Andover High School News & Events
October 1, 2023
September - Student of the Month
Art - Jacob Hachey
Business - Brady Miles
English - Sidney Nchamukong
FACS - Jadyn Xiong
Health - Erin Walsh
Math - Joseph Grillo
Music - Matt Eisinger
Phy Ed - Makalli Fisher
Reading - Taylor Miller
Science - Mason Gangelhoff
Social Studies - Samuel Parsons
Support Services - Ethan Machoka
Tech Ed - Jacob Weaver
Vocational - Kira Donnelly
World Language - Cecelia Kostick
Jefferson Award - Emma Yu
Important Calendar Dates
- October 2: Academic Lettering Ceremony (GYM) 7:00 PM
- October 6: NHS Blood Drive
- October 11: PSAT for 11th Graders
- October 12: Last Chance Senior Photo During Lunches (IMC)
- October 12 and October 17: Conferences
- October 18-20: No School; MEA
- October 26: Band Fall Concert (AUD) 7:00 PM
- October 27: Final Picture Retake Day
- October 30: Orchestra Fall Concert (AUD) 7:00 PM
- November 2: Choir Fall Concert (AUD) 7:00 PM
Trimester 1 Late Start Dates are listed here.
You can also view a District Calendar here.
Trimester 1 Parent/Teacher Conferences
Tri 1 Conference Sign Ups on Friday, October 6th
Thursday, October 12th from 2:50 PM - 5:25 PM
Tuesday, October 17th from 2:50 PM - 8:00 PM
The process to schedule a time to meet with your student’s teacher is the same utilizing MyConferenceTime starting Friday, October 6th. You have the option of meeting in person or virtually with the link that is provided in the confirmation email you receive after you sign up. Please SAVE the confirmation e-mail you receive. It will be the only communication that contains the link to meet with the teacher virtually.
News from the Volunteer Services Coordinator
Conferences are coming up on October 12th and October 17th. We are looking for "Grab & Go" type items for teachers to have a quick snack to eat between teaching and conferences on Thursday, October 17th. If you would like to donate, please sign up here: Andover HS Conference Food Donations. Please drop-off items or send items with your student to the school office starting Wednesday, October 11th through Monday, October 16th. Please label donations VSC. Thank you for your support!
If you have any questions, please contact Tina Huston, Volunteer Service Coordinator at tina.huston@ahschools.us
Important Phone Numbers
24-Hour Attendance Line:
763-506-8406
Health Services Office:
763-506-8504 or 763-506-8404
Cap and Gown Ordering Information
Order your cap and gown free of charge to all graduates from Jostens
Seniors must go to this link to submit their cap and gown measurements electronically. The deadline for submission for the cap and gown will be December 15, 2023. Graduation announcements can also be ordered via the link below. The deadline will be December 15, 2023 for announcement orders.
How to order the free cap and gown:
- Click on the link above
- Fill in the required information and submit
Please go to this link to order announcements or other graduation items (if you prefer to order through Jostens). Please note: All seniors will receive a black/gold tassel with their cap and gown. You have an option to purchase an additional “Keepsake” tassel if you choose.
Should you have any questions, please email Courtney Piekarski.
Students Start off a ‘good year’ Cleaning up the Rum River
Students at Andover and Blaine high schools recently teamed up to help a community in need. After learning used car tires were being illegally dumped in the Rum River, students from both schools developed a plan to clean up the mess.
Bob Ameli, environmental science teacher at Andover High School, and Larry Osmek, science teacher at Blaine High School, enlisted over 60 students to help clean up the area and properly dispose of the tires.
After scouting the area this summer, Ameli figured there were around 75 tires needing to be removed, but once they got to work, they learned it was so much more. “All totaled, we removed well over 200 tires from the river using canoes and a lot of determination,” Ameli said. “The students were very enthusiastic about making such a tangible difference.”
Read the full story.
View photos of students cleaning up the Rum River.
2024 Commended Student for National Merit Scholarship Program
Andover High School Senior, Henry Myos, has been named as a National Merit Commended Scholars. Commended students are generally the top 3-5% of scorers on the PSAT/NMSQT. This means about 35,000 students will receive commended status. This is a worthy accomplishment, indicating an overall strong PSAT score, and recognized students receive Letters of Commendation from the NMSC to mark their achievement. Commended Students are named based on a nationally applied Selection Index score that may vary from year to year and is typically below the level required for participants to be named Semifinalists in their respective states.
Congratulations Henry!
AP Exam Payment Information
The window for payment for the AP Exam is Sunday, October 1st - Wednesday, November 1st. A completed AP exam registration includes two steps:
- STUDENTS will need to register for each of their AP exams on the College Board website. Do not create a new account if one has previously been created. Students will have received instructions on how to complete this step in their AP courses. Students will be able to see all exams they have registered for in their College Board Account. Students should check with their AP teachers if there are any questions with this step.
- PARENTS will then need to pay for the exam(s) through SchoolPay. Please submit your payment(s) for each AP exam through SchoolPay. If you have an AP course that starts in trimester two, you will need to come back and complete this step at a later date. If you have more than one child at Andover High School, please make sure that you select the correct student as we are not able to transfer these fees from one student to another. The cost of each AP exam is $60. Students that receive free or reduced lunch pay $10 per exam. Our hope is that the expense is not a deterrent from taking the exam and potentially earning college credit. If the cost of the exam is an issue, please contact courtney.piekarski@ahschools.us for possible assistance.
