In the Know - May 28, 2024
Open enrollment begins today: Move to Medica
📰 View articles shared with staff about the Move to Medica in the In the Know staff e-newsletter:
- May 16: Open enrollment begins May 28.
- May 10: Pharmacy benefits.
- April 26: Healthcare flex and daycare accounts.
- April 10: What's new?
- March 29: View the pre-enrollment website.
- March 22: Medica selected as health insurance provider beginning Sept. 1, 2024.
Calendar for upcoming school year (2024-25) amended for READ Act requirements
The Anoka-Hennepin School Board took action to amend four days in the 2024-25 school year to ensure district teachers are well prepared to meet requirements of a newly approved state reading program.
The big picture: Minnesota’s Reading to Ensure Academic Development Act (READ Act) requires Minnesota schools to satisfy teacher professional development requirements for reading instruction. Changes in the calendar are necessary at the elementary, middle school, River Trail Learning Center (RTLC) at L.O. Jacob and Two Rivers Transition Program at Franklin. The high school calendar was not amended.
Four dates are changing to allow time for READ Act professional development to include:
Friday, October 4 would move from a K-12 school day to teacher professional development at the elementary level only. No school for elementary students. Middle school and high school students will attend school.
Monday, October 7 would move to a teacher professional development day at the elementary and middle school level along with RTLC and Two Rivers Transition Program. No school for elementary and middle schools, RTLC and Two Rivers Transition Program. High school students will attend school.
Friday, December 20 will change from a K-12 school day to a teacher professional development day at the elementary and middle school level, RTLC and Two Rivers Transition Program. High school students will attend school.
Friday, January 17 will change from a K-12 school day to a teacher professional development day at the elementary and middle school level, RTLC and Two Rivers Transition Program. High school students will attend school.
The bottom line: The professional development effort is consistent with a school board strategic priority to increase proficiency in literacy. The professional development includes approximately 1,800 teachers across all schools.
Go deeper: Review the updated 2024-25 K-12 calendar, along with other district calendars at ahschools.us/calendar.
Informational session on K-12 Special Education certificate teacher prep program
St. Cloud State University (SCSU) and North Hennepin Community College have teamed up to provide an informational session on the K-12 Special Education Academic Behavioral Strategist (ABS) Certificate teacher prep partnership.
The evening program allows you to continue working in your school district as a paraprofessional or teaching position while pursuing an undergraduate degree or graduate degree in Special Education.
The information session, hosted by SCSU and North Hennepin will be held on Thursday, May 30 from 5-6 p.m. View this flyer to learn more and register for the information session.
UnitedHealthcare engagement toolkit: Mental health
To support Anoka-Hennepin School District employees, UnitedHealthcare has created a monthly engagement toolkit to support employee health and well-being.
Looking after yourself matters, especially when you’re caring for loved ones. This month, the toolkit offers tips and tools for understanding how you feel, so you can manage your emotions and take better care of yourself and others.The May engagement toolkit offers resources and content on topics related to managing stress.
Included in this month’s engagement toolkit:
A podcast focused on mental health in the workplace.
Training tips for supporting mental health concerns with friends and family.
Worksheets to promote a positive mindset.
Articles on selecting a therapist, caregiving for multiple generations and self-care.
💻 View the resources available in the mental health engagement toolkit.
Traditional Memorial Day assembly hosted by Oak View Middle School
On the morning of Friday, May 24, students at Oak View Middle School (OVMS) gathered in the cafetorium for its annual Memorial Day assembly. For 28 years, OVMS has traditionally hosted an assembly that includes student musical performances by the band, orchestra and choir, patriotic readings and a special message from a guest speaker.
“The purpose of our time together is to provide a brief history of why we celebrate Memorial Day, and through shared readings, musical selection and a shared message, honor and remember those who sacrifice so much for the freedom that we enjoy today,” said principal Gary Lundeen.
Eighth-graders gather to watch the event in person and the 45-minute assembly is live streamed by QCTV into all sixth- and seventh-grade classrooms.
📺 A video archive of the event is available for the community to watch.
