Back to school - high school
Aug. 11, 2023
Anoka-Hennepin’s high schools - Andover, Anoka, Blaine, Champlin Park, Coon Rapids, Regional, Technical and STEP - are joining forces to send this special back-to-school message. Please remain alert for additional back-to-school information being sent by your school orvisit ahschools.us/bts for additional information.
Procedures in place to protect school safety
Maintaining a safe and secure school environment begins at the front door when parents/guardians and visitors enter the building. Enhanced safety and security procedures aim to maintain a high level of customer service while also improving building safety. These are standard safety procedures that are in effect at all of our high schools.
Enhanced entrance security procedures/requirements:
- Advance appointments needed to enter school during the school day.
- Valid identification required.
- Drop-off items for students will be managed at the security desk/front office area.
- Student pick-up will be arranged in advance and students will meet parents/guardians outside school.
Focusing on learning, limiting use of cell phones in school
The digital well-being of our students is critical to their success in high school. All of our high schools thrive on creating a healthier, more effective and engaging learning environment in our classrooms by limiting the use of cell phones. The impact of cell phones on student’s developing brains and their educational success is well researched; the negatives of using cell phones in the classroom far outweighs the positives. Each of our schools have developed a cell phone policy that is in alignment to our District handbook pg. 45. All our high schools expect that students will turn their cell phones off or put them in airplane mode during class time and store them in their backpack unless the teacher has given permission. Removing cell phone use from the classroom will increase student engagement and learning, and limit the negative impacts of social media.
During passing time and at lunch students are welcome to use their phones. If a student needs to access Google Classroom, check their grades or email, they can use their Chromebook to do so. If a parent/guardian has an emergency and needs to contact a student right away, they can email the student at their school email account or call the main office and a message will be sent right away to the classroom to have the student step out and call home.
All of our high schools will be reviewing cell phone expectations with students in class the first week of school and we greatly appreciate your support.
Helpful Resources:
- Tuesday, Sept. 5: Freshmen and new-to-district students
- Wednesday, Sept. 6: Returning sophomore, junior and senior students
Getting off to a strong start at a new school is a key strategy for ensuring students feel safe, welcome and ready to maximize opportunities. When school begins for the 2023-24 school year on Sept. 5, freshmen and new-to-district students at Anoka-Hennepin’s five traditional high schools will participate in a series of activities that aim to ease the transition to high school and build a foundation for academic success. The first day of school for returning sophomore, junior and seniors is Wednesday, Sept. 6.
Attendance is required by law; regular attendance essential to a successful school year
Regular attendance in school is essential to the success of students. Students who attend school consistently are more likely to achieve academically, graduate high school on time, and feel more connected during their time in high school. Missing 2 days of school per month (for any reason) can lead to students having difficulty graduating.
- Student attendance is recorded each class period.
- Students are considered tardy if they arrive to class up to 15 minutes late to a class period.
- School districts are required by law to file a truancy report to their respective county when students reach a certain number of unexcused absences. We want to partner with you to support your students' success to avoid truancy action being taken.
Collaborative Time (CT) for high schools for set for 2023-24
For the 2023-24 school year, Collaborative Time (CT) is set for eight Mondays per trimester starting Monday, Sept. 18. Other dates for trimester one include Sept. 25, Oct. 2, Oct. 9, Oct. 23, Oct. 30, Nov. 6 and Nov. 13. Dates for the entire year are posted on the calendar section of the school website. School for students will begin at 8:30 a.m. instead of the usual 7:40 a.m. on these days. Student transportation schedules will not be changed.
CT time is a research-based strategy for teachers and school staff to collaborate with the goal of improving educational outcomes for students.
District high schools transition to online ticketing for athletics and activities events
All five Anoka-Hennepin traditional high schools (Andover, Anoka, Blaine, Champlin Park and Coon Rapids) have made the transition to online ticket sales for athletics and activities events. With the exception of boys and girls hockey, all ticket sales for events hosted by district schools will be online using VANCO Events, the official ticketing system.
Payment will no longer be accepted at the admission gate. Fans and spectators are encouraged to purchase tickets prior to a scheduled event and be prepared to show their confirmation email with QR code to be scanned upon entry to the chosen event. Fans may show a confirmation email/QR code on their smartphone or with a printed copy.
Adult (18-59) tickets for football games are $8 and other athletic events are $6. Students (K-12) are $6 for football games and $4 for other athletic events. Fans 60 and older receive free admission to all events.
