Greetings Ospreys,

In our faculty meeting on Tuesday and conversations with students this week, we've been hearing plenty of stories about the positive impact of the last three weeks in Osprey Blocks. Around the Nest, we see students maintaining supportive, authentic connections they forged through shared, sometimes transformational experiences. At the TWIGS Parent Coffee this morning, we heard deep appreciation for the Osprey Block program, with families sharing that their students have gained confidence, found their place in community and re-engaged with school. With a strong cultural foundation in place and student engagement high, we now turn our attention back to core classes and electives.

As you can imagine, it's quite expensive to run the Osprey Block program. We keep course fees as low as possible and do fundraising to offset costs. Please be sure to login to Infinite Campus to pay Osprey Block course fees now to help us keep our school budget balanced. Select the "Fees" tab and follow the instructions to pay by credit card.

Lest you think it's solely traditional classroom learning from here on out, rest assured that hands-on, minds-on experiential learning carries on, even when Osprey Blocks end. For example, Mike Bienkowski's Ecology students participated in citizen science alongside Mountain Studies Institute to learn about endangered pika yesterday, and Lauren Lucky's Math 9 students were using data from experiments in class today to develop a formula for the period of a pendulum. A return to "normal" classes at AHS still feels pretty special and unique!

Coming Next at the Nest

Student-Led Conferences (SLCs) are next Thursday, October 17 from 4-6pm. All 9th, 10th and 11th grade families, please be sure to sign up for a time slot below:

• 9th grade SLC sign up 
• 10th grade SLC sign up
• 11th grade SLC sign up

See the Fall 2024 Student-Led Conference Letter for full details on what to expect at these mandatory mid-semester formal conversations designed to support reflection, communication and accountability.

SLCs are just one example of how we put students at the center of their education. They are also one example of the strategies we use that help Ospreys develop valuable communication and presentation skills. When you're new to AHS, it can feel a bit confusing. Here is a brief list of some key Animas lingo:

• Student-Led Conferences (SLCs) are structured family conversations with teachers present for support. They happen twice a year, at the midpoint of each semester, for 9th, 10th and 11th graders.

• Exhibitions of Learning are events designed to provide an opportunity for students to present projects they've completed in classes to authentic audiences. All School Exhibition happens at the end of each semester (December 19, May 15), and serves as a showcase of learning, with families and community members coming to campus to view and experience student work. Sometimes there are Exhibitions for projects that happen outside of All School Exhibition for individual classes or projects; for example, sophomores will have an Exhibition for their interdisciplinary Rocketry Project in a few weeks that will be a competitive launch, putting their learning to the test.

• Presentations of Learning (POLs) happen in the final week of each semester (January 7-10, May 27-29), and rather than focusing on a particular project, POLs are designed to give students a chance to create professional, polished presentations about their learning overall and how it supports their future goals, often in front of a panel of teachers and peers.

• Digital Portfolios (DPs) are student-created websites designed to showcase projects, growth and experience over their time at Animas. For a beautiful example, view junior Avery Colclough's DP. Students create their DPs in Oliver Kennedy's Digital Arts class, which is required for all 9th grade and transfer students. Teachers also have DPs, which you can find on the Faculty & Staff page of the AHS website (click on a photo and then click through on "Digital Portfolio" at the end of the teacher bio). Teacher DPs can serve as a great resource for families as they include class syllabi, project descriptions and often daily lessons.

Outdoor Gear Drive

Osprey Blocks, grade-level camping trips and outdoor recreation/leadership electives depend upon a variety of gear, and we've been fortunate to have multiple community partners generously donate or provide discounts that help keep our gear closet stocked. Just this week, Garret Stimax from Alpacka Rafts came by with a couple of boats to add into the mix. We've also received over 20 brand new backpacks from Osprey and deep discounts for a variety of gear from our friends at Pine Needle Mountaineering and Backcountry Experience. Please consider supporting the local businesses that support our school!

Dean of Experiential Education Ashley Carruth has surveyed our gear needs and developed a wish list, above. If you have gently used items to donate, please reach out to her. We're so grateful for community support that makes it possible to bring Ospreys out into beautiful wild places.

Enrollment

Second semester enrollment is now open. We will offer seats as they become available in each grade in the order that families complete the Intent to Enroll Form. Sign up for a Campus Tour to visit and reach out to libby.cowles@animashighschool.com with questions.

Have a great weekend and thanks for all you do to help the Ospreys soar!

Upcoming Events

Colorado Free Application Days: 10/15-10/17

AHS Board Meeting: Wed. 10/15, 5:30pm

AHS Campus Tour: Thurs. 10/17, 8:45am RSVP here

Student-Led Conferences (9th through 11th grade families): Thurs. 10/17, 4-6pm

Professional Development Day (no classes): Mon. 10/21

AHS Campus Tour: Tues. 10/22, 5:30pm RSVP here

PSAT/NMSQT (11th grade): Wed. 10/23: see 2024/25 Testing Letter for full details

2nd Quarter Clubs and XBlocks begin: Wed. 10/30

TWIGS Event: Effective Communication with Your Teen: Wed. 10/30, 6pm

Thanksgiving Break: Mon. 11/25 through Fri. 11/29

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.

Educational programs, activities, and employment opportunities at AHS are offered without regard to disability, race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, family composition, marital status, national origin, religion, ancestry or need for special education services.