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Backpack Online- September 1, 2023
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September 1, 2023
Great moments, opportunities - miracles - possible each school year
View the 2023 back-to-school video: “The Power of Purpose”
At #AHSchools, we believe that *miracles* happen in our schools each and every day.
The Anoka-Hennepin School District has a tradition of inspiring staff, students and community partners with a back-to-school video each year. Recognizing that great opportunities come with each new school year, the district reflected on a time in history when the nation came together in a shared purpose for this years’ video inspiration: In 1980, Americans embraced positivity in support of the United States men’s ice hockey team, which competed in the winter Olympics - and achieved the unthinkable - inspiring hope while bringing home the gold medal.
Over the past week, staff members across the district have focused on their purpose or their “why,” for choosing education and serving students with a theme for the upcoming school year, “The Power of Purpose.”
Check out the 2023-24 back-to-school video and join us in supporting and cheering on our students and staff as they go for the gold this school year.
Supt. Cory McIntyre met with Andover High School alum and goalie for Team U.S.A, Maddie Rooney, and Assoc. Supt. of Middle Schools and Student Services, Becky Brodeur. As former principal of Andover High School, Brodeur made the connection with Rooney.
"Superfans" from the Morris Bye Elementary summer Adventures Plus school-age child care program helped cheer the Anoka-Hennepin team on.
Much appreciation to the principals who served as "good sports" for the making of this years' back-to-school video. Let's go for the gold!
Info on the School Resource Officer program with area law enforcement partners
Anoka-Hennepin Schools utilizes a multi-layered approach to protect the safety of students and staff. At the core of this effort are relationships that form a positive school culture and climate and partnerships with law enforcement through a School Resource Officer program (SRO). Structural and physical systems and use of technology and clear communication also play a significant role.
Read this information about the SRO program, which includes:
- New legislation impacting the SRO program.
- Status of the SRO program.
- Anoka-Hennepin Schools message shared with media outlets on Aug. 29, 2023.
- Anoka-Hennepin Schools message shared with families on Aug. 25, 2023.
- Resources.
2023-24 Back-to-school information
Looking for more back-to-school information? Visit our back-to-school website at ahschools.us/bts for supply lists, open house dates, news and more.
The first day of school is Tuesday, Sept 5. View the district calendar for important updates.
Bleacher Captains from five district high schools team up for sportsmanship
Students from all five of Anoka-Hennepin’s traditional high schools participated in a sportsmanship training seminar at Andover High School Aug. 30.
Each school in the district designated student Bleacher Captains to participate in a sportsmanship training seminar titled “Stay Above the Line,” an initiative to promote positive spectator behavior and expectations for the upcoming sports and activities season.
The seminar was led by the activities from each of the five district high schools and included group discussions by students to share their experiences as student-athletes and spectators at events. Bleacher Captains will be visible at all Northwest Suburban Conference (NWSC)-sponsored activities and events to help promote a positive environment and respectful behavior and cheers for all players, fans, opponents and game personnel. View photos from the training.
Sportsmanship is everybody’s business, and Anoka-Hennepin and the NWSC is committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment for all.
Families must complete back-to-school verification before the first day
It’s important that each family completes the verification process (back-to-school forms) before the first day of school. Verification ensures that each student’s school has confirmed emergency contact information and releases for the safety of each student.
Even if families’ contact information has not changed, it’s important to log in to access a variety of other student information in the coming weeks, including class schedules and teacher assignments, attendance, school handbooks, progress reports and grades for middle and high school students. High school students will not be able to enroll in fall activities until the back to school verification process is complete.
By logging in to complete student verification for the upcoming school year, families may also apply to receive additional educational benefits, discounts and reduced fees after completing the verification process.
Login to A-HConnect to complete your student’s back to school forms for the upcoming school year. Visit the #AHSchools website to login and get started.
Anoka-Hennepin is seeking community members to advise on curriculum
The process for review and comment on curriculum provided in Anoka-Hennepin Schools is expanding to include broader representation with the addition of community members. The district’s Community Curriculum Advisory Council (CCAC), composed of parents/guardians and employees, will add community representatives this school year and interested community members are invited to apply.
The CCAC's purpose is to:
Review PreK-16 curriculum, assessment, and instructional programming through a community lens.
Review proposed changes to curriculum, assessment, and instructional programming including new resources, courses, programs, assessments, etc.
Provide input and feedback to the School Board on proposed curriculum changes
The committee will be composed of parents/guardians of elementary, middle and high school students representing each high school attendance area in the district. There are currently five open positions for community members on this committee. These new voluntary positions are intended to be specifically for community members without current students enrolled in any Anoka-Hennepin school. This is a one year term.
CCAC meets monthly throughout the year to preview adoptions and standards changes as they are considered through the system. Meetings are scheduled from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on the following dates: Oct. 26; Nov. 16; Jan. 18; Feb. 15; March 21; April 18; May 16 at the Anoka-Hennepin Educational Service Center (ESC), located at 2727 N Ferry St. in Anoka.
