FOCUS - October 2024

October 2, 2024

A number of factors converged in early 2024 that led to the need to reduce district expenditures by $26 million. Anoka-Hennepin acted quickly in the spring to plan a two-phased budget reduction and realignment process.

• Phase 1: $5.1 million in central administration and services were reduced for the 2024-25 budget in an effort to mitigate the impact of additional cuts for the 2025-26 budget.
  
  

• Phase 2: The district is currently determining a solution to address a $21 million budget reduction gap. Community meetings are being held Sept. 25 - Oct. 10 in combination with a feedback process on two recommendations. A final decision is expected in November.

Be informed, provide feedback: School Board expectations provide for a process that encourages robust community and staff input prior to approval of the final recommendation.

• 💻 Learn more about the process, factors impacting the budget, community meetings and FAQs at ahschools.us/budget.
• 💬 Provide your feedback for school board consideration.
• 📊 View the video presentation from the community meetings.

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 will end on October 14.

🍎 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. Learn more and apply for educational benefits. 💻 Watch this about educational benefits.

Anoka-Hennepin is seeking community members to join the district’s Community Curriculum Advisory Committee (CCAC).

The CCAC's purpose is to:

• Review PreK-16 curriculum, assessment, and instructional programming through a community lens.
• Review proposed changes to curriculum, assessment and instructional programming including new resources, courses, programs, assessments, etc.
• Provide input and feedback to the School Board on proposed curriculum changes.

There are currently five open positions for community members on this committee. These new voluntary positions are intended to be specifically for community members without current students enrolled in any Anoka-Hennepin school. Learn more about the CCAC.

As the district reviews and adopts new course materials, it involves staff, students, parents, and the community in the process as part of a comprehensive 41-step process.

This fall, the district is hosting open houses for community members and families to have the opportunity to provide feedback on the future of both elementary and secondary curriculum materials during an open house event at the Anoka-Hennepin Schools Educational Service Center (2727 N. Ferry Street, Anoka) from 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.

• Elementary schools: Get details about reviewing English Language Arts (ELA) materials.
• Secondary schools: Get details about reviewing Biology and U.S. History - 10 materials.
  A virtual format for secondary school curriculum materials will also be available for those who register to participate by Oct. 18.

Following a formal program review in the spring of 2024, the district will continue exploring opportunities for aligning new courses with state requirements while remaining focused on goals of the district for the 2024-25 school year.

The middle school program will not implement a schedule change from the 7 period day to the 6 period day in the 2025-26 school year based on guidance from the School Board. Regardless, changes in program offerings are required due to changes in state guidance.

📖 Read the full story.

A broad range of parent/guardian representation is needed at Special Education Advisory Council (SEAC) meetings for the upcoming school year 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 a council 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.

🔍 Find details on how to get involved and meeting dates.

Action of the School Board provides brief summaries of Anoka-Hennepin School Board meetings. View the latest Action of the School Board from the September 23, 2024 meeting.

For agendas, meetings and minutes visit ahschools.us/schoolboard.

Supporting the mental health needs of Anoka-Hennepin’s students is a key action step in September, which is designated as National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month across the nation.

Schools provide a system of support for students including caring adults, teachers, school social workers, school counselors, school psychologists, student achievement advisors, school nurses and others to support the mental health needs of students. Any of these staff can be your first point of contact for concerns regarding a student’s mental health. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues or thoughts of hurting themselves, get help immediately.

Resources for how to access help:

• Help is available 24 hours a day by calling or texting the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or on the Crisis Text Line by texting MN to 741741.
• Mobile crisis services (phone and/ or in-person support)
• For Anoka County Mobile Crisis Response Service, call 763-755-3801.
  Available 24 hours/day, 7 days/week.
• For Hennepin County Mobile Crisis, 24 hours/day, 7 days/week, call:
• Children (up to 18): 612-348-2233
• Adults (18+): 612-596-1223

If there is an immediate mental health crisis where someone’s safety is at risk, call 911 and ask for an officer trained in mental health.

Advent Lutheran Church, located across the street from Lincoln Elementary School for the Arts in Anoka, recently closed its doors permanently. A staple in the community for over 50 years, Advent has made an impact on the neighborhood. Although the church has closed, it allowed one more opportunity to give back to the community.

