Greetings Ospreys,

Here we go! Our faculty just got of the Animas River, where we spent one fun final afternoon together before welcoming students back on Monday. There are plenty of ripe metaphors here about working together, facing obstacles, going with the flow, etc. Suffice it to say the river worked her magic, as she does, and we're feeling connected, grateful for our team and ready for the year ahead. Pretty sweet way to hold a staff meeting, no? Thanks to our friends at 4Corners Riversports for hooking us up with the boats.

The 2023/24 school year begins Monday, August 21 at 8:30am. Please note that this is one day earlier than Durango 9R schools' first day of classes.

First Week of School

On Monday, seniors will gather before the school day begins bright and early at 6:45am at the trailhead at East 10th Street and 6th Avenue, where dean of students Dave Farkas will greet them and direct them up to their Senior Sunrise on the mesa, a very special Animas tradition designed to welcome them to their final year of high school.

All students should be on campus no later 8:30am, and are welcome to arrive earlier. We are welcoming 100 new-to-AHS students on Monday, and encourage all returning Ospreys to be on the lookout for anyone who might need help, direction or support!

Please note that the Hub Bus will NOT run on Monday since 9R schools are not in session. We apologize for this inconvenience. Hub Bus starts service Tuesday morning, leaving Durango High School at 8:05 and arriving to AHS by 8:20, with plenty of time for students to get to 1st period at 8:30. Look for the bus marked "FM4" in the DHS parking lot. Be sure to complete the Hub Bus Registration if your student will ride the bus or the AHS Parking Registration Form if your student will drive.

Students should bring their laptops, a notebook and pen on Monday and arrive ready for classes. Individual teachers will share more about any additional school supplies needed. Our welcome tables will be set up in front of the main entrance and as students arrive, we will distribute student IDs, student schedules and annual loaner laptops for those who have completed the annual loaner laptop agreement.

On Monday, students will learn how to order lunch through the AHS website, and we will have free lunch available without having to order it for anyone who does not bring a sack lunch. As a reminder, all families should complete the AHS Meal Benefit Application, even if you believe you do not qualify for benefits, as it helps us access critical federal funding.

We'll begin the day on Monday with a brief all-school NEST Meeting in the Commons, and then move to a slightly modified schedule with shortened classes.

Monday Special Schedule

8:30-9:15 NEST Meeting

9:15-9:55 1st period

10-1-:40 2nd period

10:45-11:25 3rd period

11:30-12:10 4th period

12:10-1:00 lunch

1:05-1:45 5th period

1:50-2:30 6th period

2:35-3:20 7th period

We will also have a slightly modified schedule on Wednesday afternoon, since students have not yet selected XBlocks, our physical education classes. After advisory and Osprey Block groups meet, teachers will present 1st quarter XBlock choices at a NEST Meeting. XBlock classes begin Wednesday, September 20, after Osprey Blocks have finished. Wednesday morning will follow our usual daily schedule. Seniors, who usually are free on Wednesday during XBlock, should plan to stay on campus until 3:20.

Wednesday Afternoon Special Schedule

12:45-1:25 Advisory

1:30-2:00 Osprey Block Group Meetings

2:05-3:00 NEST Meeting

3:00-3:20 Ice Cream Social

Over the course of the week, grade-level core teachers will devote time to orientation activities, making sure all students have the tools and information they need to set them up for success in the year ahead. This will include the Technology at AHS review that covers Google Apps for Education, Infinite Campus use, ordering lunch, etc. They'll also review the AHS Student Contract, checking in on our community's cultural norms and expectations.

All families are encouraged to join us for the Back-to-School Open House on Thursday from 5:00 to 6:00. This will be a chance to meet grade-level and Osprey Block teaching teams and to connect with our staff around any questions you may have about the year ahead.

Thursday Back-to-School Open House Schedule

5:00-5:15 Welcome

5:15-5:40 Meet Grade-Level Teaching Teams

5:40-6:00 Meet Osprey Block Teaching Teams

Parking will be tight the evening of the Open House, so please consider carpooling. Fort Lewis College students will be moving into dorms, and FLC police will ticket cars parked on the roads. If possible, please park in the 8th Avenue lot and use the new sidewalk that brings you directly to our campus (see FLC campus map). This will leave the AHS parking lot for those with more limited mobility. Thanks with your help in making us good neighbors to the college!

Attendance and Absences

As a school, we firmly believe in the importance of students being at school on time, every day. Project-based learning is collaborative, hands-on and minds-on, and being present in class is critical to success. Students who miss more than 20% of a class, excused or unexcused, will not receive credit for that class.

