Backpack Online - July 28, 2023
July 28, 2023
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.
Applications for Educational Benefits begin Aug. 1
While the state’s Free School Meals program to begin 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.
Registration for 2023 fall athletic and activities begins Aug. 1
Registration for Anoka-Hennepin high school athletics and activities begins Aug. 1. Fall sports begin on Aug. 14, so don't wait and get registered on Aug. 1.
Don’t forget that you must have a current sports physical on file at your high school. Visit your high school website for more information on fall registration.
If your family needs access to any other educational benefits available to your student, such as waived or reduced athletic fees and discounts, please visit ahschools.us/freereduced to complete an application for educational benefits. The enrollment window for the 2023 Applications for Educational Benefits begins Aug. 1, 2023.
District to host summer hiring event for non-teaching positions Aug. 3
The Anoka-Hennepin School District will host an in-person hiring event for non-teaching positions Thursday, Aug. 3 from 1-5 p.m. in the Erling Johnson Rooms A and B at the Educational Service Center (ESC), located at 2727 N Ferry St. in Anoka (enter Door 7).
Anoka-Hennepin Schools is a great place to live and work. Our communities work together to provide residents with safe and friendly neighborhoods, high-quality schools, a wide range of business and economic opportunities, beautiful parks and abundant recreational activities.
Join us to learn about employment opportunities and have a same-day, on-site interview for various positions. Participants are strongly encouraged to begin filling out applications ahead of time at ahschools.us/jobs and come prepared to interview with hiring managers.
What we offer: Eligible employees may enroll in a comprehensive benefits package.
- Health, hospitalization, dental insurance.
- Life and supplemental life insurance benefits.
- Long-term disability plan.
- Opportunities to participate in flexible benefits plans such as health savings and dependent/child care savings accounts.
- Professional development opportunities.
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!
Visit ahschools.us/jobs or call 763-506-JOBS for more information.
Anoka-Hennepin School Board seats up for Election Nov. 7
Three seats on the Anoka-Hennepin School Board will be up for election on Tuesday, November 7, 2023. Community members living in districts one, two and five who are interested in serving on the board must file for election between August 1 and August 15 by 5 p.m. Members serve four-year terms.
Details regarding impacted districts:
- District One includes Anoka, western Andover, western Coon Rapids and southwestern Ramsey. This seat is currently held by Erin Heers-McArdle who was elected to her first full term in 2019. She serves as the treasurer.
- District Two includes Blaine and eastern Coon Rapids. This seat is currently held by Marci Anderson, who has served on the school board since January 2008. Anderson is the current board chair and has served in that position since January 2020.
- District Five includes Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, southern Coon Rapids and Fridley. The seat is currently held by Nicole Hayes, who was appointed in February 2015, and was elected to continue serving in November 2015. Hayes is currently the vice chair and has served in that position since January 2020.
Read more on the Anoka-Hennepin Community Education website.
School spotlight: Anoka Middle School for the Arts
"One of the super unique things about our school is the amount of opportunities it has for electives and extracurricular classes." - Joe Cheddie, student.
Anoka Middle School for the Arts offers a learning environment that emphasizes the integration of core academics with the arts. In addition to rigorous core classes, the arts curriculum provides students the opportunity to explore the following art courses in depth through advancing levels. Learn more about Anoka Middle School for the Arts in the latest school spotlight video.
Upcoming informational sessions for the Grow Your Own Program
Learn about grants available to receive tuition assistance
Are you interested in becoming a teacher? Anoka-Hennepin Schools has partnered with local colleges and universities through the Grow Your Own Program.
District staff or community members that do not currently hold a teaching license have the opportunity to receive tuition assistance, one-on-one advising support throughout the program, support between college staff and employer and connection with a mentor teacher.
The Grow Your Own grant is funded by the Minnesota Department of Education. For more information on the program, visit ahschools.us/growyourown.
Visit the district website for details on informational sessions at Augsburg University, North Hennepin Community College/St. Cloud State University, Bethel University and the University of Minnesota.
Recently retired bus paraeducator recognized with state transportation award
Louise Sivanich, who retired from Anoka-Hennepin following the 2022-23 school year, was recognized on July 27 with the 2023 Minnesota Association for Pupil Transportation (MAPT) Special Education Transportation Award.
Sivanich was recognized at the 2023 MAPT Train the Trainer annual conference which was held July 24-27 in St. Cloud.
