Read Porter's NFL Picks, Week 4

It was Jan. 14, 2018, when Porter Hopson fell in love with professional football.

He was 7.

“It was the Minnesota Miracle,” he said when asked what was the moment that made him a huge NFL fan. “I remember watching that game at home.”

It was the play-offs. The Saints were winning by one point. There were 25-seconds left in the game.

“Vikings’ Stefon Diggs scored,” he said.

Porter shakes his head and smiles. That was it. He was hooked.

This week, the Aspen Middle Schooler, who is now 14-years-old, will send his weekly “NFL Picks” report, along with a brief rationale for his picks, to the AMS teaching staff. 

“I look at the strengths of the team to see what the quarterback is doing and see if they are good enough. Quarterback is key,” he said.

He has become the (unofficial) AMS sports analyst and aficionado of sorts. 

There is no betting or no brackets to fill out. It’s just a great conversation starter. And Porter can talk about football with anyone, says AMS Principal Amy Kendziorski.

She recalls one of the first serious conversations she had with Porter was about her beloved Packers. Now, she asks him questions about different teams and quarterbacks and wants to get his opinion.

Porter’s NFL Picks report started last school year with a few teachers on his mailing list, she said. Now, it’s a weekly anticipated must-read among the whole teaching staff.

“Porter is a kiddo who has grown up a ton since coming to Aspen Middle School,” she said. “That is the most fun celebration, is Porter taking on projects like this that are pretty special and schoolwide.”

Porter, who is from St. Louis, is a huge Kansas City Chiefs fan - he even dressed up one year as Chiefs Quarterback Patrick Mahomes for the AMS Halloween Fun Run. And, he’s been to a Chief’s game, where he got to watch from the box suites.

“My dad pulled off some magic,” he said, recalling the famous athletes who were among those in the nearby suites. He even planted a kiss on the cheek of the Mom of the Chief’s Defensive Tackle.

Porter works with Occupational Therapist Walker Mills at school. She is part of the Exceptional Student Services Team of special service providers, including school psychologists, physical therapists, speech therapists, counselors, paraprofessionals and behavior interventionists, who work closely with teachers and district administrators to support students and promote student self-esteem, self-efficacy, and sense of well-being by increasing performance, participation, and independence in meaningful student activities. 

Each week, she looks forward to her meeting with Porter, where no doubt they talk football.

“Porter knows more about football than anyone I have ever met,” Mills said.  “His expertise, passion, and willingness to share his knowledge of the NFL with friends in the Aspen School District make my heart smile. He is a joy to work with, and I am very proud of him.”

He’s not shy. He knows everyone. And he is kind hearted, fun and charismatic. Teachers write back to Porter and tell him what they think about his picks and conversations are born.

“It’s just fantastic,” Mills said. “Porter’s Picks  is a highly motivating and meaningful activity that enables Porter to engage with friends and Aspen School District staff while working on  several academic skills such as typing and editing, composing formal emails, as well as content writing- using persuasive and expressive language.”

And for those keeping score, in Week One of this NFL season, Porter was 12 and 4 in his picks.

Football is his favorite, but he likes other sports too. Last March, he did a podcast with a teacher during March Madness. And at the end of last school year, he did play-by-play announcing at the annual AMS Teachers vs Students Basketball Game. He models his delivery after Joe Buck of ESPN, his favorite sports commentator. And, he plays a game called Madden NFL, a football series sports video game with detailed playbooks and player statistics, that helps him hone his game winning predictions, he said.

Porter has not ruled out being a sports announcer in the future. “Maybe,” he said.

But for now, he leaves us with this for Week Four of the NFL season: “Give me the Lions,” he said, over the Seattle Seahawks. 

His thinking: They are playing at Ford Field. The Lions have not beaten the Seattle Seahawks since 2012. 

“This is the year they will win,” he said.

Aspen High School Principal Sarah Strassburger announced today that five AHS students have been named “Commended Students” in the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program (NMSC).

AHS students Henry Hurd, Sharif Khan, Camron Lapointe, Morgan Phillips and Audrey Woodrow have earned the commendation from NMSC. 

“These students represent not only academic excellence, but also the IB Learner Profile traits of  kindness, integrity, inquiry, risk taking, and so much more,” Strassburger said. “Each of these students excels out of the classroom as well; these are student athletes, innovative thinkers, and service oriented students who exemplify the very best of our learning community.  We are so proud of these students and cannot wait to see all that they accomplish to make our world a better place.” 

About 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Although they will not continue in the 2025 competition for National Merit Scholarship awards, Commended Students placed among the top 50,000 students who entered the 2025 competition by taking the 2023 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT).

