Hello 9th Grade Ospreys and Families,

As you know, tomorrow is the final day of regularly scheduled classes before we turn our attention to preparation for Presentations of Learning. Ninth grade students will work with their core teachers from 8:25am to 3:30pm on Thursday and Friday of this week to prepare for POLs, including a dress rehearsal on Friday.

Please review 9th grade POL schedule so your family knows when your student needs to be on campus next week. Students are on campus for the entire day of their POL so they can both present and serve on a panel for classmates. If a student does not pass their POL the first time, they will be asked to refine it and present again on Thursday, December 15. Much like final exams at other schools, POLs are not optional; all students are required to successfully complete a POL in order to continue on with 2nd semester at AHS.  

POLs require professional dress, which means that students must wear:

• a button-­down shirt and tie, shirt with finished neck, sweater or blouse;
• a nice pair of slacks (no jeans), skirt or dress;
• dark socks to match trousers and dress shoes (no sneakers, no excessively high heels). 

Unlike SLCs, if a student arrives for POL without professional dress, it will mean automatically rescheduling. Please communicate with an adult at school if procuring professional dress clothing is cost­-prohibitive; we have extra clothes and will find a way to help! 

Ninth graders will present POLs before a panel of classmates and teachers, highlighting work from classes using their digital portfolios and reflecting on their first semester of high school. Students are welcome to invite family members and friends to attend their POL if they choose to. Please talk at home about what would be best for your student; it’s important that students feel as comfortable, confident and supported as possible. For some, this means presenting without the additional pressure of parents in the room, for others, a parent in the audience can help inspire excellence.

• We will offer catered lunch through next Wednesday, 12/14
• The DHS/AHS Hub Bus will run through next Thursday, 12/15
• Our move to the new Nest is next Friday, 12/16

Please reach out to lauren.lucky@animashighschool.com if you have any questions about 9th grade POLs.

PS--Project Osprey, the holiday gift drive organized by a group of AHS seniors, has been extended! We added a handful of ornaments to the tree in the main office and could use more community support to make sure all gifts are donated. Deadline extended to next Tuesday, 12/13.

Upcoming Events

Last Day of Regular Classes: Wed. 12/7

Presentations of Learning Preparation (special schedule): Thurs. 12/8 and Fri. 12/9

Osprey Theatre Company presents The Scarlet Heart: Fri. 12/9 through Sun. 12/11 at Durango Arts Center

iAM Music Student Showcase: Sun. 12/11 at Animas City Theater

Presentations of Learning (student schedules will vary): Mon. 12/12 through Thurs. 12/15

Project Osprey Gift Drive Deadline: Tues.12/13

Staff Appreciation Lunch: Thurs. 12/15 (sign up to help here)

Last Day of Fall Semester (and move-in date for new AHS campus!): Fri. 12/16 (sign up to help here)

Winter Break: Mon. 12/19 through Fri. 12/30

Professional Development Day: Mon. 1/2

2nd Semester Begins: Welcome to the New Nest!: Tues. 1/3 (special schedule)