LINK IN THE NEWS

From A. Butler's piece in the DURANGO HERALD- Article published Apr 25, 2012...

I’ve been watching the progress of Animas High School, the project-learning-based public charter school, with great interest. This year’s first junior class took part in internships. Not just a few hours after school but three-week-long out-of-school intensive internships in a program called Leading Internships for New Knowledge.

For all of the students, it was eye-opening, whether it was, “Oh, wait, maybe I don’t really want to do that for the rest of my life,” or “Wow, that’s even cooler than I thought it would be.”

Two students had fascinating experiences exploring the medical profession.

Caleb Darland and Zack Dowd lined up their internships through Resources for Medical Education and Collaboration and Katie Patty and Morgan Scott with the Spine Colorado Research Department. Over three intensive weeks, the young men worked with Spine Colorado, Durango Orthopedics, Mercy Regional Medical Center and Durango Family Medicine.

Before the internship, Caleb and Zack had to prepare an application, propose a novel project that would be of benefit to the organization and interview for their placement.

Each of them had a tailored schedule, and they shadowed docs in surgeries – yep, scrubbed in and observed actual surgeries – and clinics, rotated through specialized departments such as radiology, respiratory care and hospitalists as well as peeked into the behind-the-scenes operations such as billing.

And while they were doing that, they were working on their independent projects. Zack studied and presented on neuromonitoring during operations on spine care, and Caleb evaluated all those forms we as patients fill out when arriving for an appointment at Durango Orthopedics to improve their effectiveness for both patients and physicians. He presented a revised form that may be put into use soon.

A lot of professionals gave of their time to make these internships such valuable experiences, including Drs. Doug Orndorff, Kane Anderson, Jim Youssef, Richard Goodman, Patrick Kearney, Joe Murphy, and Valerie McKinnis; physicians assistants Lance Hamlin, George Baumchen and Doug Phelps; and Katya Licciardi, Tina Lewis, Haley Jones, Stacey Forsythe and Susie Tipton. 

Between the first day and the last, all of these people saw Zack and Caleb become more professional, learn to use medical terminology properly, improve their communication skills and gain a much better understanding of the practice of medicine.

To hear more about their internships, visit http://linkinternship11.blogspot.com or http://zdowdlinklog.blogspot.com/. To learn about becoming a mentor, contact Rachael Sands at 259-3013 or internships@animashighschool.com.

Students from AHS dipped their toes into all kinds of professions, and many people in many fields gave of their time and energy to provide these students with real-world experiences. From what I’ve heard, your time was well spent on all fronts while making an investment in the next generation.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again – I am so jealous.

AHS Weekly Update- Week of April 23rd, 2012

Please take a moment to review the following updates:

Upcoming Events
PAC Updates
AHS in the News

Upcoming Events

Power Lunch Tuesday

Water Quality Conference

A number of AHS Chemistry students will be heading up to Silverton on April 26th for a regional water quality conference. Contact Steve Smith for details.

Girls to Women Conference

A group of students from AHS will be participating in the annual Girls to Women conference thisTuesday, April 24th at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. Questions should be forwarded to Rachael Sands.

ACT for Juniors

This Tuesday, April 24th, AHS 11th graders will be taking the state sponsored ACT. The test will be administered to students during the school day followed by a special 11th grade advisory session with the Head of School.

2011-12 Yearbooks

School Yearbooks for the 2011-12 school year have arrived and they are awesome! Students wishing to purchase a yearbook will receive directions from Yearbook Staff in Advisory! Questions? Please see Ms. Roxy or any of the student editors.

EOY Exhibition

Humanities, Spanish and Digital Arts students in all grades will be hosting a final End of the Year Exhibition at AHS on Thursday, May 3rd from 5 to 7 PM (7:30 end for 10th grade Humanities) Please look for additional information via email related to this upcoming event to be released soon.

AS YOU LIKE IT

Student production at the Arts Center on April 27, 28, May 3, 4, 5 at 7:00 pm and on May 5 at 1:00 pm.  The production is accessible to youth as this famous piece has been turned it into a pop musical! It’s a ton of fun and features music by Adele, Bruno Mars, Katy Perry, Train, Justin Bieber, Christina Aguilera, Colbie Caillat, and Selena Gomez.The all-youth cast includes several Animas High School students.

