October 11, 2012

    
 A Message From Our Head of School
        

Dear Parents,

 

It's not often that I share emails with parents. Last night I received an email from a parent at Ruffing Montessori School. It's a must read. It says a lot about the faculty who work with our students both in and out of the classroom. All of our faculty deserve accolades, but in this case, I would like you to read the email I received about Melissa Devloo, Middle School faculty member and coach of our Middle School volleyball team as well as the team members. It reads as follows:

_________________________________________________________________

 Mr. Roman,

 

Good evening.

 

I am writing to express my gratitude to Andrews Osborne Academy. I also want to praise Coach Melissa Devloo and the Middle School Volleyball Team.

 

Today the volleyball team of Ruffing Montessori School visited Andrews Osborne Academy to play a match against its Middle School team. I believe this match was the inaugural match for Ruffing Montessori School. My kids have attended Ruffing for over ten years, and I think it's the first year Ruffing has sponsored a volleyball team.

 

Today was the team's first match. Kathie Freer, Director of Ruffing's Middle School, and I coach the volleyball team, under the watchful eye of Aaron Gray, Ruffing's Physical Education Director and Athletic Director.

 

Coach Devloo was everything one hopes for in a coach. From the time we walked into the gym, Coach Devloo made us feel welcome and comfortable. She answered our elementary questions, helped us prepare for the match, and during the match gave kind and thoughtful advice to Ruffing's players. Our players appreciated her consideration and support.

 

And Coach Devloo was patient and supportive of Ruffing's coaches. I stood next to Coach Devloo through most of the match. I asked for advice, from everything about how her players served to how to do a proper substitution. She spent time explaining rules to me during the match of which I was unaware. Let me emphasize her patience. I expect inside she was shaking her head; outside she offered praise and support.

 

Andrews Osborne Academy's Middle School team is a class act of true winners. It was fun to watch them play. Even though they are young ladies, they acted professionally, and treated Ruffing players with respect. With the exception of how well they play individually and as a team, one would not guess that their record is 8-0 (well, after today, that's 9-0). No overconfidence, no smugness. They were friendly after the game, too, sharing kind words with Ruffing players.

 

Today's game with Andrews Osborne Academy's Middle School team was a great start for Ruffing's volleyball team. I think I can speak on behalf of Coach Freer, Mr. Gray, and the Ruffing players when I express our gratitude to and admiration of Andrews Osborne Academy for today's match.

 

Take care,

Brian Gran


__________________________________________________________________

Have a great long weekend and week ahead.

 

Chuck Roman

  
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In This Issue
A Message From Our Head of School
Student Directory and Rosters
PSAT Test
Powder Puff Practice
AOAPA Father & Son Event
Open House
Host Families
Next Week's On Campus College Visits
Free Soccer Skills Clinic for LS
Story Time
Next Week's Schedule
Quick Links

Questions About AOA Update
 
Contact Ellen Beers
Marketing Assistant
Internal Communications and Website Coordinator
 
Michelle Rowley
Director of Marketing & Communications
Student Directory and Rosters
  
The 2012-2013 Student Directory and student rosters by grade can now be found in the secured section of the AOA website. 

Please go to www.andrewsosborne.org and then click on the "AOA Community Login" at the bottom of the left column on any page.  Sign in (username: aoa, password: phoenix) and go to the "Directory" page.  The directory and rosters links are located there.

PSAT Test

  

The PSAT test will be administered on Wednesday, October 17th to all 10th and 11th grade students.  The test will begin promptly at 8:00 a.m.  Students should get a good night's sleep and eat a healthy breakfast in the morning.


The PSAT is used to measure:

  • Critical reading, mathematical reasoning, and writing skills that are important for success in college
  • Knowledge and skills developed through years of study in a wide range of courses
  • Ability to reason with facts and concepts rather than the ability to recall them

This assessment will also provide research-based college and career readiness bookmarks, giving administrators and educators actionable feedback. The feedback from this test can help students to improve their skills and enable immediate academic intervention by teachers to enhance learning.

Contact Laura Walsh, college counselor, if you have any questions.  She can be reached at 440-942-3600 ext. 216 or lwalsh@andrewsosborne.org.

 

 

Powder Puff Practice

 
Practice has started for next Friday's annual Powder Puff game.  It's our flag football game with the junior girls and senior girls competing - and the boys are the cheerleaders!  Come join us at the game on the 19th, starting at 1:25 p.m. on the back fields behind the Osborne Building.

