View the 2021-22 Year-at-a-Glance Calendar here.
View our Parent Google Calendar here.
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We would like to welcome our newest staff members. Please say hello when you see them! |
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Kate Sands
Administrative Assistant -
School
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Amber Trapp
Enrichment Program Manager
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Chloe Herzog
Administrative Assistant - Organization
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Our search for a Principal candidate has been narrowed down to three candidates. We would love for each candidate to hear stories from parents about their experiences with AOWL. If you would like to share your story and have time on the 18th, 21st, or 22nd, please connect with Lue Ramberg, and she will work out the details with you.
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Know someone looking for real-life marketing experience? We're looking for a detail-oriented problem-solver to help us this summer for 300-500 hours over 3 months. Flexible schedule. Lots of skills to add to your resume! Follow this link to find out more.
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Yearbooks are now on sale! Don’t wait to order your student a copy of the 2021-2022 yearbook!
You can purchase one by visiting the Pictavo website or by cash or check directly to the school. Yearbooks cost $26.25 each. If you have any questions, please reach out to Ms. Colleen or Ms. Georgette. If you need assistance ordering through the website check out this purchase guide.
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Virtual Family Arts Night |
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You are invited to AOWL's Virtual Family Art Night Event!
Who? AOWL Families, Alumni, and Students
What? Puppet Shows, Charades, Puzzles and a Virtual Art Gallery featuring students' artwork throughout the year!
When? Thursday, April 21st. 6:00-7:00 PM
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Virtual Minds of All Kinds Annual Fundraiser Update |
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If you haven't yet, please register today by clicking the button below!
April is Autism Acceptance Month! We’d love to have you help spread the word about the difference AOWL can make for the neurodiverse community. Please share this event with 5 or more people!
We are excited to celebrate our community with you on May 5th!
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Spring has sprung! The PTO invites you to join us for Coffee and Convos during morning drop off tomorrow, Friday, April 15th. We will have coffee and treats waiting for you at the Minnetonka school entrance starting at 8am - See you there, friends! |
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Smart Tuition is now Blackbaud Tuition Management |
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You may have received emails regarding your child's AOWL tuition account coming from Blackbaud Tuition Management. Well, Blackbaud recently purchased Smart Tuition. You can access your Blackbaud Tuition Management account at https://parent.blackbaud.school/ to make payments, view your balance and more, just like you previously did via Smart Tuition. If you have any questions, please contact Martin Aschenbrener.
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The AOWL Adult Education Programming is moving from a K-12 academic calendar to a year-long calendar, as of August 29th, 2022.
“We felt moving to that timing was important to shift the mindset from being “in school” to getting ready for independence,” says director Mike Faeth. “Our students and families are really excited for the change.”
The new calendar includes 44 weeks of programming, 4 days a week, with Fridays as an optional social add-on day for all participants. The program will continue to offer full-time, part-time, and flex-time enrollment options. The fifth day will also accommodate part-time jobs and other post-secondary education options.
In addition to getting students familiar with a calendar year versus an academic year, the new schedule aligns with their volunteer jobs, Voc-Rehab services, and waiver supports.
For more information and to see a schedule, visit the web page or reach out to Mike Faeth
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2022 - 2023 School Year Calendar at a Glance |
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Summer Camp
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Registration for Bridge the Gap Summer Camp 2022 is now open. Deadline for camp registration is Friday, May 20, 2022. Registration confirmations will be sent out to each family no later than Friday, May 27, 2022. If you have any questions, please contact Amber Trapp
Owl's Nest Before and After-School Care
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Owl's Nest will be available both before and after Summer programing. 2022 Summer hours are 8 am- 9 am and 3 pm - 4:30 pm. Please confirm your needs for Owl's Nest by filling out the following Google Form
Activity Days
- All Activity Days are now complete for this school year.
Enrichment Program Questions
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Updated Mask Policy: On February 25th the CDC announced new metrics for determining COVID-19 community levels. Levels can be low, medium, or high and are determined by looking at hospital beds being used, hospital admissions, and the total number of new COVID-19 cases in an area.
Under the new metrics, the community level for Hennepin County is now Low.
You can read more about community levels and COVID prevention steps based on community levels at the CDC website.
Masks are now “strongly recommended” instead of “required” during times when the community level in Hennepin county is Low or Medium. When the community level is High, masks will be required. This applies to all staff, clinic clients, and students in the school and adult education programs regardless of vaccination status.
The sick policy will remain the same. Quarantine and isolation requirements will remain the same.
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This is a little bit of a teaser for our upcoming event, “Minds of All Kinds.” If you come (and I hope you do – it’s virtual again this year!), you’ll hear one parent talk about their struggle with traditional school for their child. She compared the standard classroom to trying to fit berries into a container. You can get them all in, but some get squished in the process.
That image lodged itself in my mind. I pictured blueberries in a glass jar, the bottom of the glass turning blue with juice as the lid was screwed down. A bit grim, perhaps, but many of us have seen that happen. Or it’s happened to us. We have to fit the mold, and we squeeze into ourselves to be as small as possible.
Yes, all students can “fit” into a typical classroom. But they don’t flourish. We each learn differently. We each thrive in different circumstances. I saw this in my own children as they grew up, and I see it now, in every student and Adult Program participant today.
Understanding that each person needs different supports to unlock their potential, we developed and continue to improve our individualized learning approach here at the Academy. We know that if we treat each learner the same way, with the same expectations, some learners will get squished. And we want each learner to flourish.
As a parent, if you ever feel that your learner is being “squished,” please let us know. This is a collective process to make progress together.
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Spring Break Activity Days - Castles, Animals and So Much More! |
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