support students and staff each day. We appreciate Bridget's commitment and dedication to our community, and we are so fortunate to have her on our team.
Colorado Gives Day!
Did you know Colorado's largest single day of giving is Tuesday, December 7th?! In 2020 the day brought in more than $50 million in 24 hours! Aspen Ridge was fortunate to receive more than $1,800 in 2020 and we are hoping to DOUBLE that amount this year!

Every ARPS donation scheduled for or made on #COGivesDay on Dec. 7th will give Aspen Ridge a higher percentage of the Colorado Gives Day Incentive Fund! Every donation makes a difference!

Click here to schedule your donation today!
Spring Gala 2022
After missing out on the fun in 2020 and 2021, we're so excited to host our Spring Gala once again on Saturday, April 2nd, 2022 at Stonebrook Manor!

The Spring Gala is our school's biggest fundraiser of the year, and volunteers are an integral part of making it happen! Whether you have a lot of time, just a little, or can volunteer only from home, our school and community will benefit greatly from your support.

There are many moving parts involved with putting this gala together, and many different ways in which you can offer support. Do you own a business that wants to donate a silent auction item? Do you work for a business that would like to be a sponsor of the gala? Or do you want to volunteer to support gala logistics? Join us to learn more about how you can help, and click here to sign up to volunteer!

Please reach out to Andi Johnson at auction@aspenridgeprepschool.org or Sean Cortes at scortes@aspenridgeprepschool.org with any questions.
Wild Weather? Here's Our Process.
How does Aspen Ridge determine delays in school start time and cancellations when bad weather is in the forecast?
  • Aspen Ridge will take the lead from the St. Vrain Valley School District when making the call to delay school start times or cancel school.
  • Because we are a smaller school responsible for our own plowing and snow removal, late start days are often called to ensure safety for all.
  • On occasion, Aspen Ridge will delay or close school when SVVSD does not. This is because we take into account that many of our families and staff members travel to get to school each day.
  • Before school is delayed or canceled, we will:
  • Monitor weather forecasts and predictions, and
  • Keep an eye on nearby districts and their closures
  • At Aspen Ridge, safety is our priority. If ever you feel driving conditions are treacherous or unsafe, we encourage you to do what's best for your family and call in an absence if warranted.

How will my family know if school is delayed or cancelled?
  • If school is delayed or cancelled, Aspen Ridge will post to Facebook and our website, in addition to sending out updates through email.
  • Constant Contact is our primary source of email communication. If you know of someone who is not receiving Aspen Ridge Parent Newsletters or information from the school, please email Carrie Cantwell (ccantwell@arprep.org) or Charla Salmeron (csalmeron@arprep.org) to have their email addresses added.

What is the difference between a delay in school start time and a cancellation?
  • When a delay in school start time is communicated, school will start 2 hours later than normal. Doors will open at 10:00am (instead of 8:00am), and classes will start at 10:15am (instead of 8:15am).
  • Lunch schedules will remain the same; class schedules and enrichment schedules will be abbreviated.

What if my child attends lessons or 100 Mile Club before school, and school is delayed?
  • If school is delayed or cancelled, ALL before school activities will be cancelled.
  • If school is delayed, all after school activities will continue as normal, unless weather conditions worsen.
  • If school is cancelled, no activities, including Owl's Nest, will be open for services.

How is "indoor" recess determined?
  • On any given school day, all recess times (before or during school) will be held outside unless the weather is 20 degrees or lower (including wind-chill).
  • Please make sure to dress your Owl in layers and bring snow boots and snow pants if it is snowing or if there is snow in the forecast.
  • If rain or cold, ongoing drizzle is present, students will remain inside for recess.
  • Wind will also be monitored to ensure that our students are safe playing outside.
  • At any given time, campus administration may move recess indoors if weather conditions are unsafe or not conducive to playing.
  • With colder weather comes a spike in Lost and Found items. Remind your Owl to check lost and found daily! All Lost and Found items are donated at the end of each quarter.

Will my child have to log on for asynchronous learning on days that school is cancelled due to the weather?
  • No. If school is cancelled due to weather conditions or dangerous travel, we hope that you will stay home, light a fire in your fireplace, and enjoy the time with your family.

Don't hesitate to ask if you have any questions, and as always, thank you for your ongoing support! Happy weather watching!