Welcome New Families!

Welcome to Aspen Academy! We are so excited for you to join our community! Below are some tips to help you learn the logistics of daily life at Aspen.

New Family PowerPoint

2023-2024 School Calendar

2023-2024 New Student Important Dates

February 9, 2023- Enrollment Lottery

April 21, 2023 – Kindergarten Roundup, Aspen Gym

August 30-31, 2023 – Assessments

September 5, 2023 – First day of school – Grades 6-8

September 7, 2023- First day of school – Grade K-5

 

FAQ:

Resource Section: An important page to bookmark for future reference is our Current Family/Resource page. This is where we list important information that you need to access during the school year.  https://aspenacademymn.org/current-families/resources/

Spanish Help: If you have a scholar coming into an older grade without any knowledge of Spanish, don’t worry. Our Spanish teachers are used to new students coming in and will work with your scholar(s) to get them caught up. If you would like to practice Spanish during the summer, duolingo.com is a great free online resource for scholars. 

Back to School/Assessments: The school will reach out to families in mid-late August to set up a time to come into the school. During your appointment, you will get to meet your teacher and see your classroom, bring in school supplies, purchase daily planners, explore the school, meet staff, and your scholar will take an assessment. Middle School scholars will pick up their schedules during this time. 

Teacher Assignments: The school will send you an email with teacher assignment (Kindergarten – 5th grade) in mid-late August. Middle School scholars will pick up their schedules during Back to School. 

Uniforms: There are many uniform options for Aspen scholars. You may purchase white or black polos and khaki skirts, jumpers, shorts, and pants from any retailer. If you would like any of the green options, they must be purchased from Lands End.  Some stores sell a similar shade of green until the item is washed and changes color.  Please do not purchase green from other retailers. Please check the uniform policy for more details  https://aspenacademymn.org/current-families/resources/uniforms/. Middle School scholars (grades 5-8) have different uniform options than elementary options.  

Used Uniform Sale: This year, the Used Uniform Sale will be held at the Aspen Academy Gym on August 3, 4-7pm. Families will run their own tables and sell directly to purchasing families. All families selling will use a set price list.  2021 Used Uniform Sale Price List 

Lunch Ordering: The online lunch ordering system, Orgsonline.com, will be open in mid August to purchase lunches for the first month of school. Aspen will send out an email in August to let you know when it is open. If you would like to order hot lunch for your scholar, you will need to create an online lunch account.  Please follow the Lunch Account Setup instructions:   https://aspenacademymn.org//wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Lunch-Ordering-Directions.pdfhttps://aspenacademymn.org//wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Lunch-Ordering-Directions.pdf

The school code is: 314AAMN

Snacks: Elementary scholars have a snack break during the day in their classrooms.  We encourage healthy snacks such as apple slices, grapes, crackers, carrots. Water bottles are also welcomed in our classrooms.  Snacks should not include pop, candy or potato chips.  (Baked chips are okay!).  

Before and After School Care:
Eagle’s Nest is our before and after-school care option. It is available starting at 7:00am in the morning and is open until 5:30pm after school. Days must be scheduled and paid for in advance. For more information, please visit: https://aspenacademymn.org/current-families/resources/before-and-after-care/ 

School Supplies: School Supplies are posted with several retailers (ex. Walmart/Target) or School Toolbox.  

PTO: The Aspen Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) is open to any and all Aspen Academy school parents, guardians, and staff members of Aspen Academy.  More details to come.

Transportation:
Bus: For the 2022-2023 school year, Aspen Academy will be partnering again with the Prior Lake-Savage School District to use their buses. The passengers will be 100% Aspen Academy students. Transportation request forms will be sent home in August.

Car line: Detailed information on car line drop-off and pick-up times will be sent home in August.

Volunteering:  Aspen welcomes volunteers and provides many different opportunities for volunteering to happen – whether it is on-site, take-home projects, watching another Aspen family’s child so they can volunteer, or field trips, we will tap into your time and talent!  Families are asked to volunteer for 40 hours throughout the year.  Volunteer training is required.  Online Volunteer Training A background check is also required. After you finish your online training and complete the short assessment at the end of the training slides, the school will contact you with information on the background check. Aspen will cover half the cost of the background check.

Student Directory: Aspen will be putting together a student directory in the fall for parents to get in touch with each other. To respect your privacy, we will only ask for phone numbers (optional) and email addresses this year.  An email will go out in the fall to sign up for the directory.