Niko Peterson and Tristan May-Ostendorp give the thumbs up to the Rocketry Exhibition |
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Mae Loebig and Llew Schill with their prize-winning rocket |
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Greetings Ospreys,
Thanks to all who turned out for the sophomore Rocketry Exhibition this week, where Math 10 and Physics lessons were put into practice with exciting results. Congrats to the winners:
- 1st place: Llew and Mae (287ft)
- 2nd: Hudson, Cash, Finn (230ft)
- 3rd: Kaitlin and Porter (204ft)
- AHS Record: 367ft by Maddie and Shea.. but no parachute
So many generous community partners supported our 9th Grade Career Exploration Field Trips this week, opening their doors so our youngest Ospreys could check out a variety of professions. Huge thanks to Erin Cummins Roper and Marie Kehm for organizing such a great experience for our freshies, and to the following businesses and organizations for welcoming our students in:
Clearly Jackson Wilton loved his time visiting with that ridiculously cute puppy at the Humane Society!
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Our Osprey musicians will perform at the iAM Music #Youth Student Showcase at Lola's Place on East 2nd Avenue this Sunday evening. Look for junior Cyrus Holt at 4:30, performing as the culmination of his LINK Internship with iAM Music, and the AHS student bands at 6pm.
Staff Appreciations
Please remember to take a few minutes by next Monday, May 16 to share your words of gratitude for departing staff via this form. We will compile messages and present them to departing staff at our final NEST Meeting on Thursday, May 26.
We'll start planning for the end-of-year Staff Appreciation Lunch next week. Email Libby if you'd like to help out! |
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Next Week's Events
On Monday, we'll welcome the juniors back from their LINK Internships, where they've been for the past three weeks. We'll host a Welcome Back Brunch for them on Monday morning; sign up here to donate food.
Next week is the final week of regularly scheduled classes, with early release on Wednesday at 12:30 and All School Exhibition on Thursday from 4-7pm. Preparations have already begun for the biggest celebration of learning of the year at Animas, with Lori's classroom slowly turning into an atmospheric poetry café. Students will finalize their projects, transform classroom spaces, rehearse presentations and get in professional dress for the big event, which in some ways takes the place of finals week at more traditional schools. It's a high stakes time, but also an exciting way for us to see and share all the learning that has happened!
In an effort to help our community plan ahead for All School Exhibition, Heather Prekup has created the All School Exhibition Website which includes the full schedule and well as detailed descriptions of what students will exhibit at each grade level. This not-to-be-missed event is open to the entire community and all are welcome to attend. Please note that parking in the upper lot will be extremely limited during All School Exhibition; leave time for the 10 minute walk along the path from the lower lot to campus.
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Senior Project Update
Seniors have wrapped up their Action Projects, one of three elements of their capstone Senior Project. For the first time ever, they will all exhibit their Action Projects at All School Exhibition next Thursday.
Senior Humanities teacher Sara Price says, "As their teacher I could not be more proud and am so excited to share with you their extraordinary work. Amelia figured out how to get her own LLC and grants, and is currently writing a proposal for the city to solve issues related to homeless teenagers. Shaw designed and made, from scratch, a a go-cart. Robert dove so deep into understanding economics he wants to share this knowledge in a financial planning seminar for teens. We have extraordinary films to show, music to play, novels to share, and podcasts to listen to. This extraordinary class is making an impact. Come learn more at All School Exhibition!"
Seniors will begin their Senior Project TED Talks on Friday of next week, with Lorelai Brunner and Mya Oyler giving a sneak peek at All School Exhibition the night before. TED Talks serve as the culmination of an Animas education, with seniors presenting their research and practice in response to individually crafted questions ranging from "How can architects fabricate buildings that elicit positive impacts on the mental and physical well-being of people processing trauma?" (Lorelai's) to "How do corporations infiltrate journalism to perpetuate capitalism?" (Mya's). Please view the full Senior Project TED Talk Schedule and plan to attend a few. They are open to the public and our seniors appreciate having authentic audiences of community members who are genuinely interested in their topics!
