In the Know - August 26, 2024
Anoka-Hennepin apparel store open for staff
đź‘• An online store to purchase Anoka-Hennepin branded apparel is open through Friday, Sept. 6, with delivery expected in five to seven weeks.
Pick-up: Orders will be delivered to the Anoka-Hennepin Schools Educational Service Center (2727 N. Ferry Street, Anoka) for pick-up in the district warehouse Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Email notifications will be sent to staff when orders are ready for pick-up. Items will not be shipped to sites.
đź’» Visit the store online at https://bsnteamsports.com/shop/ANHENSTAFF.
Note: District funds may not be used for purchases. This opportunity is available for staff members who wish to enhance their wardrobe with Anoka-Hennepin Schools apparel and accessories.
A change in district HRA and FSA plan administration
Anoka-Hennepin will be transitioning to a new Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) plan administrator, OneBridge Benefits, Inc. (OneBridge) starting Sept. 1, 2024.
The district’s integrated HRA and retiree HRA currently with MidAmerica Administrative and Retirement Solutions (MidAmerica) will be transitioning to OneBridge. The FSA plan, which is currently being administered in-house will also be transitioning to OneBridge beginning with the new plan year. Retirees with a Special Pay Plan with MidAmerica will remain with MidAmerica.
The decision to transition the servicing and administration of the HRA and FSA plans was not an easy decision, but in an effort to improve service levels, contribution processing, claims administration, and customer service satisfaction, the decision was made to transition to OneBridge, which will greatly benefit employees and retirees. With the service track record OneBridge brings to the table, Anoka-Hennepin is confident this will be a smooth transition.
If you have any specific questions or concerns regarding this transition, please do not hesitate to reach out to the OneBridge Customer Care Team at 888-865-1628, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. as any one of their friendly representatives will be happy to assist you.
A-HConnect URL change
Remain alert for “Retirement and pension review” phishing emails
District staff have reported a recent email solicitation offering a “retirement and pension review meeting” option for staff.
These communications are external marketing messages and not sent from vendors affiliated with the district. This email was sent by a person identified as Jennifer Ping from a company named Employee Benefits Group. Employees are under no obligation to respond and are requested to delete these emails without clicking on any external links.
Please note that all employee resources for benefits are accessible through the Staff Intranet or shared in this staff e-newsletter, In the Know.
âť“ Questions? Visit the Insurance page on the Anoka-Hennepin Schools Staff Intranet.
District hosted marching band showcase Aug. 24
Marching bands from across the district convened in the Coon Rapids High School stadium for a new event called the Anoka-Hennepin Marching Band Showcase Saturday, Aug. 24.
The showcase event included a morning clinic for all marching band students along with the afternoon performance and feedback session. A team of judges provided feedback for each performance as bands displayed their skill before other Anoka-Hennepin band members, families and community members.
The event aimed to foster a positive community and climate between marching bands at district schools while continuing to develop quality programs across Anoka-Hennepin Schools.
Middle schools welcome incoming sixth-grade students, create sense of belonging
Anoka-Hennepin middle schools hosted WEB Day on Wednesday, Aug. 21 to help ease the transition to a new school for sixth grader students making their next step in their academic journey.
Why it matters: The welcome events give incoming sixth-grade students the opportunity to attend and experience their new school, with the help of peers. Activities included:
Finding your neighborhood bus stop, and riding the bus with sixth-grade classmates.
Understanding school routines, traditions and rules.
Touring the school, while gathering tips from eighth-grade WEB leaders.
Participating in community-building activities with small groups of classmates from a homeroom class.
What it means: WEB stands for Where Everybody Belongs, which is a national mentoring program that typically works with sixth graders at the school. Each school has teachers who serve as WEB Advisors and eighth grade students who volunteer as WEB Leaders, which provides opportunities for leadership and mentoring within the school community.
See it in action: đź“· View photos from a few of the district WEB Days across the district.
What’s next: Schools conduct WEB events throughout the year to create a positive school experience for all students.
District seeking parents/guardians to participate in Special Education Advisory Council (SEAC)
A broad range of parents/guardians representation is needed at upcoming Special Education Advisory Council (SEAC) meetings for the upcoming school year, running, from families with students in all age levels - including early childhood, elementary, middle school, high school, and transition-aged students - with a full continuum of student disabilities.
