Cyclone Chronicles

The AMSA Staff

wishes you all a wonderful winter break!

December 20th - January 1st

Student of the Month

Summer Jones, Mallak Qusay, Oriana Matute Gonzalez, Morayo Morayo,

Kasey Krohn, Larissa Stevens, Michelle Yarkpazuo, Serhii Khudokormov

Check out our Libraries!

Access eBooks and digital audiobooks in our AMSA MackinVia digital library (available in the app store of any device and in student’s RapidIdentity) Click here for step by step instructions on how to access your MackinVia account.

AMSA Destiny Library

Destiny "How-to" link:

https://youtu.be/l-7uAU6wspY

Digital Library

NEW!

MackinVia Tutorial https://youtu.be/CA-F-novlbI

Book Recommendation

Greenglass House by Kate Milford

The old Greenglass House Inn is always quiet during the winter season, and Milo plans to spend his holidays relaxing. But as a blizzard hits on the first night of vacation, odd, secretive guests start showing up, each one bearing a strange story that is somehow connected to the rambling old house. As objects go missing and tempers flare, Milo and Meddy, the cook’s daughter, must decipher clues and untangle the web of deepening mysteries to discover the truth about Greenglass House—and themselves. Settle in for this first installment of a cozy mystery series.

Anoka High School will be hosting its last STEAM Information Night for the year on Wednesday December 11th, at 6:30pm!

We welcome our 8th grade families to join us for a STEAM information session, tours with our current students, and an opportunity to view STEAM projects in development and on display.

8th grade families can RSVP on Anoka High School's STEAM website

Interested in applying to the STEAM Certification Pathway at Anoka High School? Applications are now open!

The first lottery application window for joining the STEAM Certification Pathway is open now through December 31st. Students that apply within this first lottery receive priority. There will be additional lottery rounds where students can apply and may be offered a seat if there is still room available. Families will find out if they have been accepted in the first or second week of January.

ALL students need to apply for STEAM if they are interested, regardless of if they live in our attendance area or not.

Students can apply at nws.k12.mn.us

Specialty and magnet school options provide family choice in Anoka-Hennepin

Anoka-Hennepin Schools offers 12 schools that provide in-demand educational options such as the arts; science, technology, math, engineering and biomedical sciences (STEM/STEAM), as well as International Baccalaureate (IB).

Specialty and magnet school options are available to all students at no additional cost, designed to provide family choice. Students who live within the Anoka-Hennepin boundaries are eligible to apply to any of the specialty or magnet schools. The magnet schools belong to Northwest Suburban Integration School District (NWSISD) which provides transportation. Students may join the specialty programs using an in-district transfer process without transportation.

Six sites offer specialty programs, which students can access via in-district transfer; and six sites are magnet schools, available choices for families through the NWSISD. View the full article to learn more about Specialty and Magnet School options available to all families in Anoka-Hennepin Schools.

The specialty and magnet schools are hosting information nights/open houses for parents to learn more about the programs offered. These events range from November - mid January. For specific open house dates and more information on each of the specialty and magnet schools and the application/enrollment process, visit ahschools.us/specialtymagnet.

Attention 8th graders!

If you are interested in or want to learn more about any of the following programs for high school, information sessions will be held in the month of December.

High School Program Information Nights

Anoka High School STEAM Certification Pathway

Wednesday, December 11th: 6:30-8pm

Sign up link: STEAM link- RSVP

Coon Rapids High School Center for Biomedical Sciences and Engineering

Wednesday, Dec. 11: 6:30pm in the CRHS Auditorium

*Information will be presented during the general CRHS incoming 9th grade registration information night.

Champlin Park High School International Baccalaureate Programme

Tuesday, December 10th: 6-7pm in the South Lecture Hall

Blaine High School Center for Engineering, Mathematics, and Science

Tours available

Local author, Mila Velimirovich, visited Mrs. Fox's 7th grade English class to teach a lesson on world building for fiction writing. This is an extended learning experience building on students' prior knowledge of characterization and plot lines. In the end, students were able to map their setting and start their own stories. Well done, all.

School Board action addresses $26 million budget gap for 2025-26 school year

The Anoka-Hennepin School Board endorsed a $26 million budget reduction and reallocation plan at its November 25 meeting, a decision that completes a process that unfolded over the past several months and allows planning for the 2025-26 school year to remain on schedule.

A number of factors converged in early 2024 that led to the need to reduce district expenditures. Read about the impact to Anoka-Hennepin Schools.

**A Season of Joy and Generosity!**

As we step into this festive December, we invite everyone to join our winter celebrations! We need your help for our school events like the Winter Book Fair, Unmasking Cultures of Latin America Day, and our upcoming dance concerts. It’s a fantastic chance to show your support for our community! We extend our warmest thanks to all our dedicated volunteers who have shared their time and spirit with AMSA this year. Let’s spread the warmth of the holidays together!

Latin America Day: Gallery Attendant

Who: Adults
Where: Fred Moore Campus
When: Friday, January 3rd

We are excited to invite a volunteer to serve as a gallery attendant during our Unmasking Cultures of Latin America Day!

Winter Dance Concerts

Who: Adults & Youth Where: Fred Moore Campus

When: January 8th & 9th Join us for a magical evening filled with dancing and cheer! We are seeking adult volunteers and high school students in grades 10-12 to help make our Winter Dance Concerts a success.

Winter Book Fair

Who: Adults
Where: Washington Campus
When: January 14-16 & 21-24

We are on the lookout for passionate volunteers to help us make our Fall Book Fair an unforgettable success!

Donate: Brown Paper Shopping Bags

Where: Washington Campus When: by Trimester 3

We're on a mission to collect 400 brown paper shopping bags for a super cool parfleche project in our MN Studies classes. Let's join forces and make this project a huge success!

Thank you for your ongoing support and commitment to Anoka Middle School!

__________________________________________________________________

Before you can volunteer this school year, please:

1. Log in to or create your volunteer account, Anoka Middle School for the Arts Volunteer Application.

2. Update or complete your contact information, student information, and general interests.

3. Complete your Criminal Record History Release (CRHR) for the 2024-2025 school year.

The volunteer application and CRHR must be completed each school year for each school at which you’d like to volunteer.

Let’s all thrive together!

Studies show that parent involvement in class and school can improve student learning and overall school standards. According to the Southwest Educational Development Library, students with involved parents are more likely to have higher grades.

Volunteer Handbook - Manual Para Voluntarios - Safeguard Policy - Chaperone Guidelines