"We are so proud of these students for their demonstrated academic success," said ASD Superintendent Tharyn Mulberry. "They embody all of the qualities we strive to cultivate in our learners. These students are risk-takers, caring individuals, and knowledgeable, critical thinkers who approach challenges with confidence and curiosity. They exemplify the spirit of lifelong learning and represent the core values of our district. Their success is a testament to the dedication of our educators and the supportive environment we’ve worked hard to create in Aspen."

ASD loves and thanks its volunteers.

Now, ASD is thrilled to introduce its new volunteer management system, enhancing campus safety for students and staff and making it easier for you.

Additionally, it will make it easier for family members to volunteer at their child's school and streamline the background check process required for volunteering in our schools. This will save family members time and make it more accessible and equitable for them to participate in and support their child's education and school.

Thank you for volunteering with the Aspen School District. Volunteers are crucial in helping us provide better services to our students and are valuable members of the Aspen community. Ensuring the safety of all students is our top priority. Part of maintaining student safety is always being aware of everyone in our buildings.

Volunteer Opportunities:

• Classroom 
• Athletics
• Outdoor Education & EX Ed
• Lunch & Recess
• Office Support

ASD embarks on a new Outdoor Education adventure with endorsement from the Association of Experiential Education.

Click here to listen to ODE Coordinator Katherine Gleason talk about ASD's ODE tradition.

When the Aspen Middle School 8th-graders packed their camping gear last week for their week-long outdoor education trips, they became part of a cherished Aspen School District tradition.

It was AMS 8th-graders who launched the ASD Outdoor Education program with a hike to Marble Colorado in1967.

This year’s group of 8th-graders head out making their own history: first group of ASD middle schoolers to be under the accreditation umbrella of the Association of Experiential Education (AEE).

AEE is a nonprofit professional membership association dedicated to experiential education and the students, educators, and practitioners who utilize its philosophy. They believe in the process of learning by doing.

So does Aspen School District.

Earning the accreditation means the district will continue to build its cherished experiential and outdoor educational programs. The mission of the School District's ex ed has been embedded and woven throughout the programming. There is a strong belief in ASD that education can and must expand beyond classroom walls.
ASD’s team set out last year to become accredited. They had to prove the program met 150 minimum standards and show that its program is well-managed and fosters a deep relationship between students and their surroundings while introducing them to various outdoor skills and activities.
They did it. 
“There is no way we could have achieved this accreditation without the hard work and dedication of all ASD staff, students, alumni and community volunteers,” said Katherine Gleason, ASD Outdoor Education Coordinator.  
Since that first 8th-grade trip, ASD has expanded and developed its program for all students, PreK to Grade 12.  

“Each group of students from pre-schools to high school seniors has at least one overnight in our beautiful surroundings,” Gleason said.

At Aspen Elementary School, teachers use local surroundings to foster a deeper relationship between students and their homes while introducing them to various outdoor skills and activities.

At AMS, students are exposed to various outdoor experiences in their four years at AMS.  And Aspen High School students begin their school year with a wide range of experiential education activities and courses they select using an auction process.

Across all divisions, activities and courses have been developed, refined, and taught by passionate, committed educators over many years. Programming is sequenced and progressive to achieve educational objectives and maximize student learning. Aspen High School students start the school year with their week-long outdoor education. 

“Most public schools have maybe one or two outdoor experiences or maybe a partnership with someone like ACES (Aspen Center for Environmental Studies)," Gleason said. "Our program is unique. We do this with every single student in our public school system. We make accommodations as necessary, as we do with all students, so they can have their best opportunity for success.”

Here is what the AEE reviewers said: The demonstrated depth of experience and longevity of teaching staff allow for deep institutional knowledge and culture. 

• ASD has a strong sense of community, a unified purpose and strong communication among staff and students.
• ASD has an Outdoor Coordinator, Katherine Gleason, who is passionate about and committed to the ASD outdoor and experiential programs. She understands the complexities, management and coordination of a multifaceted program, which will continue to inform the next development steps.
• By adopting the international Baccalaureate, PYP, MYP, and DP curriculums, Aspen School District has a solid foundation to incorporate Outdoor and Experiential learning into many facets of learning at the school. 

Gleason said former ASD students always comment to her that outdoor ed was among the best school experiences they had, typically followed by a story of their great adventure. 

“It's a really special opportunity for teachers to have lasting connections with their students,” Gleason said. “The stories you hear from alumni about their outdoor experiential education events in their lives when they went through the program are memorable, meaningful and inspiring – that is something every Aspen graduate I've ever met has talked about – is their experience in this program.”

• **Students find their passions, and fun, in more than 20 clubs **

• Students’ mental health, well-being has improved, survey shows

Aspen Middle School student Charlotte Case smiled and gave her best elevator pitch to perspective Dungeon & Dragons club members.

A combination of her charm and the idea of role playing sounded fun to many students. 

“We got 30 students signed up,” she said. “That is the most we’ve ever had!”

