4 November 2021
Coming Up
View the 2021-22 Year-at-a-Glance Calendar here.
View our Parent Google Calendar here.
COVID-19 Update
Vaccination News
Great news! CDC advisors voted to recommend Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5-11. Please keep us updated by emailing a copy of your child's vaccination card to office@aowl.org if your 5 to 11-year-old gets vaccinated.

Symptomatic Student Protocol
A reminder that all students with cold, flu or COVID symptoms must stay home and must have a negative test result sent to AOWL before returning to school. Please click here to see list of COVID-19 symptoms. Flu shots are highly encouraged so students can stay in school as much as possible.

Reminder: Remember Your Mask!
Families, please ensure your child has a mask upon arrival to AOWL! We have extras for the occasional event that students forget, but we do not have enough to supply masks for students daily.
Your support in equipping your child with a mask from home is essential. Thank you!

Check out the COVID-19 Update section of our website for the latest information.
Please contact Kelsey.Goth@aowl.org for all COVID-19 questions.

Family Corner
Staffing Updates

We welcome Camelia Miller as a new Behavior Therapist in the High School. Camelia comes to us with many years of education experience. She worked closely with Ms. Anita for years and comes highly recommended. Welcome aboard, Camelia!


And we say good-bye to Ms. Dani and Mr. Collin (BTs in the high school), Mr. Steve (building substitute) and Ms. Paige, (faithful office manager). Good luck to all of you in your future endeavors.
Upcoming PTO Events
All AOWL parents and caregivers are invited to upcoming events with our Parent-Teacher Organization. Check out our Parent Calendar for information on how to join.

  • Virtual PTO Meeting - November 9 from 3:30 - 4:30 PM
Adult Parent Information Night November 29
AOWL Families of 8th - 12th Grade students, you are invited to join us for Adult Parent Information Night 2021!

  • Monday, November 29th
  • 8401 Golden Valley Rd (2nd floor)
  • 6:45pm - 8:00pm (exterior doors lock at 7pm)

This event features a parent roundtable discussion, hosted by the Adult Education Program. Parents of some of our current participants will be joining to discuss and share their experiences and information on the following topics:

  • Benefits: What is available and how to access
  • Transitioning Into Adulthood
  • Post-Secondary Options
  • Employment
  • Anything else you want to discuss!

Snacks and drinks provided!

Masks and social distancing are strongly encouraged, regardless of vaccination status.

  • If you are unable to attend, you may submit questions and/or emails in this form and we will share the event recording with you.
Holiday Open House December 1
You’re Cordially Invited:

Holiday Open House
Hosted by Danny Della Lana and Steve Hall

  • Wednesday, December 1, 2021 
  • 6-9pm
  • 1920 Pillsbury Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55403

Join us as we continue to build friendships and connections within the AOWL community. Hors d’oeuvres and cocktails will be served at this adults only gathering.

Renderings of the new location in Golden Valley will be available to view. You may park on the street or in the parking lot located across from 1920 Pillsbury Avenue South after 6pm.

Please contact Maureen at maureen.maher@aowl.org if you did NOT receive the evite invitation from Danny and Steve so she can pass it along to you. RSVP by November 18th via the evite invitation.
AOWL Book Club January - March 2021
Calling All Readers! We are contemplating creating an AOWL Book Club and want to gauge interest from our AOWL community. We are thinking of meeting monthly over the winter to start - January, February and March. Group members would help select which books to read and discuss.

  • If you are interested in learning more, please email Maureen at maureen.maher@aowl.org with your name, email address and a time that would work well for you for the Book Club to meet. Thank you!
Research Study Opportunity
AOWL Families have the opportunity to take part in a research study.

The purpose of this study is to understand experiences that families with autistic
children have during social isolation. This study would understand the range of
experiences that comes from the spectrum associated with the Autism diagnosis.
For more information on the study and participation, click here or contact Emily Dicken at edicken@capellauniversity.edu .
Resources
Visit the Resources Page on the AOWL website (scroll down and click the "Resources" button) to view information about events happening outside of school that may be of interest to you and your family! 

Annual Fund
BREAKING NEWS! An anonymous donor generously gifted AOWL a $100,000 matching gift! This means each gift given to the annual fund has DOUBLE the impact.

We have raised $50,000 toward our goal of $235,000. Double your impact today and help us reach our goal!
Therapy Services Updates
Session 2 Therapy Groups begin December 6 and provide a wide range of support for your children and teens. Please visit us at https://www.academyofwholelearning.org/groupservices/ or contact Karla Przybylski at therapyservices@aowl.org for detailed course descriptions and registration information.

Beyond the Bell
There are no Activity Day offerings for the month of November.
Please stay tuned for December Activity Day updates!

The first session of clubs runs from Oct. 25 - Dec. 17.
Click on the level below to learn more information:
Register for clubs on Smart Tuition.

Owl's Nest Before and After-School Care Winter Hours
  • Beginning Friday, November 12, Friday after-school hours will end at 4:30pm so that we can honor our lease agreement, requiring that we be out of the building by sundown.
  • General information on Owl's Nest can be found here.
  • To notify AOWL Staff that you are here to pick up your child from Owl's Nest, call 952-737-6923.

For more Enrichment information, see the Beyond the Bell page on our website.

Dr. Sous's News
Teaching and Leading During a Pandemic

As Principal, I have the honor of observing classroom teachers personalize lessons for multiple learning styles and manage student groups while addressing emotional needs of students with grace and calm. You would not know we are in the thick of a worldwide pandemic if it were not for the face shields and masks that we are all required to wear. I am in awe of the the energy and passion that teachers exude despite teaching during a pandemic. Their spirit is contagious.   

In the last issue of The Bridge, our Executive Director, Dr. Wyayn, shared a quote: "Honor the Present." In her post, she encouraged us all to send kind messages to those who have shown up -- those who have made our community a priority on top of their own needs at times. We have some of the best and caring teachers and staff in the industry. I feel fortunate each day that I get to lead a group of dedicated and caring teachers and staff and, as Principal, I am always searching for ways to add value to our team. I challenge the community to do the same for our educators and staff that commit long hours and still have duties at home and families that need their care and attention. Please take a moment to send your child's teacher or staff at our school a shout-out. 

Thank you for choosing Academy of Whole Learning -- we are honored to serve.

View from the Nest
Once Upon A Time...At AOWL!
For AOWL-o-ween, students and staff sported spiffy costumes, displaying characters from their favorite books!
Contacts
PTO Co-chairs

Principal
Executive Director