eNewsletter September 1, 2023
Tornado Forecast of Upcoming Dates
September 5th @ 7:40am: Freshman and new-to-district students First Day of School
- Picture Day for 9th graders & new students
September 6th: ALL students' First Day of School
September 11th: Picture Day for 10th, 11th & 12th graders
For the full school calendar, please click here!
View Your Schedule for the First Day
Schedules went 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 The deadline to request a change for a Trimester 1 class is 9/4/23 unless it meets specific criteria.
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
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. Removing cell phone use from the classroom will increase student engagement and learning, and limit distractions and the negative impacts of social media. The digital well-being of our students is critical to their success at Anoka High School. School policy states “If a cell phone is brought to school, it must be put away and turned off during class time unless the teacher has given permission.” (AHS handbook pg. 100-101; District handbook pg. 45) Students will be expected to turn cell phones off or put in airplane mode, remove earbuds/headphones, and store them in their backpack while in class. We are confident this practice will create a more positive, healthy and productive learning environment for all our students. Further, all students have access to a Chromebook to meet their technology needs for learning so there is no educational need for cell phones.
During passing time and at lunch, students are welcome to use their phones. If a student needs to access Google Classroom, use the SmartPass system, check their grades or email, they will use their Chromebook to do so. Students will be using the Chromebooks that were checked out to them to communicate versus using their cell phones during class time. 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 at 763-506-6200. A message will be sent to the classroom for the student.
Staff will be reviewing expectations with students in class the first week of school and we greatly appreciate your support. Please contact your student’s teacher first with any questions.
New Address?
Thank you to those of you that have already completed the back to school verification process. If you have updated your address information but did not provide the required proof of residency information, your change request can not be processed. Transportation (bus information) will not be updated until we receive the proof of residency documentation at your new location. You may also email your 2 forms of proof of residency to jill.blake@ahschools.us. Please remember to include the student name and grade on your email. Thank you!
Parking Permit Information
Parking passes are now available. You can purchase your permit through SchoolPay on the ParentVue app. Students can pick up the first day of school.
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
Digital PSAT Test for Juniors
The Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) is good practice for taking the SAT, but also serves as an entry to the National Merit Scholarship Program. The PSAT and the SAT have the same format and evaluate the same skills.
A higher score on either the SAT and/or ACT can expand opportunities for college and financial aid.
The PSAT will be offered on Wednesday, October 11th at Anoka High School for
Juniors that choose to take it at a cost of $20 per student (fee waivers are available
through the Counselor's Office).
Students who wish to participate should stop in the counseling office to pick up a form.
Please pay online via School Pay or bring exact cash/check (made out to Anoka High School) to the Counselor’s Office.
The deadline for registration and payment is Friday, September 15th at 3 pm. NO LATE PAYMENTS CAN BE ACCEPTED.
Fall Athletics are in full swing!
Online Ticketing at Athletic 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.
*ONLY Students from Anoka HS and the visiting school are welcome with student ID.
No student ID, no entry
Students from the hosting and visiting schools must be prepared to show student identification at events. MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY A PAID ADULT. Adults may supervise up to 2 middle school students.
Students from any other schools/non-participating schools MUST be accompanied by an adult (aged 21 or older) 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
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 events.
Schools will continue to support students who are experiencing a financial hardship regarding attendance at games.
Punch card passes are available will be available at Open House or can be purchased by a student during lunch .
Student cards are $20 for a value of $40,
Adult punch cards are $70 for a value of $100.
Payment must be CASH or CHECK, no cards are accepted.
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.
2023 Fall Trap and Skeet Team Important Information
- League will run from September 21 st through October 26 th , 2023.
- We shoot on Thursday’s at 3:30pm and the Minnetonka Gun Club located:
8310 Hill and Dale Drive NW
Elk River, MN 55330
- Cost is $300.00 for trap and $300.00 for skeet. You can shoot both and your cost would
be $600.00 *cost includes ammunition, clays, league registration fee
- The registration fee is by team this season so I have included that in the fee.
- Open to Anoka High School students in 9 th -12 th grade.
- You must have your own gun, 12 ga and you MUST have your gun safety certification or
complete the leagues SAFE Certification (found in the MN clay target league registration
process) **I am only able to get 12 ga ammo this season so 12 ga is required.
- You must provide your own transportation to and from the shooting location.
- Last day to register and pay fees will be Thursday August 31 st .
There will be NO exceptions to this. I need to collect all of the money so I can put in the
ammunition order and get it in time for our first week of shooting.
- Registration is first come first served. I do have a limit on the number of cases of
ammunition I can get for this season.
- If you’d like more info on clay target shooting please visit mnclaytarget.com
- If you have any questions please email at anokahstrapandskeet@gmail.com
Please only email this season as we are transferring the head coach position.
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.