Memorial Day meaning explained at Morris Bye student assembly
Students at Morris Bye Elementary in Coon Rapids received a real world civics lesson from leaders who live in their community of Coon Rapids on Monday, May 20.
🇺🇸Coon Rapids VFW Post 9625 and American Legion Post 334 rep esentatives Nathan Morgan, Randy Nelson, Anne Steffen, Susan Thompson and Richard Lien teamed up with an overview of Memorial Day, including the history of the holiday, the reason it is recognized, how the holiday is celebrated and the differences between Memorial Day and Veterans Day.
Go deeper: Commander Nathan Morgan, who is also a parent of Morris Bye students, helped make the connection. Student response to learning from those in their community provides a personal perspective regarding the importance of Memorial Day both across the nation and in the community.
📸 View photos from the event.
Blaine High School alum earns wings, soars skies as commercial pilot
🛫 Zach Crowe’s (‘17) journey from Blaine High School (BHS) to the cockpit of a Delta Airlines jet was a meticulously charted course.
🧭 After attending both Johnsville Elementary and Roosevelt Middle School in the district, Crowe enrolled in the Center for Engineering, Mathematics and Science (CEMS) program during his sophomore year at BHS, with the initial intent to pursue engineering. However, his experience in an Aerodynamics class initiated a change of direction. “The main thing [from that class] that stuck out to me was putting the science behind how airplanes are able to fly,” Crowe explained. “That’s really when I started to look into it and decided that was what I wanted to do.”
🦅 As the crow flies: Get the full story about Zach's journey into pursuing aviation.
Live coverage for upcoming high school graduation ceremonies
🎓 Anoka-Hennepin will hold graduation ceremonies for Andover, Blaine, Champlin Park and Coon Rapids high schools on Sunday, June 2 at 3M Arena at Mariucci on the University of Minnesota campus. Anoka High School will hold its graduation ceremony Monday, June 3, at Goodrich Field.
Graduation times on June 2:
- Andover High School - 10 a.m.
- Champlin Park High School - 1 p.m.
- Coon Rapids High School - 4 p.m.
- Blaine High School - 7 p.m.
Graduation time on June 3:
- Anoka High School - 7 p.m.
Sandburg Regional High School, Anoka-Hennepin Technical, Bridges and RTLC graduation ceremonies
Graduation ceremonies are scheduled on campus at the following dates and times:
- Pathways at Pathways on Wednesday, May 29 at 6 p.m.
- Sandburg Regional High School at Anoka Technical College on Wednesday, May 29 at 7 p.m. - Watch live
- Bridges at the Downtown Center on Thursday, May 30 at 12:30 p.m.
- Anoka-Hennepin Technical High School at Anoka Technical College on Thursday, May 30 at 6 p.m. - Watch live
- River Trail Learning Center program completion on Friday, May 31 at 12:30 p.m.
2023-24 spring sports and activities round-up
With the spring sports and activities season wrapping up, here’s a look at who’s heading to state, and how they fared when they performed and played. Also included is information about post-season awards gathered by student-athletes and coaches.
Adapted Softball
The Minnesota State High School League Adapted Softball state tournament was held May 17-18 at Chanhassen High School. Team championships were awarded in two divisions: Cognitive Impairment (CI) and Physical Impairment (PI).
Anoka-Hennepin was the No. 8 seed in the state tournament and opened tournament play on May 17. The Mustangs lost 16-0 to eventual state champion the Dakota United Hawks. In the consolation bracket, the Mustangs put up a strong showing, falling 16-15 to St. Paul Humboldt.
Districtwide track and field meet draws more than 500 middle school athletes
🏃🏻♂️The sprawling grounds of Coon Rapids High School played host to one of the most anticipated events on the middle school sports calendar: the districtwide track and field meet. With more than 540 students from all six middle schools converging, the air was charged with excitement as young athletes geared up to showcase their skills on the track and in field events.
Coordinated by Anoka-Hennepin Community Education, the event brought together students, staff, and volunteers from across the district. Track events formed the core of the competition, with sprinters, distance runners, hurdlers, and relay teams taking to the track in a display of speed, agility, and determination. From the explosive starts of the 100-meter dash to the endurance tests of the 1600-meter run, each race was a showcase of talent and tenacity.
