Events:

These events are open to all Ann Arbor Open students and their families.  Some are coordinated by parents, and others by school staff, but all need parent volunteers to happen. See the Volunteer Guide to learn how you can help! Most events are free or have a voluntary suggested donation.  Free tickets for Ice Cream Social and scholarships for t-shirts are available for families in need- just ask in the office.

First Day of School Coffee- Join us in the media center for coffee and bagels, either at the beginning of the day, or at noon after the start of afternoon kindergarten.  All new and returning parents/guardians are invited! Free

Beginning of School Picnic- Meet new families and old friends at this fun, informal evening on the school’s lower playground (Miller side). Bring your own picnic dinner and reusable dishes. Free

Halloween Dance (October 28): Ann Arbor Open families are invited to dance the night away at the annual Halloween Dance!  Show off awesome costumes, and enjoy fun activities like bobbing for apples and the haunted house. Suggested donation

Silent Auction (November 18): This semi-annual event is a major fundraiser for the AAOCC, and gives AAO families an opportunity to bid on items donated by members of the AAO community and the community at large.  Typically held in late fall, it's a great venue for holiday shopping.  Bid on items.

K-2 Movie Night (December 9): Students in the K-2 grades are invited to bring sleeping bags, pillows, etc. to watch a film in the auditorium (chairs will be provided for adults). Older siblings of K-2 students are also welcome. Parents/guardians must attend to their children at all times during the event. Concessions will be sold. Free

Multicultural Fair (December 21): This school-wide event takes place just before winter break, and transforms each classroom into the country, state, or time period that it has been studying intensively over the past several weeks. The Multicultural Fair also features a potluck and is the school’s major fundraiser for the library. Suggested donation

National African-American Parent Involvement Day: Every February, AAO joins other schools in celebrating NAAPID. All parents/guardians are invited to join us in the morning for coffee and treats in the media center, and stay for other activities planned during the day. Free

Science Fair (February 16): Typically scheduled in February, the Science Fair celebrates all of the ways AAO students investigate the world around them.  It is a chance for students to share their science experiments, demonstrations, collections, and inventions.  It is not a competition; instead all students receive positive feedback from volunteer reviewers. Free

Theater Program Production of Free to Be...You and Me (March 15-17): Ann Arbor Open's new after-school, parent-run theater program is putting on the classic musical Free to Be...You and Me. All students in grades K-8 may audition, and parent volunteers are needed to assist with music direction, choreography, set design, and more.

Disabilities Awareness Workshop (March 20): This is a hands-on, activity-based program during the school day, usually in March. Activities, including a wheelchair obstacle course and glasses that give temporary vision impairment, encourage an empathetic understanding of physical, speech, hearing, vision and learning impairments. The goal is for the students to learn through hands-on experience that people should be respected no matter how they may look, act, walk, talk, or learn.  Parents assist in running the activities.

Builders’ Fair (April 26):  Come springtime, the Builders’ Fair gives students in our community a chance to exercise their creativity through construction. An Eiffel Tower made from egg cartons? The tallest Lego tower ever? The wooden bird house made for Grandma's birthday?  Almost anything goes! Free

Teacher Appreciation Week:  In May, we set aside a week to show our teachers and other staff how much we value them.  Activities include a book exchange, luncheon, and everyone's favorite, pie day! Donations requested

Book Madness: Bring a book, and take a book!  Families send in books they have read and are ready to pass along, and students get to pick out one to take home.  This event usually takes place in May during the school day with parent helpers, and is sponsored by the Student Council. Donations requested

Science Olympiad: Every May/June, AAO students in grades 2-5 can participate in a district-wide “Olympic”-style competition that tests their technical and scientific know-how. The students practice with parent coaches once a week after school beginning in February, on teams ranging from "A is for Anatomy" to "Water Rockets." Most of the events involve teamwork, group planning, and cooperation. The main goal is to learn about science through active, hands-on, group participation.  Students need a team t-shirt, scholarships are available.

Ice Cream Social: As we wind down the year, this event—a major fundraiser for the AAOCC—invites AAO families and people from the community to eat, play and socialize.  Ice cream, pizza, and other locally-produced goodies are available for sale.  Enjoy carnival-style activities like face painting, bounce houses, the ring toss, dunk tank and more.  Buy tickets for food and activities, free tickets available.

Y.O.R.K. Film Festival- Several years ago, a sixth grader in Mike’s class started the Yearly Open Review of films by Kids.  Each June, kids in all grades are invited to submit their short (10 minutes or less) cinematic creations.  This is a student-run event; kids also review the films, create a festival t-shirt, make the popcorn, you name it!  There are typically 2 showings- one during the school day, and one in the evening.  Free; t-shirts for purchase, scholarships available.

Field Day- Field Day is a half-day of outdoor activities held near the end of the school year during the school day. Great fun, good exercise, popsicles, and a very good chance of getting wet! This event is run by the school’s Physical Education teacher, but parents are needed to assist in running the activities.