Bobcat Bulletin Oct. 6, 2024

October 6, 2024

October 7: No School for elementary and middle school students - staff development day

October 10 & 14: Conferences 3:20-8:15p (sign up info was also emailed Sept. 26)

October 17-18: No school - MEA

October 25: 8th grade Marching Band participates in parade 1:15p

October 26: 8th grade Marching Band participates in parade 1:00p

October 28: 8th grade orchestra concert - Andover HS 7:00p

2024-25 Middle School Digital Day calendar

Translated School calendar versions (Arabic, Hmong, Russian, Spanish, Vietnamese).

Fall Trimester 1 Conferences will be Thursday, October 10 and Monday, October 14 from 3:20-8:15p. Please remember to sign up for conferences through the My Conference Time website. For more information and sign up directions please refer to the Conferences newsletter that was emailed to families on September 26.

We encourage students and parents to closely monitor student progress throughout the year. The only official grading periods will be the end of trimester reports. Directions to access gradebooks for Student and ParentVue are outlined below. If you have questions related to login and password support, please call 763.506.HELP for assistance. If you have questions specific to grades or assignments in a particular class, please contact the teacher directly.

Parent AH Connect login directions

Student AH Connect login directions

• I need to pick my student up during the day, what is the process? Please call the Attendance line at least 1-2 hours in advance or send a note with your student the morning of the appointment. (Attendance, Absences, Early Dismal and Late Arrival policy)
  
• Do I need to come into the building to pick up my student? Yes, a parent/guardian must sign the student out. (Attendance, Absences, Early Dismal and Late Arrival policy)
  
• Do I need my identification to enter the building during the school day? Yes, all visitors/parents/guardians must scan their identification, typically a driver's license, before entering the building.
  
• How do I report if my student is going to be absent, will be picked up early, or arriving late? Please call the attendance office at 763-506-5606. (Attendance, Absences, Early Dismal and Late Arrival policy)
  
• Can I report my student's attendance online? Yes (Directions to report student attendance online)
  
• How do I add money to my student's Lunch Account? (Directions to add money to student lunch account)

To find your student's bus information follow these step-by-step directions. Contact the transportation department at 763-506-1125 with questions.

Real-time bus information through FirstView app

Anoka-Hennepin families can check where their bus is — live — through a transportation app, called FirstView. The app monitors regular school bus routes in real-time. Best of all, it’s free for parents/guardians and students to use.

This app provides families the necessary information to know when their bus will arrive. Families can also see the anticipated length of any delay, an estimated arrival time and if a substitute is driving the route. Email, push and/or text notifications can inform families of such information instantly.

FirstView can be downloaded from app stores (iTunes app store; Android Google Play store). On-screen directions walk first time users through the easy setup process:

• Choose Minnesota and then Anoka-Hennepin from the dropdown menus.
• Log in with your parent/guardian username and password once directed to A-HConnect (if you’ve forgotten your parent/guardian username or password, please call 763-506-HELP).

The app will then automatically populate your student’s information. It’s that easy!

Bobcat Apparel is ready for you to order! All orders are placed using the Rebyl online store.

• Orders need to be placed by midnight on October 11.
• All orders will be delivered to Oak View Middle School for distribution.

Grade 6: Talan Simpson, Kyle Felber, Easton Bergeron, Kailyn Garner, Emma Soderlind, Emery Staples

Grade 7: Jack Larson, Presley Koschak, Estella Pearson, Brynn Bartsias, Cuong Tran, Aubrey Schwendeman

Grade 8: Sasuke Vang, Bridget Detion, Kanin Mahoney, Bailey Johnson, Dean Nelson, Hadley Hiveley

Montgomery: Ella Lewis, Chase Nord

Fedder: Caleb Keller, Jordyn Landers

Whiteford: Benjamin Lawrence, Quinn Forschen

Gwen Udvig won first place in the Anoka County Library Teen Short Story Write On Contest for grades 6-8. Gwen wrote a fantasy short story titled, "Spellbound: A Demon's Gambit". Entries had to be between 1,200-3,000 words. Udvig's story is published on the Anoka County Library website linked below and won a Barnes and Noble gift card. We are so proud of our Oak View winner!

Write On! Teen Short Story Winners 2024

The back to school season is a busy time for families, school staff and our communities. There is often more traffic congestion in this season and it’s more important than ever for drivers to pay attention before- and after-school to keep families, students and staff safe.

