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Backpack Online - October 14, 2022
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October 14, 2022
Schools partner with local fire departments for Fire Prevention Week
Fire Prevention Week runs from Oct. 9-15, and many district elementary schools are partnering with local fire departments offering opportunities for firefighters to discuss fire safety with students.
This year’s Fire Prevention Week theme is "Fire won’t wait. Plan your escape." The Coon Rapids Fire Department (CRFD) visited students at elementary schools throughout the week, including at Hoover Elementary School - Biomedical, Health Sciences, and Engineering on Oct. 12. View photos of CRFD sharing fire safety information with Hoover students.
Firefighters encouraged students to know their family’s plan in the event of a fire, while also sharing information about smoke detectors, how to stop, drop, and roll, and more.
Students were treated to the always popular Sparky, who appeared on a remote control fire truck, during a life-size demonstration on smoke detectors and a puppet show. In Coon Rapids, elementary students have the opportunity to participate in a poster contest and the chance to earn a spot at a pizza party with CRFD at a fire station later this year.
Anoka-Hennepin is proud of its partnerships with local police and fire departments and works to create safe and welcoming learning environments for all students.
CPHS concert orchestra to perform original piece by junior Andres Johnson
When the Champlin Park High School (CPHS) concert orchestra puts bow to string in their first performance of the school year Oct. 18, it will be an extra special night for one high school junior. Andres Johnson, a member of the concert orchestra, has been hard at work over the past seven months composing an original piece that will be performed live for the very first time.
Johnson’s composition, titled Olympus Mons, was inspired by his love for space and tells the story of a journey to the top of the tallest mountain in the solar system. The song has nine parts, with each part telling a story about the journey, including obstacles such as Mars quakes and dust storms. The notes hit the crescendo as the final destination is reached, the summit of Olympus Mons.
Johnson has been creating music for the piano for some time, but this was his first attempt at an orchestral piece.
“All of my life I have been creating music,” Johnson said. “I decided that maybe I should try making an orchestra piece, so I emailed Mr. Comstock [CPHS orchestra instructor] and asked if I could write one.”
He began working on the project in March during spring break. Following many hours of work and revisions, Johnson gets to hear his piece come to life each day during first-hour rehearsal.
When asked what it’s like to hear his music played by his classmates, he responded with a fitting answer for a composer of orchestral music. “It tickles my heartstrings,” Johnson said.
The CPHS concern orchestra will perform for the first time this school year on Tuesday, Oct. 18 at 7 p.m. in the auditorium.
District high school marching bands perform at Youth in Music competition
All five of Anoka-Hennepin’s traditional high schools competed in the 18th annual Youth in Music Championships at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis Oct. 8. The premier marching band event featured 37 teams from Minnesota, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Iowa.
Special guests included marching bands from North Dakota State University, Minnesota State University, Mankato, and the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.
Andover, Anoka, Blaine and Coon Rapids high schools competed in the Class A division, while Champlin Park High School competed in Class AA.
Blaine High School scored 66.750 for second place and Anoka scored 65.750 for third place in Class A. CRHS finished seventh in scoring and Andover High School was ninth in the Class A preliminary competition.
Earlier this fall, the BHS marching band placed third overall at the Bands of America Iowa regional held in September.
CPHS placed third in Class AA competition with a score of 73.650.
Providing family choice: Anoka-Hennepin features 12 specialty and magnet schools
Anoka-Hennepin offers 12 specialty and magnet schools at the elementary, middle and high school levels and are designed to provide families with additional choices at no cost. Students who live within the Anoka-Hennepin boundaries may apply to enroll at any of the specialty or magnet schools.
The specialty and magnet programs provide in-demand educational options such as the arts, science, technology, math, engineering and biomedical sciences (STEM/STEAM), as well as International Baccalaureate (IB).
