Director News
Rhonda Norris | rhonda.norris@aas.ru
We hope your families enjoyed the long weekend. If you were on campus this morning, you would have noted the implementation of temperature checks for every individual who enters the AAS campus. This was communicated in our last two communications and reflects the recommendations and/or requirements from local, regional, and international authorized sources. We anticipate that these circumstances will continue to evolve, and we are committed to collaborating and communicating timely, including in support of potentially launching distance learning.
Our staff were on campus Tuesday with all educators engaged in professional growth opportunities, including ongoing preparations for possible distance learning experiences for our students. AAS teams have been creating and refining learning plans for how to support students through 100% distance learning if required due to campus closure because of the coronavirus. Each division will share information with students and parents through a scheduled rollout with more details to come as we ensure our plans are ready for possible closure. In the meantime, absences and related missed schoolwork for students, when the AAS campus remains open, will be coordinated by their respective teachers in the same way that absences are normally managed. The distance learning plan applies only if the school campus is no longer open.
AAS Moscow has a strong and supportive community of individuals and teams that contribute to the high-quality learning experiences at the Anglo-American School (AAS) of Moscow. One such significant group of contributors is the AAS Board of Directors, who are the volunteer governing team at AAS. One of the primary responsibilities of the Board is the approval of the annual school budget. The Board has met to review and approve the 2020/2021 Budget. Please see the AAS Board Chair’s letter in regards to this approval.
The Anglo-American School of Moscow (AAS) Board is anticipating two vacancies for Community Member positions on the Board starting in the 2020/2021 school year. Learn more about the AAS Board. The Board welcomes your Expression of Interest for Board Membership for one of these positions. The Board will review the expressions of interest in light of the upcoming Board needs as well as the anticipated composition of the Board in terms of balances expertise of members with appointments later in spring to provide observation and transition before the end of this school year.
I recognize that these uncertain times can be emotionally challenging. The coronavirus situation is being added to challenges that we have been managing for multiple years as a community. It feels that our new normal, at least for now, is uncertainty. Our community has shown persistence and resilience in the past, and I am confident that we will continue to embrace what needs to be done as a part of our journey at each point in time. I am grateful to be a part of a community that is courageous, supportive, and thoughtful as we continue to move forward and stay grounded in our commitments as a school during the most demanding of times.
Warm regards,
Rhonda
ES Express
ES Principal Jeff.Hinton@aas.ru
ES Associate Principal Julie.Villers@aas.ru
ES Associate Principal Eric.Burnett@aas.ru
We hope that you had a great long weekend that celebrated Women’s Day.
Student-Led Conferences
On Friday, March 27, students in the elementary school will be leading conferences for their parents. This is an important process for students to develop self-confidence, reflect on their practices, and to gain a better understanding of their learning growth this year.
What is a Student-Led Conference?
The student is in charge of the conference and shares work selected from his/her learning journey. Evidence of student work has been compiled to demonstrate each student’s growth. The students will share the skills and knowledge they have developed throughout the year. Conferences will last for up to one hour.
Why Student-Led Conferences?
- Students are given the opportunity to take responsibility for their work, goals, and their success throughout the year through their portfolio of learning evidence, which they share at the conference.
- Students take ownership of the conference; this active involvement promotes student responsibility and accountability.
- Students can reflect upon their learning when leading conferences.
- Conferences provide an opportunity for the students to share their learning with their parents.
- Conferences allow students to showcase their knowledge, skills, and understanding through actively participating in learning engagements.
- Parents gain a better understanding of the classroom experience of their child.
- Parents can celebrate learning growth with their children.
The student’s role
- To collect, select, organize, and reflect on the items for their portfolio and to share learning experiences.
The teacher’s role
- To ensure students are prepared for the conference.
- Teachers will be circulating and participating in conferences as appropriate. You can always schedule an additional conference with teachers to discuss your child’s progress at a different time.
The parent’s role
- To attend the conference with your child. It is important that you are there for them.
- To ask supportive and inquiring questions. Examples of questions will be provided during the conferences if you would like to use them.
Conference Sign-Ups
An email will be sent to parents on Friday, March 13.