Advent Lutheran members attended an all-school assembly at Lincoln on Sept. 24 to announce a donation of $124,195 to the school. Advent donated $1.3 million to the community after closing, and Lincoln was one of many to benefit from their generous contribution. Read more about this generous gift.

Six Anoka-Hennepin seniors have been named National Merit Scholarship semifinalists, and each are now in the running to earn one of the 6,870 scholarships of up to $2,500 for college.

National Merit Scholarship semifinalists:

• Jaxon Knutson, Andover High School.
• Kieran Hobot, Blaine High School.
• Noah Johnson, Champlin Park High School.
• Elizabeth Mayor, Champlin Park High School.
• Cole Burnett, Coon Rapids High School.
• Aidan C. Hofstedt, Coon Rapids High School.

Learn more about the National Merit Scholarship program.

Last spring, students at Dayton Elementary School were invited to participate in an art project in collaboration with the City of Dayton. Fifth grade worked on redesigning banners displayed on street light posts on Balsam Lane connecting S Diamond Lake Road and River Road.

Dayton art teacher Vanessa Andrews created a lesson plan on the history of Dayton and wanted to see the city through her students' eyes. She asked her students to design a light post banner on what they thought represented the city after viewing images of parks, neighborhoods, and a brief history of Dayton. Learn more about this project.

Champlin Park High School (CPHS) has been named a Special Olympics Unified Champion School demonstrating commitment to inclusion by meeting 10 standards of excellence.

CPHS was one of four schools in Minnesota to receive national banner recognition by the Special Olympics as a Unified Champion School in 2024. Learn more about the Special Olympics Unified Champion School program.

The Anoka-Hennepin Schools ECFE & Preschool Parent Advisory Council held a fun, family event on Saturday, September 28 to celebrate 50 years of Early Childhood Education (ECFE) in Minnesota. Held at Anoka Middle School, the free anniversary celebration included dancing with the Teddy Bear Band, face painting, food trucks and more! ECFE works to support parents/caregivers and to strengthen and empower families. The goal is to enhance the ability of all parents and other family members to provide the best possible environments for their child's learning and development.

📸 View photos from the 50th Anniversary celebration.

💻 Learn more about Anoka-Hennepin ECFE classes and opportunities.

Anoka-Hennepin’s Parent Involvement team hosted its first free workshop of the school year in September for community members involved with booster clubs, PTOs or other nonprofit organizations. Representatives from Parent Booster USA gave two presentations on ‘Navigating Your Nonprofit’ to discuss the ins and outs of running a 501(c)3 in Minnesota. The next free PTO/Booster workshop will be held on October 24 in Anoka.

Visit the PTO/Booster page for resources and more information.

Anoka-Hennepin Community Education hosts a wide variety of classes, clubs, recreational activities, and events to enhance your child's academic and social experiences.

Monday, October 7 is a non-school day for elementary and middle school students. Check out these youth enrichment opportunities from Anoka-Hennepin Community Education to keep kids engaged and having fun!

• Learn to Ride: One-Day Horse Camp – Kids will learn what it’s like to have a horse for a day!
• Horsin' Around (evening) - Learn how to care for horses as well as lead, mount, dismount, start, stop and ride.
• Comic Strip Design (morning) - Young artists will build their own comic with awesome characters and fantastic expressions. Grades K-5.
• DIY Pinball Machine (afternoon) - Students will design and construct their own pinball masterpieces, combining fun and engineering. Grades K-5.

• Wednesday, Oct. 2 - Budget Reduction and Realignment Community Meeting - Champlin Park High School.
• Friday, Oct. 4 - Elementary students no school - staff development.
• Monday, Oct. 7 - School Board work session.
• Monday, Oct. 7 - Elementary and Middle School no school - staff development.
• Tuesday, Oct. 8 - Budget Reduction and Realignment Community Meeting - Blaine High School.
• Wednesday, Oct. 9 - Budget Reduction and Realignment Community Meeting - Anoka High School.
• Oct. 17-18 - No School, MEA.

📆 View the district calendar.

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