In the Know - June 7, 2024
Reflections on a successful school year
As the 2024-25 school year started with a Power of Purpose theme, I asked all of us to reflect on our purpose and why we work in education. We focused on the power of human connection and addressing the needs of each student in our system. Our schools are a people business after all and our staff make the difference for students and the reputation of the district as a whole.
This school year has provided tremendous celebrations for our district, along with challenges to address. All of this happened during a time of leadership change from my own office to the School Board to many schools and classrooms across the district. As a member of the Anoka-Hennepin team, we are all in this together, doing our best to provide a positive experience in the schools that serve as a source of community pride. I appreciate being part of a team with individuals who are committed to doing their best for students.
For some of us, summer is here; and for others - the work will continue in preparation for next year. Regardless of your role, I hope you can find time to relax and recharge in the months ahead.
Thanks for a great school year.
Cory McIntyre, superintendent
Anoka-Hennepin Schools
Move to Medica: Open enrollment available through Wednesday, June 12
📰 View articles shared with staff about the Move to Medica in the In the Know staff e-newsletter:
- June 3: Open enrollment informational meeting.
- May 16: Open enrollment begins May 28.
- May 10: Pharmacy benefits.
- April 26: Healthcare flex and daycare accounts.
- April 10: What's new?
- March 29: View the pre-enrollment website.
- March 22: Medica selected as health insurance provider beginning Sept. 1, 2024.
Stay alert for details about Flex PD
Flexible Professional Development opportunities (also known as Flex PD) will be available to staff again in the 2024-25 school year. The flexibility in Flex PD refers to when a staff member chooses to participate in their sessions. Professional learning sessions will be aligned with the district's strategic priorities. All licensed E-22 staff will be assigned or choose their sessions based on their role. Anyone with multiple roles should collaborate with their administrator to choose from the menu of options provided.
Why it matters: April 18, 2025 is a districtwide flexible professional development day. Licensed staff can choose to work outside of their duty day on their professional learning to gain relevant and just in time skills for a total of 7 hours starting August 2024. Flex PD does not apply to ABE staff due to student contact schedules and staff professional development schedules. If licensed staff complete the training prior to April 11, they will earn a flex day and do not need to report to work on April 18. Licensed staff who do not complete the training prior to April 11, will complete the training on April 18.
💻 Visit ahconnect.anoka.k12.mn.us and select the Flex PD application for the most current course and registration information.
District to host Special Education job fair Tuesday, June 18
The Anoka-Hennepin School District will host a Special Education job fair from 1-5 p.m. on Tuesday, June 18 at the Educational Service Center (ESC), located at 2727 N Ferry St. in Anoka.
The job fair will be located in Erling Johnson Room A, and attendees are encouraged to enter the ESC through Door 7.
Anoka-Hennepin has employment opportunities for any phase of your work life. Full-time, part-time and substitute positions are available.
Join us to learn more about Special Education teaching and para opportunities available in Anoka-Hennepin for the 2024-25 school year. Job seekers will also have the opportunity to meet with district Special Education administrators and hiring managers. Staff and technology will be available to assist job seekers with online applications.
Anoka-Hennepin Schools is a great place to live, work, learn and play. Join us on Tuesday, June 18 to learn more about Special Education employment opportunities and find a role that fits your skills and interests.
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.
Andover High School
The Huskies celebrated 446 graduating seniors during a ceremony on Sunday, June 2 at 3M Arena at Mariucci on the University of Minnesota campus.
Anoka High School - Center for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math
On Monday, June 3, at historic Goodrich Field, 591 seniors were celebrated as the class of 2024 from Anoka High School.
Blaine High School - Center for Engineering, Mathematics and Science
Friends, family and staff cheered on 703 graduates from Blaine High School during their graduation ceremony at 3M Arena at Mariucci on the University of Minnesota campus Sunday, June 2.
Champlin Park High School - International Baccalaureate Programme
In the largest Anoka-Hennepin graduating class of 2024, Champlin Park High School honored 722 seniors at 3M Arena at Mariucci on the University of Minnesota campus Sunday, June 2.
Coon Rapids High School - Center for Biomedical Sciences and Engineering
Cardinal families, supporters and staff honored 618 graduates on Sunday, June 2 at 3M Arena at Mariucci on the University of Minnesota campus.
Sandburg Regional High School
The district’s first graduation of 2024 was Wednesday, May 29 and celebrated 44 students from Sandburg Regional High School. The graduation ceremony was held at Anoka Technical College.
Anoka-Hennepin Technical High School
On Thursday, May 30, families, friends and staff honored 94 students from Anoka-Hennepin Technical High School. The graduation ceremony was held at Anoka Technical College.
Former students tour elementary schools as new grads
Last week, graduates from Blaine and Coon Rapids High Schools visited their former elementary schools, Hoover and Madison elementary schools, to reflect on their growth and achievements over the years.
