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AAS is an island of freedom and respect as well as an amazing place of learning, growth, & caring.

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AAS is an island of freedom and respect as well as an amazing place of learning, growth, & caring.

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From soviet times to putin times AAS has always been and always will be the place where care and respect for each and every person exists and is felt by all member of this wonderful school. A place like this shall live for as long as we remember and love it.

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AAS is a unique place in the world!The AAS Community has always shown its big heart.
Best community ever!
Thank you so much for being a loving, caring, supportive, encouraging and for being such a wonderful place where I felt like being at home ! I'm so grateful for my amazing 18 years with my AAS Family! These are the best years of my life! AAS will always hold a special place in my heart, as well as all the unforgettable and priceless memories.
LA❤️ ❤️❤️

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I want to say THANK YOU to all the wonderful people of AAS. AAS is not just a workplace. It is a unique community of dedicated professionals and lifelong learners. We may come from different backgrounds and have different perspectives, but we all share a common goal - to do our best work and make a positive impact. I am grateful for the support and encouragement that I received from my colleagues, the opportunities that I have been given here and for the relationships that I have formed. AAS has lived up to its core values – respect, integrity, care, curiosity, courage. These values have been imprinted in us and will follow us wherever we go - be it a school, or another organization. I will forever cherish the amazing memories from AAS. I was very lucky to be a part of this wonderful community. My heart is full of gratitude and sadness as I leave this place. My hope for AAS is that in the future, it opens its doors to students again. I wish everyone the best of luck wherever life takes you next. May your new journey be filled with joy and excitement!

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Hard workout can be so enjoyable with a great group of people. I’ll miss our CrossFit class a lot and our common hate for burpees 😅

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⭐️ AAS always felt like another country within Russia. A place which is completely and shockingly different from what you experience on a daily basis. It’s a hidden gem, but once you find it, it’s hard to forget your discovery.
I haven’t worked here for long, but I was blessed to get to know all of you and make new wonderful friends. For the first time I was happy to go to work and was excited to see everyone, kids and colleagues.
Thank you all for your patience and contageous positivity.
AAS is a life-changing experience like nothing else. It will live in our hearts for as long as we live. I hope to meet you all once again in these walls, this time - to celebrate reunion.
Stay strong and stay in touch.
Love,
Eliana ❤️

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Those words always help in different times: I love Life! I want to live! I enjoy Life!
Я люблю жизнь! Я хочу жить! Я радуюсь жизни!

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Our Elementary School agreements

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This is what Middle School was about

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This school welcomed its new staff so well, making sure everyone settled well and had everything they needed to be successful.

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As a smaller staff this year, people stepped up and collaborated to make sure students were cared for.

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The staff at AAS was always the most caring group of people I have met.

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I have learned so much here and have gathered lots and lots of memories: sleeping on a mattress outside of the gym during a 5th grade sleepover, and hearing Laurie Bartels send those who sneaked out back in; meeting and having to say goodbye to Melissa Pellerin - having kids as morning meeting speakers was her idea, I loved it and borrowed to use in my classroom; playing card games with Mikey McKillip, Nastia Antonik, Zhenya Albutov and Branka Kovacevic on the last day of school; going to Pokrovsky Bereg park to celebrate exhibition a few years ago, and to play volleyball with colleagues just yesterday....There is so much more! I remember my first day coming to AAS, seeing how huge it was, and thinking that I would never find my way out. It is hard to believe that I will have to do it on my last day at AAS so soon. Thank you AAS family for sharing laughs and tears, and making this journey one of the best memories of my life! Love,Leyli

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Outstanding PL Team and Coaches! Thank you for all days and nights we spent together, for fun and joy, support and achievements!

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It was  a great joy to run athletics events for our Penguin teams! Hosting and traveling gave us a lot of unforgettable memories. We were proud to see our students growing emotionally, practicing sportsmanship and reaching the goals they set for themselves.

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“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose”

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In this time capsule, please include posts that will give insight to future generations into our AAS world and our lives. Include photographs, letters, and messages that are important to you.

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In this time capsule, please include posts that will give insight to future generations into our AAS world and our lives. Include photographs, letters, and messages that are important to you.

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AAS was not just a school but a passion for many. The place you belong. The place you dream big dreams. The place that has no boundaries or limitations. The place you wanted to bring your loved ones in. The place where lifelong learning starts.

“The end is nothing; the road is all”
“How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard”

Thankful for my 26 amazing years with AAS!

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From Halloween to book/ movie character day to retro, etc. ... these spirit days were always so fun for kids and adults alike!

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It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the winter of hope, it was the spring of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us.