The magnet schools are offered to students districtwide in partnership with the Northwest Suburban Integration School District (NWSISD) which provides transportation to those schools. The application window is open for the 2023-24 school year, closing Dec. 31, 2022. Students may enroll at the specialty schools using an in-district transfer process without transportation. Applications are accepted between Dec. 1, 2022 and Jan. 15, 2023 for priority consideration.
The specialty and magnet schools are hosting information nights/open houses for parents to learn more about the programs offered. These events range from mid October to mid January.
For specific open house dates, more information on each of the specialty and magnet schools and the application/enrollment process, visit ahschools.us/specialtymagnet.
Boundary change community meetings conclude; feedback submissions still accepted
This week, the district concluded a series of eight community meetings held in September and October at locations in each area of the school district to provide families, staff and community members the opportunity to see attendance boundary proposals, ask questions and provide feedback. Meetings were streamed online, live, and are archived on the boundaries website.
Recommendations will be presented to the School Board Nov. 7, and the board is expected to take action at its Nov. 21 meeting with a final vote. Updated boundaries are to go into effect in the fall of 2023. View the boundary change timeline for implementation.
Details by community clusters
There are no boundary changes proposed in the Andover or Coon Rapids communities. High school boundaries are also not proposed to change.
Read more details about proposed changes in the following community cluster of schools:
Feedback and input
The district continues to seek feedback from families, staff and community members on the current proposals. Submit feedback via online form at ahschools.us/boundaryfeedback or by emailing boundaries@ahschools.us.
KARE-11 television attended the Champlin Park community meeting, Oct. 12
Parent Advisory Committee for Racial and Ethnic Equity seeks members
Join parents and guardians of students of color from around the district for updates, discussion and action planning as part of the Parent Advisory Committee for Racial and Ethnic Equity (PACREE).
Increasing involvement from parents and guardians in education to impact educational outcomes and supporting a sense of belonging in school is the driving force behind PACREE.
For additional information and to get involved with PACREE sessions, please contact Darron Sherrill, assistant director of students services - diversity, equity and inclusion at darron.sherrill@ahschools.us or Rahmo Ali, cultural liaison, at rahmo.ali@ahschools.us. Visit ahschools.us/equityachievementplan for more information.
Get behind your team! Have a game plan before you arrive at high school games.
Safety at school events continues to be a focus area for the district and surrounding communities. Anoka-Hennepin recently increased security procedures at events to ensure safety following incidents at other metro area high schools. These guidelines limit entrance to students at participating schools with identification and adult supervision for younger students, amongst other strategies.
As your family makes a plan to attend school events, keep the following guidelines in mind:
Bring student IDs and allow extra time for admission and entry. Students from the hosting and visiting schools are welcome with student ID. No student ID, no entry. Students from any other schools/non-participating schools must be accompanied by an adult chaperone.
Allow extra time for admission and entry. Increased security may mean lines are longer at the entrance gate. Please plan accordingly.
Plan for parent/guardian chaperones in accordance with district guidelines to monitor student activity and behavior. The student-to-adult chaperone ratio is 2:1. Adult chaperones are expected to supervise middle and elementary school students they escorted to the game at all times. Adult chaperones are NOT allowed to leave the stadium without their students. Adult chaperones and students who are unable to follow these guidelines may be asked to leave the facility. Students from any other schools/non-participating schools must also be accompanied by an adult chaperone.
Get behind your team! Spectators are expected to view the event in the appropriate designated seating area.
Leave extra items at home or in your vehicle. Backpacks, large bags/purses and outside food or drink (if concessions are sold on-site) are not allowed. Anoka-Hennepin prohibits weapons, alcoholic beverages, e-cigarettes / vaping, tobacco products and controlled substances.
It takes everyone to keep school events and activities safe. If your student, you or anyone in your family sees something or hears something suspicious or threatening in nature, report the information to school leadership or law enforcement immediately.
Spectators who are unwilling or unable to follow the rules, regulations, or directions from event staff may be asked to leave the event. For more information, please visit ahschools.us/eventpolicies.