It was an opportunity for the elementary school students to envision their future and wish the seniors well on their next adventures. Madison Elementary principal Dorothy Olsen accompanied the grads on their final walk through Madison Elementary School, stating that some of the seniors said the tour meant so much to them.
District to participate in the Summer Food Service program
The Anoka-Hennepin School District will participate in the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) once again this summer. Meals will be provided to all children 18 and under at no cost.
🥕 The details: Meals will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis, at 16 sites across the district. The program will start Thursday, June 13 at most sites. Meal availability and serving times vary from site to site and are subject to change. Review a list of sites and meal times for more information.
Meals will be served inside school buildings. Parents accompanying their children may purchase a meal. Adult breakfast is $3.00 and lunch is $5.00. Exact change is required, and no checks will be taken.
🍎 More about the program: The SFSP was created by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to ensure that children could continue to receive nutritious meals during summer break, when they may not have access to school breakfast or lunch.
For more information, please contact Anoka-Hennepin child nutrition at 763-506-1240 or staff.CnpEnrollment@ahschools.us.
Blaine High School senior named recipient of College-Sponsored National Merit Scholarship
Blaine High School - Center for Engineering, Mathematics and Science (BHS) senior Mujaddid Khan has earned a College-Sponsored National Merit Scholarship financed by U.S. Colleges and universities, the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC®) announced June 5.
These scholarships provide between $500 and $2,000 annually for up to four years of undergraduate study at the institution financing the scholarship.
Khan will attend the University of Minnesota and study electrical engineering.
College-sponsored Merit Scholarship winners announced June 5 are part of the distinguished group of more than 6,870 high school seniors who will receive National Merit Scholarships for college undergraduate study worth nearly $26 million. Earlier this spring, NMSC announced corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards and National Merit $2,500 Scholarship winners
Dayton Elementary students help create safer crosswalks near school
As a part of the Minnesota Department of Transportation's (MnDOT) Safe Routes to School program, Dayton Elementary School received grant funding to improve the crosswalk on South Diamond Lake Road.
🚸 Safe Routes to School Program: The Minnesota Safe Routes to School program was developed to help youth in Minnesota safely, confidently and conveniently walk, bike, and roll to school and in daily life. Learn more about the Safe Routes to School program.
The project included a set of curb extensions and an enhanced crosswalk which is designed to reduce vehicle speeds at the crosswalk, shorten the crossing distance and improve visibility for pedestrians and drivers.
🦺 Community partners step up: On May 16, Dayton students partnered with the City of Dayton Public Works and Police Departments, Hennepin County, MnDOT, Anoka-Hennepin Transportation and AMKA Safety to complete the project.
CPHS student Janae Rupert selected to serve on the Minnesota Youth Council
Champlin Park High School freshman Janae Rupert was selected to serve on the Minnesota Youth Council (MYC). Each year, 36 young people serve as Youth Representatives in the MYC, representing each of Minnesota’s eight congressional districts.
Making a difference: The MYC is a collaboration of youth and adults working together to empower and mobilize young people across the state to exercise their voices, opinions and ideas and take action on issues affecting youth.
The Minnesota Legislature formally recognized the work of MYC in 2013, passing into law the MYC Committee Bill, which established the group as an official legislative committee, creating a system for youth to provide advice and recommendations to the legislature and the governor.
During the first half of the year, youth representatives act as an advisor committee to the Minnesota Department of Education, advising staff on issues impacting youth in education, striving to advance equity and personalized and holistic education for all young people in Minnesota. Members also work with elected officials and advocate for legislation and policy platforms that support equity and young people.
Hoover students share engineering projects as a capstone to their elementary journey
Fifth-grade students from Hoover Elementary School concluded the school year by sharing their completed engineering projects with their future principal at Coon Rapids Middle School, DeMann Seals, and many family and community members. To conclude the year, students were challenged to design and build prosthetic legs as a capstone to their Hoover Elementary Biomedical, Health Sciences, and Engineering careers.
Bid now: Student-built chicken coops up for auction
Students in Anoka-Hennepin have built chicken coops that are now available for bidding. The sale of these student-built items covers the cost of materials and supports future hands-on learning opportunities.
Three student-built chicken coops
- The chicken coops have a 4-foot by 8-foot footprint and are 10 feet tall.
- They are framed using a 2x4 construction and have unpainted pine siding.
- The bottom of the chicken coops are fenced in, allowing the chickens to feed on the ground.
- Each chicken coop has two access doors, one accessing an area for feeding and one accessing the roosting area.
- All chicken coops have three nesting boxes on the end of the coop for gathering eggs.
- Bidding starts at $1,100.
Chicken coop #2.
Chicken coop #3.
