In the Know - October 7, 2024
Be informed, provide feedback on Budget Reduction and Realignment process
A number of factors converged in early 2024 that led to the need to reduce district expenditures by $26 million. Anoka-Hennepin acted quickly in the spring to plan a two-phased budget reduction and realignment process.
Phase 1: $5.1 million in central administration and services were reduced for the 2024-25 budget in an effort to mitigate the impact of additional cuts for the 2025-26 budget.
Phase 2: The district is currently determining a solution to address a $21 million budget reduction gap. Community meetings are being held Sept. 25 - Oct. 10 in combination with a feedback process on two recommendations. A final decision is expected in November.
Be informed, provide feedback: School Board expectations provide for a process that encourages robust community and staff input prior to approval of the final recommendation.
Update: Middle school program review continues; recommendations to be revised following Sept. 23 School Board meeting
Following a formal program review in the spring of 2024, the district will continue exploring opportunities for aligning new courses with state requirements while remaining focused on goals of the district for the 2024-25 school year.
The middle school program will not implement a schedule change from the 7 period day to the 6 period day in the 2025-26 school year based on guidance from the School Board. Regardless, changes in program offerings are required due to changes in state guidance.
📖 Read the full story.
Flu shot clinics offered this fall for staff, families
Anoka-Hennepin Schools, with support from the district’s employee wellness program, Where Wellness Matters, will offer flu shots at several schools and sites beginning Sept. 23 through Oct. 10.
Get registered: Employees are required to schedule appointments and complete an immunization screening questionnaire when registering (photo of Medica insurance card required). Participants should stay home if feeling sick.
Week of Oct. 7-10
- Monday, Oct. 7: Anoka High School (2:30-4:30 p.m.)
- Tuesday, Oct. 8: Coon Rapids High School (2:30-5 p.m.)*
- Wednesday, Oct. 9: Oak View Middle School (3-5 p.m.)*
- Thursday, Oct. 10: Roosevelt Middle School (3-5 p.m.)
* Family appointments available (ages 3-6).
District technology and information department launching cybersecurity training in conjunction with Cybersecurity Month for staff
As cybersecurity continues to be a growing concern for school districts nationwide, the Anoka-Hennepin technology and information department is launching cybersecurity training for staff in conjunction with Cybersecurity Month.Infosec IQ, a cybersecurity training company, has partnered with the district to conduct phishing campaigns in the past.
Results: 10% of Anoka-Hennepin staff clicked on links in test phishing emails (no sensitive data was collected during this test). Reducing our phishing email fail rate to zero is the goal with this training plan.
Why it matters: In an effort to strengthen the district’s data security defenses and protect staff and student data, Anoka-Hennepin is launching a training course and awareness plan:
Security training course available Oct 14.
Emails will be coming from: AH Cybersecurity Notifications <cybersecurity@ahschools.us>
Additional phishing simulations will begin in December.
Cybersecurity is everyone’s responsibility and with these additional steps, technology hopes to educate staff on the need to keep our data safe and secure. Please continue to read the regular “In the Know” staff e-newsletter for updates on upcoming cybersecurity initiatives.
Trusted Partner Scholarship Program with Saint Mary’s University
Anoka-Hennepin and Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota continue to partner with the Trusted Partner Scholarship Program providing special benefits for district employees and a spouse.
The Trusted Partner Scholarship program offers:
- Waived application fee along with expedited enrollment.
- $50 off per credit for bachelor’s programs.
- $70 off per credit for master’s or licensure program, including Ed.S. degree.
- $90 off per credit for doctorate-level programs.
💻 For more information and to learn more about what Saint Mary’s has to offer, visit the Saint Mary’s Partnership Scholarship program website. Contact Dr. Bruce Locklear at blocklear@smumn.edu with questions.
Upcoming informational sessions for University of St. Thomas Work and Learn Program
Anoka-Hennepin and the University of St. Thomas (UST) have a partnership that provides hands-on experience to support success in future teaching careers.
The Grow Your Own and Work and Learn programs aim to recruit, prepare, retain and support highly qualified paraprofessionals and Tier 1 and Tier 2 teachers to become Tier 3 licensed special education teachers. The program offers an affordable, accessible and accelerated program to earn an Academic and Behavior Strategist (ABS) License and Master’s degree in two and a half years.
Work and Learn
The University of St. Thomas's is offering a Spring 2025 Online Work and Learn cohort. The application deadline is Dec. 1, 2024.
Register to attend an information session:
Indigenous Peoples’ Day recognition set for Monday, Oct. 14 in Anoka-Hennepin Schools
The State of Minnesota officially changed the historic Columbus Day Holiday to Indigenous Peoples Day in 2023 and also established a direction for schools to offer one hour of information for students. Students in Anoka-Hennepin Schools will receive classroom presentations regarding indigenous people and tribes in Minnesota.
Minnesota is the ancestral and contemporary home of 11 tribal nations. This is the second year of the Indigenous Peoples Day Holiday in Minnesota. Columbus Day remains on the calendar of Federal holidays.
Lincoln Elementary receives generous gift from Advent Lutheran Church
Advent Lutheran Church, located across the street from Lincoln Elementary School for the Arts in Anoka, recently closed its doors permanently. A staple in the community for over 50 years, Advent has made an impact on the neighborhood. Although the church has closed, it allowed one more opportunity to give back to the community.
Advent Lutheran members attended an all-school assembly at Lincoln on Sept. 24 to announce a donation of $124,195 to the school. Advent donated $1.3 million to the community after closing, and Lincoln was one of many to benefit from their generous contribution. Read more about this generous gift.
CPHS named Special Olympics Unified Champion School
Champlin Park High School (CPHS) has been named a Special Olympics Unified Champion School demonstrating commitment to inclusion by meeting 10 standards of excellence.
CPHS was one of four schools in Minnesota to receive national banner recognition by the Special Olympics as a Unified Champion School in 2024. Learn more about the Special Olympics Unified Champion School program.
Community invited to review and provide input on curriculum materials
As the district reviews and adopts new course materials, it involves staff, students, parents, and the community in the process as part of a comprehensive 41-step process.
This fall, the district is hosting open houses for community members and families to have the opportunity to provide feedback on the future of both elementary and secondary curriculum materials during an open house event at the Anoka-Hennepin Schools Educational Service Center (2727 N. Ferry Street, Anoka) from 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.
- Elementary schools: Get details about reviewing English Language Arts (ELA) materials.
- Secondary schools: Get details about reviewing Biology and U.S. History - 10 materials.
A virtual format for secondary school curriculum materials will also be available for those who register to participate by Oct. 18.
In the News: North Metro TV featured a student of the month
North Metro TV works with Blaine, Centennial and Spring Lake Park-area schools to identify a "Student of the Month." Carter Mackey from Blaine High School was selected as North Metro TV's Student of the Month, and they featured his story for the month of October.
At Blaine High School, Mackey excels in the classroom and on the football field. He's in the school's National Honor Society and CEMS program; and he's planning to pursue a career in engineering. View the video story.