Distance Learning
In-line with the work in other divisions, as well as other like international schools, we are responding to issues surrounding COVID-19. Currently, our educational team is working hard to ensure distance learning plans are prepared in the event that a campus closure is needed. We will begin familiarizing our students with the necessary learning platforms so that if needed, they will be prepared to engage in distance education. Students may be bringing home an “at home” learning package that contains resources that would only be used if distance education was required. Detailed instructions of the distance learning plan, along with expectations for community members, will be communicated if distance learning is implemented. Teachers, counselors, and leadership are working together, supporting students, by regularly addressing concerns they might be experiencing, and students are continuing to be encouraged to take measures to reduce the spread of germs by:
- Washing hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoiding touching eyes, nose, and mouth
- Covering a cough or sneeze with a tissue or coughing and sneezing into a sleeve or elbow (not your hands)
Stay healthy and enjoy the rest of your week.
Julie, Jeff, and Eric
ES Counselors
Sharon Ronan for PK-2 | sharon.ronan@aas.ru | Room 2131
Donna Hinton for 3-5 | donna.hinton@aas.ru | Room 2130
Donna Hinton for 3-5 | donna.hinton@aas.ru | Room 2130
- As you are having conversations at home about preventative health measures currently being taken, such as checking temperatures and the possible need for distance learning, please let your child’s counselor know if your child is expressing any worries or concerns. We are here to help.
- Some ideas you might find useful:
- 1) stay positive and keep calm;
- 2) stick to the facts, but consider your child’s developmental stage when discussing them;
- 3) question the source of your child’s information, and fact-check when appropriate;
- 4) eliminate stigma and avoid blame; and
- 5) in case of anxiety, boost your family’s positive coping strategies.
- As always, if you feel you need additional help with an anxious child, contact the school counselor.
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The video and link below may provide helpful support for your family.
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The video and link below may provide helpful support for your family.
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SURVEY FOR CLASSROOM PLACEMENT to let us know about factors unique to your child’s needs. Although we make every effort to place each student with a friend we cannot guarantee your child will be placed with specific friends.
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The survey is only available for parents whose children are currently in grades PK - grade 4.
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The survey will be available until Monday, April 13 at 4:00 pm when the survey will close.
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Teacher Blogs
ES Calendar
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
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Sat
Sun, Jun 27
Mon, Jun 28
Tue, Jun 29
Wed, Jun 30
Thu, Jul 1
Fri, Jul 2
Sat, Jul 3
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Tue, Jul 6
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Thu, Jul 15
Fri, Jul 16
Sat, Jul 17
Sun, Jul 18
Mon, Jul 19
Tue, Jul 20
Wed, Jul 21
Visual update for aas.ru website
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CR area
Agenda:
1) Access to admins area for updating info/images (probably with check dates of uploading if possible)
2) Review website photos for an update
1) Access to admins area for updating info/images (probably with check dates of uploading if possible)
2) Review website photos for an update
Thu, Jul 22
Fri, Jul 23
Sat, Jul 24
Sun, Jul 25
Mon, Jul 26
Tue, Jul 27
Wed, Jul 28
Thu, Jul 29
Fri, Jul 30
Sat, Jul 31
Calendar & Category Legend:
- Elementary School
- PTO
- Schoolwide
ES STUCO News
What's Up in MS
MS Principal, Noah Bohnen noah.bohnen@aas.ru
MS Associate Principal, Karisti Cormier karisti.cormier@aas.ru
Click here to like AAS MS on Facebook!
Dear Families,
Distance Learning Planning - In line with the work in other divisions as well as other international schools, our teachers are working hard to prepare distance learning plans that can be used in an event of a campus closure. As well, we will begin familiarizing our students with the necessary learning platforms should we have to turn to distance education. Finally, teachers, counselors and administration are working together, supporting students, by regularly addressing concerns they might be experiencing, in Advisory and assemblies, all the while encouraging proper hygiene.
We would like to welcome our newest member of the MS family! Luca Felipe López-O’Neal was born on March 4 to Caitlin O’Neal-Lopez and Alex Lopez-Barton.
