Greetings Ospreys,

It's been an unusually short week due to Monday's MLK holiday and the 2 snow days that followed. Thank you to Josh Covert from Jaynes Corporation for capturing the gorgeous image of our campus, nestled into the snowy landscape that you see above!

We look forward to opening our doors to the community for our Ribbon Cutting Ceremony this evening at 5:30 which will include special guest speakers, live music, hot cider and tours of the building. Read today's Durango Herald article about the new school for a sneak preview of the building's features. We are excited to gather together to acknowledge all the hard work that has gotten us here.

Our student journalists will live stream the Ribbon Cutting on the Animas Quill Instagram feed for those who cannot attend in person.

Next Week's Events

Founding director Marta Fabregas of Nature and Oceans Adventures will share her story at Tuesday's Chew on This Lunch & Learn.

Director of College and Career Counseling Erin Cummins-Roper will share important information with sophomores and their families at the 10th Grade Postsecondary Night on Wednesday, starting at 5:30pm. Join Erin to learn about what sophomores should be working on now to prepare for their paths after high school

We are already seeing strong interest in Fall 2023 Enrollment, and will begin offering weekly Enrollment Events next Wednesday with an Online Information Session at 5:30pm, followed by a Campus Tour Thursday morning at 8:45am for prospective families and students. Sign up here to visit with us and learn more about how AHS might prove to be the best fit for your student!

New students should complete our online Intent to Enroll before our March 6 to be entered into the Fall 2023 enrollment lottery. Current students need not complete this form; we will reach out in a few weeks with re-registration information.

Animas families are encouraged to swing by the January TWIGS Happy Hour Thursday, 6pm at Zia Cantina on North Main Avenue. This month's gathering will include opportunities to connect with other Osprey families as well as a conversation facilitated by parent Rachel Turiel about Johann Hari's book Stolen Focus: Why You Can't Pay Attention and How to Think Deeply Again. Don't worry if you haven't read the book--there will still be plenty to talk about, as we dive into conversation about the impact of modern technology on our ability to sustain attention and deep thinking.

The AHS Board of Directors will meet Thursday evening at 5:30pm online via meet.google.com/buh-dfws-poc. All board meetings are open to the public and agendas and minutes are posted on the AHS website.

Snowdown Spellebration

Hear ye, hear ye! An AHS team, made up of Humanities teachers Lori Fisher, Jessica McCallum and Tory Dille, will compete in the Snowdown Spellebration, the Shakespeare-themed spelling bee that serves as a fundraiser for the Durango Adult Education Center. We would love Osprey support in two important ways: 1) make a donation to the Adult Ed Center via the AHS website to help us cover the $250 entry fee while supporting community education (indicate the donation is for Spellebration) and 2) join us at the Gaslight Theatre on Wednesday, February 1, 5:30pm to cheer on our team! We've brought the trophy home in past years, and it's always great to have rowdy support in the audience.

You'll also see Ospreys at the Snowdown Chili Cook Off at the County Fairgrounds on February 4, where student ambassadors will be selling sodas as a fundraiser for the school. Swing by to say hello!

Faculty Digital Portfolios

Curious to learn more about what's happening in classes? Remember that faculty digital portfolios are an excellent communication tool. You can find DP links on the Faculty & Staff page of the AHS website. Links to DPs for grade-level core teachers follow:

• 9th grade:
• Cameron Elder, Humanities 9
• Lauren Lucky, Math 9
• Mike Bienkowski, Biology
• 10th grade:
• Sara Price, Humanities 10
• Ande Lloyd, Math 10
• Julian Springer, Physics
• 11th grade:
• Tory Dille, Humanities 11
• John Grotenhuis, Precalculus
• Madi Neukirch, Chemistry
• 12th grade:
• Lori Fisher, Humanities 12
• Kyle Edmondson, Statistics

Yearbook Senior Photos and Quotes

The Animas Quill team of student journalists is working together to create a beautiful 2022/23 yearbook to capture memories from this year. Seniors must submit one senior portrait, one baby picture and a quote to e.hansen23@animashighschool.com by February 10. This senior portrait will also be used in the Senior Celebration Booklet, distributed at graduation. Stay tuned for more details coming soon about yearbook cost and how to pre-order.

Osprey Week

We will be posting Osprey Week groups on the Osprey Week page of the AHS website Monday. As a reminder, Osprey week fees will be entered in Infinite Campus and groups will meet during Advisory on February 15 to review itineraries. Full details here.

Please note that the sophomore Physics exhibition has been postponed a week. The new date is Thursday, February 9.

Enjoy the weekend, and thanks for all you do to help the Ospreys soar!

Upcoming Events



Ribbon Cutting Ceremony: Fri. 1/20, 5:30pm

10th Grade postsecondary Night: Wed. 1/22, 5:30pm

Online Information Session for Prospective Families: Wed. 1/25, 5:30pm via meet.google.com/shp-devc-fxc; RSVP here

Campus Tour and Information Session for Prospective Families: Thurs. 1/26, 8:45am; RSVP here

TWIGS Happy Hour with discussion of Stolen Focus by Johann Hari: Thurs. 1/26, 5:30pm at Zia Cantina

AHS Board Meeting: Thurs. 1/26, 5:30pm

9th Grade Career Exploration Fair: Wed. 3/1, 8:30am-12pm

Snowdown Spellebration Fundraiser for Durango Adult Education Center (come cheer for the AHS team!): Wed. 3/1, 5:30pm at Gaslight Theater

What is Harm Reduction? Tues. 2/7, 4:30pm

9th Grade postsecondary Night: Wed. 2/8, 5:30pm

Sophomore Physics Exhibition: Space Travel: Thurs. 2/9 4-6pm