Tuesday, September 28, 2010

AHS Weekly Update- Week of Sept. 27th, 2010









I want to thank all the parents who joined us at last Thursday’s PAC meeting. It was a pleasure spending time with you and hearing your feedback. Remember, the next PAC meeting will be October 25th at 12:30 pm at AHS. Please take a moment to review the following updates:

PSAT/ASVAB Testing
Upcoming Exhibition Events
Staff Digital Portfolios

PSAT/ASVAB Testing


Students who would like to take this year’s PSAT can find information for the test and registration instructions below. Also, information for students wishing to take the ASVAB are also included below. AHS Testing Coordinator, Jeff DiGiacomo is available to answer any testing questions or concerns families may have at jeff.digiacomo@animashighschool.com

PSAT -Registration is now open for the PSAT test which will be given on Saturday, Oct. 16th, 7:45 a.m. - noon at Durango High School. Cost is $20. Students should register with Jenell Walck in the DHS Counseling Office by calling 970-259-1630 (x2309). When you register, you will receive a study guide and a practice test.

ASVAB -Registration is also open for the ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) test, which will also be given on Saturday, Oct. 16th, 7:45-noon. The ASVAB test is free and open to 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students. Students should register with Jenell Walck in the counseling office via the number listed above. For information or questions concerning ASVAB testing, please contact Sarah St. John in the Counseling Office, 970-259-1630 (x 2317).

Upcoming Exhibition Events

Many parents have been inquiring about upcoming Exhibition Events at Animas High. This year, teachers and students are producing class sponsored exhibition events with the entire school participating in a final event in May. Here’s a preview of just some of what’s coming up:

Social Norms and Identity Throughout the Ages- October 7th from 6 to 8 pm, Oak Room -Strater Hotel. Join John Fisher’s 9th Grade Humanities classes as they explore how social norms and personal identity have changed throughout the ages. Timed to coincide with Durango Heritage Days, Mr. Fisher’s students will be contrasting how their socialization in 2010 compares to that of young adults in the Victorian Period.

Freshman Digital Portfolios- Our new 9th graders will have their Digital Portfolios refined and linked on the world wide web by Nov. 22nd, 2010. Stay tuned for more updates on student DPs.

Building a Better Mousetrap- November- Time and Location TBD- Join us for a project that’s sure to make Rue Goldberg proud! 9th Grade Physics students will invent and construct contraptions and mechanical systems that will accomplish everyday tasks. This is one AHS exhibition not to be missed!

Identity Masks Project; Socialization and the Power of Me- October-Exact Dates TBD- AHS Campus Students in Mrs. McCallum’s Humanities classes will display their masks and share their socialization essays at AHS. This exhibit will run throughout first semester and we encourage all visitors to campus to check out this powerful identity project.

What Goes Up, Must Come Down-Spinning wheel, Got to Go Round- Oct.1, 2010- AHS Campus As part of Mrs. Eagen’s Pre-Calculus classes, students will be studying and constructing model Ferris Wheels to demonstrate and solidify key math concepts and skills. Make sure to check out the models and talk to our students about their efforts the next time you’re at AHS!

Human Systems and Function-Web Based Exhibition- November 30th, 2010- Online Mrs. Dunning’s 10th grade Biology students have been studying human systems and their proper function throughout first semester. Log on and check out our Biology student’s websites that demonstrate and reflect their understandings of basic body functions and human systems. Look for a link to the students’ sites off of the AHS homepage.

Genocide and Imperialism- December 7th, 2010 Exact times and Location TBD- As the class of 2013 continues the strong work they began with us last year, our community anxiously awaits the first 10th grade Humanities Exhibition of the year. Students in both Lori and John Fisher’s Humanities classes will be tackling complex ideas and completing independent research related to Imperialism and Genocide. Diving deeply into this challenging content is sure to result in an impactful exhibition event. Please note- Due to the sensitivity of this project and mature content being researched, this may not be an appropriate exhibition event for younger children.

These are just some of the amazing projects and exhibition events our students and staff are working towards. We look forward to updating you with more dates and details as the semester progresses.

Staff Digital Portfolios

Although our website is a work in progress, we are working diligently to update our homepage. In response to our student/parent requests, here is a complete list of links to our Staff’s Digital Portfolios:

Josh Dalley
http://animasmath.blogspot.com/p/homework.html