***If your student would like to apply for accommodations, please reach out to your AP coordinator for more information. This process is required to be completed before December 15th, 2023 for any non-emergent accommodation requests.
Here are the online SchoolPay directions for families if needed:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1S-e47lURlQ4cxb2YVlMzyhPCG_H2uY5Y/view?usp=drive_link
If you are having difficulty accessing SchoolPay, please contact our HELP Desk - 763-506-HELP or 506HELP@ahschools.us.
Yearbook and Ads for Grads
Order Your Yearbook!
Now is the time to order your 2023 - 2024 Yearbook! You can view details and ordering information through the Jostens website here.
Seniors: Ads for Grads
Calling all Senior Parents! To submit your Ad for Grad (baby pictures/Senior recognition ad) to the yearbook, please go to the Jostens website to place your ad. The deadline to complete this is Friday, November 3rd.
Counseling Office Info
Attention PSEO Students!
Student Notice of Registration forms are available for Spring 2024 Semester. You will need this completed each semester for the college to allow you to register.
Please complete the top portion of the below PDF and turn it in to your counselor. These are only for students currently attending PSEO. We also have some forms in the Counseling Office if you need one.
Back on Track
Need to make up a class? See your counselor to register for credit recovery. You can see details here.
Are Your Student-Athletes Ready to Play?
See the PDF below to check out this NCAA Student-Athlete guide if you're considering pursuing athletics in college.
Career Center News
October is College Knowledge Month
Senior Parent Night for College Help
If you have a senior that is planning on going to some type of postsecondary education after high school and you have questions about that process, this event is for you. We will be hosting a fall workshop to go through the college application process, financial aid and scholarships, and much more! Registration is not required to attend.
- Tuesday, October 17th
- 5:00 - 6:00 PM
- Andover HS - IMC
Pay Less for College Event
This free workshop is designed to help parents find ways to work within the financial aid system to increase their eligibility for financial aid, reduce taxes, and find more efficient ways to pay for a college education.
Presenter Mike Branch, CFP of Focus Financial will cover:
Two Types of Aid: Need based and merit based
Three critical issues in college planning: taxes, control & financial aid scholarships, and loans & credits
Tax credits, tax free savings accounts, and other incentives
How to structure income and assets to maximize eligibility for financial aid
The four partners in planning: parent, student, school, government
Developing your recipe: GPA, class rank, ACT Score, EFC, unique abilities
Registration and more information can be found here.
College and Career Visits
These trips are open to all students to sign up and attend. Check back often, as these opportunities are added throughout the school year. Space is limited, sign-up today!
You can also view a list of other college fairs and events that are happening this fall.
News from the Youth Services Coordinator
The Andover Leos
Is your student looking for volunteer hours?
Join the Youth Service Google Classroom to see a list of upcoming volunteer opportunities in our community. Questions? Feel free to contact me at tammy.peterson@ahschools.us
DROP in for Service!
In an effort to bring the spirit of service to Andover High School, Youth Service will be hosting a variety of fun and meaningful service projects during select late start Mondays. Service projects will take place right here at school; participating students will receive 1 service hour per session. Click here for more details on dates, times, and room location.
This week at Drop in for Service, participants made pet sized tie blankets to be donated to Angel of Hope animal rescue. On October 9th, we will be collecting gently used, culturally appropriate Halloween costumes (no weapons please), and will be putting together treat bags for People Serving People. People Serving People is the largest and most comprehensive emergency shelter for families experiencing homelessness in Minnesota and is a dedicated leader in homelessness prevention. If you have gently used Halloween costumes that you would like to donate, please send them to school with your student on 10/9.
Has your student completed a lot of volunteer hours?
President’s Volunteer Service Award
The President’s award is given for hours completed in the calendar year. Any service from January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023 is considered for the award. Just return your Verification of Hours form to document the hours you’ve spent volunteering.
Jefferson Award winner for September - Emma Yu
The Students in Action Multiplying Good Award for Public Service is a national recognition system honoring community and public volunteerism. Each month we recognize one student who has taken effective action, and created a meaningful impact while improving our community and making the world a better place. For the month of September, we want to recognize and celebrate Emma Yu. Emma is deeply committed to her work with the Asian American and Pacific Islander Youth Voices non-profit organization. Through this organization, she gives her time in order to create awareness around the important histories, and significant contributions of AAPI communities. Emma has served at senior homes by organizing and hosting concerts, facilitating tech-support classes, and providing English classes. Additionally, she has helped host several multicultural fairs, is politically active, and is an ardent fundraiser for AAPI Youth Voices.
Andover HS - Best High Schools Ranking
Andover High School earned high National and metro-area rankings in 2023-2024 Best High Schools, which U.S. News released this morning. Here is your school’s updated U.S. News profile page, with details about its rankings: www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/minnesota/districts/anoka-hennepin-public-school-dist/andover-high-school-10667.
Tips for Healthy Social Media Use
It is important for both parents/guardians and students to regularly check in with their social media use and interactions. In a blog post from icanhelp.net titled, “Back to School, But Let's Chat About Social Media First,” parents and students are provided with five tips on having a healthy relationship with social media.
For Parents: The Protector’s Playbook
Timing is Everything
Privacy 101
Parental Tools
Trust, Don’t Hover
Friend or Foe?
For Students: Digital Citizenship Skills for Gen Z
Block Wisely
Curate Your Circle
Digital Detox
Respond to Harm
Bridge the Generation Gap
Read the full blog post, which provides more detail on each of the five tips.
This e-newsletter is published by Andover High School. Questions, comment or concerns about the school e-newsletter? Contact us.