Grade 7 and 8 art students have been busy and are starting to display their work in between the Bolshoi and the MS Office. There are Symbolism posters from Grade 8 and Dinner Party ceramics from Grade 7.
Please stay tuned as we will be sending out information regarding Parent-Student-Teacher conferences soon.
Have a great week!
MS Counselor
James Villers| james.villers@aas.ru | Room 2075
March is Media Mentor Month. This linked calendar is full of engaging ways to form connections between you and your children around fun, safe, and productive use of our smartphones, tablets, and computers.
As information about the coronavirus continues to dominate the news, it is important to consider how we can help our children process it. Some ideas you might find useful: 1) stay positive and keep calm; 2) stick to the facts, but consider your child’s developmental stage when discussing them; 3) question the source of your child’s information, and fact-check when appropriate; 4) eliminate stigma and avoid blame; and 5) in case of anxiety, boost your family’s positive coping strategies. As always, if you feel you need additional help with an anxious child, contact the school counselor.
MS Calendar
July 2021
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sun, Jun 27
Mon, Jun 28
Tue, Jun 29
Wed, Jun 30
Thu, Jul 1
Fri, Jul 2
Sat, Jul 3
Sun, Jul 4
Mon, Jul 5
Tue, Jul 6
Wed, Jul 7
Thu, Jul 8
Fri, Jul 9
Sat, Jul 10
Sun, Jul 11
Mon, Jul 12
Tue, Jul 13
Wed, Jul 14
Thu, Jul 15
Fri, Jul 16
Sat, Jul 17
Sun, Jul 18
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Thu, Jul 22
Fri, Jul 23
Sat, Jul 24
Sun, Jul 25
Mon, Jul 26
Tue, Jul 27
Wed, Jul 28
Thu, Jul 29
Fri, Jul 30
Sat, Jul 31
Calendar & Category Legend:
- Middle School
- MS/HS Rotation Days
- PTO
- Schoolwide
HS Flash
HS Principal, Christopher Schuster chris.schuster@aas.ru
HS Associate Principal, Matthew Groves matthew.groves@aas.ru
HS Associate Principal, Matthew Groves matthew.groves@aas.ru
Last week I mentioned a student driven assembly we had for the high school on CoronaRacism, and soon after, I received a message from PE teacher Ms. Svoboda. She wrote the following: “One thing I’ve learned with the coronavirus going around is how connected we are to each other. What started in Wuhan China has affected all of us. Markets, financial sectors, travel industry, healthcare workers, schools, etc...We are all connected. Let us be kind and respect each other regardless of culture, race, sexual orientation, age, and gender. Show even more kindness and consideration. Let’s take better care of our planet, of each other, and ourselves.”
I couldn’t agree with Ms. Svoboda more, we are all connected. AAS leadership and faculty have been working hard as we prepare for the possibility of distance learning and crafting creative ways to remain connected to our students, our families and each other. In the coming days we will begin familiarizing students on different online platforms and we will be communicating with you our expectations for distance learning in the event of a campus closure. We recognize that these are difficult times, yet we still look forward to partnering with you as we always do. Thank you in advance for your kindness, flexibility, and patience as we navigate through the recent challenges together. As always, you can always set-up a meeting with Matt Groves or myself through the HS office.
IB Office
Sean Sonderman sean.sonderman@aas.ru
Mock Exams are over!
Congratulations to our Grade 12s on their completion of the Mock Exams. Yet another major milestone has passed for the cohort. It was certainly a stressful week. However, it is over, and it’s time to move on to revision in most courses. Grade 12s will receive their scores and important feedback in the coming days if they haven’t already. This experience, while trying, will certainly help prepare the students for May IB Exams, which are right around the corner. Exams start in seven weeks! Mr. Sonderman will publish the schedule shortly.
Grade 11 Extended Essay
I’m pleased to report that all but 2 of our 73 IB Diploma Candidates turned in the first 1000 words of their Extended Essays for last week’s deadline. This is a crucial step as the submissions represent the first work that Supervisors can review and provide feedback. The next deadline is the 3,000-word deadline of May 13. This will represent a nearly completed essay. It is very important that students continue their early momentum as late April and May will be packed with deadlines for Internal Assessments, regular assessments, TOK Presentations, and final exam preparations.
