Why do students miss classes for sports / why are games held on school days?
- Field Availability: Sometimes, field availability outside of school hours is limited, especially in shared community spaces. This can require scheduling games during school hours.
- League Bylaws and Regulations: The Western Slope League, like many athletic conferences, has specific rules and regulations regarding game schedules, including start times and days of the week games can be played.
- CHSAA Requirements: To be eligible for CHSAA State Playoffs and Championships, teams must fulfill a certain number of games. This often necessitates scheduling games on weekdays.
- Travel Considerations: Travel distances to other schools can be significant, requiring games to be scheduled earlier in the afternoon to accommodate return travel times.
- Balancing Academics and Athletics: Efforts are made to minimize disruption to class time, but sometimes the need to fulfill competitive schedules requires games during school hours.
Why are there schedule changes?
Schedule changes can occur due to a variety of reasons, including:
- Weather and Travel: Inclement weather or unforeseen travel issues can necessitate rescheduling to ensure the safety of all participants.
- Conflicts with Opposing Schools: Sometimes, previously unforeseen conflicts arise with the opposing school's schedule, even after initial schedules have been agreed upon.
- Long-term Scheduling: We strive to schedule game events up to two years in advance to ensure proper planning and preparation. Despite our best efforts, changes are sometimes unavoidable.
We appreciate your understanding and flexibility as we navigate these adjustments to provide the best possible experience for our student-athletes.
Where do I find the best, most up to date information?
Everything you need to know can be found on the Aspen Athletics Website. Additionally, the rSchool app is a fantastic tool. By downloading this app, you will have a public view of Aspen High School Athletics’ Calendar, Schedules, Rosters, and Scores. Parents and fans can build their own personalized calendars to keep track of their favorite teams on campus. The app also provides notifications for schedule changes, team scores, reminders, and updates.
How does my student get academic support?
We have implemented a Student Empowerment Time (SET) schedule during the week. This is a structured time where students are required to meet with their teachers. We strategically placed this class period midweek, allowing students who missed classes on Tuesday to catch up on what they missed and students who expect to miss classes on Thursday to ask about what they will be missing. This dedicated time ensures that students receive the academic support they need while balancing their athletic commitments.
How do coaches know if my student is struggling in school or failing?
We run eligibility checks weekly on Tuesdays. Students who are failing a class are not allowed to play in games but must still attend practices. Coaches receive weekly notifications about students who are at risk of failing. Additionally, coaches remind students on Mondays to show them their grades and perform a check-in. This system helps ensure that coaches are aware of any academic issues and can provide the necessary support to help students stay on track.
What if my student gets hurt or has a concussion?
Aspen High School Athletics has a contracted partnership with The Steadman Clinic to provide sports medicine services to Aspen High School CHSAA athletic teams. The Athletic Trainer, employed, supervised, and insured by The Steadman Clinic, volunteers their services to Aspen High School Athletics.
The Athletic Trainer works closely with team doctors and other sports medicine professionals at The Steadman Clinic to ensure comprehensive care for Aspen High School student-athletes. In the event of an injury or concussion, our Athletic Trainer will regularly communicate with coaches, school administration, and parents/guardians as needed to ensure the student-athlete is on the road to recovery.
Who can I contact with further questions?
If you need to contact one of our head coaches, their email information is available under “QUICK LINKS” on the Aspen Athletics website, titled “Contact Your Coach.”
For any general questions pertaining to athletics, you can email the Athletic Director at jcastrese@aspenk12.net .
