28 April 2022
Coming Up
View the 2021-22 Year-at-a-Glance Calendar here.
View our Parent Google Calendar here.
Family Corner
Calendar Update
Last fall we announced that Special Person's Day would be rescheduled for May 2022. Due to a variety of reasons, Special Person's Day has been cancelled for this academic year. We plan to resume this event next fall!
AOWL Yearbooks
Yearbook sales end tomorrow! 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.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Ms. Colleen or Ms. Georgette.
2022 Virtual Minds of All Kinds Annual Fundraiser Update
We are ONE week away and it isn't too late to register for you and your guests!
Join us on May 5th at this link for an evening of sharing and celebrating the bright futures ahead for our incredible students, clients, young adults, and families!
Adult Education
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
Attendance and Tardy Reports
You may have recently received communication regarding unexcused absences and tardies. We want to start by apologizing for taking until almost the end of the school year to address these issues with families. As many of you are aware, there is a staffing shortage almost everywhere, and when there aren't enough people, some things fall through the cracks. Now that we have some great additions to our staff, we will be able to stay more on top of attendance. We will partner with parents, if requested, to assist students to develop healthy habits in the morning that will help them successfully get out the door on time to arrive in their classroom on time.

We love greeting students in the morning and don't want to create any additional anxiety around being late, but having a greeter outside the door in the morning does not imply the student isn't tardy. Teachers begin class promptly on time (8:10 am for Lower School and 8:20 am for Middle and High School) and are not able to see who is standing at the door or what time the student came into the school. Teachers track attendance depending on who is in the room when class starts.

Consistent attendance and on time arrival is critical for a student's success both in school and in the wider world. We are here to support you if mornings are a challenge.
2022 - 2023 School Year Calendar at a Glance
The 2022-2023 School Year Calendar at a Glance has been posted to the Parents' Page on our Website.
Beyond the Bell
Summer Camp
  • 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
  • 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.

Wilderness Inquiry
  • Our partners at Wilderness Inquiry will be back on May 16th from 3:30 - 4:30pm for one last push-in day. Students will get a chance to test water quality and macroinvertebrates from a local source. Registration is open on Smart Tuition. Email enrichment-programs@aowl.org or andy.dreher@aowl.org with any questions.

Enrichment Program Questions

For more Enrichment information, see the Beyond the Bell Page 
COVID-19 Update
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.

If you have any questions, please contact Allison Barosko at Allison.Barosko@aowl.org. Thank you!
View from the Nest
Pizza and Pajamas
Contacts
PTO Co-chairs

Executive Director