In the Know - November 18, 2024
School Board to consider $21 million budget reduction at Nov. 25 meeting
A convergence of factors combined in early 2024 leading to the need to reduce district expenditures by $26 million. Anoka-Hennepin acted quickly in the spring to plan a two-phased budget reduction and realignment process.
The draft budget solution recommendations impact district administration and central services before school sites. Two options have been proposed for School Board consideration. At the Nov. 4 work session, the School Board began discussion on possible options, and is expected to approve a budget reduction and reallocation plan for 2025-26 at the School Board meeting scheduled Nov. 25, 2024. This timeline is required ahead of key planning decisions on student registration and staffing decisions prior to the 2025-26 school year.
📰 Read the full update after the School Board work session held Nov. 4.
💻 Visit ahschools.us/budget to find updated progress and plans.
Kick off the giving season with AHEF
The Anoka-Hennepin Educational Foundation annual employee giving campaign began Nov. 14 and district employees are encouraged to support AHEF and The United Way through easy and convenient biweekly donations through payroll.
Donors spark creativity and innovation through the Anoka-Hennepin Educational Foundation for district students. Donations from employees complement the funds donated by parents, businesses and community organizations to fund AHEF grants. Learn more about the employee giving campaign at ahef.us. contact Tess DeGeest, executive director of the AHEF at tess.degeest@ahschools.us or by calling 763-506-1107.
Reminder: #AHSchools staff need to subscribe to receive emergency text message alerts
📱In a recent winter weather event impacting school operations across the district Oct. 31, 2024 — text message notifications were sent to all staff members districtwide who had subscribed to receive text message alerts.
At this time, just over 54% of Anoka-Hennepin employees have updated communication preferences in Skyward to receive emergency notifications via text message regarding weather closings and delays, school emergencies and other important notices. Learn how to subscribe, or update your staff communication preferences.
Jennifer Birkmeier recognized nationally as Outstanding Project Lead the Way Administrator
🏅Project Lead the Way (PLTW) honors and recognizes outstanding teachers and administrators nationally annually. For the 2025-25 school year, Jennifer Birkmeier, a teacher and curriculum integrator at Blaine High School (BHS), was one of 27 selected nationwide to earn an Outstanding PLTW Administrator recognition. The award is presented to administrators that actively engage and support their students, colleagues, and communities. Read the full story.
District seeking feedback on Wellness Policy
🍎 Every three years, the Anoka-Hennepin School District and its Health, Wellness and Safety Committee conduct a review of Wellness Policy 533.5. The review of the Wellness Policy is required by law and is done to help maintain compliance, assess progress and determine areas in need of improvement.
As part of the review, Anoka-Hennepin is seeking feedback and comments from district stakeholders, including parents/guardians, students, members of the community and staff. If interested in providing feedback or comments regarding the Wellness Policy, the deadline is Jan. 3, 2025. 💻 Visit the district website to learn more and provide feedback on the district Wellness Policy.
Kindness takes all of us: winners of annual kindness poster contest announced
😊 As part of October’s National Bullying Prevention campaign, Anoka-Hennepin held its 21st annual kindness poster contest.
🎨 About the contest: This year’s theme was Kindness Takes All of Us. Students were encouraged to create a poster with that message in mind and delivered a variety of themes to spread kindness in their schools. Nearly 150 posters representing each school’s winning submissions advanced to the final balloting at the ESC on Nov. 5. Voters were asked to select the best poster for each grade level and were able to submit their votes electronically.
🧑🏻🎨 Visit the district website to view the winning poster for this year's kindness poster contest.
Fall sports update
🍁 With the fall sports and activities season wrapping up, here’s a look at who’s heading to state, and how they fared when they performed and played. Also included is information about postseason awards gathered by student-athletes and coaches.
🏊🏻♀️ ⚽ 🏈 🏐 Read the latest fall sports and activities round-up for updates on the state volleyball championships, state football, cross country, girls' swimming and diving, adapted soccer and more.
District schools honor Veterans Day with programs, learning opportunities
On Nov. 11, schools across Anoka-Hennepin held Veterans Day events or educational opportunities aimed at learning about and honoring those who have served or who are serving in the military.
📷 View photos from events and activities that took place at schools across the district.
📺 Watch the flag-raising ceremony at Oxbow Creek in a video story from CCX-Media.
District student-athletes celebrate signing letters of intent on National Signing Day
✍🏻 Student-athletes from Anoka-Hennepin high schools (Andover, Anoka, Blaine and Champlin Park) participated in events Nov. 13 to mark the start of the NCAA early signing period. At the events, student-athletes signed letters of intent from colleges and universities nationwide to continue their academic and athletic careers.
🎉 Congratulations to all of these student-athletes, and those who will sign their letters of intent later. Anoka-Hennepin is proud! See who signed during the early period and view photos from signing day events on the district website.
District high schools to host Education, Employment, Enlistment Palooza on Dec. 14
💼 Anoka-Hennepin career and college specialists from the district’s high schools have collaborated to host the Third Annual Career and College Palooza on Saturday, Dec. 14 from 8:30-11 a.m. at Champlin Park High School.
What to expect: The event will highlight a variety of college, career and post-high school planning options for all high school students and families. The format will include a mix of scheduled sessions on focused topics. 💻 Learn more about the event and view the complete schedule.
A total of 357 Anoka-Hennepin students named AP Scholars
Congratulations to a total of 357 students from the five traditional high schools in the district who were named Advanced Placement (AP) scholars based on scores on AP course exams taken during the 2023-24 school year.
Anoka-Hennepin offers more than two dozen different AP courses to high school students which have been audited and approved by the College Board, a nonprofit organization of colleges, universities, secondary schools and higher education institutions focused on college readiness programs. Students who complete an AP course can take an optional exam and earn college credit, depending on their score on the exam and admission requirements at the college or university they attend. An AP exam score of 3 or higher (on a scale of 1 to 5) earns credit at many of the nation’s colleges and universities.
Blaine High School (BHS) students warm hearts, facilitate record-breaking coat donation in preparation for winter
Members of the Business Professionals of America (BPA) recently celebrated a record-breaking collection of over 1,000 jackets - surpassing the previous high set in 2007. Students in the Business Internship (BPA) worked tirelessly to gather coats for Pilgrim Dry Cleaners annual "Coats for Kids" drive. After being cleaned, the coats will be distributed to Minnesota charities and schools, providing warmth to community members in need.
Heart-warming traditions: For 31 years, the BHS BPA has collected more than 16,000 coats for this meaningful cause. Retired BHS teacher and former BPA advisor Randy Hemstad, who founded the drive, continues to be a major contributor, donating almost 300 jackets this year. His commitment to the program exemplifies BPA's longstanding dedication to supporting Minnesotans.
