Coyote Chronicles
December 1, 2023
A message from the principal
'Tis the season of warmth and goodwill at Andover Elementary! In the spirit of the season, we are happy to extend a helping hand to community members facing challenges. Recently, our fifth graders embraced this heartwarming mission through the Greyson Project, spreading holiday cheer by delivering festive decorations to families spending the holidays at Children’s Hospital. Additionally, we've partnered with the Lions Club for the "Shop With a Cop" program, and our staff has embraced the holiday spirit by adopting several Andover families.
Looking ahead to the coming week, we are excited to participate in the Anoka County Giving Project, further amplifying our support for families in need within the Anoka County community.
Andover Elementary takes pride in serving as a collection site for the Giving Project. A "Giving Tree" will grace the entryway near Door 1, inviting students to decorate it with hats and mittens while placing food, care items, and monetary donations beneath. All contributions will be directed to the Anoka County Armory, where dedicated members of local organizations will sort and pack them for distribution to families in need.
Throughout the week of December 5-8, we will be collecting the following items:
New hats and/or mittens
Store-bought non-perishable goods (preferably in plastic rather than glass containers)
Personal care items (such as shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, etc.)
On Friday, December 8th, we extend an invitation to everyone to join us for "Slip into Giving Day." Students contributing a dollar or any monetary donation can enjoy wearing slippers during the school day (please note that slippers should not be worn outside or on the bus). Both cash and checks (made out to Christmas Committee Inc.) are accepted. All proceeds will be generously donated to the Anoka County Giving Project.
I am consistently impressed by the generosity and compassion displayed by Andover Elementary families. Thank you in advance for your contributions, as they play a crucial role in brightening the season for those in our community.
Report Cards - Online
New for the 2023-24 school year, elementary school report cards will be available online and will no longer be sent through postal mail or student’s backpacks. Families will be able to access report cards by logging into A-HConnect
The switch to online report cards means that information is available to review at the end of each trimester. Schools will notify families when the report cards are available to view. Parents, guardians and any person with educational rights to a student will be able to access the student’s report card online.
To ensure access to the report cards at the end of Trimester 1, families are encouraged to make sure they have their login information for ParentVUE, now. Trimester 1 report cards will be visible in Parent Vue on Dec. 13th. Currently, report cards from last school year are available for viewing.
How to view report cards from A-HConnect (view detailed instructions):
Login to A-HConnect.
Click on the ‘My Student Information/Synergy’ icon.
Select a student from the dropdown menu.
Select ‘Documents.’
Select and view the applicable report card from the ‘Documents’ window.
The report card will open in a new tab where the capabilities to download or print will be available.
View from the ParentVUE app (view detailed instructions):
Go to the AppStore or Google Play and search for the ParentVUE app.
Enter your zip code when prompted, and select “Anoka-Hennepin School District” from the menu options.
Confirm ‘yes’ and select ‘Already Activated,’ if prompted.
Use login/password to login.
Select a student from the student list.
Select ‘Documents.’
Select and view the applicable report card.
Click the share button to save or share the PDF.
If you need assistance logging in or forgot your password, call 763-506-HELP (4357) or email 506help@ahschools.us. For questions about the report cards, please contact the school office.
Enrollment Options Forms Available Dec. 1st. Deadline is Jan. 15th.
Families interested in applying for in-district transfer or open enrollment should check out ahschools.us/enroll for details and forms.
Please note that online forms will not be available until December 1st. The applications must be postmarked no later than January 15th. Applicants will receive a written response by February 15th.
APTCO News
APTCO is excited to be hosting Santa’s Brunch and Merry Market Craft Sale again this year! Please join us on Saturday, December 9th at Andover Elementary from 9-12 PM where kids can shop for gifts for their immediate family. All items are priced at $2 and Santa’s Elves will be on hand to help kids shop for gifts while adults can shop at the Merry Market Craft Sale. Best of all, kids can meet with Santa and Mrs. Claus, share their wish list, and snap a few pics! There will also be donuts and a beverage available for purchase. We hope to see you there for the festivities!
We are still in need of volunteers to make sure we have a successful and safe event. If you are interested, please contact Volunteer Services Coordinator, Kelli Anderson. Kelli can be reached by email: kelli.anderson@ahschools.us, or by phone: 763-506-1723.
We wish you a safe and Happy Holidays!
Andover Parent Teacher Community Organization
Andover Elementary School
2023-2024 APTCO Board:
Jessica Storkan ~ Chair
Tia Borich & Jess VanWyhe ~ Co-Vice Chair
Olivia Pizinger ~ Treasurer
Melissa Hayek ~ Secretary
Connect with us!
Follow us on Facebook
Check out our website: Click here
Volunteer News
Happy Holidays! It's a busy month and there are a lot of needs around Andover Elementary. Here is a look at the volunteer opportunities for December:
Duties may include copying, laminating, sorting, cutting, etc. See sign up for dates.
