Backpack Online-September 15, 2023
September 15, 2023
First week of preschool and kindergarten
To ensure all kindergarten students and families had the opportunity to get off to a strong start, schools conducted "Welcome Week" activities Sept. 5-8. On Monday, Sept. 11, schools had full kindergarten classrooms for the first time in the 2023-24 school year. View photos from kindergarten classes at Sand Creek Elementary School.
Some of the littlest learners in Anoka-Hennepin Schools enjoyed their first day of preschool this week. It was especially exciting to welcome students to the newest location in Blaine. The building at 13001 Central Avenue was purchased in 2022 and was renovated to offer additional early learning services to residents on the east end of the school district. Students in the three-year-old preschool class spent much of their first day adjusting to their new setting and learning how to interact with others. In addition to preschool, The Blaine Early Childhood Center will offer ECFE classes and accommodate other early learning programs. View photos of the first day of school.
A preschool student at Blaine Early Childhood Center interacts with her teacher.
A kindergarten student at Sand Creek Elementary raising his hand.
Blaine High School senior named National Merit Scholarship semifinalist
Mujaddid Khan, a senior at Blaine High School - Center for Engineering, Mathematics and Science, has been named a National Merit Scholarship semifinalist, and is now in the running to earn one of the 7,140 scholarships of up to $2,500 for college.
Khan joins more than 16,000 semifinalists nationally who have the opportunity to become National Merit Scholars. Finalists will be announced in February, then National Merit Scholarship winners of 2024 will be announced in four nationwide news releases beginning in April and concluding in July. Read more about the honor.
Get invovled: Join a district committee
Anoka-Hennepin values parent involvement in education and is committed to offering resources to meet the changing needs of parents and families. The district invites parents/guardians and community members to participate on committees as a meaningful way to get involved with the district.
The district is coordinating an annual committee application process for committees in need of new members as a strategy to increase awareness of opportunities and participation from community members and parents.
There are currently nine committees districtwide and five are in need of more members. The Community Curriculum Advisory Council (CCAC), Early Childhood Family Education Parent Advisory Council (PAC), Special Education Advisory Council (SEAC), Student Services Advisory Council (SSAC) and the Parent Advisory Committee for Racial and Ethnic Equity are all seeking new members.
Be the Nice Kid: Jefferson Elementary learns about the impact of kindness
Chants of “BE THE NICE KID” could be heard through the halls of Jefferson Elementary School Sept. 14, as Bryan Skavnak, the founder of the organization Be the Nice Kid, entertained and educated students on how to spread kindness through being nice. View photos from the visit.
Skavnak connected with students through stories of both successes and failures, as his messages touched on:
Sometimes it takes bravery to be kind.
It is ok to make mistakes.
We can be nice even though we are different.
We all can choose to be the nice kid.
Set a good example of how to be nice.
And more.
School Spotlight: Roosevelt Middle School
"I just love being here. It’s a safe environment and I know every time I come here I’m going to learn new things." - Lucas Shuman, RMS student
Learn more about Roosevelt Middle School in the latest School Spotlight video.
Coon Rapids High School introduces 2023 Hall of Fame class
Coon Rapids High School (CRHS) will induct its fifth Hall of Fame class featuring three former standout students and one longtime coach and administrator.
CRHS will recognize this year’s Hall of Fame inductees in a ceremony on Friday, Sept. 29. Inductees will be honored at a ceremony with friends and family in the CRHS cafeteria at 5 p.m. before being recognized prior to the Cardinals football game against Anoka High School. Kickoff for Friday’s game is set for 7 p.m.
Meet the newest members of the Coon Rapids High School Hall of Fame: Semhar Araia, Dan Dehnicke, Lonnie Dupre and Logan Shore. Read more about the CRHS 2023 Hall of Fame class.
Anoka High School announces 2023 Hall of Fame class
Anoka High School (AHS) has announced its sixth Anoka Tornadoes Hall of Fame class. The 2023 class celebrates the accomplishments of Jill Junglin Burcum (1986), Mary Jablonski (1970), Todd Manthey (1984), Arch Pease (1925) and Jill (Boo) Wolfe (2001).
The 2023 class will be honored Oct. 6 with a community meet and greet reception from 5:15-6:20 p.m. at the Tavern 201 in downtown Anoka. Following the meet and greet, honorees will head to Goodrich Field where they will be introduced before the football game as Anoka hosts Centennial High School in the annual Pumpkin Bowl. Honorees will then be recognized on the field at halftime where they will receive a plaque and take a picture as the Anoka Tornadoes Hall of Fame Class of 2023.
