AFSA K-12 Family Update
September 13, 2024
The AFSA FFA Officer team invites all AFSA K-12 families to Friday Movie Night! Join us next Friday, September 13th at the high school to watch Luca (Set in a beautiful seaside town on the Italian Riviera, Disney and Pixar’s original feature film “Luca” is a coming-of-age story about one young boy experiencing an unforgettable summer filled with gelato, pasta and endless scooter rides)! There is no charge to get in the movie however, we will have concession for sale (cash only). Movie starts at 7:00 p.m. All are welcome!
This event is free and open to the public.
Picture Day is coming up September 18th at both the elementary and high school! Photo ordering envelopes will be sent home with all students on Wednesday, September 11th. You can send in your order and payment ON PHOTO DAY ONLY (NOT BEFORE). Checks should be made out to Strawbridge Studios. If sending cash, you must send the exact amount. Photographers do not have change.
There is also an online ordering option. For this option you sign up to order online and they will contact you when online photo ordering is open.
To use the online service click on the following link:
CODE FM455437
To use the online service click on the following link:
High School PhotosCODE FM455434
If you are having a problem downloading files in this newsletter please make sure you click the top of the Family Update email that says "View in browser."
AFSA Pre-K-12th grade families need to fill out the following paperwork each school year.
- Emergency Contact and Permissions form - Gives us emergency contacts and covers all field trip and media permissions needed during the year.
- Application for Educational Benefits - Provides families additional benefits and helps AFSA qualify for grants and funds from the department of education.
Additional forms that may be needed:
- Medication Authorization form - This form is needed for all medications your student will need during the school day. Doctors signature may be required please see form for details.
- Parking Permit - For student driver's who will have a car at school.
All forms listed above are attached to this Family Update, can be found on the website or paper copies may be picked up in the front offices at both buildings.
Completed forms may be turned in the front office or can be emailed to:
Elementary Forms: jhamilton@afsak12.com
High School Forms: kbarbour@afsak12.com
AFSA K-12 Annual Activity Fee:
The Annual Activity Fee is $25 per student. This covers student email accounts, student ID cards, locker use, PowerSchool access and FFA dues. Students will not receive their school ID unless this fee is paid. Fee can be paid online (see below) or in the school office at either the elementary or high school. If this fee presents a financial hardship for your family please contact our Interim Executive Director, Becky Meyer.
Student handbooks are attached to this newsletter and can also be found on our website here. Please take a moment to read over the handbook with your student. The last page of the handbook is the Student/Parent/Guardian signature page. This page must be signed by both student and guardian and returned to the school office at the elementary or high school no later than September 30th.
Is your family interested in carpooling to school? We want to connect you with other families that also would like to carpool!
Specific Carpool Need in the following area:
North St. Paul/Maplewood area
If you live in North St. Paul/Maplewood or in another area and are interested in carpooling please contact Ms. Angie (651-209-3910) she will help get you connected with other interested families.
Join us for our 11th Annual Potato Hug on Saturday, October 5th 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at AFSA High School!
The Hug is a showcase of student projects, school offerings, and community involvement. This event provides students with a venue to display their FFA Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) projects. Students design an entrepreneurial experience, research project, exploratory project, internship, or service type activity. Students are able to be vendors at the Potato Hug to sell their products created for their SAE. Each project is an opportunity for students to demonstrate professionalism, develop entrepreneurial skills, and showcase their hard work.
Not only do we have students selling their creations but we also have a baked potato bar, a student art show and more!
Student Vendors Sign Up Information:
Students in grades 7-12 interested in participating in this year's Potato Hug as a vendor need to fill out a registration form and pay the $5 student vendor fee. Sign up form is attached or click here to access the forms online and get more information. Forms (with all signatures) and fee are due no later than September, 30th.
Potato Hug Art Showcase:
Students in PreK-12th grade are invited to submit their artwork for the 11th Annual Potato Hug Art Showcase! (artwork can be drawings, paintings, sculptures and more) Submissions are due by September 30th. Students in PreK-6th grade can turn their artwork in at the front desk and students at the high school can turn in their artwork in the front office.
