NEWS FROM THE NEST  
March 2, 2018
senior Rollin Leavitt wins first place at the San Juan Regional Science Fair
Greetings Osprey Community,

It's been exciting to see a rash of impressive accomplishments from AHS students in the broader community this week, as they build on projects and skills learned in their classes:
  • Sophomores Zeke Ezell, Noelle John, Zoe Hollowell and Keenan Kelly qualified for the finals in the First Annual Durango Youth Poetry Slam at Fort Lewis College last Saturday
  • Sophomore Noelle John's beautiful short documentary, The Life of the Navajois showing as part of the Durango Independent Film Festival, including the REEL Learning program, which our entire school viewed together
  • Juniors Acacia Bryson and Charlie Stein and senior Rollin Leavitt were articulate and thoughtful in sharing their perspectives as teens about the impact of legalized marijuana in front of a packed house at the Durango Diaries
  • Senior Rollin Leavitt took first place in the San Juan Basic Regional Science Fair, showcasing research he's doing for his Senior Project about the interaction of protein systems that cells use to detect bacteria with a hope of developing new therapies for Crohn's disease, Blau syndrome, and rheumatic arthritis. Because his work was so outstanding, he qualified for and won a full ride to the Intel  International Science and Engineering Fair in Pittsburg in May. Freshmen Amelia O'Toole, Riley Douglass, Mason James and Finn Bridgham all qualified for the Colorado State Science Fair in Colorado Springs, sharing projects they had completed in Tina Hott's Physics class.
Project-based learning and public exhibition of work help our students develop confidence in public speaking and the skills to create beautiful work, and we love seeing them thrive in community events like this!

Lily Bisantz working on her Senior Thesis exploring how the hypersexualization of girls and young women connects to sexual violence
We hope that you will join us next Monday from 5:30 to 6:30 for an Osprey Family Meeting: Expecting Excellence in our School Culture, an opportunity for parents to learn more and join in the conversation about what we do at AHS to respond to student behavior in a way that expects excellence while supporting and holding accountable the wide variety of students we serve.

It's hard to believe that Graduation is just three months away--Friday, May 25 from 4:00 to 6:00 at the Community Concert Hall--and while seniors have plenty on their plate between now and then, with Senior Thesis due Monday to be followed by TED-style Talks and Action Projects, it's time to start thinking about graduation details.  Seniors and parents, please be sure to attend the Senior/Parent Graduation Meeting on Wednesday from 5:30 to 6:30, where we will share important information about Graduation week events and how to order announcements, tickets, photos and caps and gowns. 

Next Friday and the following Monday, students in the Animas Restorative Team will travel to Escalante Middle School to work with their entire 7th grade, sharing what they have learned about restorative practices and modeling restorative circles for the middle schoolers. We're proud of the leadership these students are showing, and grateful for the opportunity to partner with Escalante in this way.

sophomore Cat Shirley holds the heart of a pigeon during dissections in Biology
All current and new families should have received information this week about how to register for the 2018-19 school year.
We have a waitlist for next year's junior class and just a few open spots for freshmen and sophomores so returning families must complete the Online Registration Form by Thursday, March 15 to hold their spot. 
We will offer unclaimed spots to those on the waitlist if we do not receive the Online Registration Form by the deadline.

Finally, it is with mixed emotions that we share that we are seeking candidates for two positions for next year--a full time Math position and a half-time Humanities position. Hannah Starbuck and Ally Johnson are both leaving AHS to pursue new adventures. After four years at Animas, Hannah has taken a job at the Leysin American School, where she looks forward to sharing her insights into progressive education and project-based learning as a math teacher. Hannah was considering several international options, and felt that the call of the Swiss Alps was loudest.  Ally is moving to Salt Lake City to build her life with her long-term partner, Will. She plans to teach at an Expeditionary Learning or project-based school for a few years before beginning a college-support program for young adults with autism. We know that so many in our Osprey community have benefited from having Ally and Hannah on our faculty and we will miss them both dearly. Please help us spread the news if you know a great candidate for either position; you can find more information about both open positions and how to apply here.

Enjoy the weekend and thanks for all you do to help the Ospreys soar!
Upcoming AHS Events
See the 2017-18 School Calendar 





 
College and Career Corner

AHS College Counselor Jess Adams is on her way today to visit schools in the Northwest 5 Consortium. She'll be out next week, making connections at and learning more about Willamette, Lewis & Clark, Reed, University of Puget Sound and Whitman, in support of our students.





 
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