School Spotlight: Northdale Middle School
"What I think is special about Northdale is the environment. It's an inclusive place where everyone can be yourself without feeling judged," Olivia Jideofor, student. Learn more about Northdale Middle School in the latest School Spotlight.
Parent Engage 360 Podcast episode: Welcome back with Supt. Cory McIntyre
Cory McIntyre began his new role as Superintendent of Anoka-Hennepin Schools on July 1 and has been off and running meeting with staff across the district. McIntyre joined Liz Burgard, parent involvement coordinator, in the latest episode of the Parent Engage 360 Podcast to share his excitement for returning to the district, discuss the theme for the 2023-24 school year and more.
Tune in to the Parent Engage 360 Podcast on Podbean, Apple Podcasts, or at ahschools.us/parentengage360. The Parent Engage 360 Podcast is also now available on Spotify, Amazon Music/Audible, iHeartRadio and Samsung Podcasts.
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.
Brookside and Hamilton elementary teachers welcomed back to school
Connection before content: High-energy message was delivered to teachers promoting engagement in the classroom
On Aug. 28, administrators at both Brookside and Hamilton Elementary School in Coon Rapids collaborated to bring in an award-winning educator and administrator to deliver a high-energy message to teachers.
Former Radio Disney Host and education influencer Chris Pombonyo was the guest speaker and his time with the teachers was spent focused on how engagement can create positive outcomes in the classroom.
As teachers arrived at Brookside they entered the cafeteria transformed by scenes from the movie “Back to the Future.” Brian Lansing, the in-arena host and DJ for the Minnesota Wild, had upbeat music playing, encouraging dance and movement. Pombonyo was then introduced as the surprise keynote speaker and provided his words of encouragement for the upcoming school year. View photos from the welcome back event.
Pombonyo works with Get Your Teach On (GYTO), which is the originator of the Rock Your School event, which both schools participate in. Teachers from both schools have also attended the national GYTO Conference and brought back information to the buildings.
District high schools move to online ticketing for athletics and activities
All five Anoka-Hennepin traditional high schools (Andover, Anoka, Blaine, Champlin Park and Coon Rapids) have made the transition to online ticket sales for athletics and activities events. With the exception of boys and girls hockey, all ticket sales for events hosted by district schools will be online using VANCO Events, the official ticketing system.
Payment will no longer be accepted at the admission gate. Fans and spectators are encouraged to purchase tickets prior to a scheduled event and be prepared to show their confirmation email with QR code to be scanned upon entry to the chosen event. Fans may show a confirmation email/QR code on their smartphone or with a printed copy.
Adult (18-59) tickets for football games are $8 and other athletic events are $6. Students (K-12) are $6 for football games and $4 for other athletic events. Fans 60 and older receive free admission to all events.
Students from the hosting and visiting schools must be prepared to show student identification at events and middle school students and younger must be accompanied and supervised by an adult chaperone. Students from any other schools/non-participating schools must also be accompanied by an adult chaperone.
Ticket information for each school can be found at the following websites:
- Andover High School: ahschools.us/huskytickets
- Anoka High School: ahschools.us/tornadotickets
- Blaine High School: ahschools.us/bhstickets
- Champlin Park High School: ahschools.us/cphsticket
- Coon Rapids High School: ahschools.us/crhstickets
Families can save money, earn educational benefits
While the state's Free School Meals program to being in 2023, families will still need to apply to qualify for more educational benefits
Starting Sept. 5, 2023, every student may receive one breakfast and one lunch at no cost during the school year. The state’s Free School Meals program will cover the cost of one breakfast meal and one lunch meal for every student daily, however the cost of a la carte items, such as milk, other drinks, or extra meal items will not be covered. Students will need to have funds in their meal accounts to purchase any additional food items.
If your family needs access to any other educational benefits available to your student, please visit ahschools.us/freereduced to complete an application. The enrollment window for the 2023 Applications for Educational Benefits begins Aug. 1, 2023.
Anoka-Hennepin asks that all families complete an online application to provide additional school funding to support all students in the district. By filling out this application, your school can earn funding and you can save money.
Educational benefits include:
- Athletics fees: Eligible students may qualify for fees to be waived or reduced.
- SAT, ACT, AP Fees: Students may be eligible for discounted fees for academic tests and some lab fees.
- Other high school activities: Students may qualify for discounts on speech, debate, theater, band and others.
- Additional benefits and cost savings: Chromebook device protection, Comcast Internet Essentials discount, Amazon Prime membership discounts, discounted bus fares with Metro Transit, Xcel Energy account assistance, discounts at museums and theaters.
You can make a difference. Join our transportation team!
The district is hiring bus paras and transportation partners are hiring drivers. You can make a difference, join our team! Visit ahschools.us/jobs for more information.
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.