eNewsletter August 18, 2023
Tornado Forecast of Upcoming Dates
August 14th: Fall Sports Begin
August 22nd: Student schedules available in StudentVue and ParentVue
August 29th: Open House
September 5th: Freshman and new-to-district students First Day of School
September 6th: ALL students' First Day of School
For the full school calendar, please click here!
Student Schedules Live on August 22
Schedules will go live in the StudentVue and ParentVue apps on Tuesday, August 22nd. Please log into the lock and key and look for your schedule under the Class Schedule tab in StudentVue or ParentVue. Need help? Follow this link!
If you would like to make a change to your schedule, there is a process to follow.
1. Please click here to review the criteria and deadlines for schedule changes.
2. Students must submit all schedule change requests using the Schedule Change Request Form after schedules are released on August 22. The deadline to request a change for a Trimester 1
class is 9/4/23 unless it meets specific criteria.
3. Lunch assignments will not be available until the first day of school
OPEN HOUSE
Tuesday, August 29, 2023
4:15 pm - 7:45 pm
Anoka High School 3939 N 7th Street, Anoka, MN 55303
- See the school
- Meet your teachers
- Schedules are available via ParentVue or StudentVue
- Activities Fair
Parking Permit Information
Online sales will open on August 21st. You can purchase your permit through SchoolPay on the ParentVue app. Students can pick up at open house, or first day of school.
Orientation Day! Tuesday, Sept 5th.
First Day of School
Getting off to a strong start at a new school is a key strategy for ensuring students feel safe, welcome and ready to maximize opportunities. When school begins for the 2023-24 school year on Sept. 5, freshmen and new-to-district students at Anoka-Hennepin’s five traditional high schools will participate in a series of activities that aim to ease the transition to high school and build a foundation for academic success.
What does this mean for freshmen (ninth-graders) and new-to-district students?
Freshmen and new-to-district students will attend school as usual. Students will attend orientation activities as a group and then attend classes on a modified schedule. Arrival and dismissal times remain the same. Student transportation, nutrition and other school day programs will be offered.
What does this mean for sophomores, juniors and seniors (grades 10-12)?
Senior, junior and sophomore students at the listed schools will not be required to attend school in person on this day. The first day of school for grades 10, 11 and 12 will be Wed., Sept. 6.
Which schools are involved?
The freshmen and new-to-district orientation day schedule involves students who attend Andover High School, Anoka High School, Blaine High School, Champlin Park High School, Coon Rapids High School and students in the Secondary Technical Education Program (STEP). Students who are scheduled to attend STEP classes will have the option to attend tours on-site. STEP will communicate to families directly.
Students who attend River Trail Learning Center, Compass programs, Post-secondary education opportunities (PSEO), Regional High School or Technical High School will attend school in-person on the regular bell schedule. Student transportation and nutrition programs will be offered.
What are the activities for freshmen and new-to-district students?
Students will have opportunities to be involved in first day activities such as, but not limited to: school handbook review, review of mental health supports for students, bus safety, reviewing the district secondary handbook, getting-to-know-you activities in advisory, and classroom self-directed activities. Students will also follow a modified schedule of classes.
What about special education students?
All students in special education programs will align to the schedule as outlined in this document. Only ninth grade and new to district students will attend in person. Other students will be contacted individually to determine options for attendance at school in-person for this day.
Anoka-Hennepin’s five comprehensive high schools - Andover, Anoka, Blaine, Champlin Park, and Coon Rapids - are joining forces to send this special back-to-school message. Please remain alert for additional back-to-school information being sent by your school or visit ahschools.us/bts for additional information.
Safety and Security
Procedures in place to protect school safety
Maintaining a safe and secure school environment begins at the front door when parents/guardians and visitors enter the building. Enhanced safety and security procedures aim to maintain a high level of customer service while also improving building safety. These are standard safety procedures that are in effect at all of our high schools.
Enhanced entrance security procedures/requirements:
Advance appointments needed to enter school during the school day.
Valid identification required.
Drop-off items for students will be managed at the security desk/front office area.
Student pick-up will be arranged in advance and students will meet parents/guardians outside school.