Please use the Pre-Excused Absence Form, available in the main office, when students will miss a day or more and you know ahead of time. Parents or guardians must call (970) 247-2474 or email mainoffice@animashighschool.com no later than 24 hours after a student’s absence or the absence will be counted as unexcused. Families will receive email notifications through Infinite Campus when students are marked absent in any class. Thanks for helping us with good communication when students are out.

Osprey Block Begins in Just Over a Week!

We are really excited to be launching Osprey Blocks this fall, our new three-week courses designed to engage students through academically rigorous, cross-disciplinary, immersive studies that connect classroom learning to powerful, real-world experiences.

Osprey Blocks begin on Monday, August 28 and run through Friday, September 15. Regular classes will not meet during these three weeks as students will be with their Osprey Block groups all day every day, creating time and space for a deep dive into the content of the course alongside off-campus excursions. Osprey Blocks will receive a grade, and successful completion will earn students a 0.5 elective credit.

Our faculty is offering a great range of courses for our inaugural round of Osprey Blocks. Teaching teams have sent information to families about the goals for their classes, off-campus field trips and fees. These are linked below:

• Adventures in Aquaponics, Madi Neukirch, Lauren Lucky, Antonio Accuna
• Baja Bound, Kat Jackson, Jenny McKenzie
• Documentary Film: Transformative Educational Experiences, Drew Semel, Jessica McCallum
• Emergency Response in our Community, Elliot Baglini, Peter Bradley
• In Search of Ikigai, Erin Skyles, Ashley Carruth, Ande Lloyd, Salome Raiszadeh
• Native Warriors of the Southwest, Rebecca Ruland, Genevieve Buzan-Dansereau, Sarah Brockett, Oliver Kennedy
• Special Relativity, Kyle Edmondson, John Grotenhuis, Emma Boone
• Water in the West, Julian Springer, Lori Fisher, Mike Bienkowski
• Wilderness Exploration and Landscape Studies, Britt Bladsell, Dave Farkas, Cameron Elder

While Osprey Blocks are new to AHS, they are similar to successful programs at colleges and high schools such as the Block Plan at Colorado College or Immersives at The Bay School in San Francisco. The video from the Bay School below will give you a sense of what we're hoping to accomplish as we embark upon this new academic adventure.

Health Forms and Medical Information

Please be sure we have received all appropriate forms and medications for your student by Monday. Email forms to mainoffice@anbimashighschool.com or drop off in the main office. Also be sure to drop off emergency medications clearly labeled in original containers along with appropriate forms signed by a physician.

Submit an immunization record, certificate of nonmedical exemption, or certificate for medical exemption . There are two ways to submit a nonmedical exemption: a certificate of nonmedical exemption with doctor's signature or the certificate of exemption received upon the completion of CDPHE’s Online Immunization Education Module.

Refer to our Medication Administration Policy to see which medications require which forms.

• Medication Self Carry Form: access online here
• Authorization to Administer Medication at School Form: access online here

Complete any care plans that apply:

• Asthma Care Plan: access online here
• Allergy & Anaphylaxis Care Plan: access online here
• Seizure Action Plan: access online here

Contact our health consultant at jana.edmondson@animashighschool.com with any health related questions or concerns and please let us know if there are changes to your student’s health or medical needs over the course of the year.

We know there are many details to track and adjustments to make at the start of a new school year. Most importantly, we want our Ospreys to arrive with open minds and open hearts, ready to make the most of the school year ahead. We can't wait to see them!

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

Upcoming Events

First Day of 23/24 School Year (all grades): Mon. 8/21

Advancement Committee Meeting: Tues. 8/22, 12:30pm

Fort Lewis College Dual Enrollment Orientation: Wed. 8/23, 9-11:30am at Noble Hall 130

Back-to-School Open House: Thurs. 8/24, 5pm

AHS Mountain Biking Team Race in Leadville: Sun. 8/27; register here

Fall Osprey Blocks (regular classes do not meet): Mon. 8/28 through Fri. 9/15

Add/Drop Period Ends: Fri. 9/1

Labor Day Holiday (no classes): Mon. 9/4

TWIGS Buds Meeting: Mon. 9/11, 6pm

Men in Heels Fundraiser for Women's Resource Center: Tues. 9/12, 5:30pm

Professional Development Day (no classes): Mon. 9/18

Regular Classes Resume: Tues. 9/19

1st Quarter XBlock Classes Begin: Wed. 9/20

Durango Open Studio Tour: Sat. 9/23 and Sun. 9/24

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