In the Know - November 4, 2024
Stay informed: Phase 2 Budget Reduction and Realignment Process
Superintendent Cory McIntyre presented an update on the budget reduction and realignment process at the regular School Board meeting Oct. 28.
A convergence of factors including limited and stable enrollment growth, elimination of federal pandemic relief funds, higher than budgeted employee contract settlements, inflation and increasing costs for operations along with other factors. The district is considering Phase 2 reductions of $21 million for a total reduction of $26 million prior to the 2025-26 school year. The School Board is also considering a second option to limit reductions to central services and hold a referendum election with the goal of limiting any reductions directly at school sites.
A summary of feedback collected through community meetings and an online feedback form was also shared. Approval of Phase 2 recommendations is expected at the School Board meeting scheduled Nov. 25, 2024.
📺 Watch the presentation from the School Board meeting Oct. 28, 2024.
💻 Visit ahschools.us/budget for updates and FAQs.
Nov. 5 is Election Day
Tuesday, Nov. 5 is Election Day. It's also a non-school day for students utilized for staff professional development.
Minnesota statute 204B.16 subs. 6 requires that “public facilities" – including schools – shall make their facilities available to serve as polling places for elections. Schools, city halls, community centers, etc. are often used. On Nov. 5, 2024, 15 elementary schools, three middle schools and two early childhood facilities will be serving as polling locations. There are no school district elections on the ballot.
Note: School-sponsored activities may not be scheduled in any school building on the day
of the election between the hours of 6-8 p.m.
Star Tribune access for Anoka-Hennepin staff, students
Anoka-Hennepin staff and students receive digital access to the Star Tribune at no cost. Access logins were recently updated as the website began updating subscription processes with its new website in November 2024.
Anoka-Hennepin has the same access, but with new credentials.
Email: media@ahschools.us
Password: anokaremote
If you receive a prompt that says you need to subscribe once logged in, please logout of the Star Tribune, close the browser, and delete your history (cache and cookies) - then try again.
Educational Service Center staff invited to vote for Kindness posters Nov. 6
Anoka-Hennepin staff at the Educational Service Center (ESC) are invited to vote on outstanding artwork created by district students. Voting for the annual kindness poster contest will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 6, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. in room 112 at the ESC.
Bring a cell phone or mobile device, scan the QR code and vote for your favorite poster for each grade level. iPads will be available if needed.
The theme of this year’s poster contest was, Kindness Takes All of Us.
Teach Special Education Minnesota to host recruitment event on Nov. 14
Teach Special Education Minnesota (TeachSpEdMN) is hosting a virtual teacher recruitment event on Thursday, Nov. 14 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Are you passionate about special education and looking to advance your career? Don’t miss the chance to connect with top universities and learn more about their special education preparation programs.
During the virtual event, participants can speak directly with faculty and advisors from teacher preparation programs to share their backgrounds, interests, and needs and how different programs may fit their pursuit of an initial or additional license in special education.
💻 Read more about this event and see a list of universities participating.
Action of the School Board - October 28, 2024
Action of the School Board provides brief summaries of Anoka-Hennepin School Board meetings. View the latest Action of the School Board from the October 28, 2024 meeting.
For agendas, meetings and minutes visit ahschools.us/schoolboard.
Gratitude, it takes all of us!
When you think of the classic carousel amusement ride of bright lights, Victorian paintings, carnival music, vibrant colors, and intricate horses moving up and down, rotating round and round, there are many metaphors for life. One of them is expressing gratitude.
Let's face it, life is not easy at times. One moment you’re feeling up, the next moment you’re feeling down; seasons come and seasons go. Remember you are not alone.
Much like the movements of the carousel, some days are easier to express thankfulness than others. It is, however, an opportunity to be in the moment to reflect, laugh, and enjoy the ride no matter what’s going on around us. Catching a glimpse of each other’s joy is contagious much like sharing gratitude.
Recently a coworker responded to an email, writing the words, “I appreciate you. Thank you.” Five simple words - Wow! She is a ray of sunshine, lifting people’s spirits up in the most sincere way. Her example motivates those around her to do the same.
Give it a try. Set a goal to say or do something with gratitude daily, weekly, and/or monthly.
Here are some ideas:
- Thankfulness in relationships: Express appreciation to those around you. Connections can be strengthened by supporting each other.
- Community Gratitude Wall: Create a physical or digital wall where people can post notes expressing gratitude to those who make a difference.
- Acknowledge Small Wins and Simple Joys: Focus on what is working, no matter how small: a meal, a day of rest, a visit from a friend, a warm home, a beautiful sunset, or a moment of rest.
- Gratitude Challenge: Challenge yourself to express gratitude daily, through journaling, social media posts, or letters to people you know or do not know.
- Reframe Challenges: Seek intentionally for the hidden lessons in hardship. Growth often follows struggle. Ask yourself: “What could I be learning vs why me?”
- Gratitude Through Service: Make a regular practice of volunteering with an organization important to you. Serving others opens up a heart of gratefulness in ways you could never imagine. Small acts of kindness really do matter.
