Cyclone Chronicles
Unmasking the Culture
Kalpulli Ketzal Coatlicue (the Aztec dance group)
performed for our 8th grade students
Conference are Coming!!!
A reminder that Anoka Middle School Parent-Teacher Conferences are coming next week. Conferences are a great opportunity to connect with teachers and ask questions about your student's progress, leadership, and contributions to our school. Families have the opportunity to attend in person, virtually, or both! Regardless of how you choose to attend, we are excited to meet with you and your student.
When/Where & Format
Conferences will be on January 14 & 23 from 3:30-7:00 pm at both the Washington and Fred Moore campus.
Conferences will be hybrid-style, meaning they are either in-person or online (based on your preference). Parents will sign up for a 7-minute slot in the ReachMyTeach application and indicate "in-person" or "virtual" preference. There will be a 3-minute transition time to allow you to move to your next conference.
Please use the link below to ensure you are signing up to see the teacher on the correct campus since many of our teachers travel between the Washington and Fred Moore Campuses (both nights of conferences listed are on the bottom).
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1H7_xFUDTEYSyRgdgk6AeIg1qkOnsfIGyJOPeW14jWlg/edit?usp=sharing
Interpreter Availability
When signing up for a conference, you have the option to select an interpreter if needed/wanted. Virtual interpreters will be available for both virtual and in-person conferences.
Signup
You will schedule your conference time through the link that was sent via email and text from our principal Lisa Gerth on Dec 20th.
For those who are unable to attend conferences, please remember that using AHconnect and the ParentVUE app is a great way to track your student's progress and contact your student’s teachers.
Questions/Tech Support
Please reach out to Andy Berg (andrew.berg@ahschools.us) if you have any tech support needs or questions.
Attention 8th graders!
Important high school course registration information for families of current eighth-grade students
All students enrolled at Anoka High School for the 2025-26 school year must select courses for the upcoming school year between Monday, Jan. 6 and Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025.
It’s important to participate in this process to ensure meaningful courses based on your future school decisions. Some core courses have already been selected for you based on Anoka-Hennepin School District graduation requirements, but many electives have not.
Consider exploring your interests and goals to ensure the courses that you select support those interests. Online course selection begins Monday, Jan. 6 and must be completed by midnight on Sunday, Jan. 12.
All students should complete the following steps to ensure successful course selections:
Step 1: Participate in the Curriculum Exploration Event Wednesday, Jan. 8 from 2:50 to 7:20 p.m. At the event, students and parents/guardians will be able to:
- Meet with Anoka High School teachers and ask questions about the course content.
- Review the 2025-26 Registration Guide for course descriptions and prerequisites.
- Ask questions to the school counselors.
Step 2: Complete the online course selection for 2025-26 classes (Jan. 6- 12). All information is on the 25-26 AHS Course Selection Site. Students must login to the lock and key icon using their student credentials. Parent credentials will not provide access.
Online course selection must be completed by midnight on January 12. After this date, course selections/registration will be completed by the school.
Please email your assigned Anoka HS School Counselor if you have questions.
Current eighth-grade students
In addition to the Curriculum Exploration event Jan. 8, families are encouraged to attend an optional informational meeting in the Anoka High School Auditorium from 5:30-6 p.m., intended for current eighth-grade students.
This meeting will review the online course selection materials presented to students at Anoka Middle School for the Arts (AMSA) during school on Jan. 6. All eighth-grade students at AMSA will view the Registration Information video and Demo video in Science class on January 6. These videos are linked on the AHS Course Selection Site for parents/guardians and any families enrolling from out of district.
Students are encouraged to email your assigned AHS school counselor if you have questions.
AHS Counselors for Grade 9 in 2025-26
Ms. Renee Johnson, A-J: Renee.Johnson@ahschools.us
Ms. Katie Teresi, K-U: Katie.Teresi@ahschools.us
Ms. Amy Gardner, V-Z, all AVID/ML: Amy.Gardner@ahschools.us
Mr. Will Erickson, STEAM: William.Erickson@ahschools.us
Current Grade 8 AMSA
Ms. Kyra Pasche: Kyra.Pasche@ahschools.us
Treat Yourself | 15% OFF $75+ | Code EXTRA15
You survived the holidays. Time for a treat. Will it be super soft joggers? A cozy new fleece? That Cyclones sweatshirt you wanted? The correct answer is yes.
AMSA Student Art Exhibition at Rum River Library
Now through February 23, 2025
Anoka Middle School for the Arts is excited to present the Student Art Exhibition showcasing the works of 7 and 8th-grade artists in multiple mediums including drawing, painting, and printmaking.
DRAWING
Charcoal portraits with a twist—a fun take connecting to Anoka’s long-standing Halloween tradition.
Pastel still lives—food, landscapes, and even birds come to life in this soft, gentle medium.
Colored pencil animals emerge from the dark background.
PAINTING
Students created a 3D watercolor landscape painting. Students first planned their paintings in their sketchbooks. This included designing a Minnesota-inspired landscape and then, using their knowledge of layering, built a plan to have certain elements of their landscape be 3D.
PRINTMAKING
These pieces showcase the places and memories in monochrome prints.
Check out our Libraries!
AMSA Destiny Library
Destiny "How-to" link:
Digital Library
NEW!
MackinVia Tutorial https://youtu.be/CA-F-novlbI
The AMSA Fall Book Fair will be held in the Washington campus library January 14-24, including during conference evenings. More information on our Book Fair website.
