Greetings Osprey Community,

seniors Allee McKown and Shane Ellis welcome the crowd at the Animas River Youth Confluence, San Juan College

We hope to see you this evening, 5:30 at the Powerhouse Science Center, where Steve Smith's Chemistry students will exhibit their projects in response to the essential question " What actions can be taken to improve water quality in Cement Creek and the Animas River Watershed?"  Their exhibition is part of the Powerhouse's Pub Science series, and it will be followed by a presentation from Mountain Studies Institute. The Gold King Mine spill has provided a wealth of community-based educational opportunities.  Several of our seniors shared their thoughts around the spill and the outdated Mining Law of 1872 at San Juan College in Farmington Tuesday evening this past week, where they shared the stage with students from Navajo Preparatory School, Silverton School and Piedra Vista High School for their Humanities exhibition.   We loved seeing youth from across the region come together to voice concerns and brainstorm solutions.

freshman Owen Hickerson perfecting his Rube Goldberg machine

More exhibitions are in store for next week.  On Tuesday, Lori Fisher 's seniors will be at Fort Lewis College's Noble Hall from 5:00 to 8:30, participating in their Model Senate exhibition, where they will debate two bills--one on climate change and the other on federal debt.  Come watch the political process in action.

Wednesday from 5:00 to 7:30 in the AHS Commons, Brian Morgan's 9th grade science students will exhibit their Rube Goldberg machines, demonstrating their understanding of physics concepts through the contraptions they've designed and built that accomplish a simple task in a creative and complex way.  

Thursday, Kyle Edmondson's Statistics students will offer college consultancy sessions to AHS families, using the interactive spreadsheet they've created to help seniors and their parents understand total cost of college and loans.  Read more about this exhibition below.  That evening, College Counselor Jess Adams will offer more support to Osprey families facing the high cost of a college education; join her from 6:00 to 7:30 in the AHS Commons for a session on scholarship opportunities and strategies.

Thursday evening, Ashley Carruth's juniors present a community dialogue about the Morality and Politics of Justice from 5:30 to 7:00 at   Durango Joe's coffeehouse in Town Plaza.  Students will engage participants in conversations about a variety of controversial current issues they've studied, focusing on what is morally and politically just.

Also next week, the Parent Advisory Committee meets from 8:30 to 10:00am at Carver's and the AHS Board of Directors will meet on Wednesday from 5:30 to 7:30pm; all are welcome at both.

Our first senior project of this school year makes its debut next Wednesday at lunch from 11:30 to 12:05, when Lawson Nerenberg will present a computer program he's designed that essentially demonstrates the process of evolution, using artificial intelligence.  All are welcome to his talk, which will be in Kyle's classroom.  

Most Likely to Succeed documentary film trailer

Friday of next week, which is the final day of regular academic classes, we will have a modified schedule and will show the documentary Most Likely to Succeed during the school day.  We hope the film will serve as an inspirational segue to Presentations of Learning, as it profiles why we do things differently at AHS and  High Tech High, using an educational model that prepares students for post-secondary success in a 21st century world.  StAC is hosting a Winter Dance at the Animas City Theatre that evening from 8:00 to 10:00, which we hope will provide a safe, fun way for students to celebrate the close of the semester as they transition into POLs.

Dave, Roxy and Brian celebrate the $151 AHS has already raised, after getting pied in the face by students

Monday, December 14 and Tuesday the 15th, we will have modified schedules so students can work in grade-level teams to prepare for POLs.   We will have early release at 2:15 on Monday the 14th; Tuesday will wrap with a final advisory meeting; end of the school day will be 3:15.  Student schedules for the 16th through 18th will vary, as they will be required to be on campus for their own POL as well as for a handful of their peers', serving as panelists.

Ospreys are in the holiday spirit, focusing on giving this season.   Tina Hott's Biology classes are leading a three-week Pennies for Patients fundraiser for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  Today, Dave, Roxy and Brian all got a pie in the face--the honor they won by having their jars filled with the most donations.  Next week, some lucky teacher will get duct taped to the wall, and if we meet our $300 goal, Sean will kiss a pig in front of the school  For real.  It's all good fun for a good cause, and a great way to celebrate the value of engaged citizenship.

Junior Emily Vierling gets in the holiday spirit for the Interact Holiday Drive

The AHS Interact Club is partnering with the Durango  Daybreak Rotary Club to sponsor a holiday drive for women and children living in local safe houses.  We invite our community to bring gently used or new toys for all ages, jackets, warm clothing and non-perishable food to put under the tree in the Jesse Hutt Wing next week.  Let's show our community how generous Ospreys can be!

Finally, Osprey Week groups have been posted, and will meet for the first time together when we return in January.  You can view the group lists here.

Thanks for all you do to help the Ospreys soar!