Potato Hug Volunteers:
The Potato Hug could not happen without a bunch of help! We are looking for a volunteers to help prep food on Friday, October 4th in the evening and also volunteers to help throughout the event on Saturday, October 5th in the kitchen, at the check in table and more! If you are interested in volunteering for the Potato Hug please click here. Any questions please contact Ms. Forliti.
See you at the Hug!
What is youth in government?
Youth in Government (YIG) is a hands-on learning program where students take on the role of judges, attorneys, legislators, lobbyist, media representatives or cabinet members and spend four days running a model government at the Minnesota State Capitol Complex. The immersive experience includes focused discussions on current issues, a wide variety of social events, engaging evening activities, time for small-group reflection, and leadership development.
Important Dates:
- Registration Opens Already Open
- LAUNCH (via zoom) Saturday, October 26
- Registration Closes November 1
- Youth in Government Session January 9-12, 2025
Program Costs:
$499 before September 20
$539 before October 11
$559 before November 1
3 nights in the conference hotel and overnight security
Transportation between the hotel and the State Capitol Complex
Evening activities & events
Conference supplies & spaces
All advisor expenses
If you have any questions please contact Ms. Nelson.
Elementary Yearbooks:
Elementary Yearbooks are on sale now for $15. Yearbooks will be delivered at the end of the school year. If you would like to order an AFSA Elementary (PreK-6) yearbook online please click here. Cash and check payments can be made in the front office of the elementary school. Orders for the AFSA Elementary yearbook ends April 25th, 2025.
High School Yearbooks:
High School yearbooks are on sale now! Yearbooks are $35 if ordered by December 20, 2024 after that the cost goes up to $45 until March 8, 2025 and after that the cost goes up to $55 until the last day to order, April 29, 2025. Click here to order the HS yearbook online. The HS yearbooks are ordered through Entourage (not SchoolPay). You can also pay for high school yearbooks with cash or check in the front office at the high school.
Please be aware of a road construction project that will impact how our AFSA High School Team Members, students, and families reach the high school.
The intersection at Edgerton St and Centerville Rd (by Bigwood Brewery) will be closed for approximately 90 days (Open possibly October) with no through traffic for utility installation. Click here for more information from Ramsey County.
Starting September 9th Rice Street, from Demar Ave. to Rustic Pl., will be closed. This does NOT impact the 694 Rice Street Exit. Click here for more information from Ramsey County.
Please use Rice Street (from 694) and proceed to Vadnais Blvd W to access AFSA High School until further notice.
Save Receipts for School Supplies! Minnesota Revenue offers two valuable tax benefits for parents who purchase school supplies for their K-12 students, the K-12 Education Credit and Subtraction. These benefits can reduce parents’ taxes to increase their refund, but is only available for those who keep their receipts. Purchases for most school supplies, field trips, and musical instruments for school band are eligible. Most Minnesota parents qualify for the K-12 subtraction, which reduces their taxable income. Parents under certain income limits may also qualify for the K-12 credit, which can refund up to 75% of their costs – even for parents who don’t owe any taxes. Visit the Minnesota Revenue website for details.
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.
Students in grades 7-12 are invited to audition for this year's high school play! We are excited to announce that we will be performing A Mid Summer Night's Dream! Auditions will be held after school on September 19th & 20th in the study hall at the high school. To sign up for auditions scan the QR code on the attached flyer or click here.
Mark your calendars - show dates are December 12,13,14! Watch for ticket sales information coming soon!
Please contact Ms. Hall or Ms. Forliti with any questions.
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.
Join us at Culver's in Little Canada (2880 Rice Street Little Canada) for our Culver's fundraising nights throughout the 2024-2025 school year! See dates below! Take your family out to dinner and support AFSA K-12 at the same time! AFSA receives 10% of all food purchases from 5-7 p.m.
- September 17, 2024
- October 15, 2024
- November 19, 2024
- December 17, 2024
- January 21, 2025
- February 18, 2025
- March 18, 2025
- April 15, 2025
- May 20, 2025
Special thank you to the Little Canada Culver's for their continued support of AFSA K-12!
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. Watch for the first edition of the directory to come out next week. 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