Newsletter
August 13, 2021
A Message From The Principal
Exciting News!!
There is some fun activity going on now at AVA. If you have been at school or driven by school recently, you have seen some large tractors working in front of the school. They are relocating a storm sewer line in preparation for a building expansion. This work requires a temporary modification to the driveline as they had to close part of one lane to keep a safe buffer between the driveway and the construction equipment. This has a minor impact on carpool as we stop cars sooner than we normally would and have extend drop-off and pick-up farther down the entry lane. We have AVA staff positioned at many locations to guide cars and students and to keep everyone safe. Please follow the directions of our carpool monitors. The good news is that the relocation of the storm line should be complete by August 27th. At that time, the concrete barriers will be removed, and the construction fencing will be moved so that the entire sidewalk will be accessible.

That is just the beginning. Starting in October, AVA will begin a classroom expansion of the front of the school – in the area where the storm line was relocated and the area that is fenced off. We are adding a 3-story expansion that will include 8 classrooms for elementary grade levels, a science room for 6th grade, an engineering classroom for middle school and a middle school commons area that will serve as a middle school only lunchroom, meeting area, and flex room. One of the main purposes of this expansion is to allow our middle school to occupy the third floor on their own. We believe it is beneficial to provide the middle school students their own space. This portion of the expansion is expected to be complete in late April.

But wait, there’s more! We are also expanding our facility to include a Fine Arts program. Starting in January, we will be adding to the back side of the school with a new, bigger gym, stage, and two music rooms. This will allow our students better opportunities for sports as well as amazing theater programs and other music options. One of our goals is to have primarily student lead theater performances complete with students performing and handling the sound and lighting. This portion of the expansion is expected to be complete next summer.

Currently, we are hindered due to space limitations. These expansion plans are all part of AVA’s commitment to providing our students with the best programming opportunities. Additionally, we will have more breakout space for our support staff (interventionists, gifted and talented, reading specialists, and student wellness staff) to have a dedicated space to meet with students.
We are excited that we can provide this for our students and staff. While we know there will probably be some speed bumps along the way, the prize at the end will be well worth it. We are working on getting some of the architectural drawings so you can see what the end product will look like. We will have those in the main entrance of the school and will start having them in future newsletters.
Announcements
STAGGERED START TO BEGIN SCHOOL
One procedure that AVA implemented at the beginning of last year due to COVID was the staggered start for both elementary (K-5) and middle school (6-8) with having a reduced percentage of students attending school for the first couple of days. The staff found this very beneficial for the students as it allowed the students to be more relaxed and able to learn grade level procedures and expectations easier. As a result, we are going to continue with the staggered start for the upcoming school year. Listed below is how we will address these days.

Grades K-5:
  • Only students with last names beginning with A-L will be in school on Monday, August 16
  • Only students with last names beginning with M-Z will be in school on Tuesday, August 17
  • ALL K-5 students will be in school on Wednesday, August 18 and will follow the published school calendar for the remainder of the school year.
School Pool by Way to Go
Aspen View Academy participates in this service via our opt-out method, meaning all families are submitted unless they have requested to be removed. Way to Go automatically provides each family with a personalized map list identifying the nearby families. These personalized map lists were just emailed out on Thursday, please check your inbox or Spam/Junk folder for this important email. We hope this will be a useful tool for our families as AVA navigates this year with the building expansion.
PreK and Visitor Parking

Please be advised the parking spaces numbered 11 - 30 are for PreK Parents and require a Parking Pass 7:45 AM - 8:30 AM and from 3:00 PM - 3:45 PM. These spaces are Visitor Parking only from 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM and no pass is needed during these times.
Student Entrance
When arriving to school Students may enter either from the Main Entrance by the Flag Pole or on the Far West Entrance by the PreK Playground. The doors will remain open until 8:15am. No Adults will be allowed entry in the far west doors.

ALL Adults must enter the main entrance and must present their ID prior to entering the building.
HAVE YOU HEARD – FREE LUNCH IS BACK!!!
Lunch meals are free for the entire school year!!! The student must take a fruit or vegetable to make a reimbursable meal. We will have additional ala carte items available for purchase which would include second entrees. You can easily put money on your child's lunch account for these purchases by visiting MySchoolBucks.com

This flyer from DCSD references breakfast which AVA does not offer. You can load money onto your child’s lunch account at MySchoolBucks.com in order for them to purchase extra a la carte items or other goodies that may be occasionally offered.

Purchasing Snacks/Ala Carte Sales, Extra Entrees (“Seconds”), & Negative Balance

Please Advise Nutrition Services if you DO NOT want your child to participate in any of these purchasing options. Complete this form and return to DCSD Nutrition Services.
Student Attendance
Report Absence or Late Arrival:
To report a student absent or late arrival please call the Attendance Line: 303.660.5940 This is available 24 hours a day. Or report their absence through the AVA App.

Late Arrival:
If your student arrives after the front doors are closed please walk your student in to sign them into school. They will need to get a late pass prior to going to class. Students are considered late when they are not in their seat at 8am for Middle School and 8:15am for Elementary.

Early Pick up:
If you need to pick up your student early they MUST be called out of class PRIOR to 3:15pm. The front office WILL NOT call into classrooms after 3:15pm to release your student early.
Student Photos
Student Pictures for Yearbook and Student ID are scheduled to be taken during the following schedule listed below. Click here to order photos.

