2009-2010 AHS School Calendar

School Calendar FYI - We’ve received a few phone calls regarding the school calendar that came out in this week’s Head of School update. We have posted a larger version of the calendar separately on the blog for you to open and print. We also will have it up on our homepage soon!

We’ve fielded questions about the timing of our project and spring break weeks. Yes, your student’s Spring Break lines up with local high school breaks! In year one, our spring break will be two weeks long. Please realize that AHS will be expanding its project week offerings over the next three years. In year one however, we anticipate a smaller collection of optional, projects and trips to be offered. These experiences will be scheduled somewhere within that two week recess but will not be finalized until students and staff weigh in with their interests and ideas.
So, in short, AHS students will have a longer spring break year one. We have set aside that time in the schedule to honor the fact that we’ll be designing our calendar like this in future school years regardless of what we offer year one. Spring Break will always piggyback Project Week. We are trying to offer the very best programming for our students and we are excited to see how we fill the project week time in years two and three. If you have any questions or concerns regarding these dates, please contact our Head of School Michael Ackerman at michael@animashighschool.com.

Head of School Update Number 5

HEAD OF SCHOOL UPDATE 6-20-09

SUNDAY EVENT!!!!!

PLEASE JOIN US FOR THIS SUNDAY'S OUTREACH EVENT-
(click on the poster for full view)

Two letters to the editor - Sunday, June 14th

Herald is fanning fires of school controversy

Evidence supporting the notion that the Herald is willfully fanning fires between Durango High School and Animas High School is mounting. The Herald published an AP article entitled, “Idaho charter, conventional schools compete,” (April 8). “It segregated the community,” said Holly Church, a teacher quoted in the article.

On May 22, the Herald wrote, in part, “ Projections from district officials call for a loss of more than 200 students when AHS opens.” The Herald ex¬plained this erroneous figure by claiming that research time was limited.

On May 24, the Herald “corrected” this with two sentences that read, in part, “9-R announced that 19 employees will not have jobs this fall. Most of the layoffs are at DHS, which is projected to lose more than 200 students in part because of the opening of AHS.”

On June 7, the Herald featured a picture of empty seats with the headline, “ Class half full. New charter school drains funding, students from DHS.”

Journalistic sensationalism prevents the public from being knowledgeable participants in important discussions. Distorted reporting can generate false hopes and unwarranted fears. Because democracies rely on an informed citizenry to debate and decide among choices, sensationalism threatens effective involvement. It is easier to report superficial controversies than conduct and report deeper analyses. The complexity of a matter sometimes is sacrificed for the expediency of a simple and gripping story.

Most people support choice, and therefore support more than one free, public high school in Durango – regardless of where they have or intend to send their children.
I challenge the Herald to raise its journalistic bar by devoting time to investigation and analysis. This community has not had the opportunity to read what Bill Gates or The George Lucas Educational Foundation has said about the curricular model used at AHS. Provide us with information to make educated choices, not hyperbole.


Peter S. Fazekas, Durango

Money should follow students, not schools

Those opposed to the Animas High School opening because they fear it will cost Durango High School jobs and money are missing the point entirely. DHS does not exist to provide jobs and spend money. It exists to educate our children. Competition with Animas High School about where students and parents want to attend gives parents a choice of what is best for their children. If a student leaves DHS because the school is not meeting his or her needs to attend AHS, then the tax money should follow them.

Those on the left claim to be “pro choice,” but where education is involved, they do not seem so. They demand that one size fit all.

Robert Marks, Bayfield

Take Action Now!!!

Hey everyone, today you have a great chance to show your support for Animas High School. On its website, The Durango Herald has posted a poll asking the community whether Animas High School is a positive addition to Durango. Please visit www.durangoherald.com and scroll to the bottom of the page to express your support for AHS!

Together We are Accomplishing Amazing Things!

Head of School Update 6/12/09

***Please click on each page to enlarge...***