Check out these tips from the Anoka-Hennepin transportation department as a back to school reminder:

• Crosswalks: Be mindful that we are sharing the road with young walkers and staff helping them across the crosswalks or intersections. Always stop for school patrols and crossing guards.
  
  

• Know drop-off and pick-up procedures: Schools have procedures in place to keep traffic safe. Make sure you know your school’s plan for the safety of all students and staff.
  
  

• Use slow speeds: Use caution in school zones and be aware of your surroundings. We can all work together to ensure the safety of drivers, school buses, walkers and bikers.
  
  

• School bus safety: Familiarize yourself with school bus safety tips on the road. Always stop if yellow or red lights are flashing or if stop arms are extended from a school bus. Allow extra time for students to board and exit the bus and proceed to safe sidewalks to enter school zones or return home.
  
  

• Share the road: Be patient of other vehicles stopped for pedestrians or using caution in school zones. Do not pass other vehicles or school buses. Be alert, young children may take an unpredictable path as they are learning safety rules.

Thank you for your partnership in school traffic safety.

Tech Protect: Plans available to cover your student’s district-issued Chromebook

Technology plays an important role in preparing students for life, and Chromebooks are utilized as a daily learning tool in Anoka-Hennepin middle and high school classrooms. Anoka-Hennepin students in grades 6-12 are assigned a Chromebook from the school district to ensure access to technology systems that support classroom learning.

Over 28,000 Chromebooks are distributed to students the first week of school. As careful as students and schools are, accidents do happen each year - and thousands of Chromebooks are returned at the end of the school year with damages.

Families have the option to enroll in the Device Protection Plan.

The Technology Protection Plan is optional; it is not required, however, by electing not to participate in the Protection Plan, families may be required to reimburse the school district for the replacement or repair of damaged Chromebooks assigned to their student/s. Damaged or broken screens may cost between $50 to $150 depending on parts needed; or the replacement cost for the entire device could be up to $410.

Families can opt-in to the Device Protection Plan by logging into A-HConnect, and selecting "My Student Information," and "Fees." Parents must select or decline coverage under the Device Protection Plan. Enrollment begins July 1, 2024.

• The plan cost is $20 per student or $60 per family per school year.

• If the student qualifies for free or reduced-price school meals in the 2024-25 school year, the cost of the Protection Plan will be reduced to $0.

• Repairs with the Protection Plan are subject to a $20 deductible.

View the Device Protection Plan flyer to learn more. (PDF)

Enroll in the device protection plan using Synergy.

Community Education Opportunities for OVMS students after school, evenings and weekends.

• Bobcat Book Club
• Outdoors Skills 101
• Golf Squad
• Pickleball
• Chess
• Introduction to Cricket
• Girls Volleyball Gr 6
• Dungeons & Dragons Crew
• Advanced Archery Gr 6-12
• Strength, Speed and Agility Training
• Fencing
• Bobcat Photo Club: A Year in Review

Please view the district wide Community Education offerings online at https://ahschools.ce.eleyo.com/

Oak View Middle School would love to have you sign up to volunteer! There are a variety of opportunities throughout the school year, including helping teachers prepare materials for lessons, chaperoning field trips, and preparing popcorn for staff appreciation every other Friday. If you are interested in being notified about these opportunities throughout the year or if you're interested in helping out with a specific activity, please follow the link below to fill in the Volunteer Application and Criminal Record History Release. We're looking forward to working with you to enhance your student's experience at Oak View!

Please direct volunteering questions to Volunteer Services Coordinator, Cindy Roerig at 763-506-5730 or Cindy.Roerig@ahschools.us

Seeking parents/guardians to participate in Special Education Advisory Council (SEAC)

A broad range of parent/guardian representation is needed at upcoming Special Education Advisory Council (SEAC) meetings for the upcoming school year from families with students in all age levels - including early childhood, elementary, middle school, high school, and transition-aged students - with a full continuum of student disabilities.

What it is: SEAC (pronounced “seek”) is comprised of parents/guardians of students in the district who receive Special Education services.

Why it matters: The intent of SEAC is to advise the school district on parent involvement, current issues, program development and established department priorities. The council serves as a resource and as an advisory council for special education programs in the district.

See meeting details and learn how to get involved.