HS Counselors
Bryn Will bryn.will@aas.ru
Lauren Zimmerman lauren.zimmerman@aas.ru
Virtual University Visits: We have 3 upcoming visits, please check this link for the list. Parents are always welcome to attend. Grade 9 and 10 have been invited to attend these “virtual” sessions in addition to grades 11 and 12, as they take place during lunch on Wednesdays and also provide pizza. This is great way for younger students to begin to explore their university options.
University Counseling Website: This page on our school website is up and running and it is a VERY valuable tool for all HS students and parents. Please check it out!
It contains a plethora of information that is updated daily, easy to navigate and right at you and your child’s fingertips.
GRADE 11 PARENTS: The Counseling staff can provide a great deal of information in order to help you and your child navigate the college planning maze, but we need your input! Please fill out the parent questionnaire. After completing the questionnaire, you are welcome to make appointments with the counselor who will work with your child. Counselor assignments are:
Lauren Zimmerman (lauren.zimmerman@aas.ru): Last names beginning with A-K
Bryn Will (bryn.will@aas.ru): Last names beginning with L-Z
HS Calendar
July 2021
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sun, Jun 27
Mon, Jun 28
Tue, Jun 29
Wed, Jun 30
Thu, Jul 1
Fri, Jul 2
Sat, Jul 3
Sun, Jul 4
Mon, Jul 5
Tue, Jul 6
Wed, Jul 7
Thu, Jul 8
Fri, Jul 9
Sat, Jul 10
Sun, Jul 11
Mon, Jul 12
Tue, Jul 13
Wed, Jul 14
Thu, Jul 15
Fri, Jul 16
Sat, Jul 17
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Wed, Jul 21
Thu, Jul 22
Fri, Jul 23
Sat, Jul 24
Sun, Jul 25
Mon, Jul 26
Tue, Jul 27
Wed, Jul 28
Thu, Jul 29
Fri, Jul 30
Sat, Jul 31
Calendar & Category Legend:
- High School
- MS/HS Rotation Days
- PTO
- Schoolwide
Aquatics
Athletics/Aquatics: Kirby Boychuk | kirby.boychuk@aas.ru
We apologize for the closure of the AAS Pool and understand that this news is disappointing.
ES
- ES Curriculum PE Swim Classes
- Swim instructors will provide dry-land training, land games or outdoor playtime depending on the availability of facilities
- Term 3 ES Penguin Clubs: pool activities: ES Swim Club, Splash & Deep End Water Games are Cancelled
- We acknowledge that not all parents can make arrangements on such short notice. Swim instructors will be available only on Thursday, March 5, until 16:30 to supervise any students who cannot be picked up at 15:30.
- As of March 6, all students who were scheduled for after school swim activities must be picked right after classes end at 15:30.
MS/HS
- MS/HS Swim Team CEESA Practice:
- Cancelled all practices Effective Thursday, March 5
- MS/HS Curriculum PE Classes
- MS/HS PE teachers will begin their next unit of study earlier than expected or provide fitness training in the Fitness Centre
- Saturday Swim Program: Postpone the start date of the program. Parents will be notified of new dates. Refunds will be provided if needed
- SportZone Swimming is Cancelled until further notice.
MS/HS Athletics
Athletics/Aquatics: Kirby Boychuk | kirby.boychuk@aas.ru
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Register today for MS/HS Athletics!
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Middle School – Volleyball, Softball, Track
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High School – Softball, Track, JV Girls Volleyball, Tennis
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Activities
Activities Coordinator: Elena Plyuta | elena.plyuta@aas.ru
Due to cancellation of CEESA events in April 2020, schedule for the Spring Season has been adjusted:
- HS Band, HS Choir, HS Strings – Cancelled after school practices in preparation for the CEESA festival
- HS Math – after school practices continue as scheduled. CEESA will carry out an on-line tournament in April. Dates are to be confirmed.
