Serving Children Ages **2 months to 5 years**

***

### "They are learning how to become little citizens. They are preparing to become learners for the rest of their lives."

**--Leslie Bixel, Director of The Cottage preschool**

*(right) Children from the Cottage preschool define 'kindnesss.'*



Cottage Preschool

What Children Learn From Play

With over 15 years of experience in education, Nina brings a passion for student growth, instructional leadership, and staff development.

Nina’s journey in education began as a second-grade teacher in Garfield County, Colorado before she expanded her expertise in Kansas City, Missouri. She has served as a Teacher Leader, Staff Development Coach, and Instructional Leader, guiding educators and students toward success. Her leadership played a pivotal role in helping Lakeview Middle School earn and maintain National Demonstration School status.

Holding multiple degrees in English, Special Education, and Educational Leadership, Nina is committed to fostering a culture of continuous improvement at Aspen High. She believes in the power of relationships, collaboration, and growth, encouraging both students and staff to become "1% better every day."

Beyond her professional role, Nina is excited to bring her family to Aspen and become an active part of the community. She looks forward to immersing herself in all that Aspen has to offer, from outdoor adventures to local traditions. Passionate about building and sustaining meaningful relationships, she is eager to connect with students, staff, and families to create a school culture where everyone feels supported and empowered.

Aspen School District

Welcome to the ASD Team, Nina Pulatie, new AHS Assistant Principal

Join us for the IB Visual Arts Senior Exhibition on April 3rd from 5 PM to 7 PM in the BlackBox Theater. Don’t miss it!

Join us for IB Art Showcase

Aspen School District is taking part in Counted Out’s worldwide movement to re-imagine math. The Counted Out film shows the power of math in our society, our economy, and our democracy.

### ASD will screen the movie at 

### 2 p.m. March 12, in the Aspen High School Black Box Theater.

### Seating is limited. [RSVP (free admission) here.](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/aspen-school-district-re-1-counted-out-film-screening-tickets-1255968097389?aff=oddtdtcreator)

**What it is about:** In our current information economy, math is everywhere. The people we date, the news we see, the influence of our votes, the candidates who win elections, the education we have access to, the jobs we get — all of it is underwritten by an invisible layer of math that few of us understand, or even notice.\
But whether we know it or not, our numeric literacy — whether we can speak the language of math — is a critical determinant of social and economic power. \
Counted Out shows what’s at risk if we keep the status quo. Do we want an America in which most of us don’t see ourselves “math people”? Where math proficiency goes down as students grow up? Or do we want a country where everyone can understand the math that undergirds our society—and can help shape it?\
Counted Out has been selected to screen at dozens of film festivals, including SXSW EDU, the San Francisco International Film Festival, and Original Thinkers in Telluride, Colorado which spotlighted the intersection of mathematical thinking and civic health. An election-themed screening at a KALW public radio on National Voter Registration Day marked the launch of an impact and community screening tour. [The New York Times featured Counted Out in an article](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/24/science/math-documentary-voting-abeles.html?unlocked_article_code=1.Uk4.k51o.o1gWSny37FzU\&smid=url-share) about the critical role math plays in our democracy. \
Watch the [Counted Out trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5a2la9WTtY) and learn more at [countedoutfilm.com](http://countedoutfilm.com/).\
[Eventbrite RSVP](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/aspen-school-district-re-1-counted-out-film-screening-tickets-1255968097389?aff=oddtdtcreator), seating is limited.

### *“Our inability, as citizens, to speak the language that is math is truly risky to us as a society.” — Julia Angwin, editor-in-chief of Proof News*

Join the worldwide Math Movement: ASD presents "Counted Out"

Dr. Tom Dodd takes the reins from AMS Principal Amy Kendziorski, who is retiring after 35 years of public education at the end of this school year. Dodd served as Assistant Principal at Aspen High School from 2001-2003.

Dodd comes to ASD with more than 30 years of experience in public education. He currently serves as Assistant Principal of Castle View High School in Castle Rock. He has served as Principal at Windsor High School in Windsor and Lesher Middle School in Fort Collins. He also has worked with Solution Tree Consulting as an educational speaker and leader. He has served as president of the Colorado Association of School Executives and as an International Baccalaureate leader.

ASD hosted a meet and greet with four candidates and received feedback from students, staff and parents. Two AMS students were included on the interview panel that met with all four candidates.

“Dr. Tom Dodd is a proven leader with a deep understanding of what makes middle school students thrive,” said ASD Superintendent Tharyn Mulberry. “His experience with the IB program, his track record of success at the middle school level, and his appreciation for our unique mountain community make him the perfect fit for Aspen Middle School. We are excited to welcome him and look forward to the impact his leadership will have on our students, staff, and families.”