What it is: SEAC (pronounced “seek”) is comprised of parents/guardians of students in the district who receive Special Education services.
Why it matters: The intent of SEAC is to advise the school district on parent involvement, current issues, program development and established department priorities. The council serves as a resource and as an advisory council for special education programs in the district.
How to get involved: Those interested in participating in future meetings should complete an application or contact Mary Esch, Special Education secretary, at 763-506-1362 or mary.esch@ahschools.us. Parents/guardians who wish to be part of SEAC are asked to make an effort to attend four meetings in the upcoming year as council members. All meetings will be held at the Anoka-Hennepin Educational Service Center (ESC) located at 2727 N. Ferry Street, Anoka:
- September 26, 2024, Room 112;
November 14, 2024 (Resource Fair), Rooms Erling Johnson C & D;
February 13, 2025, Room George Petty;
April 3, 2015 (Resource Fair), Rooms Erling Johnson C & D.
Topics will be generated ahead of time based on district initiatives, SEAC Co-Chairs’ input, and the focused work of the council.
For more information about SEAC, visit the council’s webpage.
View the Anoka-Hennepin Special Education parent handbook.
Back-to-school FOCUS
🔎 The first edition of the 2024-25 Back-to-School FOCUS e-newsletter was sent to all families on July 29 and a reminder was sent Aug. 19 as a resource for families to prepare for the upcoming school year.
đź’» The e-newsletter includes dates for the upcoming school years, supply lists, verification forms and other important updates to help families prepare for the 2024-25 school year.
🎓Families of high school students received a special high school version of the Back to School FOCUS e-newsletter on Thursday, Aug. 8 and Aug. 22.
Complete back-to-school verification, now
Families may now complete their student’s back-to-school verification online by logging into A-HConnect.
Why it matters: Verification ensures that each student’s school has confirmed emergency contact information and releases for the safety of each student.
Deadlines: It’s important that each family completes the verification process before the first day of school. Verification is easy to do online, on your own time, whenever it’s convenient.
- Even if families’ contact information has not changed, it’s important to log in to access a variety of other student information in the coming weeks, including class schedules and teacher assignments, attendance, school handbooks, progress reports and grades for middle and high school students.
- High school students will not be able to enroll in fall activities until the back to school verification process is complete.
Login details: Visit A-HConnect to complete your student’s back-to-school forms for the upcoming school year.
- Parents/guardians can access back-to-school forms by clicking the lock icon and “Login” at the top right corner of any district or school website.
- Then, select, "My Student Information."
- Next, choose “Online registration.”
- Select “Back-to-school annual verification.”
- View the tip sheet for directions.
If a family needs help finding their login/password, direct them to email 506help@ahschools.us or call 763-506-HELP for assistance.
Middle and high school families: Back-to-school verification also includes the option to enroll in an optional protection plan for district-issued Chromebooks, which are assigned to students in grades 6-12 to ensure access to technology systems that support classroom learning. Visit ahschools.us/techprotect to learn more.
It's more than just free meals! Apply for educational benefits for the 2024-25 school year
All Anoka-Hennepin families are encouraged to apply for the educational benefits program for the 2024-25 school year. A new application must be submitted each school year.
The enrollment window for the 2024-25 school year begins Aug. 1, 2024.
Although school meals are still free, your family may still qualify for other educational benefits. If your family needs access to educational benefits available to your student, an application can be completed by visiting ahschools.us/freereduced.
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.
Families may enroll in Tech Protect for district-issued Chromebooks July 1
Technology plays an important role in preparing students for life, and Chromebooks are utilized as a daily learning tool in Anoka-Hennepin 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 the first week of school. As careful as students and schools are, accidents do happen each year - and thousands of Chromebooks are returned at the end of the school year with damages.
Plan ahead: Families have the option to enroll in the Device Protection Plan beginning July 1. 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 parts needed; or the replacement cost for the entire device could be up to $410.
Families can opt-in to the Device Protection Plan by logging into A-HConnect, and selecting "My Student Information," and "Fees." Parents must select or decline coverage under the Device Protection Plan. View detailed information at ahschools.us/techprotect.