Book Recommendation
MasterChef Junior Cookbook: Bold Recipes and Essential Techniques to Inspire Young Cooks
A collection of favorite recipes from the first five seasons of the popular television competition show features such dishes as glazed lollipop wings, fish tacos with guacamole, pan-seared chicken with shoestring fries, and green tea panna cotta.
Find this and many other great cookbooks in both campus libraries.
Attendance Reminders
Reporting an Absence
You can report an absence a couple of different ways. Parents/Guardians should call the
- MAIN OFFICE LINE: 763-506-5000 to get directed to either Washington (6th grade campus) or Fred Moore (7th /8th grade campus)
- Call the absence lines directly use 763-506- 4606 for Washington Campus or 763-506-5026 for Fred Moore Campus
- Log into the ParentVue app to report any absence, late arrival.
Picking up Students During the School Day
Sending in a note with your student is still the best practice. If you do call we request at least an hour prior., that way your student will be able to stop at their locker prior to coming to the office where they can wait for pickup. Please do not leave message on the phone line if the school day has started. We check those messages at random times and we may not receive it in a timely manner. We understand emergencies happen in which case we also ask you to be patient with us while we locate your student for pick up.
Remember Your Photo ID
When picking up a student, please remember to bring a photo ID. You will not be allowed in the building without a physical photo ID (a picture of it on your phone will NOT be accepted). Our security system requires a photo ID that can be inserted and scanned into the system. To ensure the safety of your student, we need to verify the person that is here to pick up your student is someone with permission.
Someone Other Than Parent/Guardian Picking Up Your Student
If someone other than the parent/guardian will be picking up the student from school, parent/guardian will need to notify the office in writing, phone, or through the ParentVue app prior to the release of the student. Remind them to bring their photo ID.
Family Vacations
If your student will be out for multiple days due to a vacation, please contact the attendance secretary prior to leaving. It is the responsibility of the student to connect with the teacher for any homework/tests that they will be missing during their absence. When planning vacations, please take note of testing days during the trimester. It is important for your child's learning and grades that students maintain good attendance.
Automated Phone Calls
If a student is out for any reason and we are not notified, there is an automated phone call that will be sent out notifying you of the student's absence. The student will be marked unverified until we hear from the parent/guardian explaining the absence.
This link has directions on how to log in to ParentVue:
Winter weather reminders
Minnesota weather is shifting gears, and the Anoka-Hennepin School District has plans in place for when extreme winter weather arrives.
The safety of all students is the first priority when determining if schools should stay open in adverse weather. If a determination is made to close school due to extreme winter weather, the district will alert families in a variety of ways, including:
Phone, text or email message from AHlert system (for Anoka-Hennepin parents/guardians only).
District and school websites.
District and school social media pages (e.g. Facebook, Instagram and Twitter).
Media outlets including WCCO, KSTP, FOX 9, KARE 11, CCX Media, WCCO radio and Star Tribune newspaper.
Those responsible for activities scheduled in schools over the weekend will determine if adverse weather conditions necessitate a cancellation.
Read more about the district’s policies on extreme winter weather at ahschools.us/weather.
Who: Adults & Youth Where: Fred Moore Campus
When: January 8th & 9th Join us for a magical evening filled with dancing and cheer! We are seeking adult volunteers and high school students in grades 10-12 to help make our Winter Dance Concerts a success.
Who: Adults
Where: Washington Campus
When: January 14-16 & 21-24
We are on the lookout for passionate volunteers to help us make our Fall Book Fair an unforgettable success!
Where: Washington Campus When: by Trimester 3
We're on a mission to collect 400 brown paper shopping bags for a super cool parfleche project in our MN Studies classes. Let's join forces and make this project a huge success!
Thank you for your ongoing support and commitment to Anoka Middle School!
__________________________________________________________________
Before you can volunteer this school year, please:
1. Log in to or create your volunteer account, Anoka Middle School for the Arts Volunteer Application.
2. Update or complete your contact information, student information, and general interests.
3. Complete your Criminal Record History Release (CRHR) for the 2024-2025 school year.
The volunteer application and CRHR must be completed each school year for each school at which you’d like to volunteer.
Let’s all thrive together!
Studies show that parent involvement in class and school can improve student learning and overall school standards. According to the Southwest Educational Development Library, students with involved parents are more likely to have higher grades.
Volunteer Handbook - Manual Para Voluntarios - Safeguard Policy - Chaperone Guidelines
Athletics
Ping Pong- starts February 3, 2025 Co-Ed grades 6-8
Performance Cheer- starts February 4, 2025 Co-Ed grades 6-8
Dance Team- starts March 18,2025- Co-ED grades 6-8
Boys 6th grade Basketball- starts March 18, 2025
Girls 6th grade Basketball- starts March 18, 2025
Enrichment
Bass Guitar- starts January 15, 2025- 5:30p
Beginning Guitar (Level 1)- starts January 15, 2025 - 6:15p
Basic Guitar (Level 2)- starts January 15,2025- 7:30p
Cyclone Photo Club: Year in Review- starts January 28, 2025
D&D Mini Campaign- starts January 29, 2025
Scholarship are available for all opportunities, reach out to Stefanie Nelson at stefanie.nelson@ahschools.us or 763-506-5012
This e-newsletter is published by Anoka Middle School for the Arts, supported by the Anoka-Hennepin communication and public relations department. Questions, comment or concerns about the school e-newsletter? Contact us.