Cell phones
Focusing on learning, limiting use of cell phones in school
The digital well-being of our students is critical to their success in high school. All of our high schools thrive on creating a healthier, more effective and engaging learning environment in our classrooms by limiting the use of cell phones. The impact of cell phones on student’s developing brains and their educational success is well researched; the negatives of using cell phones in the classroom far outweighs the positives. Each of our schools have developed a cell phone policy that is in alignment to our District handbook pg. 53. All our high schools expect that students will turn their cell phones off or put them in airplane mode during class time and store them in their backpack unless the teacher has given permission. Removing cell phone use from the classroom will increase student engagement and learning, and limit the negative impacts of social media.
During passing time and at lunch students are welcome to use their phones. If a student needs to access Google Classroom, check their grades or email, they can use their Chromebook to do so. If a parent/guardian has an emergency and needs to contact a student right away, they can email the student at their school email account or call the main office and a message will be sent right away to the classroom to have the student step out and call home.
All of our high schools will be reviewing cell phone expectations with students in class the first week of school and we greatly appreciate your support.
Attendance is Vital for Academic Success
The importance of attending school
Regular attendance in school is essential to the success of students. Students who attend school consistently are more likely to achieve academically, graduate high school on time, and feel more connected during their time in high school. Missing 2 days of school per month (for any reason) can lead to students having difficulty graduating.
Student attendance is recorded each class period.
Students are considered tardy if they arrive to class up to 15 minutes late to a class period.
School districts are required by law to file a truancy report to their respective county when students reach a certain number of unexcused absences. We want to partner with you to support your students' success to avoid truancy action being taken.
Free School Meals Program
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.
The enrollment window for the 2023 Applications for Educational Benefits begins Aug. 1, 2023.
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.
If your family needs access to any other educational benefits available to your student, please
visit ahschools.us/freereduced to complete an application.
Extra Entrees or "Megabyte"
Due to the Minnesota state statute of one free lunch and one free breakfast per student, we are implementing a new procedures for purchases that fall outside the state guidelines. Kitchen staff will be using a ticket system for extra entrees this year. Students that would like to purchase an extra entree or "megabyte" will be required to see a cashier first to check the student's account to verify there are enough funds in the account for the purchase. The student will then be given a ticket to take back to the server to receive their extra entree. You may add money to your students lunch account in ParentVue through SchoolPay
Anoka Athletics
Complete registration to participate in practices and games. You must have an up-to-date physical, payment, and full clearance.
Fall Activities are in full swing!
Sideline Cheer, Boys and Girls Cross Country, Dance, Football, Marching Band, Boys and Girls Soccer, Girls Swimming, Girls Tennis and Volleyball are getting their seasons underway and there is still time to register. We need a current sports physical on file to get you going.
For questions on schedules contact the head coach.
Cross Country, Sam Westerberg: Sam.Westerberg@ahschools.us
Football, Bo Wasurick: Robert.Wasurick@ahschools.us
Girls Swimming Co Coach, Nicole Hedman: Nicole.Hedman@ahschools.us
Girls Swimming Co Coach, Mackenzie Menden: MacKenzie.Menden@ahschools.us
Girls Tennis, Joey Evavold: Jtevavold@csbsju.edu
Girls Soccer, Lucas Camargo: lcamargo@nscsports.org
Boys Soccer, Clint Seul: Clinton.Seul@ahschools.us
Volleyball, Chris Fenwick: Chris.Fenwick@ahschools.us
Dance Team, Leah Ward: Leah.Ward@ahschools.us
Cheerleading, Katlin Anderson: cheercoachkatlin@gmail.com
Marching Band, Tim Hauser: Timothy.Hauser@ahschools.us
District Athletic Passes Discontinued
District athletic pass sticker system discontinued, replaced with alternate system for 2023-24
Anoka-Hennepin Schools is discontinuing the district in-season athletic pass/sticker system and replacing it with an updated system for students in the 2023-24 school year. This decision is based on a variety of issues including student safety concerns, fraudulent use of passes, and systemic issues involving unequal distribution of passes in the current system.
Student athletes are encouraged to attend events under the same guidelines and systems for all students in the district. Review these important points regarding guidelines for student athlete attendance as modified.
Student athletes who participate in a sport at a lower-level will be able to attend the varsity level home game of their sport at no additional cost. For example, a current ninth-grade student could attend Football games at no cost but they would need to purchase admission to other school events.
Schools will continue to support students who are experiencing a financial hardship regarding attendance at games.