Please note: all students need to be photographed in their AVA Uniform since this photo will be used for both their Student ID as well as the Yearbook.

Pre K - 5th Grades
  • Students in Pre K - 5th Grades will can get their pictures taken during the Meet and Greets which are scheduled for Thursday August 12th and Friday August 13th.
  • Please plan extra time prior to your meet & greet time or after your scheduled time.
  • This will give you an opportunity to be here when their photo is taken and reduce the need for retakes.
  • Please have your student dressed in their Uniform.

Additional Dates for Photos
  • Late Registrations - Tuesday August 17th
  • Retakes - Wednesday October 13th
  • Class Groups & Spring Individual Pictures - March 25, 2022
All School Directory
Every year we provide this great tool to the AVA Community. The All School Directory is provided on the AVA app and it is password protected. The password will only be emailed to the parents or guardians listed on their student registration. But before it can be published, those families wishing to opt out must complete this form. Please note that you may opt out to all or partial information. If you wish to opt out all your information please know your students name will still be listed in the classroom list within the directory.

The directory will be available on the app in late August. Once the directory is available it will be password protected so please look for the password in an email in late August.  All families are automatically opted in to the directory.

To  OPT  OUT of the All School Directory you MUST complete this form. The deadline to complete this form is Sunday, August 15th.
Download the AspenView Academy App:

Stay up to date with notifications, calendars, links and more with the free app from bluetree apps. Download on your phone for free by searching Aspen View Academy in your app store.
Landsharks Running Club

Fall running season is starting September 10th with practice on Monday and Friday ending Oct 15th and with 3 races. Landsharks is a great way to get children interested in running in a fun and relaxed environment.  Click here for more details on the club and how to register.

Landsharks Coaches Needed:
We are in need of Coaches, so if you are interested please reach out. Even if you have limited availability, any help you can provide is appreciated.  Please email or call Sandie Pynes for more information.
BASE - Before and After Care Enrichment
Click the image below for more information
Kids Night out 8/21 - Click the image below for more information
PTO Events
Kindergarten Boo Hoo Yahoo

We know how exciting and anxious the First Day of Kindergarten can be for parents. After you drop off your kindergartner, stop by the Cafeteria (August 16th and 17th) to meet the Principal and other kindie parents and get some first-hand information of what to expect for your AVA student. Also meet a few of the PTO members and see how you can get involved.

If you have any questions, please email PTO@aspenviewacademy.org.
Sponsors Needed

The PTO is looking for sponsors for t-shirts for every student and staff member to celebrate the FUN RUN. We have 1 Platinum Sponsor ($1,000), 4 Silver Sponsors ($500), and 5 Bronze Sponsors ($250), available on a first come first serve basis.

Due to last year’s overwhelming success and interest, this year we are adding 2 Gold Sponsors ($750).

If your business would like to be a sponsor, please email Kirsten by Aug. 15th 
Used Uniform Proceeds
If you participated in the Used Uniform Sale, please pick up your unsold items and money by Friday, August 20. All items and Moneys not picked up by this date will be donated to AVA PTO and added to our inventory.
Middle School Sports
Please have your student sign up now for the following fall sports:
  • Cheer
  • Girls Volleyball
  • Boys Soccer
  • Coed Cross Country

Tryouts will be the week of August 16th and then the first practices will be on August 23rd. Sign-up now on the athletic website page, look for the try-out form. If you need any help or have any questions please see Coach Dickson in the gym.

If any parents have an interest in coaching please reach out to Todd Dickson at tdickson@aspenviewacademy.org.
Volunteer Corner
Welcome to another school year at Aspen View Academy. We have a lot of volunteer opportunities so keep a look out for Sign-up Genius', Newsletter announcements and emails from the PTO. Below is an excerpt from the AVA Handbook.

VOLUNTEERING COMMITMENT – AVA believes that the success of each student will be a shared responsibility of students, teachers, parents, staff, and community leaders. Volunteers enhance the school and its culture and character through their involvement. Accordingly, a strong family involvement program will be implemented. AVA expects 30 volunteer hours per family per school year. Single-parent families are expected to volunteer 15 hours per school year. The volunteer school year shall coincide with AVA’s fiscal year, and hours shall accrue from July 1 through June 30. If your family has special circumstances that make it difficult for you to meet the expected volunteer hours, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator. Many volunteer opportunities exist within AVA’s PTO. The PTO is an organization comprised of parent volunteers for the purpose of providing community support, fundraising and planning various events within our school community.

Pre-registration is required prior to volunteering. Please visit the Raptor Volunteer site this only needs to be completed one time. Once completed we will need you to bring your ID in to scan and link to your profile.

To log volunteer hours, please visit the Volunteer Portal.

These volunteer opportunities can also be found on the volunteer page of our website.
Contact Us
General Information: (720) 733-3436 office@aspenviewacademy.org 
Fax: (303) 660-5959
Attendance Line: (303) 660-5940
Volunteer Coordinator: scahill@aspenviewacademy.org
Before/After Care: (303) 888-3040 tlund@aspenviewacademy.org
Lunchroom Manager: xsknight@dcsdk12.org

Aspen View Academy
2131 Low Meadow Blvd.
Castle Rock, CO 80109