Hello Osprey Community,

We're excited to be piloting a new program this year that will train students to become restorative justice leaders in support of our Culture of Excellence.  An intrepid group spent today in the Alpine Bank conference room, engaging in a full-day retreat with facilitators Dillon Walls and Tricia Winslow from La Plata Youth Services, and they are looking forward to helping their peers approach conflicts and issues in creative and meaningful ways.  At AHS, we use restorative practices with students every day and our focus on strong student-teacher relationships is foundational to this work.  When we have conflicts between individuals or when students make choices that are in conflict with our cultural expectations, we focus on inclusion, bringing affected parties together, making amends and reintegrating students into our community.  The student team will help us further our use of restorative approaches at AHS to positively impact our school culture.  Many thanks to Alpine Bank for loaning us their conference room for the retreat and thanks to Dillon and Tricia for working with this great group of student leaders!

the path from the lower parking lot, looking much improved!

Thanks, too, to all the volunteers who turned out last weekend to help us feather the nest! We especially appreciate Osprey parent Nathan Zick, owner of Z Excavation, who donated and laid down new gravel for our path from the lower lot, making the walk to campus much smoother.

Students settled into their schedules this week, and XBlock classes will begin next Wednesday afternoon.  Students received the XBlock Sign Up Wednesday afternoon via email and they have until Tuesday morning to pick their top three choices for the first quarter.  There are lots of great choices and we're excited that with a larger block of time once a week, our new schedule allows us to get off campus more easily.  Several XBlock classes will get to the Skate Park, Rec Center or DHS tennis courts on a bus and off campus XBlock classes will release from their off-campus location.  The rock climbing and cross fit groups are seeking parent drivers; please let Bridget in the main office know if you can lend a hand on Wednesdays around 1:30.

	Hannah, ready for the XBlock volleyball court!

The local photographers at Thru the Lens will be on campus to take school pictures next week.  Advisors handed out photo order forms during advisory on Wednesday.  If you're interested in purchasing photos, please return the completed form with payment to the photographer on photo day.  All juniors and seniors will have their photos taken during Humanities class on Wednesday and freshmen and sophomores will have theirs during Humanities on Thursday.  Make up photos for those who are absent will be Wednesday, September 14.  These photos are also used for school IDs and the AHS Yearbook, so even if you aren't planning to buy print photos, please be sure to smile!

Our 9th graders will travel with their teachers to Bayfield next week for a day of activities with AHS founder and parent Phil Bryson at the ropes course he uses for his team-building and leadership training company, On the Edge Productions.  Details are in the letter we sent home earlier this week.  Please be sure to return the signed waiver to the main office by Tuesday.

assistant head of school Libby Cowles and finance director Christine Imming, after completing the Thirsty 13 Half Marathon last weekend

Wednesday evening, we encourage all new and returning Osprey parents to attend Parent Orientation from 5:30 to 6:30, at AHS.  Teachers will describe projects and goals for the year ahead in grade-level teams, and there will be a chance to meet advisors and elective teachers as well.

We are asking all families with outstanding lunch and technology fees to please pay them as soon as possible.  You can check your balance in Infinite Campus under the fees tab, and you should be receiving email notification if the lunch balance dips below zero.  Students whose lunch balance is more than $66 overdue will no longer be able to order lunch.  As always, please reach out to us if this causes financial hardship; we can always find a way to work with families.  Thanks for paying past due fees!

Finally, we are seeking a part-time custodian and few more substitute teachers to join our school community.  Know the perfect candidate? Please direct them to the employment opportunities page on the AHS website.

Remember, no school on Monday for Labor Day.  Enjoy your long weekend and thanks for all you do to help the Ospreys soar!