In the Know - March 31, 2023
March 31, 2023
Celebrating the 2023 Above & Beyond Awards recipients
At a ceremony held March 29, 13 outstanding district employees were honored as Anoka-Hennepin School District’s 2022-23 Above & Beyond Award recipients.
The recipients:
- Billie Davis-Fehr, Monroe Elementary, teacher, special education (ASD).
- Lana Johnson, Ramsey Elementary, teacher, grade 3.
- Rachel Jorgensen, Anoka High School, teacher, work based learning.
- Sarah Kisiah, Northdale Middle School, teacher, English, AVID support teacher.
- Dominic Krebsbach, Monroe Elementary, teacher, grade 4.
- Sarah Lindbo, Champlin-Brooklyn Park Academy, teacher, grade 2.
- Jennifer Peña, Blaine High School, licensed school nurse.
- John Peña, Coon Rapids High School, principal.
- Molly Schuster, Oxbow Creek Elementary, paraeducator, elementary.
- Jacob Southmayd, Dayton Elementary, teacher, special education (ABS).
- Minh Strusz, Hoover Elementary, principal.
- Bill Underwood, Educational Service Center, teaching and learning specialist, special education technology.
- Jacque Weidner, Lincoln Elementary, teacher, special education (SLD).
The 2023 Above & Beyond Awards ceremony was held at the Educational Service Center (ESC) in Anoka and was attended by 150 people. Watch a replay of the event.
“This event, every year, just fills my heart,” said Nicole Hayes, Anoka-Hennepin School Board Vice Chair. “I know what amazing staff we have here at Anoka-Hennepin, but I’m blown away by this group and the past honorees. On behalf of the school board and foundation board, congratulations and thank you. We are deeply appreciative of what you do for your students first, but also what you do for your colleagues.”
Anoka-Hennepin recognizes that over 7,000 staff members across the district do amazing work each day in supporting the students, schools and the communities. This year, over 150 staff members were nominated for the honor. Read more about the 2023 recipients.
NEW EPISODES: Anoka-Hennepin and Allina Health present SupportingYoU podcast
Anoka-Hennepin and Allina Health partnered to provide district teachers and staff with a library of resources to support employee health and mental wellness.
SupportingYoU, an employee wellness podcast, has 34 episodes available now - featuring a range of topics from self-care fundamentals to the importance of gratitude.
Listen by visiting the website at ahschools.us/supportingyou.
Preparing to change your employee password in April
Keeping data safe and protected is the driving factor behind having a secure network password. All Anoka-Hennepin employees will be required to change their password starting in April. There will be a phased support model with all sites assigned to one of three phases.
For the first time in three years, Anoka-Hennepin staff members will be required to change their password. There will be a three-phased model to support password changes across the district.
Note: Passwords should be changed using your district-issued device while connected to the AH network. Communication regarding the phases of password change deadlines will come from the technology team in your building.
Sites will be assigned as follows:
Phase I - April 3-14
- Elementary sites: Andover, Brookside, Evergreen Park, Hamilton, Johnsville, Madison, Rum River, Sand Creek, University Avenue.
- Middle school sites: Anoka Middle School Washington and Fred Moore campuses, Jackson Middle School.
- High school sites: Andover, Anoka, STEP.
- Remote sites: Andover Mall (JA/STEP), Anoka Human Services (CED), Bell Center, Coon Rapids Family Center Mall (programs: Early Childhood, Pathways, HOPE Office and Family Welcome Center), ECSE at Riverview and Sorteberg, Sandburg Education Center, RTLC Verndale and River Trail.
Phase II - April 17-28
- Elementary sites: CBPA, Dayton, Hoover, Jefferson, Mississippi, Monroe, Morris Bye, Sunrise, Wilson.
- Middle school sites: Compass, Coon Rapids, Northdale.
- High school sites: Blaine, Champlin Park, Regional/Technical.
- Educational Service Center.
Phase III - May 1-12
- Elementary sites: Adams, Crooked Lake, Eisenhower, Franklin, Lincoln, McKinley, Oxbow, Ramsey.
- Middle school sites: Oak View, Roosevelt.
- High school sites: Coon Rapids.
Tips on how to create a long passphrase
First, start with a strong word or phrase. Try to pick something memorable to you personally, but does not include sensitive information. Your name is sensitive information, never include your name, address, ID number, or any details about your family or life in your passphrases.
Strong password choices include:
- Favorite sayings.
- Funny phrases.
- References to something you like.
Next, add to your strong word or phrase. For example Gold Crown. This can be made stronger by making it more complex. The Queen Wears a Gold Crown is still easy to remember, but harder to crack.
Your password goal:
- Create something long, memorable, and difficult to guess.
- Be ready to change your password when your assigned date arrives.
Once you change your password in AHConnect, you will be logged out of Google, iCloud, and OneDrive on all devices and you will need to log in again using your new passphrase. This is a Google 2-step verification requirement.
Review this document with instructions on how to change your network password.
UnitedHealthcare April engagement toolkit: Managing stress
To support Anoka-Hennepin School District employees, UnitedHealthcare has created a monthly engagement toolkit to support employee health and well-being.
This month, employees can find guidance on managing stress, and curated resources for navigating two of life’s biggest stressors – finances and relationships.
- Strategies for improving personal finances.
- Tips for managing relationship stress.
- Tools for coping with stressful situations.
- Coloring sheet to de-stress.
View the resources in the April engagement toolkit.
In May, to recognize Mental Health Awareness Month, content will include tools and resources for promoting and prioritizing mental well-being at home and at work.
