July 27, 2021
Hello Families of Our Newest Ospreys!

With just under a month until we welcome students to "the Nest" for the 2021/22 school year, we want to make sure your transition to AHS is as smooth as possible. We are excited to get to know you all and look forward to providing an engaging, meaningful and rigorous high school education for your students.

We are welcoming 65 new students to our school community this fall: 52 9th graders plus 8 10th grade and 5 11th grade transfer students.

We currently have a waitlist for 9th and 10th grade. Please let us know by emailing libby.cowles@animashighschool.com if your student will not be attending AHS this fall semester for any reason so that we may offer that spot to another family. We certainly hope you still plan to attend!
Upcoming Events
You are invited to drop by campus next week Monday 8/2, 5-6pm or Tuesday 8/3, 10-11am for one of two New Student/Family Open Houses where you will have a chance to meet our head of school, Sean Woytek, assistant head of school Libby Cowles and a handful of other Ospreys. We'll offer tours of our campus, share information about plans for our future campus at Fort Lewis College, and provide answers to any questions you may have about the start of the school year.

RSVP to libby.cowles@animashighschool.com if you'd like to join us for an Open House, and please bring a mask to wear.


On Friday 8/13, 4-5:30 we will welcome AHS alumni, students, families and friends to the Osprey Summer Social at the site of our future home on the Fort Lewis College campus. Mark your calendar and join us for this informal gathering, which will include an opportunity to walk the school site. We're excited to break ground this fall!

Don't worry if you can't make these events--there will be plenty of other opportunities to meet other Animas folks as we start the school year, including a Parent/Guardian Orientation on Tuesday 9/7 and a Back-to-School Social on Friday 9/24.
Registration Reminders
We recognize that there's lots to track when enrolling your student at a new school. Please scroll down if you need a reminder about the steps that must be completed before school starts. Direct any questions you may have to Libby or Maureen Truax, who you can reach at registrar@animashighschool.com.

Please also make sure you've selected elective classes via Infinite Campus (IC) by following these course request steps so that we can create your student's schedule. Have questions about which classes to take? Reach out to Libby.

Thank you for your attention to this process!


We are excited to support your family and will send more information along in the next two to three weeks about our lunch program, bus service, laptop loaner program and more, but don't hesitate to reach out with any questions you have as they arise. Enjoy the summer break, hope to see you soon and welcome to Animas High School!
REGISTRATION PROCESS

7 STEPS REQUIRED FOR ALL NEW STUDENTS:

STEP 1: AHS Infinite Campus Online Registration for New Families
Complete IC Registration here


STEP 2:  AHS Online Registration for New Students
Complete AHS Online Registration here


STEP 3Request for Student Records
Complete Records Request here


STEP 4Immunization Records OR Immunization Exemption Form
Submit one of the following:

  • Immunization Record from your doctorOR 
  • Medical Immunization Exemption Form complete form hereOR
  • Non-Medical Immunization Exemption Form complete form here 

Colorado law requires all students attending Colorado schools to be vaccinated against certain diseases unless they have a certificate of medical or nonmedical exemption on file. Parents of students in grades K-12 claiming a nonmedical exemption must file one annually. PLEASE NOTE: There is a new process for filing a Nonmedical Immunization Exemption Form for the 2021/22 school year. There are now two ways to file a nonmedical exemption:

  • File the certificate of nonmedical exemption, which now must be signed by a physician or immunizing provider, OR 
  • File the certificate of nonmedical exemption received upon the completion of this online education module

Questions about immunizations? Refer to this letter from Colorado Department of Public Health.

STEP 5: Birth Certificate
Send a copy of birth certificate


STEP 6: $100 Annual Technology Fee
Pay online here or by cash or check made out to AHS

We waive this annual fee for families who qualify for Free/Reduced Lunch. This fee is different from the deposit we ask families to pay if they are borrowing a laptop computer for the school year.


STEP 7: Meal Application Form
Complete Meal Application Form here to determine eligibility for Free/Reduced Lunch

Please complete this even if you believe your family will not qualify as it helps us with our reporting requirements.


REQUIRED FOR THOSE FOR WHOM IT APPLIES:

  • Custody Order: If your legal guardianship is determined by a court order, please submit a copy of the order.
  • Asthma Care Plan: complete form here
  • Allergy & Anaphylaxis Care Plan: complete form here
  • Medication Self Carry Form: complete form here
  • Authorization to Administer Medication at School Form: complete form here


REQUIRED FOR THOSE WHO HAVE A STUDENT LEARNING PLAN (IEP, 504, ELL or ALP):

  • Copy of your child’s current Student Learning Plan (IEP, 504, ELL or ALP) 

If you would like more information about how AHS provides support for students with learning plans, please visit our Inclusion Department’s website here. Our Inclusion Department staff will contact you to set up a transfer meeting so we can support your student's specific learning needs.


Please submit all materials in one of the following ways:

  1. Email--registrar@animashighschool.com (scan and/or send a photo of documents)
  2. In person at our Main Office at 271 Twin Buttes Avenue (we will be open normal school hours starting August 11 and are frequently on site starting next week)
  3. Fax--(970) 247-2483
  4. Mail--AHS, PO Box 3496, Durango CO, 81302
Upcoming AHS Events

AHS Open House for New Families: Mon. 8/2, 5-6pm at AHS

AHS Open House for New Families: Tues. 8/3, 10-11am at AHS

Osprey Summer Social: Fri. 8/13, 4-5:30pm at Fort Lewis College's picnic area near our future school site

9th Grade Orientation: Mon. 8/23, 8:25am to 3:30pm

9th, 10th and 11th Grade Orientation: Tues. 8/24, 8:25am to 3:30pm

9th, 10th, 11th and 12th Grade Orientation: Tues. 8/25, 8:25am to 3:30pm

Academic Classes Begin: Thurs. 8/26, 8:25am to 3:30pm

Parent/Guardian Orientation: Tues. 9/7, 5:30-6:30pm at AHS

Back to School Social: Fri. 9/17, 5-7pm
Animas High School prepares all students for college and postsecondary success by creating critical thinkers and engaged citizens through an innovative, student-centered, project-based curriculum. We accomplish this through:
Rigorous academics, where all students are prepared for college success
Culture of excellence, where students are held to high expectations
Strong student-faculty relationships, where students are well known.
Engaging learning, where students see the relevance in their education