This week, our students traveled all across Colorado and the Southwest, with some heading to Washington DC and San Diego.  They biked, rafted, hiked, skied, camped, kayaked, climbed, cooked, painted, built and gardened, learning about oceanography, geology, dog training, search and rescue tactics, politics, dance, modern art and much, much more.  We love how  Osprey Week builds our school culture, giving students and staff a chance to explore, grow and learn alongside one another, forging new relationships and strengthening connections through shared adventure.

There are just too many fabulous photos from the week to include here; please see the full collection on the AHS Facebook page for a sense of the experiences our students and staff had this week.

Next week is a busy one, with 9th through 11th grade students focusing on preparing for Transitional Presentations of Learning and seniors preparing to graduate. Seniors will conduct exit interviews throughout the week to wrap up Senior Projects. Speaking of Senior Projects, we hope you caught the front-page story about Derek, Katie and Connor, who are building a tiny house, and Domi and Dylan, who are building a solar car they'll race from Texas to Minnesota in The Durango Herald last Saturday; if not, we invite you to read it here.

 

Please plan to join us for Senior Celebration on Tuesday evening from 5:30 to 7:00 at the Animas River Cafe in the DoubleTree Hotel. This event is open to all as we honor our seniors and the amazing support they have received from our generous community. Light refreshments will be available along with a cash bar. Seniors and their families will receive their reserved graduation tickets as well as cap and gowns at Senior Celebration.

We will hold our final NEST Meeting of the year on Wednesday from 1:45 to 2:15, which will include our newest graduation week tradition--the senior impersonation skit. Last year's was pretty hilarious...remember Matt Hughes, dressed as Araaa Aquarian? Or Kyle Edmondson channeling Will Smock-Egan? Need a reminder? We have photographic evidence here.

Thursday evening, the seniors and staff will gather one final time in the AHS Commons for Senior Supper from 6:30 to 8:00. There are still a few opportunities available for junior and senior parents to donate food or time to help make this event special for the Class of 2016; please have a look at the volunteer sign up here to let us know how you can pitch in. Many thanks to all the parents who have been working so hard to make our graduation festivities memorable and fantastic!

Friday morning, seniors head to the Community Concert Hall for graduation rehearsal from 8:30 to 10:00 . This is a full dress rehearsal, and also when our talented photographer Karan Skelly will take the AHS senior class photo; seniors need to be in cap and gown--ideally ironed!--for the morning. Karen will take photos at the graduation ceremony as well, and families will have the opportunity to order prints through her website .

 

While seniors are rehearsing, all 9th through 11th grade students will be competing in a series of fun and silly activities for Advisory Olympics, from 8:25 to 12:30 on Friday at Santa Rita Park . AHS will not provide busses to or from the park so families must arrange their own transportation. Prepare for crazy costumes and playful events ranging from dance-offs to trivia to tent-pitching races--it's an Animas tradition not to be missed, and all students are expected to participate unless a parent excuses them due to illness. Campus will be closed on Friday the 27th, as we'll all either be at the Concert Hall or Santa Rita Park.  

The big event, AHS Class of 2016 graduation is Friday 4:00 to 6:00 at the Community Concert Hall . Families of seniors will have reserved seats, and there will be a limited number of general admission tickets available at the door. Doors open at 3:15 and tickets will be given away on a first-come, first-served basis.  

While it's hard to say good bye to our seniors, we anticipate a week ahead with lots of intentional moments to celebrate who they have become in their time with us--inspiring young adults ready to spread their wings and take on the world. We will miss them but we look forward to sending them off in true Osprey style, acknowledging each and every of them as the unique individuals they are. We hope you'll all find a way to create a moment or two to let them know how proud we are of their big hearts, quirky individuality, youthful optimism, wisdom beyond their years and the hard work that got them where they are, poised and ready to head into their adult lives knowing they are supported, loved and well-prepared.

Thanks for all you do to help the Ospreys soar!