- HS HELIMUN – after school practices continue as scheduled*
- MS MUN – after school practices continue as scheduled. There will be an in-house MUN conference on April 5
- MS Knowledge Bowl – after school practices continue as scheduled. There will be an in-house tournament on April 24
- MS Cultural Arts – after school practices continue as scheduled. Fashion creations made out of used materials will be displayed at AAS
* HELIMUN
Please note that the dates for HS HELIMUN conference in May have changed.
The conference will take place on May 5-6 at Kulosaari School, Helsinki. AAS delegation travel dates would be May 4-6, 2020.
This is a week earlier than stated on the AAS calendar. Please refer to these new dates if your child plans to participate.
Library News
Librarians: kelsey.hedrick@aas.ru & kris.feller@aas.ru
Open Hours: Mon – Fri: 07:30 – 17:00
Open 10:00 – 13:00 on the following Saturdays: Mar. 14, Apr.18, May 30, Jun. 13
- If you don’t have Overdrive yet, please email us or drop in to make sure you are set up. All students have automatic access, beginning in Grade 3, and we are currently giving reminder lessons on use. We are encouraging all teachers, students, and parents to ensure that their Overdrive works on all devices, just in case.
- The library is currently working on Inventory, which means that every book in our space will be scanned. We are making sure that every single book that we say is here hasn’t gotten misplaced and that all our business is in order. You may receive a refund or another reminder about overdue books. Please make every effort to ensure your library business is complete.
- Did you know that many of the ideas from Harry Potter came from JK Rowling’s time living in Portugal? K just finished Harry Potter 5, 3, and 6 (in that order). The long robes came from the student uniforms, the winding staircases from places like Livraria Lello in Porto, and the name Salazar (the founding head of Slytherin house) from the notorious Antonin Salazar.
Find more book recommendations with atmospheric places in our travel section, which now has several new editions. - We are open this Saturday 10:00-13:00. Please drop in and stock up!
- Come see us from 7.30-17.00 every day, or email us at library@aas.ru.
Eco-Green Committee News
Email Us | ecogreen@aas.ru
Eco-Green Blog | http://blogs.aas.ru/green/
Facebook | Click here
- Eco Green Fair on Friday, April 17
- Yard Sale
- Farmers’ Market
- ES Recycling Games,
- and many other exciting activities for everyone: parents, kids, and staff
- Starting March 1, we are collecting:
School Wide
March Media Mentor Month
- Many international schools declare March to be Media Mentor Month to promote family and school conversations around technology and media use. Follow this calendar to participate.
Health Office News
236 Health Office visits this week. Common symptoms reported included headache, sore throat, stomachache, mild fever, and cough.
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Head lice/nits: Three cases in Grade 4
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Influenza type A: One case in Grade 1
Students exhibiting flu-like symptoms must stay home. Please keep students home until at least 48 hours after the symptoms have ceased. Your child must be fever-free without the use of antipyretics (ibuprofen, paracetamol/acetaminophen). Thank you very much for continuing to check all students' temperatures before sending them to school.
TICK-BORNE ENCEPHALITIS VACCINATION 2020.
- The next vaccination days for Tick-Borne Encephalitis will be March 24 and April 21, 2020.
- Tick-Borne Encephalitis, also known as spring-summer encephalitis, is a viral infection of the central nervous system transmitted by bites of certain vector ticks. In many European countries, children and adults are routinely vaccinated against TBE. The vaccine's effectiveness is not 100%, so staff and students will be encouraged to provide additional protection with clothing (long sleeve shirts, pants, socks) and using repellant.
Vaccination for Tick-Borne Encephalitis (TBE) is a 3 shot series:
- 1st dose
- 2nd dose: 1-3 months later
- 3rd dose: 9-12 months after 2nd dose
The completed series then provides approximately 3 years of protection.
- Middle and High School students who received 2 shots last year are highly recommended to receive the third dose, which completes basic immunization for Tick-Borne Encephalitis.
- If you paid for the third dose last year, your child is already on the list and will be immunized.
- In 2017 many 7th graders, as well as others from the school community, received the third dose of the Klesh-e-vac primary vaccination series.
- To continue the vaccination's effective protection, the first booster should be given 3 years after the primary immunization series.
- If you, or your child, have completed the primary vaccination series in 2017, you have received an email with an opportunity to reserve a booster dose.
