AFSA K-12 Family Update

AFSA K-12 Families,

We have a new look for our website! Same address - www.afsak12.com. Make sure to take a look and see what you think!

We are looking for students and families to walk in the last two parades of the summer! This weekend is the Canadian Days parade on Sunday, August 4th and the Vadnais Heights Days parade is on Sunday, August 18th. Please see below for how to join in on the fun!

Save the date for our Back to School Picnics:

• High School Picnic: August 27th 3-7 p.m. AFSA High School
• Elementary School Picnic : August 29th 3-7 p.m. AFSA Elementary

Both the elementary and high school office will be closed the week of August 5th-9th.

AFSA Elementary Summer Office Hours:

Monday - Thursday - 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Friday - 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Closed - August 5-9

AFSA High School Summer Office Hours:

Monday - Thursday - 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Friday - CLOSED

Closed - August 5-9

Thank you!

Special Note - The best way to view the newsletter and to access the downloadable files attached to the newsletter is to click the top of the Family Update email that says "Open this email in a browser."

Important Date Reminders:

• Back to school picnics: AFSA High School Tuesday, August 27 and AFSA Elementary Thursday, August 29

• First Day of School Tuesday, September 3

AFSA’s Proposed New Student Cell Phone and “Related Technology Device”

Rules & Guidelines for 2024-2025 School Year

Cell phones have become a way of life, a technological convenience that has impacted all of us in many ways. However, in the school environment, cell phones can be a distraction, an interruption, and occasionally, a tool to exchange inappropriate information. Beginning on

the first day of the school year, cell phones or ether electronic devices including smart watches and earbuds/air pods (see proposed policy for full list) will not be allowed during instructional time within our classrooms.

This new guideline will help us create a more positive environment where uninterrupted learning can take place. We believe this new guideline will allow our students to be more engaged in classroom activities, and, conversely, less likely to be distracted by non-school activities. It will allow teachers to focus on lessons, instead of cell phone distractions in the classrooms.

As more research around the impacts of cell phone use of adolescents is being published, we understand that it can lead to increased mental health issues in adolescents. As protecting and supporting the mental health of our students is a priority, we believe that limiting cell phone use during school will assist us in these endeavors.

We recognize that cell phones are a safety and security tool for parents and students to stay

connected. After reviewing the parent/guardian and teacher surveys from this past spring, AFSA will allow cell phones and “related technology devices” on both campuses. However, we do have procedures on when and if students can use them during the day, how it will be implemented, and the possible consequences when students are misusing them or not following the procedures.

Please see the attached Proposed Policy that explains and outlines our cell phone and “related technology devices” policy in more depth. It is a proposed policy until the board approves it at the August board meeting.

Please review this proposed policy with your student prior to the start of school.

We greatly appreciate your partnership with the AFSA Administration and Teachers to maximize your student’s learning experience and potential while at AFSA.

If you have any questions about this proposed policy, please contact Executive Director, Ms. Jaime Goulet at jgoulet@afsak12.com.

Sincerely,

AFSA Administration

We are excited to announce AFSA Eagle's Club is open for registrations for any AFSA student Pre-K through 6th grade. This program is a great option for families looking for after school care or after school clubs. Through Eagle's Club AFSA staff will provide care and activities from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. While students are in our care, we provide a high-quality curriculum with engaging activities for all ages. Eagle's Club will offer themed days of the week (see hand book for more information), so families can register for specific days of the week or on a full-week schedule.

The cost to attend Eagle's Club is $20 per child per day. Additional program details are outlined in the handbook linked below. If you have any questions please contact Kate Bald 651-209-3924.

To Register Please Click Here!

We are looking for students and families to represent AFSA K-12 and walk with us in our last two summer parades! Parade walkers receive a free AFSA K-12 Catch the Buzzz summer shirt (limited sizes available). Our last two parades are Canadian Days Parade (Little Canada - August 4, 2024), and the Vadnais Heights Days Parade (Vadnais Heights - August 18, 2024).

Please contact Stephanie Forliti if you would like to walk in either of the parades.

AFSA's White Bear Township Movie in the Park has been rescheduled for Saturday, August 24th!

Bring your friends and family out to the movies! Join us at Polar Lakes Park (1280 Hammond Rd) at dusk! AFSA is selling concessions before and during the show. See you at the movies!

AFSA Athletics' goal is to engage students in extracurricular activities so they can experience positive interactions, develop sportsmanship, dedication, fortitude, and a positive work ethic while participating in the physical activity and skill development of a competitive sport. If you are interested in getting involved with any of our sports (Cross Country, Volleyball, Soccer, Basketball, Baseball, Softball) in the 2024-2025 school year, please follow the QR code or click here and fill out the AFSA Sports Interest Form.

Attention AFSA K-12 Families! We need your help getting the word out about AFSA K-12! We would love to have you write a review on Google, share a post on social media, submit a quote or story about what you like best about AFSA K-12 or distribute flyers!

• Flyers: If you are interested in getting some flyers to help advertise the school please contact Ms. Forliti.
• Google Reviews: To write a Google review for AFSA Elementary click here and for AFSA High School click here.
• Social Media: To follow us on Facebook click here. To follow us on Instagram click here.
• Submit a Quote: If you are interested in submitting a quote or story, please fill out the AFSA Cheer Google Form or email Ms. Forliti.

Thank you for helping spread the word about AFSA K-12!

The school directory is a great way for AFSA K-12 families to stay in touch! Click here if you are a current or incoming AFSA K-12 family and would like to be added to the 2024-2025 school directory. The directory will be emailed out to all participating families. If you have been in past directories you will still need to sign up this year to be included. Questions? Please contact Ms. Forliti

Become a part of the AFSA StAFSA community! We are looking for a few additional staff members. Please pass these opportunities on to friends and family!

• We are looking for substitute teachers for grades K-12, all subjects. Must hold or be eligible for an MN teaching license. On call as needed.
• We are also hiring Educational Assistants

• Click here to see all open positions

  Please contact Jaime Goulet for more information.

The 2024-2025 AFSA K-12 School Calendar is attached to this newsletter! If you are having a problem downloading this file please make sure you click the top of the Family Update email that says "Open this email in a browser."

August 4, 2024

AFSA K-12 - Canadian Days Parade

Little Canada 12 p.m.

August 17, 2024

AFSA K-12 - Vadnais Heights Days Kids’ Day

Community Park Vadnais Heights 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

August 18, 2024

AFSA K-12 - Vadnais Heights Days Parade

Vadnais Heights 12:00 p.m.

September 21, 2024

AFSA K-12 - White Bear Animal Hospital Open House

White Bear Lake 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

October 3, 2024

AFSA K-12 - Open House

Both Campuses 4-7 p.m.

AFSA Elementary Numeracy Night 4-7 p.m.

Click Here to go to the School Calendar for more details

Please call the attendance line or email the following if your student is absent.

Elementary Attendance Line:

612-260-2664 or email k6attendance@afsak12.com

High School Attendance Line:

651-209-3910 or email hsattendance@afsak12.com

www.afsak12.com