Aspen Crossing Community,

Aspen Crossing Elementary embraces its mission: "Aspen Crossing Elementary is a caring community, where all children are empowered to explore, learn, and achieve." We hold high expectations and a strong commitment to excellence in academic achievement for all students. To develop a strong foundation for more advanced learning, we have selected and implemented standards-based, researched programs in reading, writing, math, social studies and science.

We believe students learn best in a nurturing atmosphere where they:
· feel respected, valued, and safe
· have positive parental support
· are given high standards and clear expectations
· are provided a structured environment that encourages creativity
· have opportunities to make choices
· help each other achieve goals
· take responsibility for their own learning

We value caring, child-centered 21st century learning environments, engaging in learning outside of school to apply learning and reinforce skills, and standards-based progress reports. The cornerstones of our school are collaboration, Parallel Block Scheduling, Professional Learning Communities, curriculum mapping, technology integration, and a partnership with the community. Aspen Crossing provides a rigorous K-5 core curriculum in reading, writing, math, science, social studies, and the fine arts. Students are provided extensions/enrichment or learning support through the parallel block schedule. Students receive differentiated instruction through flexible skill groups which parallel the curriculum and content in the classrooms.

Safety, respect, and responsibility guide our students' actions and reinforce a caring community. We are part of Positive Behavior Support while implementing lessons around Social/Emotional well-being.  We also emphasize and practice these values:  kindness, respect, taking risks, learning from mistakes, perseverance, responsibility, honesty and caring deeply.  Finally, we utilize Body Basics to teach our students expectations for our learning environment. Our school wide behavior expectations focus on students who "Achieve, Care, & Explore". As our students demonstrate these characteristics, they receive character trait awards which combine to earning an ACE Award. Not surprisingly, we do a lot of celebrating at Aspen Crossing Elementary.

Karen Puga
Principal