MOOSEHEART, IL, Aug. 24 - As fourth-grader Styles Redmond and his Ontario Home classmates prepared to the first day of classes at Mooseheart school, Redmond said: "Five more minutes of summer."

Actually, he had fully 10 minutes before he and his housemates lined up, crossed James J. Davis Drive and made the short walk to the campus' school building. And none of the boys at Ontario Home appeared to be dreading the resumption of class after a summer filled with various activities.

But for all 211 of the boys and girls who comprise the school-age population at Mooseheart, Monday, Aug. 24 marked the return to school life.

And at Ontario Home, as at most of the residence homes across campus, enthusiasm was high. Well before 8 a.m., students were gathered outside the school building, ready to start the school year.

"Any school is hopeful that the students will come in with the attitude of being ready and enthusiastic about their year," Mooseheart Superintendent of Education Gary Urwiler said. "We're no different. It's exciting to see the growth of the kids in the summer. It's exciting to see the kids smile. Those are the things that we get charged up about and that is the reason why we get charged up about providing service to children."

Once inside the school building, the students went their various ways: The elementary school-aged children gathered by the wall-mounted American flag near the Dean's office, where they said the Pledge of Allegiance for the first time of the year.

"You set the tone the first day," Urwiler said. "It's important that you capture on their enthusiasm when they come in. You grab a hold of it and carry it on."

Middle school students met in the school gym for some instructions and to receive their locker assignments for the school year. High school-aged students began the day by moving directly into their class schedule. This year, there are 119 Mooseheart high school-age students, 49 middle schoolers and 43 elementary schoolchildren. There are four at nursery-school level, and four more who haven't reached preschool age.

The day also marked an opportunity to see one of the Class of 2009 back in the school's hallways. Sandra Tolson, President of the 25-strong class which graduated in May, returned on the opening day. Tolson is one week away from the start of her freshman classes at the University of Dubuque. Her sister Meaghan is a high school junior at Mooseheart.

"It's awesome to see her come back home and check in and say 'hi,'" Urwiler said. "It's fun to open our doors and to start our school year, but it's always good to see the grads, who are venturing forth onto the next stage of their pathway."

Founded in 1913, Mooseheart is supported completely through private donations - the great majority of which come from the 1.1 million men and women of the Moose fraternal organization, in more than 1,800 Lodges and 1,600 Chapters located throughout the U.S. , Canada , Great Britain and Bermuda . Moose International headquarters is located on the Mooseheart campus.

Since its founding, Mooseheart has operated a complete, accredited kindergarten-through-high-school academic program, plus art, music, vocational training and interscholastic sports. It is an extremely nurturing and student-tailored program, with an average student-teacher ratio of 12-1.
 
Mooseheart students who complete their studies with a 3.0 GPA or better (4.0=A) are eligible for up to five years of annually renewable scholarship funding, covering tuition, room and board in an amount comparable to that required for an in-state student at an Illinois public university.

Mooseheart is currently home to nearly 220 students, ranging in age from preschoolers to high school seniors. Applications for admission to Mooseheart are considered from any family whose children are, for whatever reason, lacking a stable home environment. Mooseheart boasts its own U.S. Post Office and a fully functioning branch of Fifth Third Bank.

In addition to Mooseheart, Moose International also supports Moosehaven, a 70-acre retirement community near Jacksonville , FL founded in 1922; and conducts more than $90 million worth of community service programs annually.

Founded in 1888, the Moose organization has long offered its members an opportunity to do good for others while celebrating life, with family, social, and sporting activities. For more information on the Moose organization, visit the websites at www.mooseintl.org , www.mooseheart.org, www.moosehaven.org, or call 630-966-2229.