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The Last In ... A sad, sad loss of not just a school but a community. AAS was that community that cared. Everything was geared towards helping 'the child' succeed whatever their need. It brought people together, pupils, parents, and staff . It was a wonderful place to work in, though sadly for me, only a year.

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AAS always felt like a family, like being at home. I felt great support from everyone in the school - AAS is the best community ever! I enjoyed seeing smiling students' faces every day in the school. How many cool and creative projects we made! It was a great place for growth: both for students and teachers. AAS will always have a very special place in my heart!

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This was a moment when everybody was united and excited to see our Mascot! Thank you to Ryan Cartwright who was willing to put this costume on and make sure tired and full of sugar kids wanted to take a silly picture. I think it is what real joy looks like and I was there to experience it firsthand. I am grateful that in my first year of teaching, I had an amazing team and people supporting me. People at AAS created that absolutely amazing safety net for everyone. We are very special and we hold each other and really care for each other in the darkest moments.

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Learning Russian culture through fun activities and games.

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Every year AAS students, teachers and staff carefully prepare and deliver presents for less fortunate people from the Vyshegorodskaya school-internat, the Noy shelter, Taganka center and others.

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Reflection of one of the students

1. What do you remember from the assembly? (List a min of 3 things)

-I can remember that I felt like crying near the end of the assembly because it was touching, I can remember when the veterans sang "Katyusha" and I was singing with them from my chair.

2. What/how did you feel at the assembly?

- I felt so sad that I nearly cried because the song was so touching.

3. What did you like the most? Why?

- I liked the moment when the veterans sang solo.

4. What were you impressed with? Why?

-I was impressed by the talent of the people that did solos.

5. Did you like our students singing with veterans? Why?

-I liked our students singing with the veterans because it symbolizes how the youth understands how terrible the war was.

6. Did you sing with them? Why?

-I didn’t sing with the veterans because I have stagefright.

7. Would you like to join the veteran's choirs and sing the popular songs next year?

-Yes, if I get over my stagefright.

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Great learning and team building opportunities outside of the classroom!

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Boats and boating--Equipment and supplies

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Back in 1995 I started working at AAS as a substitute teacher and an After School Activity instructor. I was impressed with the school atmosphere and learning environment and quickly fell in love with this the most unique place in the World. 28 happy years flew by quickly!!! Thousands of students grew up treasuring the memories of the years at AAS, their friends, learning experiences, drama plays, sport competitions, Community Service and Discovery week trips… I will look back on my AAS years with great affection. I feel super lucky to be a member of the school team of dedicated wonderful professional for such a long period. From the bottom of my heart I wish everyone good luck in their new journeys and say “До свидания, до новых встреч!”. I am most grateful for all that I am given. These are the best years of my life!

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For the last several years students of PK spent quite a lot of time in the nearby forest. This song was initiated and created by the students during one of the walks several years ago. Those students still keep the memories about our forest walks. I am sure a lot of us will treasure the moments we spent with your friends or alone in nature in Pokrovskoe-Streshnevo Park.

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No matter what anyone says, always continue to believe in yourself, even if everyone around you says it's impossible or it's a bad idea. Never stop dreaming, even if your dream seems crazy. And never be afraid of anything, feel free to go where it's scary, because only by defeating fear will you know what you're really capable of!

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The best community ever! Thank you all for creating this "Penguins" atmosphere. I'll miss each of you a lot! I'm very proud to be a part of this magic AAS life. Once a penguin - always a penguin.

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Happy to have been part of such a great team! I still remember this first day. You all welcomed me, supported me, and trusted me as one of your leaders this year. I take a part of each of you with me as I move on. Thank you for all the love you gave the school, the students and the team.

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Well, I joined AAS not so long ago, but I have fallen in love with it ever since I worked as a substitute teacher here. The school fascinates with its friendliness; it is really open and has kind people. I am eternally grateful to the leadership of the school, which for many decades has maintained this family atmosphere. Any place starts with people, and the people here are amazing! Big, big thanks to my grade and other colleagues. In such a short time, I learned a lot, and I do hope that in a year this nightmare will end and the children will return to school 🙏🏻

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Just wanted to express my deep gratitude to all my penguin people  for accepting me into the AAS waddle, for all your support and happy special moments, for your friendship and silly comments, thank you for the dedicated work you do day after day. I learnt so much from you and I  🤍🤍🤍 you!!!

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We might all be gone but our mugshots will stay in history forever! Good times, so much fun, everybody contributing to everything!

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I will forever cherish the memories, friendships, and experiences I have gained during my time at AAS. I am grateful for the unwavering support and encouragement that I have received from all of you throughout the years.

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The tradition of welcoming new members into the AAS family with Bread & Salt