Dodd holds an undergraduate degree from Susquehanna University in Pennsylvania; two Master’s degrees from Adams State University and a Doctorate from Penn State University.

ASD welcomes back Dr. Tom Dodd as the new Aspen Middle School Principal

Aspen High School Athletics is proud to announce the launch of an exciting new initiative: **a Digital Wall of Fame**. Using state-of-the-art software from Rocket Alumni Solutions, Inc., this platform will celebrate the accomplishments of our past and present athletes. Located in the Aspen High School Gym Lobby, the interactive Wall of Fame will also be accessible online, making our athletic history available to everyone.\
Over the years, Aspen High School has unfortunately lost valuable records, photos, and other documentation of our athletic achievements. This project aims to recover and preserve these pieces of history. We are reaching out to alumni, parents, and the Aspen community for help. If you have team photos, broken records that were not documented, or other memorabilia, please share them with us to contribute to this lasting tribute.\
This project is about more than preserving history; it’s an opportunity to engage and empower our students. Sarah Ward and her journalism classes are gathering photos, yearbooks, and any related documentation, while Anita Moose and her Skier TV classes are filming, conducting interviews, and designing the visual elements of the Wall of Fame. Together, they are researching archives to uncover forgotten milestones and achievements. Through this collaboration, students are gaining invaluable real-world skills in journalism, digital organization, and historical research while contributing to a meaningful initiative that celebrates Aspen High School’s athletic excellence.\
The Digital Wall of Fame will feature a searchable database where users can explore athletic achievements by year, sport, athlete, or team. The platform will include dynamic content such as photos, videos, social media integration, and opportunities for sponsorship. Regular updates by students, faculty, and community members will ensure the Wall of Fame remains a living document of Aspen’s athletic excellence.\
The Wall of Fame is not just for Aspen High School; it’s for the entire Aspen community. By sharing stories and achievements, we aim to strengthen the bond between the school and the community. This initiative will inspire current and future athletes while preserving the legacy of those who came before them.\
We invite everyone to participate in this exciting project. Whether by contributing memorabilia, sharing stories, or supporting the initiative in other ways, your involvement is vital. Together, we can celebrate the accomplishments of Aspen High School athletes, preserve our athletic history for generations to come, and inspire pride and engagement within the Aspen community.

We want to take this special opportunity to express our heartfelt gratitude for the Aspen Booster Club unwavering support in making this incredible project a reality. Their dedication and generosity have been instrumental in bringing this vision to life, and it simply would not have been possible without them.

For those interested in learning more about the Aspen Booster Club or enrolling as a member, we are excited to share that this information is now readily accessible via our new interactive TV as well! Their support continues to make a meaningful impact in our community.

For more information or to contribute, please contact Aspen High School Athletics. Let’s come together to honor our past and build a bright future for Aspen High School Athletics!

![](https://cdn.schoolblocks.com/assets/\_next/static/media/SchoolFeed-logo-white.d08731e2.png)

### [](https://ahs.aspenk12.net/en-us)

AHS Athletics launches a Digital Wall of Fame

a parent interacts with the AHS Athletics Wall of Fame

### [**CLICK TO SEE AHS WINNING ART**](https://issuu.com/asdskiers/docs/2025\_art_winners?fr=sM2NmZDc1MDYxNjU)

Six Aspen High School Students recently brought home eight awards - including four Gold Key awards - for their artwork presented in the regional contest of the prestigious national Scholastic Art & Writing Awards program.

The regional contest, the Colorado Art Region of Scholastic Art and Writing, draws more than 5,000 pieces of artwork into the contest, which is open to students in grades 7-12. It is the nation’s longest-running and most prestigious recognition program for creative teens in grades 7–12, ages 13+ and has been a program in Colorado since 1947.

“I think it’s incredible to get recognition as an artist within the community, and I am very appreciative of that!” said Evie Dziedzic Szostak, AHS student who won two awards last year and two this year. “I have had amazing experiences working on art at the high school and have been consistently encouraged to try new things, expanding my skill set and enjoyment of creating.”

Judges, who are industry leaders in the visual arts, look for work that exemplifies originality, technical skill, and the emergence of a personal voice or vision. The awards are: Gold Key, Silver Key, Honorable Mentions, and American Visions & Voices. The Gold Key winners’ work will advance to the national competition. National awards are expected to be announced in March.

“I’m so incredibly proud of all of my students but right now I’m especially proud of the students who entered their work to Scholastics and received recognition,” said AHS Art Teacher Julie Trahon.

Aspen High School Student winners are:

* **Elizabeth Foster**, junior, won a Gold Key award in the Painting category for work titled “Piscis Forum.”



