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Dear Lon,
This letter is to inform you of a modification at our Academy of the
Sierras program which has just begun and is estimated to be completed
by July 31, 2004. This spring we started a new Division (the Healthy
Living Academies) that focuses on pediatric obesity. Due to the overwhelming
response to our weight loss camps we have decided to open our first
boarding school focused solely on pediatric obesity and will be using
our Academy of the Sierras location for this school. We looked for
a number of months at other alternative locations, but came to the
conclusion that it would take us at least one year before we could
open at a new location. As such, the current program being offered
at Academy of the Sierras will end and be replaced with a clinically
based program serving teens that are dealing with obesity and associated
issues.
We realize this program change impacts several current students and
their families who have benefited from the services provided at the
Academy of the Sierras. Aspen is committed to providing these students
and families with the highest level of support in order to ensure a
positive transition. Let me highlight just a few of the things we are
doing in this regard:
- Barbara Casey, M.A. current Academy of the Sierras director, will
personally oversee the transition planning process
for each student.
- Enhanced individual and group therapeutic services
for students and families.
- Families, students and
referrers will have sufficient time -- two months
-- to discuss and plan for these
changes, ensuring a smooth and appropriate transition.
- Aspen will offer families three months of free tuition at any Aspen
School deemed appropriate by the original
referring professional, Aspen and the family.
The Aspen organization is committed to provide each and every student
the individualized attention necessary during this transition, reducing
the impact both emotionally and financially upon the family.
The new teen weight loss program will retain many positive attributes
including the Academy of the Sierras name, residential and academic
services and many of the current management and staff. We hope to minimize
any impact on our own employees while optimizing their opportunities
in our new weight loss division.
The redefining and restructuring of the Academy of the Sierras program
occurred recently in direct response to an overwhelming need for a
school based program to complement our summer weight loss camps. The
combination of the Academy of the Sierras’ physical location, facility,
campus and staff make it the ideal location to accommodate the year
round outdoor programming needs of the new Academy of the Sierras weight
loss school. It is our belief that we will be able to reach a larger
audience of young people in need of specialized services related to
weight reduction and management at this California campus.
Sincerely,
Elliot Sainer
President/CEO
www.aspeneducation.com
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