Punch card passes are available at the athletics office as school to receive discounted admission to events. Student punch cards provide $40 in value for $20, adult punch cards provide $100 in value for $70.
Schools will continue their effective “Bleacher Captain” program and the “Stay Above the Line” program to maximize sportsmanship and support of student athletes.
These updated protocols for passes are similar to other Northwest Suburban Conference Schools and aim to ensure spectators and students enjoy a safe experience at district events.
District/school websites
District athletic pass sticker system discontinued, replaced with alternate system for 2023-24
Anoka-Hennepin Schools is discontinuing the district in-season athletic pass/sticker system and replacing it with an updated system for students in the 2023-24 school year. This decision is based on a variety of issues including student safety concerns, fraudulent use of passes, and systemic issues involving unequal distribution of passes in the current system.
Student athletes are encouraged to attend events under the same guidelines and systems for all students in the district. Review these important points regarding guidelines for student athlete attendance as modified.
Student athletes who participate in a sport at a lower-level will be able to attend the varsity level home game of their sport at no additional cost. For example, a current ninth-grade student could attend Football games at no cost but they would need to purchase admission to other events.
Schools will continue to support students who are experiencing a financial hardship regarding attendance at games.
Punch card passes are available at the athletics office as school to receive discounted admission to events. Student punch cards provide $40 in value for $20, adult punch cards provide $100 in value for $70.
Schools will continue their effective “Bleacher Captain” program and the “Stay Above the Line” program to maximize sportsmanship and support of student athletes.
These updated protocols for passes are similar to other Northwest Suburban Conference Schools and aim to ensure spectators and students enjoy a safe experience at district events.
Anoka-Hennepin has instituted an online ticketing system for athletic events. Tickets are available at ahschools.us on the website of the participating school.
Backpack Online/School e-newsletters
District athletic pass sticker system discontinued, replaced with alternate system for 2023-24
Anoka-Hennepin Schools is discontinuing the district in-season athletic pass/sticker system and replacing it with an updated system for students in the 2023-24 school year. This decision is based on a variety of issues including student safety concerns, fraudulent use of passes, and systemic issues involving unequal distribution of passes in the current system.
Student athletes are encouraged to attend events under the same guidelines and systems for all students in the district. Review these important points regarding guidelines for student athlete attendance as modified.
Student athletes who participate in a sport at a lower-level will be able to attend the varsity level home game of their sport at no additional cost. For example, a current ninth-grade student could attend Football games at no cost but they would need to purchase admission to other events.
Schools will continue to support students who are experiencing a financial hardship regarding attendance at games.
Punch card passes are available at the athletics office as school to receive discounted admission to events. Student punch cards provide $40 in value for $20, adult punch cards provide $100 in value for $70.
Schools will continue their effective “Bleacher Captain” program and the “Stay Above the Line” program to maximize sportsmanship and support of student athletes.
These updated protocols for passes are similar to other Northwest Suburban Conference Schools and aim to ensure spectators and students enjoy a safe experience at district events.
Anoka-Hennepin has instituted an online ticketing system for athletic events. Tickets are available at ahschools.us on the website of the participating school.
Online Ticketing at Athletic Events
District high schools transition to online ticketing for athletics and activities events
All five Anoka-Hennepin traditional high schools (Andover, Anoka, Blaine, Champlin Park and Coon Rapids) have made the transition to online ticket sales for athletics and activities events. With the exception of boys and girls hockey, all ticket sales for events hosted by district schools will be online using VANCO Events, the official ticketing system.
Payment will no longer be accepted at the admission gate. Fans and spectators are encouraged to purchase tickets prior to a scheduled event and be prepared to show their confirmation email with QR code to be scanned upon entry to the chosen event. Fans may show a confirmation email/QR code on their smartphone or with a printed copy.
Adult (18-59) tickets for football games are $8 and other athletic events are $6. Students (K-12) are $6 for football games and $4 for other athletic events. Fans 60 and older receive free admission to all events.
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 an adult chaperone. 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
Hello Anoka! The DECA Mart will be open during this year's open house on 8/29. Make sure to stop by and purchase your favorite Anoka merchandise and check out the newest items! We will also be selling merchandise for themed athletic and activities events, so be sure to come buy some!
Join a Great School District
This e-newsletter is published by Anoka High School, supported by the Anoka-Hennepin communication and public relations department. Questions, comment or concerns about the school e-newsletter? Contact us.