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Aspen Valley High School
Puma Periodical
Volume XVIII, Issue VI The Spring Edition March, 2017
From the Principal’s Desk
- By George Stone
CALENDAR
March
23rd & 24th: Portfolio Conferences
(No school)
27th - 31st:
Spring Break (School closed)
April 3rd: AVAC, 5-6 pm
3rd: New Student Info Night, 6-7 pm
12th: Grade Day Sign-Off Day
13th: Grade Day
14th: PLC (No students)
17th: Hexter 6
20th: Professional Learning (No students)
22nd: Prom
For years we here at Aspen Valley have been following the Love & Logic philosophy by Foster Cline and Jim Fay. The following is a current ar cle from them addressing how to reduce family stress. Stress in families tends to come from two sources: communica on problems or outright personality problems. Fortunately, a great deal of family stress can be found rooted in communica on problems. These problems are easier to handle than personality problems, since family communica on is usually enhanced by learning a few basic tools. Most of us are “easy to educate, “ if willing. Here are two ques ons to determine whether there is a personality or a communica on problem. First, ask yourself if the stressed person would be hard to live with no ma er what stress he or she encountered. Second, ask if he or she would be stressed no ma er who he or she lived with. If the answers are “yes”, then the individual is likely facing a personality problem. If the stressed individual agrees to therapy or outside counseling, personality problems can o en be addressed. However, if the individual is not open to
assistance then the personality problem becomes our problem and we need to seek help. There are a wide range of self‐help groups that can assist people in taking care of themselves when living with nega ve or difficult partners. Tips to try: When the problems is communica on, the use of “I” messages o en helps. “I” messages tell the other person where “I” stand rather than where “they” need to go. “I” messages tend to be asser ve rather than aggressive. Instead of telling children, “be quiet,” a parent might say, “I would appreciate less noise, please….Thank you,” in a tone that imparts love and assumes compliance. Using an “I” message, a spouse might say, “Dear, it would help me if you took out the trash. I know it’s hard, but I appreciate it so much when you remember.” Such a statement is less likely to create fric on than shou ng, “You never remember to take out the trash!” Sense of humor: Studies at the Cline/Fay Ins tute in Colorado show that a sense of humor, by itself, tends to help many individuals cope with stressful situa on. (cont’d on page 2)
From the Principal’s Desk - By George Stone (cont’d from pg. 1)
My problem or theirs?: Individuals who communicate well tend to separate problems into “mine” and “the other guy’s.” We can always care about other people’s problems, but we need to work on our own. When we help another person without their permission, they usually end up resen ul rather than grateful. It is best to react to our children’s problems with “Gee honey, I hope you figure that out.” However, if we face our children’s problems with the a tude, “Now what can I do?” their response is likely to be, “I don’t know, but I hope you figure it out, Mom or Dad!” ‐ Pearls of Love & Logic (For more Love & Logic posi ve paren ng solu ons see h ps://
Volume XVIII, Issue VI Puma Periodical Page 2
From D20 PARENT ACADEMY:
SUICIDE PREVENTION
“BE AWARE & SHOW YOU CARE”
Why is Suicide Preven on Important? 34,000 people die by suicide every year in
the U.S.
375,000 people are treated for self‐injury each year in the U.S.
Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for teenagers.
25% of Colorado teens have seriously considered suicide.
There are 18‐25 suicide a empts for every comple on.
Boys are 4 mes more likely to complete suicide.
Girls are diagnosed with depression at a higher rate. Girls a empt 3 mes as o en as males.
Gay, lesbian, and transgender students are 200% more likely to complete suicide.
Other Points to Ponder Teens tend to rely on each other and would
more likely tell another friends about their thoughts of suicide.
Feeling suicidal is very isola ng. It can be a huge relief to talk to someone safe about these feelings and thoughts.
Community partnerships are needed to help decrease the mental health s gma.
It’s a health condi on—like diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.
Be Aware Over 90% of people who complete suicide
were clinically depressed at the me of their death.
Do not be afraid to ask “Are you thinking about suicide?”
Less than 30% of teens with depression get help, yet 80% of teens with depression can be successfully treated.
Student of the Week is going great - the winners are thrilled when their names are
announced during each Wednesday’s all-school assembly!
We’d like to thank you for your kind donations of gift cards to congratulate and encourage the
students who receive this award. If you would like to donate, please contact Mr. Bailey.
For January and February we proudly congratulate:
James, Elena, Josh, Brooke, & Gio!
As always, thank you for encouraging your student to strive for this prestigious award!
Volume XVIII, Issue VI Puma Periodical Page 3
15 Billion-Penny Milestone Reached; Benefits Blood Cancer Research
Please join Aspen Valley as we participate in the Pennies for Patients program. Since 1994, millions of dollars have been raised in pennies and other spare change by more than 10 million elementary, middle and high school students throughout the country.
The funds, collected this year until March 30th, benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
For something completely fun & different, the Puma classes are uniting by wing (east, west, downstairs). The Puma group collecting the most change gets to choose which Puma teacher they wish to dress-up with hair and make-up for the day … as the group enjoys their pizza & ice cream party!
AND Mr. Stone has thrown down the gauntlet: If we raise $600, Mr. Stone will wear a “Princess Dress” for the day!
So, c’mon, clean out your seat cushions, your car, your purse - donate that loose change to a good cause!