Pictures from the first indoor practice (due to rain) are below.

  

Seniors discussing a play 


 

Juniors listening to Coach Ahrens
  
 
AOAPA Father/Son Event
 
The Andrews Osborne Academy Parents Association is sponsoring their Annual Father & Son Event on Friday, October 19th.  To register, please click HERE or click on "Events" on the top of any page of the AOA website (www.andrewsosborne.org).


 Open House
 



Please encourage prospective families to join us on Saturday, October 20th for our Open House.  The Open House is from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. and is for all grades. 

Families can register:
The Admissions Department is also looking for Middle and Upper School students to help during Open House.  They will earn community service hours.  Interested students should contact Rachelle Sundberg in the Admissions Office, or by calling 440-942-3600 ext. 114.

Host Families
 

At AOA we are fortunate to have a large and diverse international student population. As many of you are aware, our dormitories close during scheduled school breaks (Thanksgiving, Winter, and Spring) and several of our international students look forward to the opportunity of staying with a local family during these times. We hope you will consider participating in our AOA Host Family program.
 

What are the benefits of being a Host Family?

  • Exposing your family to a new culture and language
  • Practicing hospitality and generosity with your own family
  • Developing a relationship with a teenager that may last for years to come
  • Supporting diversity and cross-cultural understanding in your own home

You may choose one, two or all three breaks. Stipends are included.

 

Break                    Dates                                              Stipend per student

Thanksgiving         Wed. Nov. 21st - Sun. Nov. 25th       $250
Winter                   Fri. Dec. 21st - Sat. Jan. 5th           $1,000

Spring                    Sat. Mar. 23rd - Sat. Apr. 6th          $1,000

 

 

The dormitories close and re-open at 12:00 p.m. noon on the stated dates.

 

If you are interested in being a host family, please contact the Director of Residential Life, Ben Irie, for an application. Applications are due by Friday, October 19th. Ben can be reached at 440-942-3600 ext. 217 or at birie@andrewsosborne.org.

 

 

Next Week's On Campus College Visits
 
    

The complete schedule of on campus college visits can be found on the AOA website (www.andrewsosborne.org) by clicking on "Academics" in the left column and then on the "College Counseling" page.  You can also click HERE.

Next week's visits include:
  • Oct. 16th at 8:00 a.m. - Alfred University (Alfred, NY)
  • Oct. 18th at 8:50 a.m. - Kenyon College (Gambier, OH)
  • Oct. 18th at 2:30 p.m. - Walsh University (North Canton, OH)
  • Oct. 19th at 8:00 a.m. - Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (Troy, NY)

 

Free Soccer Skills Clinic for Lower School
 
A soccer skills clinic will be offered Saturday mornings from September 29th - October 20th.  Specific times each Saturday are scheduled per grade:
  • PK & K students from 9:00 to 9:30 a.m.
  • 1st - 3rd grade students from 9:30 to 10:00 a.m.
  • 4th & 5th grade students from 10:00 to 10:30 a.m.

The clinic is free and no registration is required.  The drop-off/pick-up will be at the Fieldhouse entrance of the Osborne Building.  Participants should wear comfortable clothes and tennis or soccer shoes.  Water will be provided.

The clinic is coached by Bill Dudinsky.  He can be reached at bdudinsky@hotmail.com or at 440-679-7749.
 
Story Time
  
Prospective families with 2 - 5 year old children are encouraged to attend Story Time.  Please share this information with families who may be interested.  To register, they can go to "Events" at the top of our website homepage.  The registration link can also be found HERE.

 

 

Next Week's Schedule

 
  

Monday - 15

MS/US Assembly - auditorium - 9:40 a.m.

Blue Key Training - small dining room - 11:00 - 11:45 a.m.

K-4th Grade Multicultural Dance Workshop - Mr. Dorr's Music Room - 3:00 - 4:15 p.m.

US Musical Rehearsals/Vocal Review (Zak/Martinez/Zart/Jin/Yang/Tang/Jackson) - auditorium - 3:30 - 3:55 p.m.

US Musical Rehearsals/FULL CAST - auditorium - 3:55 - 6:00 p.m.

MS Co-ed Soccer vs. Canton Country Day - away - 4:30 p.m.

MS Girls Tennis vs. Shaker Heights - home - 4:30 p.m.

MS Girls Volleyball vs. Valley Christian Academy - away - 4:30 p.m.