- Gratitude Playlist: Create a playlist of songs that celebrate gratitude and togetherness.
Thank you for the opportunities to make meaningful impacts in the lives of our students, parents, community, and staff!
Additional resources:
The Monster Mash: Lincoln and AMSA students partner to bring stories, designs to life
🎃 Anoka welcomed new mini-monsters to the community just in time for Halloween.
👻First-grade students at Lincoln Elementary School partnered with students from Anoka Middle School for the Arts (AMSA) in a shared art experience that also builds literacy skills. The project began with Lincoln first-graders reading the book “"I Need My Monster," by Amanda Noll. Students then navigated through a design project where they created their own version of a Halloween monster on paper.
🕸️AMSA students in eighth-grade WEB (Where Everyone Belongs) peer leadership group stepped up to bring the partnership to life and the learning came full-circle as over 30 AMSA students hand-delivered the monsters in a special event at Lincoln Elementary.
2024-25 fall sports and activities round-up
With the fall 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 postseason awards gathered by student-athletes and coaches.
🏐 Anoka-Hennepin will be represented by two teams in this year's girls' state volleyball tournament. Champlin Park High School won the Section 5AAAA Championship over Maple Grove and Anoka High School defeated Centennial for the Section 7AAAA Championship.
🏃🏻♂️🏃🏻♀️ The Blaine High School boys cross country team qualified for the Class AAA State Cross Country meet and the district will also be represented by 10 individuals from Anoka, Blaine, Champlin Park and Coon Rapids high schools.
⚽ The Andover High School boys' soccer team concluded its season on Oct. 31 by placing fourth overall in the 2024 MSHSL State Boys Soccer Tournament.
Students participate in tradition of Anoka Halloween, represent schools and marching bands
🎃 Anoka is known as the “Halloween Capital of the World,” and on the afternoon of Oct. 25, students and staff from Lincoln and Wilson elementary schools in Anoka walked down the city’s Main Street, showing off their Halloween costumes and waving to the crowd of community members and parents who showed up to cheer them on at the Anoka Halloween Big Parade of Little People.
In addition, the marching bands from Anoka Middle School for the Arts, as well as Jackson and Oak View middle schools participated, playing music along the parade route. Anoka-Hennepin School Board members and administrators also walked in the parade.
Orchestra Hall Concert Series field trip introduces music options for students
🎻 From viola to flute or timpani to trombone, there’s little question that orchestra provides a full range of options to meet student interests. Introducing students to those options before their middle school years is facilitated through a districtwide field trip for fifth-grade students to experience the Young People’s Concert Series presented by the Minnesota Orchestra.
🎶 Why it matters: Anoka-Hennepin offers choir, band and orchestra as options for students starting in grade 6. Raising awareness and knowledge in instrument choices for orchestra while building interest and participation in music is a desired outcome of the field trip experience.
Out of this world: The Minnesota Orchestra coordinates a Young People’s Concert Series each year for students across the state. Anoka-Hennepin students attended sessions on Oct. 23 and 24. Thanks to the generosity of the Minnesota Orchestra and event supporters, this experience is provided at no additional cost to the district or students.
The 2024 concert, titled Orchestra in Orbit, features a series of classical and modern songs with a space theme. Music selections introduce and highlight instrument families such as strings, woodwinds, brass and percussion. 💻 Read more about the annual Orchestra Hall field trip.
Northdale students show support, promote positive school culture
Students at Northdale Middle School are demonstrating the “it takes all of us” theme for the school year by generating positive connections and fostering a positive school culture for all.
Sept. 26 was an important date in supporting that effort. The significance of this date centers on sixth-grader Hailey Heiden, a student who is required to wear a protective face covering or medical mask at school by doctor's orders. Realizing that this requirement could isolate Hailey, a group of student leaders set out to “flip the script,” organizing an event where all NMS students and staff were invited to wear a mask to school on that day.
“At first I was wondering why everyone was wearing masks today,” commented Hailey on the widespread support demonstrated throughout the school. Participation in the event by students and staff was characterized as “strong” by school administrators.
The support day came as a surprise to Hailey and was organized by other students in the school including Haileys’ brother Will and eighth-grade student leader Amelia Weller. “I was inspired to do this because I don’t think that people should be bullied for things that they can’t control,” said Amelia. “When going to school, no one should feel like they don’t belong,” added Will.
Students at Northdale Middle School and other Anoka-Hennepin middle schools are welcomed in sixth-grade through a leadership program led by upperclassmen peers called “Where Everyone Belongs” or “WEB”. The program matches eighth-grade student leaders like Amelia to provide mentorship younger students.
District to host a virtual hiring event for Adventures Plus child care positions
Anoka-Hennepin Community Education will host a virtual hiring event for Adventures Plus child care positions from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 7.
✅ The virtual hiring event will be hosted on Indeed. If you are interested in attending the virtual event and interviewing for a position, register to reserve your spot.
💻 Join us to learn more about Child Care Lead Teacher positions and Before and/or after-school Childcare Support Staff positions. Learn more about open positions.
