News and events

Greetings from the STEP Program!

Our school year is off to a great start! Our teachers are working hard to provide our students with a rigorous curriculum of academia and real-world skills. We are so excited to see everything our students will accomplish by the end of the school year.

In this newsletter, you will find helpful information to support your students' education.

Please note, important events coming up that you should be aware of:

• Picture day for all full-time STEP students will be on Monday, October 14
• Parent/Teacher Conferences 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Monday, October 14
• MEA/No School October 17 - 18

We have students who have enrolled with us both part-time as well as full-time. Therefore, we have a student schedule that aligns with the home high schools so that the students can attend both schools successfully. Our schedule is as follows:

AM Session: Periods 1 & 2: 7:55 am - 9:40 am

Period 3: 10:00 am - 10:50 am

PM Session: Periods 4 & 5: 12:10 pm - 1:55 pm

Please note - we do not have a late start on Monday mornings. Classes at STEP start and end at the same time each day.

Parent/Teacher Conferences

Date: Monday, October 14
Time: 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Steps to Schedule Your Conference:

• Go to the My Conference Time website here.
  

• Find and select the teacher you wish to meet with.
  

• Look through the available time slots and select one that works for you.
  

• Provide your name, contact details, and any relevant information for the teacher.
  

• Review your details and confirm the appointment.
  

• If you need another time, check the teacher's scheduled office hours in My Conference Time for more options.

*Please be sure to indicate if you would like the conference in person, by phone, or virtually.

I started my career being a freelance makeup artist and then I grew into Product Development for a cosmetic brand. I started in product development at Kosas Cosmetics and I am currently at rhode Skin.

Interesting Parts of the Job

I never knew growing up that I could be involved in the development of a cosmetic product and not be a chemist. I handle the execution of a product from conception to launch and give direction to labs/chemists to create the product. You also source the packaging the formula goes into. Since both of my employers have been founder-based brands, I’ve gotten to directly work with the founder of Kosas (Sheena Zahdeh) and now the founder of rhode (Hailey Bieber). I work alongside them to develop the products. My favorite part of my job is launching a product and seeing a product out in the world that you helped develop. It’s very rewarding!

Advice for Others

Concentrate on the beauty industry and pursue anything and everything in that realm. Having a makeup artist background and an esthetician license was beneficial for me in the long run. I also got lucky by starting my PD career at a startup company - there are more opportunities for growth in that setting.

The classes that I took at Step were, Cosmetology 1 (previous name for Salon, Spa & Barbering) and Cosmetology 2 (previous name for Salon, Spa & Barbering). My favorite memories of Step, the friends I made, and learning about a career industry I was genuinely interested in! Step impacted my career by helping solidify my interest in the beauty industry.

Hello! My name is Melissa Upton and I am the College and Career Specialist for students at STEP. My job is to help students figure out what they want to do after graduation and then make a plan to help them be successful. I can provide many great services including testing information (ACT/SAT), college admissions information, financial aid information (FAFSA, scholarship Info, etc.), career planning resources, resume help, interview skills, and the list goes on.

For more information contact me in the Career Center on the second floor (Room 20A) or email melissa.upton@ahschools.us. You can also review the College and Career Center Newsletter by clicking here. This is updated regularly for you to learn about upcoming events.

College and Career Specialist- Melissa Upton

melissa.upton@ahschools.us

(763) 433- 4076

The college and career center is a resource for students to get support with all things related to figuring out life after high school. Here are just a few of the services the career center provides:

*Campus tours/college visits

*Financial aid & scholarship help

*ACT & test prep resources

*Military resources

*Career tours

*College planning

*Career planning

*Interest tests

*Interview help

*Resume help

There are many great services available to you in the Career Center, including testing (ACT/SAT) information, college admissions information, financial aid information (FAFSA, scholarship Info, etc.), career planning resources, resume help, interview skills, and the list goes on. For more information see/contact Mrs. Upton in the Career Center, room 20A on the second floor.

(763-433-4076) or email Melissa.Upton@ahschools.us.

Although the FAFSA will not be available until December 2024, Ready, Set, FAFSA will still resume in October to get students and families ready for college applications.

OCTOBER 2024 Sessions

Apply to College - October 1st @ 7:00 p.m.

Understanding Financial Aid - October 8th @ 7:00 p.m.

