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Backpack Online - January 22, 2024
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January 22, 2024
Low temperatures; serve as reminder to review winter weather plans
Anoka-Hennepin communities experienced a drop in temperatures the past week, which prompts planning for winter weather safety.
Be prepared for outdoor activities
Families are encouraged to dress students appropriately for winter weather conditions, especially for children walking to school, waiting at bus stops and participating in outdoor recess activities. Review tips and resources for cold weather conditions:
- Winter school bus safety tips.
- Dressing appropriately for cold weather.
- Other frequently asked questions.
Learning about school closures
The safety of all students is the first priority when determining if schools should stay open in adverse weather. If a determination is made to close school due to extreme winter weather, the district will alert families in a variety of ways, including:
- Phone, text or email message from the district, #AHSchools.
- District and school websites.
- District and school social media pages (e.g. Facebook, Instagram and X - formally Twitter).
- Media outlets including WCCO, KSTP, FOX 9, KARE 11, CCX Media, WCCO radio and Star Tribune newspaper.
โ๏ธFor more information, visit ahschools.us/weather.
Contract negotiations: Anoka-Hennepin, AHEM reach tentative contract settlement
Negotiation teams representing the Anoka-Hennepin School District and the teachers union, Anoka Hennepin Education Minnesota (AHEM), reached a tentative agreement Saturday, January 20 on a contract settlement during mediation.
The tentative agreement is within the authority provided by the school board and is subject to the approval of AHEM members. Final approval of the contract could occur as soon as the February 26, 2024 school board meeting.
Johnsville Elementary - School Spotlight
๐บ View the video.
Superintendent McIntyre holds roundtable discussion at Andover High School
On Jan. 16, Anoka-Hennepin Superintendent Cory McIntyre visited with students from Andover High School (AndHS) for the fourth of several scheduled student roundtable discussions throughout the district.
Why it matters: Superintendent McIntyre values student voice in the decision-making process and in ensuring the district is providing a safe, welcoming, and positive school environment.
During the hour-long sessions, McIntyre and other school and district administrators aim to gather student perspectives on the high school experience.
๐ธ View photos from the AndHS superintendent roundtable discussion.
What theyโre saying: โIt was eye-opening to see other student's opinions and thoughts,โ said Chloe Cho, a ninth grade student at AndHS. โI found it very helpful to have these sessions because it shows that they care about students and that they are trying to make a difference.โ
The big picture: Students shared what they thought was unique or special about their school and felt as if there was a strong sense of community and support. Students also shared that they felt that the school building itself was of high quality and it was appreciated and that everyone in the school community has high expectations for one another.
There were also discussions about student groups, clubs, and activities and how students are generally accepting of each otherโs differences.
๐๏ธ Read more about the Superintendent roundtable discussion at Andover High School.
Last chance: Above & Beyond Award nomination deadline is today
๐ฃ If you know an Anoka-Hennepin staff member who does amazing work for children, youโre strongly encouraged to nominate them for the Above & Beyond Awards. The Above & Beyond Awards involve students, staff, parents and community members in recognizing and honoring Anoka-Hennepin staff who consistently go that extra mile so students can be successful.
๐ณ๏ธ Nominations are being accepted through TODAY.
๐ป Visit the Above & Beyond Awards website, ahschools.us/aboveandbeyond, for a nomination form or to read additional information about the awards.
What's in store for 2024? District to host first hiring event of the year
Join our team! Learn more, meet hiring managers at Coon Rapids High School on January 25
You can make a difference - work here. The Anoka-Hennepin School District will host an in-person hiring event for non-teaching positions.
๐๏ธ When: Thursday, Jan. 25 from 3:30-6 p.m.
๐ Where: Coon Rapids High School, 2340 Northdale Blvd. NW., Coon Rapids. Attendees should park in the parking lot off Raven St. and enter the activities entrance of the school using Door 16.
Join us to learn about employment opportunities and have a same-day, on-site interview for various positions. View available positions and begin filling out an application at ahschools.us/jobs and come prepared to interview with hiring managers.