Aspen Middle School’s expanded club program has effectively fostered student friendships and a strong sense of belonging, leading to significant improvements in mental health and overall well-being.

AMS has always had clubs. But last school year, teachers and counselors set out to create more clubs, build some hype and host a Club Fair, where students could get information about each club from club members and sponsors.

“After COVID, we noticed that our students were finding it harder to connect with each other,” said AMS Counselor Andrea Williamson, who advises the 8th grade Leaders Club. “We made an all out effort to create as many clubs as we possibly could.”

AMS teachers and counselors collaborated with Aspen Family Connections (AFC), a family resource center located on ASD’s campus, to reach out to community partners, staff and students.

The clubs were an instant hit. 

Some of the clubs are Rubik’s Club, Chess Club, Climate in Action Club, Hispanic Club, Young Leaders of Aspen Club, Best Buddies, Art Club, Book club, Journalism, Dungeons and Dragons, Fencing and STEAM-EE (STEAM plus economics and entrepreneurship.)

“If 10 students sign up, we run the club,” Williamson said.

AMS Principal Amy Kendziorski said student ideas and student club leadership have been valuable in creating the club rosters and planning club activities. All the clubs help create an inclusive and safe environment at AMS.

“Staff and students alike have shared the positivity that spreads through clubs, and the friendships built are so rewarding for our students,” Kendziorski said. “The students make new friends, and associate school with fun, which is always awesome.”

The payoff has been engaged students feeling connected and empowered and friendships that may not have otherwise happened.

“Our clubs’ program at Aspen Middle School has been an excellent way for some students to foster friendships and feel a sense of belonging,” said AMS Counselor Melanie Thulin, who advises the Best Buddies Club. “Clubs can provide an environment for students to connect based on their interests and commonalities and expand their social world.

"I have seen friendships created through joining a club and how the friendship has extended outside of the school setting,” Thulin said.

Having friends and activities has provided a boost to mental health and well-being, said Katherine Sand, Director of Aspen Family Connections. Clubs are a great place for students to take on leadership roles and make healthy choices.

A recent 2023 Healthy Kids Colorado survey, AMS students’ self-reported mental health and well-being has statistically significantly increased from 2021 to 2023. For example, the percentage of students who reported feeling sad or hopeless almost every day for two weeks or more in the past year decreased significantly.

“We know that one one of the most important protective factors for children and young people is to be engaged, connected and find their purpose and passion,” Sand said. “Joining a club is a great early first step towards that, and that's why building these strengths is an essential goal of our prevention program.”

Before students arrived for the 2024-2025 school year, Aspen School District teachers and paraprofessionals spent a morning with inquiry coach and bestselling author Trevor MacKenzie, who has mentored educators worldwide.

MacKenzie, whose passion is supporting schools in implementing inquiry-based learning practices, kicked off the school year with an informative and deeply inspiring conversation about proven classroom strategies.Throughout this school year, MacKenzie will visit ASD schools to coach and mentor teachers to build capacity on Inquiry and Assessments. Inquiry is at the core of the International Baccalaureate Continuum.

MacKenzie has authored best-selling books on the topic. Prior to his visit this month, every teacher received a copy of his book, Inquiry Mindset, Assessment Edition. See MacKenzie’s presentation here. 

“We, the IB team, felt privileged to invite Trevor to kickstart the school year and we are looking forward to ongoing coaching and mentoring from him,” said Harpreet Mehta, ASD Director of IB and Student Learning.

ASD is working toward creating lifelong learners who are internationally minded and have respect for all, and who understand that everybody with their differences can also be right, Harpreet Mehta said.

“As a PreK to 12 continuum, we have set the wheels in motion to ensure that the Approaches to Learning and the Approaches to Teaching guide each and every classroom in our district from here on,” she said.

ASD teachers and students celebrated their successes with MacKenzie. 

“I invite you to cheer because there is a lot to celebrate,” Sarah After, IB Middle Years Programme Coordinator, told an auditorium of teachers when they arrived back on campus this month.

ASD is beginning its second year as an official MYP district. There are 508 MYP units and 272 MYP classes, After said.

“Last year, we were among the first and few in the U.S. that offered the official MYP Certificate for tenth graders,” After said. “We also implemented the MYP Personal Project and Community Project and assessed them together.”

This school year, there are 710 MYP students and 122 MYP staff members.

MacKenzie’s graduate research focused on identifying and removing the barriers to implementing inquiry-based learning in the K-12 setting, said Kim Zimmer, Instructional Director of Learning and Innovation. He encourages teachers to go beyond inquiry and consider co-designing learning experiences and assessments alongside their teacher. 

“As we look ahead to the upcoming school year, I urge teachers to take one risk in their classrooms this year, especially within our International Baccalaureate program and ideally within the scope of inquiry,” Zimmer said.