We have a pre-show story time to explain the plot 45 minutes before each show. Tickets are $15 and reservations can be made by calling 749.8585. If there are any groups of 8 or more, we'll price the tickets at $10.


PAC Update

Coffee Fundraiser Continues

The Juniors will sell Desert Sun Coffee from April 20-27.  The students received their fundraising packets on Friday, April 20.  Please encourage them raising money for our school.

Sports Sale Thank You!

A huge THANK YOU to all of the families, students and community volunteers who made AHS’s Second Annual Sports Sale a HUGE SUCCESS! This important event is a critical part of Animas High’s fundraising campaign and with your help, the school is well positioned heading into the12-13 school year. Thanks to all for your support and contributions.

All-School Cleaning Day

There will be an all-school cleaning day this Friday, April 27 from 3:30-6:00 p.m.  Volunteers are needed! Please come and support your school!  Please RSVP to pac@animashighschool.com.


AHS in the News

Did you see AHS student Shawntell Stiner with her lambs on the front page of the Durango Herald? See it here:
http://www.durangoherald.com/article/20120423/NEWS01/704239938/-1/News01/Local-food-brands-take-root

For the second year in a row, AHS students took the top spots in the annual DHS Poetry Contest. Read about the event here:
http://www.durangoherald.com/article/20120423/COLUMNISTS04/704239946


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Animas High School Values:

Rigorous academics, where all students are prepared for college success
Culture of excellence, where students are held to high expectations
Strong faculty-student relationships, where students are well known 
Engaging learning, where students see the relevance of their education

Charter Schools: A US Market Outlook

A new 128-page report has been published, titled Charter Schools: A US Market Outlook. The research report provides a collection of statistical anecdotes, market briefs, and concise summaries of research findings. The report offers an aerial view of the Charter Schools industry in the US, identifies major short to medium term market challenges, and growth drivers. The report also offers a recapitulation of recent mergers, acquisitions, and corporate developments. Below, is an overview of this new report. Enjoy....

The proportion of students attending charter schools is on the rise. Over 30% of public school students attend charter schools in the four urban districts of Washington DC, Kansas City, New Orleans, and Detroit in the US. Following a marginal setback during the recession, which was instigated by reduced funding, the charter school market bounced back in 2009 with government support and revival in financing options. Growth in enrollment is expected to increase in the following years, given the increasing importance given by the Obama administration to charter schools.

The market share of charter schools in the US has been growing at a steady pace over the past few years. Charter schools are a solution for extreme bureaucratic environment as well as stringent regulations within waning public schools. Despite the existence of certain challenges, charter schools are finding ways to expand without compromising on autonomy and results. Presently, public charter schools operate in 41 states and the District of Columbia in the US. These schools are emerging as strong competitors to traditional schools as an increasing number of students are seeking entry into them in order to make use of the free and high class education provided by them. Charter Schools, over the years, has exhibited improved academic achievement among disadvantaged students, and this has increased their popularity in communities suffering from low quality public school education. Donations from philanthropists, and the increasing importance given to these schools by certain local governments are few factors that would fuel growth of charter schools in the near future.

The slowdown in the economy, as well as tightened credit that resulted from the sub-prime mortgage crisis, affected all private sources that financed the charter school facilities. In addition, the reluctance of investors to provide finances to low rated credits prevented the access of charter schools to the tax exempt bond market. The finance issuance to charter schools plunged by around 35% in 2008, as compared to the year 2007. Several commercial lenders curtailed the community development lending activities, and further tightened the underwriting criteria. Meanwhile, most of the non-profit organizations tightened loan origination to charter schools and several other program areas. However, in the year 2009, the state of the private financing sources revived to a certain extent, and financing options are expected to open for providing for charter schools through the near future.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, invested a considerable amount on improving local and state education systems. The 'Race to the Top' Fund, in particular, provided US$7.75 billion in two phases, as competitive grant for states. Charter schools were given high priority in the Race to the Top, featuring 40 (8%) out of the 500 points available in the race. The number of Charter schools among all public schools in the US increased from 2.0% in academic year 1999-2000 to over 5.0% in 2010-11. Rising enrollment in charter schools is leading to a decline in the share of enrollments in other district schools. However, around 11 states across the US were in favor of traditional schools, and did not allow the establishment of new charter schools in the beginning of 2011, while few others placed a cap on the number of charter schools.

