September 15, 2021
Dear Osprey Community,

Hello and welcome to the 2021/2022  school year! I am so grateful to be back in person 5 days per week to have the opportunity to connect with you more and I recognize that this is a huge adjustment for everyone. I am also aware that the last 18 months have created some unique mental and emotional challenges for us all and I’m committed to finding effective ways to support students and families this year. This is my 5th year at Animas High School and I cannot overstate how much I love this school and this community. As the social-emotional counselor and student support coordinator, my role at AHS is to support our students/families and to collaboratively create and implement programming around student health and wellbeing.  

I received my undergraduate degree from Fort Lewis College in Psychology and my Master’s Degree in Social Work from Denver University. I am a Licensed Social Worker (license #1129) and have prior experience with individual, family and couple's therapy, high-risk youth, family advocacy, LGBTQIA+ advocacy, violence prevention and healthy relationships, foster family support and basic care for adults with developmental disabilities. I am trained to provide Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, Comprehensive Sex Education. In addition, I am a Certified Health and Wellness Coach.

Some of the services/programming I offer our students include:

  • One-one-one confidential student meetings as needed or desired by students. Email, call (970) 247-2474 x2337, text (970) 403-5093 or come by my office (in the Student Support Services area of the Jesse Hutt Wing) in order to schedule one.

  • DBT Groups for students who struggle with emotion regulation, social skills and/or coping skills. I will begin these sessions once we identify which students will benefit most from them.


We will administer the Healthy Kids Colorado Survey in Advisory next Wednesday, September 22. This survey will anonymously give us more information on the overall health and wellbeing of our student population. We use the data from these surveys to help direct the information and programming we focus on each year. If you want to opt your student out of the survey, please complete this form and return it to me, or contact me directly.   

We work closely with the School-Based Health Clinic, La Plata Youth Services, San Juan Basin Public Health Department, Rainbow Youth Center, Snowboard Outreach Society, Fort Lewis College WellPAC, SASO, Alternative Horizons, Compañeros and other local community agencies in order to provide information, skills and resources to our students.  

At Animas High School, we have many health and wellness programs and practices we implement throughout the school year in order to support our students as whole human beings. We also highly value the voice of all students, families, staff and community members. If you have any ideas, observations or concerns around the health and wellness of our students, please contact me anytime! 


With love and respect,

Erin Skyles, MSW, LSW
(970) 247-2474 x2337 (work)
(970) 403-5093 (cell)
Upcoming AHS Events


School Photos (11th and 12th grade): Wed. 9/15

School Photos (10th grade): Thurs. 9/16

Biology Lab at FLC (9th grade): Fri. 9/17

AHS Board of Directors Meeting: Mon. 9/20, 5:30-8:30pm at AHS

AHS Board of Directors Meeting: Tues. 9/21, 5:00-7:00pm at AHS

Healthy Kids Colorado Survey in Advisory: Wed. 9/22, 12:45-1:40pm

Osprey Parent Coffee (virtual): Fri. 9/24, 8:30-9:30am online at meet.google.com/jvz-smfg-iwe

Chemistry Lab at FLC (11th grade): Fri. 9/24

Back to School Social: Fri. 9/24, 5-7pm at AHS

Professional Development Day (no classes): Mon. 9/27

Student Council Election: Wed. 9/29

FAFSA Night (seniors): Tues. 10/7, 5:30-7pm

SAT/NMSQT College Entrance Exam (juniors): Wed. 10/13, 8:30am-12pm

AHS Groundbreaking Ceremony: Wed. 10/13, 2:30-3:30pm at Fort Lewis College
In 1986, Congress passed the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) requiring schools to inspect and identify any asbestos-containing building materials (ACBM). We are pleased to announce Animas High School is an asbestos-free school.
The law further requires all schools to have an asbestos management plan. Animas High School has an asbestos management plan available for review in the main office during regular business hours. Sean Woytek is our designated asbestos program coordinator, and all inquiries regarding the asbestos plan and asbestos-related issues should be directed to Sean Woytek 970-247-2474.
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