Students from the hosting and visiting schools must be prepared to show student identification at events and middle school students and younger must be accompanied and supervised by an adult chaperone. Students from any other schools/non-participating schools must also be accompanied by an adult chaperone.
Ticket information for each school can be found at the following websites:
- Andover High School: ahschools.us/huskytickets
- Anoka High School: ahschools.us/tornadotickets
- Blaine High School: ahschools.us/bhstickets
- Champlin Park High School: ahschools.us/cphstickets
- Coon Rapids High School: ahschools.us/crhstickets
District athletic pass sticker system discontinued, replaced with alternate system for 2023-24
Anoka-Hennepin Schools is discontinuing the district in-season athletic pass/sticker system and replacing it with an updated system for students in the 2023-24 school year. This decision is based on a variety of issues including student safety concerns, fraudulent use of passes, and systemic issues involving unequal distribution of passes in the current system.
Students will be able to attend events under the same guidelines and systems for all students in the district. Review these important points regarding guidelines for student athlete attendance as modified.
- Student athletes who participate in a sport at a lower-level will be able to attend the varsity level home game of their sport at no additional cost. For example, a current ninth-grade student could attend Football games at no cost but they would need to purchase admission to other events.
- Schools will continue to support students who are experiencing a financial hardship regarding attendance at games.
- Schools will continue their effective “Bleacher Captain” program and the “Stay Above the Line” program to maximize sportsmanship and support of student athletes.
- These updated protocols for passes are similar to other Northwest Suburban Conference Schools and aim to ensure spectators and students enjoy a safe experience at district events.
Anoka-Hennepin has instituted an online ticketing system for athletic events. Tickets are available at ahschools.us on the website of the participating school.
Reminder of event policies as fall activities get back into full swing
Community pride is a big part of the experience as students progress through the Anoka-Hennepin school system. Attending high school activities such as football games on Friday nights is a perfect example of that community pride.
It is important to remember that athletic events are governed by the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) and that student conduct at school and district events is governed by the Anoka-Hennepin Schools Policy Handbook.
All students must be prepared to show student identification at events and middle school students and younger must be accompanied and supervised by an adult chaperone.
Anoka-Hennepin prohibits the following at school events:
- Backpacks
- Outside food or drink
- Weapons
- Alcoholic beverages
- E-cigarettes / Vaping
- Tobacco products
- Controlled substances
For more information, please visit ahschools.us/eventpolicies. Spectators who are unwilling or unable to follow the rules, regulations, or directions from event staff may be asked to leave the event.
Anoka-Hennepin realizes the importance of athletics and activities in the communities it serves and wants to ensure participants, fans, and community members experience a positive environment at each event.
Important update regarding transportation for 2023 fall activities
Due to continued nationwide shortages of bus drivers, we are experiencing disruptions with after school activity transportation. Anoka-Hennepin transportation has been working diligently to ensure that bus routes to and from school and activities are covered. While the bus companies are making progress in adding drivers to address the shortage, we anticipate that there will be continued issues this fall.
Anoka-Hennepin is committed to keeping planned athletic and activity events this fall season. The main goal is for student-athletes to continue to compete despite the driver shortage and transportation issues.
When determining routes for athletics and activities, Anoka-Hennepin considers a variety of factors and locations to determine priority routes. This model requires constant change and adjustment.
In anticipation of a continued driver shortage, you may be asked to consider alternate plans for your child, such as carpooling, or driving your child to events when necessary.
Anoka-Hennepin Schools is not alone in this shortage. School districts across the country are canceling bus routes because of the severe driver shortage. We know that this causes frustration and hardships for families.
Please contact the activities office at your school with questions. This is not an issue your coach is able to remedy.
One solution other districts are trying is to have parents become licensed drivers and get paid to drive their team to events. If you are interested in this or know someone who might be interested, please contact:
- First Student (Champlin & Anoka areas) 763-421-5785 or apply online.
- Kottkes Bus Service (Andover, Blaine, Coon Rapids areas) 763-755-3100 or apply online.
Or feel free to call our district transportation department at 763-506-1125 with other general questions.
Thank you for your patience as we work through this labor shortage.
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The Back-to-School e-newsletter is published by Anoka-Hennepin Schools. It's sent to families of Anoka-Hennepin Schools students prior to the start of the school year. Questions, comments or concerns? Contact us.