Although there has been a massive protest among the teachers' unions, certain politicians and others towards the virtual charter school system, the sector is set to grow in the near future. Major growth drivers for the sector include public funding, positive results from studies that indicate high level of satisfaction among the parents, under-performance of public schools, and requirement of lesser capital costs. The virtual charters or the cyber charters are a part of the evolving home school segment, operating entirely through online curriculum. Nearly 220 thousand students enrolled into cyber charter schools in the US in the year 2010. Moreover, the enrollment into these schools is increasing at a rapid rate of over 40% per year.

Durango one of ‘Best Small Towns in America’

Article published Apr 19, 2012 in the Durango Herald

Durango one of ‘Best Small Towns in America’

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Durango has been recognized for its great outdoor recreation, the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic and even the Ore House’s New York strip steak. Now we’re being recognized for something else: our culture.

Durango was No. 6 on Smithsonian Magazine’s ‘The 20 Best Small Towns in America’ list.

The magazine created its list by searching for towns with populations less than 25,000 that have a high concentrations of museums, historic sites, art galleries and “other cultural assets common to big cities.”

“We think any best place worth traveling to should have one quality above others: culture,” the magazine said in its description of the list.

The Western feel of Durango helped it land the No. 6 spot, along with the Henry Strater Theatre, the Music in the Mountains festival and the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.

This isn’t the first time Durango has been placed on a “best of” list. Last year, Durango also received these accolades: Top 10 Western Towns, True West Magazine; Top 200 Towns, Outdoor Life; Best Places to Live, Men’s Journal; Top Micropolitan Area in the U.S., Policom Corp.; Award of Merit to the La Plata County Historical Society, American Association for State and Local History; and Life Is Better Here, Outside magazine.

Herald Staff

Durango High School principal resigns

Article published Apr 19, 2012 in the Durango Herald

Durango High School principal resigns

Lashinksy: School might benefit from different type of leadership

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By Emery Cowan

Durango School District 9-R is beginning the search for a new head of Durango High School after current principal Diane Lashinsky resigned earlier this week.

The 9-R Board of Education approved Lashinksy’s resignation late Tuesday night.

In a conversation with interim superintendent Bill Esterbrook, Lashinsky said she realized a different type of leadership might be beneficial to DHS considering the current needs and goals of the school, Esterbrook said.

 

The district declined to provide a copy of the letter of resignation Lashinsky submitted to the district citing an exemption to the open-records law for personnel files.

Thomas Kelley, a Denver media lawyer who represents The DurangoHerald, disagreed with the district’s decision, saying resignation letters are subject to the state’s Open Records Act, and case law supports that position.

Esterbrook declined to say whether he was surprised by Lashinksy’s announcement to leave the district.

“She has worked very hard and established a lot of good things,” he said. “She has the school on the brink of something really special.”

The district is committed to continuing the school’s work on small learning communities, he said. The school-within-a-school model groups ninth- and 10th-graders into different pods that share a common set of teachers in core subject areas. The school is preparing to introduce a new version of the small learning communities this fall.

Lashinsky was hired at the high school in 2007 and led the school’s transition to the small learning communities, which started in 2008.

“When I came to Durango High School, I was challenged to lead the school to make the change from a comprehensive high school to personalized learning environments,” Lashinsky wrote in an email to the Herald. “This is what I’m good at, and I feel successful in our accomplishments.”

Enrollment at DHS has been declining for much of Lashinsky’s tenure at the high school. Since 2008, it has fallen by about 400 students. District administrators attribute part of the loss to the opening of Animas High School, a public charter, in 2009. Animas has an enrollment of about 180 students.

A survey given last year to all district educators provided insight into teachers’ working environment at the high school and elsewhere. Survey results showed that only 36 percent of DHS teachers agreed that faculty and leadership have a shared vision, the second-lowest among the district’s schools.

Teachers’ responses to this statement at DHS and elsewhere in the district “is the most alarming problem highlighted by this survey,” Elizabeth Collins, president of the district’s teachers union, wrote in her report of the data.

