Greetings Animas High School Community,
I hope this update finds you well and enjoying your spring break. Below, please find updates related to AHS news and events for the next two weeks. Have a fantastic, fun and safe vacation. Remember school resumes on Monday, March 22nd at our normal 8:15 AM start time.
In this update, please review:
RECAPING A HUGE WEEK
EAST BY SOUTHWEST AHS FUNDRAISER TONIGHT
ROBOTICS FIELD TRIP-FIRST TEAM TO BE FORMED AT AHS
CSAPs- ARE YOU READY?
RECAPING A HUGE WEEK
There have been so many remarkable milestones that we’ve reached on our journey this year. When we look back on the history of Animas High School, the five days leading up to our first spring break will stand out as one of the most important weeks in our school’s early existence. The bar was set high for our students and staff and we collectively wondered how or if we could pull off such an ambitious plan. Looking back at last week, it is clear we’ve solidified AHS’s reputation for academic rigor, cultivated a culture of excellence and sent a clear message to our community; Animas High School is having a profound impact on all students and we are here to stay!
On Monday, students participated in a day long Model United Nations simulation. After weekss of practicing parliamentary procedure and researching the countries they were assigned to represent, students participated in a multi-chambered UN simulation that was absolutely amazing. (Many guests shared with me how much they personally learned from our students by attending this experience!)
Observing the students present their positions, watching them collaborate with their peers and seeing them broker compromises and addressing real-world, international issues was impressive. We had a swell of visitors that watched the proceedings from our observation galleries and were treated to an inside look at what makes an Animas High education so special! Students took on the simulation and realized amazing success. We are continually inspired by the maturity, quality dialogue and overall achievement exemplified by our student body. Model UN was tremendous and is sure to be a highlight for future 9th grade students. Please visit our blog at http://www.animashighschool.blogspot.com/ to see some pictures from Model UN.
Only 36 hours later, AHS students and staff had completely flipped our campus from UN galleries into an Exhibition event. Digital Media classes displayed their work from second semester in a converted Commons Room space that really felt like a museum! A moss covered cave, yucca brushes and local pigment paintings, flash animation demonstrations, a real roman bath, an Egyptian tomb and many intricate student stone carvings were just some of the highlights from the Digital Media exhibit. I’m still overwhelmed by how well the students and staff performed pulling all their work together for this event.
In addition to Digital Media presentations, students exhibited the results of their most recent math project. Student- built bridge models were displayed and then were tested to assess their strength and overall quality of construction. Bridges either held up or collapsed in testing, all to the “oohhs and ahhhs” of our assembled guests.
Exhibition and Model UN could stand alone as individual highlights of any semester, but stacking them back to back introduced a new level of intensity and challenge for us. Dealing with the pressure and logistics of producing two, high quality events was definitely an ambitious benchmark for our community. As we head into the final two ten weeks of school after vacation, we eagerly await our final Exhibition event coming up this May.
Rolling into Thursday, AHS realized even more success at The 52nd Annual San Juan Basin Regional Science Fair. Not only did Animas High students Tucker Leavitt and Sam Kater win in the Senior (High School) Division, their project earned them a ticket to the International Science Fair held this May in San Jose, CA. Winning at the local level and representing Durango at the state fair in Denver is a tremendous achievement. Winning a ticket to internationals prior to the state comp is an even more impressive feat! Congratulations Sam and Tucker for your outstanding performance. Learn more about science fair by checking out http://www.sjboces.org/sciencefair.htm
Animas High School students continue to enjoy success at every turn and we are so proud of their efforts. In our first year, AHS has proven itself to be a rigorous program where high expectations and a supportive learning environment continue to result in phenomenal student achievement!
These events coupled with some amazing developments at the administrative level contributed to such an amazing week. AHS scheduled a summit meeting for March 28th with the local 9-R school district, enrollment for next year is already two thirds full and the renovation and remodel of our newly leased space at 3206 North Main is in full swing. Although everyday this year has been remarkable, this past week cemented AHS’s reputation and our school’s record of success and student achievement now speaks for itself. Congratulations Animas High. Together we have accomplished amazing things!
EAST BY SOUTHWEST AHS FUNDRAISER TONIGHT
EAST BY SOUTHWEST
OPENS NEW RESTURANT WITH
ANIMAS HIGH SCHOOL FUNDRAISER!
***Update-3/9/10- WE HAVE LIMITED ROOM FOR RESERVATIONS AT THE 5 PM SEATING. ALL OTHER TIMES ARE FULL AND THESE REMAINING SEATS WILL GO FAST! ****
Preview Durango’s newest Southeast Asian restaurant, The Golden Triangle - brought to you by the owners of East by Southwest, Sergio and Hydi Verduzco on Tuesday, March 9th, 2010.
The Verduzcos will generously donate all proceeds from the evening to Animas High School. Be among the first to try Durango’s new delicacies while supporting AHS’ Culture of Excellence!
