The AOA ESL Summer Institute is offering an exciting opportunity for students (grades 7-12) to volunteer as language partners this August.

The student volunteers will work together with international summer students on projects, games, and other activities, and will get a chance to make new international friends (many of whom will be new AOA students in the fall).  They will share their own culture, learn about other cultures, and earn eight hours of community service. Volunteers will play a very important role in offering their peers language practice and introducing them to American culture and life.

The volunteer activities will take place on Tuesdays (August 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th) from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.  It is important that student volunteers commit to attending all four afternoon sessions.

Interested students and parents/guardians can complete the permission form (click HERE) and drop it off in Natalie Roote's mailbox in the main office or mail it to Natalie's attention at the school address (38588 Mentor Ave., Willoughby OH 44094).  If you have any questions, please contact Natalie Roote at nroote@andrewsosborne.org.

LS Student Council Recognized

As is especially the case with any private educational institution, parental involvement is a critical component of classroom activities, faculty support, special events, and fundraising. Parental involvement at AOA is no exception.

The Anita Reinboth award was established in 2008 to recognize a parent volunteer who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and distinguished service to the AOA Parent Association. It is named in honor of Anita Reinboth, former president of the Phillips Osborne and AOA Parents Association. Anita was a wonderful parent, friend and role model. She had been fighting a battle with cancer for several years. Sadly this past Saturday, June 9th, that fight ended. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies go out to her family and friends.

The award named in her honor recognizes a parent volunteer who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and distinguished service to the AOAPA. This volunteer fulfills our parent association mission through dedicated, compassionate, and creative volunteering which contributes to the betterment of our school. This year the AOAPA received several nominations, but two candidates quickly rose to the top. Two very deserving individuals have received the Anita Reinboth Award.

The first recipient is Visnja Kennelly. Visjna is the mother of Grace (K), Emmaly (3rd) and Billy (5th). Visnja is always involved and is a constant sight in the Lower School hallways. She has run the Holiday Boutique for three years, making more money each year for the benefit of the Lower School classrooms. She has been a home room parent several times and she was on the Mother - Daughter committee this year as well. She is always there to lend a hand.

By far the most time consuming and yet important endeavor she has been involved in is the co-founding of the Girl Scout troop at AOA. She and Lori Schneider started the troop 3 years ago, not a simple task. The troop continues to grow and every other week she is organizing fun and exciting things for our AOA girls to do. Almost more important is the example Visnja sets for other parents and students. As one parent shared: "What I have to say about Visnja is more about who she is and what she has inspired me to be.  She is the most giving, caring, and compassionate person I know.  There is no end to the amount of time and energy that she has for her children and for our school.  Even when she has nothing more to give, she digs in, finds the strength, and perseveres.  She gives 110% to everything that she does.  I credit her with my involvement in the school.  She makes me want to be a better person and to give more of myself.  I know that she has had the same effect on other new parents.  She encourages their involvement and shares with them her feeling that you will never regret the time that you volunteer at the school."

The second recipient is Dr. David Zart. Dr. Zart has 2 children at AOA, Emily (11th) and Max (4th). If you do not know who he is, you might better know him as the man with the snakes. Dr. Zart flies a little more under the radar, but his contributions to AOA have been extremely creative and probably go unnoticed by many. He has a great love of the outdoors and has a particular interest and knowledge of snakes. He has shared his love and knowledge with almost every Lower School classroom. Dr. Zart also did a tremendous amount of work this year for the Beauty and the Beast musical. He built the majority of the set and designed and built the entire beast costume himself. The production would not have been as successful without his time, talent and effort.

It is with great pride we honor Visnja Kennelly and Dr. David Zart as the Anita Reinboth Award Recipients for 2012! Congratulations!!

They will both be honored at the Ice Cream Social on September 4th.