Daniel Snowberger, who is in contract negotiations to become the district’s next superintendent, will visit Durango on Friday to meet with the high school’s staff and to discuss finding a replacement for Lashinsky.

Similar to recent principal searches at Sunnyside and Park elementary schools, a committee of parents and school staff will serve in an advisory role while reviewing DHS principal candidates.

Lashinksy’s resignation will be effective June 26. She wrote in an email that she will complete her doctorate this summer at the University of Washington and has no other specific career plans.

ecowan@durangoherald.com

AHS Weekly Update- Week of April 16th, 2012

I hope this email finds you rested and re-charged after a well-deserved Spring Break. Please take a moment to review the following updates:

AHS Students Sweep Library Writing Competition
Upcoming Events
PAC Updates

AHS Students Sweep Library Writing Competition

For a second year, AHS students have acquitted themselves well in the Durango Public Library Writing Contest. The following students placed:

First Place Poetry: Martina Pansze
2nd Place Poetry: Shannon Etz
Honorable Mention Poetry: Lacey Meek

2nd Place Short Story: Lacey Meek

Congratulations to all of our talented students at Animas High School!

Upcoming Events

Denver College Fair Spring Road Trip
As a follow up to our successful visit to the annual Western Slope College Fair, AHS is excited to sponsor a trip to the yearly Denver College Fair occurring this Sunday at Denver University. Students and staff will depart via charter bus from AHS at 9 AM this Saturday. The groupwill travel to Denver, spend the night in town, tour DU Sunday morning and attending the college fair Sunday afternoon. The group will return to AHS late Sunday evening so that we can be ready for a big day at school Monday.Students interested in joining the trip should sign up with the Head of School. Students will receive a detailed schedule for the trip this Wednesday.

Water Quality Conference
A number of AHS Chemistry students will be heading up to Silverton on April 26th for a regional water quality conference. Interested students should see Steve Smith for details.

Girls to Women Conference
A group of students from AHS will be participating in the annual Girls to Women conference next Tuesday, April 24th at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. Questions should be forwarded to Rachael Sands

ACT for Juniors
On Tuesday, April 24th, AHS 11th graders will be taking the state sponsored ACT. The test will be administered to students during the school day.

2011-12 Yearbooks
School Yearbooks for the 2011-12 school year have arrived and they are awesome! Students wishing to purchase a yearbook will receive directions from Yearbook Staff in Advisory! Questions? Please see Ms. Roxy or any of the student editors.

PAC Update

Sports Sale This Saturday!
If you have any used sports gear that you can donate for our upcoming sports sale, please bring it by the school this week during school hours. Our Sports Sale is Saturday, April 21 from 10-3 at the Boys and Girls Club.

Coffee Fundraiser Continues
The juniors will sell Desert Sun Coffee from April 20-27. They will receive the packets on Friday, April 20. Please encourage them to sell to raise money for our school.





Animas High School Values:

Rigorous academics, where all students are prepared for college success
Culture of excellence, where students are held to high expectations
Strong faculty-student relationships, where students are well known
Engaging learning, where students see the relevance of their education

No Stranger to the Classroom, US Senator Michael Bennet Visits Animas High School

For Immediate Release:

No Stranger to the Classroom, US Senator Michael Bennet Visits Animas High School

Animas High School students received a special visit from Senator Michael Bennet Wednesday morning at the school’s campus in Durango, CO. The Senator spent time touring the campus and learning more about Animas High’s rigorous college prep program, project-based learning and the school’s exemplary culture of excellence. No stranger to the high school classroom, the former superintendent of Denver Public Schools jumped into the mix and participated in both Humanities and Physics classes. Senator Bennet also spent time with student ambassadors who shared with him the reasons why they chose to attend Animas High School.

