In the Know - Jan. 27, 2023

Jan. 27, 2023

Making improvements in a school system with over 50 sites and more than 7,000 staff members requires intentional planning and coordination. The Anoka-Hennepin School Board utilizes a continuous improvement cycle and strategic priorities framework as a system to bring necessary resources to schools, and evaluate and monitor programming for effectiveness.

At the School Board meeting Jan. 23, interim superintendent Dr. Kate Maguire provided an overview of the recommended strategic priorities and investments for the 2023-24 school year. View the recommendations approved by the School Board for next school year.

Read more about the continuous improvement model and the strategic priorities process.

Employee 2022 W-2s are now available to print within Skyward Employee Access. Visit the Staff Intranet website for detailed instructions on how to print your W-2.

Please contact Payroll at extension 61050 or Payroll.Help@AHSchools.us with any questions.

On Jan. 1, 2023, the self-help app, Sanvello, transitioned to Self Care by AbleTo. Self Care includes many of the same features and benefits as the Sanvello app and UnitedHealthcare eligible members will still have access at no cost.

Self Care by AbleTo is an on-demand access to self-help for stress and emotional well-being. Members can get access to self-care techniques, coping tools, meditations and more — anytime, anywhere. View the flyer for more information about AbleTo.

Existing users of the Sanvello app:

• Existing users of the Premium version of Sanvello may continue to use it throughout their annual subscription and will be invited to transition to Self Care beginning in January 2023, or at the renewal of their annual subscription.
• Existing users of the free version of the Sanvello app (non-Premium) will continue to have access through December 31, 2023.

New users of Self Care by AbleTo:

• New members wanting to access self-help through their benefits will be directed to Self Care by AbleTo.

Ready to get started?

• Visit ableto.com/begin (Have health plan ID handy).
• Follow the steps to sign-up.
• Begin your self-care program.

Anoka-Hennepin is currently seeking teachers and paraeducators for early childhood, elementary and secondary Extended School Year and Targeted Services summer positions.

Paraeducators and teachers who are not available for working the entirety of the summer schedule are encouraged to still apply and reach out to the appropriate supervisor indicating your availability. Sub coverage is still needed in the summer and your availability may help to fill that need. Learn more about summer school positions.

The 10 winners of the annual kindness poster contest were recognized for their award-winning artwork at the Anoka-Hennepin School Board meeting on Jan. 23. This year’s theme was “There is POWER in Kindness.”

The district invited students at all grade levels to submit their best artwork for the competition and the school-level winners advanced to the district-level judging. Nearly 150 posters were voted on by staff at the Educational Service Center on Nov. 10.

The 19th annual event supports a districtwide initiative to support safe and welcoming schools. Research has demonstrated kindness as one of the most significant contributors to a positive school climate.

Congratulations to this year’s winners and thank you to all participants for helping to share kindness all year long.

Every day in Anoka-Hennepin, high school students are getting a head start on their behind the wheel education thanks to technology being utilized in drivers education classes in all five high schools in the district.

Each school has eight virtual driving simulators installed in classrooms and anywhere from eight to 16 students are utilizing them during each hour of the school day. The simulators include a widescreen display, a steering wheel and foot pedals and offer a real-life experience of being behind the wheel of a vehicle. Learn more about how virtual driving simulators are being used in Anoka-Hennepin.

Did you know that around 34,000 Anoka-Hennepin students ride a bus to and from school each day? The district transportation services department works closely with partners to safely transport students using approximately 380 vehicles traveling more than six million miles annually.

The district services more than 8,000 bus stops traveling to and from more than 60 school sites daily.

In the latest Parent Engage 360 Podcast episode, host Liz Burgard is joined by transportation director B.J. Ison and transportation safety coordinator Jeff Mueller to learn more about what goes into safely planning a school bus route, where bus stops are located and much more. In this episode you will also learn about the annual school bus safety poster contest and how students learn about bus safety throughout the school year.

On Jan. 25, Champlin Park High School (CPHS) hosted an evening event to honor and celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with the motto of the event titled, Together we can be The Dream.

CPHS student achievement advisor (SAA) Ross Giles hosted the event and Jackson Middle School (JMS) SSA Dorborwulu Cooper was the guest vocalist and performed original music. Rashad Cohen, a global transformational speaker, was the guest speaker and his virtual message focused on character and finding a way to have an impact. The evening culminated with a showing of Paramount Pictures’, "SELMA." View photos from the recognition event.

The evening included a sock drive by the CPHS Black Student Union, with items donated to The HOPE Office of Anoka-Hennepin.

At 85, one would think Coach John DePalma might be relaxing on the beach with his wife of 56 years or settling back into retirement, but believe it or not, this experienced coach is not ready to spend his golden years on the sidelines.

DePalma has been coaching in one way or another since he was a teenager. He runs his own quarterback clinic and coaches flag football, baseball and basketball for Anoka-Hennepin Community Education at Roosevelt Middle School in Blaine. A former marine captain and retired banker, Coach DePalma has a gift he keeps on giving.

• Action of the School Board: Jan. 23, 2023.
• Increased security in place to ensure safety at school events.
  
• Information sessions available for Grow Your Own Program offered through the University of St. Thomas.
  

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