In the Know - January 29, 2024
January 29, 2024
Results of December email phishing campaign
In December, the technology and information department conducted an email phishing campaign for all staff. The initiative aimed to assess the effectiveness of staff members in identifying potential emails or shared documents designed to elicit unsafe behavior. Eight email phishing templates were selected, and one of those emails was sent to all district staff over nine days.
Why it matters: All district staff can enhance the cybersecurity posture of the district and create a safer digital environment for all.
Results: The district phishing rate has decreased from 30% to 10% since the last phishing campaign. Technology and information department staff believe recent training and education have helped reduce the overall phishing rate.
Were you phished? Approximately 782 staff members were phished during the last blind campaign.
What you can do to help: More training opportunities will be provided for those who were fished Jan. 29. Employees who were phished will receive an email from AH Cybersecurity Notifications (CyberSecurity@ahschools.us) with the subject line “Phishing Follow-up Course.” This is NOT spam.
- The email will include a highly recommended training course consisting of two short videos with two activities to complete.
- Please take the time to review and complete the training to improve your cybersecurity knowledge to protect yourself both at home and at work.
- Training should be completed by March 29, 2024.
Third free online educational class for employees is Jan. 30: Estate Planning Basics
A partnership between the Anoka-Hennepin Labor Relations and Benefits Department and Capital Street Financial Services, Inc. has led to the Anoka-Hennepin Financial Education Program. The goal of the program is to provide employees with practical knowledge, skills-building opportunities and resources they can use to manage their finances with confidence.
💵 Class information: Estate Planning Basics
🗓️ When: Jan. 30, 2024 - 5-6 p.m.
📝 What: General estate planning concepts and strategies are explained. Learn about wills, trusts, health care, directives, and other important documents and considerations for your legacy planning.
🔍 Learn more about the partnership and see dates for other classes.
Applications open for the AHEF’s first round of grants for 2024-25 school year
The Anoka-Hennepin Educational Foundation (AHEF) has opened the spring round of grants for the 2024-25 school year. Apply for a grant for next school year at ahef.us.
Any teacher or Anoka-Hennepin employee is able to submit a grant that cultivates innovative and equitable experiences for district students.
“It is because of our generous donors, that these funds are available to teachers and staff to benefit students,” said Tess DeGeest, Executive Director of the AHEF. “Donors make this possible because they care about kids, and they care about education.”
All grant recipients commit to submitting a report on the impact of the grant-funded project along with photos, videos and/or testimonials of the grant’s impact on students. Applications close on Friday, March 29, 2024 with funds available in August for the 2024-25 school year.
📲 Questions about the grant process should be directed to Tess DeGeest at 763-506-1107 or via email at theresa.degeest@ahschools.us.
Apply now for summer school positions
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.
💻 Visit ahschools.us/jobs to browse positions and apply online.
Negotiations update: Details of tentative agreement being shared as approval process proceeds
The tentative agreement between the school district and Anoka-Hennepin Education Minnesota (AHEM) reached Jan. 20 has been a topic of discussion in our school communities with some details likely to be circulated in news media outlets.
The basics: Terms of the agreement include a 5% increase on the salary schedule in the first year, and 3% in the second year of the contract along with other various contract improvements.
Details to follow: Complete details will be presented to AHEM members for their approval with final approval of the contract being considered as soon as the February 26, 2024 school board meeting.
Additional details regarding terms and conditions will be shared as part of the approval process.
2024 Kindness Poster Contest video
Ten students from across the school district were recognized at the Jan. 22 School Board meeting for their winning posters. This year's theme was "Make Kindness Your Purpose." 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 competition. Nearly 150 posters were voted on by staff at the Educational Service Center on Tuesday, Nov. 7 and 10 were named districtwide winners.
🎨 Learn more about the contest and view all of the winning posters.
📺 Watch the video, highlighting student poster contest winners.
Legislative Delegation meeting ensures strong communication
Anoka-Hennepin school board members and district leadership invited state legislators to a special meeting held January 25 to discuss priority items in advance of the upcoming session.
Why it matters: Over 70 percent of the funding provided for school operations is allocated by the Minnesota State Legislature. Ensuring that the 7 state senators and eleven state representatives that serve portions of the district have information and connections regarding matters that impact local schools is important.