Anoka-Hennepin has employment opportunities for any phase of your work life. Full-time, part-time and substitute positions are available, including flexible weekly schedules with hours ranging from early morning, mid-day, late afternoon or evening opportunities.
Everyone plays a role in student achievement; help your community succeed by applying today!
๐ป Visit ahschools.us/jobs or call 763-506-JOBS for more information.
Reading is a slam dunk at Sand Creek Elementary
๐ On Tuesday, Jan. 16, fourth graders at Sand Creek Elementary School were visited by the Minnesota Timberwolves Education Station with special guest, Crunch, the team's mascot. Each student got a reading bag full of gifts and a book signed by Crunch.
๐บ Sponsored by Xcel Energy, the Education Station advances literacy and fosters a love of reading by providing free books to kids. The Education Station visits schools, youth-serving non-profit organizations and community centers. ๐ธ View photos from the visit.
Parent Engage 360 Podcast Episode 39
Youโre the Expert: How to successfully advocate for your child
Navigating the mental health system both in the medical and educational settings can be difficult or just a new experience for parents/guardians. In the latest Parent Engage 360 Podcast, Beth Lovre a family peer educator with the National Alliance of Mental Illness Minnesota (NAMI) joined host Liz Burgard to provide information for parents/guardians on the value of parent engagement and advocacy to ensure the best care and treatment for your child.
Lovre will be the guest speaker for the next Parent Engage 360 event set for Thursday, Feb. 29 at Champlin Park High School. The event, titled Youโre the Expert: How to successfully advocate for your child, will provide parents and guardians with information and resources on how parents can be an advocate for their child in the doctorโs office, the mental health system and in public education settings. Learn more at ahschools.us/parentengage360.
๐ง Tune in to the Parent Engage 360 Podcast on Podbean, Apple Podcasts, or at ahschools.us/parentengage360. The podcast is also available on Spotify, Amazon Music/Audible, iHeartRadio and Samsung Podcasts.
Episode highlights:
- Lovre highlights the work of NAMI Minnesota. Learn more at namimn.org.
- 12:51 - Lovre highlights some of the topics and resources that will be provided at the Feb. 29 Parent Engage 360 event at Champlin Park High School.
- If you need immediate support, 24-hour support is available by calling or texting the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988.
- As a parent, if you are not sure where to start or just need someone to talk to, reach out to NAMI at 1-888-NAMI-HELPS (1-888-626-4435). You can also email namihelps@namimn.org to get in touch with a family peer educator.
The Parent Engage 360 Podcast aims to provide parents and guardians with knowledge from experts in chemical health, mental health, internet safety and more, as well as the tools needed to support their children. Anoka-Hennepin hopes that providing timely and helpful information through the Parent Engage 360 podcast series will strengthen the bond between school and home with resources parents and guardians can use and share with others.
Tickets for annual AHEF Northern Stars Celebration on sale now
Every year, the Anoka-Hennepin Educational Foundation (AHEF) hosts a fun, lively party called the Northern Stars Celebration, to celebrate the excellence that is our Anoka-Hennepin students, schools, and foundation.
"This is a great evening to celebrate how our fabulous and generous donors have benefitted our students, schools and community," said Board Chair and retired educator, Kim Allen. "The Anoka-Hennepin School District and our foundation impact the daily lives of more than 37,000 students and their families and we want to recognize and continue this combined success."
๐ When: Saturday, Feb. 10 from 5:30-9 p.m.
๐ Where: The Bunker Hills Event Center.
What to expect this year:
- Social hour with unique silent auction items to entice you and your friends.
- Live auction with exciting new experiences for you.
- A delicious dinner (chicken florentine, boneless beef short ribs, or saffron balsamic grilled vegetables).
- A special appeal to fuel innovation for our students and schools.
- An after program social hour to connect with friends .
Additional district news
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This e-newsletter is published by Anoka-Hennepin Schools. It's sent to Anoka-Hennepin families and community members who subscribe on a weekly basis during the school year, excluding breaks (and periodically during the summer). Questions, comments or concerns about the Backpack Online e-newsletter? Contact us.