For only $30, dine on a sampling of food choices from the exciting new menu. Reserve your spot for one of three separate seatings at 5:00, 7:00, and 9:00 p.m on March 9th, by calling 799-1846 or email totaltaylor@yahoo.com
ROBOTICS FIELD TRIP-FIRST TEAM TO BE FORMED AT AHS
Animas High School is laying the groundwork for the creation and sponsorship of an AHS Robotics Team that will compete in the 2011 FIRST Robotics Competition.
FIRST was founded in 1989 to inspire young people's interest and participation in science and technology. The FIRST robotics competition is considered “the varsity sport for the mind,” FRC combines the excitement of sport with the rigors of science and technology. Under strict rules, limited resources, and time limits, teams of 25 students or more are challenged to raise funds, design a team “brand,” hone teamwork skills, and build and program robots to perform prescribed tasks against a field of competitors. It’s as close to “real-world engineering” as a student can get. Volunteer professional mentors lend their time and talents to guide each team.
Students get to:
Learn from professional engineers Build and compete with a robot of their own design Learn and use sophisticated software and hardware Compete and cooperate in alliances and tournaments Earn a place in the World Championship Qualify for over $12 million in college scholarships
Animas High School will be sponsoring an optional field trip on Thursday, March 18th to a traveling robotics exhibit coming to Farmington. NM. Students will have the opportunity to visit this interactive exhibit and participate in a customized robotics presentation that we’ve scheduled. Students will then receive their first take-away assignment, the construction of robotic arms that must be built an completed by April.
Students that have expressed an interest in participating in this field trip will receive a follow up email from school. All students and parents are welcome to attend. Join us by emailing pac@animashighschool.com Learn more about the FIRST Robotics Competition by visiting http://www.usfirst.org/
CSAPs- ARE YOU READY?
Upon returning to school on March 22nd, students will begin CSAP testing. We will spend time each morning exercising, snacking, hydrating and getting ready to do our best on this all important test! Afternoons during CSAP week will include core class time as well as a special experience with Fort Lewis Adventure Education students. We are confident that the schedule we’ve created for the week will support our students and foster a strong performance on CSAPs. We look forward to working with our students as they participate in CSAP testing. Any testing questions or concerns can be forwarded to Animas High’s Coordinator of Exceptional Students and Testing, Jeff DiGiacomo at jeff.digiacomo@animashighschool.com
I hope this update finds you well and enjoying your spring break. Below, please find updates related to AHS news and events for the next two weeks. Have a fantastic, fun and safe vacation. Remember school resumes on Monday, March 22nd at our normal 8:15 AM start time.
In this update, please review:
RECAPING A HUGE WEEK
EAST BY SOUTHWEST AHS FUNDRAISER TONIGHT
ROBOTICS FIELD TRIP-FIRST TEAM TO BE FORMED AT AHS
CSAPs- ARE YOU READY?
RECAPING A HUGE WEEK
There have been so many remarkable milestones that we’ve reached on our journey this year. When we look back on the history of Animas High School, the five days leading up to our first spring break will stand out as one of the most important weeks in our school’s early existence. The bar was set high for our students and staff and we collectively wondered how or if we could pull off such an ambitious plan. Looking back at last week, it is clear we’ve solidified AHS’s reputation for academic rigor, cultivated a culture of excellence and sent a clear message to our community; Animas High School is having a profound impact on all students and we are here to stay!
On Monday, students participated in a day long Model United Nations simulation. After weekss of practicing parliamentary procedure and researching the countries they were assigned to represent, students participated in a multi-chambered UN simulation that was absolutely amazing. (Many guests shared with me how much they personally learned from our students by attending this experience!)
Observing the students present their positions, watching them collaborate with their peers and seeing them broker compromises and addressing real-world, international issues was impressive. We had a swell of visitors that watched the proceedings from our observation galleries and were treated to an inside look at what makes an Animas High education so special! Students took on the simulation and realized amazing success. We are continually inspired by the maturity, quality dialogue and overall achievement exemplified by our student body. Model UN was tremendous and is sure to be a highlight for future 9th grade students. Please visit our blog at http://www.animashighschool.blogspot.com/ to see some pictures from Model UN.
Only 36 hours later, AHS students and staff had completely flipped our campus from UN galleries into an Exhibition event. Digital Media classes displayed their work from second semester in a converted Commons Room space that really felt like a museum! A moss covered cave, yucca brushes and local pigment paintings, flash animation demonstrations, a real roman bath, an Egyptian tomb and many intricate student stone carvings were just some of the highlights from the Digital Media exhibit. I’m still overwhelmed by how well the students and staff performed pulling all their work together for this event.