On the agenda: The Anoka-Hennepin School Board cooperatively creates a legislative agenda each year and shares that information directly with those who serve the district.
For 2024, the district is prioritizing:
- Improving literacy at all grade levels.
- Improving student engagement, connection and behavior.
- Ensuring a strong workforce to provide services to students.
In the room: Following a presentation from Superintendent Cory McIntyre, legislators engaged in a robust information sharing session with district staff. Senators attending included Jim Abeler, (35, R), John Hoffman, (34,D), Michael Kreun (32, R), Mary Kunesh, (39, D) and representatives Danny Nadeau, (34A, R), Jerry Newton, (35B, D), Harry Niska, (31A, R), Peggy Scott, (31B, R), and Zach Stephenson, (35A, D).
🗓️ The 2024 legislative session is set to begin on Monday, Feb. 12.
Madison Elementary brings families together at Multicultural Night
Madison Elementary School welcomed families and the community to celebrate the many different cultures of their student population at its Multicultural Night on Jan. 25. The evening marked the 16th year of the event.
The Madison Multicultural Night incorporates grade level and student performances combined with community dance companies. The event also welcomes families to attend dressed in clothes celebrating their culture.
Performances included:
- Students from grades 2, 3, 4 and 5.
- Ojibwe drum and dance - performed by a student and his family.
- Irish dance and musical performance by Rebecca Michaelson, the music teacher at Madison.
- Baile Folklorico - a folkloric dance in Mexico. The group Baile Folklorico Mexico Azteca has attended the event at Madison in each of the 16 years.
- Clog dancing - originated from the Appalachian area, performed by a student.
- Natyakala Dance School Performers - a student dance celebrating India’s rich cultural heritage.
- Hmong Qeej - students performed a dance with traditional Hmong instruments.
- Kuyayki Peru - MN - Cultural organization dedicated to educating and spreading awareness of Peruvian culture.
Curriculum open house set: Two Rivers Transition Program at Franklin
Anoka-Hennepin School District families, students, and staff are invited to review Two Rivers Transition Program at Franklin’s new curriculum options and provide feedback. The district will offer an in-person open house opportunity in February.
When: Wednesday, Feb. 21 from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Where: Educational Service Center, 2727 N Ferry St., Anoka.
These new curriculum options are in the areas of transitional programming for students who receive special education services ages 18-22. The review committee will present an update to the School Board in Fall 2024, the new curriculum will be piloted for the 2024-25 school year.
Parent Education Series: Next Parent Engage 360 event set for Thursday, Feb. 29
Join parents and guardians from the Anoka-Hennepin Schools community for information and resources to support the needs of students today.
The big picture: Anoka-Hennepin will host three Parent Engage 360 community and parent education events during the 2023-24 school year, aiming to provide resources for parents and guardians to support their students and others in the community. Topics range from mental health, chemical health, internet safety, and more. Parent Engage 360 forum events are offered both in-person and in virtual formats and are free and open to the public.
Advocating for your child: The second Parent Engage 360 event will feature Beth Lovre, family peer educator with the National Alliance of Mental Illness Minnesota. The event, titled "You’re the Expert: How to successfully advocate for your child," will provide parents/guardians with information and resources on how parents can be an advocate for their child in the doctor’s office, the mental health system and in public education settings.
🗓️ When: Thursday, Feb. 29 at 6:30 p.m.
📍 Where: Champlin Park High School auditorium
✅ RSVP: Register for this event (registration is not required, but helps with planning).
What’s next: The next topic will be focused on Chemical Health: Tobacco and vaping prevention, and is scheduled to be held Monday, April 1 at the Andover High School auditorium from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Leading the event will be speaker Claire Weiss, Youth Programs Coordinator, myHealth for Teens and Young Adults.
🎧 Go deeper: For more resources, tune in to the award-winning Parent Engage 360 Podcast which is available on more of your favorite podcasting platforms. Listen to the podcast on Podbean, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music/Audible, Spotify, iHeartRadio and Samsung Podcasts. To register and learn more about Parent Engage 360 events, please visit ahschools.us/parentengage360.
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This e-newsletter is published by Anoka-Hennepin Schools. It's sent to all Anoka-Hennepin staff on a weekly basis during the school year, excluding breaks (and periodically during the summer). Questions, comments or concerns about In the Know e-newsletter? Contact us.