I would like to take a moment and thank all of the members of the AOA community who took time during the past two weeks to meet with Rocky and Sarah of Ford and Associates. These meetings are part of the feasibility study in assessing the need for a capital campaign. Those who did not meet with the consultants received a questionnaire to complete. If you have not already done so, please take a few minutes to complete the questionnaire and return it to Ford and Associates by January 31st. Your input is very important. The consultants will meet with the Board in April to share results of the interviews and questionnaires as well as make their recommendations.

As you know, this past Tuesday school was closed. It was not closed because of snow; it was closed because of the 15 to 20 degree below zero wind chill factor. If you were watching television, you probably noticed all schools in Lake and Geauga counties were closed. Due to the fact that we have students attending from over 40 communities, plus 115 boarding students living on campus, it is a difficult decision.  Typically, school is closed when major school districts in our area are closed. I realize some parents were disappointed that we were open on Wednesday. Please use your best judgment if the weather is more severe in your area than it may be here in Willoughby (Snow Belt, etc.) and you decide to keep your child at home. Your child will not be penalized for being absent. On a similar note, I like to be outside to greet Lower School families a few days each week. I'm not a fair weather fan, it was just too cold to stand outside this week. However, I did miss seeing everyone.

Next Tuesday afternoon, all of our students will participate in our Winter Sports Pep Assembly. All students playing a winter sport will be recognized. Our annual "Pack the House" event, beginning with the varsity girls' basketball game at 5:00 p.m. followed by the varsity boy's game at 6:30 p.m., also takes place next Tuesday. If you are looking for a fun evening and some great basketball, please come and cheer on our student athletes.

Good luck to our Equestrian Team, as they will be competing in an IEA show here this weekend. Good luck also to all of our students participating in the school Spelling Bee next week. The Spelling Bee champion from AOA will move on to the Lake-Geauga competition.

Have a great weekend and week ahead.

Chuck Roman