Transitional Presentations of Learning
The week after next, students in 9th, 10th and 11th grade will focus on preparing for Transitional Presentations of Learning (TPOLs), our end-of-year, reflective assessments of learning and growth. Please refer to the letter to families we sent out this week for all the key details about TPOL formats, expectations and scheduling.
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Yearbooks on Sale Now!
Buy your yearbook for $30 through the Jostens website, using this link. Yearbooks will be delivered to school in the summer--stay tuned for details about a summer event where we'll hand them out. Deadline to order: May 27.
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Staffing Updates
We're excited to share that we're adding a Dean of Students and Culture position for the 22/23 school year to provide some focused support for all the work that goes into building our unique, amazing, positive school culture...and to announce that Dave Farkas has accepted the position. Dave is excited to step into this new role and we know he'll be great in it!
Wow…what an amazing experience it has been teaching science and mathematics for 20 years in our community. When I say community I mean it. I moved here from Canada in 1997 and Durango welcomed me with open arms and open hearts. I remember how excited I was when I first started teaching and even after 20 years, I’m still as excited today. It’s with an interesting combination of reflection and excitement that I step into the role of Dean of Students and Culture at Animas High School. It’s the logical progression for me and what I’ve worked towards all these years. There’s something magical about being in a classroom working with young adults, their palpable enthusiasm and curiosity shaping the mood of our environment. Teaching is so much more than just academics; it’s having deep conversations about life, about people skills, about the development of integrity and emotional awareness, and most of all it’s about connecting with each other as we all try to figure out this thing called Life.
Animas High School is a unique and amazing community of people sharing a common experience. When graduates return and are asked what is so special about AHS, relationships between students and staff are always referred to the most. I want to help cultivate this and grow it, and work towards creating systems and experiences that reinforce our desire to be a part of this exceptional community. We’ve finally been able to achieve what was dreamed about so many years ago, a campus designed around our educational philosophy. Like a plant being moved into a newer pot, ready to sink new roots and grow in new directions, Animas High School is ready to bloom and grow in so many ways and I’m thrilled to be part of this movement.
Dave will still teach an elective, but will be stepping away from 9th grade Biology, which leaves a science position open. Please see the Employment Opportunities page on the AHS website and help us spread the word if you know an excellent educator who might be a good fit for our school community!
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Annual Parent Survey
We value input from our community and know it helps us continue to improve. Please remember to complete the Annual Parent Survey by Friday May 27, one per Osprey family.
Enjoy the weekend and thanks for all you do to help the Ospreys soar!
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Upcoming Events
Junior LINK Welcome Back Brunch: Mon. 5/16, 10:15-11am; sign up here to donate food
Special Schedule: Early Release at 12:30: Wed. 5/18
All School Exhibition: Thurs. 5/19, 4-7pm at AHS--more details on the AHS All School Exhibition Website here
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Senior Project TED Talks: Fri. 5/20 through Wed. 5/26; see schedule here (seniors will begin signing up 5/11)
Evening Elevated Nest Tour of New Campus: Mon. 5/23, 5:30pm; RSVP here
BEC Appreciation: Tues. 5/24, 5:30-7pm at Fort Lewis College Ballroom
Final NEST Meeting: Thurs. 5/26, 1:30-3:30pm
Senior Supper: Thurs. 5/26, 6pm at AHS
Advisory Olympics: Fri. 5/27, 8:25am to 12:30pm at Fort Lewis College (early release)
AHS Graduation: Fri. 5/27, 4pm
Transitional Presentations of Learning (9th through 11th grade): Tues. 5/31 through Thurs. 6/2
Last Day of School: Thurs. 6/2
Rising Senior College Boot Camp: Fri. 6/3
First day of 2022/23 School Year: Mon. 8/22
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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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