News and events - Aug. 14, 2024
Welcome Back
By now you should have received our Welcome-Back eNewsletter. A postcard from Mr. Young, Principal, Jackson Middle School, A Specialty School for Math and Science, has just been mailed out and you should receive that soon.
Here are important dates you need to be aware of:
August 21 – WEB Day for 6th grade students, 8:30 am – 12:15 pm
August 22 – Passport Day – 9 am – 5 pm
August 27 - 24-25 Bus information sent to families
August 27 – Open House – 6:00 – 8:00 pm
September 3 – First day of school for 6th grade only
September 4 - 7th & 8th Grade - First day of school
WEB Day - 6th Grade Students
6th grade students are encouraged to join us for WEB day on Wednesday, August 21, 8:30 – 12:15. The purpose of this day is to make the transition from elementary school to middle school a positive one. Eighth graders will be serving as leaders and mentors to the sixth graders. Large and small group activities, as well as a school tour, will be provided for all students in attendance. We hope to see you there!
Bus information for WEB day will be mailed to homes on Wednesday, August 14. You should receive that soon.
Passport Day Information
Please join us on August 22, from 9 am - 5 pm, for our JMS Passport Day. Passport Day is the first opportunity for students to pick up their class schedule and locker assignment. We encourage students to walk through their class schedule and try out their assigned lockers/combinations. Passport day will start in the Rebel Gyms, please enter door 58 on the west end of the building.
- Students are required to have their photo taken for student ID’s and Yearbook. Students should wear clothing that is appropriate for a normal school day.
- Jaguar apparel will be available for purchase at Door #1 (cash/check only).
- Teachers and School Counselors are not available on Passport Day
Passport Day is also a great time for families to do the following: visit the JMS Health Office, visit the Jackson Middle School Observatory starting at 10 am, gather Community Education information, sign up for Volunteer Opportunities.
For students who are unable to come to Passport Day, schedules and locker assignments will be available online starting Friday, August 23. Schedules are also available for pick-up at Open House, Tuesday, August 27, 6 - 8 pm. . School photos will not be taken at Open House.
Picture Day - August 22
JMS Picture Day is Thursday, August 22. Students will get their picture taken for their student ID and the school yearbook. Photo packages will be available for families that would like to purchase them. You can order your pictures online using Picture Day ID EVTNZCWPS. Order forms will also be available on-site during Passport Day.
Picture retake day will be Tuesday, October 15, for students who missed Passport Day, or for students who would like to retake their school picture.
Complete back-to-school verification, now
Make a plan to complete your student’s back-to-school verification, now. Families may complete the 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.
Family 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 you need help finding your login/password, 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.
Discounts, benefits and reduced fees available: Families may also apply to receive additional educational benefits, discounts and reduced fees after completing the verification process.
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.
Educational benefits include:
Athletics fees: Eligible students may qualify for fees to be waived or reduced.
SAT, ACT, AP Fees: Students may be eligible for discounted fees for academic tests and some lab fees.
Other high school activities: Students may qualify for discounts on speech, debate, theater, band and others.
Additional benefits and cost savings: Chromebook device protection, Comcast Internet Essentials discount, Amazon Prime membership discounts, discounted bus fares with Metro Transit, Xcel Energy account assistance, discounts at museums and theaters.
Only one application is needed per household. Please contact the child nutrition department with any questions or assistance at 763-506-1240 or staff.CnpEnrollment@ahschools.us.
Free school meals program information
Every student may receive one breakfast and one lunch at no cost during the 2024-25 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.
Resources
District high schools use online ticketing for athletics and activities events
New this school year, Anoka-Hennepin Schools has partnered with GoFan for mobile ticketing for athletic events at all five traditional high schools (Andover, Anoka, Blaine, Champlin Park and Coon Rapids). Fans can purchase tickets online through their respective school’s GoFan page, the GoFan App or by presenting a card or mobile payment option at the ticket gate. All major credit cards are accepted, along with Apple Pay.
The new ticketing partner allows both schools and visitors a more efficient, professional ticketing experience. Buying tickets online allows fans to access and share tickets easily by email or text without standing in line. Fans are encouraged to buy tickets online prior to reaching the facility, however credit card payments will be accepted on site.
Pricing
Adult (18-59) tickets for athletic events are $10 and students (K-12) are $5.
Adults 60 and older receive free admission to regular season events. Please be aware that this does not apply to section or state tournament events.
Before the event
PURCHASE your tickets online, via your computer, smartphone or other mobile device using the GoFan Mobile App (available on Google Play and the App Store.
Once you purchase your ticket online, you will get an order confirmation email and click on the "VIEW TICKET" on your mobile device. This can also be done on the app.
Pay attention to the important information shown on the confirmation screen.
At the event
Prior to arriving at the gate, access your confirmation email or view the ticket in the mobile app and click on "VIEW TICKET" on your mobile device.
Show your mobile device to gate personnel, who will validate your admission ticket.
DO NOT validate your ticket before arriving at the gate. A staff member will validate your ticket. If you validate your ticket in advance, you may need to purchase another ticket.
Tickets CANNOT be printed. You must use your mobile device to access your ticket(s).
Visit the GoFan How To Guide to access videos for assistance, or visit the links below:
Students from the hosting and visiting schools must be prepared to show student identification at events and middle school students and younger must be accompanied and supervised by a parent/guardian. Students from any other schools/non-participating schools must also be accompanied by an adult chaperone.
Ticket information for each school can be found at the following websites:
Andover High School: ahschools.us/huskytickets
Anoka High School: ahschools.us/tornadotickets
Blaine High School: ahschools.us/bhstickets
Champlin Park High School: ahschools.us/cphstickets
Coon Rapids High School: ahschools.us/crhstickets
Volunteer news
Volunteer Services is coordinated by Anoka-Hennepin Parent Involvement, a Community Education program. Anoka-Hennepin Schools are grateful that each year, over 10,000 dedicated volunteers contribute thousands of hours of their time, energy and talents to support our schools, students and staff.
We are still in need of volunteers to help with Passport Day on August 22. Please Sign up for a shift here.
This e-newsletter is published by Jackson Middle School, supported by the Anoka-Hennepin communication and public relations department. Questions, comment or concerns about the school e-newsletter? Contact us.