Animas High School is a public charter school of choice serving 181 students from throughout Southwestern Colorado. The school opened in 2009 and currently serves students in the 9^th, 10^th and 11^th grades. Animas High School will achieve full enrollment and graduate its first class in 2013. In 2011, Animas High School was named among the top 8 percent of all Colorado public schools and received the John Irwin Schools of Excellence Award, which recognizes schools for high achievement on statewide assessments. For more information about Animas High School, please visit www.animashighschool.com

US Senator Michael Bennet takes time Wednesday morning to join 10^th grade Humanities Students at Animas High School as they work on peer critiques. Photo Courtesy of Animas High School

AHS Weekly Update- Week of Aril 2nd, 2012

Please Take a Moment to Review These Important Updates:

Senatorial Visit to AHS

Junior College Night

Fashion Guide Free Friday

All School Advisory Day

Spring Break Starts Friday

PAC Update

AHS Enrollment Continues

April Calendar of Events

Senatorial Visit to AHS

AHS is honored to welcome US Senator Michael Bennet to campus on Wednesday, April 4^th. Animas High School’s success has been well profiled this year and we are excited to show off our school to one of our state’s key leaders. Senator Bennet will take time to meet with students, staff and administration, tour our campus and observe classes.

Junior College Night

Please join the AHS College Counseling Dept. this Thursday, April 5 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at AHS. 11th graders and their families are strongly encouraged to attend this evening meeting.

Fashion Guide Free Friday

Team AHS: Molly Black, Brittney Smith, Aitor Barrantes, and Nano Rodd have shaved their heads and raised over $300 dollars for St. Baldricks, an organization that is dedicated to raising money for childhood cancer research. Other than the U.S. Government, St. Baldricks provides the most funding for childhood cancer research in America. They raise awareness for the cause by holding an event worldwide each March; where people sign up to shave their heads to stand in solidarity with children with cancer.

To celebrate Team AHS and as a result of their successful efforts, Head of School Michael Ackerman has declared Friday, Aril 6^th a FASHION GUIDE FREE FRIDAY! This means students are permitted to wear items to school that are usually prohibited under the school’s Fashion Guide. So break out your hats, flip-flops, athletic wear and pajama bottoms (really, pajama bottoms?), it’s time to celebrate! Note- Student dress may not violate school rules related to clothing bearing offensive messages, profanity or inappropriate pictures or symbols. No excessive skin and no gum! The school reserves the right to remediate any questionable fashion choices. Please enjoy this privilege responsibly!

All School Advisory Day

Animas High School students can expect a full, final day of programming before spring break. This Friday, students will participate in advisory activities, all school culture building efforts and a trip to FLC for a private showing of the Imaginary Invalid and to view our 9^th graders final animation projects on the big screen. This is one school day not to be missed!

FLC Theatre Department - The Imaginary Invalid

Written by Molière Directed by Guest Artist Rima Miller

The privileged Argan is a homebound hypochondriac with every disease imaginable. Surrounded by lurking quacks who are only too happy to (mis)treat him; a money-grubbing wife and two headstrong daughters, Argan is miserable. Molière’s 17th century comedy gets an alternative approach re-imagined by Guest Artist/Director Rima Miller. Created with original music and requisite bawdiness you will love this satirical exploration. Warning: Excessive laughter may be hazardous to your health.

Spring Break Starts Friday

It’s finally here! Wishing all of our students and their families an incredibly fun and safe Spring Break vacation. School will be closed next week with campus re-opening on Monday, April 16^th at 7 AM

PAC Update

AHS’s Spring Coffee Fundraiser is in full swing! Please consider supporting AHS through your purchase of Desert Sun Coffee. Juniors will sell coffee from April 20^th through the 27^th and the whole school (all grades) gets one more chance to sell from April 27^th to May 4^th. Thank you for your continued support of Animas High School!

Animas High’s Second Annual Sports Sale-Saturday, April 21st from 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. at the Boys and Girls Club. Donations of sporting equipment are currently being accepted at the school’s Main Office during school hours.

The next Parent Advisory Committee Meeting will take place Monday, April 16 12:30 p.m. at AHS

AHS Enrollment Continues

Enrollment for the 2012-13 school year continues at Animas High School. Students and families looking to enroll at AHS should visit www.animashighschool.com and complete an online intent to enroll form. There is currently a waiting list for next year's freshman class. Enrollment will remain open until next fall. AHS is also accepting enrollments for a limited number of openings in our 10th and 11th grade classes.

April Calendar of Events

For your convenience, please find AHS’s April Calendar of Events here: http://animashighschool.blogspot.com/2012/04/blog-post.html

April Calendar of Events