Arava and baby Jack

Greetings Osprey Community,

First order of business: we're thrilled to announce that Student Support Coordinator, Arava Geva, and her husband, Mountain Middle School 7th grade Humanities teacher Nick Philliou, welcomed baby Jack to the world this week.  Mom and baby are home, healthy and happy and newest little Osprey is super cute.

Many thanks to our families for making the time for Student-Led Conferences this week.  We hope these mid-semester check-ins were valuable for all involved.  A special thank you to Osprey parents, led by Ceci McQuinn and Lucy Bryson, who organized  the delicious soup and salad dinner for our teachers that evening!

Sean (front row, far left) and his HTH cohort serving food to those in need through Urban Angels in San Diego

Sean is in San Diego  this week for a three-day school leadership retreat with his cohort from High Tech High Graduate School of Education, reconnecting with his colleagues who are in school leadership roles across the country.  While back at High Tech High Chula Vista--where he did his residency last year, and where both Aliza Cruz and Kyle Edmondson taught, too--Sean is gathering resources and inspiration to bring back to Animas.  

Tune in to KUIP/ESPN 97.3FM and 930AM Saturday morning to catch  LINK program coordinator Janae Hunderman and our students!  They recorded a 30 minute interview earlier this week about the benefits of our student internship program.  

Registrar and Site Manager Laurel Rodd in her new space

Next Monday, students begin new Exploratory and XBlock classes, as we launch into the 2nd quarter.  Kudos to Laurel Rodd for getting students into their new classes, in her  new role as Registrar and Site Manager.  Please reach Laurel at registrar@animashighschool.com or extension 2307.  You can find Laurel in the Main Office area, where she is now sharing an office with Christine Imming, our Director of Finance and HR.   Please use mainoffice@animashighschool.com for attendance and general questions, just as you always have.  Karen Gerst is staffing our front desk for the time being, and we expect an announcement is coming soon about a more permanent Main Office Assistant.

seniors Phillip Wiley and Dawson Zick with a truck full of pumpkins, ready to be chucked by trebuchets the Advanced Physics students are building--stay tuned for Exhibition details!

There are two opportunities to view student work at   Exhibitions next week.  Wednesday from 6:00 to 8:00, Ally Johnson's sophomores will present an authors' reading at the Steaming Bean, sharing excerpts from historical fiction they've written as part of their study of imperialism in Africa.  Thursday, Sara Price's 9th graders will exhibit handcrafted masks and personal essays that explore how social forces have shaped their identities.  That Exhibition is from 5:00 to 7:00 at the Durango Public Library.   Please note: Matt Dooley's 9th grade Humanities Exhibition has been moved to Wednesday, November 4.

Hopefully you saw the article in the Durango Herald about our upcoming election for a Parent-Elected Director for the AHS Board.  Student Advisory Council president Lyle Bryson is excited about opportunity for the election to be student-run; StAC members will work with County Clerk Tiffany Parker to learn the ins and outs of the process, and ballots will be sent home on November 13.  Deadline for applicants who are interested in joining the Board are due November 2.  We are seeking applicants who have financial, real estate and fundraising experience; applicants need not be an AHS parent.  For more information about the election, read this letter from the Board, which was sent to Osprey families, or contact board@animashigschool.com.

Friday Flash Mob!

In addition to their work running the Board election, StAC is sponsoring Spirit Week activities next week.  Read on for more details about the festivities.  As a reminder, we have a four-day week next week, with Professional Development activities for our staff on Friday.  

Thanks for all you do to help the Ospreys soar!