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; access by logging into your A-HConnect account and then clicking on the AHlert icon).
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.
National Society of High School Scholars recognizes Coon Rapids student
Senior CJ Dean received the organization's "18 under 18" award
Coon Rapids High School senior CJ Dean made news this week when he was featured as a winner of an award recognizing the nation's most effective leaders under age 18 whose inspiration spreads positive influence for world betterment. Dean earned a $1,000 scholarship along with the award.
Read more about Dean and the positive influence he's making in his community.
World language testing opportunities available for students
Students can earn a World Language Proficiency Certificate or Bilingual/Multilingual Seal
Anoka-Hennepin students in grades 10-12 with a mastery of world languages can use that knowledge to earn special recognitions – World Language Proficiency Certificates or Bilingual/Multilingual Seals.
Additionally, college credit can be awarded to these students who attend or transfer to Minnesota State Colleges and Universities and select other post-secondary institutions within three years of graduation from Anoka-Hennepin.
Fall testing dates are Nov. 15 and/or Nov. 17. The registration deadline is Friday, Nov. 11 at 3 p.m. Cost is $30 per assessment, or $10 if the student receives free or reduced-price lunch.
To learn more about this opportunity, see the languages currently available, and register to take an exam, visit ahschools.us/bilingualseal.
New this year: Tech protect for middle, high school students
Technology plays an important role in preparing students for life, and Chromebooks are utilized as a daily learning tool in Anoka-Hennepin middle and high school classrooms. Anoka-Hennepin students in grades 6-12 are assigned a Chromebook from the school district to ensure access to technology systems that support classroom learning.
New this year, families have the option to enroll in the Device Protection Plan. Learn more about the Technology Protection Plan - and select or decline coverage.
Putting the "U" in Community Education: The MacDonalds
The game of pickleball is played with a hard paddle and plastic wiffle ball, and it’s exploding in popularity across the country.
Dayton residents Mike and Joan MacDonald just started playing pickleball this month; in fact, they were taking part in their second open gym when we showed up with a camera to check out their skills. The MacDonalds say the game is great exercise and it’s also a great way to meet new people in the community.
Pickleball open gyms take place on Monday and Tuesday nights at Sandburg Education Center in Anoka through mid-December. Open gym hours are 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. It costs $5 at the door to play. Equipment is provided or you can bring your own. A new Intro to Pickleball class that was available this fall filled quickly, but our adult learning team says it will be offered again.
Minnesota Teacher of the Year nominations
Education Minnesota, the voice for professional educators and students in Minnesota, is now accepting nominations for the 2023 Minnesota Teacher of the Year award program.
Online nominations are open now through Nov. 14.
Anyone may nominate a teacher.
For more information or to receive a paper nomination form, call Ashley Behrens at 651-292-4862 or 800-652-9073.
Apply for educational benefits for the 2022-23 school year
All Anoka-Hennepin families are encouraged to apply for the educational benefits program for the upcoming school year. A new application must be submitted each school year.
By completing this application, students may receive free or reduced fees for transportation, meals, academic, and co-curricular activities. Please visit ahschools.us/freereduced to set up, or log in to your SchoolCafe account, and complete an application for free or reduced-price meal and other benefits.
The educational benefits program not only ensures that students have access to nutritious meals, it also provides critical federal funding for schools.
As a reminder, the federal subsidy to provide free school meals for every student will no longer be available this school year.
Only one application is needed per household. Please contact the child nutrition department with any questions or assistance at 763-506-1240 or staff.CnpEnrollment@ahschools.us.
Upcoming events and important links
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This e-newsletter is published by Anoka-Hennepin Schools. It's sent to Anoka-Hennepin families and community members who subscribe on a weekly basis during the school year, excluding breaks (and periodically during the summer). Questions, comments or concerns about the Backpack Online e-newsletter? Contact us.