November 17, 2023

Greetings Ospreys,


As we head into the Thanksgiving Break, we want to share our deep gratitude for our students, families, teachers, staff, board and community partners. We truly have so much to be thankful for, and we know that the ongoing success of Animas High School doesn't happen without the authentic engagement and dedication of all involved. Families--be sure to check out the Staff Appreciation Lunch letter to find ways to share your gratitude for our teachers and staff. Thank you all for contributing to our thriving school community!


This year, we are particularly grateful to spend our first fall semester in our beautiful new Nest on the Fort Lewis College campus. Our partnership with Fort Lewis continues to grow in exciting ways, and we are better for it. Just last night, Al Wolfe from the FLC Diversity Collaborative facilitated a diversity, equity and inclusion training for our Board of Directors. While we pride ourselves on creating an inclusive community that uplifts multiple perspectives and fosters belonging, we recognize this work is ongoing and there are always ways we can grow.


The Thanksgiving holiday falls during Native American Heritage Month, which can foster important and complex conversations about history and representation. The Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian has some helpful resources to dig into around this. FLC's student body includes representation from 177 Native American tribes and Alaska Native villages; nearly half of FLC students identify as Indigenous. We have adopted the college's practice of sharing a land acknowledgement at the start of NEST Meetings and share it with you here today as a timely reminder of the history of this beautiful place and the people who have inhabited it.


We acknowledge the land that Animas High School is situated upon is the ancestral land and territory of the Nuuchiu (Ute) people who were forcibly removed by the United States Government. We also acknowledge that this land is connected to the communal and ceremonial spaces of the Jicarilla Abache (Apache), Pueblos of New Mexico, Hopi Sinom (Hopi), and Diné (Navajo) Nations. It is important to acknowledge this setting because the narratives of the lands in this region have long been told from dominant perspectives, without full recognition of the original land stewards who continue to inhabit and connect with this land. Thank you for your attention and respect in acknowledging this important legacy.

We hope that the week away from school provides plenty of opportunities for connective conversations, family time, fun, reflection, recreation and rest. We look forward to welcoming students back to the Nest on Monday, November 27 for the final 3 weeks of fall semester. The stretch between Thanksgiving and Winter Breaks will be very full for students, with several events designed to provide the opportunity for them to share what they have learned this semester:



Friday December 8 is the last day elective classes will meet and the final day we will follow the regular Daily Schedule. We will send out more grade-specific information about POLs the week after break, including what to expect in terms of presentation format and scheduling.


As a reminder, students and families should review 2nd semester student schedules in Infinite Campus to determine if they want to request any changes. Use the Add/Drop Form to make requests.

Juniors' POLs will take the form of mock interviews for real jobs they find that match their career interests. As part of their ongoing preparation for LINK Internships in the spring, the class of 2025 headed to Ignacio earlier this week for the Southern Ute Career Fair to network with representatives from several local businesses and organizations as they consider which career path they may want to explore through LINK.


Our Internship Coordinator, Elliot Baglini, is seeking people in the Animas community and beyond who are interested in helping to pull back the veil on professional life after high school. Upcoming opportunities include presenting at our 9th Grade Career Fair in February, hosting a group of students at a site visit in the spring, or hosting a LINK intern in May. If you're interested in supporting AHS students with career exploration through one of these roles, please fill out this form. If you've partnered with us in the past, or have already filled out the contact form, thank you for supporting and helping to inspire Animas students towards professional success. 

AHS Enrollment

The January 2024 Intent to Enroll form is now open for students who would like to transfer to AHS for 2nd semester. 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. The next Campus Tour is Tuesday, November 28 at 5:30pm. RSVP here. Contact libby.cowles@animashighschool.com with enrollment questions, or if your student is planning to transfer from AHS to another school for 2nd semester.

We hope you'll squeeze in a visit to Ska Brewing on Wednesday November 29th, 6pm for the December TWIGS Happy Hour. This is an informal social gathering designed to help families connect to each other. All are welcome!



We hope the break provides nourishing connections and rest for all. Thanks for all you do to help the Ospreys soar!

Upcoming Events


Thanksgiving Break: Mon. 11/20 through Fri. 11/24


AHS Campus Tour: Tues. 11/28, 530pm; RSVP here


Physics/Math 10 Rocketry Project Exhibition of Learning: Wed. 11/29, 3:30pm at Smith Sports Complex, 700 Talon Lane


TWIGS Happy Hour: Wed. 11/29, 6pm at Ska Brewing


Media Arts Exhibition of Learning: Thurs. 11/30, 5:30pm at the Smiley Building, 1309 East 3rd Avenue

Winter Exhibition of Learning: Thurs. 12/7 at AHS


Final Day of Electives/Regular Daily Schedule: Fri. 12/8


Presentations of Learning Week: Mon. 12/11 through Fri. 12/15 (please note: grade-level and individual student schedules will vary)


Winter Break: Mon. 12/18 through Mon. 1/1


Professional Development Day (no classes): Tues. 1/2


First Day of 2nd Semester: Wed. 1/3


Fall 2024 Enrollment Opens: Wed. 1/17

AHS 2023/24 School Calendar
22/23 Daily Schedule
AHS Events Calendar
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

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