She was nominated by Jeff Mueller, Anoka-Hennepin transportation safety director, who included the following statement:
“Louise Sivanich goes above and beyond and shows much compassion with students, staff, parents and drivers. She has outstanding attendance which is extremely important in providing a safe and consistent experience on the bus for students.”
Sivanich is known for making the workday fun, as well as for her compassion and calm demeanor. As a special education paraeducator, those traits are essential to help with the caretaking needs of students on her bus. Sivanich has also been asked to carry those same tools into emergency situations where she was able to control a scene before emergency medical teams arrived.
Mueller was in attendance with Sivanich as she received her award at the Train the Trainer conference.
AHS graduate a physical therapist for U.S. Women’s National Team at World Cup
Since she was a child, Marie Boo, a 2007 graduate of Anoka High School (AHS), has dreamt of being a member of the U.S. Women's Soccer National Team (USWNT). She is currently living out her dream, although not how she originally imagined it.
Boo is working as a physical therapist for USWNT. Hired in January of 2021 as the team’s physical therapist, she provides daily treatment and on-field rehabilitation while traveling with the team. She is currently in New Zealand for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
“It's a little surreal to be here in New Zealand supporting the team that I looked up to when I was a kid,” Boo said. “It’s a lot of work, day in and day out, but it is exciting to be a part of the World Cup.”
Boo’s desire to reach the highest level of women’s soccer started at the age of 7 or 8 when she served as a ball girl for the AHS girls soccer team. Then in 1999, she watched fellow AHS alum Briana Scurry help the women’s national team to a World Cup victory, which fueled her desire to chase the dream. Read more about Boo's path to her dream job.
Parent Engage 360 Podcast Episode 34: Summer reading
When you suggest to your children to read a book or a magazine and to put down the screens and devices, chances are you are met with groans and all kinds of excuses. Check out the latest episode of the Parent Engage 360 Podcast, with resources to help!
District parent involvement coordinator and host Liz Burgard was joined by district media specialist Holly Groebner, Tiffany Casey (senior librarian, community engagement, Hennepin County libraries) and Erin Straszewski (community engagement manager, Anoka County libraries) to learn more about how as parents you can encourage reading activities throughout the summer months.
From reading resources, homework help, and apps available to support reading -this episode is full of information and resources for parents/guardians.
Did you know that the county library systems located in the district also support summer reading? Both Anoka and Hennepin County libraries offer resources for families looking for reading support. Visit your local library or learn more about libraries in your neighborhood by visiting their websites below.
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.
Students have unforgettable experience in German American Partnership Program
For more than 20 years, students at Andover and Blaine high schools have participated in the German American Partnership Program (GAPP), which is a student exchange program between the United States and the Federal Republic of Germany. The program’s goal is for students to gain an inspiring international understanding, promote German language instruction and motivate personal friendship.
“My first draw to the GAPP program was the ability to experience the German language and culture firsthand,” said Carly Anderson, a Blaine High School student. “After taking four years of German in school, I grew curious about the differences and similarities between life and school for teenagers in Germany compared to the United States.”
Nearly 20 students participated in 2022-23. The students welcomed and hosted students from Germany in January for two weeks to give them a true Minnesota experience with winter activities and more. The Anoka-Hennepin Schools students recently returned from their trip to Germany where they spent two weeks with their same partner that visited in January. The students go to school with their partner and also participate in sightseeing experiences and activities that typical teenagers do in their countries. View photos from this year’s experience and read more about the program.
"Cops & Cardinals" mentorship program launched at Coon Rapids High School
Coon Rapids High School and the Coon Rapids Police Department launch "Cops & Cardinals" mentorship program
HOPE office partners with Undies for Everyone
Anoka-Hennepin HOPE office partners with Undies for Everyone to support students in need
Blaine High School grad to participate at 3M Open
Best of luck to 2019 Blaine High School graduate Caleb VanArragon at the 3M Open at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine. Caleb was granted a late sponsor's exemption for the PGA Tour event, which begins today. He recently claimed the Minnesota State Open and Minnesota Golf Association State Amateur Championship titles by a total of 21 strokes. Check out the story from WCCO-TV.
Additional district news
- Action of the School Board, July 10, 2023.
- Update: Media centers, other improvements continue as Fit for the Future projects near the final year.
- District to replace ash trees in response to emerald ash borer.
- District participation in the Summer Food Service Program makes meals available to children at select school sites.
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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.