Greetings Ospreys,

What a week! The last week of fall semester is always a busy, emotionally-full one as we witness students take stock of their educational journey, share their progress and reflect on challenges through Presentations of Learning. There have been so many lovely moments this week, and we are proud of the work teachers and students put into making POLs a meaningful academic experience.

Yesterday's Staff Appreciation Lunch was one for the ages, with the Commons transformed into a cruise ship for the final event we'll hold there as we say bon voyage to the trailers at Twin Buttes and set sail to our next destination at Fort Lewis College. Many, many thanks to the parents who pulled together to host a creative, celebratory event for our teachers, with a special shout out to our "cruise directors" Maren Bicknell and Sheryl Bidart for taking the lead on planning. From the mocktail bar to the photo booth, every detail was so special and our staff felt truly loved and valued. Thank you, too, to Rachel Turiel, the guru of gratitude, for coordinating efforts for families to share their thoughtful written appreciations with teachers.

It's been a push for us all, Ospreys, but together, as a strong school community, we've made it to this monumental moment of transition. Packing up everything in those colorful trailers included just a tinge of sadness for many of us as it holds 9.5 years of our school's beautiful 12.5 year history.

That said, of course, it feels AMAZING to be in our new Nest at Fort Lewis College! We're so grateful for all the support today. Flocks of Ospreys arrived throughout the day to help us with the move--students, parents, alumni, and even a prospective family--and we managed to get pretty much everything we need to start next semester transported from one campus to the other. Even our professional movers commented on how they were impressed by the way our community turned out in droves to get the job done. Thank you, thank you, thank you for helping us pull off a big job in a day!

Returning to School at our New Nest

Even though we got so much done today, moving a school is no small task and we could use a few more Osprey helpers on our Professional Development Day. Please sign up here if you're able to come to the new Nest to unpack boxes on Monday, January 2.

After the winter break we look forward to opening our doors to all students and families for a potluck breakfast and NEST Meeting, with a special schedule for the day. Please sign up here to bring food for our community breakfast on Tuesday, January 3. We can't wait to have our full school community gather together in our beautiful new space.

And save the date for our Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Friday, January 20 at 5:30pm when we'll invite the full community to the Nest.

Student Parking Permits

Be sure to complete the AHS Parking Registration Form  before returning for next semester. Refer to the letter about parking and transportation for full details.

Final Grades and Report Cards

Teachers have submitted final grades for the semester and students and families will be able to view them in Infinite Campus. We do not send out print Report Cards but studetns and families can login to IC, select "Documents" and then select "Report Cards" to view final grades.

2nd Semester Student Schedules

Remember to sign up for 3rd quarter XBlock classes and make course requests for any elective changes for 2nd semester, using the following links.

View 3rd quarter XBlock class options here

Students: complete XBlock Request Form here

View updated Elective Schedule

View updated 22/23 Course Catalog

Request elective changes via Add/Drop Form

Welcome Back Profe Kat!

We're excited to share that Kat Jackson will be returning to our staff in January to teach Spanish 2 and help with student support. She'll be taking over Jessica McCallum's Spanish classes to free Jessica up for taking a larger role in providing mentoring support for our newer teachers.

Hola friends and family. Over the past 2.5 years, I have been living and teaching Spanish in Australia. I feel so fortunate to be starting in January at our new Nest. I look forward to sharing my passion for Spanish language and culture with our Osprey community. Cannot wait to see many of you again and meet our new Osprey students and families!

Join SOLES' C3 Crew

Osprey parent Rachel Turiel and former AHS teacher Ashley Carruth are really excited to partner up to offer SOLES 3C Crew,** a new program for high school girls.*

Adolescent girls are experiencing increasing rates of anxiety and depression. Ashley and Rachel see the brilliance and competence that is often overshadowed by self doubt, societal expectations and more and want to support high school youth in building confidence through sharing their authentic selves with each other, learning and practicing effective and empowering communication skills and test-driving leadership skills in their lives each week. The group will embark from Durango High School for a walk to a nearby community space where they'll then circle up to discuss weekly topics.

* girls refers to cis girls, trans girls, non-binary and any female identifying youth

** SOLES is former Animas Humanities teacher, Ashley Carruth's program and stands for Sisters on Outdoor Leadership Expeditions.

Osprey Alumni Concert

Looking for a fun Osprey-centric, punk-infused way to celebrate this winter break? Head on over to The Hive on the 23rd for Festivus for the Rest of Us, featuring the band Cancelled, which includes 4 AHS alum: Cooper, Rex and Finn Stowers and Josh Dearien. It's bound to be a fun all-ages show.

We're wishing everyone a peaceful, joyous holiday season and winter break and hope you all find ways to connect with those you love.

Thanks for all you do to help the Ospreys soar!

Upcoming Events

Winter Break: Mon. 12/19 through Fri. 12/30

Professional Development Day: Mon. 1/2

Fall 2023 Enrollment Opens: Mon. 1/2

2nd Semester Begins: Tues. 1/3 sign up here to bring food for our Welcome to the New Nest Community Breakfast

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