"Innovation and intrinsic motivation is key to preparing our students for a global future, she said. “We have amazing technology tools and peripherals at ASD to help teachers and students along on this journey.”

Aspen Elementary School IB Primary Years Programme Coordinator Dilip Mehta said AES started working on implementing PYP during the pandemic.

“It is no small feat,” he said. “And we authorized with impressive feedback from IB!"

"It took three years, 600 plus students, 80 plus teachers, eight AES Coordinators, and three IB PYP Coordinators with the guidance of our powerhouse principal Ashley Bodkins for the success," he said

ASD launched into its IB journey in 2001 with the Diploma Programme for students in grades 11 and 12.

“We have expanded over the last 23 years so that all of our graduates take at least one DP course, and over 85 percent of our students take three or more IB DP classes,” said Eileen Knapp, DP Coordinator. “In the spring, we earned successful feedback on our DP five-year evaluation.

Knapp went on to say that Aspen students are building resilience and high aspirations throughout their enrollment in the IB

“We believe in IB for All,” she said. “It is so exciting to see all of this work and to graduate students who are ready to make a difference in this world!”

Aspen School District opened the week with new initiatives aimed at elevating academic achievement and building on long-standing traditions.

The 2024-2025 school year opened with a single-start time. All students in all schools begin at 8 a.m. The move back to a single-start time benefits parents of children in multiple grades and allows athletic teams to start and end after-school practices earlier.

Congratulations, Aspen School District!

“As we wrap up the first week of school, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks and congratulations to our incredible staff, students, and parents,” said ASD Superintendent Tharyn Mulberry. “Their dedication and hard work have set a strong foundation for what promises to be an extraordinary year.“And to our parents, their support is invaluable. We couldn’t do this without their partnership, and I’m grateful for the trust they have placed in us.

"Here’s to a year filled with learning, growth, and success for everyone in our school community. Let’s continue to strive for excellence and make this an unforgettable year!” 

**The week’s highlights:**

Building upgrades: Teachers and students walked into school buildings and classrooms with fresh paint and carpet and electrical and plumbing upgrades. Aspen High School students saw their gyms polished and restriped and new floors throughout the school that brighten up the hallways.

“Our rooms are looking great!” said AES fourth-grade teacher Katie Fox. “A fresh coat of paint and the new carpet have made AES look fresh. Joe (Waneka, Facilities Director) and his team really went above and beyond helping with the move and refresh. It has been a fabulous start. Best start in a decade! "

Outdoor Education: Teachers and students are preparing for their Outdoor Education trips that for some grades begin next week. This year, ASD is excited to announce that its Outdoor Education program, under the direction of Katherine Gleason, is the first and only school district to earn accreditation from the Association of Experiential Education (AEE).

To earn AEE accreditation ASD showed how it met more than 150 minimum standards assessed by the organization as being essential to providing quality, well-managed outdoor and experiential education. 

“Our program is unique. Outdoor Ed is for every single student in our district,” said Katherine Gleason, Outdoor Education Coordinator. "We make accommodations as necessary, as we do with all students, so they can have their best opportunity for success. It’s a really special opportunity for teachers to have lasting connections with their students.

PYP: AES teachers and staff hit the ground running with their IB Primary Years Programme, which makes Aspen School District an IB World School - the only one in the state of Colorado - that provides a fully integrated IB curriculum from Pre-K to 12th grade for all students in the district.

Fourth-grade teacher Fox said:

“We cannot wait to inquire with our students. The transdisciplinary approach of PYP  allows us to grow in each unit of inquiry (UOI). Our current UOI will dive into the form and function of the figurative and literal heart and our government! The unit culminates with a fabulous trip to Denver to share inquiry at the Capitol.”

CTE: Career and Technical Education (CTE) teachers start the new school year with CTE teacher  Anita Moose spearheading the AHS Information Technology (IT) pathway at Aspen High School. The IT pathway will be our 8th pathway offering for students (others are Aviation, Business, Culinary, Media, Outdoor Leadership, Woodshop and Engineering). CTE is also happy to announce that teacher David Clark has rejoined the CTE team this year and returns as the Hospitality and Culinary Arts teacher.  He will bring ProStart back and prepare Aspen's next generation of professional chefs. (He also will still teach history).

“Great things are happening around CTE are happening at Aspen High School.” said Sheri Smith, CTE Director and Business teacher.

College Fair Highlights:

• Date & Time: Sunday, October 6, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Workshops start at 10:00 a.m.; college tents open at 11:00 a.m.
• College and Program Representatives: Over 200 college admissions officers and career and technical program reps will be attending to meet and interact with students and their families.
• Workshops: More than 35 workshops will cover important topics such as financial aid, essay writing, trade programs, and more.
• Spanish Support: Spanish interpreters will be available throughout the Fair to assist with communication and ensure that language is not a barrier to accessing valuable information.