June 4, 2021
Joe Weigman uses evidence from the Math 10 rocket project to illustrate his realization about the positive impact of collaboration with peers on his learning
junior Zach Robinson reflects on what he learned through his LINK Internship with Z's Performance, where he built upon his welding skills
Greetings Ospreys,

It's a wrap! This year like none other has tested us, as individuals and as a school community, but we have persevered in true Osprey style. As COVID-19 safety protocols loosen and summer begins, we want to acknowledge both how difficult this year has been as well as how beautifully our students, teachers, staff and families have responded to the challenges at hand. The flexibility, dedication and deep care for student wellbeing that our faculty and staff has shown this school year makes us extremely proud.

The teachers and faculty respect the parents and work with the students on individual levels... I look forward to the next three years to see my son develop into a young adult under the guidance of the caring, honest, creative and forward thinking teachers and staff.
--9th grade parent

You all do so much!!! Thank you for all your hard work. This school is pretty awesome...Please know that we appreciate you!
--AHS rising senior

We appreciate our students and families, too! Thank you for for all YOU'VE done to help us navigate the twists and turns of this year and the trust you continue to place in us. We are humbled by it, for sure.

Final Grades
Final grades for this semester are now posted in Infinite Campus. We do not send out report cards, so it is up to students and families to check in IC to see grades. Please remember that finalized grades can only be viewed on report cards or transcripts, not grades in progress. Go to Documents > Semester 2 Report Card to view.
The Animas Quill and Saying Goodbye to Four Exemplary Ospreys
Be sure to pick up a copy of this week's Durango Telegraph which includes our school newspaper The Animas Quill, produced by Jessica McCallum's Journalism students. This edition features a story about our new campus, slated to open fall 2022, horoscopes from Julian Springer, coverage of projects, graduation and more. Read the eEdition here (note that it will switch to the newer edition Thursday June 10) or the PDF version here.

Don't miss, too, a tribute to the four outstanding staff members who will not be returning to AHS next fall. We will deeply miss Bridget Stowers, Dusty Grannis, Stephen Sellers and Jess Morrison and are so incredibly grateful for the combined 36.5 years(!) of service they have dedicated to AHS. Each has touched lives in immeasurable ways during their tenure at our school.

Jess has been my rock this year, through the essays, the financial aid and the crying over either of the previous two. She is a steady wealth of knowledge and problem-solving. I would never come to her with anything and walk away without an answer or a game plan. --Billie Brand, class of '21

Stephen is a visionary who sees beyond the educational limits of his time. He is willing to ask the hard questions to students and then wait patiently while they work together to shape their education. While working with Stephen, I stretched my wings further than ever, trusting the process. Stephen will be deeply missed at Animas. But his roots run deep and will never be upended.
--Sara Price, Humanities Teacher

The passion and excitement Dusty has for the things he loves is contagious, and those around him will always surely end up with a piece of that positivity. I've always been so appreciative of the energy Dusty brings.
--Sean Madden, class of '21

Since Animas' inception, Bridget has been the constant, the love, the acceptance, the calm. She is more than the "mom" of the school; she is home personified.
--Erin Skyles, School Counselor

We are the school we are today thanks to the contributions of these four amazing Ospreys and we will miss them deeply. Please take the time to reach out to them directly to share your appreciations and love.

Need a science fiction short story to start your summer with after perusing The Quill? Check out this AMAZING short story, Sixone's Request, written by rising junior Za Barrett in her Science Fiction and the Human Condition elective. You will not regret it!
Kian Edmondson, Riley Douglas and Milo Etheridge
Sarah O'Kane and Amelia O'Toole
Class of 2021 Graduation
It was so fun to celebrate the class of 2021 last week! in case you missed Senior Impersonations, which we premiered at our Final NEST Meeting, you can view the video here. They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, right? If so, our faculty clearly loves those students!

Many thanks to Drew Semel from Illuminarts for the candids that capture the spirit of the graduation ceremony so well and to Karen Skelly for taking individual portraits of the graduates. We'll send word out to our grads and families as soon as the portraits are available online for purchase. Illuminarts’ graduation photos are available at this link until July 2. Use the secure password to view and purchase: animas_21

We couldn't have pulled off the graduation ceremony without the talented support--and gorgeous property--of John Oakes and his Freeze Management team. Thank you, too, to the following generous businesses and individuals for helping create a special event for our grads and families:


View the graduation ceremony in full here.

We have free copies of the Senior Celebration Booklet, a full color publication featuring the class of 2021, available for anyone who would like one. Email Libby or pick yours up in the main office next time you're on campus. Congratulations to our graduates--we are so proud of you and can't wait to see how you each flourish and fly moving forward!
XBlock Credit
LAST CALL-- to receive XBlock credit, students must submit these 2 forms:


As a reminder, students must have 3 years of XBlock credit to graduate from AHS.

AHS in the Summer
Our faculty and staff will be stepping away from work for some well-deserved rest and relaxation over the summer months. Teachers will check email sporadically and main office email will be checked weekly. Campus will be open only by appointment. Please reach out directly to Sean or Libby if you need a more immediate response of any kind.

Congratulations to our graduates and thanks for all you do to help the Ospreys soar!
Upcoming AHS Events

AHS Summer Credit Recovery: 6/8-11 and 6/15-18 at AHS--please note this is available only to students who must remediate credits in order to remain on course for an on-time graduation

AHS Board Meeting: Thurs. 6/24, 5:30pm at AHS

First Day of School for the 21/22 School Year (student orientation): Mon. 8/23
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