Prepare to Apply for Financial Aid - October 15th @ 7:00 p.m.

Search for Scholarships - October 22nd @ 7:00 p.m.

All sessions will be approximately one hour long with a short presentation from financial aid experts. Interpreters will be available in Spanish, Hmong and Somali. Your questions will be answered live in the chat. Students who attend these sessions will be entered into a drawing to win a $500 scholarship! Suggested audience: 10th, 11th, 12th grade students and their parent(s)/guardian(s)

Friday, October 4th - Trades Day Event

Anoka-Hennepin students interested in the trades are invited to a Trades Day

event. Students will have the opportunity to visit the Big Ideas trailer as well as

speak with a variety of employers and careers Students will have the opportunity to

visit two additional companies

Wednesday, October 9th - University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Campus Tour

Come and learn about all the offerings and opportunities the University of

Minnesota - Twin Cities has available. Students will learn about various programs,

university admission requirements and tour the campus.

Tuesday, October 22nd - University of Minnesota – Duluth Campus Tour

Come and learn about all the offerings and opportunities the University of

Minnesota - Duluth has available. Students will learn about various programs,

university admission requirements, and tour the campus.

Thursday, October 24th - Mankato Nursing and Dental Hygiene Tour

Visit the amazing nursing and dental hygiene programs at Minnesota State

University - Mankato. You will have the opportunity to tour and learn about both in-demand programs.

Friday, October 25th - Bühler Apprenticeship Tour

Join us for a morning to learn about a mechatronics apprenticeship. Mechatronics

deals with robotics, control systems, and electro-mechanical systems. See if

mechatronics is for you! Mechatronics Apprenticeship Tour

For permission slips and more information, visit the Career Center at your home

high school.

October 10th - Pay Less for College

This free workshop is designed to help parents find ways to work within the financial aid system to increase their eligibility for financial aid, reduce taxes, and find more efficient ways to pay for a college education.

Register Here

October 22 – 23 National College Fair

The National College Fair will be in MN on Oct 22-23 for students and families to speak

with hundreds of colleges, find some good fits, and explore available opportunities.

Info and Registration

You are valued at STEP. Your social and emotional well-being is our top priority. We recognize that the last few years have been different and even difficult at times. In the same way, we care for our physical health, each of us deserves to care for our mental health. If you are feeling down, depressed, or have lost interest in activities or events that you used to enjoy, you may benefit from talking to someone. You are not alone. We are here to listen and connect you with tools and resources to support your wellness.

Address academic achievement, personal/social development, and career development of all students, not just those in need, by collaborating with students, parents, school staff, and the community to ensure today's students become the productive, well-adjusted adults of tomorrow. School counselors are available at district middle and high schools.

School counselors: Melanie Hobbs - Students A-L; Alyssa Zemple - Students M-Z

melanie.Hobbs@ahschools.us

(763) 433-4036 (Office) (763) 433-4003 (Fax)

(763) 392-0463 (Google Voice)

Alyssa.Zemple@ahschools.us

(763) 433-4031 (Office) (763) 433-4003 (Fax)

(763) 290-0341 (Google Voice)

Request an Appointment

Technology plays an important role in preparing students for life, and Chromebooks are utilized as a daily learning tool in Anoka-Hennepin's 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 during the first week of school. As careful as students and schools are, accidents do happen each year - and hundreds of Chromebooks are returned at the end of the school year with damages.

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 the parts needed, or the replacement cost for the entire device could be up to $410.

Families can opt-in to the Device Protection Plan:

• Log into A-HConnect.

• Select “My Student Information,” and then select “Fees.”

• Parents must select or decline coverage under the Device Protection Plan.

If you forget your login and password, call 763-506-HELP (4357) or email 506help@ahschools.us.

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

• If the student qualifies for free school meals, the cost will be reduced to zero.

• Repairs with the Protection Plan are subject to a $15 deductible.

View the Device Protection Plan flyer to learn more. (PDF)
Enroll in the device protection plan using SchoolPay.

The back-to-school season is a busy time for families, school staff, and our communities. There is often more traffic congestion 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 with other vehicles stopped for pedestrians and use 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.

Class Schedule:

• AM Session: 7:55 am - 9:40 am
• PM Session: 12:10 pm - 1:55 pm

Phone Numbers: