Greetings Ospreys,

Energy is running high around the Nest, with our faculty and staff back at it, getting ready for the year ahead. We're looking forward to having our students back on the first day of school, Monday, August 21. Please note that this is a day earlier than Durango 9R schools' first day.

Looking for information we have shared out about transportation, meal service, student activities, student schedules, school supplies and more? Click here for recent issues of News from the Nest and please be sure to complete the tasks below that apply as soon as possible:

• Check student schedules in Infinite Campus (IC); review electives and make sure there is an Osprey Block. If anything is missing or you can't access IC, email Maureen at registrar@animashighschool.com. Request changes using Add/Drop Form.

• Complete the AHS Meal Benefit Application, even if you think you won't qualify for free/reduced meals

• Complete all necessary health forms, drop of medications and submit immunization record or exemption (see below)

• Register for the Hub Bus if your student will need transportation to/from school

• Complete annual loaner laptop agreement if your student needs borrow a school computer for the year

• Register for the AHS Mountain Biking Team if you'd like to! The team's first race is August 27

First Week of School and Orientation Activities

On the first day of school, seniors will begin with a special Animas tradition: Senior Sunrise. The class of 2024 will meet at 6:45 at the base of the ABC trailhead (also known as the Centennial Trail), located at the corner of East 10th Street and 6th Avenue. They will head up the trail to the chapel at the south edge of Fort Lewis College’s campus for Senior Sunrise before joining the rest of the AHS student body back on campus for the day.

Students in all grades should be on campus no later than 8:30am on Monday, August 21 for the first day of school. School will go from 8:30 to 3:20 every day that week. We will begin the week with an all-school NEST Meeting, and then have a modified version of our daily schedule, with shortened class periods. Students in all grades will attend their core classes and electives on the first day of school, and grade-level teams will build in activities throughout the week to make sure that new students are provided with the support they need as we welcome them into the community.

The 9th grade will not travel to the ropes course as previously communicated and they will jump right into core classes and electives starting on Monday. The 9th grade will head to Lake Nighthorse for the morning on Friday, August 25 during core classes, returning in time for their electives in the afternoon. More details about the trip to the lake will come soon.

On Wednesday of the first week, we will not have our physical education class, which we call XBlock, in the afternoon as usual, since students will not yet be assigned to classes. Instead, we will fill the afternoon with other important all-school activities including a NEST Meeting that will include information about 1st quarter XBlock classes, time for Advisory groups to gather and the Osprey Student Activity Fair.

Speaking of student activities, the City of Durango's Durango Mayor's Youth Advisory Commission is seeking high-school aged applicants to increase youth voice in city issues, and applications are due by the end of the month. We've had several Ospreys participate in past years, and it's a great opportunity to get involved in local government and make a difference. Learn more and apply here.

Finally, don't forget the Back-to-School Open House on Thursday, August 24 at 5pm, when families are invited to join us on campus to meet teachers and hear about the year ahead!

Health Forms and Medical Information

Help us keep Ospreys healthy and safe by sharing important medical information with us. All forms can be emailed to registrar@animashighschool.com or dropped off in the main office.

Please submit an immunization record, certificate of nonmedical exemption, or certificate for medical exemption prior to the first day of school. The state requires school exclusion for those without up-to-date records or waivers on file. Access CDPHE for detailed immunization requirements. A new waiver is required by the state with every school year even if it is just for exemption from one vaccine.  We ask that you also send in a copy of your student’s Covid vaccination card if your student has been fully vaccinated.

There are two ways to submit a nonmedical exemption:

1.  Submit the certificate of nonmedical exemption with a signature from an immunizing provider in Colorado who is a medical doctor, doctor of osteopathic medicine, advanced practice nurse, delegated physician’s assistant, or pharmacist (per Colorado Revised Statutes 25-4-2403, immunizing providers who sign the certificate of nonmedical exemption must submit nonmedical exemption data to CIIS)

2.  Submit the certificate of nonmedical exemption received upon the completion of CDPHE’s Online Immunization Education Module.

Turn in all applicable medication forms prior to the first day of school so we have accurate information about medical needs on file. Students are not permitted to self-carry controlled substances or anti-depressants on campus or at any school sponsored activities. Reference our Medication Administration Policy for procedures to follow regarding medication use during the school day or at school sponsored activities.

• Asthma Care Plan: access online here
• Allergy & Anaphylaxis Care Plan: access online here
• Medication Self Carry Form: access online here
• Authorization to Administer Medication at School Form: access online here
• Seizure Action Plan: access online here

Please ensure that your student has any necessary emergency medications with them starting with their first day at school and for all school activities, including asthma inhalers, EPI Pens, Midazolam/Nasal Versed (required to be checked in to front desk/not a “self-carry” medication), Glucagon/Insulin/quick acting carbs for diabetics, etc.  We are happy to keep these stored at the school, if requested, and have staff transport for your student(s) when they leave campus. We recommend that all students with a possible emergency medication need to self-carry their own supply and have a back-up supply stored at the front desk.Turn in medications clearly labeled in original containers along with appropriate forms signed by a physician to the main office.

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.

Osprey Block Updates

Our staff has been working hard this week to plan our inaugural Osprey Blocks, which will begin the second week of the school year, running from August 28 through September 15.

Osprey Block instructors will send a letter by the end of day on Monday, outlining initial details about their Block's activities, overnight trips and course fees. If you do not receive an email from an Osprey Block instructor, contact registrar@animashighschool.com to make sure that your student has been placed in one.

Thank you to those who have reached out to offer to lend gear for the Water in the West Osprey Block. Please complete the Water in the West Gear Needs Survey if you have river gear to lend or would be interested in joining the group on the Ruby Horsethief section of the Colorado River September 5-8. Contact lori.fisher@animashighschool.com with questions.

Volunteer Support Needed to Help Serve Lunch

Looking for a way to support the school while getting to know students? We depend upon volunteers to help serve lunch daily. Lunch volunteers commit to coming weekly on a specific day--for instance, every Monday--from approximately 11:45 to 12:45 for a semester or year. You'll work alongside AHS staff to distribute lunches from our partner restaurants to students in our Commons area. No food handler licensing required, and we'll provide all the training you need.

Contact melissa.machicek@animashighschool.com for more information or to sign up to help.

Student Identification Cards

All students will receive new AHS Student Identification Cards within the first week of the school year. Students will need to carry their IDs daily to enter the school building and to ride buses for XBlock classes and field trips. There is a $10 fee to replace a lost Student ID. New students’ families--send a photo to melissa.machicek@animashighschool.com as soon as possible so we have Student IDs ready the first week of school for our newest Ospreys.

Parking Permits

Students who plan to drive to school should complete the Parking Registration Form to receive an AHS parking permit. Students must park in the designated student parking area on campus. Fort Lewis College parking areas require a different permit and tickets will be issued for illegal parking of AHS students or families on FLC's campus.

Join Our Team!

We are currently seeking excellent candidates for three positions in our Inclusion Department to help provide excellent support for students.

• Full Time One-on-One Paraprofessional/Academic Coach
• Part Time School Speech Language Pathologist
• Part Time School Occupational Therapist

We also are seeking Substitute Teachers. Full job descriptions and information about how to apply can be found on our website under Employment Opportunities. Email cover letter and resumé to hr@animashighschool.com and help us spread the word!

Enjoy that last week of summer break and thanks for all you do to help the Ospreys soar!

Upcoming Events

Staff Orientation: Wed. 8/9 through Fri. 8/18

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

Back-to-School Open House: Thurs. 8/24, 5pm--save the date!

Fall Osprey Blocks: Mon. 8/28 through Fri. 9/15

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