For Cap & Gown, Announcements,
Class Ring, all of your graduation bling,
contact: Joe Adducci
(719)633-8228
Senior Meetings Seniors meet every month on the first Thursday in the Multi-Purpose Room, during Puma. Please remind your senior to attend and bring his/her planner to every meeting.
Meeting Dates: March 2 April 6 May 4
IT’SNOTTOOSOONTOBETHINKINGABOUT…GRADUATION!
Congratulationsparentsof2017seniors‐thefunisjustbeginning!Pleaseremember,inordertograduate,eachstudentmustcompletetheAVHSrequirementsaslistedatwww.asd20.org/avhsthroughtheParentGateway;
clickontheParent/Studentlink.
Atip:Frequentlyseniorsputthemselvesinabindincompletingthe180hours/18weeksjob/workshadowingor72hoursCommunityService.
Please:Planahead!
Ms.MangisourSeniorClassLiaison.Contactheratkristin.mang@asd20.org.
Volume XVIII, Issue VI Puma Periodical
IMPORTANTDATES!
SeniorBreakfast:May12,7:00‐9:00a.m.GraduationPractice:
May16,9:00‐11:00a.m.Graduation:
May17,10:00a.m.(doorsopen@9:00a.m.)
Volume XVIII, Issue VI Puma Periodical Page 5
Aspen Valley’s Annual Career Day will be held Wednesday, March 22nd.
Students will be able to a end three career presenta ons that morning.
Ask your student about their dream job!
Did you know D20 has literally HUNDREDS of college scholarship opportuni es for your student? And we have a convenient link set up for you to access them from the AVHS web page.
Go to h ps://aspenvalleyhigh.asd20.org. Click “Counseling” (on the le ‐hand side), which takes you to the “Welcome to Counseling Homepage.” Look on the right‐hand side, under “Links” to find “ASD20 Scholarships.” Ques ons? Call our counseling office @ 234‐6004.
Bynowyou’veprobablyheardthenewsthat,foratleastthenext iveyears,ColoradohasswitchedfromtheACTtesttotheSATtest.Articlesaboundonlineaboutthechange.
Of icialSATTestPrepColorado11th‐graderswillsitfortheSATtestonApril11,2017.World‐classSATtestprepisfreethroughKhanAcademy.Downloadtheappfordailyquestionsandsimulatetestdaywithfull‐lengthpracticetests.CollegeInColoradoalsoprovidesinformationandresourcesforothertests,suchastheACT.
Onceyoutakethetestandreceiveyourscores,logintoyourCICportfoliotorecordyourscores.Youcanseewhetheryouneedtostrengthenyourscoresorwhetheryouareapproaching,meetingorexceedingbenchmarksoneverysectionofthetest.
Volume XVIII, Issue VI Puma Periodical Page 6
Volume XVIII, Issue VI Puma Periodical Page 7
ASPEN VALLEY ADVISORY
COMMITTEE MEETING
Monday, 4/3/2017 5:00-6:00 p.m.
ASPEN VALLEY NEW STUDENT
INFORMATION NIGHT! Monday, 4/3/2017,
6:00‐7:00 p.m.
March 27th - March 31st
March 23 & March 24
:
Volume XVIII, Issue V I Puma Periodical Page 8
Parenting in a World Challenged by Bullying
Dr. Poland and Mr. Lieberman
3/1/2017 7:00 PM Parents of children of all ages
Dr. Poland and Mr. Lieberman will conduct a live webinar for parents from 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm. The webinar is entitled "Parenting in a World Challenged by Bullying." This webinar will provide important information for parents of children of all ages. The following topics will be addressed:
Definition and components of bullying
What to do if your child is being bullied
How to partner with your child's school
Connection between bullying and suicide
Difference between conflict and bullying
Gender-based bullying
Cyberbullying
Full: No
If You Can Name It, You Can Tame It
Maureen Lang and Clark Maxon, Learning Services
4/11/2017 6:30 PM EAC, 1110 Chapel Hills Drive, Spruce I & II
Parents of pre-K to 12th grade students
There's nothing like a NO (especially uttered in a loud challenging voice, accompanied by a stamping foot, and in front of others) to provoke a parent! Eye rolls, snide remarks, comments muttered quietly, and doors being slammed tend to trigger a storm of emotions in parents and children alike. But getting caught up in the storm doesn't help it to pass and can actually make it worse. Experts agree staying calm helps you to ignore the bait and end the backtalk/banter. Easier said than done, right?
This webinar will provide information on tips and tools to stay out of the storm and help our children learn to communicate more respectfully and effectively.
In addition, facilitators will answer questions from the webinar audience at the end of the session.
Space for the webinar is limited to the first 500 participants. The webinar will be recorded if parents are unable to join the webinar at the designated time.
Registrants for this Parent Academy will receive an email one day prior to the webinar with the log in information.
Full: No
Volume XVIII, Issue V I Puma Periodical Page 9
Providing Input to the Pumas
In our ongoing efforts to promote open and honest communica on, we are offering this opportunity for our parent
community to provide informal feedback and input. Look for this feature in every newsle er, and please feel free to
let us know what you think! Mail, fax, or send this sheet to the AVHS office c/o George Stone, Principal.
Dear Mr. Stone:
Just wanted to let you know . . .
Posi ves:
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Concerns:
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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Signed,
Phone Number: ____________________________ email address: _____________________________________
Aspen Valley High School Address:
1450 Chapel Hills Drive
Colorado Springs, CO 80920
Telephone: (719) 234‐6000