Road safety to improve near Needham Elementary
The city of Durango received a $291,000 Safe Routes to School Grant to improve the infrastructure around Needham Elementary School.
The project scope includes safety, sidewalk and bikeway improvements along Arroyo Drive from Delwood Avenue to Columbine Drive, as well as along Columbine Drive from Cottonwood Drive to San Juan Drive.
For more information, visit www.durangogov.org/needhamconnect.
Residents within the project area will have access to their driveways, and trash and recycling service will remain on its standard schedule.
Construction will run through Nov. 23. The first phase of construction will run through Oct. 15 and will close Arroyo Drive from Delwood Avenue to Columbine Drive. Delwood Avenue and Thomas Avenue will be closed at Arroyo Drive. All traffic will be detoured.
The second phase of construction will run from Oct. 15 to Nov. 23 and will close Columbine Drive from Cottonwood Drive to Weston Drive.
For more information, call Amber Blake at 375-4949.
Animas High School announces events
Animas High School announces these events:
Chautauqua scholar-performer Becky Stone will portray the civil-rights activist and mother of the Freedom Movement Rosa Louise McCauley Parks at AHS’s PEAK Meeting, from 11:10 a.m. to noon Wednesday in the AHS Commons. For more information, visit www.coloradohumanities.org/content/meet-our-2014-chautauquans. Stone will also perform at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Durango Art Center, 802 East Second Ave. Admission is free. For more information, visit http://durangoarts.org/chautauqua-presents-rosa-parks.
An all-school picnic will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at Rotary Park. All families are invited to attend this potluck-style gathering, which is a celebration of the start of the school year. There will be live music and a magic performance from Animas students. Families with last name A-F should bring an appetizer, G-S a salad or main dish and T-Z dessert. For more information, email Ashley Hein at development@animashighschool.com.
The AHS School Excellence Committee will meet from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Monday at AHS. All are welcome.
There are a handful of open seats at AHS for ninth, 10th and 11th grades. AHS does not accept transfer students past Sept. 30. For more information or to arrange a visit, email maureen.truax@animashighschool.com.
Park Elementary to host book fair through Oct. 2
Park Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization will hold its semi-annual Scholastic Book Fair from Sept. 25 through Oct. 2 in the school’s library.
The fair is open to the public from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays, except Sept. 28 when it closes at 3 p.m. Participants will need to sign in at the school office.
Parents can meet teachers at District 9-R schools
These Durango School District 9-R schools will host open houses where families can meet teachers, tour the schools and see students’ work:
Durango Big Picture High School at 6 p.m. Wednesday.
Miller Middle School from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Animas Valley Elementary School from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday.
Florida Mesa Elementary School from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday.
Fort Lewis Mesa Elementary School from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday.
Needham Elementary School from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday.
Park Elementary School from 5 to 6 p.m. Thursday.
Riverview Elementary School from 5 to 6 p.m. Thursday. For more information, call 247-3862.
Sunnyside Elementary from 4:45 to 6:45 p.m. Thursday.
Durango High School from 6 to 7 p.m. Monday.
School health centers offer immunizations
The school-based health centers at Durango High School and Florida Mesa Elementary offer full immunization services.
For more information, visit http://health.durangoschools.org/school-based-health-centers.
Meet the principal at Fort Lewis Mesa
Two “Meet the Principal” sessions will be hosted by the Fort Lewis Mesa Parent Teacher Organization beginning at 5 p.m. Thursday during the school’s open house.
Open-water diving course available at DHS
Durango High School Scuba Club and Splashdown Diving will offer a PADI Open Water Diver Course.
This is the world’s most popular scuba course and offers a lifetime certification. The open-water course will start Oct. 1 and participants can be finished by Nov. 1.
For more information, visit Dale Garland at the high school.
Girls on the Run team seeks participants
The Fort Lewis Mesa Girls on the Run team is looking for student participants and volunteers.
Practice takes place from 2:45 to 4:15 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday through Nov. 7. Girls on the Run inspires girls in third to eighth grades to be joyful, healthy and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum, which creatively integrates running.
For more information, email africkel@durango.k12.co.us.
After-school science club seeks volunteers
Florida Mesa Elementary School’s after-school science club is looking for career or hobby scientists, technology gurus or engineers of different backgrounds.
Participants are invited to share their hobby or career with the students. Volunteers also are needed to work with teachers and students during club meeting times.
People can volunteer for one week or for one session or for all the sessions. No science background is needed. Volunteers must complete the Durango School District 9-R Authorized Volunteer form and undergo a background check.
To volunteer, email Kristin Toppin at ktoppin@durango.k12.co.us.
DHS to host night for seniors, parents
Durango High School will host a college planning night for seniors and their parents at 6 p.m. Sept. 24.
People should attend to learn important information about senior year and how to apply for college and scholarships.
Students can attend college fair in Aspen
The Western Slope College Fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 4 at Aspen High School in Aspen.
The Durango High School Counseling Office encourages juniors and seniors to attend.
Sunnyside Elementary announces cook-off
Sunnyside Elementary School will host these events Thursday:
The Title Compact will be discussed at 4:15 p.m. in the library.
A community-wide chili cook-off and potluck will be held from 4:45 to 5:30 p.m. The school’s annual open house will take place immediately after the cook-off and potluck.
Kindergarten families will finish the night with a phonics literacy event from 6 to 6:45 p.m.
Durango High School to offer picture re-takes
Picture re-takes for Durango High School students will be held Oct. 8.
District 9-R seeking drivers, kitchen staff
Durango School District 9-R is looking for drivers and kitchen staff members to join its student transportation and nutrition teams.
All of these positions offer competitive wages and benefit packages.
For a list of job openings, visit www.durangoschools.org.
Herald Staff