* **Gia Galindo-Bartley**, senior, won a Gold Key in the Photography category  for work titled “LOCK IN!” She also won an Honorable Mention in the Mixed Media category titled “The Pool.”
* **Aurelia Tunte-Stuck**, junior, won a Gold Key award in the Mixed Media category for work titled “Channel:Life.”
* **Graceann Viola**, senior, won a Gold Key in the Ceramics & Glass category for work titled “Doofus the Clown.”
* **Evie Dziedzic-Szostak**, senior, won two Honorable Mentions in the Painting category and the Printmaking category for works titled “An Observer's Echo” and “Polarities.”
* **Kirilee Eklund**, senior, won an Honorable Mention in the Painting category for work titled “Magpies.”

Aspen High School Students win eight awards for artwork in prestigious state and national program

"Don't feed the plants!" Aspen High School and Theatre Aspen present the Spring musical, Little Shop of Horrors.

Don't miss this human-eating plant and all the shenanigans.\
*Flyer design by AHS student Mateo Tafferelli.*

SAVE THE DATE: Little Shop of Horrors!

ASD Teachers visit Eagle Valley Elementary for continued learning

District News

Let's spend the New Year reading! Try an interactive read-aloud with your preschoolers and Kindergartners. Try reading with your child, pause to discuss, and point out something about the text. This makes students active participants in the reading by engaging with their families.

Below is a video from our recent Family Literacy Night, which features literacy expert Lynn Kuhn with some tips and tricks on interactive reading.

Happy New Year! \
 [Family Literacy Night video and lessons](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmjEmbJVzkM)

**Resources for Parents: **

[Wonders Sound Spelling Song](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpQdNaidBSw)

[Fundations alphabet and keywords chart](https://www.wtps.org/cms/lib/NJ01912980/Centricity/Domain/2844/fundations%20chart.jpg)

[The Power of Talking Early and Often with Children | Cox Campus](https://coxcampus.org/talk-early-and-often-with-children/)

The Cottage Pre-School

Let's spend the New Year reading!

Aspen School District’s Preschool, The Cottage, still has slots available for children who turned 4-years-old before Oct. 1, 2023.

In addition, families of children who are 3-years-old and will turn 4-years-old by Oct. 1, 2024 can apply now for Universal Preschool Colorado for the 2023-24 school year. [Click here to join the waitlist.](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd-eWy4Tw6UZJr_Q2A9sCgLNPunTiBH5U8850a9EU21SiiV_g/viewform)

“We want more families to enroll their four-year-olds so that they can go to preschool right at the school where they will go to kindergarten,” said Leslie Bixel, ASD Cottage Director. 

Preschool is a wonderful place for children to start their educational journey, Bixel said. Universal PreK is for all families – children who are bilingual, children who are home during the day with parents and guardians and children of parents and guardians who work.

“Even if children are home with parents or guardians, they are still welcome in UPK and families might consider enrolling their children for 15 hours a week.” Bixel said. “We believe that time in preschool readies children for kindergarten – they make social and emotional connections with other children and enter kindergarten ready and confident.”

Some children can qualify for more time in preschool. Parents and guardians can take a look at the qualifying factors, Bixel said.

[Learn more about Colorado Universal PreK here.](https://upk.colorado.gov/)

The Cottage is accepting applications for 4-year-olds in Universal Pre-K

Aspen Pre-School News

Conoce a la nueva directora de Cottage

Meet the new Director of The Cottage

Welcome to The Cottage

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<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://docs.google.com/document/d/17F5VxHAE2gqHyHoQAKFH16K6QSZXF--O/edit?usp%3Dsharing%26ouid%3D107559334127918783390%26rtpof%3Dtrue%26sd%3Dtrue&amp;sa=D&amp;source=calendar&amp;ust=1722368761338429&amp;usg=AOvVaw1garj1RFm0kGAej3TzhRgL" target="_blank">DAC Meeting Agendas</a> <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ahGvl82WCFViOL75C9c8c9T4427zSixIE-OHN9saNGc/edit?usp%3Dsharing&amp;sa=D&amp;source=calendar&amp;ust=1722368761338429&amp;usg=AOvVaw0KPx-ifCTE8HBWCmEO9fSf" target="_blank">DAC Meeting Minutes</a> 
 
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Aspen School District Calendar

DAC Meeting

BoE Work Session

Board meeting agendas can be found on the <a href="https://aspenk12.diligent.community/Portal/" target="_blank">Diligent Community Site</a>.  ASD Board of Education is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Join Zoom Meeting <a href="https://aspenk12-net.zoom.us/j/87140540099" target="_blank">https://aspenk12-net.zoom.us/j/87140540099</a> Meeting ID: 871 4054 0099

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