SAT Prep Class/Ms. Roote - Lee Student Center - 7:00 p.m.

 

Tuesday - 16

Ohio Math League

Alfred University College Visit - Ms. Walsh's office - 8:00 a.m.

MS/US Advisory - 9:40 a.m.

Blue Key Training - small dining room - 11:00 - 11:45 a.m.

Girl Scout Meeting - community room - 3:00 p.m.

Science Department Meeting - Lee 202 - 3:15 p.m.

3rd - 5th Grade after School Sports Skills - small gym - 3:15 - 4:15 p.m.

US Musical Rehearsals/Vocal Review (Zak/Martinez/Jackson) - auditorium - 3:30 - 3:55 p.m.

US Musical Rehearsals/FULL CAST - auditorium - 3:55 - 6:00 p.m.

MS Girls Tennis vs. Heritage Middle School/Painesville - home - 4:00 p.m.

MS Co-ed Soccer vs. Gilmour Academy - away - 4:30 p.m.

MS Girls Volleyball vs. Hathaway Brown - home - 4:30 p.m.

Andrews Alumnae Association Meeting - Phoenix Guest House - 5:30 p.m.

One United FC - front soccer fields - 5:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

 

Wednesday - 17

10th & 11th Grade PSAT Testing - large gym - 8:00 - 9:30 a.m.

MS Meetings/US Flextime - 9:40 - 10:05 a.m.

MS Birthday Club Meeting - MS Commons - 9:40 - 10:05 a.m.

Blue Key Training - small dining room - 11:00 - 11:45 a.m.

LS/4th Grade after School Swim - K&D - 3:00 - 4:30 p.m.

US Faculty Meetings - Lee Library - 3:15 p.m.

K-2nd Grade After School Sports Skills Program - small gym - 3:15 - 4:15 p.m.

US Musical Rehearsals (Van Buren/Gloria/Applegate/Joe and ALL Ballplayers) - auditorium - 3:30 - 5:00 p.m.

MS Girls Tennis vs. Old Trail School - home - 4:30 p.m.

US Girls Volleyball (Varsity only) vs. Western Reserve Academy (Senior Night) - home - 5:00 p.m.

US Musical Rehearsals (Zart/Cross/Jackson/Martinez) - auditorium - 5:00 - 6:30 p.m.

 

Thursday - 18

Kenyon College Visit - Ms. Walsh's office - 8:45 a.m.

MS/US Club "A" Meetings - 9:40 a.m.

International Club Meeting - community room - 9:40 a.m.

Blue Key Training - small dining room - 11:00 - 11:45 a.m.

LS/Hunt, Byerley, Altman Field Trip - Geneva Lake State Park - 11:40 a.m. - 2:50 p.m.

Walsh University College Visit - Ms. Walsh's office - 2:30 p.m.

3rd - 5th Grade after School Sports Skills - small gym - 3:15 - 4:15 p.m.

US Musical Rehearsals - ENTIRE CAST (OFF BOOK) - auditorium - 3:30 - 6:00 p.m.

Development/Top Donor Event - Phoenix Guest House - 4:00 p.m.

MS Girls Volleyball Intrasquad Scrimmage - home - 5:00 p.m.

 

Friday - 19

Rensselaer College Visit - Ms. Walsh's office - 8:00 a.m.

LS Ski Club Meeting - small dining room - 8:15 - 8:45 a.m.

MS/US Assembly - auditorium - 9:40 a.m.

Blue Key Training - small dining room - 11:00 - 11:45 a.m.

US Junior/Senior Powder Puff Game - 1:25 p.m.

5th Grade + Multicultural Dance Workshop - Mr. Dorr's Music Room - 4:00 - 5:15 p.m.

AOAPA Father/Son "Sports Spectacular" Event - K&D Group - 6:00 p.m.

MS/US Scary Movie Night "The Woman in Black" - auditorium - 8:00 - 10:00 p.m.

                                                                                                                              

­­­­Saturday - 20

Open House (all grades) - 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.

LS Soccer Skills Clinic (Pre-K & K) Program - 9:00 - 9:30 a.m.

LS Soccer Skills Clinic (1st, 2nd, 3rd Grade) - 9:30 - 10:30 a.m.

LS Soccer Skills Clinic (4th & 5th Grades) - 10:00 - 10:30 a.m.
 

Sunday - 21

One United FC - front soccer fields - 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.