Greetings Ospreys,

We hope that you all are able to get out and enjoy the beautiful seasonal changes over Fall Break this weekend. As a reminder, we do not have school tomorrow or Monday. We'll welcome students back to the Nest on Tuesday morning.

Mike Bienkowski's Ecology students caught the peak colors and some early snow today up on Ophir Pass, where they were working with Mountain Studies Institute. He will head back up to Silverton with all the 9th graders next week for another day of fieldwork with MSI, this time in conjunction with the teaching and learning happing in Biology classes, where they are digging into the essential question "Can nature teach us to live sustainably?"

In Humanities 9, the class of 2027 is tackling the question "How can an individual break the harmful cycles of socialization and reinforce the positive cycles of liberation?" alongside their teachers Cameron Elder and Genevieve Buzan-Dansereau. As those of you have been around for a bit know, it wouldn't be fall at the Nest without 9th graders making masks! Today was their first foray into this part of the Socialization and Identity Project, a rite of passage for Ospreys.

We had a great group head to Aspen last weekend with Erin Cummins-Roper and Elliot Baglini for the Western Slope College Fair. While there, they met with admissions reps from a wide variety of colleges, attended college prep workshops and toured Colorado Mesa University.

Checking in on Students' Academic Progress

As we wrap up the fourth week of regular classes, we are approaching the midpoint of fall semester. Student-led Conferences are right around the corner, scheduled for Thursday October 19 from 4-6pm. These conversations are required for all 9th, 10th and 11th grade students and their families. Please save the date and look for a letter next week with a sign-up form linked for each grade so you can reserve the time that works best for you. The goal of SLCs is to help students take ownership over their academic and personal progress, while also ensuring that parents are engaged in the process of supporting and encouraging success.

Osprey Block grades have been posted in Infinite Campus. Students have received either a letter grade or NC (no credit). An NC, unlike an F, does not negatively impact a student's grade point average. Please direct specific questions about Osprey Block grades to that Block's instructors.

Now that we have a few weeks of core classes and electives underway, it's a good idea for both students and families to get in the habit of checking IC regularly to view grades and attendance. As a reminder, students may not pass a class if they miss 20% or more, whether absences are excused or not. Starting next week, we will begin sending out automatic email messages to families through IC when a student has a C- or below in one or more class. At AHS, students must earn a C- or above to pass a class.

Next Week's Events

Juniors and families should plan to join Erin and Elliot for the Junior Postsecondary Night next Thursday evening at 5:30pm. They will share important information and advice around what 11th graders should be focusing on now in relation to their spring LINK Internships and plans after high school. As a reminder, we have postponed the PSAT/NMSQT for the juniors until Wednesday, October 25.

Our October TWIGS coffee is next Friday, October 13 at 8:30am. All families are welcome to join in on the monthly conversation with head of school Rebecca Ruland. Bring your mug--we'll provide the coffee

Friday is also election day for AHS Student Council.

AHS Enrollment

Enrollment is now closed for fall semester, and we have opened the January 2024 Intent to Enroll form. We offer seats for second semester in the order families complete the form, as they become available. Currently, we are full in our 9th and 11th grades, so potential transfer students in those grades would be placed on a waitlist. We have a few open seats in 10th grade for transfers and we do not admit seniors after the start of the year.

Fall 2024 enrollment opens January 17 and 8th grade families are encouraged to visit with us to learn more and see if AHS is the best fit. Student ambassador-led tours begin October 19. View dates and RSVP here.

Current 9th through 11th graders are guaranteed a seat for fall 2024 and will receive re-registration information in the spring. Contact [email protected] with enrollment questions.

Thank you to our friends at the Fort Lewis College Adventure Education Department for partnering with our Dean of Experiential Education Ashley Carruth to get a group of students out to X-Rock this week for some rock climbing instruction, providing an opportunity for FLC students to get guided experience teaching while our students gained new skills.

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

Upcoming Events

Fall Break (no classes): Fri. 10/6 through Mon. 10/9

Biology Field Trip to Silverton with Mountain Studies Institute (9th grade): Thurs. 10/12, 8:30am-2pm

Junior Postsecondary Night: Thurs. 10/12, 5:30pm

Student Council Election: Fri. 10/13

TWIGS Coffee: Fri. 10/13, 8:30am

Professional Development Day (no classes): Mon. 10/16

Geology Field Trip to Coal Bank Pass: Tues. 10/17, 8:30am-3:20pm

Advancement Committee Meeting: Tues. 10/17, 1pm

TWIGS Buds Meeting: Tues. 10/17, 6pm

College & Cupcakes: Colorado Free Application Day (12th grade): Thurs. 10/19

AHS Campus Tour: Thurs. 10/19, 8:45am RSVP here

Student-Led Conferences (9th-11th grades): Thurs. 10/19, 4-6pm

AHS Board Meeting: Thurs. 10/19, 5:30pm

TWIGS Teen Mental Health Event: Tues. 10/24, 6pm

PSAT/NMSQT (11th grade): Wed. 10/25

NEST Meeting: Wed. 10/25

2nd Quarter XBlocks Begin: Wed. 11/1