In addition to Digital Media presentations, students exhibited the results of their most recent math project. Student- built bridge models were displayed and then were tested to assess their strength and overall quality of construction. Bridges either held up or collapsed in testing, all to the “oohhs and ahhhs” of our assembled guests.
Exhibition and Model UN could stand alone as individual highlights of any semester, but stacking them back to back introduced a new level of intensity and challenge for us. Dealing with the pressure and logistics of producing two, high quality events was definitely an ambitious benchmark for our community. As we head into the final two ten weeks of school after vacation, we eagerly await our final Exhibition event coming up this May.
Rolling into Thursday, AHS realized even more success at The 52nd Annual San Juan Basin Regional Science Fair. Not only did Animas High students Tucker Leavitt and Sam Kater win in the Senior (High School) Division, their project earned them a ticket to the International Science Fair held this May in San Jose, CA. Winning at the local level and representing Durango at the state fair in Denver is a tremendous achievement. Winning a ticket to internationals prior to the state comp is an even more impressive feat! Congratulations Sam and Tucker for your outstanding performance. Learn more about science fair by checking out http://www.sjboces.org/sciencefair.htm
Animas High School students continue to enjoy success at every turn and we are so proud of their efforts. In our first year, AHS has proven itself to be a rigorous program where high expectations and a supportive learning environment continue to result in phenomenal student achievement!
These events coupled with some amazing developments at the administrative level contributed to such an amazing week. AHS scheduled a summit meeting for March 28th with the local 9-R school district, enrollment for next year is already two thirds full and the renovation and remodel of our newly leased space at 3206 North Main is in full swing. Although everyday this year has been remarkable, this past week cemented AHS’s reputation and our school’s record of success and student achievement now speaks for itself. Congratulations Animas High. Together we have accomplished amazing things!
EAST BY SOUTHWEST AHS FUNDRAISER TONIGHT
EAST BY SOUTHWEST
OPENS NEW RESTURANT WITH
ANIMAS HIGH SCHOOL FUNDRAISER!
***Update-3/9/10- WE HAVE LIMITED ROOM FOR RESERVATIONS AT THE 5 PM SEATING. ALL OTHER TIMES ARE FULL AND THESE REMAINING SEATS WILL GO FAST! ****
Preview Durango’s newest Southeast Asian restaurant, The Golden Triangle - brought to you by the owners of East by Southwest, Sergio and Hydi Verduzco on Tuesday, March 9th, 2010.
The Verduzcos will generously donate all proceeds from the evening to Animas High School. Be among the first to try Durango’s new delicacies while supporting AHS’ Culture of Excellence!
For only $30, dine on a sampling of food choices from the exciting new menu. Reserve your spot for one of three separate seatings at 5:00, 7:00, and 9:00 p.m on March 9th, by calling 799-1846 or email totaltaylor@yahoo.com
ROBOTICS FIELD TRIP-FIRST TEAM TO BE FORMED AT AHS
Animas High School is laying the groundwork for the creation and sponsorship of an AHS Robotics Team that will compete in the 2011 FIRST Robotics Competition.
FIRST was founded in 1989 to inspire young people's interest and participation in science and technology. The FIRST robotics competition is considered “the varsity sport for the mind,” FRC combines the excitement of sport with the rigors of science and technology. Under strict rules, limited resources, and time limits, teams of 25 students or more are challenged to raise funds, design a team “brand,” hone teamwork skills, and build and program robots to perform prescribed tasks against a field of competitors. It’s as close to “real-world engineering” as a student can get. Volunteer professional mentors lend their time and talents to guide each team.
Students get to:
Learn from professional engineers Build and compete with a robot of their own design Learn and use sophisticated software and hardware Compete and cooperate in alliances and tournaments Earn a place in the World Championship Qualify for over $12 million in college scholarships
Animas High School will be sponsoring an optional field trip on Thursday, March 18th to a traveling robotics exhibit coming to Farmington. NM. Students will have the opportunity to visit this interactive exhibit and participate in a customized robotics presentation that we’ve scheduled. Students will then receive their first take-away assignment, the construction of robotic arms that must be built an completed by April.
Students that have expressed an interest in participating in this field trip will receive a follow up email from school. All students and parents are welcome to attend. Join us by emailing pac@animashighschool.com Learn more about the FIRST Robotics Competition by visiting http://www.usfirst.org/
CSAPs- ARE YOU READY?
Upon returning to school on March 22nd, students will begin CSAP testing. We will spend time each morning exercising, snacking, hydrating and getting ready to do our best on this all important test! Afternoons during CSAP week will include core class time as well as a special experience with Fort Lewis Adventure Education students. We are confident that the schedule we’ve created for the week will support our students and foster a strong performance on CSAPs. We look forward to working with our students as they participate in CSAP testing. Any testing questions or concerns can be forwarded to Animas High’s Coordinator of Exceptional Students and Testing, Jeff DiGiacomo at jeff.digiacomo@animashighschool.com
