Greetings Ospreys,

We're three weeks from welcoming our students back to the Nest. We will not have a staggered start this year as we have in the past; all grades will begin on Monday, August 21. Mark your calendar now for the Back-to-School Open House on Thursday, August 24 at 5pm, with a potluck meal and a chance to hear from faculty about grade-level projects, Osprey Blocks and more.

Looking for information we shared out about fall sports, student clubs, student schedules, the new Osprey Block or school supplies? Click here for last week's News from the Nest.

• Registration for AHS Mountain Biking Team opens tomorrow, July 29
• Registration for DHS Fall Sports due July 31
• Email rebecca.ruland@animashighschool.com by August 4 to sign up for the Emergency Response Osprey Block

Transportation

AHS students are welcome to use Durango 9R transportation to get to and from AHS, free of charge. Students can ride their neighborhood route to Durango High School in the morning, then transfer to the AHS Hub Bus to arrive at school in time for classes. At the end of the school day, the Hub Bus takes students from AHS to DHS. Please note that unlike Durango 9R schools, AHS does not have early release on Mondays, and families must arrange alternate transportation.

Register here if your student will ride the Hub Bus this year.

We encourage students to consider sustainable transportation options including carpooling, biking and ridng the trolley. The Durango Transit fixed route system operates seven days a week from 7am to 8:30pm. The Fort Lewis College route travels from the Transit Center at 8am to FLC at 8:08, dropping passengers off within walking distance of AHS in time to get to classes. The Fort Lewis Express route leaves North City Market at 7:30am and arrives at FLC at 7:45. See full route and schedule info for more details. An annual Student Pass is $30 and those who qualify for free/reduced lunch can receive a free transit pass through the AHS main office.

Healthy Meals for All

Last November, Colorado voters passed Proposition FF which funded the Healthy School Meals for All program. We're excited to participate, and will offer lunch free of cost for all AHS students in the 23/24 school year. As a result of our participation in this program, we'll see some changes in our offerings--stay tuned as we finalize details.

As in previous years, it's really important for AHS families to provide household income information in order for us to receive full access to federal funding as a school. Families who qualify will receive other fee waivers.

Please complete the AHS Meal Benefit Application now, even if you think you don't qualify for free/reduced meals.

All household income information provided is strictly confidential and protected. Only one form is required for all children in the household. Immigration, migrant, citizenship or refugee status is not required when completing the form.

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!

AHS Summer School: Manufacturing with Math

by Niko Peterson '24

What does math have to do with 3D printing? Stick around and we’ll tell you.

From June 20th through the 30th, Melissa Watters, STEM Academic and Career Expert at Pueblo Community College Southwest, teamed up with Animas High School for a 2 week advanced manufacturing summer school course as an opportunity for students to earn math credit. In this course, the students got to learn the ins and outs of advanced manufacturing processes (additive manufacturing, CNC, and robotics), computer aided design (CAD) using Fusion 360, how a 3D printer functions, and much more.

The students were expected to design and create a project within the design

parameters, complete modules in the Society of Manufacturing Engineers online

Certified Manufacturing Associate online class, and, of course, participate in all

activities. During these two weeks, students went through the complicated process that is

designing something from scratch. At the beginning, students were asked to create a

prototype of their design with different types of foams, cardboards, and miscellaneous

pieces of wood. Next, they transferred their designs into Fusion 360 by making

measurements and designing it on the actual platform. After that, the students used

the programs required to get their design ready to 3D print, selected their desired

filament and started printing their design components.

Marlow Mullen, an Animas High School rising junior, was one of the seven students in

attendance. For his project, he prototyped, designed, and constructed a 3D printed

puck light lamp in the shape of a skateboard. “I think it went well, I'd say I learned a lot of new useful skills that I can use in my life.” Mullen said. When asked about his favorite part of the class, he said. “I learned how to design something to 3D print which is cool, then I 3D printed something which was also cool.”

This course was an opportunity for students to see math in a different, more

interesting way and to apply math in a real world situation. It has proven to be a great

solution for earning credit.

As summer rides into its final stretch, our staff continues to squeeze in adventures and travel before returning to the Nest on August 9 to get ready for the start of the school year.

Humanities teacher Lori Fisher and World Languages teacher Kat Jackson have both enjoyed some beach time--Lori in Maui and Kat in Baja California Sur, where she celebrated her 50th birthday. Kat will return to Mexico with a crew of Ospreys in September, as part of the Baja Bound Osprey Week.

Meanwhile, head of school Rebecca Ruland braved the elements while biking over the hills and through the rain in Ireland with her husband Terry. It's great to see our fearless leader out adventuring!

Dean of enrollment and community outreach Libby Cowles joined a group of artists to create prints celebrating regional women in partnership with the Herstory Printmaking Collective and Mancos Common Press. That's Libby up front with her print of Morley Ballantine at the print installation. Christine Imming, our director of operations, headed to New York City for a special mother-son trip celebrating Jake's graduation from Animas this past May. They loved soaking up the city through long walks and enjoyed seeing The Book of Mormon on Broadway.

Hope you're enjoying your summer 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