Universal School Meals program to begin fall of 2023
Recently, the Minnesota Legislature approved and the Governor signed a bill providing “Universal School Meals,” which means every student may receive one breakfast and one lunch at no cost starting in the fall of 2023. The program will cover one breakfast and one lunch for every student, however ala carte and other meal choices will not be covered.
Families will need to continue purchasing meals for their students for the remainder of this school year, as the new bill will not forgive or pay for any meal debt accrued before Sept. 2023. If your family needs immediate assistance with free or reduced-priced meals, or access to other educational benefits (such as high school athletics and activity fees; ACT, SAT and AP fees; Comcast internet and SNAP membership discounts; Xcel Energy account assistance and more), please visit ahschools.us/childnutrition to complete an application.
The district’s child nutrition program is working to provide details for all families in preparation for the 2023-24 school year. Stay tuned to your back to school communications for specific details about this benefit for your family in the summer of 2023.
Highway 10 update: Ferry Street Bridge closed
A major portion of the Highway 10 Anoka Project began mid-March, 2023, as construction on a new Single Point Urban Interchange at Ferry Street in Anoka started. To facilitate work, the bridge has been removed and detours put in place for the duration of the project. Completion is expected by Dec. 1, 2023. Employees and visitors to the Anoka-Hennepin Educational Services Center should plan accordingly as routes could be modified by detour during this time.
Northbound access to Ferry Street has been eliminated from Highway 10 during the construction period. Follow posted detours or view the detour map.
For more information visit the Highway 10 Anoka project website.
Apply for summer positions, now
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. Read details and apply online.
Action of the School Board
Action of the School Board provides brief summaries of Anoka-Hennepin School Board meetings in HTML format and is available online in a translatable format. View the summary of the March 27, 2023 meeting.
School Board approves twigScience as K-5 Science curriculum
The elementary Science curriculum study process concluded Monday, March 23, after the School Board unanimously approved twigScience as the preferred curriculum for K-5 Science to begin in the fall of 2023. The $2.6 million investment follows a competitive curriculum review process that includes public feedback and responses from students and staff who piloted the materials in Anoka-Hennepin classrooms over the past school year.
The change in curriculum was initiated due to the current curriculum, FOSS, no longer being available for purchase and a change in the Minnesota State Academic Standards for Science in 2019. twigScience aligns with the state education standards for Science and incorporates interactive and hands-on learning experiences. View a video from twigScience to see the curriculum in action.
Materials embed phenomena or problems across multiple lessons for students to use and build knowledge of science concepts.
District Indian Education program to co-host powwow on April 1
Anoka-Hennepin’s Indian Education program will co-host a powwow with Elk River Area Schools, Fridley Public Schools, Roseville Area Schools and St. Michael-Albertville Schools Indian Education programs on Saturday, April 1 at Champlin Park High School.
The day-long event begins at 11 a.m. and is free and open to the public. Activities will include special exhibitions, Native vendors and breakout sessions. The Grand Entry is set for 1 p.m. and the event will conclude with a feast at 5 p.m.
Little Earth Singers will serve as the host drums while Hoka Hey, Bear Runner and Southern Boyz will perform as invite drums. Zach Red Bear will be the head male dancer and Holly Henning the head female dancer.
Annual elementary art fair runs March 28 - April 6
Anoka-Hennepin’s annual elementary art fair will be on display at Northtown Mall in Blaine now through April 6 during mall hours.
Art teachers across the district have selected works for display that can be viewed in the rotunda near Best Buy. Northtown Mall is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays.
The top 10% of artwork from throughout this school year was selected for display at the art fair, displaying work that exceeded the expectations of the project guidelines. Students whose artwork was selected received a letter and certificate and can see their work on display.
Champlin Park High School - School spotlight
Champlin Park High School is a collaborative educational community focused on increased achievement for all. CPHS is proud to offer a wide range of post-secondary readiness programs for its students which include, Advanced Placement, Honors, International Baccalaureate, College Possible and AVID. Learn more about Champlin Park High School in the latest school spotlight video.
Education, Employment and Enlistment Spring Spectacular and financial aid help session set for April 22
Career and college specialists from across the school district have collaborated to provide families with the opportunity to explore a variety of college, career and alternate pathways to pursue after school. The group will present the first “Education, Employment, and Enlistment Spring Spectacular” on Saturday, April 22 from 8:30-11 a.m. at Blaine High School (BHS).
Families can learn more about financial aid by attending a FAFSA and MN Dream Act help session at the event. The free financial aid session will feature professional assistance in completing the FAFSA or the MN Dream Act. A brief financial aid overview will run from 8:30-8:45 a.m., followed by time (8:45-10 a.m.) to work on filling out financial aid forms and asking questions. Learn more about the college and career fair and the financial aid events.
Champlin Park High School Unified Club hosts Polar Plunge
The Champlin Park High School Unified Club hosted a Polar Plunge fundraiser on March 30 to help raise money to support the program. The Unified Club at CPHS aims to create a school climate where students with disabilities feel welcome and routinely included in, and feel a part of, all activities, opportunities and functions. See some highlights from the event in a story by CCX News.
- District technology and information department launching email phishing training for staff.
- Suicide Prevention Training available in the district's learning management system.
- Muslim students and families to observe Ramadan in March and April.
- Minnesota United FC to host educator appreciation night
- W-2s now available for printing.
- 2022 1095c forms available for download.
- Parent Engage 360 Podcast Episode 30: Transportation safety and winter weather.
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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.