Please print, fill out, and return the vaccination consent form.
Yours in health,
The Health Office Team
Please feel free to call the Health Office at +7 495 231 4462, or by calling the AAS main number +7 495-2314488 ext. 13911 or email us at health.office@aas.ru if you have any questions.
From the PTO President
Rupa Bhattasali | pto@aas.ru
Canceled! PTO Monthly Community Coffee on Tuesday, March 17 has been canceled. We thank you for your understanding as we focus on minimizing health risks to our community.
Updated PTO Faculty Appreciation March 20 – We are working with the school Administration to organize a modified program to show our appreciation to the staff. We will send out the updated details of the event ASAP.
PTO Enhancement Grant Program
- We are pleased to announce that we closed the second round of the Enhancement Grant Program for the year 2019-2020. We have three Grant proposals that have been approved by the PTO Executive Committee and AAS Administration. You can find out more information by following the links.
- Please review these grant applications so you can vote on them electronically in the weeks to come.
- Results will be announced in a future newsletter.
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If you have any questions please email pto@aas.ru
PTO VACANCIES FOR 2020/21 (Application window is now closed)
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Thank You to all the parents who have expressed interest in joining the PTO Executive committee next year and sent in their statements of interest. All statements of interest will be published in the upcoming newsletter and posted on the PTO Announcement Board.
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If you have any queries about the process, please send a mail to pto@aas.ru
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Below is the election timeline and process details
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March 31: The Election Committee presents candidates to Executive Committee for ratification, after which the candidate list is published in the AAS weekly newsletter ( First week of April) and on PTO Board (next to the PTO Exchange)
- April 21: The Executive Committee presents the candidate list at the monthly PTO coffee. Positions with only one candidate are approved at the meeting. Those positions with multiple candidates will be submitted for e-voting, with the results published on April 30.
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- Following the selection of the new Executive Committee, the old and new Committees will work together on a smooth transition.
Open Position: PTO Shop Manager
- Finally, we have another very important PTO role that will open up in the fall, but that we would like to fill as soon as possible. The PTO Shop Manager runs a small “business” within the school. The Shop Manager is responsible for all aspects of running the shop, from selecting, ordering and managing merchandise, to managing pricing and sales, to coordinating and motivating PTO Shop Volunteers. This is a perfect role for someone with an entrepreneurial spirit.
- The current PTO Shop Manager, Pauline, will be happy to tell you more about the role. She is looking forward to training her replacement this spring to ensure a smooth transition.
On the Go with PTO
Moscow University Roof Tour - Panoramic Platform - March 23,2020
- We prepared an exclusive tour of the Lomonosov Moscow State University for you, which is a very special place, a harbour of education and science, and one of the tallest educational buildings in the world - one of the Stalinist-style skyscrapers, also known as Seven Sisters.
- During the tour you will have a one-of-its-kind opportunity to enjoy the beauty of old lecture rooms with heavy wooden desks, wide hallways, and graceful columns - all filled with history, and to get to know what life of a Russian student looks like.
- The gem of this tour is definitely its observation deck we are exquisitely allowed to go up to on the very top of the building overlooking the city!
- Meeting time: 10.30 am
- Tour duration: 2 hours
- Meeting place: TBA
- Tour cost: 4500 RUB pp
- Please be aware that to join the tour you need to sign up in advance!
- Please send a mail to pto.internal@aas.ru for upcoming PTO trips.
PTO Exchange and Shop
PTO EXCHANGE:
- A place to swap gently-used ES, MS, and PE uniforms, books, skates, and shoes.
- The exchange is managed entirely by Parent volunteers to serve the community.
- Click here to view the full information, open hours are Monday-Thursday, 14:45-16:00
PTO SHOP:
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The space to pick up all PE uniforms, hoodies, polos, sweatshirts, bags, recorders, lunch bags, swim bags, etc…and lots of gift items!
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Please drop in to see our new items:1) New black Penguin Hoodies in Youth Sizes are in!2) New navy blue Anglo American School hoodies in Adult Sizes are available now.
3) We have also restocked several other items- please come have a look! -
Click here to view full information, including opening hours.