K-Skill Builders, Challenge Reading, and Math Plus Enrichment Programs
K-Skill Builders is a support and intervention program for kindergarten students who need additional practice experiences. Challenge Reading and Math Plus are enrichment programs that benefit students who would like extra literacy and math experiences.
Santa's Brunch:
Many volunteers are still needed to make sure this event is a success!
Decoration and Set Up - 12/8: SIGN UP HERE
Event - 12/9: SIGN UP HERE
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS (9TH - 12TH GRADE ONLY): SIGN UP HERE
Classroom Parties:
Some teachers will ask for volunteers to help with their classroom festivities. Get ahead by making sure you're an approved volunteer. If you haven't already completed your volunteer application, take a minute to do it today: Andover Elementary Volunteer Application
Kelli Anderson, Volunteer Services Coordinator
email: kelli.anderson@ahschools.us, phone: 763-506-1723
Coyote Spirit Shop
Our new, year round, Coyote Spirit Shop is OPEN!
- Easy online ordering
- Two shipping options: ship to school* (no cost) or ship to home (fee applicable)
- New items and designs will be added periodically
- No due dates - order anytime!
To place an order, visit: Andover Elementary Coyote Spirit Shop
*If the ship to school option is chosen, items will be delivered to Andover Elementary on the second Friday after your order is placed. For example, an order placed on Monday, November 20th will be delivered to Andover Elementary on Friday, December 1st. Items may not go home until the following Monday, depending on how many orders are received and volunteer availability to deliver items, etc.
Items are printed and fulfilled by The Branding Wearhouse.
Contact Kelli Anderson, Volunteer Services Coordinator, with questions.
email: kelli.anderson@ahschools.us
phone: 763-506-1723
Health services
December Tidbits from the Health Office
Hello from the health office ……….. Self care is our focus for this month.
Like on an airplane, you need to put your oxygen mask on first to be able to help those around you. Below are things you can do as a family and independently. Or you could share them with someone you know who is struggling and could use some ideas to regroup and replenish.
Control your breathing: If you are feeling stressed, rushed, or overwhelmed, try to stop and take a few minutes to focus on your breathing. Slowly breathe in for 5 seconds, hold for 5 seconds, slowly breathe out for 5 seconds. Do this a couple of times.
Opt out: If you say YES to something that means you are saying NO to something else. Not everything or everyone can have your time. Take a look at what you have planned. Is there something that you can opt out of, stop doing, or delegate?
Think of things you have on your to-do list. Try saying “I get to …………………”, instead of “I have to ……………”. Just that switch in words and thinking changes your perspective and attitude.
Make a new recipe or try new foods. Trying a new recipe keeps your mind active and challenges it. You might even find a new dinner idea or treat you love!
Take a break: From phones, screens, social media, computers. Even if you start with a few hours or just one day. Then you can be present to make your own memories and connections. Viewing everyone else's highlight reel does not help you.
Go for a walk in nature: Research has proven that when we are in nature it increases our energy. It helps boost endorphins that are good for us and reduces depression. The movement and exercise get our heart rate up, which also releases endorphins that combat depression.
Declutter a space: We are greatly affected by our surroundings, and clutter can cause stress & anxiety. Pick a space, clean it out, and organize it. Get rid of what you don't use.
Celebrate: Pick anything and celebrate it. So often we are flooded with bad news and all the negative going on around us. It can weigh us down.
Do an act of kindness: You just never know how your kindness can affect someone else. Your kindness could change someone's day completely.
Share/Prepare a meal with someone: So much more than eating and filling our belly happens when we share a meal with people. It’s proven that is lowers depression, loneliness, suicide, and helplessness.
Community Education News
Hello from Community Education! We have a variety of classes available to involve your students. Check out some of our awesome classes below!
- 12/4 Non School Day Opportunity - Schools Out: Favorite Gym Games!
- 12/5 Fencing
- 12/9 Ninja Warriors
- 12/11 Holiday Wooden Ornaments
Register for these classes at https://ahschools.ce.eleyo.com/
See you in class!
Parent Education Series: District to host 3 Parent Engage 360 events in 2023-24
(11/09/2023) Join parents and guardians from the Anoka-Hennepin Schools community for information and resources to support the needs of students today. Anoka-Hennepin is hosting three Parent Engage 360 community and parent education events during the 2023-24 school year. These events aim to provide resources for parents and guardians to support their students and others in the community.
Dec. 01 - Enrollment Options Form Available
Dec. 01 - No School For Students - Staff Planning, Grades
Dec. 04 - No School For Students - PLC/Staff Development
Dec. 05-08 - Anoka County Giving Project
Dec. 08 - "Slip Into Giving Day"
Dec. 09 - Santa's Brunch - 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Dec. 13 - Report Cards Available to View Online
Dec. 25-29 - No School - Winter Break
Jan. 01-02 - No School - Winter Break
Jan. 03 - School Resumes
Jan. 15 - No School - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Jan. 18 - APTCO Meeting - 6:30 PM - S. Media Center
Jan. 25 - School Carnival
This e-newsletter is published by Andover Elementary School. Questions, comments or concerns about the school e-newsletter? Contact us.