Read more about the Anoka Tornadoes 2023 Hall of Fame class.
September is National Suicide Awareness Prevention Month
September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. As a community we can increase awareness, identify risk factors early, and provide collaborative support. When someone is struggling with their mental health, there is hope and help.
Schools provide a system of support for students including caring adults including teachers, school social workers, school counselors, school psychologists, student achievement advisors, school nurses and others to support the mental health needs of students.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues or thoughts of hurting themselves, get help immediately.
See these resources for how to access help:
- Help is also 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. The call is free. 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.
Resources for parents/guardians:
What to Do if You’re Worried About Suicide
A parent’s guide to helping their child in distress. Published by the Child Mind Institute, an independent, national nonprofit dedicated to transforming the lives of children and families struggling with mental health and learning disorders.
Restricting Access to Lethal Means
Restricing access to the lethal means to commit suicide is considered an essential strategy for parents/guardians concerned about teen suicide risk. Anoka-Hennepin licensed support staff were trained in this strategy in spring 2020. Published by SAVE: Suicide Prevention Voices of Education.
National Alliance on Mental Illness Minnesota (NAMI MN) Suicide Prevention, Awareness, and Support Includes a listing of crisis supports including the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or Text MN to 741741.
Resources for teens:
How to Talk to Your Parents About Getting Help
For teens, opening up and talking with a trusted parent/guardian is the first step to getting help. Published by the Child Mind Institute, an independent, national nonprofit dedicated to transforming the lives of children and families struggling with mental health and learning disorders.
How to Support a Friend With Mental Health Challenges: While Still Taking Care of Yourself
The Child Mind Institute provides this information on how teens can support each other and their own mental health needs.
Hiring event for non-teaching positions set for Oct. 12 at Anoka High School
The Anoka-Hennepin School District will host an in-person hiring event for non-teaching positions Thursday, Oct. 12 from 3:30-5:30 p.m. at Anoka High School. The hiring event will take place in the main commons area of the school located at 3939 Seventh Ave. N in Anoka (Enter Door 1).
Anoka-Hennepin Schools is a great place to live and work. Our communities work together to provide residents with safe and friendly neighborhoods, high-quality schools, a wide range of business and economic opportunities, beautiful parks and abundant recreational activities.
Join us to learn about employment opportunities and have a same-day, on-site interview for various positions. Participants are strongly encouraged to begin filling out applications ahead of time at ahschools.us/jobs and come prepared to interview with hiring managers.
What we offer: Eligible employees may enroll in a comprehensive benefits package.
- Health, hospitalization, dental insurance.
- Life and supplemental life insurance benefits.
- Long-term disability plan.
- Opportunities to participate in flexible benefits plans such as health savings and dependent/child care savings accounts.
- Professional development opportunities.
Anoka-Hennepin has employment opportunities for any phase of your work life. Full-time, part-time and substitute positions are available, including flexible weekly schedules with hours ranging from early morning, mid-day, late afternoon or evening opportunities.
Everyone plays a role in student achievement; help your community succeed by applying today!
Visit ahschools.us/jobs or call 763-506-JOBS for more information.
School Board approves increased wages for a range of positions
Child nutrition, substitute teachers, custodians and other operational positions
The Anoka-Hennepin School Board recently approved pay rate increases for a wide range of employee positions that are important to keeping schools operating to maximize learning for students. Most positions now offer a base wage at a minimum of $17 per hour along with flexible hours and safe, energetic work environments located close to home.
Families can save money, earn educational benefits
While the state's Free School Meals program to being in 2023, families will still need to apply to qualify for more educational benefits
Starting Sept. 5, 2023, every student may receive one breakfast and one lunch at no cost during the school year. The state’s Free School Meals program will cover the cost of one breakfast meal and one lunch meal for every student daily, however the cost of a la carte items, such as milk, other drinks, or extra meal items will not be covered. Students will need to have funds in their meal accounts to purchase any additional food items.
If your family needs access to any other educational benefits available to your student, please visit ahschools.us/freereduced to complete an application. The enrollment window for the 2023 Applications for Educational Benefits begins Aug. 1, 2023.
Additional district news
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This e-newsletter is published by Anoka-Hennepin Schools. It's sent to Anoka-Hennepin families and community members who subscribe on a weekly basis during the school year, excluding breaks (and periodically during the summer). Questions, comments or concerns about the Backpack Online e-newsletter? Contact us.